DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019
@universitystar | universitystar.com
Volume 108, Issue 23
Thank you, Ms. Susie
Local Viking Ms. Susie poses for headshot Oct. 2016 after being interviewed about experience in San Marcos. PHOTO COURTESY OF CALVIN WHETSTONE
Texas State's Viking goddess has left a legacy of serving the San Marcos community with food and kindness. By Ivy Sandoval Life & Arts Reporter Texas State’s viking goddess, Susie Mullen, who has been a shining light to the community and beacon of hope and love for others, is needing that love for herself now. Mullen, known as "Ms Susie" by the Texas State community, was found unconscious in her home the morning of March 18. She was immediately placed in the intensive care unit at the Central Texas Medical Center but then later moved to hospice care on Wednesday. According to Jeska Savage, a longtime friend of Ms Susie, Mullen was not one to share personal difficulties with others and tended to keep her tribulations hidden. However, she was constantly willing to serve as a sounding board and smiling face to anyone. Savage said her health decline was sudden but expected. "We think of her as the kindest, most compassionate rock you would ever try to push up a hill," Savage said. Savage reminisced over the memories she shared with Mullen among their group of friend. The group got closer around the time they all started to have children. “We ran in small herds for many years," Savage said. "Many, many group discounts. I remember going to the wave pool in Seguin and
taking three minivans because that’s how many it took to get us all there.” Savage said Mullen was on a ventilator throughout her time in the emergency room and ICU. However, Savage knew, after speaking with Mullen, it was not her wish to be kept on life support when the time came. “We finally got a hold of her daughter in Massachusetts and she agreed to take her off life support,” Savage said. “Seeing as there wasn’t much brain activity, we followed her wishes. As hard as it is, she is an amazing force.” There is no denying Mullen is among the most inspirational and giving people students have interacted with on campus. When news broke Mullen was in the ICU, individuals within the community took to Twitter to express their thoughts and tell stories of the multiple ways Miss Susie has made an impact on them or the community with the trending hashtag #ThankYouMsSusie. Lucero Ibarra, Texas State alumna, said Mullen was someone who shaped her experience at Texas State for the better. “I’ll never forget our chat about art,” Ibarra said. “(Mullen) said she liked watercolors because of how, like life, it can be unpredictable but in the end, made something beautiful.” If anyone could prove small acts of kindness have enormous effects, it was Mullen.
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She touched the lives of many students and faculty. She has a personality that is infectious and she would do anything for anyone. -Richard Lopez
Mullen felt the most important part of her job at Chartwells was making sure students who went through her line left with a smile and knew somebody cared. If she happened to witness an upset or sad student, she would try to offer encouragement and follow up if she saw them again. Mullen consistently had a love for helping the community and was very active in supporting the Hays County Food Bank. Richard Lopez, director of sales at RiverCity Screenprinting and Embroidery, said when he heard the news of Mullen's health, he wanted to make a custom viking goddess T-shirt representing her and the famous pigtails. All proceeds would be donated to the food bank. “Susie is a huge part of the San Marcos community," Lopez said. "She touched the lives of many students and faculty. She has a personality that is infectious and she would do anything for anyone. The amount of stories I have read the past few days is simply incredible." Students have visited her at Central Texas Medical Center over the weekend. In the past few days, hundreds of people have gathered to say their goodbyes and thank her for the love she has spread. The T-shirts are available for preorder until March 27 for $15.95 and can be found on Rival 3 Sport’s website.
