February 18, 2020

BLACK HISTORY AT TEXAS STATE

SWEET AND SAVORY POP INTO SAN MARCOS

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SEE PAGE 11 TEXAS STATE PITCHING STAFF STEPS UP FOR SERIES WIN

In 1972, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., became the first black fratenity at Southwest Texas State University

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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2020 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 21

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

FIVE TIPS TO SURVIVE STUDENT HOUSING

By Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor Living on your own for the first time can be overwhelming, especially if you did not have any older siblings to pave the way for you. Oftentimes, college students struggle unjustly with their situation.

The Texas State student experience has changed dramatically over the past decade. Each area of the city is different and has its own perks and detriments to living there.

Since college students generally have never lived alone, they are often most susceptible to being taken advantage of by student-marketed housing. Here are some tips and tricks to navigating through student housing.

1. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR NEEDS, WANTS AND EXPENSES Making a list and quantifying your lifestyle will help you narrow down the competition and save you time on research. Your needs may consist of location, size, price, pet policy, neighborhood, furnished options, bus route, laundry connections, etc. Your wants may include proximity, special features, amenities, private bedrooms or bathrooms, covered parking, etc.

Getting a list of these things will allow you to narrow your search.

www.UniversityStar.com

DEVELOPMENT

Studentification changes landscape of housing market in small towns

By Sandra Sadek News Reporter San Marcos resident Kathy McCarthy has been living in her house on West San Antonio Street for the last 10 years. The house is also occupied by her daughter and grandson who moved in after struggling to find affordable housing.

“I'm not really eager for (my daughter) to rent anything because if she starts putting all our money into rent, she’ll never be able to save the money for a down payment for a house,” McCarthy said, who also serves on the San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission.

“There really is no such thing as a $150,000 house anymore.”

McCarthy's daughter is one of the many locals facing the growing need for affordable housing despite the number of apartment complexes being built in the city.

The need for the housing market to accommodate an increasing number of students in small towns has caused worries of “studentification," according to a Department of Housing and Urban Development report.

Studentification, although closely related to gentrification, is distinct from the latter.

According to HUD, “gentrification often

involves new residents who live in an area for an extended period of time. Students, on the other hand, live in an area for a more limited period of time.” This trend is heavily linked to the growth of student housing, pushing local residents out.

There are two types of permits available to apartment complexes – multifamily and purpose-built student housing.

According to the San Marcos Development Code passed in 2018, multi-family complexes are defined as “ten or more dwelling units on a single lot.” Purpose-built student housing complexes are defined as “one or more buildings, each containing two or more living units, that are designed, marketed, or used for the primary purpose of housing college students.”

According to Elizabeth Ehlers, permit manager for San Marcos Planning and Development Services, the prior city code stated there was no distinction for student complexes.

With the new development code, complexes that qualify for a permit as a purpose-built student housing must also have a conditional use permit, allowing those complexes to be built only in certain locations in a zoning district or only when subject to standards and conditions that assure compatibility with adjoining uses. “(The previous apartments that were built SEE DEVELOPMENT PAGE 3

RENOVATION

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH When considering where you will live for a year or more, a little bit of research is ideal. It cannot be stressed enough that prior research might save you a year of your life. Start by reading reviews, bearing in mind that some places do not have honest reviews or will pay people to write positive reviews. Once you have narrowed down a list that you are interested in, ask friends about experiences and tour the complexes.

3. DON’T FEED INTO PROMISES ABOUT AMENITIES Do not let promises of amenities lead you astray— ask yourself if the amenities are just a distraction for any skeletons hiding in the closet. Think about whether or not they look as good in person as the website makes them look, if you are ever going to use more than half of them and if you will get your money’s worth. Having amenities doesn’t necessarily make it a good complex.

4. ALWAYS ASK TO SEE A REAL UNIT Display units always look good because they are created to look good and they may not resemble the unit you move into at all. If the staff will not show you a real unit, consider not moving there. Take your time looking at the unit, take notes and pictures for later.

5. BE WARY OF INCOMPLETE INFORMATION This can also encapsulate complexes that do not open on time, something that has been known to happen. Ask plenty of questions and stay away from complexes that will not answer direct inquiries. Make sure the places you tour have accessible information and helpful management.

Use common sense when looking for housing and remember to take into account that you are entering a contract when you sign a lease. Be careful, ask for help and enjoy San Marvelous!

The San Marcos Fire Department called for the evacuation of the Vie Lofts apartments, 817 Chestnut St., Sept. 20, 2019, in response to safety concerns about the building's stability, temporarily displacing 162 occupants.

PHOTO BY CHASE ROGERS

Vie Lofts completes million-dollar renovation

By Jakob Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Vie Lofts has completed a million-dollar renovation, following concerns of the building's structural integrity in September.

Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Vie Management Derrick Milam said San Marcos Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner's mandatory evacuation order of Vie Lofts, 817 Chestnut St., on Sept. 20, 2019 came as a complete surprise to the firm.

“We were as surprised as most by the concerns that were raised by the city about the building... we had to go through a review of all violations (of ) the structural integrity of the building before we closed,” Milam said. “Fortunately,

the city worked very closely with us and we were able to get the building open in a week after they had closed the building and since then have been able to work with the city to implement the changes (that) we wanted to make. The building is actually a much better building than at the time of acquisition.”

Milam reported the city still expressed concern over the structural integrity of the building despite the acquisition by Vie Management Jan. 20. The residents were evacuated Sept. 20, 2019; City of San Marcos officials on the scene stated concern for building safety began to arise after cracking walls in the parking garage and stairwells.

“The city showed up and expressed a concern about some of the cement that had fallen SEE RENOVATION PAGE 4

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

CRIME

New campus safety initiatives added to five-year strategic plan

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

Editorial Staff

By Sierra Martin Senior News Reporter

Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Rodriguez stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Sonia Garcia starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Chase Rogers starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Laura Figi starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Laura Nunez staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Claire Partain starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Molly Gonzales stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Jaden Edison starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Isabella Lopes starsengagement@txstate.edu

PR Team Bianca Landry PR Director

Matthew Hawkins PR Specialist

Meredith Martinez PR Specialist

Lynsey Lamoureaux PR Specialist

Trinity Dayton PR Specialist

Nadia Gonzales PR Specialist

Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu

The University Police Department's new safety initiatives published December 2019 as the department's Five-Year Strategic Plan, which includes new crime initiatives and an accreditation program.

Highlighted in the plan are the department's goals and initiatives into 2023.

Main focuses of the strategic plan include increasing community engagement and improving crime analysis.

University President Denise Trauth sent an email to the student body Jan. 21, outlining safety initiatives for the spring 2020 semester and asserting that student safety is her top priority.

Included in the email was UPD’s progress with increasing staff, assessing the video surveillance system around residence halls and improving fire and smoke detectors on-campus buildings.

Through changes initiated following nighttime campus safety walks executed each semester, the university continues to add lighting across campus and has completed the $1.6 million lighting upgrade around the university which began April 2017.

According to Trauth's email, the university is hiring a communications specialist to provide consistent emergency notifications

to students. Trauth's email also announced a new headquarters for UPD on the San Marcos campus is currently in the design stage and there are plans to relocate UPD at the Round Rock campus to provide more visibility for community policing.

Additionally, the safety and security task force initiated last semester will become a permanent standing committee in order to continue evaluating and improving safety on campus.

UPD Chief Laurie Espinoza Clouse said the department started a three-to-fiveyear accreditation program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies to help the department following issues with misreporting crime statistics in accordance with the Clery Act. Clouse led the accreditation process as police chief at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and said accreditation allows the department to be consistent in policing. “(The accreditation process) really does require a mindset shift for the whole agency,” Clouse said. “These general orders bring everyone on the same page, it shouldn’t vary from shift to shift… what that does is lift the level of professionalism because everyone is adhering to these best practices.”

The results of the International Association of

UPD plans to improve its community relations and Clery Act compliance following a 2018 peer review from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Chief Laurie Clouse said UPD is looking to increase staff and improve the crime analysis system.

PHOTO BY SIERRA MARTIN

Campus Law Enforcement Administrator's peer review were published Dec. 7, 2018.

The review contains UPD's concerns of the department's lack of community engagement, Clery Act compliance, deficiency in staff and inadequacy with strategic and operational guidance.

