November 27, 2018

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2018

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Volume 108, Issue 13

KEEP QUIET Department of Housing and Residential Life silences RAs with unconstitutional policy

By Carrington J. Tatum | Editor-in-Chief Editor's Note: Names and other characteristics that would otherwise identify current Resident Assistants have been withheld as to not jeopardize the employment of any RA. With a policy telling resident assistants to keep quiet, Texas State has reinforced its designation as one of the worst universities in the country for free speech.

Following resident assistants' hesitancies toward interviews, The University Star discovered a Department of Housing and Residential Life policy preventing RAs from speaking to media, including student journalists.

Herbert Jones, associate director for DHRL, oversees Residential Life and Education and said unless approved by the director's office, RAs are not allowed to speak to media.

"We want to make sure that the information is accurate.

We want to make sure the appropriate person is speaking on our behalf," Jones said. "We would ask if they would refer [reporters] to the director's office. What is their opinion based off of? Is it based off of hearsay? Is it based off what they think is happening? They’re giving you an opinion as a media that you’re going to then take and run with."

The policy comes from a concept called the "Five P's," which is communicated to RAs through a PowerPoint presentation slide shown during training. The presentation is considered a governing document for resident assistants.

Covered in a single slide, the "Five P's" state that anytime police, paramedics, press, parents or property damage are in a residence hall, RAs should immediately contact their supervisor. This slide is the only time the media is mentioned in the presentation, and it does not include corresponding punishments.

SEE KEEP QUIET PAGE 3

Fraternities, sororities, UPD team up for holiday season

By Anthony Holland News Contributor The Texas State University Police Officers Association has joined forces with Delta Gamma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon in a gift-giving drive to support local children and families.

The Giving Tree Program, based entirely on donations, aims to help lower-income families participate in the holiday season. This is not the first time Texas State groups have put together events like this, but it is the first-time Delta Gamma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and TSUPOA have worked together. The trio hopes to show solidarity and have a larger reach for many children within the Hays County community.

Jason Moreno, TSUPOA president and UPD patrol sergeant, encourages students, faculty and family to pick up the Delta Gamma designed

ornaments from the stationary and mobile trees in the LBJ Student Center prior to any holiday shopping.

The ornaments contain a list of items the Giving Tree Program sponsees need this holiday season.

“This is a way to give back not just to Texas State, but also to the community of San Marcos,” -Karla Disevo

Runoff Election Fact Sheet SEE PAGE | 2

on-campus runoff election polls Kaiti Evans Senior News Reporter Student Government unanimously passed a resolution Nov. 12 encouraging Texas State and the city of San Marcos to consistently have on-campus polling locations for runoff elections, including this year's Dec. 11 runoff election.

The legislation was created after students and community members voiced voter suppression concerns during the Nov. 6 midterm election's early voting. The backlash encouraged the Hays County Commissioners Court to have an emergency meeting to make necessary changes. Though students received extra early voting polling locations on campus, senators like Sens. Claudia Gasponi and Alexa Browning said they still felt the need to fight voter suppression.

Gasponi and Browning authored

SEE HOLIDAY PAGE 2

LIFE & ARTS

NEWS

Student Government fights for

San Marcos radio hosts Kissing Alley concert series SEE PAGE | 4

OPINIONS Quality journalism will not include election mudslinging SEE PAGE | 6

the Student Voter Run-Off Policy with hopes to increase voter turnout among students in Precinct 334, which primarily consists of on-campus housing, in the Dec.11 runoff election for City Council Place 4 and Place 5. The resolution states that Texas State's administration should have an understanding with the city to always have an on-campus polling station for run-off elections and that it should be prior to students' final exams week.

"Claudia and I both felt it was important because a lot of students do live here," Browning said. "There are 40,000 of us and obviously we can sway the vote if we all back one candidate. Claudia and I felt like it was a type of voter suppression because a lot of students aren't being heard in the run-off elections."

SEE RUNOFF ELECTION PAGE 2

SPORTS Following #FireTeis, donors pull support SEE PAGE | 8

NEWS Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

Editors Editor-in-Chief: Carrington Tatum, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Sawyer Click, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Associate Managing Editor: Bayley Bogus, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Sandra Sadek, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Diana Furman, lifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Zach Ienatsch, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Jakob Rodriguez, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu

2 | Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Sandra Sadek | News Editor

The University Star

FROM FRONT HOLIDAY “The actual ornament will be based off an application the family will be filling out so that they can request clothing, toys, anything the child needs or wants,” Moreno said. “With this being our first tree, we don’t want to over-extend ourselves. We want to make sure we get everyone we can and hopefully, it grows every year.”

Donations can then be dropped off in the lobby of the Nueces building or can be picked up by an officer anywhere on campus during business hours by calling UPD at 512.245.2883.

Delta Gamma and Sigma Alpha members were handing out flyers and utilizing a mobile tree in the Quad last week. The last batch of ornaments is currently up on the two trees located on the second floor of the LBJ student center and at the entrance of Alkek.

However, individuals who missed out on picking up an ornament can still make online donations.

“This is a way to give back not just to Texas State, but also to the community of San Marcos,” Karla Disevo, president of Delta Gamma and interdisciplinary studies senior, said. “We do a lot with our philanthropies and have different foundations, but this is a nice chance to team up with UPD as well as another fraternity to give back to the kids.”

Zachary Watson, Sigma Alpha Epsilon president and construction science and management senior, said he hopes this event can show the good that Fraternity and Sorority Life brings to the university.

“There’s so much negative with Greek Life,” Watson said. “We’re hoping this shows the positive Greek Life can bring (to the community, it has good things to offer to the Texas State University and San Marcos community.”

A holiday party will be held Dec. 11 in the LBJ Student Center to host all the families and children participating.

The program is slated to benefit approximately 55 children with hopes of growing next year.

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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, November 27, 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

FROM FRONT RUNOFF ELECTION The resolution cites several voter suppression concerns, including the date of the elections and the polling locations and times. According to the resolution, the May 24, 2016 runoff election was held after finals and only one of the registered voters in Precinct 334 voted.

Historically, Precinct 334 has the lowest voter turnout in San Marcos.

In addition, it also states that holding the Precinct 334 polling location at Crockett Elementary School and not on campus inhibits students from voting.

Texas State does host a polling location in the LBJ Student Center during early voting.

"I support this piece because it does

fight voter suppression," Castillo said. "We struggle with that a lot as students. I am glad the Senate passed the resolution, so we can start working on this problem."

City Council Place 5 candidate and Texas State faculty Joca Marquez said convenience and timing is a major factor when it comes to voting, especially for runoff elections.

