April 2, 2020 by The University Star

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THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2020 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 25

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DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

OPINION: Republicans AUDIO STORY: Women’s History in Congress show their “I Expect Month, the perspective ignorance on Carrizo Greatness” of Texas State athletes cane control SEE ONLINE

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AS OF APRIL 1, 2020, AT 4PM: SAN MARCOS

HAYS COUNTY

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 AND SOCIAL DISTANCING TURN CAMPUS HOT SPOTS COLD

(Left) A banner alerting people of the closing of Sewell Park sits, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, on University Drive at Texas State. Before the March 24 closing of the park, occupants spent time at the park in close proximity despite state, county and city officials calling for social distancing. On a normal day, the park serves as a place for students to swim, tan, play sports and more. (Center) Classroom 101 in Taylor Murphy Hall sits empty, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at Texas State. Taylor Murphy Hall is home to university's Department of History. On a regular day, students come in and out of the classroom for lectures. (Right) The stairs to Alkek Library sit unoccupied, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at Texas State. On a normal day, Alkek's stairs serve as the ultimate fitness test for students walking to and from classes. PHOTOS BY JADEN EDISON

LIFE & ARTS

NEWS

Local businesses respond to the impact of COVID-19

Provost announces changes to final grade policy

By Brianna Benitez Assistant Life & Arts Editor Just a few weeks ago, it was business as usual for San Marcos. Local coffee shops were filled with students studying for midterms while restaurants and cafes brimmed with conversations and liveliness. Now, as the whole world shelters in self-isolation, small business owners are facing a new reality as they learn to navigate their establishment amidst the coronavirus outbreak. To alleviate the spread of coronavirus in the area, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a “stay at home, work safe” order. The order was effective Thursday, March 16 at 11 p.m. and will continue through April 10. All Hays County residents are ordered to stay home with

An online order pick-up sign hangs above the barista bar Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Mochas & Javas' N LBJ Drive location. All Mochas & Javas locations are open for to-go and curbside pickup services. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOCHAS & JAVAS

exception to those performing an essential task. Essential tasks include necessary travel and the operation of essential businesses

such as healthcare facilities, grocery stores and food services. Located steps away from The Square sits Stellar Coffee Co., a coffee shop usually bustling with business and energy. Now the establishment faces an unexpected phenomenon as customer turnout is the lowest the staff has ever seen. Stellar Coffee announced Monday, March 23 on Instagram that it would shut its doors until further notice. In their caption, the coffee shop said the decision to close stemmed from wanting their customers to stay safe in their own homes. Up until the coffee shops’ closure, to-go, pick-up and curbside services were offered. Madison Myrick, Stellar Coffee general manager, said all inside seating had been temporarily shut down.

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SPORTS

Women’s basketball: season in review By Cade Andrews Sports Reporter One of the few sports to get some closure just before the coronavirus pandemic was Texas State women’s basketball, wrapping up their season 50-74 to No. 3 UT Arlington in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament Tuesday, March 10. The Bobcats finished the season 13-17 overall and had a 6-12 record in the Sun Belt. They a solid start to the season with a 6-2 record. However, things went downhill as Texas State lost their first eight conference games, putting them at one point in the bottom of the conference. Head Coach Zenarae Antoine said it’s important to stay motivated from a coaching perspective no matter what the circumstances. “I’m still coaching these kids hard,” Antoine said. “However, I’m still coaching positively which is really important especially when you have a season

By Jakob Rodriguez Editor-In-Chief Texas State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gene Bourgeois announced that the university would be making a temporary change to the final grade policy and allow students to request modification of final course grades to the “EP” (emergency pass) grades. The Provost’s office stated in an email that the change will provide students with the option to request modification of final course grades to the “EP” (emergency pass) grades. The modification request may only be utilized for courses in which the student earned a passing grade. See the University Registrar’s definition of grades: https://www.registrar.txstate.edu/our-services/ grades.html. The university’s decision to allow this flexibility is in direct response to the unprecedented situation created by COVID-19. To date, there have been 38 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, 28 of the total cases remain active in the area. According to the Provost’s office, as usual, faculty members will assign final grades to students using the criteria and performance standards outlined for the course.

"ONCE FINAL SPRING 2020 SEMESTER GRADES ARE POSTED, STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN MODIFICATION REQUEST TO THEIR PROFESSOR(S) REQUESTING AN EP GRADE."

with a lot of use and inexperience.” Texas State had a young team this season with only two senior players, twins Brooke and Bailey Holle. Brooke, the only returning starter, was the second-leading scorer on the team with an average of 10.2 points per game and now ranks ninth alltime in the program after landing 57 threes for her senior season. Bailey sank 36 threes of her own and reached the second-highest assists for the team this season. Antoine said the team was able to take away a lot under the leadership of the Holle twins. “I feel like the team realized the value that needs to placed in each and every practice,” Antoine said. “Our younger players were thankful for Brooke and Bailey. They learned from them and saw what they needed to bring to the table.” The eight-game drought finally ended for the Bobcats as they beat UTA at home to turn the tables for the season.

“Once final spring 2020 semester grades are posted, students will have until Monday, May 25, 2020 to submit a written modification request to their professor(s) requesting an EP grade,” the email from the Provost’s office states. “Upon approval, the professor will make the grade change. To be considered, all requests must be made in writing to the professor by the stated deadline. The modification request option is limited to spring 2020 courses only. Students make requests on a courseby-course basis.”

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