Clouse said UPD has accomplished many of the recommended criteria in order to produce optimal policing.

"As we approach the end of my first year, I am impressed at the resiliency and dedication of our UPD team," Clouse said. "They are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our Bobcat community. We are moving intentionality through the recommendations identified in the IACLEA peer review.

We have completed a substantial number of these items in our first 12 months."

Also on the report were staffing requirements of UPD. The staffing requirements determined by UPD are decided by comparison to peer institutions as well as the recommendations outlined in the Community Oriented Policing Services document.

UPD currently consists of 63 full-time employees, including dispatchers, administrative personnel and 39 sworn police officers.

According to Clouse, the department is still understaffed by three officers and are looking to hire a second records employee and improve their crime analysis system.

More information on UPD and its services can be found on the UPD website.

SUSTAINABILITY

Student Publications Coordinator: Mayra Mejia, mm1894@txstate.edu

Advertising Staff Jasen Rodriguez starad2@txstate.edu

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 4,500. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. 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

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Texas State's Office of Sustainability hopes to create a more eco-friendly community on campus. The office leads campus organizations that focus on helping the environment and community in San Marcos.

PHOTO BY HALEY BRAND

Texas State takes green initiative

By Sarah Martinez News Reporter Texas State's Office of Sustainability aims to create a more eco-friendly community on campus by focusing on the importance of non-paper recycling methods.

Office of Sustainability intern Emma Parsley, engineering technology senior, said the office is currently working on a Bin Pairing Project, which insures each trash bin on campus is paired with a recycling bin.

Parsley said the project focuses on the importance of recycling in order to make the actual process of recycling materials more sustainable.

"The meaning of (the project) is to expand recycling on campus while educating students on the importance of it and how to to do it correctly; not all plastics are treated the same," Parsley said. "Our recycling department at Texas State is very manual intensive, so we want students to give them respect and make their job a little easier."

Other than the Bin Pairing Project, Bobcats Give Back is the office's main benefaction involving the City of San Marcos. During May, they facilitate two locations on campus where students can drop off gently used clothes, bedding and nonperishable food for shelters around the city.

“Bobcats Give Back is our main

contribution (to the city). The city has an outlet to provide goods to people that need shelter and we are kind of the collectors,” Parsley said.

An environmental organization that the office acknowledges is Bobcat Blend, where Chartwells—Texas State's food provider—both work together in collecting consumer waste to create their own compost.

Office of Sustainability Director Jim Vollrath said the university administration recognized the need to focus on sustainability and subsequently started the graduate program and office for it.

Vollrath said the office focused on filling out a report for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, an organization aiming to influence universities to incorporate more sustainable practices.

The report serves as a summary of sustainability efforts from college campuses.

“Part of what we focused on this past year is called an AASHE STARS report, which is a nation-wide association that has a report card that surveys different opportunities or items (on) campuses, specifically higher education campuses," Vollrath said. "There's a lot of great independent committees, departments and students that do sustainable efforts here, but they don't always work with each other and no one’s telling the

whole story."

AASHE has yet to provide a rating for Texas State on their STARS website. The report is currently in the review stage, and will soon provide a bronze, silver or gold medal rating for the university, according to Vollrath.

Garcia said sustainability on campus is much easier than students think, and if they have questions or concerns on how to get involved they can go straight to the office.

"The office has been established to educate everyone on campus (about) sustainability and environmental initiatives while helping people understand sustainability is easier than they think," Garcia said. "It's our goal to help people realize this and if they ever have any questions or concerns about any kind of environmental aspect, let the noise come to us."

Parsley said Texas State is more than just a campus, and there is a significant need to take care of it to improve its community and environment.

“At the end of the day this is everyone's campus. This is where we all work, and some people even live here, so it's our shared space, and it's kind of like our home. We need to protect it. We need to take care of it,” Parsley said.

For more information on the Office of Sustainability visit sustainability.txstate. edu or on campus at the Central Plant.

The University Star

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | 3

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT DEVELOPMENT prior) were all grandfathered in, so we definitely have student housing, but they didn't have to get that conditional use permit because they were prior to that this new code being adopted,” Ehlers said.

With the designated student housing attribution, complexes can house more than two unrelated individuals in a unit, an exception that does not apply to multi-family complexes.

“Just because something isn't classified as purpose-built student housing doesn't mean students don't live in it,” Ehlers said.

According to Ehlers, only one project has applied for a conditional use permit, 75 Sylvan LLC. McCarthy said when 75 Sylvan LLC applied for the conditional permit use, it was rejected by the committee due to its size and location.

“The main reason we turned it down is because we felt that there’s already so much very expensive, by-the-bedroom student housing in town,” McCarthy said. “There’s already a lot of empty apartments in town, so we weren’t convinced that we needed it, or the students needed it."

According to McCarthy, the city has recently defined zoning locations for student housing within city limits.

New permits for purpose-built student housing are mostly zoned along Thorpe Lane, near The Lyndon apartment complex.

Because purpose-built student housing is not designated for families, they are not easily convertible and suitable for a family, McCarthy said. The new development code asks for student housing to be easily convertible but many, like the recently denied 75 Sylvan LLC, did not meet that requirement.

75 Sylvan LLC had requested a permit to build its property on the corner of West San Antonio and Guadalupe, down MLK Street.

In a 2014 analysis of 20 college towns, HUD found that an increase in the size of a college’s off-campus population

is associated with higher rents, particularly in areas with a relatively high concentration of undergraduate students.

In the same report, HUD found “the presence of a college is associated with home prices that are about 10 percent higher,” and that “colleges (could) increase the size of the tax base by about 24 percent.”

With 38,661 students enrolled at Texas State fall 2018, approximately only 7,000 lived on campus, according to a Root Policy Research report on San Marcos housing published March 8, 2019.

Between 2005 and 2018, there were 28 designated student housing complexes built and only 11 nonstudent designated housing, according to data provided by the city.

The luxury student housing model, which usually leans toward rent-bythe-bed leases, was first put in place by the Co-Founder and CEO of American Campus Communities Bill Bayless in 1993. The company is headquartered in Austin.

According to a Bloomberg article, American Campus Communities is one of the grandfathers of this business model. ACC started by establishing itself in several cities by building luxury student apartments and renovating existing properties. The company went public in 2004 and by 2018 had acquired $5.9 billion of property.

One of the company’s business segment is the wholly owned properties, which provides off-campus facilities to students in close proximity to the school campus. In the fiscal year 2018, this segment reported $829.1 million in revenues, accounting to 94% of their total revenue, according to their 2018 company profile.

In a statement from the 2018 annual report celebrating their 25-year anniversary, Bayless wrote the vision of the company is “to be the nation’s premier provider of quality student housing communities and services

This graph displays the number of units added for each category of housing since 2005.

This data is based on information from the City of San Marcos.

GRAPHIC BY SANDRA SADEK

through a unique understanding of and an unrelenting commitment to students, parents, educational institutions and investors.”

“We faced many challenges in our early years,” Bayless wrote in the statement. “Student housing was not considered an institutional asset class and was primarily a ‘Ma and Pa’ business offering low-quality products owned by absentee landlords. Investors also had misperceptions, driven in part by the movie ‘Animal House,’ which resulted in a lack of attractive funding for the sector.”

In 2018, ACC broke ground on a $615 million project at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to provide housing for more than 20,000 students who annually participate in Disney’s internship programs.

Several phone call attempts were

made to reach ACC with no response on Dec. 2, 3, 5. An email was sent Dec. 3 to the headquarters through the help of a manager at the Vistas in San Marcos.

The manager responded Dec. 10 that he would not be able to meet.

Despite the influx of students in San Marcos, McCarthy said this is something the city has to live with, and she does not resent the growing youth population.

“I think the college and the students bring freshness and life,” McCarthy said.

“By and large, the student (relationship) in San Marcos brings interesting new businesses to town…it’s a good thing, but I think that we have a master plan and we need to stick to it.”

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The University Star

4 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT RENOVATION

NOISE

How ACT Ally turns down the volume

By Chase Rogers News Editor The San Marcos Police Department aimed to decrease the number of noise complaints using a variety of methods, reportedly cutting complaints nearly in half over a 10-year period with the implementation of the ACT Ally program.

