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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Allie Kolechta

Adderall gives unfair advantage, causes side effects

Allie Kolechta April 9, 2013

Whether using Adderall as a study aid should be considered cheating is a question many students have trouble answering, but those with a prescription can feel like they are the ones being cheated. Plan...

2013-04-06_UTPD Candidate_Joshua

Candidate for UTPD chief calls for perception of safety, strong bond between APD, UTPD

Allie Kolechta April 8, 2013

Although the relationship between the Austin Police Department and UT Police Department is generally strong, a candidate vying to be UT’s next police chief believes it can be stronger. David Carter,...

December brings record-high temperatures after November brings record highs without rainfall

Allie Kolechta December 3, 2012

High temperatures in the Austin area have already broken records during December, after November also brought record high temperatures and, for the first time in decades, no rain in Austin for the entire...

DHFS closes J2 dining hall for “adjustments”

Allie Kolechta November 26, 2012

Jester Second Floor dining hall will close starting Monday while the Division of Housing and Food Services makes changes. According to a news release by the division, J2 will close for “adjustments”...

Early voting ends with less participation than in previous presidential elections

Allie Kolechta November 5, 2012

Early voting ended Friday, and a lower percentage of registered voters in Travis County turned out early than during the past two presidential elections. According to reports by the Travis County Clerk’s...

Former UT dean fired from president’s job at University of Oregon

Allie Kolechta December 2, 2011

[Corrected Dec. 5: Fixed attribution] A former UT dean was fired from his position of president at the University of Oregon after expressing clashing viewpoints with the state’s Board of Higher...

CTBAC holds forum, agrees on 2.6 percent tuition increase

Allie Kolechta November 30, 2011

Liberal arts students met for the last time this semester before voicing their opinions on tuition policy in front of peers, faculty and administration today. The College of Liberal Arts College Tuition...

University to emphasize graduate student recruitment, retention

Allie Kolechta November 29, 2011

Improving the allocations of money in the graduate school will continue to be a top priority in 2012, UT President William Powers Jr. said at a meeting Monday.  The Faculty Council held its last...

Film students create robbery scene in LA

Allie Kolechta November 28, 2011

Police helicopters circled overhead and several Longhorns spent some of the last moments of their semester in the UTLA program in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with police last week. The Los Angeles...

Students form novel writing support group

Allie Kolechta November 28, 2011

With November coming to an end, writers around the country are racing to finish novels they started writing at the beginning of the month. National Novel Writing Month — known to participants as...

Not all students returning home for Thanksgiving

Allie Kolechta November 23, 2011

While many students are skipping Wednesday classes to drive to their hometowns while dreaming of sweet potatoes and pumpkin pies, others will not be spending Thanksgiving athome. French senior Daniel...

Students create group for others not affiliated with religion

Allie Kolechta November 21, 2011

A new organization made up of secular students seeks to create — rather than burn — bridges with religious groups on campus. The Secular Student Alliance, co-founded by Erick Rodriguez and...

Student Government expands confirmation requirements for executive appointments

Allie Kolechta November 15, 2011

After a hearing and deliberation over discrepancy of official and unofficial appointments by the judicial branch of Student Government, a verdict has been reached. SG School of Law representative Austin...

SG searches for alternative bike path near Blanton

Allie Kolechta November 15, 2011

Parking and Transportation Services hosted a town hall this morning to discuss the dismount zone around the Blanton Museum. Under current restrictions, a dismount zone on Blanton Museum grounds does not...

Students who served given benefit center

Allie Kolechta November 11, 2011

Campus resources for student veterans are getting a home today in a new student center dedicated to students who have served in the military. Juan Gonzalez, vice president for Student Affairs, will host...

Engineering students gotta go fast

Allie Kolechta November 11, 2011

A student organization left most other schools in the dust after doing better than ever at an international car racing competition this year. The University’s student branch for the Society of Automotive...

Education initiative allows high school senior to shadow UT students

Allie Kolechta November 9, 2011

A group of University students has taken the initiative to show underprivileged, underrepresented and unique high school students what they have the ability to do. From Monday through today, the senior...

