February 5, 2019

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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Volume 108, Issue 17

Student Government president resigns

By Geoff Sloan Assistant News Editor Student Government President Ruben Becerra Jr. resigned on Monday making three consecutive presidents who have not completed their terms.

After rumors had floated throughout last week, Becerra officially announced his resignation first in an email addressed only to Student Government, stating his resignation is effective immediately as of Monday.

The resignation letter states current Vice President and 2019-20 Vice Presidential Candidate Alison Castillo will fill Becerra's seat for the remainder of this year's presidential term, even as Castillo campaigns for next year's term. Current Senate Pro Tempore Keely Freund will fill the vice presidency for the remainder of this term. No swearing-in information for Castillo or Freund was available.

Because rumors of Becerra's resignation had been circulating, current Chief

of Staff and 2019-20 Presidential Candidate Matthew Gonzales and Castillo, who are on the same ticket, outlined what would happen if Becerra were to resign prematurely during a previous interview with The University Star.

Castillo plans to keep Gonzales as chief of staff for this term as the campaign for next term carries on. Additionally, Gonzales said they will be able to immediately do what they promised on the campaign trail following Becerra's resignation.

Float Fest in limbo

"Since we'll be in that position (...) we can immediately act on those campaign wishes and goals that we're wanting," Gonzales said.

Becerra's resignation adds to the already tumultuous semester in Student Government with election code violation allegations.

The University Star will follow up on this story as results of the hearing become available.

New UPD Chief Clouse to make department accessible, transparent

By Peyton Emmele News Reporter

By Kahil Johnson News Reporter The permit for Martindale's popular Float Fest is in limbo following a three-hour hearing that ended with a 3-2 vote from the Guadalupe Commissioners Court to neither approve nor deny it. date needed This is Float Fest's sixth annual festival and it's not the first time the permit has faced trouble getting approved. The permit for last year's festival was initially denied but Float Fest's legal team negotiated a settlement with the court to create a maximum of 20,000 guests for last years festival.

This festival is a very notable tourist destination and economic booster to the city. While there is evidence of the positive impact the festival has on the community, it has compiled much controversy and complaints from nearby residents and some city officials.

This year, Float Fest is scheduled for July 19-21 and the expected attendance has skyrocketed compared to previous years, with as many as 25,000 guests expected per day. With the estimated $12.3 million of revenue from last year's

Student Government election campaigns kick off

By Sandra Sadek News Editor Student Government election campaign season opened Jan. 29 for senatorial and presidential candidates, with the BenbowThompson campaign facing a potential election violation for prematurely announcing their bid.

Presidential candidates include current chief of staff Matthew Gonzales for president and current Vice President Allison Castillo for vice-president; Corey Benbow for president and Sen. Tucker Thompson for vice-president; Sen. Alex Plunkett for president and Sen. Kelly Torpey for vice-president.

Senatorial candidates have not yet been announced.

events, some residents feel its outgrown Martindale.

Data collected by AC Traffic Engineering & Data Collection and presented by Director of Operations Rene Arredondo showed attendees come from local areas: New Braunfels, San Antonio, Austin and San Marcos. With so many guests attending, one of the main concerns is traffic.

"What we didn't realize was the Friday before the event was actually one of the busiest days. We recorded about 3,000 cars on Skull Road between FM 621 and Dupee Road if you add both directions," Arredondo stated at the meeting.

However, traffic is not the only problem residents have with the festival: drug usage, neighborhood trespassing, water pollution, loud music, unsanitary port-a-potties and public indecency.

Martindale City Council member Mike McClabb is one of those with growing concerns. He said Float Fest was at 12,000 attendees one year, then it went to 30,000, and now it's at 25,000 per day.

SEE FLOAT FEST PAGE 2

Beyond #22: Beaumont-built Nijal Pearson takes Bobcats to new heights

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter Equalizing the 1952-53 team with a 10-1 record start, Bobcat basketball has adopted a new mantra. As the #Takers moved into conference play, the success can largely be traced back to junior guard Nijal Pearson.

Pearson rose to Texas State's top 10 lists in scoring, steals and 3-pointers made. Reflecting on the work he has put in coming into this season and his humble beginnings, Pearson said playing basketball was his ticket out of a life in a "rough place."

"Beaumont doesn't have a lot of opportunities," Pearson said.

"Basketball got me to college and gave me the education... Beaumont is a tough rough place, it's just… I don't want to talk down on my city because I love my city, (but) It's a rough place."

LIFE & ARTS

NEWS Student Government presidential profiles SEE PAGE | 2

JAMS music strikes a chord SEE PAGE | 4

Nijal Pearson jumps around UT Arlington defenders to get to the basket and score for the Bobcats.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

SEE PEARSON PAGE 10

OPINIONS Under new guidance, UPD should embrace community policing SEE PAGE | 7

Following a months-long search, police chief Laurie Espinoza Clouse took office Feb. 4 as the first female chief at Texas State.

Clouse previously worked at UNT for 11 years. She started as a patrol officer and moved up the ranks before becoming their first female chief of police in 2017. She also worked for Witchita Falls Police Department for four years and CPS for one year.

Following the resignation of former police chief Jose Banales last May, the International Association of College Law Enforcement Administrators Peer Review Program conducted a general review of the Texas State University Police Department between Aug. 1215. Five areas were highlighted as a top priority: community interaction, organization and management, operations and enforcement, Clery compliance and emergency management.

“The philosophy of communityoriented policing has not been fully adopted within the UPD,” the PReP stated, “through observation and internal and external interviews, found UPD to be perceived as predominantly reactive in its delivery of services to the community rather than proactive in its approach to campus safety and security.”

Clouse said the first thing she plans to do is to sit down with every employee at the police department and have a conversation about what can be improved. Afterward, she plans on talking to the Faculty Senate, Staff Council and various other groups around campus.

“When I was going through the process, one of the things that was really clear to me is that we've got to build relationships with various groups on campus," Clouse said. "So that is going to be one of the top priorities, relationship building, making sure that the department is accessible, that the chief is accessible, that officers are accessible to people. Obviously, we serve the community and I think we can do a better job of messaging that to our students and faculty.”

Captain Rickey Lattie, the interim police chief, has worked for UPD for 35 years and has seen six different new chiefs of police. He said Clouse's previous experience at UNT as chief of police for 10 years is what made her stand out from the four finalists for the position.