The ACT Ally program is described on its website as a “collaborative effort between Texas State University and the City of San Marcos to reduce common sources of conflict in a university town: noise, parking, trash and the upkeep of rental property."

According to the 2017 San Marcos Housing Assessment, 72% of citizens in San Marcos are renters and 28% are homeowners. With student renters making up a significant portion of the population in San Marcos, the city’s lack of a landlord-tenant association and lack of a nonprofit organization aiming to assist prospective tenants creates an environment where the landlord-tenant relationship leans in favor of the landlord.

Former SMPD Assistant Police Chief and current Community Liaison Lisa Dvorak diagnosed the issues facing student-renters and established the ACT Ally program to counteract them.

Dvorak said the program can be used as a marketing tool that concurrently improves the conditions of students.

“This is a program of influence,” Dvorak said. “Those corporations' market is students and what they want is to market to students. Our stand is, ‘why would you give that away for free?’

If it costs money to have a housing fair and to have all these things, (the apartment complexes) should have to pay for those services and if they don’t behave, why would we say, ‘Absolutely, come market to students.’”

"OUR STAND IS, ‘WHY WOULD YOU GIVE THAT AWAY FOR FREE?’ IF IT COSTS MONEY TO HAVE A HOUSING FAIR AND TO HAVE ALL THESE THINGS, (THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES) SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES AND IF THEY DON’T BEHAVE, WHY WOULD WE SAY, ‘ABSOLUTELY, COME MARKET TO STUDENTS.’" -LISA DVORAK,

FORMER SMPD ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF AND CURRENT COMMUNITY LIASION In order for an apartment complex to be eligible for the ACT Ally program, they must promote noise management, responsible alcohol consumption, collaboration with city officials and receive a score of at least 80% compliance with an annual property crime prevention survey.

Dvorak said a majority of noise calls were originating from multifamily units, citing data that pointed to

Sagewood Trail.

“As we started to get into the problem-solving effort and doing the data analysis, what we started to find is that although longtime residents were complaining about Sagewood (Trail), their complaint was primarily about The Sagewood (Townhomes)…once we started doing data analysis, we found that the largest offenders related to noise are not the single-family homes— they are in multifamily," Dvorak said.

After working on Sagewood, Dvorak was asked to expand her efforts citywide as the noise complaints were not confined to one area. Dvorak said her team works to educate citizens, even those living in non-ACT Ally housing, to become more aware of their surroundings.

“We just work to educate people that they don’t live in a vacuum and that noise beyond a property line is disturbing,” Dvorak said. “The police officers teach people this–just go inside, be quiet. You can turn music on but if it reverberates, go outside and if you hear it talk to your neighbors.”

Former SMPD Police Chief Howard Williams, now a criminal justice lecturer at Texas State, said the methods used by SMPD and the ACT Ally program to lower the amount of noise complaints is more effective as opposed to the traditional enforcement used in the past.

“We had long relied on writing tickets and making arrests to enforce noise ordinances. Clearly, this was not working because the problem continued and continued," Williams said. "We decided to change approaches–to approach this like a public disorder issue rather than a crime issue. It worked extremely well.”

According to records provided by SMPD, noise calls made up roughly 28% of all calls for service in 2018.

SMPD Police Chief Bob Klett, a 29year officer with prior positions at UPD, said noise complaints are the most abundant call his department receives from citizens. The department has concurrently worked to alleviate the number of calls since 2008, reporting a significant improvement in 2018.

“For many years, noise calls were the number one calls for service in the City of San Marcos,” Klett said. “We’ve been doing some things to address those. The ACT campaign and how we educate the community help to reduce the number of calls. In the last 10 years, we’ve reduced our loud party responses by about 50% over what they used to be before, which lets us focus on more important and ongoing things.”

Klett said the efforts to mitigate noise complaint calls have reaped significant savings in officer time and drive time, allowing his officers to focus on more important calls.

“Generally, an officer will spend about 20-30 minutes potentially on a noise call and then there are two officers, so that’s one hour of officer time…drive time is included also,” Klett said. “Over the last 10 years, when looking at these noise reductions, we’ve saved about 8,000 hours of officer time and that’s not including driving back and forth, so that’s significant…that allows me to reallocate other officers to other things.”

Williams said the police department received many accolades and awards for their work to decrease noise complaints, including being a finalist for the national Herman Goldstein Public Problem Solving award for their efforts.

“One year, just before I retired, we were one of the eight finalists in the world. We were competing against places like the New York (City) Police Department, the London Metropolitan Police Department (and) the Singapore Police Department,” Williams said.

“We were on the big stage because of what we had done here in San Marcos.”

More information about the ACT Ally Program can be found on Texas State's website.

off of the stairwell,” Milam said.

“However, that was just the fronting of the stairwell, not the core of the stairwell. (Affected cement) had not compromised the ability to use those stairs or the integrity of the building.”

Milam said he knew the city was concerned about the retaining wall, but between his knowledge of the situation and a structural engineer's opinion of the building's integrity, the firm understood the concrete falling off in the stairwell was not affecting the structural integrity of the building and did not warrant a need to evacuate the building.

Vie Lofts officials found alternative lodging for residents at The Avenue at San Marcos, 1111 Avalon Ave., and at Embassy Suites, 1001 E McCarty Lane. Sept. 27, the evacuation order was lifted and a portion of the building was issued a temporary certificate of occupancy. Remaining displaced residents were moved in Dec. 9, 2019 following a detailed structural analysis of the building.

Per a city request, Unified Building Sciences & Engineering, Inc. was contacted to evaluate the property to determine the scope of structural damage. According to UBSE’s report, the damage was related to upward movement in the ground-floor slab.

The report obtained by The University Star indicated the damaged walls on levels B2 and B3 can be demolished and rebuilt according to specified plans.

The walls of the stairwells were constructed to have the CMUs fill the space between the floor slab and the structural beam of the next floor.

UBSE found vertical cracks and spalling—the result of water entering brick, concrete or natural stone— stairwell A on levels B2 and B3, with the damage being more severe on the lowest level.

Milam said the original building developer defaulted on the project and the previous owners of the building had a series of interactions with the

city where they had things that they had to fix and repair.

“Obviously, these are items that were identified before we had acquired the building,” Milam said. “Unfortunately, these were things we were unaware of at the time of closing. We have now addressed that and completed all the changes the previous owner should have completed.”

"UNFORTUNATELY, THESE WERE THINGS WE WERE UNAWARE OF AT THE TIME OF CLOSING. WE HAVE NOW ADDRESSED THAT AND COMPLETED ALL THE CHANGES THE PREVIOUS OWNER SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED." -DERRICK MILAM,

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER OF VIE MANAGEMENT According to a statement from the city, Vie Lofts is still operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy as they work toward a solution for elevator repairs. Their goal for obtaining the final certificate of occupancy is March 26, 2020, and the city will consider an extension if additional time is required for the elevator since it is their only outstanding remaining item.

The statement from the city also said the remodel work in the clubhouse, study lounge and reception area was completed on Dec. 26, 2019.

The University Star

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | 5

LIFE & ARTS

Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

THEATER

Texas State alumna Maggie Bera performs as Wendy in the production of "Peter Pan" at the Connecticut Repertory Theater in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Texas State alumna, Maggie Bera (center) performs in Texas State's production of "Spelling Bee" as Maggie Marcy Park, in February 2016. Bera performed in "Spelling Bee" her junior year.

Texas State alumna Maggie Bera (third from left to right) poses as Aquata in "Little Mermaid" in 2018 at the Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

PHOTO COURTESY MAGGIE BERA

PHOTO COURTESY MAGGIE BERA

PHOTO COURTESY MAGGIE BERA

Alumna takes center stage in blogging and theater industry

By Brianna Benitez Assistant Life & Arts Editor After years of auditions, rehearsals and show-stopping performances, alumna Maggie Bera is taking her experiences and sharing them with the theater industry.

Bera graduated from Texas State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater May 2017. At the start of her final semester, Bera created her blog, "Actor Aesthetic," which focuses on musical theater and her experiences. Bera said she wanted to use her industry knowledge in hopes of becoming a resource for those pursuing musical theater professionally.