SG to vote on ambiguous appointment loophole

Allie Kolechta November 8, 2011

Long-standing ambiguity in Student Government committee appointment standards may be resolved tomorrow depending on the outcome of a hearing for a petition against the student body president. Student...

Student killed in hit and run

Allie Kolechta November 8, 2011

The Austin Police Department released the name of a UT student who was killed in a hit-and-run on Sunday night. Adam Conrad Grote, 22, was a student in the School of Architecture. He was due to graduate...

GLBT business association gets corporate supporters

Allie Kolechta November 4, 2011

More rainbow ties have been popping up around McCombs since an organization for GLBT business students was revived last semester. The original GLBTQA Business Student Association was founded in 2007 after...

Trail of Lights cancelled after lack of funding

Allie Kolechta November 3, 2011

This December, Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights will remain dark for the second year in a row because of a lack of funding. This year’s Trail of Lights was cancelled after organizers did not...

Advisory committees submit proposals for colleges budgets

Allie Kolechta November 2, 2011

Members of three student committees submitted recommendations to their deans to suggest ways to best spend their colleges’ budgets for this semester. The College of Liberal Arts’ and the Cockrell...

Philanthropist Ronya Kozmetsky dies at 90

Allie Kolechta October 28, 2011

[Corrected Oct. 1: Because of a reporting error, this story misidentified Kerri Battles, a public affairs specialist, as an LBJ School spokeswoman. The story also should have said the RGK Foundation donated...

Students eat together for a cause

Allie Kolechta October 28, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series looking at distinctive UT student organizations. Last semester, marketing senior Henry Zhao was eating with friends on campus when he noticed too many...

Neighborhood ordinance may stifle new frats, co-ops

Allie Kolechta October 26, 2011

An ordinance being considered by Austin City Council aims to place restrictions on the creation of cooperatives and Greek-style “group housing” in areas of North Campus. University Area Partners...

Longhorns help wildfire victims not reached by FEMA

Allie Kolechta October 24, 2011

[Corrected Oct. 24: An earlier version of this story misstated the role of AmeriCorps in the Bastrop project. AmeriCorps helped coordinate the volunteer effort.] Longhorns trekked to Bastrop by the busload...

New organization aims to promote modesty, chastity, marriage and charity

Allie Kolechta October 21, 2011

Editor's note: This is the first in a series looking at distinctive UT student organizations. A new student organization aims to educate the student body on the ideas of modesty, chastity, marriage...

Water usage regulations may become stricter, UT unaffected

Allie Kolechta October 19, 2011

The city may have to resort to water conservation measures intended for catastrophes if Central Texas’ drought continues, but UT will still be responsible for managing its own water usage. City...

Research certificate to be available for undergraduates

Allie Kolechta October 18, 2011

Undergraduate researchers from across the 40 Acres will be able to earn a certificate in research for the first time, after the Senate of College Councils unanimously passed a resolution. The Senate and...

Committee suggests Liberal Arts College upgrade

Allie Kolechta October 13, 2011

A newly formed student committee submitted recommendations to decrease tuition and increase the quality of UT’s liberal arts education to the college’s dean on Wednesday. The College Tuition...

Hook the Vote rally postponed because of lack of interest, funding

Allie Kolechta October 12, 2011

The Hook the Vote registration rally for voters, originally scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, has been postponed until next semester. The rally is tentatively scheduled for March, the same month as...

Co-op boots reward in Student Government website scavenger hunt

Allie Kolechta October 11, 2011

 Student Government has created an online scavenger hunt of questions and answers about their website for “Win Week,” a social media blitz in celebration of SG’s revamped website,...

City Council approves plans for 400 parking meters in West Campus

Allie Kolechta October 7, 2011

A West Campus neighborhood association could try and install up to 400 new parking meters in the area after City Council approved an ordinance Thursday. City Council passed a resolution that sets up a...