“I think the priority for now is to not to try to suppress student votes again," Marquez said. "The priority now is that when we go into a runoff, students should get to vote before they leave for the semester. It's so important not to suppress their vote yet again."

The Dec. 11 run-off election will give voters the option to vote for City Council Place 4 candidates Shane Scott or Mark Rockeymoore. Texas State faculty members Joca Marquez and Rick Henderson will also be up for election for City Council Place 5. If changes are not made to the date, students will only be able to vote during finals week, unless they participate in early voting. Early voting is available in the LBJ Student Center Nov. 28-30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Student Government senate meetings begin at 7 p.m. every Monday in the LBJ Teaching Theater.

The University Star

Sandra Sadek | News Editor

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 | 3

FROM FRONT KEEP QUIET In the 2015-16 RA manual, the most recent one, the policy is more explicit: "There may be times when you are asked by a member of the press (including campus media) to comment on or be interviewed regarding something that happens either in your hall or on campus. At no point should you comment or grant and interview to the media on an event, policy, procedure or incident that happens on campus without prior approval of your Residence Director. This policy is designed to keep you from misrepresenting your hall, the department and the university because you were misquoted or because you do not know or understand all aspects of a particular issue."

Jones said the manual was the guiding document for training resident assistants but it currently is under review by the department. Now, the policies are taught via the PowerPoint presentation.

Frank LoMonte is the director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida and is a former executive director of the Student Press Law Center.

"Stating your personal opinion about your working conditions is a classic example of constitutionally protected speech," LoMonte said. "The most that a government employer can do is a narrow confidentiality policy that says, for example, you can't share private medical information or private academic information that is shared with you in confidence in your RA role. That's legally permissible. But what's definitely not legally permissible is a blanket 'no unapproved interviews' policy.

Attorney for Students Shannon Fitzgerald said because resident assistants are employees, the university likely has a greater authority to require approval for interviews.

"An RA isn't just a student, they're an employee, and employees' rights are more constricted because of their agreement as an employee to follow certain guidelines," Fitzgerald said.

According to LoMonte, students do not forfeit First Amendment rights when they agree to work for DHRL or

any other department on campus.

"The fact that RAs are students first and employees second only makes the university's argument weaker and the student's argument stronger," LoMonte said. "It is really not 100 percent clear that RAs qualify as "employees" anyway in the eyes of the law."

"I don’t understand why DHRL is telling us why we shouldn’t fill this out. We are students talking to other students."

-Anonymous Adam Steinbaugh is the director of the Individual Rights Defense Program for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education organization. Steinbaugh sided with LoMonte and agreed the only limitation is that RAs cannot represent the department without approval.

Steinbaugh recommends the university clarify the policy to be more specific, as students have broad First Amendment protections and there can be a chilling effect from vague policies.

"I think that the university should make clear students speaking in their private capacity on matters of public concern is protected speech," Steinbaugh said. "I think the university should generally be deferential to that. To say, 'where the line might not always be clear, we are going to defer to student's rights.'"

The committee tasked with rewriting the policies has a tentative completion date of spring 2019. Jones said the changes will clarify the media policy and more. At this time, it's unclear exactly what that clarification will look like, but Jones did not say the department will

weaken the policy.

"We are working on an RA addendum," Jones said. "[Resident assistants] will all review and initial and sign and at the time they can make the decision whether they agree to those (rules) or they choose this is not for them."

LoMonte said despite employee signatures, the policy would still be unconstitutional.

"Even if there is a signed document, that doesn't override the Constitution," LoMonte said. "The Supreme Court decided in a 2013 case that the government cannot force you to contract away all of your free-speech rights as a condition to receiving a government benefit or a government privilege."

Jones feels DHRL's media policy is in compliance with university code and deferred to Texas State's general counsel on the issue of legality.

The University Star created and distributed a survey to the 197 resident assistants listed on Texas State's website.

Questions included whether the RAs felt they would be reprimanded for giving a quote to the press and how they would rate their satisfaction as an employee.

Fifty-nine RAs responded.

Eighty-three percent said they would be reprimanded for giving a quote to the press. Forty percent rated their satisfaction as a three out of five, with one as "I hate it" and five as "I love it."

Thirty-two percent rated it as a one or two out of five. In an additional comments portion, respondents gave criticisms of DHRL and the media policies.

"For the quote, as long as we don’t say anything bad about DHRL I think it would be fine," one respondent said.

Another respondent criticized general confusion within DHRL and stated: "there are far too many inconsistencies in DHRL." When this poll was issued, several Resident Directors, the immediate supervisor for RAs, told RAs they would need prior approval before completing the survey.

Adam Steinbaugh said this was an

inappropriate response to the survey.

"A student responding how they feel about being an RA is obviously not speaking on behalf of the university, so they are speaking in their private capacity," Steinbaugh said. "Just because they happen to be an RA does not mean they are speaking as an RA." In February, FIRE ranked Texas State as one of the worst campuses for free speech. Steinbaugh said this policy does not help Texas State's standings on that list.

One RA chose not to follow DHRL's direction and responded to the survey with criticisms of the department's dissuasion: "I don’t understand why DHRL is telling us why we shouldn’t fill this out. We are students talking to other students. It’s just our opinion of how we feel as a student working for the campus/department. The University Star is a campus newspaper for THE CAMPUS! Honestly, I don’t want to lose the job just for giving my thoughts.

I do like the job at times..."

Jones said there is no blanket consequence for those who talk to the media and the consequences will vary on a case-by-case basis. Jones also said he hopes RAs communicate concerns to their supervisors.

"I would want our student staff to feel empowered, so that if you’re one of our RAs and you've been approached by the media, and you feel very passionate about a particular topic based off of your experience, then for me that’s a conversation that they will then have with us," Jones said.

LoMonte recommends RAs seek legal counsel to challenge this policy.

"If an RA is unhappy with being restrained from speaking to the media, I'd recommend reaching out to a legalaid organization like the Student Press Law Center or the ACLU and ask for pro-bono legal representation," LoMonte said. "The law is so clear that it should not take going to court to get policies of this kind corrected."

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LIFE & ARTS

4 | Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

The University Star

THE SQUARE

San Marcos radio hosts Kissing Alley concert series

By Ryan Torres Life & Arts Contributor San Marcos’ radio station, KZSM, hosted another installment of live music for the community during third Thursday downtown walkabout, an evening devoted to the arts of San Marcos. Local businesses come together on the occasion to offer flash sales, drink specials and host live entertainment for attendees.

The Kissing Alley concert series is held at Kissing Alley in The Square.

This free, live concert series invites the community to listen to and experience new, local artists.

The concerts consist of three to four local musicians who play from 7-9 p.m. The purpose of the series is for local artists to have the opportunity to promote their music and gain exposure.

