February 1,2022 by The University Star

TUESDAY

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 17

www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Housing Lottery opens for students hoping to continue living on campus

Texas State community reflects on seasonal depression

Students turn invasive river species into menstrual pads

Opinion: Texas State needs more drug addiction prevention resources

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Final artwork for"What Boys Do" by Robert Paul. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINE ENDERLE

Professor challenges gender roles with children's book

girls and women, and one of the reasons I wrote this book is that I haven't seen similar opportunities for boys, so I wanted to contribute to that conversation." A Texas State psychology professor is knocking Throughout the book, boys learn to honor their down gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity true selves through self-discovery and the freedom through "What Boys Do," his latest children's to choose and explore their own interests. All the book inspired by his own personal experiences and while, readers can participate in an inclusive reading previous knowledge on gender role strain. environment and experience inclusive artwork Jon Lasser, who's been teaching at Texas State since that displays all types of boys with all types of 2001, published "What Boys Do" in November personalities. 2021. He said the purpose of In Lasser's author's the book is to promote mental note, readers can find wellness among children and explanations on ways to challenge the roles placed on boys I WANT ALL KIDS work toward reducing from a young age. gender norms. Examples “I’ve always been interested in include how to support WHO READ THE gender roles and wanted to write boys' goals and interests something for little boys to show and ways to practice BOOK TO KNOW them that they had a wider range unconditional positive of possibilities than traditional regard for boys. THAT THERE ARE masculine stereotypes," Lasser “I want all kids who read said. the book to know that there THINGS THEY CAN DO TO "What Boys Do" is Lasser's are things they can do to fourth children's book with PROMOTE THEIR WELLNESS promote their wellness … the American Psychological by showing others they are Association (APA). Children's free to be who they want to … BY SHOWING OTHERS books are published through APA be," Lasser said. under Magination Press, which Although the topic of THEY ARE FREE TO BE WHO focuses on spreading psychological "What Boys Do" remained knowledge and helping kids the same throughout THEY WANT TO BE," through literature. its production process, Lasser's other books include the book itself took on - JON LASSER, AUTHOR OF numerous forms before its "Grow Grateful," "Grow Kind" "WHAT BOYS DO" and "Grow Happy." All of Lasser's finalized version. Kristine books were co-written with his Enderle, the book's editor, daughter Sage Foster-Lasser. The said the writing and editing books prior to "What Boys Do" are a mini-series process was grueling, as the book took different focused on a character named Kiko. shapes throughout the publishing process which Writing his previous books gave him the idea to spanned two years. branch out and write a book focused on gender "The title changed over the course of the book," stereotypes, toxic masculinity and gender role Enderle said. "It was 'All Boys' and then it was 'Some strain, which is the uncomfortable feeling humans Boys' and then it was 'What Boys Do.' We just kept experience when conforming to gender role kind of like massaging that a little bit to make sure expectations. we were being inclusive and also representing a According to Lasser, gender roles and toxic whole range of boy-ness." masculinity have become universal and inescapable Different characters, plots and titles were thrown components of society. They are embedded in many into the writing and editing process before the final aspects of people's lives, prompting Lasser's goal to manuscript was completed. The project took several challenge these topics in "What Boys Do." years and proved to be a challenge for both Lasser "I think that a lot of people, who have very good and Enderle as the story contained broad topics that intentions, assume that little boys want to play with were at times heavy to write about. trucks and sports equipment ... and rarely do they Robert Paul was selected to illustrate "What Boys stop to wonder 'What does this boy like? What are his Do." He has 15 years of illustrating experience and has interests?'," Lasser said. "The feminist movement has SEE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE PAGE 4 done a wonderful job of expanding opportunities for By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Contributor

POLICY

Activists petition to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos By Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu San Marcos-based activist groups Caldwell/Hays Examiner and Mano Amiga are working together to decriminalize marijuana in the city. This month, the groups will collect signatures at Texas State in hopes of securing the ordinance on the November 2022 ballot. The groups began collecting signatures in December of last year but need at least 10% of registered voters in San Marcos to sign the petition before the ordinance can secure a position on the ballot. About 900 signatures of the 4,400 necessary signatures have been collected so far. The groups have campaigned across San Marcos at locations such as The Square, flea markets and outside of grocery stores. Samantha Benavides, communications director at Mano Amiga, said the petition to decriminalize marijuana is expected to be largely signed and advocated for by young adults and university students “I feel like this is something that's really popular across the political spectrum,” Benavides said. "It has been a lot easier to get signatures from young people, just because we know where to find them in masses. On campus, we're going to start tabling this coming week and we're expecting to get a really big chunk of signatures there.” A representative from Mano Amiga will collect signatures from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the Quad throughout February. The group is targeting university students with its campaign because the criminalization of marijuana greatly affects international students as well as those who rely on scholarships. Possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia charges can jeopardize a scholarship opportunity and make reentering the country or university difficult for international students and noncitizens.

