Moody Magazine is the official student publication of the Moody College of Communication. Created and published by Communication Council, the magazine launched in Fall 2018 and is purposed to providing Moody students with a semester magazine and monthly Moody News.
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SUMMER NEWS MEMO August August 2020 2020
Black Lives Matter Resources
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Petitions to Sign
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Protest Precautions
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Black-Owned Businesses in Austin
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Fighting Discrimination
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Diversity & Inclusion within Moody
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COVID-19 Resources
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Fall Semester Updates
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New Executive Team
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New Committee Chairs
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Taking Care of Yourself
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BLM Resources Black Lives Matter https://blacklivesmatter.com
Austin Justice Coalition
https://austinjustice.org
Campaign Zero
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/#vision
Black Voices & Anti-Racism Resources
https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/blm
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Petitions to Sign Hands Up Act
https://www.change.org/p/us-senate-handsup-act
National Action Against Police Brutality
https://www.change.org/p/national-actionagainst-police-brutality-and-murder
Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
https://www.change.org/p/human-rightscampaign-justice-for-ahmuad-arbery
Ban the Use of Rubber Bullets for Crowd Control
https://www.change.org/p/un-and-usgovernment-ban-the-use-of-rubber-bullets
Urge UT Austin to Support BLM
https://www.change.org/p/university-oftexas-at-austin-urge-ut-austin-to-supportthe-black-lives-matter-movement
Stand With Bre
https://www.standwithbre.com/#petition
A Note from the Creator of “Change Keller High School’s Mascot”, Haven Gonzales:
“With the recent respark of the Black Lives Matter movement and push for racial equality, I started combining my art with my activism. At first it was just little posts meant to be shared by me and my friends, and then one of them amassed over 600,000 likes. Suddenly I had this massive platform to call for change that I didn’t really feel equipped to be in charge of. But I kept sharing stories and making posts when one day, I saw stories about removing the racist R-skin mascot from the Washington NFL team. So I was going to reshare and call them out and then go about my day. But I realized I couldn’t do so if I wouldn’t even call out a racist mascot in my hometown. Some background info: Keller High School has been “Home of the Indians” since around 1940. My rival high school, Richland, had been the “Rebels” since the 60’s. There has always been pushback against those who wished to change these insensitive mascots, with excuses of tradition being the main defense. Finally in June, there was a petition against the “Rebel”, and their board of trustees voted unanimously to remove it. If you told me that would happen even just 4 months ago I wouldn’t have believed you. I felt inspired to keep that momentum going by starting a petition to change the racist and offensive “Indian” mascot of Keller HS. The pushback from Keller mascot supporters is much more intense than those wanting to keep the “Rebel”. And it’s harder because people think it’s somehow an honor. All it is is a mockery. The mascot violates the school district’s very own anti-harassment policies, and yet they claim it brings their community together. But a school cannot stand against racism and teach their students how to shut racism down in their surroundings while actively promoting an insensitive caricature of an entire culture. However, the support I’ve received for changing the mascot far outweighs the negative responses. I really do have hope that we can get rid of the racist mascot. But it’s gonna take a lot more voices speaking up, signing the petition, and reaching out to the board. We can’t stop putting pressure until they make amends.” Provided in the “Updates” section of the petition are the emails of KISD officials
Support Local Causes: Change Keller High School’s Mascot https://www.change.org/p/kellerindependent-school-district-changekeller-high-school-s-offensive-mascot
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Protest Precautions Know Your Rights
American Civil Liberties Union
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/
Safety During Protests
Amnesty International
https://www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/SafeyDuringProtest_F.pdf
Protect Youself Against Protest Surveillance S.T.O.P.
https://www.stopspying.org/protest
Reminder: Follow COVID-19 Procedures when attending protests to the best of your abilities
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Black-Owned Businesses in Austin Keep Austin Black App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/keep-austin-black/ id1517141732
Earl Potts Jr. is a third-year Computer Science and African & African Disapora Studies student at UT. Potts created “Keep Austin Black” in order to promote local Black-owned businesses in Austin. The app provides a comprehensive, continually updating list of a variety of different businesses and services. “Keep Austin Black” showcases Black-owned businesses in industries such as:
Media, Automotive, Organizations, Healthcare, Restaurants, Realty, Technology, ...and much more
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Fighting Discrimination UT Football players have been vocal, demanding various changes at the university Robert L. Moore Building
Originally named after a former math teacher who refused to teach Black students
Has been renamed, “Physics, Math, & Astronomy Building”
UT is working to allocate money into placing more statues on campus honoring Black figures, along with plans to rename more campus buildings
But, there is still more work to be done:
•The Eyes of Texas has connections to minstrel shows •There is also still a statue of James Hogg, a prominent segregationalist, on campus Keep fighting for change. Know your history. Make your voice heard.