Aaron Cheatham, host of the Kissing Alley concert series and co-host of the radio show at KZSM, said the series has something that everyone will enjoy listening to.

“Getting to meet and experience different local musicians before they get recognition is definitely my favorite part about this series," Cheatham said. "(The community and I) get the chance to talk with the crowd."

Different bands have been invited

by KZSM to play at the Kissing Alley concert series, according to past event lineups that can be found on their Facebook page. The concerts have been going on since early 2017.

KZSM invited Nate Guthrie, Ella Reid and Lina Clarke to play musical sets Nov. 15. Past concerts have had local artists of every genre play at Kissing Alley.

The community radio station hosts and advocates for local and even nationwide exposure on KZSM’s live stream on their website. On the stream, music is played from local artists and there is commentary about various topics like politics and music.

Nate Guthrie performs his live acoustic set Nov. 15 during thr Kissing Alley concert series.

PHOTO BY RYAN TORRES

Rob Rourke, president of the board of San Marcos community radio association (KZSM), said he encourages people of the community to listen to new musical artists featured on the concert series.

KZSM hosts shows dedicated to live music, mostly to expose the community to local artists. Rourke volunteers throughout the evening for the concert series.

“It’s important for (KZSM) to bring back stories and help influence

new town-goers of the culture in San Marcos," Rourke said. "We’re building a community through this radio station.

Our mission is to follow the Three E’s: to enlighten, to engage and to entertain.”

Organizers at KZSM radio encourage everyone who listens to make sure they have fun, be it through music or commentary.

Gene Randall, station manager at KZSM, made community engagement the station's goal. Randall works on commentaries for national listeners at

KZSM. “The environment (in San Marcos) is rich with musicians and talent,” Randall said. “It's important to bring those talents to show the community.”

The Kissing Alley concert series will have another show during the 3rd Thursday walkabout in the month of December. A schedule of events can be found on KZSM’s radio organization website and on their Facebook.

BUSINESS

Students find a side hustle in their passions

By Lilith Osburn-Cole Life & Arts Contributor Students have found a way to use their passions and time in a union of success.

Passions ranging from music to hair styling have pushed students to offer their expertise in the form of paid services right out of the comfort of their own homes.

Devonte Smith, sociology senior, started producing music with his roommate in 2015. At first, they both had little equipment and experience, but decided to take a chance and dabble in the music field.

The two were artists and decided to turn their artistic passion towards music engineering. Smith said they decided to create their own studio for recording and producing. “(The music studio) was conceived before it even became a thing,” Smith said.

Smith said they had miscellaneous pieces of equipment along with their miscellaneous ideas that now hold a place.

Eventually, Smith and his roommate's patience became the backbone for their thriving, home-operated business.

Smith said he first became interested in producing music when working with other music engineers on his own music.

Finding an affordable and workable environment posed a challenge for Smith and his roommate as they started creating their studio vision.

“People I knew wanted access to a studio, and now I have one,” Smith said.

Smith started out offering his equipment and space for other artists to use for a small fee. However, he eventually fell in love with the engineering of music when his clients started requesting that he produce their work.

“I would invest a lot of the money back into the studio, and we upgrade piece by piece,” Smith said.

Smith said that ever since building his studio, he and his roommate have been

Devont Smith works with music engineering software Nov. 15 in his studio.

PHOTO BY LILITH OSBURN-COLE

able to dream about what their business can really be, and expand on it for the future.

“We could talk for weeks about (music), but would never learn about it,” Smith said. ”The most successful people in this industry will tell you that you never stop learning.”

Another student who is making his name in the music scene is Reginald Jones, electronic media sophomore.

Jones said he started producing music in high school in his hometown of Waco, Texas.

Jones became influenced to learn about the mechanics of music creation from watching his grandfather, who started his musical journey in the 1960’s with a band called The Side Effects.

Jones’ grandfather has had a lot of success and worked with major film production companies like Disney.

Jones said he has even had the opportunity to watch his grandfather work on film scores and witnessed the creation of film music for the Disney movie, “Moana."

Jones said when he first came to college, it became difficult to produce

music due to the fact that most of his clientele was from his hometown.

“At some point, it started to feel not worth it," Jones said. "So (business) slowed down, but it made my demand go up because I was not easily accessible to my regular clients."

Even though it was difficult at first for Jones to resume his business when he came to Texas State, he continues to produce music for clients in San Marcos and Waco.

Jones said he is inspired by his own artistry and passion to help other artists with their music.

“You have to use your abilities and give suggestions as an artist to help other artists,” Jones said.

Jones said he learns from his clients as well, and loves to learn everyone’s stories that influence their own music.

“Everybody has an artist inside themselves,” Jones said.

For Jones, his business has functioned as financial support for him since he has been in college. He has been able to buy books for school and other necessities with the revenue made from producing music.

Dyneisha Rainey, business management senior, has developed her passion for hair styling, specifically braiding, into a business she enjoys.

Rainey offers braiding, hair styling and hair consultation services. She first started June 2017, and her business has been growing ever since.

“I always wanted a side hustle, and it kind of dawned on me one day that I loved doing hair,” Rainey said. “I never thought (my business) would get to where it is today.”

Rainey said she has noticed a lack of services for women and men with natural hair in San Marcos, and some people have to travel as far as Dallas to get their hair done.

Rainey said she gets an average of eight to ten clients per week, and her clientele capacity has climbed to six people in one day.

She plans on pursuing her passion for hair even more and hopes to go to cosmetology school to learn more about hair science.

“I watch a lot of videos and study hair even though I’m not in cosmetology school,” Rainey said.

Her passion for hair styling has propelled her to learn different techniques and master many styles of braiding.

Rainey said she has been successful in managing her time between her business and school work, and her journey has been accompanied by a community of support.

“I really get a lot of support form my friends and family and the community around me,” Rainey said.

Artists from a diversity of mediums have found their niche in the San Marcos market and are continuing to perfect their craft. These students have prioritized their passion in a way that allows them to redefine their college experience for the better.

The University Star

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 | 5

MUSIC

Songwriters gather at Cheatham Street Warehouse for weekly writing circle

By Nathanael Lorenzo Life & Arts Contributor Years after its founder’s passing, the Cheatham Street Warehouse remains a setting for the creative minds of Hays County.

Jim Cunningham, San Marcos Daily Record columnist, and Kent Finlay, local songwriter, founded the venue. Finlay utilized the bar's stage for his songwriting circles which gave performers an audience.

Kent Finlay’s songwriting circles started in the early years of the Warehouse, giving the stage to the thenunknown country artist, George Strait.