Alkek construction brings $14.3 million worth of changes By Sierra Martin News Reporter Alkek Library is currently undergoing $14.3 million of major renovations that will bring change to the first, second, fourth and seventh levels of the library. It is expected to be complete in the spring of 2020. With a growing student population, Texas State is updating the library to provide a modern learning experience and expansive resources to current and future Bobcats. The first floor of Alkek will be converted into space where new and emerging technologies meet student learning. A virtual reality center will be available to students where they can create augmented reality experiences and participate in interactive storytelling. The new GIS center will have an Omniglobe, a visual tool for research, mapping worldwide events, simulating weather patterns and viewing ocean currents. According to Scott Ayers, director
of IT marketing and communications for the Division of Information Technology, the first floor will include maker spaces, digital design centers and 3D printers. “Part of that project is turning the first floor of the library into a tech education center. It’s going to have a lot of different things that you’ve never seen down there,” Ayers said. YouStar studios will provide students with sound studios and audio-visual editing equipment. A makerspace will include a Creative Manufacturing Center, which is a milling machine that cuts shapes from solid materials. In addition to this, sewing machines, art tools and 3D pens will be available for student use. The second floor will be renovated to include a Starbucks in the space that is currently occupied by the information desk of the library. The coffee chain will have indoor seating, a walk-up window and accessible caffeine for studying students. SEE CONSTRUCTION PAGE 2
March 19, San Marcos residents opposed the SMART Terminal at the City Council meeting. PHOTO BY SIERRA MARTIN
City council approves final motion in SMART Terminal development By Christopher Green News Reporter San Marcos City Council approved an economic development incentive agreement with Texas Transportation Alliance that provides standards and guidelines developers of the SMART Terminal must follow. The motion was one of three that were needed to allow the development of the SMART Terminal. The council also approved the annexation of 734.6 acres of land for development
within the site of the terminal. The first motion that was passed was for the incentive agreement, which requires developers of the terminal and potential companies within the terminal to follow guidelines from code SMTX and Transportation Master Plan. Some of these guidelines include flood control requirements, run off from on site development and noise control. SEE TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT PAGE 2
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: Sonia Garcia, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Diana Furman, starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Carissa Liz Castillo, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Jakob Rodriguez, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Cameron Hubbard, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Holly Hearn, starsengagement@txstate.edu
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Sonia Garcia | News Editor
2 | Tuesday, March 26, 2019
The University Star
CONSTRUCTION The third floor will house a diverse selection of literary novels for students to utilize for class assignments and leisure. An expansive graphic novel collection, recent best sellers of fiction and nonfiction and a Juvenile collection will be available to support the needs of student educators. The fourth floor will continue to house SLAC tutoring services, providing students with supplemental instruction and study skills workshops for free, but will also include an area designated to graduate students. One of the new developments in Alkek will be The Graduate Commons, where graduate students can scan IDs to access study spaces, lounge area, and lockers reserved entirely for their use. It will provide graduate students with study rooms tailored to graduate studies and independent from the primarily undergraduate dominated campus. In addition to these advancements, the third and fourth floor will also offer single-occupancy, gender-neutral bathrooms so all students at Texas State will be comfortable at the library. The seventh floor will be changing substantially with the expansion of the Wittliff Collections, where the campus museum will have a new entrance, expanded photo-gallery, new Texas Music gallery and a new Lonesome Dove gallery. Lydia LeClair, marketing junior, said she sees the construction as the university appealing to the growing student population and usefulness of technology while learning. “I think the changes will greatly improve the experience of the library. Adding the technology center and changing the fourth floor to be for grad students will be a great resource for students and will be extremely useful," LeClair said. "I know the Wittliff Collections brings a lot of visitors to the school so expanding it will be great for the university." Texas State is facilitating the construction of Alkek with the help of the IT department in order to create an innovative and updated study space for students that allows them to take
Construction is not expected to be completed until the spring semester of 2020 at Alkek Library. PHOTO BY SIERRA MARTIN
advantage of the resources the university has to offer. “The Alkek 2020 Vision integrates traditional information resources with new and emerging technologies. Planned improvements include the addition of features that provide opportunities for hands-on learning, application and instruction,” according to the 2020 Alkek Vision Exhibit. Alkek is the fifth building to house
the library since 1903 and offers double the study and shelf space as the former library which was located on the top nine floors of the JCK. Its construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1990. To learn more about the construction plans of Alkek, visit the 2020 Alkek Vision Exhibit located on the first floor of the library.
