TUESDAY
November 30, 2021 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 16
DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911
www.UniversityStar.com
Remembering Salyer:
AUSTIN SALYER
A son, brother, hero
By Brianna Benitez Editor-in-Chief Do the right thing. It was a simple, but powerful message that Bonnie and Rodney Salyer instilled into their son, Austin. While there is no handbook to parenting, Bonnie and Rodney worked to ensure their son carried the values of service and respect wherever he went. It was these values that shaped Austin into a person that was loved and cherished by those who knew him. On Sept. 16, Austin was killed after negligent gunfire struck through his room at The Lyndon apartments in San Marcos. He was a 20-year-old junior studying criminal justice and minoring in military science at Texas State. Austin was also a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi-Theta lota chapter and was currently serving in Texas State's Army ROTC with plans to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation. Austin always had an interest in serving in the military. His ultimate goal, however, was to be a police officer. Austin learned a lot about the military from his father, Rodney, who joined the Army out of high school. "It's just crushing ... how much he missed out on. How much we're missing out on, and honestly, how much society is missing out on," Rodney said. Coming to Texas State, Austin decided to follow the paths of his parents who graduated from Southwest Texas State in December of 1997 with degrees in computer information systems. While both Austin and his parents attended school in San Marcos, their experiences were vastly different. “We didn't really have the quoteunquote, college life,” Rodney said. “We didn't have the dorms. We didn't go floating down the river. So that's kind of what Austin was getting, that we didn't. That's something he loved. He loved the river. He loved San Marcos.” Austin is Bonnie and Rodney’s only child. He was born nearly two months prematurely at six pounds, four ounces on Dec. 21, 2000, in Grapevine, Texas. Austin's parents said he built up his strength quickly and came home on Christmas Day. "From there on out, he was always very strong. He was a strong kid," Rodney said. Austin spent his youth playing sports such as soccer and baseball. In high school, Austin ended up competing for his school's clay target team. It was a new experience for him as he had never done anything like it before. However, his parents said he soon became one of his school's top athletes and ended up competing at the state and national levels. Rodney and Bonnie said Austin was a smart kid who always did really well in school. They recently found a speech Austin had written for a leadership class in his junior year of high school where he mentioned wanting to serve in the Special Forces. "In my life, I want to live my life for others and be very selfless," Austin said in the letter. "In the future, I want to be in Special Forces. While this is dangerous, I want to protect our country. Sometimes I have a hard time focusing on other people before myself, and I'm trying to put people before myself more. I want to give everything for what I believe in no matter how difficult things get, I will always give everything." This past June, Austin was on his way to making his dreams of serving in the military reality. He headed to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training camp where he spent nearly 30 days learning the ins and outs of the U.S. Army. With early morning start times and fast-paced training scenarios, Austin soon formed unbreakable bonds with
A picture of Cadet Austin Salyer and an Army ROTC wreath are displayed during a celebration of life ceremony hosted by the Texas State Army ROTC and the military science department, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Performing Art Center’s Recital Hall. Salyer was killed on Sept. 16 after negligent gunfire struck through his room at The Lyndon apartments in San Marcos. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ
Fellow Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity brothers pay their final respects to Cadet Austin Salyer during a celebration of life ceremony hosted by the Texas State Army ROTC and the military science department, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Performing Art Center’s Recital Hall. Salyer was killed on Sept. 16 after negligent gunfire struck through his room at The Lyndon apartments in San Marcos. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ
PHOTO COURTESY OF SALYER FAMILY
those around him, especially with his bunkmate Scott Winchell. Unlike the majority of those at camp, Winchell came with several years of military experience. Winchell was familiar with the high-stress environment of basic training, as he completed it nearly eight years ago at Lackland in San Antonio. After previously serving in the Air Force and Auburn University's ROTC program, Winchell wanted to transition to the National Guard in Alabama but was required to complete basic training again. Coming to basic camp with years of military experience, Winchell served as a mentor for Austin and other members undergoing training for the first time. As a way to remember Austin and the memories from basic camp, Winchell had bracelets made once he heard Austin had died. Engraved on the bracelets are phrases that represent the backstories of Austin's time at camp. One of the phrases is "Remember the Alamo," a phrase, that Winchell said, brings a smile to everyone in
an only child. The two met at Cat Camp. They ended up living in San Marcos Hall their freshman year where Austin's room was one floor above and one room over from Trahan's. Just from meeting him, Trahan said he could tell Austin was a great person with a lot of potential. That first year at Texas State, Trahan said, Austin made so many friends. "I really never been around someone like that. Like the way that he was just someone that captured the attention of people. Someone that was just so positive and so caring," Trahan, a political science senior, said. "Austin just was so charismatic. People just looked at him and knew that he was a natural leader." That year, Austin and Trahan were inseparable. In the spring of 2020, they rushed and pledged to Alpha Sigma Phi-Theta lota. Because of the pandemic, their recruitment was paused until the following semester. Trahan and Austin spent the summer in San Marcos together as roommates where they got even closer. Trahan said they both had a lot in common and made each other better. They both desired to be better than the average person and wanted more out of their lives. "He was happy chasing greatness," Trahan said. "He didn't consider it hard work. It was just what he wanted to do. And it really kills me that not only me, but not only his family, not only our fraternity, but just everyone else won't be able to see who he would have become, because he would have been a brainiac. He would have been a hero. He would have been a complete rockstar. And he had nothing but love in his heart. He was just the best guy ever." The day Austin died was a monumental day for Alpha Sigma Phi. Trahan said seeing the support from his brothers was special and showed him the brotherhood he signed up for. "Seeing the way that everyone responded with Austin, made me really thankful that we chose to be a part of it," Trahan said. "I can't imagine like, how I would be dealing with this, if this would have happened and we would have just stayed doing our own thing." For Reagan Chester, a health science and military science sophomore, having Austin as a friend was one of the "best honors in the world." "Talking to Austin makes you feel special because he really focuses on what you say, he doesn't get distracted," Chester said. "He wants you to know that he's there to talk to you, to listen, to respond to you." Chester met Austin in ROTC earlier this spring. She said he loved physical training sessions and was always a support system for anyone who might have been falling behind, often running an extra mile or doing an additional 10 pushups to help motivate his peers. Nearly every night, Chester and Austin would play Call of Duty together. The last time they played was a few nights before Chester left for basic training camp. She said it's a weird feeling knowing they'll never have the chance to play again. Even with Austin gone, his positive attitude and encouraging spirit continue to impact those in Texas State's ROTC program. Roger Muzquiz, a criminal justice junior, recognizes Austin as someone who made the challenging times enjoyable. "Now that he's gone, I try to, I still try to carry those things on," Muzquiz said. "I try to look at everything on the brighter side of things."