The bar provides a unique atmosphere with purple and yellow lighting and crowds of friends sitting across the room.

Kevin Bluhm, business management senior, performs his songs regularly at the weekly songwriting circles. He said the atmosphere helps songwriters feel comfortable, especially newer artists with limited experience performing.

“There was a time that I didn’t sing; I would only do instrumental," Bluhm said. "The circles have definitely helped me find my vocal cords and learn to expand the creativity I have.”

At the beginning of the night, a list is put on a desk next to the bar and songwriters can sign their name to indicate their placement on the night’s schedule. Each songwriter gets a maximum of ten minutes or two songs.

Participants in the songwriters' circle are both students and community members.

Sean Makara, a local songwriter who

Sean Makara, songwriter, performing Nov. 14 at the Cheatham Street Warehouse.

PHOTO BY NATHANAEL LORENZO

has performed on stage sporadically for years, said he finds the atmosphere good for pulling out the creative juices for songwriting.

“It’s been a while since I played here, but there’s a lot of good energy,” Makara said. “These walls have heard a lot of

amazing music. If they could speak, they would sing songs until the end of eternity.”

Makara is a member of Soldier Songs, a small organization that teaches songwriting to soldiers with PTSD in order to help them cope.

"(The trauma) is something (the soldiers) carry with them no matter what," Makara said. "They can take their experiences and turn them into a song.

I call it 'taking the ugly and making it beautiful.'"

The gatherings are usually hosted by Sterling Finlay, Kent Finlay’s son. When he is unavailable, the circle is hosted by Missoula Slim, a veteran of Cheatham Street Warehouse and old friend to Kent.

“This isn’t an open mic," Missoula said. "We don’t accept covers because Kent was all about the songwriter. The whole thing is really switched on its head. It isn’t a showcase, it’s a group of writers learning from one another."

Since Kent’s passing in 2015, Cheatham Street Warehouse has slowly evolved. Missoula said how, under Kent, the Warehouse was really focused on country music, even though the venue is open to all genres of music.

“I think now he’s passed, the vibe of the place and all its history doesn’t affect the songwriters as much," Missoula said. "It’s opened up a little bit and gives people more chances to play different styles of music."

Above all, the members of the circle want to inspire new creative talent in the region. Every session of the writing circles begins and ends by playing a couple of Kent Finlay's songs in honor of the man who founded the gatherings.

The songwriting circles take place every Wednesday at 8 p.m. All songwriters and audience members in the community are welcome.

CONNECTION

Local medium connects with the supernatural

By Lilith Osburn-Cole Life & Arts Contributor Entering into a world of wonder and mysticism may seem out of the ordinary.

However, one individual is embracing the unexplained with her unique ability.

Mary Lancaster is a local medium who strives to share her abilities with others. A medium is defined as someone who can access or communicate with the non-empirical realm.

Even though Lancaster does not advertise her services as a medium explicitly, she is very open to sharing information and engaging in readings with others.

A reading is when a medium uses ritual to communicate with supernatural energy in order to ask for advice or guidance for others that do not have the ability to connect.

“It’s almost like I am in a dream state,” Lancaster said. “I pull in the energy of whatever I’m trying to connect to.”

Lancaster said she has always felt she had the ability to connect with the supernatural. However, she has recently identified herself as a medium for about four to five years.

Lancaster said she connects with both spirit guides and archangels, which are

manifestations of non-empirical energy, depending on the situation she finds herself in.

“For me, it’s nothing formal,” Lancaster said. “If (I) know what situation (I) am going into, (I) can call on (spirit guides and archangels) for backup.”

Lancaster’s experience with the supernatural and paranormal is one that encompasses an array of personalities that interchange in different situations.

One example of a spirit guide she often summons for advice is her Shamanic spirits, which include her spirit animal, the bear. Shamanic spirits embody a particular personality that holds symbolic significance.

Dr. Joseph Laycock, assistant philosophy professor, said the history of mediums in the United States can be traced back to the early 19th century.

Two sisters in Hidesdale, New York, set the stage for the spiritualism movement.

The Fox Sisters had claimed their house was haunted and they had the ability to communicate with this energy through knocking. Later on, the sisters became famous for performing séances, meetings to attempt to communicate with the supernatural.

The cultural misconceptions of mediums, that Lancaster said she frequently comes across, derives from this older understanding about the supernatural and its relationship with those who can communicate with it.

Lancaster’s experience with the supernatural, as well as other contemporary mediums, follows a more eclectic form of communicating with the paranormal.

Laycock said this more “new age” experience of mediums can be traced back to the creation of Theosophical ideology, brought about in the 1930s.

This form of thought includes the use of crystals and channeling the supernatural.

Lancaster said she connects to this other world of spiritual beings through her own ritual of channeling.

Ashley Brown, San Marcos local and friend of Lancaster, said her personal experience with Lancaster has been nothing short of intriguing.

Brown and her husband met Lancaster through mutual friends and knew her as a massage therapist. However, soon after, Brown found out about Lancaster’s talent.

“We both went to what was then called 'soul sessions,'” Brown said. “My

husband and I had very different and very profound experiences.”

Brown said she has enjoyed speaking with Lancaster and going to her sessions.

“We still continue to go to (Lancaster) for help and healing when we need it,” Brown said. “It’s a very intimate and personal experience.”

Brown said Lancaster only does one-on-one sessions because they are very private experiences. Brown said the experience starts with Lancaster “leaving," or connecting with spirit guides, and then bringing back information to whomever is being read.

Brown said she is very open to the idea that there is more to this world than most can physically see.

“I can’t access the parts of the world I can’t see,” Brown said. “There is something about (Lancaster) that is very honest.”

Brown said having a personal connection with someone who she believes can connect with the supernatural world provides comfort.

Lancaster is exhibiting an Americanized practice of communicating with the dead and the supernatural. Her abilities provide an insight into the evolution of supernatural communication and a service to others on a therapeutic level.

Humans Of San Marcos: Jonathan Tucker "Over the summers I work on a peach farm and at a peach stand in Fredericksburg, Texas. It's really fun.

Fredericksburg is the peach and pecan capital of Texas. Not of America, that's Georgia. My job is to drive a Gator to the orchard and we have harvesters who fill buckets of peaches by the half bushel. I drive back to the peach stand and I sort, weigh and sell them. We grow approximately 33 different varieties of peaches.

Of course we have the standard white flesh and yellow flesh peaches. My favorite is called a 'Sentinel' peach.

(It is) large and very yellow with small, red speckles.

I like it because it's crisp, not grainy, and both sweet and sour. We grow a white flesh peach called a 'Scarlet Pearl.' People will travel to Fredericksburg every season just for that peach. They're really, really sweet. They've got the highest sugar content of any peach species.