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TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT
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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, March 26, 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. 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
The City Council meets to discuss the development of the smart terminal at San Marcos City Hall. PHOTO BY SIERRA MARTIN
Council member Ed Mihalkanin said he supports the development because it will bring jobs and economic opportunities for the city through tax revenue. “We have been struggling for years in not being able to provide jobs and economic opportunities for our citizens and this council is committed to workforce development and housing.” “There’s still going to be a substantial increase in the taxable value of this property if the zoning and annexation pass.” Other council members supporting the development included Lisa Prewitt and Mayor Jane Hughson. Mayor Jane Hughson said she supports the development because of the jobs it will provide. “I believe it’s a good opportunity for our city and our residents who will have jobs provided by this project,” said Hughson. “If I thought this was a bad project, I would vote against it.” Citizens of San Marcos voiced their opposition to the SMART Terminal during a citizen comment period. San Marcos resident Jordan Buckley said he opposes the development because of the lack of transparency. “All of the SMART Terminal property is within the Martindale ETJ,” said Buckley. “If Martindale were to sue it
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I believe it’s a good opportunity for our city and our residents who will have jobs provided by this project. If I thought this was a bad project, I would vote against it.” -Jane Hughson could be detrimental to San Marcos. The lack of transparency is actually quite galling.” San Marcos resident David Fergi said
he thinks there are issues that need to be worked out regarding the annexation of the land. “The city of Marindale has a claim to almost all of the property. So, before you vote on this issue you need to resolve that issue with the city of Martindale, said Fergi. “I would ask that you table these proposals until that issue is resolved.” The San Marcos River Foundation is currently not opposing the development. Diane Wasseneich, director of the river foundation, said the development agreement abides by environmental codes. “We waited until we saw the development agreement in the agenda packet. We’re afraid people aren’t understanding this is a different council dealing with different flood regulations.” The next two motions were for land annexation into San Marcos county limits. All three motions were passed with a six to one vote with council member Jocabed Marquez as the single vote in opposition. Other council members voted in favor citing that the development will bring jobs to San Marcos and a significant increase in tax revenue, which according to city council can be used for affordable housing and lowering the poverty rates in San Marcos.
LIFE & ARTS
3 | Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor
The University Star
STORY HOUR
Chita Daniels Kennedy reading "What Do You Do With an Idea?" March 23 to an audience full of kids. PHOTO BY LAURA FIGI
Blue Dahlia hosts Drag Queen Story Hour By Laura Figi Assistant Life & Arts Editor Hidden in the back of Blue Dahlia Bistro lies a small garden. Normally serving as a popular spot for brunch, last Saturday the garden became home to something entirely new and colorful: Drag Queen Story Hour. DQSH is an organization that encourages diversity and acceptance while providing children with unabashedly queer role models through readings led by drag queens. The group seeks to inform kids about what a drag queen truly is: an artist who shows the world who they choose to be. The organization was founded by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. Nix Nova, the founder of the San Marcos DQSH chapter, previously did drag under the name Madylin Monroe Kennedy. Nova said he is glad people have an interest in bringing their children to this event. “People called me gay before I even knew what gay meant—turns out they were right,” Nova said. “I think it’s great for kids to see people express themselves in different ways.” The event took place at 4 p.m. March 23 and lasted for about 45 minutes. Both Chitah Daniels
Molly Hayes, March 23, singing and dancing with the kids in the audience. PHOTO BY LAURA FIGI
Kennedy and Molly Hayes performed for an audience of kids, parents and passerby’s alike. The crowd consisted of about 20 children and their families. Kennedy read two books and Hayes sang, danced and played guitar. Kennedy is the entertainment director and “drag mother” to many young prospective drag queens at Stonewall Warehouse. She has been involved with drag for 23 years, but said she was nervous to perform in front of children, even with her two
nephews in the audience. “Kids are a tough audience,” Kennedy said. “I just needed to tap into my own inner child again and have fun and be in the moment. Often, you’re not in the moment when you’re performing in a nightclub.” Kennedy read two books, “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae, and “What Do You Do with an Idea” by Kobi Yamada. Hayes sang “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “My Name is Joe” and “The Magic Penny,” which she dedicated to