SEE POLICY PAGE 2

2 | Tuesday, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

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“There are still ramifications for international students and for students that are on financial aid,” Jordan Buckley, publisher at Caldwell/Hays Examiner, said. "[At Texas State] it's two strikes and you're expelled for any drug conviction. So, if you get caught with marijuana on two occasions at Texas State University, you're out. You're gone.” Policy Director at Mano Amiga Eric Martinez is concerned for international students traveling home who have been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (PODP), as the U.S. government doesn’t have a distinction between marijuana-related paraphernalia and harder narcotics. “[Drug paraphernalia] charges can have consequences for them, particularly if they're an immigrant or a non-citizen, because the federal government sees PODP charges, and they don't make a distinction between rolling papers and needles," Martinez said. "That could get international students in trouble.” According to Buckley, the decriminalization of marijuana is intended to build off San Marcos' cite and release policy, an ordinance where San Marcos police officers are obligated to give out written citations instead of making arrests. Buckley explained how a citation will still enter someone into the legal system and can have negative effects on their life. If the ordinance is passed, there will be no legal penalty for possession of marijuana in the city under the amount of four ounces. “[Under cite and release] you still get a citation - you still get a criminal record for having marijuana on you. This would take it a step further and make it so that there's no penalty. There's no citation. There's no going to jail,” Buckley said. Mano Amiga and the Caldwell/Hays Examiner are looking for students

Mano Amiga representatives CJ Cetina and Elle Cross advocate for the decriminalization of marjuana, Sunday, Jan.16, 2022, at the San Marcos Flea Market. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMANTHA BENAVIDES

to take the positions of "Clipboard Captains." Students who want to be involved in collecting signatures can reach out to the organizations or speak to them on campus.

“Even for students who aren't looking to be, you know, politically active, this is a way to just you know, make a change in the community and help their peers out," Benavides said.

CAMPUS LIVING

Housing Lottery opens for students hoping to continue living on campus By Madelyn Weirich Assistant News Editor starasstnews@txstate.edu Applications for Texas State's Housing Lottery opened on Jan. 31, allowing current residents a chance to return to on-campus living next year. According to an email sent by the Department of Housing and Residential Life (DHRL), signups for the Housing Lottery will close at 4 p.m. on Feb. 3. The next day, applicants will be randomly assigned "lottery numbers." Those with the lowest lottery numbers will have the opportunity to sign a housing contract for an unoccupied dorm room for the following school year. Because first-year students are required to live on campus, the DHRL must limit housing applications from other students so there is enough space for the next incoming class. Spots are limited, and those who have already lived on campus are not allowed to sign up to live in the dorms again until later in the semester. Andrew Hodge, an English junior, works as a residential assistant at Laurel Hall. Part of his job is to help current residents set up a plan for where they will live after their first year. According to Hodge, who has gone through the application process, the Housing Lottery gives students an equal chance if they're wanting to live on campus. "The reason why it exists is obviously because we don't have enough housing for everyone who is interested in living here," Hodge said. "What that means is there needs to be a method of deciding who's going to live on campus that is fair and doesn't advantage any group over another." For some students, dorm life is important due to its accessibility to campus. While the idea of an apartment is appealing to Collette Hickman, a creative writing and religious studies junior, she plans to live on campus for the rest of her undergraduate career. "Well, I can't drive, so it's easier to walk," Hickman said. "I appreciate being able to be like right on top of everything. It gets me to classes quicker and I'm more involved with things on campus. It's kind of fun to have a little community." Because living on campus is a logistical necessity for some non-firstyear students, Hickman would rather

Creative writing and religious studies junior Collette Hickman applies for the Housing Lottery, hoping to live on campus for her final year of undergrad, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at Chautauqua Hall. PHOTO BY MADELYN WEIRICH

I'VE HEARD FROM EVERY SINGLE STUDENT I'VE TALKED TO [THAT] THEY'VE SEEN GROWTH IN THEMSELVES LIVING IN THE DORMS, AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE AT HOME CAN'T SAY THE SAME." - ISABELLA AFFLIXIO, THEATER EDUCATION SOPHOMORE freshmen be able to opt-out of oncampus housing in order to free up more space for those who need it. "A lot of freshmen look for alternative housing right off the bat," Hickman said. "I feel like there's a lot of freshmen who don't want to live on campus, and I feel like there's a lot of upperclassmen who do want to live on campus." On the other hand, some students who support freshmen being required to live on campus see dorm life as a vital part of the transition into adulthood. Isabella Afflixio, a theater education sophomore, appreciates that residence

halls give a chance for students to live on their own for the first time while still having a community to support them. "I have so many friends that like stayed home and like did school remotely, and they haven't grown as people in the same way that you would grow when you have to live independently and meet new people on your own," Afflixio said. "I've heard from every single student I've talked to [that] they've seen growth in themselves living in the dorms, and people that live at home can't say the same." The Housing Lottery also provides a second chance for students who enrolled at Texas State in 2020, a time when much of the on-campus experience was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Afflixio signed up for the Housing Lottery with her freshman roommate after agreeing that they had not been able to experience the campus community to the degree they had hoped. "A lot of opportunities were like squashed for freshmen last year," Afflixio said. "With [campus] being completely open, living in the dorm again just makes everything so easy. Like I've already been able to go to so many more events that I know my friends that live in apartments like just aren't going to because they're not aware these events are happening." Students who wish to sign up for the housing lottery can do so by logging into Texas State's Housing Portal.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 3