the platoon. One night during a field training exercise, the platoon's base was jokingly raided by a group of recent advanced camp graduates. It was dead silent when Austin yelled "Remember the Alamo." "Everybody remembers him yelling that," Winchell said. "Out of all the chaos that was going on, and they just remember what was said. I thought it was hilarious." Winchell sent the bracelets to a few members from base camp and to Austin's parents. He said bracelets are a traditional way to remember anyone in the military who has died. "I just thought it would be the best way to carry him with us," Winchell said. "He deserves the full respect of any other person that commits any time to the army. He would have finished for sure." Being an only child, Rodney said Austin's involvement in ROTC and Alpha Sigma Phi-Theta lota helped fill the void of not having a sibling. One SEE AUSTIN SALYER PAGE 3 of Austin's best friends and fraternity brother, Cade Trahan, also grew up as
2 |Tuesday, November 30, 2021
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Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Arthur Fairchild starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Hannah Thompson staropinion@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Natalie Ryan starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Eryka Thompson starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Carly Koon starpodcast@txstate.edu
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Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu
The University Star
SENIOR -30-
In my opinion... By Hannah Thompson Opinion Editor In high school, I wanted to work in journalism. I joined what few clubs my school offered that pertained to this field, in efforts to gain experience and seem more appealing to universities. By the time I was a senior, I was the Editorin-Chief for the yearbook club, the head writer for my school’s news show and a director for my church’s broadcast streams. At the last minute, I decided to apply for Texas State and was accepted. Before I even started my first class, I signed up to be a multimedia reporter for The University Star. I don’t remember much about my interview with Jaden Edison, the multimedia editor at the time, but I do remember him asking me about my favorite movie. I told him that it was tied between Jurassic Park and Jaws. He then asked if I was a fan of Spielberg, in which I replied “yes,” because it seemed like a better interview answer than saying that I thought sharks, dinosaurs and moral dilemmas were cool. Talking photos for wild art and stories was fun, but I really enjoyed making weekly video content for the paper. When I was hired, both Jaden and Rebecca spent their afternoons to help teach me how to edit Quad Talk and The Star Rundown. As both video series were weekly, I spent many afternoons in the newsroom hanging out with reporters and editors while simultaneously getting frustrated with writing video captions by hand. After a while, I became the assistant multimedia editor and consequently the multimedia editor. Although the pandemic wouldn’t allow me to
Texas State history senior Hannah Thompson (bottom center) poses with the rest of the 202-21 editorial board for a group photo, May 2021, outside of Old Main. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN
conduct the one-on-one instruction I had once received to my own new hires, I tried to be around as much as I could virtually. When I look back at my time as multimedia editor, I’m proud of all the storytelling and creative work my staff produced. I imagined myself leading the team until I graduated, but life rarely unfolds the way one plans it. In fact, I never stayed in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Shortly after I finished my first semester at Texas State, I switched my major to history. Despite this shift, The Star, and more specifically the multimedia section, remained a constant in my life in college. This was the case, until I was offered the position for the opinion editor. The idea of being in charge of a writing
section was daunting, but I wanted to be able to help out wherever I was needed. It did take a bit to grow accustomed to my new role, but it was definitely worth it. I don’t think I would have been able to get to know those within the section as well as I do know, nor help contribute and edit some of our more impactful columns. As I wrap up my last semester, I can't help but feel so thankful. Thankful for all the friends I’ve made, staff members who trusted me for guidance and leadership, readers and community members who allowed me to share their stories and all the opportunities The Star has given me.
Putting the (lens) cap on my time at the star By Kate Connors Sports Reporter
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 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung. Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, November 30, 2021. 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 brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible. Visit The Star at universitystar.com
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To say The University Star has shaped my college experience is an understatement. I came to San Marcos as a timid freshman with hopes of just getting on the field to take pictures for one football game that season. Now I have been on that field for every home game, shot at almost all other sports, and traveled around the state and country for more games. Without this starting point and lessons that I gained in my time with the Star, I don’t think I could have gotten to where I am today. As a freshman coming in I was so eager to get into the world of college photography that I was emailing the editors before I even moved into the dorms. When I joined the Star, I was met with encouragement and support that was more than I ever could have imagined. From day one my editors were helping me realize what I could be in at the Star and in the mass communications field as a whole. I hope they know how much those words of encouragement meant to me and kept me going in times of doubt. I still remember the feeling of picking up the paper on Tuesday and seeing my photo in the sports section for the first time. Even after three and a half years I still get that same rush of excitement when I see my work in the paper and the
PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE CONNORS
product as a whole every week. Over my years not only was I was pushed to expand my photography skills but I was given the opportunity to cover games as a reporter to write recaps and create videos (shoutout to Sports Prez). The skills learned while doing those assignments are so valuable to my career and classes and made me more versatile overall. I am such a firm believer that The University Star will help you in so many ways and get you to where you want to be. Whenever a younger student asks me how to get involved with photography or reporting I direct them to the Star
without a second thought because I know what it did for me and what you can get out of it. Carrington, Jakob, Jaden, Claire, Aidan, Sumit, and everyone with whom I worked in both the multimedia and sports section - thank you. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, edited my stories, chosen my photos for print, and given me a place to belong while I was in college.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 | 3
The University Star
NEWS
News Editor Arthur Fairchild starnews@txstate.edu
FROM FRONT AUSTIN SALYER Muzquiz and Austin spent almost every day together. They had to report for physical training by 5:45 a.m. Tuesday thru Thursday and would bond over how tired they were. Muzquiz was also Austin's fraternity brother. For Muzquiz, Austin was someone he always wanted to be around. Not having Austin by his side, he said, has been the hardest. "It feels weird accomplishing without him, knowing that he will be like, literally side by side," Muzquiz. "The hardest part is accomplishing things knowing that he would be there to celebrate." Outside of school, Austin also had a community of friends at The Lyndon. Gilbert Delgado met Austin within the first few weeks of moving to the apartment complex this past summer. They introduced themselves yelling across their balconies one night and kicked off their friendship from there. Delgado said he and Austin made new friends together nearly every day. They spent the summer playing volleyball and hanging out by the pool. With just knowing Austin for a few months, Delgado said it is nearly unrealistic of how cool he was. "[Austin was] just an all-around good guy who kind of made you want to do better for yourself, just by seeing him do good," Delgado said. "I'll never forget him." Carlos Inman, an international relations junior, also moved to The Lyndon this past summer where he met Austin. At the time, Inman had recently gotten a divorce and did not really know many people in town besides his family. He spent two weeks straight at the pool alone when Austin approached him one
Cadet Roger Muzquiz, friend of Cadet Austin Salyer, shares some of the memories he had with him during a celebration of life ceremony hosted by the Texas State Army ROTC and the military science department, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Performing Art Center’s Recital Hall. Muzquiz said Salyer told him words he’d never forget: “No matter what you do, always do your work first before you go out to party.” Salyer was killed on Sept. 16 after negligent gunfire struck through his room at The Lyndon apartments in San Marcos.. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ
day and asked if he wanted to hang out. Inman gravitated toward Austin's positive and welcoming personality instantly. He said Austin did a lot for him mentally and treated him like a brother. "It's hard to put into words what kind of character he had," Inman said. "I feel like words don't do his character justice. He was just a very genuine human being ... he would literally give you the shirt off his back. He just took care of people. He made people smile. He was just a wonderful human being." While he understood the possibility
of dying in the line of service, Rodney said Austin was okay with that as long as he was serving others. For Austin to lose his life while trying to sleep is incredibly painful, he added. It was around midnight when Austin was struck by gunfire. His parents said he didn't die peacefully in his sleep and made it halfway through his apartment before collapsing to the ground. They say it makes them suffer knowing that Austin suffered. While processing their son's death has been one of the most challenging
experiences of their lives, Bonnie said telling his story and hearing how he impacted others has been therapeutic. "It was really hard at first, like the first day. We couldn't even talk, eat, we couldn't sleep, we really couldn't even function," Bonnie said. "As the days went by, right after it happened, just being able to tell his story and relive some of our memories with him and people tell us how he impacted their lives was tremendously helpful." At Austin's funeral service, his family asked those in attendance to come casual and in clothing that represented how they knew Austin. Members from Austin's clay target team in high school came dressed in their uniforms. His childhood soccer coach wore a t-shirt that had the painted handprints of the kids on the team. In lieu of flowers, Austin's parents have been requesting donations for the Spirit of a Hero charity, where funds will be going to Dan Licardo, an ex-Navy Seal who trained Austin on gun safety and how to fire a handgun. Licardo was in a car accident that left him with severe injuries, including losing both of his legs. Around 300 people attended Austin's service. While Bonnie and Rodney knew Austin had many friends and touched a lot of people in his life, they said it was incredible and overwhelming to see the crowd of people who showed up to honor their son. "He was our only child and we put everything into him," Rodney said. "He was the best of us together. He was just better, better than us."