a friend. Hayes, who works as a barista at Wake the Dead Coffeehouse, said Mr. Rogers was a great influence on her as a kid and helped Hayes to accept herself. “I think everyone is so unique in this world,” Hayes said. “I think the more that kids are exposed to different kinds of people, the more accepting they grow up to be.” DQSH has several chapters all over the U.S. and boasts a few abroad in Sweden, Japan and Puerto Rico. Currently, the only DQSH chapter in Texas is San Marcos. Several of the guests heard about DQSH on the way in and decided to join, not knowing what to expect. Two of the audience members, Emili Broyles and Kelly Palella, stumbled upon the show accidentally. “It was awesome, and they did incredible,” Palella said. “(Kennedy) was such a good storyteller and it was so fun.” Nova said they hope to host a fourth DQSH in September, but do not have concrete plans set yet. More information about upcoming events can be found www. dragqueenstoryhour.org.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Celebrating Women's History Month By Ivy Sandoval Life & Arts Reporter Over the years, women have broken barriers and ignored limits in order to achieve what they deserved. March is a time to celebrate women's achievements throughout history with Women’s History Month. According to the National Women’s
History Museum, women were originally given only one internationally recognized day: March 8. It was not until 1987 that the month of March was designated as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation officiating the month. The Texas State and San Marcos community has celebrated in various
ways to shed light on the importance of women’s roles throughout American history. A free art show was held March 8 at the San Marcos Public Library in honor of International Women’s Day. The show featured exclusively local female artists. There were five poets, four musicians and 24 artists ranging from photographers, jewelry designers,
ceramic artists and doll makers. The theme of the art show was “A Room of One’s Own,” inspired by Virginia Woolf's essay, which portrays the idea that for women, a personal room for creation is vital. SEE WOMEN'S HISTORYMONTH PAGE 4
The University Star
Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | 4
TORTOISE RESCUE
Local family creates safe haven for tortoises By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Reporter Central Texas Tortoise Rescue became a safe haven for abandoned and surrendered tortoises across Texas in 2015. The center is currently operating out of the home of husband and wife, Ryan and Krista McDermid. Once Krista McDermid, executive director of Central Texas Tortoise Rescue, had adopted a pet tortoise, people began asking her if she could take in their pet tortoises. It was not long before McDermid learned a large majority of tortoises are often abandoned and left to fend for themselves. She said once tortoises become too large for owners to care for, they are often placed in the wild. “Even if they’re native you can’t just re-introduce them wherever you want because they can carry pathogens into the local populations,” McDermid said. After realizing large amounts tortoises and box turtles are neglected, she was motivated to open up a tortoise rescue center. Central Texas Tortoise Rescue currently shelters approximately 30 tortoises. McDermid said the number may change daily. The center typically shelters anywhere from 15 to 70 tortoises at a time. “Every now and then, we’ll have someone bring in as many as 40 (tortoises) all at once,” McDermid said. Individuals interested in adopting a tortoise from the rescue center are more than welcome. The owners solely ask of those interested in adopting to
industry.” Hailey encourages those interested in adopting a pet tortoise to do their research and understand the animal before bringing it home. “Make sure you have a good habitat and are going to be able to put the time and effort in,” Hailey said. In addition to Buddy the tortoise, Hailey has an Alaskan Husky. He said taking care of his dog is easier than the tortoise's care. Buddy's habitat needs to be maintained more frequently and protected from predators. In the next few years, Central Texas Tortoise Rescue plans on improving their enclosures as well as develop a habitat for aquatic turtles. McDermid said the love she has for Rescued tortoise at the Central Texas Tortoise Rescue center. tortoises coaxes her to provide a safe and COURTESY PHOTO BY KRISTA MCDERMID natural environment for the animals. “Someone has got to speak up for thoroughly research everything there is checked for parasites to ensure that it these little guys,” McDermid said. to know about the species captivating is healthy. Furthermore, it is important “There are not enough facilities out them. This way, adopters will be well that adopters select the appropriate there to take care of them and they can’t equipped to care for the animal(s). species of tortoise for their specific do it themselves.” McDermid said owners won't do household. Anyone interested in learning more their tortoises justice by keeping them Anyone interested in adopting a about Central Texas Tortoise Rescue in homes or aquariums and tanks. tortoise from Central Texas Tortoise is invited to attend the meet and “A lot of people think they’re doing Rescue is asked to familiarize themselves greet event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the right thing by keeping these guys with the adoption requirements and to Saturday, March 23. inside or claiming the animal needs fill out the adoption application. McDermid said at the meet and companionship with their families,” Stephen Hailey adopted his pet greet, there will be several areas with McDermid said. tortoise, Buddy, two years ago from different species on display for guests McDermid said the truth is, tortoises Central Texas Tortoise Rescue. Hailey to interact with and see. Additionally, and box turtles are wild and thrive in said adopting the pet from the rescue guests interested in adopting can hear outdoor environments. The best way center is a more ethical decision than and learn about the adoption process. to prepare for adopting a tortoise is to buying or trading with a pet shop. To learn more about Central Texas mimic its natural environment. “There’s plenty of turtles and tortoises Tortoise Rescue, visit their website and According to TheSprucePets.com, out there,” Hailey said. “There’s no Facebook page. any newly adopted tortoise should be reason to feed into the pet shop