West campus to expand student housing opportunities for fall 2013 semester

Allie Kolechta October 6, 2011

A total of 622 new beds will be available to students in West Campus for the fall 2013 semester, according to an official from the University’s realty group. The site, located where the 120-year-old...

CANPAC pushes for height, pricing restrictions in West Campus

Allie Kolechta October 5, 2011

The Central Austin Neighborhoods Planning Area Committee reached an agreement on a plan that could potentially leave some rooms in major West Campus apartment complexes priced for rent at 55 percent of...

Campus Safety Week bringing awareness to students

Allie Kolechta and Sylvia Butanda October 3, 2011

Training 80 percent of the student body to conduct CPR chest compressions is one of the many safety goals of John Suffredini, Longhorn Emergency Medical Services director. He demonstrated proper CPR execution...

Supercomputer will enhance undergraduate research at UT

Allie Kolechta September 30, 2011

Biology senior Jeevitha Patil has conducted award-winning research on what happens to fluids — specifically grapefruit juice — after it travels through the body. She has also studied cancer...

Construction makes way for biker-friendly roads

Allie Kolechta September 29, 2011

The construction on Rio Grande Street will make way for a two-way bike lane, more parking on the east side of the street and a 12-foot renovated streetscape, according to a University Area Partners official. The...

Witnesses at UT recall shooting, sense of community

Allie Kolechta September 28, 2011

One year ago today, mathematics sophomore Colton Tooley arrived on campus with an AK-47. After firing multiple shots, he died by a self-inflicted gunshot on the sixth floor of the Perry-Castañeda...

Real UT fans embarrass themselves on YouTube

Allie Kolechta September 23, 2011

UT tailgaters will have their chance at 15 minutes of YouTube fame because of a new channel hosted by the University Co-op. The Burnt Orange Tailgating Channel began streaming on YouTube after the UT...

First-year SG representatives announced

Allie Kolechta September 22, 2011

After Wednesday’s election, two freshmen with the same number of votes will step into the Student Government office as UT’s first first-year representatives. Economics freshman Kornel Rady...

Ana Sisnett honored posthumously

Allie Kolechta September 22, 2011

One of UT’s many libraries now bears the name of a recently deceased UT alumna, after a dedication ceremony Wednesday evening. The ceremony officially named the Gender and Sexuality Library in the...

SG first-year candidates running for new position

Allie Kolechta September 21, 2011

An official list of the more than a dozen first-year student government representative candidates was released last night. Elections will be held today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the winner will be announced...

Debate arises over West Campus height restrictions

Allie Kolechta September 20, 2011

Students may butt heads with developers, realtors and owners of single family residences on height restrictions in West Campus following the meeting of a committee that aims to improve the area. The Central...

UT organizations rally to rename Student Activity Center

Allie Kolechta September 16, 2011

While many students have affectionately dubbed the new UT Student Activity Center “the NUTSAC,” one group is fighting to rename it for a UT alumna. Members of Student Government, spirit organizations,...

UT commemorates 128 years of progress

Allie Kolechta September 15, 2011

The University of Texas is celebrating its birthday today, 128 years after the original opening in Old Main, where the Tower and Main Building now stand. When the University first opened to eight professors...

Student government propose changes around campus

Allie Kolechta September 15, 2011

After a welcome week with record attendance to promotional events,       Student  Government has been checking things off of its to-do list, said SG president Natalie ...

Burn ban enforcement extends to smoking at ACL

Allie Kolechta September 13, 2011

Smokers with ACL tickets may have to make their way outside of Zilker Park for a smoke break because of a Travis County burn ban put in effect this April. The burn ban was put in place because of drought...

UT community leaders share 9/11 memories

Allie Kolechta September 9, 2011

Editor's Note: This Sunday, people across campus and the country will remember exactly what they were doing ten years ago when two planes hit the Twin Towers and killed approximately 3,000 Americans...

Austin living boasts third best for single women

Allie Kolechta August 26, 2011

Austin has all the single ladies flocking to its Sixth Street nightlife, its single men and its creative, quirky atmosphere, according to data released last week by CBS. Based on data collected by Rent.com,...