The University Star

NEWS

Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

MENTAL HEALTH

Texas State community reflects on seasonal depression By Theodore Wright, Madelyn Weirich When the sun sets earlier and the temperature begins to drop, people all across the world tend to fall to traditional depression symptoms. These include changes in sleep, appetite and energy level, persistent sadness, loss of interest and social isolation. While people can feel this year-round, these feelings can severely escalate as winter settles in. This is called seasonal depression, and it affects people worldwide, including the Texas State community. According to Counseling Center Specialist Gilbert Lopez, going home for the holidays is often a source of increased symptoms of depression, no matter how brief the visit. While the time with family is easy for some, the transition between living an independent life and being home with family again can make the holidays a source of dread. Lopez said that the loss of community and routine over the break can be a large factor, especially for those who don't have good relationships at home. "Everyone's situation is different. You know, for some students, going back home can be a trigger. Maybe not having the most supportive or healthy home environment," Lopez said. Along with a change in environment, he said a change in routine can also have severe effects on one's mental health. "For others, maybe their routine that they had in San Marcos, whether it's spending time with friends, going to work, going to classes, that changing routine, could be difficult when going back home where they don't have that community or those close connections that they developed at Texas State," Lopez said. Fallyn Piatt, a psychology sophomore, realized she had seasonal depression during her senior year of high school.

ILLUSTRATION BY NOAH NOLET

Now, Piatt sees an increase in her symptoms whenever she returns to her hometown and is not around her usual community. "I like to think of San Marcos as my home more than, like, the home where my family is, just because this is where I've really like grown up and like met new people," Piatt said. "I have a lot of friends here, so it makes it easier. If I ever need to go see someone, I don't have to drive super far away to like, go meet up with a friend." Piatt also noticed that her seasonal depression was especially amplified last year when classes went completely online due to COVID-19. "I could barely get out of bed. Because all my classes were online, it was just easier for myself to like just stay in bed and give myself kind of an excuse," Piatt said. "So, I just stayed home all day for like days straight and didn't see people and kind of shut everybody out. It made it really, really hard." Piatt's experience was similar to others living with seasonal depression. COVID-19 shutdowns and the associated isolation add another layer of stress to those already living with seasonal depression. According to

Lopez, students may justify unhealthy withdrawal from society as a way to stay safe during the pandemic. "If someone is already experiencing some form of seasonal affective disorder, and then we have COVID going on, then yeah, [COVID can make it worse]," Lopez said. "When the recommendation is social distancing yourself, if someone's already isolating themselves, then they have even more reason to stay away from other people." While seasonal depression is not uncommon, many students are able to minimize symptoms with their own ways of coping. Rae Christensen, an English sophomore, has learned how to help make their symptoms less difficult. "One coping mechanism that I use is journaling. Like when I'm able to write down everything that I'm feeling, it helps me," Christensen said. "It helps me come back and realize like, I'm going to be okay and that I can get through this because when you write it down, your problems seem a lot smaller than when they're in your head." Christensen also noticed that a regular schedule is another helpful tactic, especially this time of year when the change of seasons can have a negative

effect on students' mental health. "When the sun is going down earlier, you might be inclined to mess up your daily routine, but I think it's really important to stay on task, especially as a college student," Christensen said. Piatt, too, has found journaling and making detailed schedules to be helpful. Above all, however, she encourages those with seasonal depression to reach out to people they trust. "Even though it seems really scary, always, always try to talk to someone," Piatt said. "I know a lot of people who experience seasonal depression, and it's just nice to know that other people are going through the same thing." Piatt hopes to make seasonal depression less of a big deal to talk about, as she feels there is a lack of attention brought to it. Lopez said this is a problem for mental health issues in general, and that seasonal depression is just another part of the negative stigma surrounding them. "It's not talked about that much. So definitely, there's a lot of room for improvement to address the stigma of mental health, but more particularly, to have those conversations, because someone might not be able to label themselves," Lopez said. "It could be all symptoms that align with seasonal affective disorder, and they feel like they'll get out of it, but after a couple of months go by, it's like, 'what's going on?'" If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out to Texas State's Counseling Center at 512-2452208 or visit its office on the fifth floor of the LBJ Student Center. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800273-8255. The hotline is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential support. A virtual online chat is available.