SEE POLICE CHIEF PAGE 2

SPORTS Mavericks stun Bobcats in double overtime thriller SEE PAGE | 12

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: Carissa Liz Castillo, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Jakob Rodriguez, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu

2 | Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Sandra Sadek | News Editor

The University Star

FROM FRONT POLICE CHIEF “She has university experience, that's one of the key elements we were looking at,” Lattie said. "Somebody who has worked in a similar size university and has been a supervisor at a university, she has both those qualities."

One of the things Clouse plans to bring with her from UNT is accreditation to the police department. Accreditation from the IACLEA is given to a police department that conforms to "the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services."

She participated in the process when UNT was becoming accredited and said it gives the community the confidence that the department is operating under best practices. The accreditation process is completed over a three to five -year process in conjunction with Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Its website states the benefits include increased community advocacy, support from government officials, and greater accountability within the agency.

Vice President of Financial Support and Services Eric Algoe had a leading role in the hiring committee for Clouse and believes she will bring a new level of professional development.

“I'm not sure how apparent this will be to students, but one of the things that I know Chief Clouse will bring is a kind of renewed commitment to professional development and training and implementing best practices for university law enforcement agencies,” Algoe said.

The PRep also states “the UPD lacks sufficient personnel to provide the level of police service and community engagement desired for a sprawling, dynamic, and diverse university campus and residential population.” In February 2018, The University Star reported a 20 percent staff shortage within the department.

Both Lattie and Algoe said there was a lack of qualified applicants. Currently, if everything is finalized with two current

hires, there will be three open positions at the police department. Lattie said he did make some hires in his time as interim chief but decided to leave a couple of top positions, including the position of lieutenant, open so Clouse could hire her own command staff.

“There will be an organizational plan moving forward, so certainly we’ll fill the vacancies that we have,” Clouse said.

Clouse joined in the middle of a multimillion-dollar plan that was rolled out by Texas State starting last year. Eric Algoe says students can expect many more lights all around campus, as well as classroom doors that will be lockable from the inside.

However, when asked about solutions for on-campus theft, domestic violence, trespassing and campus carry, Clouse said she would need to look at the university's stats regarding those issues first before coming up with a plan.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES

Benbow-Thompson

Gonzales-Castillo

Plunkett-Torpey

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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, February 5, 2019. 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.

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By Camelia Juarez News Reporter Presidential candidate Corey Benbow and running mate Tucker Thompson are ready to hear the community and accurately represent the student body through their campaign's main points: equitability, safety and transparency.

Thompson, a political science senior, said students have told him that they don’t see themselves represented in Student Government. In an effort towards equitability, Benbow, an applied studies senior, said it is not necessarily about equality, but understanding that everyone comes from different places and has different needs.

Thompson said students of color are rarely taught by professors of color. Some efforts to rectify the lack of representation on campus include increasing the campus immigration attorney from working part-time to full time.

The candidates also hope to work on a more accessible website for veterans, as not to discourage non-traditional students from applying.

Their safety agenda includes more visible and working blue call boxes, additional lighting on campus, monthly campus safety walks led by student employees to identify any holes in campus safety and a better relationship between university police and the university. An improved relationship between Texas State and campus police includes more mental health crisis training.

If elected, Benbow said he would be easily approachable and transparent for students.

“I don’t have to have office hours in the dark corner on the fourth floor. I can have office hours on the Quad,” Benbow said.

By Geoff Sloan Assistant News Editor A slow and methodical movement with their #ItsTimeTo campaign hashtag is how Presidential Candidate Matthew Gonzales and Vice Presidential Candidate Alison Castillo plan to run their campaign in this election season.

The Gonzales-Castillo campaign outlined their platform to focus on under-represented students through interpersonal connections and specific policy ideas including a Know Your Rights initiative to educate students, increasing student-worker wages, new Student Government councils, more Bobcat shuttles, working with local government and hiring more diverse faculty.

The proposed Know Your Rights initiative would show students the rights they already have but often forget or don't know such as immigration, housing and Miranda rights. Additionally, sex trafficking, sexual assault, mental health awareness and suicide prevention are also areas Castillo has been informing herself on in order to educate other students.

Gonzales said his campaign plans to work with city and county police to find solutions to larger issues affecting Texas State: sex trafficking and incidents where women don't feel safe.

This falls in line with the GonzalesCastillo campaign goal of working more with local government.

"The most involvement the student representation has with (city council) is a student representative on the youth commission," Gonzales said. "I think being representatives or tools of 40,000 students warrants enough to really have negotiating times with council members and with the county as well."

PHOTO COURTESY OF PLUNKETTTORPEY CAMPAIGN

By Joyana Richards News Reporter Editor's Note: The Star and PlunkettTorpey were unable to interview due to unforeseeable circumstances.

Presidential candidate Alex Plunkett and running mate Kelly Torpey claim to be running a clean campaign this year, saying students are left feeling betrayed by the lack of honesty and transparency within Student Government.

With slogan "Stand Up Students" and "Stand Up State", Plunkett and Torpey plan to improve safety, transparency and positivity on campus.

The plan of action to see positivity and school spirit restored on campus includes working with the athletic department to increase a spirit of sportsmanship and excitement around sporting events.

The recent installment of cashless kiosks in student dining halls is a rising concern. In an effort to maintain transparency and respect, Plunkett and Torpey advocated against them to preserve student jobs and wages.

Recently, they reported the cashless kiosks were eliminated in UAC, stating "it's time to put people over profits."

With similar concerns for students' cashflow, the campaign also advocates Open educational resources– digital textbooks compiled with public domain resources.

Better lighting and more emergency call buttons are part of the plan to improve campus safety as well as installing more security cameras in the parking lots, proposing a parking app and better infrastructure. The campaign believes it's more effective to work with the department instead of bombarding them with complaints.

FROM FRONT FLOAT FEST "What's the maximum level?"

McClabb said. "Is it going to go to 100,000?"

Martindale resident David Flint lives down the river from the festival and said the festival doesn't have residents' best interests at heart.

"I have no interest in the profitability of a small group of people exploiting our natural resources. It makes no sense," Flint said. "I'm not against anyone making money. I don't understand why people who represent the citizens here make us stand here and defend our way of life and values."