Higher pay associated with good looks, professor finds

Allie Kolechta August 25, 2011

UT students may need more than just a degree to be successful in the workplace, according to a recently published book by a UT professor. Beauty Pays, released on Monday and authored by economics professor...

Big Yell expounds upon mysterious UT traditions

Allie Kolechta August 25, 2011

From the first UT yell to the school’s choice of burnt orange, the Big Yell on Wednesday offered insight into school traditions and separated fact from UT myth. Each fall the Texas Exes Spirit and...

Gone to Texas welcomes freshmen, grad students

Allie Kolechta August 24, 2011

The tower glowed orange and the Longhorn Band, Student Government representatives, the Innervisions Gospel Choir and other student groups convened on the main mall to welcome the class of 2015 to campus...

UT preparedness ranks high against national average

Allie Kolechta August 24, 2011

Despite nationwide college preparedness declining, the average standardized test scores for incoming freshmen at UT have increased slightly in the past several years, and UT students are as prepared as...

2011-03-21_SXSW_Mary

Lunch celebrates Austin’s tourism events

Allie Kolechta May 6, 2011

Each year, five events boost Austin’s economy by about $357 million combined but cause the city to scramble to accommodate visitors and citizens who struggle to get from point A to point B. Today,...

Austin City Council candidates voice platforms to students

Allie Kolechta May 4, 2011

With an election 10 days away, City Council candidates are trying to secure all of the votes that they can, including those from University students. Early voting started Monday and continues until...

2011-05-03_Public_Safety_Meeting_Derek

Officials stay alert for terrorist threats

Allie Kolechta May 3, 2011

City officials are preparing for possible threats to Austin in the aftermath of the death of Osama bin Laden, the elusive al-Qaida leader who claimed responsibility for the Sept. 11 attacks. Now...

City Council may alter structure of membership

Allie Kolechta April 30, 2011

City Council began the process of reforming its membership structure with a proposal at a regular meeting Thursday. Currently, all Austin residents vote for each of the six at-large council members...

City Council may alter structure of membership

Allie Kolechta April 29, 2011

City Council began the process of reforming its membership structure with a proposal at a regular meeting Thursday. Currently, all Austin residents vote for each of the six at-large council members...

Sonogram bill goes to House for vote

Allie Kolechta April 24, 2011

A bill requiring women seeking abortions to view a fetal sonogram 24 hours before the procedure easily cleared a key House committee vote Wednesday, paving the way for the full House to consider the...

Student travel to Japan restricted for safety concerns

Allie Kolechta April 14, 2011

The University required students studying abroad in Japan to return and also restricted Japanese international students from visiting Japan in the aftermath of a March earthquake and tsunami. Although...

Low-income families on rise in Travis county

Allie Kolechta April 14, 2011

A disproportionate rise in the number of low-income families in Travis county could mean less support for food and housing services and less tax revenue for future residents of the city of Austin, according...

City officials look at plans for bike paths, storm tunnel

Allie Kolechta April 11, 2011

An underground tunnel project designed to reduce Waller Creek flooding could lead to improved bike paths between UT and downtown and a river walk, said city officials. The Waller Creek Tunnel Project...

UTPD searches for unknown man responsible for Sunday burglary

Allie Kolechta April 11, 2011

Early Sunday morning, a burglary was reported in Moore-Hill Dormitory. The UT Police Department said the suspect has not been identified. A student reported that she woke up to find a male on top...

Texas Relays bring in an estimated $8 million

Allie Kolechta April 11, 2011

An estimated $8 million dollars is circulating through Austin because of Texas Relays, said city officials. The Texas Relays, an annual series of races held throughout the city, generates revenue...

Rise in gas prices likely cause of more students riding buses

Allie Kolechta April 8, 2011

An increase in gas prices could be behind the steady rise of UT students that have used Capital Metro campus shuttles and mainline buses during the past six months, Cap Metro official said. UT’s...

City to hold forums for Austin rail line

Allie Kolechta April 4, 2011

A proposed rail line that would run straight through the heart of UT’s campus may become a reality by the end of the decade. The rail line would run from Mueller Development to Austin-Bergstrom...