4 | Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

The University Star

FROM FRONT CHILDREN'S LITERATURE worked with corporations like Disney+. It was Paul's sketchy, watercolor-like art style that helped bring the illustrations on paper to life. "I think I like this book because anybody can pick up this book ... they can read this to a boy or they can read it to a little girl so that she can understand boys a little better in a healthy way," Paul said. Paul focused on portraying Lasser's message by illustrating the different personalities of the characters in the story. It took him several months to create characters that would complement the story. Through his illustration process, he created characters that had their own unique stories and backgrounds which made them stand out in the book. "It was really about creating little boys that had a lot of diversity behind them … not just in terms of skin color, or in terms of racial background, but in terms of personality," Paul said. "There are different personalities that kind of lean toward the way you are designing the character at any given time." Although they never met in person, Paul and Lasser's work came together so well that Lasser changed the story's ending to better complement and flow with Paul's illustrations. Enderle said their goal in creating the book was to make a safe place where children could

LIFE & ARTS

A sketch for "What Boys Do" illustrated by Robert Paul. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINE ENDERLE

feel comfortable reading it and exploring their gender expression and identity. "We wanted to make sure kids felt comfortable ... [and to] just give kids permission to be who they want to be and [be] who they are inside," Enderle said. "Once we were confident that the text [was] carrying that message and the illustrations were carrying that message ... we stopped messing with it ... then we were ready to go to the printer." Lasser hopes that as people and the media become more accepting of boys freely expressing themselves physically and mentally, his book can be a steppingstone toward the reduction of gender role strain and toxic masculinity. "My hope [for the future] is that we can reduce gender role strain. Where boys and men can maybe have some characteristics that are masculine and feminine," Lasser said. "That way we can express our fullest selves and not try to hide part of ourselves or constrain part of ourselves and that makes us better in relationships with others. It makes us better co-workers, better friends, better team players all around." To learn more about Lasser and his books or to purchase "What Boys Do," visit https://www.maginationpressfamily. org/mindfulness-kids-teens/bookstore/jonlasser-phd/. The book can also be checked out in Alkek Library.

ENVIRONMENT

Students turn invasive river species into menstrual pads By Camryn Cole Life & Arts Contributor

While out rowing in canoes on the San Marcos River, Texas State students and their professor, Sangchul Hwang, found themselves surrounded by water hyacinth, an invasive plant species growing in abundance along the river. The group came together with the goal of bettering the health of the environment by upcycling various invasive species. At first glance, the hyacinth may not look like much, but these researchers have started a project that has the potential to help people upon its completion: turning the invasive species into menstrual pads. This research is being conducted under HEDGE (Hwang Eco-friendly Development for Green Environment), a research and innovation partnership created by Hwang, an assistant professor of civil engineering at Texas State's Ingram School of Engineering. The partnership began in 2010 during his employment at the University of Puerto Rico. “I came to Texas State in 2020, and it was here that I was able to make partnerships with many local organizations, including the San Marcos River Foundation,” Hwang said. The HEDGE lab at Texas State focuses on the frugal repurposing of invasive aquatic plants, intending to create value-added products such as menstrual pads. Wren Vogel, a graduate student, joined HEDGE after being introduced to the topic of repurposing invasive species last January. She heard about the project from professors in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, including Hwang. She has been serving on the HEDGE team ever since, researching various invasive species and how they can be upcycled. "We connected with a local canoeing tour company, Paddle With Style, and used their canoes to go down the river," Vogel said. "The San Marcos River Foundation has taught us how to properly remove water hyacinth to ensure that native microorganisms are kept in the river." After the invasive species are collected, the plants are taken back to HEDGE's lab to begin the pad-making process. The hyacinth roots are removed, while the stem and leaves get cleaned using water. The remaining hyacinth is then dried using sunlight and industrial ovens and is then fibered in a blender with raw cotton and water, producing the prototype pad. Many well-known brands of menstrual products contain chemicals that are harmful to the human body such as benzene and chloroform, which can cause infertility and other complications within reproductive organs. Jamie Hand, a civil-engineering senior, is an advocate for plant-based pads and the safety of the ingredients they contain. "It is very absorbent, and it has a lot of good properties," Hand said. "We're taking the water hyacinth because it is prolific, especially here, and it's all over the world. It's easily accessible to countries that have water sources where it is growing." After extracting a singular water hyacinth plant, it can regenerate into a new plant in as little as two weeks. Water hyacinth is known to clean bodies of water. However, because the plant is so absorbent, it lessens the amount of water in mass quantities. Large amounts of water hyacinth can also block sunlight from reaching the bottom of the river. This causes a decrease in levels of dissolved oxygen, making it harder for organisms to survive in their natural habitat. "Water hyacinth was brought to this area for its