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Diversity & Inclusion within Moody
Moody College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion https://moody.utexas.edu/diversity
Moody Recources for Anti-Racism & Anti-Sexism https://moody.utexas.edu/diversity/dei-resources-media
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COVID-19 Resources Protect Texas Together https://protect.utexas.edu
App
Moody College Student Emergency Fund
https://moody.utexas.edu/home/moody-college-student-emergency-fund
Testing Resources:
Proactive Community Testing
https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/coronavirus_proactive_testing.html University Health Services https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu UT Health Austin https://uthealthaustin.org
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Fall Semester Updates Plans for the Fall Semester are subject to change; The current major dates are as follows: Class Starts- August 26
In-Person Classes End- November 25
Online Finals- December 7 through 16 For more infomation: https://president.utexas.edu/messages-speeches-2020/fall-2020-reopening-plans
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New Executive Team
President
Victoria Stranczek- Senior, Public Relations “My name is Victoria and I am a Senior in the Moody College of Communication majoring in Public Relations and pursing the Business Foundations Minor. I am the President of Communication Council for the upcoming school year and my role is very outward facing. The primary function of my role is to act as a liaison between Moody students and Moody administrators; I also serve as a representative of Communication Council in UT Senate. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about UT Senate and its legislation or about Moody, send me an email at utcommcouncil@gmail.com.”
Vice President
Catherine Lindberg- Junior, Advertising “As Vice President, it is my job to oversee Comm. Council’s 7 committees that allow this organization to serve our fantastic college. My number one priority is to support the devoted chairs that lead each committee by providing them with everything necessary to achieve their goals. When not with chairs, I also lead weekly meetings with our leadership teams and assist the president in any way possible. Outside of council, you can find me scrolling through the depths of Twitter, writing lines of copy for Texas Creative, and visiting every one of Austin’s coffee shops. I’m excited for the year ahead, and don’t hesitate to reach out!.”
Financial Director
Natalie Deller- Senior, Political Communication “Hi! My name is Natalie and I am a senior Political Communication Studies Major. I am serving as the 2020-2021 Financial Director of Communication Council. As Financial Director, I handle Communication Council’s internal budget and external allocations to other organizations on campus. Even though these times are unpredictable, I look forward to serving Moody and its students. Here’s to a good year & Hook ‘Em!”
Administrative Director
Kellie Woodin- Senior, Advertising “Hi! My name is Kellie, and I am senior studying advertising from McAllen, Texas. As my second year on Communication’s Council Executive Team, I am serving as the administrative director, who takes care of everything behind the scenes. My position entails detailed work to keep CC functioning in an efficient and inclusive way, while incorporating organized structures for the entire organization. My hobbies include playing with my cat and making elaborate cups of coffee. Hook ’em!”
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Internal Director
Nickoli Benkert- Sophomore, Political Communication “I am a second-year Political Communications major and Internal Director for Moody’s Communication Council. As Internal Director, I manage and host official council events (virtually now!) and help new members to find their place in the organization.”
External Director
Alex Allen- Junior, Communication and Leadership & Plan II “Hey y’all! My name’s Alex and I’m a 3rd Year Communication & Leadership and Plan II Honors student. I’m really excited to be serving as Communication Council’s External Director this semester. I’ll be in charge of developing Comm Council’s relationships with other Senate councils, UT administration, and the Austin community. In my free time, I love to make unnecessarily complicated coffee drinks and beg everyone to play soccer with me.”
Diversity & Inclusion Director
Jennifer Xia- Sophomore, Journalism “Hi, I’m Jennifer! I’m a journalism and business minor sophomore. As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, it is my job to foster a safe and inclusive space within Communication Council and with the Moody College at large. I am here to help facilitate discussions and educate council members on issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion so that we are using our voice to advocate and support everyone in the community. You can usually find me dancing in my living room to music with my dog or taking inappropriately long naps in the afternoon. I am always here to listen, whether you need a heart-to-heart or a quick chat so don’t be afraid to reach out to me!”