"By sharing information that I learned along the way through personal experience and chats with colleagues, I have always hoped to bridge that gap for young artists," Bera said.

Bera said the lack of information online for actors in the industry was a motivator in the development of her blog. On "Actor Aesthetic," readers can find information on the logistics of auditions, where to find job listings, how to submit resumes and more.

Bera's love for performing bloomed at a young age. During the ages 9-11, Bera said she performed the National Anthem at minor league baseball games throughout the tri-state area. Bera said she also had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for the New York Mets and Philadelphia 76ers.

"I really caught the theater and performing bug early on," Bera said.

"I’ve always wanted to be a performer— it’s always been my love."

Bera is currently based in New York City and has performed regionally for

several productions including "The Little Mermaid" in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, "The World According to Snoopy" in Houston and "Peter Pan" in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Bera said her favorite part of performing is the ability to tell stories.

She said she finds enjoyment in being able to dress up as a completely different person for each show as well as fueling a connection with her audience.

"I love telling stories and I feel as actors, it is our job to tell a story as truthfully as possible with as much integrity to the author as possible," Bera said.

From ages 11-18, Bera said she trained with Papermill Playhouse, a regional theater in New Jersey. For eight years, Bera said she participated in the theater's Musical Theatre Summer Conservatory, a program that trains students on all aspects of musical theater.

Bera said her involvement in Papermill Playhouse ignited her passion for musical theater.

"Every single year I got more interested in pursuing this as a career, so by the time I was (a) senior I knew I had to go to school for this and pursue this professionally," Bera said.

In 2013, Bera auditioned for Texas State's musical theater program and other universities in Chicago at the Unified Auditions, a form of musical theater auditions where multiple programs hold auditions for incoming classes.

Although Bera is from New Jersey, she said she was drawn to Texas State's program due to award-winning actress, director and educator, Kaitlin Hopkins, who created the program in 2009.

After performing for Texas State's program, Bera said she was accepted into

the program on the spot, an experience that rarely happens during the audition process.

"It was unlike anything I had ever experienced," Bera said. "It was an absolute dream."

Hopkins said she went into the audition process knowing what kind of class she wanted to build for her program.

After seeing Bera and two other students perform, Hopkins said she knew she had to offer each of them a spot.

"I jumped on that opportunity and made offers on the spot hoping that they would say yes and all three of them did," Hopkins said.

When creating Texas State's program Hopkins said she developed it in a holistic approach, meaning the program focuses on training students in mental wellness, vocal health, physical health and nutrition. She said the program also focuses on business aspects of the industry, such as how students should read contracts, information on national tours and how students can build their social media presence.

"Our curriculum is what performing artists need to enter the market," Hopkins said.

Hopkins said the musical theater program not only focuses on raising good artists but also good people.

Hopkins said she is proud Bera is giving back to other artists.

"Maggie took all of her innate gifts, as a person and as a performer, and everything that she’s learned here and she’s giving back to her community," Hopkins said. "I think that speaks a great deal to her character and the person and professional that she is."

Cassie Abate has been the head of

the dance area for Texas State's musical theater program for eight years. Abate said Bera was one of the hardest working students in the program and is an energetic yet nuanced performer with incredible skills in all areas.

"She’s very good at interpreting the story, conveying character and expressing character through whatever medium she’s utilizing," Abate said.

Abate said Bera's blog is a great resource for aspiring performers because Bera features content that cannot be taught in a university setting, such as discussing her personal experiences in the industry.

"She always comes up with really amazing, not only insightful but creative solutions to common problems actors face today," Abate said. "She's able to take things that may seem daunting or unknown to performers and really makes it accessible and relatable."

To further her outreach in the theater industry, Bera launched her podcast in November 2018 as an extension of her blog under the same name. On the podcast, Bera interviews special guests, such as individuals working on Broadway to individuals performing on national tours.

Bera said her podcast is also a platform where she provides tips on how actors can submit to casting directors, how they can get an agent and even tips on how to audition for college programs.

For more information about Bera, visit https://www.actoraesthetic.com/ or follow her on Instagram @actoraesthetic. The "Actor Aesthetic" podcast is available on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Spotify and Stitcher.

POPCORN

Sweet and savory pop into San Marcos

By Sonia Garcia Managing Editor Hand-in-hand with grandma, one foot in the door, their eyes widen and a grin stretches across their face.

Lined on the brightly colored walls they see sugar in all forms—soda, gumballs, taffy and in the back of the shop awaits a selection of 57 popcorn flavors.

Over the Moon Popcorn is bringing sweetness to San Marcos with an array of old-fashioned candy and popcorn to choose from. After seven months of preparation, the shop opened Feb. 1 and will have a ribbon cutting with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce for its grand opening Feb. 20.

From managing cows, horses and chickens to moon pies, cheddar and fudge, Ray and Jeanette York gave up their country lifestyle in Harwood, Texas, to run an old school candy shop with popcorn.

The married couple of 31 years sold the acres of ranch land they once owned, gave up their daytime jobs and moved into a two-bedroom apartment above two Texas State fraternity students to launch the only locally owned candy shop in San Marcos.

“We gave everything up to do this business, all the dice are on the table,” Ray said. “We believed in it, and we decided to move to San Marcos so we could provide a great concept to the community.”

Inspiration for the shop derives from Ray’s sister, who also owns a popcorn shop in Texas. Ray said the recipes were generated by professionals; he, his sister and Jeanette have developed new flavors along the way.

Over the Moon's customizable candy bar allows customers to fill their bags with gummies, chocolates and peppermints. The store is located off Highway 80 near Walmart.

PHOTO BY REBECCA HARRELL

The Yorks chose to open the shop in San Marcos due to the young demographic and retirees in the area.

They wanted to give the younger generation a chance to experience nostalgic sodas and candies while the older generations reminisce on those products.

The store includes a wall of untraditional sodas like mustard soda, gondolas in the center of the store with jars of gummy candy and near the cashier sits fudge,

pralines and caramel apples.

Fifty-seven popcorn flavors is only the beginning for Over the Moon Popcorn. The York’s limited themselves to what they thought the area would be interested in.

The menu breaks down the flavors into savory and cheese, candied, specialty, caramel with nuts, caramel blends and lists a few other specialty recipes.

The popcorn is air popped and made in store with natural flavoring. Ray makes most of the popcorn flavors while Jeanette makes the fudge, glazed nuts and pralines daily. “(The popcorn) doesn’t get shipped here, it’s made here with love,” Jeanette said.

Ray said Over the Moon Popcorn is seeing a great response from the community since opening.

Margaret Motomochi took her granddaughter to Over the Moon Popcorn Feb. 15. Her granddaughter Serenity Doninduez thought the shop was really cool and nothing like she had been in before.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be like this,” Motomochi said. “It’s nice to have something different in this neighborhood.”

Over the Moon Popcorn wants to grow with the community by taking requests and feedback on new flavors it can offer. The Yorks want Over the Moon Popcorn to be a spot for families to go to and make memories.

Over the Moon Popcorn is open seven days a weeks at 925 TX-80. Visit its Facebook page to keep up with Over the Moon Popcorn.

The University Star

6 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

LIFE & ARTS

Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

DAISY

DAISY Award honors RN for compassionate care

By Abby Gutierrez Life & Arts Reporter It was the third time he had hit the call button in the past five minutes. Finally, a nurse hurried in ready to assist a man who had been told he only had days to live.

“Can you just move that fork and just leave it right there,” the man said. “Yeah, thanks.”

A few minutes later, he hit the button again, requesting that another object be moved. Another couple of seconds later, and this repeated. The nurse never failed to come into the man’s room promptly and was ready to assist the man in every one of his tedious orders.

By 3 p.m., his wife had finally had enough. She stormed out of his hospital room and questioned the nurses as to why they were allowing her husband to push them around in the way that he was. She said she could no longer stand how mean he was behaving.

The patient’s nurse stepped forward and responded, “Do you realize that he has just lost all control of his whole life?

The only control he has is to ask me to move something else, and I’m going to do it for him because it’ll make him feel like he gained a little bit more control today.”

The nurse's name is Ruth Cummings and this is the kind of care she gives her patients—attentiveness, comfort and a little bit of hope.

Cummings is a registered nurse who was honored The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Central Texas Medical Center January 2020.