Float Fest attorney Joseph Stallone provided an Economic Impact Study conducted by Angelou Economics

and presented it to the Guadalupe Commissioners Court jury. The study highlighted some key statistics from Float Fest 2018 records for the audience.

It showed that Float Fest produced $4.2 million in labor income, local employees were paid over 1.1 million in labor income and tri-county region collected $49,500 in sales tax out of Float Fest 2018.

Float Fest founder Marcus Federman presented potential ideas to the court about how he could do things differently this year. The plans include widening gates, trimming nearby trees, offsite parking, widening emergency lanes and developing a new traffic control plan.

In response to concerns about drunken

guests wandering about the festival grounds, Federman said they're going to take more of a hands-on approach this year.

"It's just like cattle," Federman said.

"You tell them where to go and you don't let them go anywhere else."

Although the permit wasn't approved by the court, it wasn't denied either.

"We would need a motion to deny the permit, based on a specific item" County Judge Kyle Kutscher stated.

County Commissioner Judy Cope made a motion to deny the permit but the motion lost in a 2-3 vote, leaving the permit in limbo.

More information about Float Fest can be found online.

LIFE & ARTS

The University Star

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | 3

ENTREPRENEUR

Student entrepreneur makes money-moves in the beauty industry

By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Contributor While being a college student is hard enough, adding entrepreneur to that is something else. Through hard work, patience and help from her family and friends, one student is determined to take on the beauty industry one hair flip at a time.

Tori Duncan, general studies sophomore, is the CEO of InFin & Company, an online boutique specializing in extensions, wigs, false eyelashes and apparel.

InFin & Co. strives on producing high-quality products guaranteed to last.

All of the company's hair products are made from virgin Brazilian and Peruvian hair. Each selection of hair undergoes a quality assurance process that ensures up to a year's worth of use, with the promise to be tangle-free given proper maintenance.

The quality assurance process consists of Duncan and her vendor testing each product to make sure they feel, smell and look excellent. If any product doesn't pass the test, it won't be shipped out.

Duncan said she personally tests out up to ten products a month to certify that all of InFin & Co's products are of high quality.

In addition to hair products, Duncan offers her own hair services. Estimated duration of each service, as well as pricing, can be found on InFin & Co.’s website. A variety of services such as wig and hair extension installations and basic sew-ins can be booked online.

Duncan has been running InFin & Co. since 2013. Initially, the company

focused solely on hair products.

“People are always asking me where I However, Duncan was eager to expand get my hair from so it’s very important I her business by incorporating apparel always look my best,” Dorsey said. and adding brand ambassadors to her Dorsey said she was a loyal customer team. first before becoming an ambassador.

Chineme Ogbuefi, InFin & Co.’s “I was already in love with the company brand ambassador director, is responsible itself so becoming a brand ambassador for recruiting other ambassadors and was no problem,” Dorsey said. keeping up with their progress. Ogbuefi Even though Duncan launched her said she notifies brand ambassadors business a few years ago, she isn’t new to of upcoming events, monitors their the entrepreneurial lifestyle. social media outreach and ensures each From a young age, Duncan was ambassador introduced to the receives their entrepreneurial PR packages in environment a timely matter. as both of her Ogbuefi parents were said she loves entrepreneurs working for themselves. She InFin & Co. was taught to because she have a hardis getting working and experience in driven mindset. the social media industry and “They instilled overall enjoys -Tori Duncan in me that I working with need to make a Duncan. name for myself, not for a corporation,” “(Duncan) is an amazing person and Duncan said. she’s really passionate about what she Duncan was inspired to pursue a does,” Ogbuefi said. career in the hair industry because of InFin & Co. currently has ten brand her mother’s battle with cervical cancer. ambassadors. Social media following and Duncan said cancer awareness is her goal, follower engagement are reviewed by as well as hair replacement systems and Ogbuefi before adding on an ambassador. selling high quality hair for a reasonable Jenea Dorsey, brand ambassador and price. makeup artist, has been working with Within the year, Duncan hopes to the company for over two years. launch a pop-up shop in Austin. She Dorsey said the biggest responsibility plans to renovate and decorate a large that comes with being a brand metal storage container and sell hair, ambassador is being able to promote the lashes and apparel. She will begin with a company at all times. small shop in Austin, but expects to take

“They instilled in me that I need to make a name for myself, not for a corporation,”

it all over the world.

InFin & Co. has a YouTube channel to show current and potential customers product reviews, tutorials on hair installation and commercials that showcase future products.

Duncan started a YouTube channel to teach her customers how to perform the same services she does on them. She wants to upload videos and live streams to provide her customers with useful knowledge that is often overcharged in the beauty industry.

InFin & Co. has come a long way since its initial launch in 2013. With a lot of patience, determination and motivation, Duncan has grown InFin & Co. from the ground up. The CEO encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to do their research, take the time and to have faith in their work.

“It may not happen overnight; if you do try to make something like this happen overnight it’ll reflect in your company,” Duncan said.

Although running a business comes with its set of challenges, Duncan said the passion she has for the company encourages her to rise above adversity.

Duncan said one of the ways she deals with obstacles is through her strong support system.

“My family, friends and boyfriend are really supportive,” Duncan said.

“I probably wouldn’t be here without them.”

InFin & Co. is a business dedicated to providing quality products at a reasonable price. To learn more about InFin & Co. visit the online store and check out its social media platforms: @ infinandco on Instagram and Twitter.

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4 | Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

The University Star

MUSIC

JAMS music strikes a chord Local musicians open a music store, broadening the music scene in San Marcos Ace Pepper plays his Gibson guitar in the green room of his store that showcases various amplifiers.

PHOTO BY CLAYTON KEELING

By Sonia Garcia Assistant Life & Arts Editor Strings line the walls alongside guitars and amplifiers. In a leather jacket, the owner begins to strum “Stairway to Heaven,” and for any musician, it may feel as if they are in heaven.

JAMS Music is saving the day for local musicians as it becomes the first music store in San Marcos to open in four years. JAMS, short for J and A Music Supply, is owned and operated by couple Ace Pepper, local musician, and Jesika Savage, Texas State alumna.

Savage said since opening three months ago, musicians have thanked them for the store.