Then there's a peach called 'Flame Prince,' which is a smaller peach. It's vibrant red, even the flesh is red, and it's super sour, like a kiwi. One peach we grow is a

dying strain called an 'Elberta Peach,' and they can be about five inches in diameter. They're enormous, like a softball. They're not as popular anymore because the land isn't suitable to grow them anymore. You see, 90 percent of the peaches you'll find in Walmart or HEB come from either Georgia or California. In California, they have a climate where they can grow peaches even when they're not in season. In Fredericksburg, peach season is strictly summer, because the peaches need the heat. Here's some peach science- peach trees in the winter lose their leaves, like most trees in winter. However, they need 800 "cold" hours so when the heat of the summertime hits, the tree can combat it.

If the trees don't get enough cold hours, the season won't be very good for peaches. That natural growing process is what makes a Fredericksburg peach so unique."

- Jonathan Tucker, sociology junior

Texas State sociology junior Jonathan Tucker.

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KISSLING

OPINIONS

6 | Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Zach Ienatsch | Opinions Editor

The University Star

Quality journalism will not include election mudslinging Although the majority of political races concluded with the general election earlier this month, San Marcos' election season has extended to Dec. 11 in two runoff races for City Council places 4— between Shane Scott and Mark Rockeymore—and 5—between Rick Henderson and Joca Marquez.

Presidential, gubernatorial and senatorial races can become heated and bring out the worst in voters, organizers and candidates. Local elections are not exempt from this pitfall. The place 5 runoff has been exceptionally contentious between the two candidate camps, replete with accusations—both baseless and legitimate—namecalling and everything to be expected from classic political mudslinging.

This is not a unique indictment of contemporary times. Mudslinging has been a component of American elections since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Even earlier accounts existed in classical Athens and the Roman republic. However, its place in history

does not excuse its practice today and certainly does not welcome it in San Marcos elections.

To avoid any degradation to the institution of a free and responsible press, The University Star will not condone, encourage or participate in the mudslinging practice in this election or any other election in the city of San Marcos, Hays County or other comparable races. Our reporting focus is limited to criminal charges and unethical practices by candidates in previous offices they've held.

At press time, no criminal charges of any kind have been levied against anyone on the ballot for the runoff election. As for unethical practices in previous public offices, The Star is open to new information, but such information has not crossed the editor's desk.

Local government is easier to report on with impartiality compared to other races. In the state of Texas, all municipal elections are nonpartisan.

Candidates may receive the backing of political parties and institutions, but they are in theory, running on their name and platform alone. This makes it harder for lines to be drawn between previous biases but even when this fails, objectivity can still reign supreme.

There is nothing wrong with infusing passion with this election. The makeup of the City Council after the runoff will affect each and every San Marcos resident, including students, faculty and staff at Texas State University. Our city's local policy on the environment, economy, transportation and more is all at stake, regardless of which way a voter falls on the issues.

Voters should feel the need to rush to the polls again, even if the gubernatorial and senatorial race has ended in Texas.

However, this passion does not extend to the press. The press cannot operate at the level of passionate voters and engage in the same practices, even

if these practices are acceptable and permissible for voters and organizers.

Political mudslinging is not news and it does not warrant an official position by the press except for a clear and concise "No, thank you."

It is unfortunate this runoff's passions have negatively impacted the families of both candidates. It's unfortunate that this is the connotation voters will remember about this election.

It's unbecoming of San Marcos to be the battleground for such a standard.

It is with the best intentions that the remainder of the election can be conducted with civility and grace for the sake of this city's residents and their children who need a little bit of good news and reassurance that no matter how this election ends, the City Council will work with the people in mind.

And whoever emerges as the winner in either race, The Star welcomes a healthy, working relationship between local government and the press befitting an open society.

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.

OVERCROWDING

Texas State has grown too fast for its own good

GRADUATION

Texas State does not prepare graduates for post-grad anxieties

By James Debbah Opinions Columnist Every year, hundreds of starry-eyed new students flock to San Marcos in hopes of beginning their academic journey at the well-renowned Texas State University, and certainly with good reason. Texas State is a relatively affordable place to seek an education, ranking among the top 40 most affordable colleges in Texas.

The university is often touted as rich in diversity and encouraging of free speech. It would be easy to feel as if one was invited to a space where they feel comfortable or represented. How interesting then, that many student residents that are already here find themselves not able to find a home on campus. Many begin to quickly discover that space here, is quite the commodity.

What began like most, as a university of humble origins, numbering about 300 when it first opened in the early 20th century has expediently grown to become the fifth largest university in the state. And the student enrollment currently shows no sign of declining anytime soon. Looking a bit more closely, the university has hit record-breaking numbers for attendance every year consecutively since 2000, growing at a steady rate of 4 percent.

This is usually a very positive figure, as it indicates that this university is seen as a very desirable place to attend for a great many making that high school to college transition. The matter only begins to become more complicated when we take the how much room we truly have into consideration.

With a student population nearing 40,000, it is almost comparable to massive schools such as University of Houston (with an approximate population of 42,000) or the University of Texas at Austin (with an approximate population of 50,000).

SEE GROWTH PAGE 7

ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLINE JANES

By Carissa Liz Castillo Opinions Columnist The stress students feel as their graduation dates approach is a common sentiment among university students. Not only are students abruptly spit out into the “real world," but they are also stripped from their bubbles of comfort. Friends and loved ones that students met in school may move away or head back home, which can leave students in a very vulnerable headspace as well.

The next step for students after getting their degree is usually the search for a career or job, but earning a college degree does not always guarantee employment. This is just another source of stress students face in the wake of graduating from secondary education institutions.

In fact, sometimes earning a degree leads students to experience a type of trauma accurately called PostGraduation Stress Disorder/Anxiety.

Students who struggle with this disorder may have a hard time growing accustomed to their new world post-graduation. Although they are free from the stresses of college, such as readings, presentations, exams and deadlines, students can still experience tension after they leave their colleges and universities. This anxiety sometimes only occurs during the adjustment period shortly after graduation, but it can also follow

students well into their lifetime.

One of the causes of this anxiety stems largely from the uncertainty of the job market that comes after graduation for some students. Seventyfive percent of candidates for jobs apply online, but only 2 percent of land an interview. Referrals are what gives candidates a better chance at being hired, with 40 percent of referred applicants landing the job.

Many students turn to the alumni they find online through websites like LinkedIn; and while advice from alumni is helpful in the job-searching process, it should not be one of the only ways students prepare themselves for post-grad life, and students should not have to find these resources alone.