FROM PAGE 3 WOMEN"S HISTORY MONTH Debangana Banerjee, local artist and curator of the show, along with the San Marcos Public Library librarian Deborah Carter, said the inspiration behind holding the art show and choosing the theme was to provide encouragement from the community for these local female artists. "I thought the celebration would be more meaningful if I could do it alongside other local women artists," Banerjee said. “We all create art regularly and use different mediums. We belong to different age groups and have different cultural backgrounds. We should all build our own rooms (with key and lock) where we can produce our most honest own reality.” Latinas Unidas, an all-female Latina -based student organization on campus, strives to empower its members through support and education on relevant topics. For Women's History Month, the organization’s meetings are centered around themes of female empowerment
and Latinas in history. Daniella Carrera, volunteer coordinator for Latinas Unidas, said members take part in a minimum of five service hours a semester. She said the organization has aided her in realizing her worth as a woman. “We have to acknowledge the fact that different women have different struggles, especially (women) of different ethnicities," Carrera said. ATX Celebrated International Women’s Day March 2019 with a show to celebrate a worldwide event created by a local Austin artist, Leti Garza.The concert consisted of three women-led bands: Cecilia + the Broken Hearts, Tiarra Girls and Leti Garza y La Banda. Garza, project director of the event, said she constructed the concert to recognize International Women’s Day and create more awareness in the Austin area, because it has not been substantially celebrated in the community. “This year, I wanted to recognize the
Jessica Pliley, Texas State associate professor of History of Women, Genders and Studies, has devoted her life to learning and teaching about women's fight for equality March 5. PHOTO BY ALI MUMBACH
Latina community and women artists in Austin,” Garza said. “It was very important for me to bring women of
color into the mainstream public life.” Jessica Pliley, associate professor of the History of Women, Genders and Studies, said she was proud of the progress made by women and knowing there will be more, especially with taking on more positions in leadership and politics. "There has been a lot of progress," Pliley said. "That doesn’t mean there can't be more progress and I think the most fundamental thing in our country is that we have to get more equal representation in politics.” The timeline of women’s history and accomplishments has grown exponentially, but there is still a constant strive for change. It is important that any designated month celebration should not only be limited to that length of time, but celebrated and respected daily.
OPINIONS
5 | Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Carissa Liz Castillo | Opinions Editor
The University Star
DIVERSITY
Gender and Diversity courses should be mandatory for students involved with Greek Life By Bayley Bogus Associate Managing Editor According to the National Institute for Justice, fraternity men are three times more likely to commit rape than non-Greek peers. Fraternity houses have been described as “dangerous places for women” again and again by academic journals. Additionally, sorority membership nationwide is considered to be a risk factor for young women, as 25 percent of sexual assault survivors surveyed were women involved in sorority life. Statistics do not lie, unless they take place on a college campus, where sexual assault numbers are heavily skewed in the university’s favor. Coincidentally, Texas State’s statistics regarding sexual assault on campus are quite low. However, in a speech to a Texas State class, Title IX coordinator Ameerah McBride said Texas State falls into a “red zone” at the beginning of every fall semester; there is a high probability sexual assault will occur in this time period. To add on to that piece of contradictory information, McBride also said there were roughly 270 reported sexual assaults from Texas
State students during the 201718 academic year that resulted in suspension, expulsion or deferred suspension. Rarely do Texas State students, faculty or staff hear about these reports or charges. So, given the more likely chance a fraternity member will commit the act of rape, readers can infer where a lot of sexual assault reports may stem from. Additionally, it is no secret that members of predominantly panhellenic fraternities or sororities repeatedly face trouble for discrimination and racism. From the women in Alpha Delta Pi who culturally appropriated traditional Native American and Mexican dress to a Texas State-affiliated Twitter account named "IFC" posting a photo of a man hanging and using racist slurs against African-American people, Texas State is no stranger to this. The sad thing is, there are so many more examples of this abhorrent behavior by students involved with Greek life. To make it worse, if that is possible, this is an obvious and blunt nationwide issue among fraternity and sorority members. Men associated with The University of Georgia’s Tau Kappa Epsilon chapter were recently
suspended and dropped from the fraternity after a “pick my cotton” video hit the web, with similar occurrences taking place at Syracuse. Racism amongst Greek life is nothing new. In fact, yearbook pictures taken in the 1970-80s from Cornell University emerged showing fraternity members wearing blackface, Ku Klux Klan attire and mocking lynchings. This rampant discrimination has been occurring for too long with little to no consequences for those who take part in the discriminatory actions, meaning the wrong-doers think they have done no wrong. This is where a university’s jurisdiction hits the scene: any individual who seeks to rush a Panhellenic fraternity or sorority, as well as current members, should be required to take gender and diversity courses upon becoming involved with Greek life or continuing with it. This is, of course, organizations registered with the school. Topics regarding such issues may be brought up during University Seminar, but are sloppily done and insufficient; they are not working nor do they get the message across. Schools need well put together classes taught by