Hedge members collect water hyacinth to create prototypes of biodegradable pads. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANGCHUL HWANG

ornamental value," Hand said. "In large swarms, it's phase, HEDGE hopes to eventually share its final just not good for the environment." product so that those who menstruate can have an HEDGE aims to create a pad that is both inexpensive and safe option. environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. Invasive "We hope to start in San Marcos and reach people plant species are readily available and biodegradable, who experience period poverty and don't have the which is why a plant-based pad would be better for means to pay for products that are a necessity," Hand the environment. said. "From there I hope we can spread awareness of Throughout this project, HEDGE has connected this alternative so people may properly manage their with several outside organizations, such as the San menstruation." Marcos River Foundation, Plum Creek Watershed To learn more about HEDGE, visit its Facebook page. Partnership and Paddle With Style, helping HEDGE conduct its research in both the collection and laboratory processes. "We're very fortunate to have met a lot of people Legal Notice with the same common Notice of Application for a Sand and Gravel Permit interest," Hwang said. "It has been a good opportunity in terms of The City of San Marcos has applied to the Texas Parks and Wildlife community connection. Department (TPWD) for a General Permit pursuant to Texas Parks and We have realized there are Wildlife Code chapter 86 to remove or disturb less than 1,000 cubic yards many people with a warm of sedimentary material within the San Marcos River in Hays County. The heart to save the world." purpose is flood abatement in the Blanco Gardens neighborhood. The location HEDGE aims to is approximately 0.94 river miles downstream from Interstate Highway 35 combat "period poverty," and approximately 10.07 straight-line miles upstream from State Highway a term used to describe 130. Notice is being published and mailed pursuant to Title 31 Texas inadequate access to menstrual products upon Administrative Code section 69.105(b). the pad's completion. "If you look at a place Within 30 days of the receipt of an administratively complete application, like India, people who TPWD will publish notice of a public comment hearing regarding the menstruate are typically application in the Texas Register at least 20 days prior to the date of the public underserved compared comment hearing. The hearing is not a contested case hearing under the Texas to here," Vogel said. Administrative Procedure Act. Oral and written public comment will be "There is a connection accepted at the hearing. between people there and people here and that's in the prevalence of water Written comments may also be submitted directly to TPWD and must be hyacinth. We want to keep received no later than 30 days after the date of newspaper publication of this it frugal and duplicable notice or the Texas Register notice publication, whichever is later. Submit while developments made written comments, questions, or requests to review the application to: Tom here can also be used Heger, TPWD, by mail: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; fax there." 512-389-4405; or e-mail tom.heger@tpwd.texas.gov. Although the menstrual pad is still in its prototypal

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 5

The University Star

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

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

RESOURCES

Texas State needs more drug addiction prevention resources By Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Trigger warning: This column includes discussion of addiction. Drug overdoses in the U.S. have reached a record high. Between April 2020 to April 2021, drug overdose claimed the lives of 100,306 Americans, a nearly 30% increase compared to the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic, experts say, has played a role in the rising overdose death toll as the nation's mental health tanks after almost two years of social distancing and selfisolation. With drug and alcohol use susceptible to college students in addition to the national rise in overdose, it's imperative for Texas State to take action and implement additional drug addiction prevention resources. Currently, Texas State's Alcohol and Drug Compliance Services Office offers an Alcohol Education Program for Minors (AEPM), Marijuana 101, Personal Development and Under the Influence. While these programs are a great resource for students to engage with, they cost $60-100 to take and are geared toward students who may have violated university drug policy or received previous violations from law enforcement. There is also the Student Recovery Alliance, which is designed for all Texas State students who are seeking a support system to help them achieve sobriety. Coordinator of Educational Programming and Outreach Dr. Richard Martinez, who is also a psychologist in Texas State's Counseling Center, said while the university organizes tabling events that seek to take away the stigma surrounding drug addiction, he acknowledges there is always room to do more. While there are programs in place to help students in their recovery from addiction, there seems to be a lack of university-led programs in place to help prevent addiction before it begins. Between April 2020 to April 2021, the state of Texas experienced a 36.4% increase in drug overdose. Even though Hays County may not have been in the top five counties in 2019 with accidental overdoses in Texas, neighboring counties like Travis and Bexar were. These are counties that some students, like myself, live in. As college students, we are prone to using drugs and alcohol which can lead to future addictions. Of the teenagers that will be transitioning to college, 50% of them will be going to college having misused a drug at least once. Benjamin Solomon, an English, history and anthropology senior, said he believes Texas State does not do enough

to bring awareness to addiction. Having met people dealing with addictions, he understands the trauma and harsh suffering they experience. "People that need an escape from reality, [due to] whatever difficulties they may have in their life and they use that addiction to try to fill that void," Solomon said. In 2018, 45% of college students used an illicit drug. While a majority of that percentage may have been from using marijuana, fentanyl-laced marijuana causes concern. Fentanyl is an opioid with a high risk of causing an overdose and is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Over 10 million Americans use opioids like fentanyl annually. In Texas, 39% of opioid overdose deaths in the state were caused by a prescribed opioid. The dangers of even prescription drugs have led to mistrust in big pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, a company in which Texas and several other states have sued due to its role in the opioid epidemic. The federal government's infrastructure bill includes $1.5 billion to fight the opioid crisis but this money only gets the ball rolling on eradicating this crisis. In the state of Texas, the only legislation passed recently that claims to stop the flow of drugs into the state is Operation Lone Star. However, this policy has overwhelmed law enforcement and taken away funds and resources that should be allocated to helping Texans already living with addictions. While there are many ways to fight this epidemic, such as administering treatments, those resources cannot come soon enough. As this is not doomsday prepping it is just preparing for the inevitable. Other drugs susceptible among college students include alcohol, Adderall, ecstasy and benzodiazepines.