Texas State does not properly address or inform its students on the very real issue of post-graduation stress disorder. The university does little to help prepare its graduates for life after they leave Texas State, particularly when it comes to the anxieties that graduation causes.

Students are required to take several classes that do not fit inside their area of study, but they are not required to take a class prepping them on resumes, applications, where to look for jobs post-graduation or learning how to face the worries that come along after getting a degree. Texas State does not have a program that equips each of its graduating students with a plan for their lives.

Texas State does have career fairs, career services in the Division of Student Affairs, Jobs4Cats, undergraduate academic resources, such as academic advising and tutoring options, and Handshake, a website where companies pair up with Texas State to help students find jobs that are hiring, that aim in helping its students post-grad. However, the fairs only happen once during a short window of time in which students may have classes or work. The other resources center around academia and do not address how to get to the next step after graduation or how to deal with concerns about life after college.

Students are not expecting handouts after graduating. But, when they dedicate their money, time and mental health for a degree from Texas State, then the university needs to make sure every graduate had the opportunity to be adequately prepared for post-grad life presented to them before they graduate. Texas State has students leaving the university with only a piece of paper and no clue what their next step is. The expectation is not to have Texas State hold each graduate’s hand every step of the way in post-grad life, but to provide these hard-working, paying students an easily accessible resource to learn how to begin the rest of their lives.

- Carissa Liz Castillo is an English senior

The University Star

Zach Ienatsch | Opinions Editor

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 | 7

DORM LIFE

Resident Assistants should be allowed to work supplemental jobs

By Bayley Bogus Associate Managing Editor Working as a resident assistant is no easy feat. It is a 24/7 job, and something inescapable, given we live where we work. If I don’t like a coworker, I have 48 hours to figure it out because chances are, I see and work with them often in a “professional setting.” If I can’t possibly live solely off what the Department of Housing pays, there is no recourse. Every RA signs a contract. Plus, RAs receive a meal plan and free room and board.

There’s really no reason to complain, in theory, because I signed up for this.

However, while I did sign up for this job, there is no way I would’ve known what it’s really like. It is heavily misleading on paper. Given that, technically it is a 24/7 job, RAs are on the clock nonstop. I have been woken up many times in the wee hours of the morning because someone got locked out of their room or an incident occurred. Yes, I signed up for this, but I am getting paid $51.50 biweekly

to lose sleep and have a thick blanket of stress put on me, in addition to everything else I juggle in my life.

The monthly stipend is $103 for traditional-style RAs, which equates to about $4 a day. This wage alone is unlivable, especially for the students who have external bills to pay, like car payments and/or phone bills. The stipend would not be so bad if RAs could supplement it with another parttime job to help ends meet. However, as of this fall semester, DHRL is now implementing a policy that states RAs cannot have a second paying job on campus. According to the resident assistants' governing documents, RAs may work off campus, so long as the work hours do not exceed 10 per week.

RAs cannot work an additional oncampus job, which is highly illogical, given on-campus jobs are much more flexible with students’ school schedules. Not only is this unfair, it is unlawful and shows a complete disregard for students working as resident assistants.

Up until this fall 2018 semester, RAs

have received payment from two oncampus jobs and have been allowed to do so. The fact the department is now, after all this time, strongly enforcing a policy that has not been enforced previously is absurd. The issue is not about where our priorities lie, but with the extra money we receive. If our pay is cut from the second job, we may still provide free labor anywhere on campus. However, time is limited as is, and no one strives to work for free.

If an RA refuses to give up their oncampus job, they are given an explicit ultimatum.

It is one thing for DHRL to tell resident directors to relay this antisecond job sentiment to RAs, but we are given no explanation as for why now or what the problem is with getting paid from multiple on-campus employers. It is also entirely another thing to try to enforce this rule with practically no notice, a rule that has never been enforced or thought about before. Several RAs have received a pay cut from their supplemental job, so they may choose to continue working

the said job but no longer get paid for it.

As long as RAs continue to execute their position to the fullest, there should be no issue with working an additional job to help pay the bills. In no right mind can someone honestly say the RA stipend is livable. Even with some RAs working the limited off-campus hours, that is rarely enough to pay bills and make ends meet. If DHRL wants RAs to stick solely to the position and only focus on that, they should be paying us for what we’re worth; the job is hard, valuable and we have the power to positively affect so many lives on campus.

Texas State needs resident assistants.

Our stipend should be increased monumentally, not only because that money is well deserved, but there would be no supplemental job issue; RAs would not need to work anywhere else. There’s a serious, legal issue stemming from an authoritative power, and it is not okay.

them. It is unfortunate but current reality all students are contributing to.

This is not to say however that this is an issue without a solution. San Marcos property developer John Meeks suggests that the answer to the growing student population is student housing development with more of a focus on high density. As well as positioning near campus. The high density, while perhaps a bit less extravagant, would be a more space effective solution until another remedy can be figured out. And the near campus positioning would alleviate the issue of high volume traffic, especially for a town of this size.

The other suggested solution is that for a shift in budget allocation. Research and academic space certainly remain important to the health and growth of the university, especially as a

research institution. However, it would be egregious for this to come at the expense of either the student body or the local residents. The residents are the spirit of this environment and the students are the lifeblood of the university.

The needs of these two should arguably come first as a priority. And from there the university can be better served.

With each semester, the issues stemming from unaddressed growth become more pressing. While it is certainly a work in progress, we must only acknowledge that this is a matter of chief precedence and seek to meet the needs of our students and concerns of our residents.

- Bayley Bogus is an journalism junior

FROM PAGE 6 GROWTH This overcrowding can be observed through the bus shuttle system for example, where students find themselves having to cram among themselves just to get to campus, or perhaps just having to wait for a shuttle with more availability. Housing is another beast.

With only about 7,000 beds in student housing versus the roughly 39,000 students enrolled since last fall, this leaves a great deal of students that must be turned away to find housing elsewhere—about 80 percent to be exact.

Perhaps in all of its accessibility and accolades, Texas State has simply grown too fast for its own good. At least in the way that infrastructure is currently being handled. Taking a university of its size and filling it with a student body the size of most larger scale universities is bound to bring its fair share of issues.

To make matters more complicated,

this also contributes to the gentrification issue when it comes to the local area. With increasingly greater numbers of students filing in, the area becomes more and more unaffordable for the longtime residents who already live here.

There have been accounts of friction between existing residents and current students in the past. Police would receive a number of residential complaints of students overcrowding a street. And though the university has made efforts improve these relations between the students and the residents, it has been remarked by the city and police department liaison Lisa Dvorak this friction is something that simply cannot be eliminated.