Travis County statistics, UHS student assessment report high health rating

Allie Kolechta March 31, 2011

Travis County is one of Texas’s 10 healthiest counties, according to a study release by the University of Wisconsin. In a study from the university’s Population Health Institute released...

Panel urges balanced coverage of Middle East by US reporters

Allie Kolechta March 30, 2011

American press covering conflict in the Middle East brings humanity back into a situation that can quickly become depraved, said author and journalist Lawrence Wright on Tuesday. Wright, who won...

Attorney pursues changes to Public Information Act

Allie Kolechta March 30, 2011

An Austin attorney proposed policies during a city council meeting Tuesday that could close loopholes in a law that allows the public to view government records. Under current law, government officials...

History center receives funds for renovation

Allie Kolechta March 25, 2011

A $1 million gift from the Terry Foundation will allow a UT historical facility to renovate for the benefit students and visitors. The $1 million, which was a personal gift from UT alumnus Howard...

Bill seeks to change standard for treatment of wastewater

Allie Kolechta March 25, 2011

The Austin City Council championed a state senate bill that could improve the quality of water in Barton Springs at a meeting Thursday. The bill would change standards for the treatment of wastewater...

Bombing of Libya raises risk for civilians, says professor

Allie Kolechta March 24, 2011

Violent protests in Libya arose in the aftermath of peaceful protests in other parts of Northern Africa, and our government’s intervention may also pose a threat to the safety of civilians, said a UT...

Influx of car thefts prompts extra warnings from UTPD

Allie Kolechta March 21, 2011

A string of car burglaries caused University police to warn all students who park on campus to hide everything in their vehicles, including GPS docks and power cords. Since Feb. 25, 59 burglaries have...

NPR Ex-CEO to join symposium discussing online journalism

Allie Kolechta March 10, 2011

Former NPR CEO and general manager of NYTimes.com Vivian Schiller has agreed to still speak at a symposium on online journalism at UT in April, despite an announcement Wednesday that she left her post...

Bill seeks to end texting while driving

Allie Kolechta March 10, 2011

A wrecked pick-up truck stood out against the Capitol lawn Wednesday as legislators and members of the media mourned the death of 17-year-old Alex Brown and discussed ways to prevent texting while driving. The...

Public-based growth plan to be voted on by city council

Allie Kolechta March 9, 2011

Austin’s next 30 years could be decided at tomorrow’s City Council meeting, when council members look at whether or not to endorse a plan for the future of the city. City Council will hold a public...

State releases safety cautions for traveling inside Mexico

Allie Kolechta March 7, 2011

Although English freshman Sasha Henry’s cousin is getting married in Monterrey during spring break, she is afraid of crossing the border into Mexico because of a recent upswing in violence and a warning...

Proposed bills aim to create tuition freeze for University

Allie Kolechta March 4, 2011

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a six-part series examining bills that could impact the lives of students. If the Legislature passes either of two bills this session, the University will lose its...

City Council to vote on ordinance to increase parking meters hours

Allie Kolechta March 3, 2011

Parking may be even more of a pain for students and Austin residents if the City Council approves an ordinance in today’s meeting that would increase parking meter hours. The Downtown Commission and...

Former mayors discuss Austin’s growth

Allie Kolechta March 1, 2011

The upcoming general elections could bring changes to the city government and a major bond package that would affect every area of city life, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said. Leffingwell opened...

Graduate student enters Egypt to join with protesting masses

Allie Kolechta February 28, 2011

A UT graduate student stood with protesters in downtown Cairo as they barricaded themselves against military attacks and fought for a revolution in the midst of former President Hosni Mubarak’s...

Legislators plan to honor Barbara Jordan

Allie Kolechta February 22, 2011

To honor a former UT professor, congresswoman and state senator, the Texas Legislature will pass a resolution today to commemorate the birthday of Barbara Jordan. Monday marked the 75th birthday...