PEOPLE THAT NEED AN ESCAPE FROM REALITY, [DUE TO] WHATEVER DIFFICULTIES THEY MAY HAVE IN THEIR LIFE AND THEY USE THAT ADDICTION TO TRY TO FILL THAT VOID," -BENJAMIN SOLOMON, ENGLISH, HISTORY AND ANTHROPOLOGY SENIOR

ILLUSTRATION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

Excess use of these drugs may require a medical detox. However, detoxing can be expensive; an outpatient drug detox can cost up to $300-800 a day without insurance. Recovery from addiction can also include mental burdens for students who struggle to maintain their sobriety. Establishing a support network for students who may be encountering hardships in their journey to sobriety is imperative. Additionally, it is also important for Texas State to implement resources for its student to prevent addiction before it starts. Even though Texas State offers counseling services for drug and alcohol addiction, it lacks the resources for an awareness program focused on opioid addiction and rehabilitation for students and faculty. Texas State is not doing enough educating and awareness beforehand to prevent addictions from the beginning. As a state-funded institution, Texas State follows the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, however, this act has yet to be updated since its creation in 1989, before fentanyl was even introduced to treat chronic pain. And while there are prevention and education programs at Texas State, transfer students, like myself, are not required to take them. There are programs in place at Texas State that seek to assist students in their recovery journey such as Alcoholic Anonymous, however there is no university-led program for Narcotics Anonymous, only meetings in the San Marcos community. With the main problem with college students being that they have trouble initially seeking out the help they need, inconveniences like that do not help. Across the country, there are great roadmaps for Texas State to follow, like in New Jersey where institutions like Montclair State have created Residents in Recovery, dorm floors committed to staying clean, which is modeled after a similar successful program at Rutgers

University. Programs like this one include access to addiction services, psychological help, transportation to support groups in neighboring communities and even activities that can substitute the typical college party scene. Within our own state, the University of Texas at Austin has created the Center for Students in Recovery, which has been so successful that it has expanded to the entire UT system statewide. The University of Texas' program blends recovery and academic success by creating a community atmosphere. The group holds meetings as part of programs five days a week and serves the entire college's communities. This is not the only place where universities in Texas are combating drug addiction either, as five other institutions within the state are a part of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), a national network of people and resources that represent collegiate recovery programs. There should be more awareness and expanded paths to treatment at Texas State so students can leave not just with a degree but also without addiction or the risk of not knowing one is likely in the future. Students seeking to recover from drug and alcohol addictions can join the Student Recovery Alliance, a group that meets weekly in the Student Health Center. If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction, visit Texas State’s Alcohol and Drug Compliance Services website for resources and information. - Dillon Strine is a journalism junior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

6 |Tuesday, February 1, 2022

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OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

TRANSPORTATION

Nite Cats needs extended hours By Kadence Cobb Opinion Contributor

When I began my first semester at Texas State, it was difficult balancing both schoolwork and social life. In an attempt to combine the two, I found studying with friends was a great solution. However, as I would walk home alone after a Friday night study session, I began to wonder if Nite Cats' service hours were compatible with the schedule of a college student. Nite Cats was created to provide students with on-demand transportation across campus. Students can request a ride from anywhere on campus through the app, Tap Ride. After inputting the precise pickup and drop-off location, a Nite Cat driver will arrive and take students to their requested destination.

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While the service is extremely helpful in getting students around campus at night, Nite Cats' hours and days of operation need to expand in order to better assist the needs of students. Currently, the transportation service is active Monday-Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. as well as Sunday from 6-10 p.m. However, the service is unavailable on both Friday and Saturday. When I first saw the hours of operation, I questioned the reasoning behind it. Given that most students I know who live on campus go out on the weekends, it raises a concern that such a great transportation resource would not accommodate students on Friday and Saturday nights. Studies show 74% of students claimed that walking home in the dark was a massive concern for their personal safety. By extending its hours, Nite Cats could help relieve the stress of students feeling unsafe on campus throughout the entire week. Beginning my first semester, the idea of coming into a completely new environment was scary and intimidating. I quickly became aware of the importance of prioritizing safety over everything else. In San Marcos, violent crime has increased by 90.1% over the past 10 years. The increase in crime rates leads to concern for some students. “Knowing the severity of crime in our area, I would definitely prefer to use Nite Cats rather than walking home alone,” Mia Phillips, a pre-nursing freshman, said.