San Marcos is a relatively small town and with this many incoming students, there needs to be room made to serve

- James Debbah is a digital media innovation junior

ADMISSIONS

Race should not factor into college admissions

By Jordan Drake Assistant Opinions Editor During the Obama administration, a set of guidelines were put into place that essentially tasked colleges with taking race into account for college admissions for the purpose of diversity. These affirmative action policies were the wrong call and back in July, the Trump administration formally discouraged the practice by stressing a preference for race-neutral methods.

However, this does not mean colleges have stopped the practice. While some states like California and Florida outlaw it, others around the country do not. Colleges, under any circumstances, should not utilize race as a factor of their admissions process.

Thankfully, Texas State does not currently use race as a factor in admissions, but other public universities in Texas do, such as the University of Texas at Austin, which led to the 2016 Supreme Court case Fisher v. UT, which upheld their right to do so.

While these policies are supposed to level the playing field, increase diversity and counteract bias, the problem is that they likely do none of that and instead are harming the very groups they are supposed to help, along with those who are poor.

Any cursory glance at a liberal defense of race-based admissions shows a lot of assumptions being made. Too often, supporters paint broad strokes portraying all white people as rich upper class while everyone else is poor and disadvantaged. The reality though, is that every race has its rich, its middle class and its poor. While it's inarguable that these numbers are unequal, the ar-

gument itself makes no sense to prefer a wealthy minority over a poor white.

If the argument is that the disadvantaged should be given help to give them the same opportunity, then it makes zero sense as to why the rich person who presumably had more opportunities for a better education be given the leg up over the poor person.

This problem is exactly what occurs though. A study from the Hoover Institute found that the overwhelming majority of minorities that benefit from race-based admissions are the wealthy or middle class. The idea that they are helping the most impoverished does not stack up with the truth. Therefore, race should be excluded as a consideration but other factors, such as socioeconomic status, could create the more diverse and society while also giving the most disadvantaged in this society the leg up they desperately need, regardless of skin color.

Colleges have also found themselves in hot water over their irresponsible handling of affirmative action. Harvard is currently being sued for discriminating against Asian Americans. The suit contends that the number of Asian students is artificially capped, meaning that even if they are the best candidate, they are then overlooked. This suit is not without merit. Multiple studies have found that Asian-Americans must score high on their SATs to get the same consideration. This creates a tension that inevitably means that by discriminating against whites, colleges also discriminate against Asian-Americans.

Supporters of this policy counter this by saying this is all just a show of resentment by whites and that AsianAmericans are a pawn to overturn af-

ILLUSTRATION BY KENNEDY SWIFT

firmative action, but there is very little acknowledgment that these policies do indeed harm Asian-Americans.

If affirmative action must exist, let the consideration be a socioeconomic status so that no one is harmed by the color of their skin. This was the vision of the civil rights era and yet when it benefits those of a different skin color, it is seen as a positive. This hypocritical policy should end on college campuses.

Everyone should get an equal chance

to go to college but it’s no question that affirmative action policies have helped make it equal for those that would otherwise struggle to get into college. That being said, there are more effective ways to make this happen than race-based admissions and so, therefore, it should be eliminated altogether.

- Jordan Drake is a communications senior

SPORTS

8 | Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Jakob Rodriguez | Sports Editor

The University Star

SOCCER

Texas State finds success in 2018 campaign despite heartbreaking finish Men's basketball wins big at Portland classic

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter T e x a s State's Men’s basketball team defeated the Portland Pilots 91-68 Saturday night to win the Portland C l a s s i c Championship.

B o b c a t freshman guard Freshman guard Nijal Nijal Pearson Pearson. scored a careerhigh 33 points during the game, raising him up to 16th place on the program's scoring list after passing Jeff Foster and Willie Terrell in the first half. Pearson netted 12 of 18 attempts and 6 of 9 shots beyond the arc, earning him the Most Valuable Player award for the tournament.

Head coach Danny Kaspar said Person played an integral role on and off the court for the tournament.

"Nijal has not only played outstanding this weekend but kept our guys focused on the task at hand," Kaspar said. "We hope we will have a great turn out against Rice on Wednesday."

The Bobcats started off in an 11-2 hole early in the game but were able to take a 36-35 lead into halftime after a buzzerbeating shot from Pearson.

The Bobcats came out on a 12-0 run in the second half and never looked back.

Texas State continues a hot streak with a second consecutive game shooting above 50 percent, including 13 from the three-point line. The game boasted the most three-pointers made in a game under coach Kasper since 2012.

The Bobcats return home Wednesday to face the Rice Owls at Strahan Arena at 7 p.m.

By Anthony Flores Sports Reporter Following Texas State's soccer team's Nov. 4 conclusion of their 2018 campaign, head coach Kat Conner and her squad look back at a triumphant season.

The team won the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and achieved an overall record of 11-54, with 8-0-2 in conference play. All five of the Bobcats losses came during away games and the team remained undefeated at home.

Senior midfielder Jamie Brown said the season was a success because of the effort of the team members.

“I saw this season as a success because starting on August, up until today, every player has come out every day and given everything they have for not just themselves, but for the success of the team,” Brown said. “Winning conference just put that cherry on top of it all.”

Texas State clinched the regular season championship and was the No. 1 seed in the conference with a 1-0 victory against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the same team that eliminated them from the postseason in 2017.

Senior midfielder Kelly Barbalias said the loss hurt especially when compared to the previous season.

“We’ve been working for this for four

years so falling short of that has always been kind of hard, especially last year when we came so close,” Barbalias said.

“Being able to capture this moment and capture the win and the title is amazing.”

In Sun Belt Tournament play, the Bobcats defeated the Troy Trojans 1-0 and bested the South Alabama Jaguars 4-2 in penalty kicks. Unable to repeat the same feat, the Bobcats fell 6-5 from penalty kicks to the Little Rock Trojans in the championship final.

For Conner and the team, the loss, while disappointing, will only light a fire under a squad that will see nearly every member return next fall, except for the two seniors.

“Walking off that field losing is going to drive us,” said Conner. “It’ll drive the coaching staff, it’ll drive the players. We’re going to work that much harder to not let that happen again next year.”

Star junior forward Kaylee Davis led the Bobcats on offense with a teamhigh of 16 goals in the regular season.

Davis scored at least one goal in 12 of the Bobcats 17 regular season matchups and added two more goals during the postseason. For comparison, the rest of the team combined scored 10 goals.

Having a player with the skill and talent Davis brings to the team proved to be a weakness because of the reliance on one player to generate offense.

“I think Kaylee Davis was phenomenal at finishing but there’s got

to be more finishers,” said Conner. “I think we wore out the Kaylee trail just because all tournament long, they put three people on her and that means there have to be other people who step up and finish our chances for us.

If they’re going to put three people on Kaylee, we need to make them pay.”