4 |Tuesday, November 30, 2021
The University Star
Notice of Application for a Sand and Gravel Permit The City of San Marcos, Engineering and Capital Improvements Department has applied to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for an Individual Permit pursuant to Texas Parks and Wildlife Code chapter 86 to remove or disturb 200 cubic yards of sedimentary material within the Blanco River in Hays County. The purpose is to construct berms, flood walls, bank stabilization, and a relief channel to provide flood protection for homes, businesses, and city facilities along River Road and in Blanco Gardens. The location is approximately 175 feet downstream of the Old Martindale Road crossing and approximately 3.7 miles upstream of the Old Bastrop Road crossing. Notice is being published and mailed pursuant to Title 31 Texas Administrative Code section 69.105(b). Within 30 days of the receipt of an administratively complete application, TPWD will publish notice of a public comment hearing regarding the application in the Texas Register at least 20 days prior to the date of the public comment hearing. The hearing is not a contested case hearing under the Texas Administrative Procedure Act. Oral and written public comment will be accepted at the hearing. Written comments may also be submitted directly to TPWD and must be received no later than 30 days after the date of newspaper publication of this notice or the Texas Register notice publication, whichever is later. Submit written comments, questions, or requests to review the application to: Tom Heger, TPWD, by mail: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; fax 512-389-4405; or e-mail tom.heger@tpwd.texas.gov.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 | 5
The University Star
YEAR IN REVIEW JANUARY NEWS
NEWS
Pfizer vaccine shipment arrives in Hays County By Ricardo Delgado
Hays County has received “fewer than 2,000” doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, according to County Judge Ruben Becerra who addressed the public on Jan. 22 via Facebook Live. During the live stream, Becerra confirmed the arrival of “frozen solid” vaccines which will be distributed by the county on Jan. 25-26, as well as the opening of the registration portal for those doses at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. All slots for available vaccinations were filled in less than 30 minutes. The online portal encountered an
opening delay, which Becerra says was due to similar difficulties experienced by other government agencies during preregistration. Emergency Services Office Director Mike Jones says the current vaccine rollout would be for 1A and 1B groups, which includes those with at least one chronic health condition and those 65 or older. Jones also says the county is working on “mobile dispensing sites” for vaccinations and aims to make them accessible to those who are “mobility challenged.”
OPINION
Editorial: 'Makers of history': Remembering the words of MLK By Editorial Board This is one hell of a time for us to be here. The last time we had words printed in our newspaper was right before the beginning of the worst global health crisis in modern history, a catastrophe that has claimed the lives of too many in our world, country and community. Last summer, following the killing of George Floyd and ongoing racial injustice toward Black communities at the hands of police, protests took place throughout San Marcos and beyond with our sisters and brothers — including from Texas State — pleading for their lives to matter to the general population.
Then we transitioned to arguably the most polarizing election in American history, a process that fostered divisiveness in our communities before but certainly worsened after, leading to a vicious insurrection in the U.S. Capitol by a mob unhappy with the outcome of our democratic process. It was an event that led to the unnecessary deaths of five people and conveyed a stark contrast between how our country responds to marginalized communities seeking equality compared to those who are white, privileged and angry because something does not work in their favor — a reality members of our own organization have also benefited from.
PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH
Texas State welcomes new vice president for Student Affairs By Kiana Burks
Following an extensive national search and the December announcement of the new vice president for Student Affairs, Dr. Cynthia L. Hernandez has officially assumed her role as the individual tasked with overseeing and working toward student success at Texas State. Hernandez takes the place of Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, a professor of music education, who served as the university’s interim VPSA after Dr. Joanne Smith, the previous VPSA, retired last May. Hernandez has over 24 years of experience in Student Affairs, previously serving as VPSA from 2011-2015 and associate VPSA since 2016 at Texas A&M University. Hernandez says she has made it her mission to understand and empathize with students who are trying to navigate life throughout college. “I really have a calling and a heart and a passion for serving students and
helping students really learn and grow and develop and understand who they are through the collegiate experience,” Hernandez says. Although Hernandez was not actively looking to leave her previous home and position, she says she felt drawn to Texas State due to its reputation as an institution and for its students — who she believes can benefit from her expertise. “I was so attracted to what we're doing here and to how much this institution really helps educate our students to go out into the world and to be wonderful,” Hernandez says. "I'm attracted to the type of student that comes to Texas State. We have quite a large population of students who are the first in their families, and just knowing how much education meant to my family makes me want to be able to help other students who are the trailblazers in their families and getting that first degree.”
FEBRUARY NEWS
LIFE AND ARTS
Pandemic fatigue: Students battle exhaustion from new-found reality By Sarah Hernandez For nearly a year, social distancing rules and mask mandates have compromised the day-to-day leisure and comfort people are accustomed to. As cases of the virus fluctuate and the long-awaited vaccines are distributed, students are finding themselves burnt out from the nation's new way of life.
The World Health Organization defines pandemic fatigue as a "demotivation to follow recommended protective behaviors, emerging gradually over time and affected by a number of emotions, experiences and perceptions." Student Health Center Director Emilio Carranco says people experiencing pandemic fatigue have lost sight of the value of following prevention measures.
PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON
Emergency officials investigate house fire near Texas State By Jaden Edison, Brianna Benitez
San Marcos emergency personnel responded to a house fire that erupted at 421 Lindsey St. the morning of Feb. 22 and continue to investigate what led to the incident. First responders say everyone in the house is safe and has been accounted for “as far as we know”. The house, known as Sinai, is associated with Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO), a nation-wide Catholic organization. Other homes around the same residential area are also associated with SPO. Thomas Hammen, a resident of the home, says due to the recent winter storm, dehumidifiers were plugged in throughout the bottom portion of the home to assist with flood damages caused by a broken pipe. Thomas Hammen, a resident of the home, talks with members of Saint Paul’s Outreach near the area of Lindsey Street on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in San Marcos. The morning of Feb. 22, Hammen says, the house was engulfed in smoke and one of the bottom bedrooms was on fire. "Pretty much everything in the house was on fire in five minutes," Hammen says. "But everyone got outside safe
which is great but most of the guys lost pretty much everything." A GoFundMe has been organized to assist victims of the house fire who have lost items such as laptops, phones and clothing. Jesús Penaloza lives next door to the home and was a resident there last year. He says he woke up to someone banging on his door and was told to put on his shoes. When looking out the window, he says he saw the house next door on fire. He says the home was typically used to host the ministry's "men's night" where 40-50 men visited the home each week. The homes are also used for morning prayers along with household dinners on Tuesday and Thursday nights which allow residents to gain a sense of family and brotherhood, Penaloza says. Other members of Saint Paul's Outreach, who reside at the "women's house" known as "The Ark" a couple of houses over from Sinai, immediately left their homes to check on those directly impacted by the fire when they got word.
ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB HERNANDEZ
LIFE AND ARTS
Veteran who provided free seafood during winter storm: 'God put it in my heart' By Sofia Psolka A day after Winter Storm Uri hit Texas, local business owner, Shane Billiot, like most San Marcos residents, woke up to sheets of white snow along the streets of his neighborhood and no electricity in his home. Billiot immediately thought of his restaurant, OMG Seafood, located at 205 Moore St., which had pounds of live crawfish in its freezers and knew they would not survive for long. Scrolling through social media, Billiot noticed the pleas of hungry students
and San Marcos residents with no resources. He knew he had to help. On Feb. 16, Billiot took to Facebook to announce the opening of his restaurant and the surprise of free crawfish to the community. "Honestly, God put it in my heart. I knew I had gas still, so, with that, I knew I had a bunch of live crawfish that I didn't know how long would be alive without electricity," Billiot says. "So, God put it on my heart that I needed to boil them up and just give them away."
6 |Tuesday, November 30, 2021
The University Star
YEAR IN REVIEW NEWS
LIFE AND ARTS
Cold, frustrated, hungry: How the winter storm left residents in the dark, searching for answers By Brianna Benitez
PHOTO BY CRISTELA JONES
Black-owned beauty: The power of female entrepreneurship at Texas State By Cristela Jones From Madam C.J.Walker’s hair care products to Rihanna’s diverse Fenty makeup line, Black female entrepreneurs have played an enormous role in creating blueprints for Black-owned businesses to succeed. Benefitting from the work of trailblazing women who came before them, Black female entrepreneurs at Texas State continue to make their mark and build businesses to accommodate people of color on campus. Rya Russell, a health science senior and owner of Hair by Ry, says she began
SPORTS
braiding hair her freshman year as a way to make extra money while in school full time. “I didn’t want to get a regular job because I always stress myself out about school and my work, and I like to have everything organized,” Russell says. “So, I was like, maybe I should learn how to do hair, and I can create my own schedule.” Russell learned how to braid hair by watching YouTube videos and practicing with her friends until finally implementing her skills into her nowpopular business of specialty locks and braids.
OPINION
Editorial: Texas State fails Black students...again By The Editorial Board We are certain there are dozens of Black men on Texas State’s campus who fit such a description. Some are breadwinners. Some are on the academic Dean’s List viewable in the LBJ Student Center. Others are leaders on this campus actively working toward change for the better. But this past weekend, Texas State contributed to a different narrative when it sent out a Timely Warning, 'Your Right to Know' alert to the university community about a sexual assault
In the premature hours of Feb. 15, while experiencing rare snowfall in San Marcos that froze the windshields of vehicles, streets and kept people inside their homes, city officials alerted their residents that statewide power outages had begun and that they should anticipate periodic outages. The city told residents, like Alexis Schmidt, that power had already started returning “in about an hour or less,” and that if outages exceeded that time frame, they should reach out to the city’s electric utility unit via phone. "We called and called and called both The Village's office and the city of San Marcos and could not get an answer," says Schmidt, a Texas State alumna. Schmidt's inability to get a clear
response as to when power would be restored was a commonality shared among residents throughout the city. The lack of clarity built up a sense of frustration as hours turned into days without power and the frigid outdoor temperatures began creeping into homes. According to a FAQ by the City of San Marcos, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which provides power to more than 75% of the state, indicated Texas would experience rolling outages due to an interruption of electricity on the electric grid, the network that delivers electricity from energy producers to consumers. Instead of the anticipated shorter rolling outages, however, the city experienced electric outages that lasted for days.
Men’s basketball clinches Sun Belt title with win over ULM By Aidan Bea
Texas State men’s basketball (17-6 overall, 11-3 Sun Belt) defeated the University of Louisiana at Monroe 5849 to clinch the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title on Feb. 26. This is the Bobcats' third regularseason title and their first since entering the Sun Belt. Texas State was without Interim Head Coach Terrence “TJ” Johnson for the second straight game due to COVID-19 protocols. In his place, Associate Head Coach Bennie Seltzer was at the helm and after the game shared some words
on Johnson’s behalf. “I just want to say how proud Coach Johnson is of this team,” Seltzer says. “All the things that they’ve gone through this past year has been unprecedented, to say the least. These young men were never wavering on how hard they worked, how close they were and how connected they were. It was such a pleasure to be around these guys, to coach these guys. Every single day they brought it.” Seltzer believes the group's unity and perseverance through adversity are what allowed them to arrive at this point.
suspect for an alleged incident that took place in a residence hall. To be clear: We have no problem with Texas State sending the alert with the intention of telling the community to “take precautions to not become victims," as Police Chief Laurie Clouse says. The alleged incident was valuable information to the community, and Texas State made the right call by sending out the alert. Sexual assault, no matter the perpetrator’s race or ethnicity, is a serious matter that should always receive attention.
PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS
MARCH NEWS
OPINION
Opinion: Atlanta shootings highlight racism misunderstanding ByThe Editorial Board It feels like it was just yesterday when our Editorial Board wrote an opinion condemning silence when injustice, in any capacity, takes place against marginalized communities. That editorial was written in response to the killing of George Floyd and the protests across the nation, including our local community. 10 months later, we find ourselves deeply saddened by the recent spa shootings in Atlanta, which resulted in the deaths of eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent.Since the March 16 killings, we have witnessed it all. Law enforcement has come out and
publicly stated that the shooting suspect was just having “a really bad day.” The suspect told officers that he committed those vicious acts to fight his sexual addiction. Asian communities, subject to a history of racism and xenophobia in this country only enhanced by the COVID-19 pandemic, are in pain. As we made clear in late May, we believe silence is compliance. We stand with those directly impacted by the massacre in Atlanta. Further, we condemn the hateful actions, rhetoric and white supremacy that led to them — actions that continue to place Asian communities in danger.