trained professionals in the subjects of women’s studies, sexual assault matters and racial discrimination. Texas State should start utilizing student funds in a wholesome way in an attempt to make the university safer and friendlier. Full disclosure: implementing these courses for the current and new fraternity or sorority members and pledges was introduced by the 2019 Benbow-Thompson campaign. It serves as a smart, fresh take on campus safety and it comes as no surprise why they won. While this may not completely work, it will at least put ideas in these students’ heads that rape is not a part of a man’s biology and is not natural; cultural appropriation is not okay; candid racism is no longer cool and it is acceptable to be something other than a white, upper and middle-class man or woman. If students find attending courses revolving around women’s issues or topics over racism problematic, this shows they believe sexual assault is valid as well as racism and discrimination is no big deal. - Bayley Bogus is an journalism semior
MEAL PLANS
The residential meal plan is changing for the better By Laura Nunez Opinions Columnist In a recent student government meeting, the Food Services Committee announced drastic changes to the residential meal plan. Although there has been an uproar of disapproval from the student body, the new meal plan is a positive change for our university. The new residential meal plan will create a more dynamic and efficient use of the meal trade holder's money and improve spending habits. Meal trades will no longer exist and neither will the concept of endlessly sharing swipes. The restriction on sharing swipes has caused the most uproar. However, the restriction was added with the intention of creating a better experience for meal plan holders. Texas State students have not received the news of these drastic changes lightly. In fact, they took their immediate concerns and complaints to social media platforms like Twitter. The outrage from the student body was premature and backed by a perception that the changes were meant to limit students' control of the situation. According to John Root, director of Auxiliary Services, the campus dining
staff noticed there was an abuse in the meal swiping system and have decided to eliminate it. Some students — and even San Marcos residents — would roam around dining halls and ask students for a swipe to get a free meal. By creating a guest pass limit, meal plan holders will be relieved from being pressured into sharing swipes. Dining services carefully thought of ways to improve the value of a meal swipe for the students. A meal equivalency system is replacing the meal trades. If anything, these changes give students more freedom and control. One swipe provides a meal totaling no more than $6. Anything spilling over the $6 credit line will be removed from the holder's dining dollars. The meal equivalency idea is intended to allow the meal plan holder more freedom in meal choices. Dining services knew they were stepping into uncharted territory with this project, but they were adamant about assuring students purchased a meal plan that has the best value for their money. Dining services will create a menu that informs the students of what credit range meal combinations fall into. They are also working on setting
ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON up booths and infographics around campus in the upcoming weeks to answer any questions or concerns. Texas State’s residential meal plan remained untouched for more than 21 years, so the dining program started to get serious about changing the meal plan in the last two years. After much deliberation, dining services created a plan comparable to schools such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech University, the University of North Texas and Texas A&M
University. Texas State constantly looks at ways to expand campus resources, and dining services is no exception to this fact. It wants to incorporate creative ways of accommodating students' needs. In fact, Root confirmed there are plans of making two locations in Jones Dining Center open for 24 hours. Students have a right to decide what to do with their swipes. There are definitely aspects of these meal plan changes that need to be revisited, but the student body jumped to conclusions before it fully understood the new plan. The changes primarily affect the incoming freshman who won’t even realize there was a change made in the first place. The new residential meal plan is bringing more opportunity and freedom to the student body and their food consumption. Students need to do research and ask questions before they disapprove of a serious improvement to our university. - Laura Nunes is an advertising sophomore
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SPORTS Baseball blows out ULM for series sweep After a disappointing series against South Alabama, Texas State was looking for one more win to sweep ULM in their weekend series at home March 22-24. With a combination of good pitching and batting, the Bobcats were able to accomplish their goal with a decisive 13-1 blowout. With a complete game under Connor Reich and a grand slam from Ryan Newman, the Cats defeated the Warhawks Sunday afternoon to complete the sweep. The victory brings Texas State's record to 15-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Bobcats secured an early lead in the second inning before a fiverun fifth inning turning point in the game. Following a one-run sixth inning, Texas State scored six runs in the seventh including a Ryan Newman grand slam to run-rule ULM. Texas State resumes play this Tuesday against in-state opponent Rice before resuming conference play with a three-game road series against Appalachian State.