The couple said they want JAMS to be the center for music in San Marcos. They see the shop as the place bands go to put fliers up and release CDs. At some point in the near future, the couple plans on turning JAMS into a music venue.

Pepper and Savage wanted to open a shop that had essentials for musicians, such as strings and batteries. The idea behind the shop is summed up in three points: sell affordable equipment people need, serve as a guitar repair shop and sell groovy previously owned equipment like guitars and amps.

As someone who speaks like a musician, Pepper knows good quality from bad. He said the shop will only have equipment that works, without being too expensive.

“I want to be in the middle of the musical

"All of the really great things that have happened in our world has had something to do with music.”

-Jesika Savage

community,” Pepper said. “I’ve done just about all of it in my time being a musician, so hopefully I can help people out.”

Pepper said he has learned a lot in the musical industry. He started out in a band but has now learned how to record CDs, work with graphics and edit videos for demos.

“It’s not enough to know just three chords anymore,” Pepper said.

Since learning to play guitar at age 13 in Dallas, Pepper dived into the music world, never looking back. He met his wife in high school in her hometown of Houston. Ten years went by before they found each other again in Austin.

In 1987, the couple made San Marcos their home so Savage could finish school.

They had a child a few years later.

Pepper has since been in over 20 bands. He started as a guitarist, but has taken on bass, drums, keyboards and sound engineering.

Pepper’s bands have consisted of all kinds of musical genres including classic rock, blues, reggae and country.

Savage stepped in to be the sound engineer for the first San Marcos band Pepper was in. The two have let music run their lives.

Together, they have had a home recording studio, produced a radio show and made custom amps.

“In a lot of ways, this store is going public with what I’ve already been doing for 20 years," Pepper said. "We just added some

retail."

Grant Mazak, senior lecturer in the school of music, has known Pepper for over 30 years. He mentioned the store opening to his classes because musicians often need equipment.

“I think (JAMS) is a good idea because we need it,” Mazak said. “(Pepper) is doing it the smartest way possible: starting small then building larger, especially for a smaller town.”

The first event the music store hosted was JAMS Kazoo Choir. Community members attended to play kazoos alongside classic rock. The event is open to anyone and takes place the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

Come March and through the summer months, The Jams will take place. Every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. bands will get to play on an outdoor stage at JAMS. Additionally the shop will host songwriting showcases as well as seminars on how to record music at home.

“Everything we’ve done has been music related," Savage said. "It is the absolute center of everything we do. All of the really great things that have happened in our world has had something to do with music.”

JAMS Music is only getting started, and its owners hope there is much more to come.

JAMS Music is located at 1508 Aquarena Springs Dr. More information can be found at jamsmusicsmtx.com.

FESTIVAL

Jazz festival brings statewide talent to Texas State

By Ivy Sandoval Life & Arts Reporter The 29th annual Hill Country Jazz Festival will be hosted by Texas State this year. The event is set to last allday, starting at 8 a.m. Feb. 9, with performances in both the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall and Evans Auditorium.

The night before kicks off the jazz festivities with the Eddie Durham Celebration, an all-star big band concert honoring San Marcos native Eddie Durham, a pioneer in jazz guitar and arranger and composer for many bands. Starting at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Auditorium, it is free and open to the public.

Saturday features various high school jazz bands from across the state performing from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in both the Performing Arts Hall and Evans Auditorium.

During the break from the day and night concerts, there will be a jazz clinic given by the Count Basie Orchestra to both the high school players and general public. It covers a wide range of jazzrelated topics as well as a question panel.

A concert will proceed into the night, featuring the Texas State Jazz Ensemble, performing with a well-known jazz guest artist, the Count Basie Orchestra.

The Count Basie Orchestra concert is

Jazz mural located, Feb. 2, across MLK Drive from the Calaboose African-American History Museum.

PHOTO BY RICHARD MOLNAR

Saturday night and is free for all Texas State students and $15 for the general public.

The night concerts will last up to two hours. In addition to the performances, awards will be given to the most outstanding bands and soloists.

As a highly anticipated event with a large turnout from all over Texas, planning the festival begins quite early.

In May, planners begin securing guest artists and reserving the rooms and

buildings necessary. Applications go out to high schools in October, and then continue being turned in and reviewed from then up until the festival.

Utah Hamrick, director of jazz studies, said he loves putting on the festival, as San Marcos is a great town for jazz. He enjoys the long preparation.

“I’d like to think that almost 30 years of this festival and the celebration of San Marcos native Eddie Durham for the last 15 years have helped to bring more jazz

to the community, and strengthened the relationship between our school’s jazz program and the city,” Hamrick said. “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to put this festival on every year.”

The jazz festival was founded by a Texas State professor looking to bring more interest to the art of jazz.

Keith Winking, professor of trumpet and jazz, started the jazz festival his first year teaching at Texas State in 1989.

Texas State only had one jazz band and class at the time, so Winking took a step to highlight the beauty of the genre.

"The festival helped build interest in jazz at Texas State and an increase in the jazz curriculum, which eventually led to the implementation of our current bachelor and master degrees in jazz.”

Peyton Smith, sociology junior, said she did not know the festival was going on but was intrigued by it.

“It sounds really interesting and it would be exciting to see local students perform,” Smith said. “Seeing them perform on the Texas State campus and seeing the talent from different schools would be cool.”

The Jazz Festival will expose the community to the soothing yet robust genre of jazz music while highlighting the talent from all around Texas. More information on the festival can be found on Texas State's homepage website under upcoming events.

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OPINIONS

The University Star

Carissa Liz Castillo | Opinions Editor

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | 6

RESEARCH

The responsible conduct of research is needed at Texas State

By Patrick Tchakounte Opinions Columnist Texas State University needs to form the next generation of scientists who have both scientific and ethical training.

In its research facilities, Texas State needs to emphasize that scientific research has an effect on culture and ethics. Science is an authority in culture and it is crucial for the field to consider also how it articulates its conception of ethics.

Ethics are important to scientific research itself. As a public research university, Texas State contributes to putting scientific research at the service of man by sponsoring research initiatives that respect the rigor of the scientific method and the canons of ethics.

Texas State University needs to form the next generation of scientists who have both scientific and ethical training. Currently, the Responsible Conduct of Research is training that is required for Texas State University students who are supported by the National Science Foundation. I advocate that this training is extended to students involved in scientific

research at Texas State.