UT coalition lobbies for higher education at Capitol

Allie Kolechta February 22, 2011

A student coalition met with four Texas senators and two Texas House representatives on Monday to raise the Longhorn voice at the Capitol. Students from groups such as Student Government, the Senate...

Students push for meat-free Mondays

Allie Kolechta February 21, 2011

A giant yellow chick wandered the West Mall on Friday as students stopped to pick up “Support Meatless Mondays!” pins and sign a petition for an initiative by PETA. Students Against...

Faculty, students march across campus for same-sex partners’ equal benefits

Allie Kolechta February 15, 2011

UT violates its own anti-discrimination policy because of its failure to provide insurance benefits for same-sex partners of faculty and staff, a UT staffer said at a rally on Monday. The Pride...

Green Bay leads the pack

Allie Kolechta February 7, 2011

The cheers of Packers supporters rang through Jester West on Sunday as football fans celebrated the Super Bowl win. As Arlington hosted Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium, which opened in 2009, Longhorns...

Tier one universities to increase in Texas

Allie Kolechta February 4, 2011

A state like Texas should have more tier one universities, higher standards in terms of student performance and a more efficient higher education system to properly educate its growing population, said...

University gaining vast social media presence

Allie Kolechta January 21, 2011

Although only about 6,000 people follow UT on Twitter, a website recently ranked UT one of the top-10 most influential college Twitter accounts in the U.S. along with universities like Stanford, Syracuse...

Committee seeks proxy for resigning president

Allie Kolechta December 8, 2010

The president of the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston announced his intention Monday to step down from his position after 15 years, as soon as a committee for the center appoints a replacement. During...

Discussion will highlight education

Allie Kolechta December 6, 2010

Advocates will have to fight to keep issues such as poverty, health care and education funding on the forefront of Texas lawmakers’ minds during the 82nd legislative session, said representatives...

Face AIDS group raises funds with free testing

Allie Kolechta December 1, 2010

Students at UT Austin can help fight AIDS and support those suffering globally, said a representative from Face AIDS in the Union on Wednesday. UT’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human...

Texas 4000 attempts to break records

Allie Kolechta November 30, 2010

A group of more than 50 students who bike 4,600 miles from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska, every summer broke a record for the Livestrong Young Adult Alliance’s Break Cancer initiative, said advertising...

Students voice concerns over labor rights group

Allie Kolechta November 30, 2010

An affiliation with an anti-sweatshop nonprofit group is not enough to ensure that all UT apparel is made only under ethical working conditions, said students in a meeting with UT’s trademark...

Discouraged fans put hope in the hex

Allie Kolechta November 22, 2010

The same red candle that has illuminated the Main Mall during hex rallies for more than 20 years lit the night for about 2,000 students at this year’s event on Monday. The Texas Exes student chapter...

LBJ Foundation grants award to civil rights leader in D.C.

Allie Kolechta November 21, 2010

The LBJ Foundation awarded the first LBJ Liberty and Justice for All awarded to Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights leader who worked with President Lyndon B. Johnson to pass major civil rights legislation...

Weavers share cooperative story

Allie Kolechta November 19, 2010

Women in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas have begun to make a living for themselves by weaving clothes and creating a way to break through social barriers, said a weaver from a women’s cooperative...

Law school alumnus honored

Allie Kolechta November 15, 2010

The School of Law dean and a UT law alumnus unveiled Friday a sculpture of James DeAnda, a lawyer, social activist and federal judge. DeAnda, a UT alumnus, fought for the integration of Mexican-Americans...

Architecture firms build enormous sculptures from canned goods to benefit Austin food bank

Allie Kolechta November 14, 2010

Roller coasters, cornucopias and giant armadillos constructed out of 19,000 cans of food to feed the hungry line the halls of Barton Creek Square Mall. The monuments are part of the third annual...

Panel discusses race, stereotypes in sports

Allie Kolechta November 12, 2010

Today is in no way the golden age of African-American participation in athletics because of negative stereotypes in the media and dwindling numbers of athletes, said Harry Edwards, sociology professor...

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