Moving forward, Conner said she sees potential in the upcoming freshman recruits and sees several players on the squad now who are a step away from being offensive threats to compliment Davis.

“I think Haley Groff has the potential to be a big-time goal scorer for us, there’s a couple of them,” Conner said.

“Remy Moore just needs to tweak her game a little more and she can be hitting some unbelievable shots.”

On the defensive front, junior goalkeeper Heather Martin created an impenetrable wall around the goal, amassing 91 saves on the season and allowing just eight goals.

Heartbreak aside, Conner sees the season as a success and reminds her team of all they achieved, but expects them to not rest on their laurels and be ready to compete when the time comes once again.

"I told them all the way home how proud I am of all of them, how much I think they achieved. They achieved greatness, they did," said Conner. "You know what, now its time to prepare for another conference championship."

Women's basketball drops the ball against Golden Eagles The Texas State Women’s Basketball team suffered a loss Saturday to the Oral R o b e r t s University Golden Eagles at Strahan Arena.

Sophomore forward Though the Jayla Johnson.

Golden Eagles outscored the Bobcats the majority of the game, Bobcat sophomore forward Jayla Johnson scored a careerhigh 23 points with seven rebounds.

Freshman guard, Ja’Kayla Bowie, was the next highest scorer with 13 points, but the Bobcats still fell short. The visitors netted 29 of 53 shot attempts and 13 of 27 shot attempts behind the arc.

The Bobcats are on the road for the next two matches and will play Texas A&M Corpus Christi University Nov. 26 and travel to Stillwater Oklahoma Nov. 30 to face Oklahoma State University.

Football finishes losing season at 3-9 The Texas State football team ended its season 3-9 Saturday with a 33-7 loss to the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bobcat Stadium.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves put the nail in the coffin for the 3-9 Bobcats, who finished 1-7 in Sun Belt Conference play. The Red Wolves outpaced the Bobcats in every category except penalties and penalty yards, punts and punting yards, kick-off returns and yards, and fumbles lost.

The Texas State soccer team prepares to take the field for the tournament game.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUN BELT CONFERENCE ARCHIVE

ATHLETICS

Following #FireTeis, donors pull support

By Jakob Rodriguez Sports Editor & Andrew Zimmel Sports Reporter Some alumni, fans and other donors have pulled athletics donations, citing mismanagement, hostility and complacency from the athletic department.

In the wake of the #FireTeis banner that flew at the Oct. 27 homecoming game that called for the firing of Atheltic Director Larry Teis, current and former donors have spoken out against the program's complacency, including Paul Lopez, a season ticket holder and Bobcat football fan.

“I was a loyal season ticket holder in (Dallas-Fort Worth) for years.”

Lopez tweeted. “Bought basketball season tickets to support the team even though I couldn’t make the games (and spent) hundreds at Bobcat Bonanza (the Bobcat Club's annual auction to benefit and support student-athlete scholarships) and never received my items.”

Lopez went on to tweet that the athletics department would not allow anyone else to pick up his items and would only allow him to collect the items during regular business hours in San Marcos. Lopez said the organization kept his money without sending him his items.

Dustin Hacker, a 2003 alumnus, said he canceled his tickets and donations

this season and the department never called to ask why.

“I was one of the first donors to buy into the champions club," Hacker said.

"I had 50-yard line seats, was chairman of the Bobcat Club, and donated on average to athletics around $4,000. This was the first year I haven’t had season tickets to football or joined Bobcat Club. (I have not had) one phone call from (assistant athletic directors) Travis Comer or Don Coryell.”

Hacker said he has spent hours working with the program to promote Texas State athletics and, from experience, the politics of the department has left the athletic directors unchecked.

“I spent countless hours promoting and speaking on their behalf,” Hacker said. “My opinion is that the assistant ADs don’t believe in Teis and would never say that publicly. They battle the job security component versus initiating change. No one is (going to) rock that boat.”

Other alumni spoke out but asked to remain anonymous, afraid of university and Bobcat Club backlash.

“I started seeing tweets from former players and what they thought of about (Athletic Director) Larry Teis and the direction of athletics, and that’s when I started paying more attention to everything," a 2014 alum said. "When former players are actively complaining about a new hire and how they are treated, it’s a huge red flag. About a year and a half to two years ago, I

pulled my donations because I saw no change and it looked as if Texas State was always going to be the laughing stock of Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I sports.”

The alum continued, going as far as to say he would rather go to other schools, like the University of Texas at Austin, for a better fan experience than return to his alma mater. One alumnus' reason for pulling his donations was the lack of fan presence at the games and lack of direction from the administration.

“I look at what Chris Del Conte did at UT in under a year of being at the job," the alumnus said. "In no way do I expect Texas State to be that level but do something. I would much rather go tailgate at UT, sit outside in the heat and watch UT play on TV in the parking lot outside of the stadium than go be one of the 25 people who actually go to Texas State games.”

Other alumni and fan stories were off the record but almost all cited an athletic department employee as being unresponsive or rude at games or events. As a result, the alumni and fans said the actions have turned away many potential and current donors and soured potential business partnerships.

The Bobcat Club and Texas State Athletics were reached out to for comment numerous times over a four week period.

Both entities refused to comment. The Star will continue to update this story as details become available.

Please drink responsibly.

If not, we’ll see you soon!

The University Star

1. What are some of the current buildings that are located on West Campus? a. Dormitories b. The President’s House c. Recreation facilities d. All of the above

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 | 10

2. Which school did West Campus first serve as their original campus? a. San Marcos High School b. San Marcos Baptist Academy c. Austin Community College d. None of the above

3. Which former Texas State president was responsible for the university’s purchase of West Campus? a. Robert L. Hardesty b. Jerome H. Supple c. Lee H. Smith d. None of the above

4. Which original building(s) are still being used today that were part of the West Campus purchase? a. The Family and Consumer Sciences building b. The Child Development Center c. Bexar Hall d. All of the above

ANSWERS FROM NOV. 13

BOBCAT TRIVIA 1. How was The Theatre Center formerly known as? a. The Speech-Drama building b. The Performing Arts building c. Performing Arts Center d. None of the above 2. Which Texas State department chairman and director of theater campaigned for the construction of a new building for the Speech and Drama Department? a. President Lyndon John and Jesse C. Kellam b. Retta Murphy and Robert Tampke c. Dr. Elton Abernathy and Mr. James G. Barton d. None of the above 3. What year did The Theatre Center open? a. 1903 b. 1959 c. 1971 d. 2003 4. What are the measurements of The Theatre Center? a. 400 feet in diameter b. 650 feet in diameter c. 380 feet in diameter d. None of the above