The award recognized Cummings as a compassionate nurse who goes above and beyond to give her patients the best care possible.

The DAISY Foundation, an acronym used for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, is a nonprofit to say “thank you” to nurses nationwide who care for and impact their patients.

While selecting the DAISY award winner, the committee receives letters from former patients, other nurses or family members who are nominating a nurse. The committee members choose the winning story based on the impact the nurse had on the patient. The committee has no knowledge of which nurse each patient is writing about until post-selection.

Clinical Program Director for Advanced Wound Healing at Central Texas Medical Center Kim Ford was a DAISY committee member involved in selecting Cummings for the award. She said Cummings’ former patient’s story of how Cummings touched their heart and changed their life epitomized what the DAISY foundation is all about.

"INSTEAD OF JUST TREATING HER LIKE MY PATIENT, I SAW THE PAIN IN HER EYES, AND I JUST COULDN’T HELP BUT FEEL THAT, I WASN’T AFRAID OF HER FEELINGS AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT SHOCKED HER." -RUTH CUMMINGS,

RN AT CENTRAL TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

“The story that the patient and the other nurse who submitted Ruth just

exemplified what we do, and how it touches people’s lives,” Ford said. “How Ruth intervened changed this person’s life and that’s what we hope to do every day.”

Cummings was nominated by a former patient who she helped get through a life crisis, contemplating suicide and a time of extreme distress.

“Instead of just treating her like my patient, I saw the pain in her eyes, and I just couldn’t help but feel that,” Cummings said. “I wasn’t afraid of her feelings and I think that’s what shocked her.”

According to the nomination letter her former patient wrote to her, the patient thanked Cummings for reassuring her that she was loved, cared for and important.

The former patient also shared in the letter how Cummings planted that seed of life and growth in her and how the hospital community watered it and fed it until she was ready to overcome the dark place she was in.

Cummings said the experience her former patient had at the hospital really helped the patient turn her life around.

According to the patient's letter, after speaking with Cummings, she underwent intense therapy and eventually was able to see the light in her life.

"I pulled up a chair, I sat down with her and I listened to her cry," Cummings said. "I listened to her tell me what was going on. I just sat there most of the day and just talked to her.”

According to the patient's letter, she left the hospital with an incredibly positive outlook on life and will be forever grateful for the impact Cummings made during that tough time.

When talking about the importance of extending compassionate care to all people, Cummings said it is simply ingrained in her every day.

“We take care of people no matter who they are, and we’re all people when it comes down to it,” Cummings said.

“Whether they are a CEO, a housekeeper or the homeless, it doesn’t matter. You’re still a person. We all get the same feelings.

We all have to deal with the same disease processes.”

Cummings said she believes the beauty of her profession is in how she gets to treat every person the same. There is no hierarchy and there is no status because, at the end of the day, every person is a person.

“To us, everybody’s the same, and that’s priceless to me because you get to treat everybody the way that you’d want to be treated,” Cummings said.

Cummings graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2006 and has been an RN since. She said her heart is in working in the hospital's intensive care unit.

While 19 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Cummings' doctors said her newborn would be diagnosed with Di-George disease. Her daughter experienced health complications and needed a couple of heart surgeries.

Cummings left working as a nurse in the ICU for three years and became a case manager in-home care in order to be less exposed to infectious diseases.

Cummings said her time in health care was an educational and eye-opening experience for her. She said she was able to witness the struggles a patient goes through after being discharged from the hospital.

“It’s very enlightening because as a person who just works in a hospital, you’re not exposed to what you’re sending that patient home to or what kind of environment they’re going home to,” Cummings said. “(You realize) they really don’t understand or it wasn’t explained well enough or one time telling them what their medications are isn’t enough."

Cummings said her daughter has had a huge impact on the way she treats her patients. She said during that time when her daughter underwent surgeries and treatments, it did not matter how

CTMC CNO Catherine Amitrano (right) presents Ruth Cummings, RN (left) the DAISY Award.

PHOTO COURTESY CENTRAL TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

much medical terminology she knew as a nurse. She looked at her daughter and thought “that’s my person.”

“When it is their person, it doesn’t matter if they’re a doctor or a nurse or that they work in a hospital, they are just as shocked and blank-faced and just need somebody to tell it to them in the most simple terms possible and to even have someone take care of them too,” Cummings said. “It definitely helped me understand what families go through.”

Cummings returned to her work as a nurse in the ICU after her daughter's doctor confirmed that she did not have any immune system issues.

Cummings said giving compassionate care to patients is something found all around the hospital and was surprised that she was the one who received the DAISY award.

“I feel like I see my coworkers do this every day,” Cummings said. “I don’t feel that what I do is special. It doesn’t feel like something that you need to get an award for.”

As a nurse, one of Cummings' goal is to prepare her patients to properly care for themselves once outside the hospital.

"It goes a lot farther than just giving you a blanket," Cummings said. "I’m not just doing a task for you that helps you right now. I’m helping you manage yourself. I’m helping you be able to take care of yourself better when I’m not there."

Cummings is now working as the critical care educator within the hospital's ICU, ER and catheterization lab. She said she is hoping to help other nurses transition from school into the ICU through the hospital's newest nursing education program.

“When I started nursing, I had a great experience with a residency program that really helped me get through the shock of going through the ICU as a brand new nurse," Cummings said.

The program includes both digital modules and class time as well as infield experience. It aims toward helping nurses ease into the hectic lifestyle of a nurse in the ICU.

Patient Surgery Hall, leading to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where Ruth Cummings, RN has treated most of her patients since 2013.

PHOTO BY ABBY GUTIERREZ

"A lot of nurses get their critical care experience and then leave because it's overwhelming," Cummings said. "I feel like if you’re better prepared for it or better coached into it or supported through it, you don’t get burnt out as easily."

CTMC is a Christian faith-based hospital, now managed by the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa medical system.

The hospital's motto, "Extending the Healing of the Christian Ministry," has influenced Cummings's perspective on how she, and her fellow coworkers, care for their patients and other nurses.

"The same concepts of caring for the whole person and taking care of the person spiritually as well as physically is what we try to do," Cummings said.

Chief Nursing Officer Catherine Amitrano said Cummings is an influential nurse who has made an impact in many of her patient's lives while upholding the Christian values of the hospital.

"She is an amazing nurse, who provides the best care possible for our mission in vision of extending the hailing ministry of Christ,” Amitrano said.

Cummings has had numerous patients over the 14 years that she has been working as a nurse. She said she hopes to continue to intentionally care for and be present to each one of her patients in the future because that is what changes lives.

The University Star

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | 7

OPINIONS

Laura Nunez Opinions Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinions expressed in The University Star are not necessarily those of Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

MAIN POINT

Predatory apartment complexes plague San Marcos

By The Editorial Board Student apartment complexes take advantage of students and the manipulation needs to stop. An era of honest communication, transparency and adequate housing conditions has been yearned for far too long.

With new apartment complexes built each year and fresh residents hunting for their next home, it is necessary to discuss the disgusting behavior off-campus housing continues to enact.

Students looking for off-campus housing for the first time generally never lived without supervision and are inexperienced on what to look for in lodging. Students are an easy target for apartment complexes to swindle, and management knows that.

Additionally, San Marcos' lack of landlord-tenant association further alleviates the avenues available for students to find, negotiate and sign favorable leases.

Due to San Marcos' increasing population, many complexes are constructed quickly in order to house the incoming residents. With promises of luxury and convenience, students quickly sign attractive offers and later

pay the consequences.

In late 2017, Pointe San Marcos, 417 N. Comanche St., delayed move-in dates multiple times, leaving hundreds of students misplaced and searching for temporary housing. Last September, Haven on Thorpe Lane, 1351 Thorpe Lane, left hundreds practically homeless after a construction delay and has repeatedly withheld information from students.

Shortly after, Vie Lofts, 817 Chestnut St., had 162 students evacuated based on safety concerns, leaving some residents fully displaced for over a month.

Although Haven and Vie Lofts provided temporary housing for the displaced students, their original incompetence should not be forgotten and forgiveness should not be easily bought with temporary fixes.

Signing a lease is a massive commitment for the already strenuous lives of a college student—the last thing complexes should be promising is a home if they are not fully constructed.