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New Committee Chairs Career & Alumni Relations
Gabriela Garcia- Junior, Political Communication & Spanish
“I am a third year Political Communications and Spanish double-major. You can find me at literally any coffee shop around campus fueling my addiction and chatting with friends while disguising it as “studying”. I am originally from Albuquerque, NM, and come from a big family with a lot of dogs and chickens. As Career and Alumni Relations Chair, I am super excited to help Moody students continue to excel in their professional development as well as maintaining the vibrancy of our Moody community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. ”
Magazine
Barrett Senn- Junior, Advertising & Psychology “My name is Barrett Senn and I am a junior, majoring in Advertising and Psychology. This year, as Magazine Chair I plan to help students become aware of resources and opportunities, on and off campus. Since this school year is likely going to be different than any other, I want to use Moody Magazine as a way of keeping students up to date. There are many different avenues in which students are receiving information, so this will be a way of consolidating everything into one central location. If you have any resources or opportunities you would like to be shared via Moody Magazine, please don’t hesitate to reach out!”
Media
Ryan Schwenn- Sophomore, Radio-Television-Film
“Hey there, I’m Ryan Schwenn and I’m very excited to serve as this year’s Media Chair for Communication Council! I am a second-year Radio-Television-Film major with a minor in Journalism. I have always loved content creation, and it’s crazy that the silly videos I started out making helped me to eventually grow and be here serving the Moody College of Communications. I work with my wonderful Media Committee to promote both Moody and CommCouncil, mainly through graphics, video production, and our various social media platforms. If you or your org need any assistance with media content, if you have an event you want promoted, or if you just want to chat about movies, please reach out to me!”
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Outreach
Katherine Babcock- Sophomore, Advertising “My name is Katherine Babcock, I am a second year advertising student here at UT, and I am from the Woodlands, Texas. I currently hold the position of Outreach Chair within Communication Council. Outside of Communication Council my involvement for the 2020-2021 school year consists of being a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, the UT running club, and I am interning for SAFE Alliance!”
Policy
Soufia Ali- Sophomore, Radio-Television-Film & Health and Society “Hi! I’m Soufia, a second-year RTF and Health and Society major, and I’m looking forward to serving as this year’s Policy Chair! As Policy Chair, I’ll be working to create and implement policies to improve UT’s academic culture, as well as keep CC updated on the Senate of College Councils’ legislation and initiatives. In addition to politics, I love all things related to movies and sunshine. Shoot me a text if you ever want a Netflix Party pal, stay safe and Hook ‘em!”
Student Issues & Advisory Committee Harper Lay- Junior, Advertising
“Hi! My name is Harper Lay, I’m a junior majoring in advertising, and I am chair of the Student Issues and Advisory Committee (SIAC) within Moody’s Communication Council. As SIAC chair, my primary goal for this year is to make sure that Moody students are getting the best experience possible, no matter the circumstances. I aim for my committee to be an accessible outlet for students to express their academic-related issues, and also a helpful resource for resolving these issues. COVID-19 has affected every UT student in countless ways, and SIAC is here to support students as our school learns the best practices for navigating this pandemic. ”
Special Events
Gabby Dunn- Junior, Communication & Leadership
“Hello! My name is Gabby Dunn, and I’m a junior Communications and Leadership major. This year I’m the Special Events Chair for Communication Council. The Special Events committee will look a little different this year, but my goal will still be to provide Moody students helpful resources and fun in general. Keep on eye out for what the Special E does through the semester by checking the Moody magazine and the Communication Council instagram (@utcommcouncil)!”
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Taking Care of Yourself
UT Counseling and Mental Health Center
https://cmhc.utexas.edu
Self Care Tips During COVID-19 Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/self-care-tips- during-the-covid-19-pandemic -Excercise
-Eat healthy
-Spend time outside
-Create a routine
-Find time for relaxation
-Focus on the present
-Help your community
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Additional Moody Resources:
Moody Student Advising
Moody Career Center
Moody College of Communication Resources
https://moody.utexas.edu/students/undergraduate/academic-advising https://moody.utexas.edu/careercenter https://utexas.app.box.com/s/gau9hvfp5zkrzmf2wbvd89qt4ascc6l0
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