NEWS
Police extradite suspect in killing of Texas State student-athlete By Staff
Police have extradited a suspect in the killing of a Texas State student-athlete to Hays County from Travis County following a Feb. 25 arrest. Christopher Lee Williams Jr., 19, was booked into the Hays County Jail on Feb. 26 after the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force made the arrest in Travis County with no incident. He is charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Tampering/Fabrication of Physical
Evidence. Williams Jr.'s charges are in connection to the killing of Khambrail Winters, a 20-year-old sophomore criminal justice major and defensive back for the Texas State football team. Police responded on Nov. 24 to reports of gunshots and people fleeing from The Lodge apartments, located at 1975 Aquarena Springs Dr. When officers arrived, they found Winters with a gunshot wound to the chest and immediately began lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful.
PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH
Texas State community reacts to first vaccine distribution event By Tatiana Torres Texas State has received 300 doses of thA year after Texas State announced the extension of spring break 2020 and the transition to remote learning in response to growing concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of students, faculty and staff were vaccinated at the university's first COVID-19 vaccination event on March 12. The vaccine distribution was organized in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom where many exited with cheers and even exchanged hugs after receiving their vaccine.
Texas State groundskeeper David Sanchez says he is grateful the university offered him the vaccine after numerous failed attempts to secure a vaccination appointment elsewhere. “You know I have my fair share of health problems, and I’m just trying to do what I can to keep myself, family and colleagues safe,” Sanchez says. Student Health Center Director Emilio Carranco says this initial allocation round focused on individuals who exhibit a greater health risk than others.
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The University Star
YEAR IN REVIEW SPORTS
LIFE AND ARTS
‘A symbol of the people:’ San Marcos to be named mermaid capital of Texas By Andie Mau
STAR FILE PHOTO
Texas State names Terrence Johnson men's basketball head coach By Sumit Nagar Following a season where he led the team to its first regular-season conference title since 1999, Texas State has officially named Terrence Johnson as head men's basketball coach. Johnson, also named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, assumed duties as interim head coach following the resignation of former Head Coach Danny Kaspar after he
was accused of making racist remarks to former players. The team finished 18-7 (12-3 Sun Belt) and entered the Sun Belt tournament as the first seed in the West Division before losing in overtime to Appalachian State on March 6. "I don't know that there's a group of guys I could have done this with than the ones who are in this locker room," Johnson says in a press conference announcing his official head coach title.
The mermaid has been the unofficial mascot of San Marcos for decades, inspiring the town’s art, conservation and education scenes. In March, the state legislature worked to make the city's mermaid roots official. A designation to make San Marcos the mermaid capital of Texas was voted on by Texas representatives in March. The official arrival of the title is long-awaited by many San Marcos natives, given the influence the mythical creature has had on the community. "It's not official yet; it is on its way," said July Moreno, founder of the nonprofit Mermaid Society of Texas which seeks to unite the San Marcos community by celebrating arts, culture, heritage and fostering river guardianship. In 2019, after unanimous approval
from the San Marcos City Council and Texas Senate, the Texas House of Representatives ran out of time in the legislative session to vote on the designation. "So it's back in their hands again to move it forward, but now we have so much more time to get it through. So we have no reason to believe that it's not going to happen," Moreno said. Moreno was born and raised in San Marcos and has lived in the city for over 50 years. As a long-term resident, she has witnessed how San Marcos has grown and changed throughout the years. "There was this construction going on in San Marcos and big plans of big changes," Moreno says. "What if we just become something entirely brand new, and everything was washed from the history of who we were and what we were about?"
NEWS
Texas State receives Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer vaccines By Staff
Texas State has received 300 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, according to a university email by Student Health Center Director Emilio Carranco. A vaccination event will be held in the
LBJ Student Center Grand Ballroom on March 12. Faculty, staff and students eligible for vaccination, based on the Texas Department of State Health Services guidelines, will be contacted via email and provided a vaccine registration link.
PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS
APRIL NEWS
LIFE AND ARTS
‘Texas State is not an exception’: Asian students reflect on lack of campus representation, inclusion By Sarah Hernandez and Timia Cobb Heather Tran was walking near the Square when she was confronted by three male students pulling at their eyelids to mock her monolid eye shape. While being mocked and told “This is what white privilege looks like,” Tran got an unnerving feeling and the reassurance that racism was not a hallucination.
Tran, a business freshman, is one of the few Asian students who attend Texas State. While the university identifies as a majority-minority institution, its Asian student population represents less than 3% of overall students. Being a part of this minority population has made some Asian students feel overlooked or like they are the university's "token" students viewed merely as racial statistics.
OPINION
Opinion: Texas State must support its transgender community By Valeria Torrealba Texas State is home to just about 38,000 students, all of whom come from different demographics and cultures. Undoubtedly, the LGBTQIA+ community— specifically, the transgender community — feels targeted at the hands of the lawmakers as they invalidate the legitimacy of its existence. A person’s gender should not be tied to their successes, much less be scrutinized under the public eye and excluded under the basis of healthcare. Texas State must
acknowledge these discriminatory acts and provide more support — support that surpasses ally training — for its transgender students. Should legislation barring transgender students from competing in their respective sports be passed, transgender student-athletes at Texas State would lose their ability to compete and pursue their sports — in other words, all of their training efforts would be disregarded simply because of their gender.
NEWS
SMCISD Rattlers return to in-person classes By Timia Cobb As part of its Rattler Reopening Plan, the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD) fully opened its campuses allowing students to return to in-person classes on April 12. According to SMCISD Executive
Director of Communications and Community Relations Andrew Fernandez, students returned to campus for the district's last six weeks to gain an understanding of what next fall will be like and so SMCISD staff could provide encouragement to students before the summer break.
PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON
San Marcos remembers officer killed in line of duty one year later By Jaden Edison During the early hours of Dec. 4, 2017, Justin Putnam was finishing his shift at the San Marcos Police Department when Kenneth Copeland entered the briefing room he was in. In preparation for his day shift, Copeland, a veteran of the department, asked Justin Putnam to change the battery in his radio. Copeland proceeded
to firmly shake Justin Putnam's hand, as he always did when the two crossed paths, and asked him how he was doing. "I gave [Copeland] the standardized reply of 'great but tired,'" Justin Putnam later types in a Microsoft Word document discovered by his loved ones. "We laughed and went our separate ways with his police radio fully charged. Ken shook my hand with sincerity; I shook his hand out of routine."
MULTIMEDIA
(Photo Gallery) The Protest Against Police Murder
NEWS
Texas State announces fall return to in-person classes and activities By Staff
In a campus-wide email, Texas State President Denise Trauth informed the university community in-person classes and activities are expected to return by the fall semester.