Honest communication could have easily prevented these over-strained housing commitments; however, honesty appears to be the most difficult hurdle to clear.

The City of San Marcos requires apartments to receive a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, which is valid for 90 days, in order to place students in units that are not fully constructed.

Haven made promises to move in tenants prior to obtaining this certification.

Regardless of what these predominately student-occupied complexes claim, it is alarmingly clear the students' wellbeing is the last thing on their priority list. Not only are these complexes unprepared and untrustworthy, they also scam the community with their price points.

It can be extremely difficult for selfsupporting students to find affordable housing in this ever-expanding city.

Apartment complexes commonly charge upward of $500-600 per bedroom in a multiple bedroom apartment. A onebedroom apartment at Haven will run $1,225 per month.

This reality provides no financial transition period from home life to financial independence, which makes it difficult to save money and sets students up for failure.

Students are expected to cash-in not only for housing but also parking permits, food, textbooks, school supplies and gas, among other things, even

MAIN PO NT

O

during their first semester away from home. Myriad expenses are immediately added with no transitional period and many students will be overwhelmed.

According to College Board, students spend an annual amount of $1,200 on just textbooks and materials per year.

Even students who can afford to live in luxury student living are being sold products that may be falsely marketed as higher quality products.

With an influx of apartment buildings geared toward the wealthier San Marcos community and parents of prospective students, downtown will soon hold more apartments than local landscape. New developments like Aspire, Cheatham Street Flats and The View are all changing the atmosphere of San Marcos and could threaten to increase traffic.

The struggles of a college student are overwhelming enough without adding predatory housing to the mix. The need for more honest, transparent and realistic housing is urgent within the San Marcos community.

Stop taking advantage of us, we are just trying to survive adulthood.

NATURE

'Accidentally' killing birds is not an excuse

By Toni Mac Crossan Opinion Columnist

more visible to birds.

The MBTA provides protection to endangered species like the Goldencheeked Warbler, which nests here in the San Marcos area, as well as more common species like the Northern Cardinal. Heavy fines—up to $15,000 per bird killed—act as a deterrent against irresponsible behavior that puts birds’ lives at risk.

Removing enforcement of the MBTA for accidental kills removes this threat, allowing every person and corporation that harms a non-game bird to avoid punishment simply by saying they ‘didn’t know.’

The next horrific oil spill will not just kill thousands of birds, but will destroy bird habitat with no regard for remediation as energy corporations get away with major impacts on our environment and bird populations— whether it be through carelessness or malice. This is an irresponsible action by the federal government in favor of big business and should not be allowed to take effect.

Luckily, it is not too late to protest this official change to the MBTA. Public comment on this proposed change is open until March 19 of this year and may be submitted on the governments regulation website or via mail to the U.S. ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Trump administration wishes to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to prevent punishment of those who harm birds ‘accidentally’—creating a massive loophole that will do nothing but harm bird populations already in decline.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 has been protecting birds from harm for over 100 years. Since its passage through Congress in 1918, non-game-birds (any bird that is not hunted to eat, like ducks and doves) have been protected from undue harm by humans.

Though passed initially to protect birds from the extensive feather and pet trades, the MBTA has helped the federal government to hold individuals and corporations responsible for bird deaths.

For example, after the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 killed over 1 million birds, a violation of the MBTA was one of the 14 criminal counts BP pled guilty to.

This settlement forced BP to pay $100 million to the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, which disbursed those funds to projects benefitting wild bird species through habitat restoration and conservation.

But it is not just freak accidents like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill— punishing people and corporations for inadvertent bird kills has forced practices that can save birds’ lives, like irresponsible use of pesticides and taking industries to implement prevention covering open-air oil tanks, restricting protective measures to make power lines

- Toni Mac Crossan is a biology graduate student

The University Star

8 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

OPINIONS

Laura Nunez Opinions Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinions expressed in The University Star are not necessarily those of Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

Social media is Social media is a necessary evil not essential

By Toni Mac Crossan Opinion Columnist For all its shortcomings, social media is a vital tool in academia.

Much has been made of the negative impacts social media has on society. Lowered self-esteem, concerning addictive tendencies and an overwhelming dependence covers just a few of those negative impacts.

Between the valid concerns about security, scams, misinformation and impacts on mental well-being, it is easy to come to the conclusion that in order to live better lives, we should all delete our social media accounts and live Twitter, Instagram and Facebook free lives.

Sometimes, though, it is just not that easy.

Using social networks, like Facebook, can help researchers network with each other and potential research institutions. They can also connect potential graduate students with labs and investigators. At conferences, meeting new people often ends with 'find me on Facebook!' All in all, it can be hard to navigate if you do not use Facebook or other social media sites.

Social media can often be one of the most important tools for science communication. Many researchers share findings, publications, fun facts and answers to questions from the general public using social media.

Some even use platforms like Twitter to start fun science-based challenges, like naturalist Jason Ward's weekly #TrickyBirdID or herpetologist Earyn McGee's #FindThatLizard. These efforts not only get other researchers in the same field involved but allow nonscientists interested in the field involved in fun ways to hone their skills, helped by experts.

Of course, all good comes with

some bad. The anonymity of many social media accounts allows for some trolls with nothing better than to harass researchers who communicate with the public on social media platforms, especially those who work on controversial socio-scientific issues.

Katherine Hayhoe, an outspoken climate scientist at Texas Tech University, frequently experiences harassment both through social media accounts and through email.

Researchers who dedicate time on social media to debunking misinformation in their field are often inundated with hatred from trolls and bots, which comb the internet for mentions of specific topics such as climate change and vaccination.

This risk is especially present of female researchers and researchers of color. Already facing discrimination and hate in the workplace, these researchers find it difficult to escape criticism online.

However, social media has also allowed marginalized researchers to band together against bullies and share information about staying safe at conferences and in their workplaces.

Researchers are at least able to set their own limits and boundaries on social media, where they can block and report the users that attack them online.

Social media has its drawbacks, of course—any place in which people feel free to share their opinions with no fear of repercussions will. However, it lets researchers connect with each other and with the public in ways that would otherwise not be possible.

If you are pursuing a career in academia, maybe think twice about deactivating those accounts.

By Haley Schmidt Opinion Columnist Quitting social media has the ability to better relationships, productivity and overall happiness. Students should strongly consider taking a hiatus from their social world to improve their mental and physical well-being.

Social media is inherently a way to stay connected with the world, yet it can easily go from an innovative form of instant communication, to the exchange of toxic messages about others and ourselves.

Social media began with the idea of sharing news and communication.

The first social media platform, Six Degrees, was only for creating profiles and connecting with others. Today, the social phenomenon is no longer used simply for encouragement, accomplishments and celebratory announcements Social platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are literally based off a like and comment algorithm.

Popular posts receive more attention and people validate themselves from the social reach they manage to achieve.

The addictive feeling of being noticed and heard easily manipulates users and promotes an unhealthy mindset.

A prominent drawback with the current use of social media is that it succumbs to the idea that the social persona society gives off is anything near the reality of who they are and that causes people to feel disconnected when they start comparing themselves.

Physician, author and clinical writer in the mental health realm, Kristen

Fuller said, "social media is a tiny sliver of reality, the best of the best days and in a way, a falsified image that we want to portray to others."

Next time Facebook notifies of a friends birthday, pick up the phone and call instead of making a post onto their wall. People too often forget that although they can stay connected online, they also can stay connected in real life.

It is critical for society to be aware of the positive impacts of participating in a social media detox. The world will not end if people take breaks from social media.

While it is obvious that social media is not going anywhere anytime soon, that does not mean it is essential to leading a fulfilled life. Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego University, states social media overload may have more detrimental impacts on teens and adolescents.

In fact, an Oxford academic study examined the link between Facebook use and an individual's well being and found that the more the social platform is consumed the more prone the individual is to "negative physical health, negative mental health and negative life satisfaction."

College students, especially, should take a step in the right direction and delete an app or two that they notice or feel they could not live without. The social world will still be there in a week.

Social media changed the world, but society existed before it and it will exist after it.

- Haley Schmidt is an English senior

- Toni Mac Crossan is a biology graduate student

FIRST-GEN

The lonely reality of a first-generation student is often forgotten

By Delilah Alvarado Opinion Columnist While many first-generation students exist on campus, it is still one of the loneliest and hardest experiences to endure.