There is an ongoing debate over whether animal research is ethical.

The debate is stimulated by an anthropology that sees human interests as superior to animal welfare. At Texas State, model organisms are experimented on for the benefit of the human race, such as a better understanding of biology and a path towards curing illness.

There are ethical guidelines in scientific research for the use of animals such as not exposing the organisms to unnecessary pain.

Pain is to be allowed in controlled environments only to the end of the experiment being carried out. The animals are also to be cared for and treated fairly. Exposing other forms of life, sentient organisms, to pain is only defensible if we admit that the interests of the human species are morally superior to other organisms.

Even if we accept that the human species is unique in its capacity of culture and art, other forms of life display forms of natural adaptation that reflect their biological importance in nature. These are qualitative judgments that go beyond biology and taxonomy and require an ethical

perspective.

Scientists need ethical training in their research in the same way they need scientific training. This is important in the proper use of animals in experiments, but also in more general bioethical dilemmas that arise in the field such as the question of gene editing or the problem of human cloning.

The adoption of the Responsible Conduct of Research for all students involved in scientific research at Texas State University would mark a step in the right direction. The training is dedicated to forming scientists who can conduct their research in an ethical and responsible manner.

More importantly, it is committed to instilling in our community a shared understanding of, and adherence to, the principles of responsible conduct of research.

The training covers nine different areas related to scientific research: research misconduct, data management, authorship, peer review, mentor and trainee responsibilities, research with human subjects, animals subjects in research, collaborative research and conflicts of interests. The program is currently sponsored by the

National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Texas State has the opportunity to educate the next generation of scientists in a field that is becoming increasingly complex. The ability to rationally analyze ethical dilemmas, as well as contemporary bioethical issues, is a skill that can prove very valuable in the current climate. Scientists must be prepared to give a rational account of their position on pressing bioethical issues.

For science to succeed in its endeavor, it must be guided by reason, by an ability to evaluate its objectives and correct itself. Every branch of human inquiry should have the capacity for correction and supervision.

The training offered by the National Science Foundation is a participant of that effort.

Ethics should not solely be the practice of professional philosophers.

Scientists, too, need an ethical formation. Their profession requires they be able to make qualitative evaluations because science is not neutral.

- Patrick Tchakounte is a biochemistry junior

OVERWORKED

Working as a Resident Assistant can negatively affect mental stability

By Bayley Bogus Associate Managing Editor More often than not, resident assistants feel overworked and underpaid.

A good portion may feel isolated, lonely and left without a social life as the position takes priority over much of their lives. While some may find gratitude in the job and genuinely enjoy the time they spend as an RA, the majority tend to apply with financial reasons in mind or to gain experience with people and community-building.

With over 200 RAs spread across campus, there are over 200 reasons why each individual has chosen the job. However, expectations of and pressures on RAs consistently increase, while the stipend does not. This can have a negative effect on RAs’ mental health, as well as outside lives.

“I was working in the ideal situation; I loved my boss and coworkers and it was a healthy environment in the beginning,” Ana Figueroa, anthropology junior, said. “When you start in the position though, you don’t get any help. You get slideshows in a classroom setting (for training).”

RAs go through training every summer before fall classes and every winter before students get back from break.

Often times, RAs have to cut weeks off their breaks for training. While this may be beneficial for people new to the position, returning RAs come back to sit in a classroom-like setting and go over information most already know or have lived through. This can be detrimental, as RAs have to chop time with family, friends or their relaxation.

Figueroa has a past of dealing with anxiety and depression. She said her condition was never worse than when she worked as an RA. Figueroa worked in Jackson Hall for a year and a half before submitting her resignation letter at the end of fall 2018.

“My mental health was really strong the first couple months and I was happy going into the job,” Figueroa said. “Around mid-October though, I remember feeling so lonely. While you’re always surrounded by people,

ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON HUBBARD

you still feel so alone.”

The Department of Housing and Residential Life, like any other large entity or company, is constantly evolving and creating new rules and policies. Considering the RA position is under DHRL’s umbrella, it too has expanded from what it entailed only a couple years ago. New items are constantly tacked onto the job description. While manageable, the pressure of the position can swell. Feeling too weighed down to have time for anything else tends to clog RAs with negativity.

“The department keeps us in line by threatening our position, threatening us,” Figueroa said. “A lot of us wondered, ‘Am I going to get probation for this? Am I going to be in trouble for that?’ They punish us for things we should not be punished for.”

RAs are students before anything else. However, if a study group, homework or extracurriculars get in the way of executing the job, there is coercion to put those things on the backburner.

The goal of the RA job is to aid,

typically, first-year students with their transition to college. However, that goal has been taken and manufactured into so many subunits it may be hard to keep up.

Whether being required to have forced, unnatural conversations lasting 15-30 minutes with each resident, regardless of how many students an RA may be responsible for, or not being allowed to leave the building for two to three days including weekends, RAs are stretched too thin and expected to over perform for the $103 monthly stipend they receive.

“One time, I had to stay with a resident until 5 a.m., even with class the next day, because she was suicidal,” Figueroa said. “I was in a really stressful situation and she was mentally unstable and we were both in danger.

(RAs) shouldn't be in those positions.

It really takes a toll on you and that $51.50 is not enough for the type of work we do and hours we put in.”

Working as an RA is a 24/7 job that is often compared to living in a “fishbowl.” No matter what an RA

does or where they go, the job and all its responsibilities follow. They have to find a way to balance school, the position, extracurriculars and find time for themselves and their mental wellbeing. The latter erodes while RAs struggle to prioritize the other pieces of their lives.

“So many RAs develop severe mental health issues,” Figueroa said. “You lose your social life, your friends, and that put me in a very depressive state.

DHRL is not aware of the negative effects their policies have on RAs but they should be so things can be fixed and the position can be more enjoyable.”

Mental health topics are often present during RA training or in-services.

Rarely, however, do those sessions revolve around the employees’ mental wellbeing. RAs spend hours on end learning to assist residents yet feel as if no one is there to support them in return.