Students should not have to put themselves at risk, simply trying to return to their dorms safely. It is important that students have access to these resources intended to keep them safe on both weekdays and weekends. Not only does Nite Cats provide students with a safe option for latenight transportation, the service is a huge convenience for students as it allows them to request rides from any location on campus and quickly get to where they need to go. Rather than solely relying on vans to travel, Nite Cats also uses golf carts to help transport its users. These golf carts are much more accommodating as they travel across sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. Although, with Nite Cats' current operating hours, it is simply an inconvenience for students in need of a ride outside their current availability. Logically, it would make much more sense if the hours were extended through the weekend, in order to better match with students’ busy schedules. Texas State's Coordinator of Alternate Transportation Alex Vogt said Nite Cats' schedule is coordinated with the Bobcat Shuttle service. While Nite Cats provides students transportation across campus, Vogt said the service also focuses on providing transportation to students who park their cars in lots far from their residence hall. “The Nite Cats schedule is coordinated with the Bobcat Shuttle and parking, especially allowing residential students with a gold parking permit who move their car to the core of campus to access

transportation when they return their car to the gold parking on Sunday,” Vogt said. The coordination between Texas State’s transportation services is very important, however, expanding the hours of Nite Cats' service would be better accommodating for students who are also looking for a safe way home after a late-night spending time in their friend's dorm. Knowing that Texas State has created a resource for students to safely travel across campus is a huge reassurance that student safety is a top priority. I have been a huge fan of the Nite Cats service and I have come to appreciate the transportation provided through the university. However, by extending its current hours through the weekend, Nite Cats would be able to better adjust to the schedules of college students and provide another option for students to get around campus on hectic weekends. The service allows for students to navigate much more efficiently, thus proving why weekend hours are so crucial. - Kadence Cobb is a journalism freshman

The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

EDUCATION

Textbook access codes provide few benefits, many hassles for students By Tiara Allen Opinion Contributor Textbook access codes are the creation of an industry that does not have its main consumers, students, in mind and are a contributor to making higher education inaccessible to the average American. Students should not have to pay to learn lessons and do homework that cannot be accessed at the end of the semester. A textbook access code is a combination of numbers and letters that can be purchased from a college bookstore, from the publisher directly or in combination with a physical or electronic textbook that allows students access to portals where they can complete homework, review class material and utilize study guides. A 2016 study revealed that 32% of all college courses in America list textbook access codes as part of the required materials in the syllabus (that number increases to 37.5% at community colleges and decreases to 20% at private four-year universities). While there are valid arguments in favor of textbook access codes, there are few benefits to the student. Access codes add an additional cost to the alreadyexpensive venture of postsecondary education. According to the Education Data Initiative, the cost of textbooks increased by over 1,000% between 1977 and 2015. The rise in costs has led to students turning toward less-than-favorable arrangements in order to afford school. This is most notable through the increase in student loan debt. Students are also turning to other sub-optimal ways to pay for college, as seen in the increase in the average amount of hours worked by students. Studies show 63% of full-time undergraduate students and 88% of part-time undergraduate students were working over 15 to 20 hours a week in 2017. In fact, in 2016, the average number of hours worked by all working students was 28.3. In a trend that is possibly related to the increased cost of college and the number of hours worked by students, studies have shown a steep decline throughout the decades in the amount of time college students spend studying a week. A 2010 study showed that full-time students in 1961 studied 40 hours a week, whereas full-time students in 2003 only studied for 27 hours. Students shouldn't have to worry about working overtime just to cover the cost of a textbook access code. Instead, they should be able to focus on their academics without the stress of needing to save money just to do their homework. In addition, students may find themselves unable to purchase access codes without purchasing a new

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textbook or other materials that may not be needed. In a 2016 study, only 28% of access codes were offered in an unbundled form in bookstores, and when acquired directly from the publisher, that number only increased to 56%. Considering that campus bookstores are often the fastest and most convenient way for students to acquire books, this poses a serious issue. Josiah Noriega, a history freshman, was caught off guard by the cost of his McGraw Hill Connect access code for a biology class when he went to the Texas State bookstore at the beginning of the semester. "If we need them for our class, they shouldn't be $120," Noriega said. "I think they need to be more affordable if students want to get them from the bookstore and not on the McGraw Hill website." This shock was compounded due to the fact that he had previously taken a Spanish course that had included the cost of his Connect code in his tuition. "I didn't have to purchase [an access code] last semester because Connect was included with my tuition, so I was confused when I had to buy a code for this biology class," Noriega said. As students and the economy grapple with the implications of the rise in college costs and the slow decline in increased wages, the costs of access codes contribute additional financial stressors to students, especially to those who lack financial support from family or those who rely on loans to cover their expenses. Furthermore, access codes are often designed to be temporary; students are advised to expect their code to work only for the duration of their course or, at best, for two years. As a result, access codes require students to pay to complete homework that they cannot access after their