Texas State track kicks off outdoor season in style Texas State track kicked off the outdoor season with 17 top five Sun Belt marks and four individual first-place finishes at Roadrunner Invitational at the University of Texas at San Antonio on Friday and Saturday. Junior Naomi Ferdinand started off the season strong by outperforming competitors from Division I schools including the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Oklahoma University in the long jump. Ferdinand took home the gold in both the meet and the Sun Belt with a season record leap of 6.06 meters. Thrower T’Mond Johnson continued with the Bobcats’ solid field event performances by placing in the top three in both shot put and discus with throws of 19.43 m and 53.77m respectively. The senior’s shot put launch currently ranks fourth all-time, putting him on track to potentially repeat his Sun-Belt leading performance during the indoor season. Also setting current league records was Kyle Denomme, who took the bronze in the 800-meter run for a time of 1:52.31 and a top spot in the conference. Some Bobcat athletes will compete in the 92nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin on March 27 before the team reunites for the at-home Bobcat Invitational on March 2830.
Baseball blows out ULM for series sweep The Texas State men’s basketball team hosted the Florida International University basketball team Saturday and were bounced out of the first round of the postseason tournament with a final score of 87-81. Hours before tipoff between the two teams, Nijal Pearson was listed as inactive after an injury he suffered Friday in a practice, Bobcat head coach Danny Kaspar said. In place of Pearson, Kaspar started Sophomore forward Akiem Daschner who was starting only his second game as a Bobcat. Along with Daschner, the Bobcats rolled out the usual line up of Jaylen Shead, Tre Nottingham, Alex Peacock and Eric Terry. The Bobcats finished their season 24-10, the most wins by any team at Texas State coached by Kaspar.
8 | Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Jakob Rodriguez | Sports Editor
The University Star
BASKETBALL
The all-time greats of women's basketball By Andrew Zimmel Sports Reporter Editor's Note: In accordance with Women’s History Month, The University Star recognizes the following team as some of the most important and impactful women in sports on campus. Texas State women’s basketball has been around for over 50 years, giving fans and students the chance to see hundreds of talented student-athletes don the maroon and gold. As the 201819 season comes to a close, another chapter of Bobcat basketball begins for more potential all-time stars to begin their career. The All-Time Texas State women’s basketball team features the best women ever to suit up for the Bobcats over the past 53 seasons.
Point Guard- Shelly Borton (1987-90) player to have two top ten rebounding 4x Most Outstanding Player 2x 1st Team Southland Conference All-Time Leader in Steals: 332 All-Time Leader in Assists: 595 3rd All-Time in Scoring: 1,893 There is no better way to start the list and create the team than Shelly Borton, whose contribution to Texas State athletics cannot be understated. Borton is the team's leader in steal and assists, making her the perfect point guard for the All-Time team. Borton's also a unique member of the list because of her ability to score, and she's the only player to make the top three in points, assists and steals.
Shooting Guard- Diamond Ford (2009-13)
3x Most Outstanding Player 1st team Southland Conference 1st team Western Athletic Conference 2nd All-Time in Scoring: 1, 906 3rd All-Time in 3-Pointers Made: 178 Diamond Ford’s recent success at Texas State makes her one of the two starters on the list to have played at the university after the name change. Ford’s decorated career puts her third in “Most Outstanding Player” awards in Texas State history. She also had two top-five three-point shooting seasons by the time of her graduation. Ford’s ability to score from the perimeter makes her a great backcourt partner for Borton.
Small Forward- Tori Talbert (2001-05)
4x Most Outstanding Player 2x Southland Conference Player of the Year (’03, ’05) 3x All-Southland Conference First Team (’02,’03,’05) 4th All-Time in Scoring: 1,870 1st All-Time in Rebounding: 1,147 8th All-Time in Blocked Shots: 57 Most Made Free Throws: 503 Talbert was only the second player to win four "Most Outstanding Player" awards as well as the second player to finish her career top five in scoring and rebounding. Her ability to defend multiple positions makes her valuable in any decade of Texas State basketball. Talbert is also the all-time leader in free throws made, outshooting second place (Ford) by over 100 makes.
Power Forward- Linda Muelker (1982-85)
3x Most Outstanding Player All-Time Leader in Points: 1,993 2nd All-Time in Rebounds: 1,005 There is no chance that Linda Muelker would not be playing in the starting five. While a tad undersized by modern standards, Muelker’s ability to score and rebound made her one of the most valuable players of the 1980s. Muelker is in the same conversation as Borton to lay claim to the greatest women’s basketball player.