“DHRL does not reach out to us to make sure (RAs) are okay,” Figueroa said. “They tell us to just do all this extra stuff and if we don’t, we get fired. They don’t care who we are or what else we do. Our job is to help people and build community but honestly, who’s helping us? No one cares about the RAs.” According to Laura Michelle Gordon at Oregon State University, student leaders, RAs in particular, may face increased pressures to be successful due to the constant expectation of upholding model behavior and being ready to respond effectively to any given situation. This makes them more susceptible to experiencing lower mental health status or mental illness.

The governing body of housing and residence life needs to make serious changes, and soon. If its student employees continue to be neglected and have their needs swept under the rug, there may not be any RAs in the future. The job is important and vital to the success of new Bobcats; an RA’s prosperity and mental stability should be equally as important.

- Bayley Bogus is a journalism senior

7 | Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Carissa Liz Castillo | Opinions Editor

UPD

The University Star

ENVIRONMENT

Under new guidance, UPD should embrace community policing

By Jaden Edison Associate Multimedia Editor Texas State took a step in the right direction by hiring new Chief of Police Laurie Espinoza-Clouse. The hiring in itself was the right choice made by the university's administration because of her experienced background.

Furthermore, it placed a woman who is a direct reflection of Texas State's majority Latinx and largely female student body into a position of power.

The university police department must now take the necessary steps to become more community-oriented.

To achieve that, officers must make a better effort to become more publicly accessible, identify the needs of the community and take actions that will ensure a safe and united environment.

Part of the problem in past years was the fact that UPD very seldom appeared in the public eye outside of responses to emergencies, conflicts, patrols or events. This sentiment was conveyed by the International Association of College Law Enforcement Administrators' Peer Review Program, in which it concluded that UPD is perceived by the public to be more reactive than proactive.

UPD placing value and importance upon more accessibility is the first step in becoming more communityoriented.

Whether it be through scheduled meet and greets, on-campus interaction with the student body, educational seminars or simply standing in the quad displaying an openness to speak, accessibility inevitably allows students, faculty and officers to get to know and recognize one another on campus. UPD has already taken steps toward this with its "coffee with the cops" event but in order to become more communityoriented, they must do even more.

The familiarity that results from these scenarios will likely give individuals more incentive and comfort to open up about both the positive and negative occurrences within the community. It creates an environment where both students and officers know one another and are better informed because of it.

After controversial events, such as the student-sit in arrests, UPD needs unison and mutual trust to move

forward and establish a healthier reputation.

Identifying the actual needs of the Texas State community is an important follow up to accessibility.

During incidents like the sit-in arrests, UPD used a very tumultuous time period to implement its own scare tactics to silence the student body. On the contrary, when UPD only issued out trespass warnings to the men responsible for white nationalist propaganda on campus, the department did not take such a symbolic incident very seriously.

Going forward, the department must actually listen and digest information when making itself more accessible. When out in the quad, conducting socials or simply holding conversations with members of the community, UPD must be attentive to people's needs and concerns.

More importantly, it must begin to ask questions. When unsure of why tensions, feelings and conditions are the way they are on campus, UPD must utilize students and faculty. The safety and wellness of both should be among its top concerns.

After making itself more accessible and taking the time to identify the needs of the community, UPD must finally take action to ensure a safe and united environment. It must engrave the concept of community policing into its policies, and act accordingly.

That includes very high levels of transparency and being proactive in locations that receive a lot of traction and viewing anything that deteriorates the condition of the community as a threat.

To serve and protect is more than just doing one's job; it is acting with a purpose to ensure that the individuals within your jurisdiction are safe, shielded and united at all times.

UPD has more than enough power to better its accessibility and listening.

Taking the necessary actions to ensure community safety and unity should be second nature. However, actions do not always have to be a result of crime and wrongdoing.

In order to finally be recognized as a community-oriented institution, UPD must become much more than reactors to chaos.

- Jaden Edison is an electronic media sophomore

ILLUSTRATION BY VALKYRIE MATA

Float Fest does more good than harm for San Marcos

By Naomi Wick Opinions Columnist Held at Cool River Ranch on Dupey Ranch Road for the past four years, Float Fest is a one-of-a-kind music festival that attracts people from all over the state. With last year’s headliners ranging from Tame Impala to Lil Wayne, Float Fest has something for everyone and is a rite of passage for Bobcats and San Martians alike.

Last week, Guadalupe County Commissioners Court voted Thursday to deny a large gathering permit to Float Fest. The reasons given were primarily based on the appeals of residents, many claiming that traffic and litter is a big issue for them regarding Float Fest.

One of the complainants, Tom Goynes, co-owner of San Marcos River Retreat in Caldwell, opposes the festival because he claims it hurts his business. Hurting one business, however, is a small price to pay for the $12.3 million generated, with nearly $670,000 in taxes alone.

Goynes’ business is upstream from Cool River Ranch and shouldn’t be affected by litter, just heavier traffic and noise. Persnickety residents don’t want the traffic and noise, but the weekend of Float Fest is no different than the Fourth of July or Labor Day weekend; the people of Texas will always flock to rivers for funfilled weekends in the sun.

Some say the county doesn’t profit because the private company makes the bulk of the profits, but shutting the whole festival down isn’t a solution to these minor complaints.

Residents claim Float Fest isn’t good for them, but Float Fest isn’t for them. People of Caldwell County can enjoy their river town all year long; there’s no good reason not to let others enjoy the water and their favorite artists, too.

Other complaints include worries of medical issues and trash destroying the river. Though the San Marcos River is home to over seven endangered species, these animals are sturdy enough to handle a weekend of higher-than-usual river traffic; after all, they’ve been doing it for decades. Local divers are more than happy to help clean up the river if air tanks are provided, and it’s not too much to ask for the festival’s planners to allocate a small portion of their profits to provide supplies for divers to clean.

Residents can plan in advance for traffic and a few days of potentially slower business. San Marcos residents have to prepare themselves for busy weekends like graduation days and move-in days at Texas State; it’s part of what residents learn to expect when living near a college down with a spring-fed river in Central Texas.

- Naomi Wick is a journalism senior

TEXTBOOKS

It's time to stop making excuses for expensive textbooks

By Zach Keel Guest Columnist Our inexorable march to poverty and struggle is lunch conversation fodder; as students, we’re all too familiar with financial juggling and the ubiquitous daily gouging associated with college. "Affording" college is a myth of yesteryear wrapped up in “bootstraps” language meant to deride the ever-solazy younger generations. Everything is more expensive now—average tuition at a four-year public institution has seen a three-fold increase over the past 30 years.