A virtual town hall is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 20 to allow the campus community to share any questions or concerns with the return to in-person campus life. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN
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The University Star
YEAR IN REVIEW MAY NEWS
SPORTS
Hays County lifts mask requirement for fully vaccinated citizens By Staff As of May 13, Hays County has authorized fully vaccinated individuals to resume activities without the need for facial coverings or social distancing. This authorization comes after the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on the use of masks which states those who are fully vaccinated are no longer encouraged to wear face masks. Federal, state, local tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations, such as local businesses and workplace guidance can still enforce the use of facial coverings.
NEWS
Texas State lifts mask mandate in response to Gov. Abbott's executive order By Staff Texas State has lifted its mask mandate, effective immediately, following Gov. Greg Abbott's Executive Order No. GA36.
In a campus-wide email from University President Denise Trauth, Trauth states masks are no longer required for students, faculty, staff and visitors at any university facility or event, indoors or outdoors at the university.
NEWS
UPDATE: Search for missing Texas State student continues, family offers $10,000 reward By Brianna Benitez, Gabriella Ybarra The friends and family of missing Texas State student Jason Landry are offering a $10,000 reward for his location and return. Landry has been missing since Dec. 13, 2020. A valid claim for the reward will be accepted until Aug. 1, according to a post on the Missing Person - Jason Landry Facebook page. Those with information on Landry's whereabouts can contact Abel Pena at 210-954-1476. An anonymous line is available at 726-777-1359.
COURTESY OF THE LANDRY FAMILY
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYA HINEBAUGH
First female quidditch captain in decade rebuilds team, drives diversity By Aidan Bea Maya Hinebaugh was elected captain of the Texas State quidditch team in April, becoming the team's first female captain in a decade. With the fall season just months away, she begins her work to rebuild the team after setbacks brought by COVID-19 and continues to drive diversity within the organization. “I would really like to be remembered for bringing our team back, especially after COVID,” Hinebaugh, a history and communication studies senior, says. “I’d like to be remembered for keeping the organization alive and healthy. It doesn't matter right now, but in four years people are going to be like, ‘They all learned under Maya.’ That would be kind of cool. I want all of these people to learn and stay in the community… I want them to have the same experience I did.”
Hinebaugh joined the team in 2017, during her first year at Texas State after being introduced to the sport at New Student Orientation. With her childhood spent playing softball and practicing gymnastics, she looked for a way to maintain her athletic drive in college. “I’ve always been involved with sports,” Hinebaugh says. “I wanted a more competitive and more physical outlet, so I signed up, and I tried out. [Quidditch] was way more intense and competitive than I thought. I fell in love.” Hinebaugh describes herself as a utility player, meaning she plays multiple positions, but mainly plays as a beater, throwing “dodgeballs” at opposing players to temporarily take them out of play.
JUNE SPORTS
NEWS
UPD Chief of Police Laurie Clouse resigns first female chief of police.
By Staff
University Police Department Chief of Police and Director Laurie Clouse has resigned, according to a statement from Vice President for Finance and Support Services Eric Algoe. Clouse has held her position since February 2019 and was the university's
UPD Captain James Dixon will serve as interim chief of police until a permanent replacement is hired, following a national search for the position. Dixon has served over 23 years in the Austin Police Department.
LIFE AND ARTS
PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS
Texas State track and field athlete dies after car accident By Staff
Texas State's Athletic Department has confirmed senior track and field athlete Jaylen Allen has died following a car accident the morning of June 1. Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jody Steward says in a department press release the university's track and field team is deeply saddened by the death of their teammate and friend, Allen. “We will stand together and support one another during this very difficult time," Steward says. "Our thoughts and condolences are with Jaylen’s family and
loved ones.” Allen was a graduate of Allen High School in Allen, Texas where he earned the title of Male Track Athlete of the Year after finishing in the 100-meters at the 2017 UIL Class 6A State Championships. He was also one of the nation's top 14 sprinters in the 200-meters and one of the top seven 200-meter sprinters in Texas. Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director Don Coryell says in the statement the department's sympathies go to Allen's family, loved ones, teammates and coaches.
SPORTS
Texas Skate Forever: Remembering the "skate dad" of San Marcos By Aidan Bea
On a humid June night, people of all ages and walks of life gathered in a backyard on Arizona Street for the premiere of “FOREVER,” a video created to celebrate the life of local skating legend Cody Hobbs and his iconic skate shop, Texas Skate. The tone of the premiere was one of somber celebration. A mix of Cody's friends, family, acquaintances and even
those who only knew Cody in passing, spent the night swapping stories, skateboarding, sipping drinks and enjoying one another’s company. Cody, the “skate dad” of San Marcos, passed away in January 2020; his shop closed shortly after in March. Even a year later, the story of Cody's life and Texas Skate leave behind continues to have lasting effects on the community.
PHOTO BY HANNAH THOMPSON
Calaboose Museum celebrates Juneteenth with official reopening By Timia Cobb After a 16-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Calaboose African American History Museum celebrated Juneteenth by showcasing its exhibit, “100 Years of Black Businesses”. Dr. Leonard Moore, vice president for diversity and community engagement and the George Littlefield professor of American history at the University of Texas-Austin, kicked off the celebration with, "Juneteenth and the Spirit of Black Self-Reliance", a speech illustrating the progression Black people made after learning they were no longer enslaved on June 19, 1865.
In his speech, Moore explained after their enslavement, Black people built homes and educational institutions and reunited families that had been separated due to slave selling. He says celebrating Juneteenth not only remembers and celebrates the end of enslavement but how Black people became successful and have succeeded since then. "Black history, it's so central to U.S. history," Moore says. "I think our DNA, our blood is in a brick and mortar of this country. So, it's always good to come out to celebrate something like, you know, Emancipation Day."
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YEAR IN REVIEW JULY
SPORTS
LIFE AND ARTS
Community paints history through mural honoring local Latinx leaders and activists By Sarah Hernandez With buckets of paint and an eagerness to preserve the history of San Marcos, Mano Amiga, a local grassroots organization, created a mural in honor of local Latinx leaders who advocated for the city's Latinx and low-income populations. Mano Amiga began the mural's
planning process in April when it reached out to the Council for the Indigenous and Tejano Community (CITC) for a list of local historical leaders that could be featured in the mural. Donations from the San Marcos Art Commission, the Poetry Foundation and the Texas State Center for the Study of the Southwest helped fund the project.
OPINION
Opinion: Juneteenth is a day to remember strength, not just celebration By Jacklynn Broussard
Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. While the historic day is now recognized as a federal holiday, not all Americans know about the significance of Juneteenth, and if they do, they may not be aware of the importance it holds to the African American community. Juneteenth acknowledges the strength slaves endured from start to end — the same strength that is displayed at every march, sit-in and protest. The holiday acknowledges June 19, 1865, the day
when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War ended and those enslaved in Texas were now free. This was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. While the proclamation may not have necessarily freed all slaves at that particular time and place, as it only applied to states under Confederate control, it did kick start change.
PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS
Student football coach breaks the sport's gender norms By Kate Connors After just one year of interning as a student equipment manager for Texas State football, Jada Gipson runs a touchdown into an assistant inside linebackers student coach position, and a chance to pursue her passion: a career in the football industry. Despite her interest in coaching, the prospects of a job in the field felt slim to none, at first, due to the lack of women coaching in both collegiate and professional football. Before Jada Gipson, a general studies major, stepped on, even Texas State's coaching staff was made up of solely male coaches.
“[Coaching] was something that I always wanted to do but didn’t know was possible at the time,” Jada Gipson says. “I didn’t really see a lot of women in football till my sophomore year of college when there were four women coaches in the NFL.” Sports have always been a large part of Jada Gipson’s life. Her father played basketball at Baylor University and her brother, Jaylen Gipson, played quarterback for Texas State. Jaylen Gipson has acknowledged his sister's struggles surrounding being a woman in the football industry but says she's unfazed by the challenge.
NEWS
Fight for accountability continues with community protest for Jennifer Miller By Timia Cobb
ILLUSTRATION BY ASIA ALCALA
SPORTS
Coryell named next Director of Athletics By Sumit Nagar According to an email from President Denise Trauth, Don Coryell, executive senior associate athletics director external operations, will officially take over as the next Director of Athletics on Sept. 1. As announced on April 29, current Director of Athletics Larry Teis will step down on Aug. 31. Coryell was originally slated to become the Interim Director of Athletics, but Trauth stated in her email that after extra consideration, he was the right fit. “I have received excellent
Pamela Watts and community members gathered at San Marcos City Hall on July 21, continuing to demand accountability for the death of Jennifer Miller, who died after a car wreck involving off-duty San Marcos police
officer Sgt. Ryan Hartman. The wreck occurred on June 10, 2020. More than a year after the incident, Watts, Miller's partner, continues to seek justice for Miller and asks for the termination of Hartman from his position within the San Marcos Police Department.
feedback, both internally and externally, about Mr. Coryell’s tremendous work ethic, extensive experience, and servant leadership style,” Trauth says. “I have personally observed his commitment to supporting our studentathletes in reaching their full potential in academics and in their physical and mental well-being. He is dedicated to supporting our coaches, and is already developing plans to achieve athletic excellence for all our sports; create an exciting and fun atmosphere for our students, fans, and alumni at all athletic events; and strengthen relationships with donors, fans, and our university community.”
PHOTO BY BRIANNA BENITEZ
August NEWS
SPORTS
Hope, concern and nostalgia: Bobcats return to campus for first day of class By Timia Cobb Returning to campus on the first day of school was a rush of nostalgia for Brittney McKinney. After spending the last 17 months settling for a virtual learning experience in a world of social distancing, McKinney, a music senior, was overjoyed to experience the back-to-school bustle on her last first day at Texas State.
PHOTO BY AIDAN BEA
Former Bobcat Donte Mathis named new assistant men’s basketball coach By Sumit Nagar Texas State men’s basketball will add former guard Donte Mathis to its coaching staff, according to an Aug. 27 announcement. From 1995-99, Mathis lettered all four seasons and made the AllSouthland Conference team three times. As a senior in 1999, he was named the Southland Conference Player of Year
PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN
NEWS
Judge Becerra issues mask mandate for K-12 public schools in Hays County
while also leading the Bobcats to win the Southland Conference Championship. Mathis has the fourth-most points (1,622) and steals (161) in program history. In 2020, he was inducted By Staff into the school’s Athletic Alumni T-Association Hall of Honor. As COVID-19 cases rise in the Mathis went on to play 13 years of county and state, Hays County Judge professional basketball in Europe. Ruben Becerra issued an executive order mandating face masks for all K-12
public schools in the county. The order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 15 and will continue to be enforced until modified or terminated by the judge. ”
10 |Tuesday, November 30, 2021
The University Star
YEAR IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER LIFE AND ARTS
NEWS
Mermaids plunge into San Marcos at annual Mermaid Promenade By Sarah Hernandez
Community members and mermaidlovers gathered in downtown San Marcos on Saturday, Sept. 25 to celebrate the city's arts, culture, heritage and its biggest point of pride, the San Marcos River, at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade and Downtown Street Faire. The Mermaid Society of Texas, a San Marcos-based organization with a mission to advocate for the river,
celebrate the arts and promote heritage and diversity, has hosted the Mermaid Fest to represent the best of San Marcos since 2016. Mermaids, music and cheers from parade-goers filled the streets of The Square at the event's kickoff with the Mermaid Promenade. Following the parade, food vendors, small businesses and live music took up LBJ Drive and the Hays County Courthouse lawn for the Downtown Street Faire.
PHOTO BY MADELYN WEIRICH
Student activists protest Texas abortion law at state Capitol also applies to individuals who are impregnated from rape or incest, but there is an exception for medical emergencies. In addition to banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, the bill allows individuals to sue medical offices or anyone who assists in helping someone obtain an abortion passed the six-week period. Inspired by the mobility of pro-choice supporters across Texas and angered by what felt like a grab for her individual rights, Belcher, a pre-nursing freshman, organized a rally to protest the passing of the bill. “I’m protesting for the safe and legal access to abortion,” Belcher said. “How can you say, ‘my body, my choice’ when it comes to issues like public health and COVID, and then take away women's rights to choose?”
By Madelyn Weirich
Riley Belcher sat among somber faces and silence in the center of the Texas Capitol. She, along with other demonstrators, surrounded the inside and outside steps of the building with decorated posters, protesting the passing of Texas Senate PHOTO BY RASIKA GASTI Bill 8, one of the nation’s strictest antiabortion laws. The bill was approved by Gov. Greg Abbott in May and went into OPINION effect on Sept. 1. The bill, also known as the "Heartbeat Bill," prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected during an ultrasound. This usually occurs between five to six weeks after pregnancy, which By Jacklynn Broussard to completely erasing all traces of past is before some people even know they're racial issues in America, more specifi- pregnant. House Bill 2497 was signed into law cally Texas. We live in a climate where The circumstances of the bill by Gov. Greg Abbott on July 7, creating race and ethnicity have been at the foreThe 1836 Project. The purpose of this front of everything that happens. Just in MULTMEDIA law aims to promote the teachings of 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes increased state patriotism, but at the cost of limit- by 150%. In 2019, a Texas man was ing the discussion of critical race theo- charged with federal hate crime offenses ries in classrooms and in public spaces. for a mass shooting that killed 22 people The newly passed law, which was after saying the attack was "a response to filed and created by Rep. Tan Parker the Hispanic invasion of Texas. " District 63, seems like the final push
Opinion: The 1836 Project erases the history of communities of color
(Photo Gallery) 9/11 - 20 Year Remembrance Ceremony
PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO
ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE
OCTOBER NEWS
LIFE AND ARTS
Local experts call for environmental change following extinction of Gambusia By Arthur Fairchild The San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia georgei ) has not been seen since 1983. After decades of failed searches for the fish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined the San Marcos gambusia to be extinct, along with 22 other species. With the proposed extinction of the native San Marcos fish, local experts are calling for an increase in
habitat protection and environmental accountability from residents. The San Marcos gambusia was usually less than 1.6 inches in length and had a dark stripe alongside the dorsal fin. The species was only found in the San Marcos River and was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1980 due to the impacts of pollution, bottom plowing (a farming method where subsoil is brought to the top and buries the previous top layer), vegetation cutting and population decline. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ
San Marcos Indigenous community preserves culture, history in art gallery By Sarah Hernandez Planted on the walls of San Marcos' Price Center is a collection of personal items, photographs of Indigenous dancers, handmade beaded jewelry and original artwork honoring the Indigenous roots of San Marcos. The collection is part of "Napakō:
Our Journey," an exhibit curated by and for the San Marcos Indigenous Cultures Institute (ICI), an organization founded in 2006 by the Miakan-Garza Band. The ICI aims to preserve and reclaim the cultures and histories of Indigenous communities and people native to Texas and Northern Mexico.