Center(1977-79)
Brenda
Yanowski
4th and 6th best rebounding seasons in TXST History: ’79 (290), ’78 (271) To round out the starting five, Brenda Yanowski is set to hold down the paint. Having two of the best rebounding seasons in Texas State history, the only
seasons is Talbert. While Yanowski couldn’t score the ball as well as some as the other players on this list, the fact remains that she was one of the cornerstone players for the late 1970s teams.
The Bench: Guard- Taeler Deer (2014-18)
2018 Sun Belt Player of the Year SBC Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1st Team SBC 2018 2nd All-Time in Assists: 429 4th All-Time in Steals: 187 9th All-Time in Points: 1,386 Although on the bench, the argument to place Deer in the all-time starting five is very valid. Arguably one of the most productive players in the last ten years, Deer’s career ended last season with her ranking in the top ten in three categories and leading Texas State to its best records in program history. It also made her the first Bobcat to win the Sun Belt Player of the Year
Guard- Toshua Leavitt (201519)
2nd Team Sun Belt Conference (2018) All-Tournament Sun Belt Team (2018) Most 3-pointers Made in a Career: ____ Most 3-pointers in a Season: 137 (2018) 9th Highest Scoring Season: 555 (2018) Since coming to Texas State, Leavitt has been one of the best 3-pointshooters in NCAA Women’s Basketball. With her career not yet over, it would be premature to think that she won’t add more awards after this season comes to a close. Already, Leavitt has set the bar for three-pointers in a season and for a career, making her the ultimate heat check coming off the bench if the game was close.
Guard- Joyce (2004-08)
Ekworomadu
2008 Southland Conference Player of the Year 8th All-Time in Points: 1,573 6th in 3 pointers made: 154 Joyce Ekworomadu’s career is unique in more ways than one. As a Bobcat, the first-generation Nigerian-American made her mark securing a conference player of the year award while averaging 18.7 ppg. Ekworomadu is also one of the few players in Texas State history to get the chance to play at the next level after she left San Marcos, playing for the Nigerian national team as well as being one of twelve women to get the chance to perform with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Guard- Jackie Benson (1984-86) Most Outstanding Player (1985)
Winning the Co-Most Outstanding Player in 1985 with Linda Muelker, Benson lead the team in steals in ’85 and assists in ’86. While Benson might be the most accomplished player in Bobcat history, every team needs a glue player who fits the role assigned to
ILLUSTRATION BY HOLLY HEARN
them. Benson was the player and she’s great for the All-Time team.
Guard/FowardWilkerson (1994-97)
Yolanda
Southland Freshman of the Year (1994) 2x All-Southland 1st team 2nd All-Time in Steals: 204 4th All-Time in Rebounds: 910 6th All-Time in Points: 1,692 6th All-Time in Assists: 277 After winning Freshman of the Year, Yolanda Wilkerson’s place in the history books grew to the point that she is the only player on this list in the top ten for points, rebounds, assists and steals. Wilkerson is also one of the few players to have played on an NCAA tournament contending team, being one of the pillars of former Coach Linda Sharp’s Southland Conference Champion team that lost to the University of Texas in the first round.
Forward(1980-82)
Karen
Forward(1995-97)
Kiesha
Forward(1968-71)
Carlotta
Schroder
Lead the team in scoring ‘80-‘81 (15.8) Lead the team in rebounding in ’80’81 (12.1) Lead the team in rebounding in ’81’82 (11.6) Similar to Jackie Benson, Karen Schroder doesn’t have the individual awards that many of the players might have. However, she was the key player for the underperforming teams of the early 1980s. Schroder is another player you would want on your bench, however, due to her ability to rebound and hustle. (Proving once again my ability to look past the box score and put players who might not deserve to make the list, on the list because of old photos I find online of them diving for loose balls.)
Burchette
Lead the team in blocks ’95-’96 (27) Lead the team in block ’96-’97 (19) Kiesha Burchette was a defensive force when playing next to Yolanda Wilkerson. Burchette had some of the best defensive seasons as a Bobcat and is another player who is good off the bench for this team.
Fisbeck
Single Season PPG Leader, 1970 (22.6) Single Game Points Scored, 1970 (47) 5th All Time In Points: 1,705 Going way back, Carlotta Fisbeck is the player who reaches back the furthest in the Bobcat history books. Fisbeck has the highest single-season points per game for a season and was the original scoring champion. Her single-game scoring record is still in the books and she was the first really great player in Texas State history. While Bobcat women's basketball has had its ups and downs as a program, Texas State has seen some illustrious members come from its ranks. Since its start over 50 years ago, these female athletes have contributed to not only the university's record books but also made a mark on its culture.