Cost-of-living is more—everything is more, higher and less accessible—it’s depressing. Financial barriers pop up from every angle for students on the degree track, but there’s one last barrier that always creeps up and snaps up the last little bit of money in Bobcats’ accounts: textbooks. Textbooks are expensive, they’re often unnecessary and the for-profit tangled mess of an

industry is wholly immoral. Textbooks should be a part of the tuition package or free; nothing else will do.

The National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the professional trade association of the $10 billion campus store industry. You read that correctly: ten billion dollars. The National Football League, a veritable money-printing machine, distributed $8 billion total in 2017 amongst its 32 teams. According to NACS, average textbook prices increased over 50 percent from 2007 to 2017. Textbook prices have increased over 1,000 percent over the past 40 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

All of these numbers are horrifying and intimidating, but they belie the true emotion associated with forking over all the cash in your account—or going deeper into debt—just to be able to read along with a class that you’ve already purchased a seat in. You’re required in many courses to purchase the textbook and there’s hardly a way around that. Students are paying a

second entry fee.

'Welcome to the amusement park, we’re so glad to have you here, and that’ll be $90 for an all-day pass. But wait, you’re going to also throw us another ten before you ever set foot on the rollercoaster, sorry!'

Any college willing to discard the forprofit model of the textbook industry and sever financially predatory relationships with large corporations looking to wring dry every dollar possible from students would immediately reap beaucoup rewards. The exorbitant cost of textbooks disincentivizes learning, sometimes outright preventing students from participation in essential class exercises.

Making sure everyone receives the material without charge would immediately foster a better classroom environment and wipe a common student stressor right off the map for good. More engaged students make for a healthier and more diverse learning experience. Attendance would surely see a positive spike, test scores may in-

crease and genuine enjoyment may be had by another student that may have previously been underwater.

The student loan debt crisis is still raging in America; over 44 million people carry some student loan debt and we’re busting through a trillion and a half dollars in total debt.

Almost $40,000 a pop for graduates from 2017. We’re the Titanic heading straight for the iceberg, but we’re fully aware and still willing to ram right through it because it’s essentially the only chance to find success on the other side. There is no satisfactory justification for the continued destruction of student bank accounts when we’re all merely trying to stay on course.

It’s like when we were all kids at the store picking out a toy. The packaging had in big letters “BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED.” Well, just like that little remote-controlled car and its batteries, books aren’t included with classes. But they should be.

- Zach Keel is a sociology graduate

#doctorobvious

BOBCAT TRIVIA 1. What is the Pedagog? a. The original Texas State newspaper. b. A rich source of historical information and photographs, especially for the early years of the University. c. The original LBJ Student Center. d. None of the above.

2. What do the Pedagogs refer to? a. Southwest Texas b. SWT c. Texas State University – San Marcos d. Both A and B

3. What years was the Pedagog not published? a. 1976 b. 1978 c. 1983 d. All of the above

4. What years were there special editions of the Pedagog? a. 1978 b. 1980 c. 2008 d. All of the above

ANSWERS FROM JAN. 29

BOBCAT TRIVIA 1. In what ways does the university keep President Johnson’s memory alive? a. LBJ Student Center b. Lyndon Baines Johnson Distinguished Lecture Series c. The LBJ Statue d. All of the above 2. How many times has the university changed its name? a. 6 b. 5 c. 4 d. None of the above

3. What day of the week is the official campus spirit day where students, faculty and staff can wear their Texas State clothing on campus to show off their Bobcat Pride? a. Wednesday b. Thursday c. Friday d. None of the above 4. Which campus building provides students with resources on how to be involved on campus and services to help them succeed at the university? a. J.C. Kellam b. LBJ Student Center c. Alkek Library d. None of the above

SPORTS

10 | Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Jakob Rodriguez | Sports Editor

The University Star

FROM FRONT PEARSON Growing up, Pearson idolized his older brother, Nicholas, and hoped to one day follow in his footsteps on the court. Tragedy struck the family, however, in 2010, and Nicholas died from testicular cancer. Nijal was in the seventh grade and said he revered his older brother as a father figure.

"He taught me everything," Pearson said. "(From) the way I walk, to the way I talk, to how I look at your eyes right now when we talk. He was more of a father figure than an older brother, but both at the same time. Father figure, big brother, best friend all in one."

Since Pearson was forced to grow up quickly on and off the court, maturity played a large role in his life, as well as the rest of the Bobcat team. Person said junior guard Jaylen Shead, freshman forward Alonzo Sule and veteran Alex Peacock have helped take some of the pressure off his back.

"Those are some unselfish guys," Pearson said. "Those guys do a lot of little things that (are) unseen in the stat book. If you know basketball and really sit there and watch the game, you watch how big of an impact they have."

Last year, during Pearson's sophomore year, the team depended on his leadership and voted him as team captain. Pearson said the experience made him develop and cultivate his leadership skills.

“I was voted team captain," Pearson said. "Leading 22 to 23-year-old players was tough. The biggest thing about experience is on the court we trust each other. With me (in) my third year with (Coach) Kaspar, I trust his system more.”

While expectations for this team were not always high, head coach Danny Kaspar has always liked to surprise teams and raise expectations,

which he made clear during the preseason press conference.

“I’m smiling when they pick us 8th… I don't think we are an 8th place team," Kaspar said. "Go ahead pick us low we will surprise you."

The 2019 version of Nijal Pearson has been a revenge tour of sorts. After losing a heartbreaking game to the University of Texas at San Antonio last year. This year, Pearson and the Bobcats answered with a thrilling 69-68 win, with the deciding points delivered by Pearson with 11 seconds remaining earlier in the year. Pearson ended the game with 26 points on the board.

Some have called Pearson's style of play angry, but other fans and broadcasters like Bill Culhane evaluate Pearson's style of play based on what the team needed from him.

"I don’t think he is playing angry, as some people are saying," Culhane

said. "I see someone with the same laser-focus I've seen since he got to Texas State. With the departures of Kavin Gilder-Tilbury, Ojai Black, and Bobby Conley, from the 22 win team two seasons ago, Nijal was forced into a leadership position, as a young player.