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YEAR IN REVIEW NEWS
NEWS
Opinion: We still need heroes By Hannah Thompson In the heart of San Marcos, and especially at Texas State, it’s hard to go about your day without seeing something related to Lyndon B. Johnson. You might go purchase a textbook at the bookstore inside the LBJ Student Center, walk by his statue near Flowers Hall, find yourself on North LBJ Drive or you might even live at The Lyndon. After all, why wouldn’t Texas State and San Marcos be excited to honor him? Because of LBJ, Texas State is the only university in Texas with a U.S. vice president or president as an alum. LBJ, like George Strait, is a well known alum to students at Texas State.
Star Stories: True Stories of Life at TXST 2021 By Staff
ILLUSTRATION BY THEO JANUSKI
On Oct. 19 2021, The University Star hosted “Star Stories: True Stories of Life at TXST," a live event featuring true personal narratives from four amazing storytellers that reveal the greatest
challenges and opportunities of the Texas State and San Marcos communities. The goal of the event was to open dialogue among diverse groups while assigning value to first-person narratives.
NOVEMBER LIFE AND ARTS
NEWS
San Marcos elects Gleason, Prather to City Council By Staff
According to complete Hays County election results, Mark Gleason and Jude Prather have been elected for San Marcos City Council positions. Along with City Council positions,
San Marcos voters approved a variety of city charter amendments. The county reported official results as of 5:44 p.m. on Nov. 8. Only 12.20% (18,937 of 155,158) of registered voters in Hays County cast ballots this election.
NEWS
Texas State names new UPD chief following nation-wide search By Staff SCREENSHOT BY SARAH HERNANDEZ
Michelle Obama talks leadership, selfcare in Common Experience panel By Sarah Hernandez As a part of Texas State's First-Gen Week, in partnership with universities and colleges across the country, Common Experience hosted a virtual live stream starring writer, lawyer and former First Lady of the U.S. Michelle Obama on Tuesday, Nov. 9. A group of select students from across the nation represented their universities and participated in a Q&A session with Obama. Mckayla Maldonado, an exploratory professional freshman, represented Texas State at the event. She was selected from a pool of applicants of first year, first-gen students at Texas State and was one of 14 students on the panel.
The event, "Becoming: Michelle Obama in Conversation," was moderated by actress, model and activist Yara Shahidi. Obama also discussed her memoir "Becoming" and heard from the students about their college experiences. Sponsored by the Texas State University Lecture Series, University College, Common Experience and First Gen Proud, the event began with an introduction by Shahidi in which she presented Obama and her New York Times bestseller "Becoming." The introduction led to conversations on how students can honor their identities, communities and passions as they discover their individual paths.
NEWS
Texas State student faces federal charges after allegedly setting fire to Austin synagogue By Staff Trigger warning: This article features discussion of anti-Semitic acts. A Texas State student was federally charged with arson after allegedly setting an intentional fire at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Austin, according to U.S. District Court records. Austin Fire Department Arson investigators deemed the fire was intentionally set around 9 p.m. on Oct. 31. Franklin Barrett Sechriest, the 18-year-old charged with the crime, is a criminal justice freshman at Texas State. The FBI was authorized to search and seizure Sechriest's San Marcos residence and vehicle on Nov. 10. The report states investigators found a credit card with the same account number as a card used at a sporting goods store in Buda, Texas to purchase a five-gallon VP Racing Fuel utility jug. After searching the vehicle, investigators say they recovered three glass bottles, three bottles of lighter fluid, a lighter and an orange stormproof match case with matches. Investigators also found three anti-Semitic stickers in the vehicle.
Texas State has selected Matthew Carmichael as the next director and chief of the University Police Department. Carmichael will assume the position on Jan. 10, 2022. He joins Texas State's UPD following the June 2021 resignation of Chief Laurie Clouseand Captain James Dixon's interim term. Carmichael has 37 years of law enforcement experience, with 19 years of experience leading university police departments. He has served as the chief of police at the University of Oregon
since 2016 . Prior to his role at the University of Oregon, Carmichael led the University of California, Davis' police department between November 2011 to September 2016. He joined UC Davis in 2002 as a lieutenant. Carmichael began his law enforcement career in 1985 at the Pinole Police Department in Pinole, California. He graduated from Union Institute & University with a bachelor's in criminal justice management. Carmichael holds an associate's degree in administration of justice from Napa Valley College.
NEWS
Texas State purchases $2.9 million residence for next university president By Staff A $2.9 million residence in San Marcos' Spring Lake Hills neighborhood will serve as the home for Texas State's next university president. The university announced Monday the property was purchased using unrestricted institutional reserves under the approval of Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall. The new property, located at 103 W. Laurel Lane, sits on 2.7 acres and is less than one mile from campus. Texas State will take occupancy of the home in March 2022. Current university president Denise Trauth will continue to reside at the president's
house on campus until she retires in May 2022. According to Texas State, the purchase will allow the university to make better use of the location where the current president's house is located on the San Marcos campus. The university's 2017-2027 University Master Plan recommends the site be used for academic or research facilities. “With a presidential transition underway, and in light of the university’s need for additional academic and research space on campus, this was a unique opportunity to acquire a residence that will serve the university for decades to come,” McCall said in a statement.
LIFE AND ARTS
Students overcome obstacles in Texas State’s first Korean-translated play By Ava Domenichelli
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT
A blood-stained stairway, boardedup windows and yellow dust filled the Theatre Center Mainstage as actors crawled out from underneath to start the production of "Yellow Inn." Credited as the first Korean-translated production at Texas State, "Yellow Inn," was directed by professor Yong-Suk Yoo. The play ran from Oct. 26-31 and demonstrated themes of generational differences such as rich versus poor and the delicate balance of life through dark comedic language.
In "Yellow Inn," Yoo blended Asian theater with a western touch to diversify American culture. In the three-act play, three sisters own and manage a dangerous and deadly hotel, the Yellow Inn, where guests spend the last night of their lives. "I want to describe myself a transdisciplinary director, but my main goal has been stage directing. I hope to integrate Korean performance with western," Yoo said. "Introducing a Korean or Asian cast to an American audience with something like 'Yellow Inn.'"