At Hispanic-serving institutions, like Texas State, the number of firstgeneration students can be higher than in other regular college institutions. In fact, 46% of the student body falls under the category of a first-gen student, where neither parent obtained a bachelor's degree.

Being first-gen means learning to navigate the world of college education for the first time with parents or completely alone. Imagine, for one second, how intimidating college registration would be without parents who received higher education and advice. Difficult would be an understatement. In fall 2018, 42% of the freshman class had to endure that experience.

Applying to an institution has its challenges, but the process of financial aid alone can deter students from applying at all. Not only is the process intimidating for the family, but first-gen students who come from low-income families also end up receiving little financial aid if they do receive any at all.

Many recipients of DACA are also first-gen and have to navigate between two cultures, while also handling the normal hardships that come with college

on their own. The transition is even harder when having to live alone for the first time or far away from any family.

Support can feel nonexistent.

Living in a constant state of the unknown can also restrict students from graduating. According to EAB, a firm that uses research to address challenges within the education system, first-gen students are less likely to graduate on time and their dropout rate is 19% higher than students whose parents have a bachelor's degree. Unfortunately, this most prominently occurs due to the lack of money, resources and connections.

Having limited knowledge and connection to the college realm makes the opportunity to network extremely difficult, especially since many first-gens come from low-income families and more likely to fill their time working to survive rather than on internships.

Many missed opportunities can arise from not knowing how to professionally network and can be intimidating when asking for references or applying for an internship.

Scholarships and financial aid need to be available specifically for these students and easily accessed. Workshops and counseling centers should be available for those who need the extra help of going through college, jobs and life away from home.

Texas State does a great job putting in the effort to accommodate this majority of the student body, but it is simply not

ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON

enough.

Higher sources of funding can ensure scholarships are allocated accordingly toward students who might fall below a certain economic line. Additionally, an emphasis needs to be put on the Counseling Center for more available professional aid.

First-generation students face more hardships and challenges than the average student. Financial hardships

and navigating academia prove to take a hard hit for students who do not have a lifeline to fall back on. Better resources need to be available to ensure that first-generation students succeed in the foreign but vital world of higher education.

- Delilah Alvarado is a journalism and mass communication junior

The University Star

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | 9

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

SOFTBALL

'Cats crush Bobcat Classic

By Andrew Zimmel Sports Reporter In the first homestand for Texas State softball this season, the Bobcats came out on top, sweeping their own Bobcat Classic over the weekend, raising their record to 7-2.

The Bobcats faced Wichita State on Sunday to finish the tournament, nearly shutting them out with a 9-1 victory after beating them in the second leg of their doubleheader Saturday.

Wichita State kicked off the game by letting a fly ball from senior infeilder Hailey MacKay drop in centerfield, allowing junior infielder Tara Oltmann to cross the plate first for a 1-0 Bobcat lead. As the Bobcat bats warmed up, junior infielder ArieAnn Bell hit a tworun homer to increase the lead to 3-0 in the first inning.

The 'Cats gained more offensive momentum in the bottom of the fifth inning, cracking four runs to extend the lead even further.

Senior pitcher Dalilah Barrera took the mound in the gam and kept a nohitter intact through the fifth inning before giving up a single and a run.

Before the Shockers could gain momentum, Oltmann finished the game in the same inning with a home run of her own, ending the game early and clinching the win for the Bobcats.

The win came after another victory over the Shockers on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams led into the game as the only undefeated teams left in the Classic, with the Bobcats ultimately winning it in a 5-3 victory.

The Bobcats took an early lead, with senior infielder Bailee Carter scoring the first two runs: first off a MacKay single up the middle in the first inning, then again on an Oltmann sacrifice fly in the third for a 2-0 Bobcat lead.

The ‘Cats added another run in the bottom of the fifth when senior outfielder Christiana McDowell stole home from second on a wild pitch.

The Shockers stayed in the game on Texas State errors, scoring three runs on walks to switch the lead for the first time.

The lead did not last long, however, as Bell hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Bell said that consistency and bringing enthusiasm to the team is key to staying successful.

“It’s awesome; I like pumping up my team and getting them excited,” Bell said. “I think we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing. One pitch at a time, staying relaxed and staying loose.”

Freshman pitcher Tori McCann kept the Shockers scoreless in the last inning to finish out the game and give her and the team the win.

The Bobcats took in another win prior to the Wichita State victory on Saturday, blanking St. Louis out 12-0 to start the doubleheader and winning 4-1 on Friday.

The 'Cats run-ruled the Billikens in five innings on Saturday under the leadership of junior pitcher Meagan King, who brought in her second win of the season by allowing just two hits and holding St. Louis to five scoreless innings.

Four total home runs came off Texas State bats, with three coming in the third inning.

On the other hand, Saint Louis struggled with two errors that cost the team nine unearned runs.

Oltmann kept up her hot hand with a grand slam in the third inning, helping the 'Cats bring in the most runs in an inning this season with 11 total runs.

Oltmann also recorded five RBIs while McCann racked up RBIs as well after her three-run home run in the third.

Bell said the team is energized about their offense and is doing well on the batting end so far this season.

"We have been doing well,” Bell said.

“We work on hitting a lot, so it’s just nice to see everyone come through and get so excited about hitting.”

The win came after a 4-1 comeback win

The Texas State softball team celebrates a homerun by senior outfielder Christiana McDowell in the sixth inning against Saint Louis, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

against the Billikens on Friday. Despite being behind 1-0 for three innings, the 'Cats rallied back, securing the win with a three-run sixth inning that saw a tworun home run from McDowell.

The Bobcats kicked off their tournament on Thursday by holding off the UTSA Roadrunners in a heart racing 4-3 victory. The game featured five pitchers, three ties, three lead changes and a game-winning hit by Oltmann to give the Bobcats their first home win of the season.

The ‘Cats jumped out to a lead early on a MacKay single that scored McDowell.

After the Roadrunners tied in the top of the third, the Bobcats were able to regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth, but UTSA answered back in the fifth with two home runs off Megan King to take a 3-2 lead.

With runners on second and third, Oltmann ultimately won the game again with a walkoff RBI single to right field to take the win.

Oltmann said that getting the gamewinning hit helped her confidence at the

plate. “(Hitting the walk off) was pretty exciting,” Oltmann said. “I mean, it’s always good to come through in those situations because we play a game of failure, so coming through was just really such a confidence booster.”

Next up for the Bobcats are big-name competitors including Illinois, Baylor, Tulsa and Minnesota. Oltmann said the team has faced competition already in the NFCA Leadoff Classic and will take it on one step at a time.

“I think we’re going to see good competition, just like we did in Florida,” Oltmann said. “I think we’re going to need to play one pitch at a time. The pitchers are going to be better. I think we just need to trust the process and continue to work every at-bat, even if the first one doesn’t go our way.”

Texas State softball will head up Interstate-35 to Waco for the Baylor Classic starting Friday.

Sports Editor Claire Partain contributed to this story.

Texas State freshman pitcher Tori McCann winds up to pitch to a Saint Louis batter Texas State senior outfielder Christiana McDowell bunts a ball, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, during the first inning of a matchup between the two teams, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at in a game vs. Saint Louis at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

Bobcat Softball Stadium.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball keeps season alive with weekend sweep

By Caleb Howell Sports Reporter With their season on the line, Texas State women's basketball came up with two of their biggest wins over the weekend to keep their conference tournament hopes alive.

The Bobcats traveled to Arkansas to defeat both Little Rock and Arkansas State on the road as the women's basketball team improved their conference record to 3-10. The 'Cats now trail 10th-place Georgia State by only two games and could muster up enough wins to make the Sun Belt Championship Tournament.

Texas State concluded their Arkansas road trip at Arkansas State, landing an 83-69 win over the Red Wolves to sweep the weekend.

Texas State never trailed in the game behind multiple double-figure Bobcat performances. Senior guard Brooke Holle proved her versatility on the court by landing a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in

Texas State sophomore center Jaeda Reed goes through defenders for a shot attempt, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

PHOTO COURTESY TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS

the win.