This season, you can tell how he has continued to mature. I think last year helped him and we're seeing it on the court."

While Pearson seemingly plays with fire as the defacto leader of the #Takers, fueling any competitive spirit does not come easy. Players who chase stat lines may teeter out during the mid-late season, but Pearson's fire burns deeper than an all-time scoring record.

Priding himself on his work ethic and approach to the game instilled by his older brother, Nijal proudly wears the number 22, paying homage to his brother who wore the same number.

GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FAIR 2019 Hosted by The Graduate College and Career Services

BROWSE SESSION Monday, February 11 LBJSC Ballroom

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Meet with program advisors to learn about graduate studies at Texas State and other universities.

CONCURRENT INFORMATION SESSIONS 10 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Learn about a wide range of topics relating to graduate school.

Graduate School and You 10 – 10:30 a.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

Funding Your Graduate Education 10:30 – 11 a.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

GRE Strategy Session 11:30 a.m – noon LBJSC 3-5.1

Graduate Application Process 12:30 – 1 p.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

Doctoral Studies Session 1 – 1:30 p.m.

LBJSC 3-7.1

Achieving Success in Graduate School 1 – 1:30 p.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

Financial Aid for Graduate Education 2 – 2:30 p.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

Standardized Test Prep Resources 2:30 – 3 p.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1 Register at gradcollege.txstate.edu/events/fair

Graduate Studies and Your Career 3 – 3:30 p.m.

LBJSC 3-5.1

Campus Tour The Graduate College gradcollege@txstate.edu 512.245.2581

3:30 p.m.

Meet outside LBJSC 3-5.1

Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus. If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please call 512.245.2581 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

19-048 7-18

GRADUATE PROGRAMS Offering two new programs in fall 2019:

Master of Science in Marketing Research and Analysis Master of Science in Data Analytics and Information Systems

Open to All Undergraduate Majors Other degrees include: n

n n

n

Master of Business Administration Full-Time Cohort and Flex (parttime) Master of Accountancy Master of Science in Accounting and Information Technology Master of Science in Human Resource Management Recent Graduate Study Abroad Destinations Chile, Costa Rica, Estonia, Finland, Peru

Graduate Assistantships available

Application Deadline June 1, 2019 www.graduate.mccoy.txstate.edu All McCoy College programs are accredited by AACSB - International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

12 | Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Track prepares for indoor championships at Jaguar Invitational Texas State track and field brought home 22 top ten Sun Belt titles Sunday from the Jaguar Invitational meet in Birmingham, Alabama.

Runners Kylah Smith, Javlyn Cameron and Kaylee Krenek helped achieve the victory with a standout sweep in the 60m hurdles. The hurdlers raced neck-and-neck to claim their spots as the top three Sun Belt competitors.

Senior Devina Schneider toppled her own top Sun Belt time in the mile with a time of 4:52.88. Schneider was the first conference runner to break the five-minute barrier earlier this season with a time of 4:58. Teammates Leslie Romero and Sydney Cole finished out the event with a near sweep, taking the second and fourth place titles respectively.

The Bobcats return Feb. 18 to the University of South Alabama for the Sun Belt Indoor Championships.

Women’s Basketball falls UT Arlington Texas State women’s basketball fell to the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks Saturday afternoon at the College Park Center with a final score of 68-53.

Freshman guard Kennedy Taylor led with 11 points, and senior guard Toshua Leavitt managed 10 points. Texas State fell 20 points behind in the first quarter.

The score was 24-6 after 10 minutes. The Bobcats outscored UTA 47-44 in the final three quarters.

Taylor and sophomore forward Jayla Johnson carried the way in the first 20 minutes. The duo accounted for 16 of Texas State's 22 points. The rest of the team scored six points on 1-of-12 shooting in the first half.

Texas State mounted a comeback in the third quarter cutting the lead to 41-34 with 2:29 left, but UTA scored the next eight points and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

Up next, the Bobcats will play Appalachian State at 11 a.m. on Feb. 7.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Jakob Rodriguez | Sports Editor

The University Star

BASKETBALL

Mavericks stun Bobcats in double overtime thriller

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter Bobcat basketball fell Feb. 2 to the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks in double overtime. In front of a record crowd at Strahan arena, the Mavericks were able to pull away with a final score of 8477.

With a crowd of 6,581, Strahan was electric. UTA was dealt with the hostile away-game environment in part thanks to Brian Warren's 30 points, which included a pair of clutch shots to force the first and second overtime.

Head coach Danny Kaspar said the game was a must-win game, especially with the landmark attendance.

"Look at the excitement that this team has generated," Kaspar said.

"When you get people like that to your game, you need to win for them."

Usual game leaders Nijal Pearson and Alex Peacock were held in check by the Mavericks for the majority of the game. Pearson finished the game with 15 points and seven rebounds, well below his season average. Peacock scored 12 points and nine rebounds, clutching five of his points during the first overtime.

Pearson said the team will go into next week's games with heads held high.

"We got to be better on offense, we lost the game. Don't think we are throwing in the towel and our hearts (are) broken we have nine games," Pearson said. "There is a lot of games to be played. We are going

Eric Terry shoots a free throw Feb. 2 after being fouled by a UT Arlington player.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

to fight and find a way back."

The Bobcat offense looked out of sync with shots at 39 percent from the field, but the biggest issue of the night was free-throw shooting.

Perhaps the poorest effort was seen from the free throw line as the team shot 45 percent from the charity stripe while UTA shot 79 percent from the free-throw line.

The game included an eventful10 different lead changes. With 36 seconds remaining, Tre Nottingham hit a clutch jumper to take the lead 60-58. Brian Warren then answered with his own jumper to put the game into overtime.

In overtime, Alex Peacock hit a

big 3-pointer and Texas State took an early four-point lead, but Warren answered again with four points, including the game-tying jumper to send it all into double overtime.

With the loss, Texas State is now one game down from first place in the Sun Belt Conference, standing at 6-3 and 17-5 overall. The team trails behind only Georgia State The Bobcats return next week with back-to-back home games starting Thursday against Appalachian State for Military Appreciation Night and Saturday against Coastal Carolina for Coach Danny Kaspar Jacket Night and mustache sticker give away.