course ends. Not only does this create a pay-for-play model, but it restricts students from revisiting old material and assignments. Some platforms, such as McGraw Hill Connect, advise instructors to make copies of old grades before deactivating, as they are not accessible once accounts are deleted. This is a practice that deprioritizes education and learning in favor of profits for the company. Finally, access codes further usher the college textbook industry into a monopolistic market. Access codes are, whether inadvertently or intentionally, eliminating the markets for low-cost alternatives such as renting or purchasing used textbooks. Unfortunately, not only do monopolies stifle innovation and quality control, but they also subject students to any whim the companies have to change prices at will. In a sense, we have already headed that direction, as each new textbook edition leads to a 12% price increase, and every three or four years, a new textbook can cost 50% more than a used version. However, the wholesale adoption of access codes will hasten and worsen the textbook monopoly. This will not only negatively impact the accessibility of higher education but will also lower the quality of information students receive. There are some benefits of an access code. Access codes often offer automatic grading, which can be a huge benefit to professors and their graduate assistants. They also often offer accessibility through mobile apps which provides students the option of completing assignments on the go. Noriega, despite his initial shock at the sticker price, finds some benefit to his Connect membership, citing its convenience as one of its best attributes. "I guess what I like best about [access codes] is that they are able to let us get the book we need for our class and allow us to get our work done there since most teachers use the assignments that are in Connect as grades for their class," Noriega said. However, these benefits do not seem to provide students much value in the grand scheme of things, especially considering the cost of access codes, which can average as high as $1,240 a year. In conclusion, textbook access codes create a net loss to the student and should not be normalized. - Tiara Allen is a marketing senior. The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 7

The University Star

SPORTS MEN'S BASKETBALL

Bobcats bounce back against UTA By Dillon Strine Sports Contributor Texas State men's basketball (13-6 overall, 4-3 Sun Belt) defeated UTA (9-12 overall, 5-5 Sun Belt) Saturday afternoon after senior forward Isiah Small sealed the game with his 10th rebound of the match. The energy from the season's highest capacity crowd fueled the Bobcats for a 58-53 win, a bounce back from the 'Cats previous loss to the Mavericks on Thursday night. Texas State’s leading scorer, senior guard Caleb Asberry, picked up two fouls just eight minutes into the game and would play in foul trouble for much of the game. Despite this, he hit his first two threes and jumpstarted a threepoint barrage for the Bobcats. In the team's Thursday matchup, Sun Belt Conference-leading scorer, graduate guard David Azore, was held to just nine points. In the first half, the Bobcats could not stop the Mavericks spark plug as he exploded for 14 firsthalf points. This allowed the Mavs to go into the half leading by three, 29-26. With much of Texas State's offense coming from beyond the arc, its struggles scoring in the paint continued into the second half, allowing UTA to go on a 5-0 run to start it and forcing the ‘Cats to burn an early timeout. It was at this point in the game, with the scoring heading in the wrong direction for Texas State, that senior forward Nighael Ceaser, hit a hook shot in the lane at the end of the shot clock to end the Bobcat drought. This was just the beginning of a string of clutch late shot clock buckets the Bobcats would convert, including a bank shot clock buzzer-beating three from junior forward Tyrel Morgan. As the undersized Bobcats were getting outworked rebounding to start the second half, Ceaser provided his much-needed athleticism, producing rebounds and a huge block on the Mavericks sophomore forward Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu. With the Bobcats up 56-53 and 17.4 seconds left in the game, Head Coach Terrence Johnson called a timeout and set up an intense pressure full-court

Texas State senior forward Nighael Ceaser (22) shoots a shot over UT Arlington sophomore forward Kaodririchi AkobunduEhiogu (0), Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 58-53. PHOTO BY ELIJAH RENDON

Texas State senior forward Nighael Ceaser (22) shoots a floater over UT Arlington graduate forward Lazaro Rojas (12), Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 58-53. PHOTO BY ELIJAH RENDON

press which would lead to a steal by Small that would send him to the line to put the game away. After shooting just 25% from the three-point line in Thursday’s matchup,

Psychology freshman Janet Paniagua does homework while drinking Starbucks, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at LBJ. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Biology freshman Ivanna Awodipe hits the cue ball in a game of pool, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at George's. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Texas State lit it up from beyond the arc, hitting on 50% of its threes. During the 'Cats' best stretch of the game, the ball was moving on offense which helped Texas State amass 15 assists in the game.

The Mavericks had a noticeable size advantage and outrebounded the ‘Cats 30-29 with 18 points in the paint. But the Mavs failed to capitalize on winning the rebounding battle as they were outscored 15-7 on second-chance points. In the end, Azore (23 PTS, 9-18 FGS, 3-8 3PTS, 2-4 FTS, 4 REB, 1 AST) kept his career year scoring season intact with a game-high of 23 points. Asberry (15 PTS, 5-10 FGS, 4-8 3PTS, 1-2 FTS, 4 REB, 1 AST) led the way in scoring for the Bobcats. Next up, Texas State will host the Sun Belt Conference's leading team, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Strahan Arena. The game will air on ESPN+.

"Bubble Believer," Joseph Losoya, blows bubbles and spreads motivation to students on their first day back on campus, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, outside of Alkek Library. PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State water ski team members (left to right) accounting senior Cody Overmire, exercise and sports science sophomore Peyton Barry and communications junior Matthew Leach hand out flyers to students between classes, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, on The Quad. PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

8 |Tuesday, February 1, 2022

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