The ‘Cats also had 23 bench points, due in large part to junior forward Jayla Johnson, who scored just one point shy of her season-high. Johnson made 17 total bench points for the team.

Texas State’s leading scorer, sophomore

forward Da’Nasia Hood, made 21 points on 7-15 shooting. Hood, who had 17 points in her previous game, has continued to help the Bobcats win with her high scoring performances.

For the first time in program history, the team defeated the Trojans on the

road, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 50-47 win on Thursday.

Despite losing in turnovers, blocks and steals, the ‘Cats’ tenacious rebounding (36-33) kept the game close Hood, who was recently named Sun Belt Player of the Week, reached an impressive double-double to lead both teams with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

With the game tied at 45 all, Hood shot the go-ahead jumper to secure the lead in the final minute of play. Texas State’s defense in the clutch was the deciding factor in the final minutes as senior guard Bailey Holle came up with a huge steal to win the game for the ‘Cats.

The Bobcats will travel back to Texas in hopes of keeping their two-game win streak alive to take on UT-Arlington at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the College Park Center. The 'Cats last saw UTA at home in their first conference win of the season, beating the Mavericks 72-55 on Saturday, Feb. 1.

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10 | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Texas State sophomore forward Alonzo Sule shoots a free throw after being fouled by an Arkansas State player, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Strahan Arena.

PHOTO

BY KATE CONNORS

Bobcats sweep Arkansas teams

By Cade Andrews Sports Reporter Texas State men's basketball (17-10, 10-6 Sun Belt) bounced back from a loss and picked up two victories for a weekend sweep, winning a crowdpleasing 74-66 upset over Sun Belt first seed Arkansas-Little Rock on Thursday and taking a 69-64 win over Arkansas State Saturday at Strahan Arena.

Texas State completed the weekend sweep with a 69-64 victory over Arkansas State Saturday afternoon.

The Bobcats got out to a quick start, holding the Red Wolves to 19.2% shooting and going into halftime with a 31-13 lead.

Texas State maintained a double-digit lead up until the 2:59 mark in the second half. The Red Wolves managed to cut the lead down to three but junior guard Marlin Davis stopped their comeback with two clutch free throws to seal the game.

Head Coach Danny Kaspar said that he was pleased with their defense in the first half but wanted a cleaner defensive performance in the final half.

“As happy as I was with our defense in the first half, we just didn’t play much defense in the second half,” Kaspar said.

“We just didn’t handle their quick shot offense in the second half. We had foul trouble but we've got to do a better job at that.”

Senior guard Nijal Pearson had a game-high 27 points and became the first Bobcat ever to score 500 or more points in three consecutive seasons.

Senior Eric Terry also scored in doubledigits with 10 points.

As the 'Cats rose to the third-place position in the Sun Belt, Terry said the Bobcats have stepped it up lately and believes the team will keep making strides in conference.

“We’re in a good position to play our best basketball,” Terry said. “We control our own destiny so that’s something that is good for us and an opportunity to make a statement in the Sun Belt.”

The win came after the Bobcats pulled off an upset against Little Rock (18-9, 11-4), with a 74-66 win on Thursday night at Strahan Arena.

The Bobcats reached a demanding 31-9 lead to start the game but the Trojans responded by going on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 15. Texas State recovered however, and was able to hold a 40-22 lead at the half.

Sophomore forward Alonzo Sule

played big minutes in the game as Terry found himself in early foul trouble and capitaliszed on the opportunity, finishing the game with a season-high 26 points and grabbing 10 boards.

At the 8:53 mark in the first half, Sule ignited the crowd with a put-back dunk, earning him a feature on Sportscenter's Top 10 plays that night.

Sule said he simply wanted to make a play on the ball.

“I just saw the ball go up, so I tried to go get it,” Sule said. “And I made the dunk. I feel like that was a good energy boost for us and we capitalized on it.”

The Trojans stormed back in the second half, encroaching within seven points of the Bobcats’ lead. Junior guard Shelby Adams responded by converting on an and-one to help the Bobcats close the game.

Pearson was back with the ‘Cats after a one-game hiatus and finished with 15 points, while sophomore guard Caleb Asberry rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.

Pearson said the game was a must-win as the Bobcats continue to move their way up the Sun Belt's ranks.

“This is a game we needed to win,” Pearson said. “We've got to keep pushing and keep grinding. It’s a long way to the top.”

The Bobcats are 9-2 in their last 11 games as they head into their final homestand against fourth-seed Georgia Southern on at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Georgia State—the Sun Belt's secondplace team—at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The 'Cats lost to both teams earlier in the season, but the team's recent swing of momentum may be enough to push them up even further in the ranks as the Sun Belt Conference Tournament gets closer.

"WE CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY SO THAT’S SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR US AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN THE SUN BELT." -ERIC TERRY,

SENIOR FORWARD

The University Star

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | 11

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

BASEBALL

Texas State pitching staff steps up for series win

By Colton McWilliams Assistant Sports Editor Texas State baseball opened their season with a series win over the weekend, going 3-1 against the 2018 America East Champions Stony Brook in a four-game home series Friday-Sunday.

The 'Cats jumped out to a 3-1 season start with a 4-3 win on Friday, a split on Saturday with a 6-0 shutout and 3-2 loss as well as a 4-3 comeback win to clinch the series on Sunday.

A three-run seventh inning by Texas State and eight strikeouts by senior starting pitcher Wes Engle were the difference-makers on Sunday as the Bobcats knocked off the Stony Brook Seawolves frdpiyr trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the weekend series.

Trout said that rebound runs kept the Bobcats in the game and motivated to make a comeback.

“We talk about rebound runs,” Trout said. “Every time they score on us, we want to score back, so they (Stony Brook) scored three and we came back with some big hits.”

Although the Bobcat offense came alive in the seventh inning, it was the Texas State pitching staff that held down the Seawolf offense on Sunday and throughout the weekend.

The pitching rotation stepped up to the plate, shutting the Seawolves down to just 2.24 runs during the four-game stretch.

Trout said that the sweep was largely due to the team's excellent defense.

“It couldn’t be more fun for our pitchers and our defense,” Trout said.

“We made one error in four games which is hard to do, our guys did a phenomenal job throwing strikes… when our guys can throw the ball like that, we are going to win a lot of games.”

One of the MVPs of Sunday's game

Texas State freshman Tony Robie pitches in the sixth inning of a matchup against Stony Brook, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Texas State senior infielder Cole Coffey and junior infielder Justin Thompson jump to celebrate a 4-3 win over Stony Brook, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

was Engle, who did not receive the win but pitched 4.1 innings with a careerhigh eight strikeouts, zero walks and zero earned runs.

Trout said Engle's calmness on the mound was important in the game and

Legacy

was something needed as they start their season, “I thought he did great,” Trout said.

"He was Wes, he was throwing strikes and keep (Stony Brook) off balance. Most importantly he showed his composure.

Lives

That’s what we need. We had that last year with Connor Reich on Sunday and it’ll be nice to see that in (Engle) on Sundays getting a lot of wins.”

Another starting pitcher that made a lot of noise was RHP Trevis Sundgren, who threw seven innings with six strikeouts, two hits and zero earned runs in the Bobcats' 6-0 win on Saturday.

The team made history as regularseason Sun Belt Champions in 2018, a feat largely due to senior pitchers Connor Reich, Hunter McMahon and Nicholas Fraze. With three holes in the pitching rotation and a first-year attempt for new head coach Steven Trout, uncertainty arose in the starting spots throughout the offseason.

Trout said that the pitching staff showed great potential in their season opener as they try out each player and test their depth.

“Every guy made a quality start,” Trout said. “I am excited where we are as pitching staff, of course, we got another game on Wednesday that we will see some guys in. We are starting to build some depth and most importantly starting to build some trust in them.”

With an important series win against the Seawolves, the Bobcats will look to build off their series win and hope to work on their offensive struggles.

Senior second baseman Jaxon Williams said the team's offensive performance will come along just as the pitching staff has.

“As of right now we are at a good pace,” Williams said. “Pitching is throwing a lot more strikes than last year and not a lot of walks. We will get the bats rolling better than this weekend.”

Texas State will go on the road to battle Houston Baptist on Wednesday before heading back to San Marcos to host a weekend series against Lamar.

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