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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 Elizabeth Hlavinka
Elizabeth Daulton

30: Life&Arts editor peaces out

Elizabeth Hlavinka December 5, 2016

Editor’s note: A 30 column is a chance for departing permanent staff to say farewell and reflect on their time spent in The Daily Texan basement office. The term comes from the typesetting mark (—30—)...

2016-11-30_Sexual_Assault_Profiles_Joshua

Sexual assault survivor shares experience of betrayal, lost trust

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 30, 2016

Raised by a policeman and a rape crisis counselor, Eva never walked alone at night or left home without her Mace. But she could never have prepared for her closest friends to be the largest threat she...

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Self-supporting student finds hope at UT

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 28, 2016

While some independent students age out of foster care, others can be emancipated minors or classified as homeless. Most are financially responsible for themselves and do not receive the family support...

2016-11-21_Abz_Memorial_Carlos

Family, friends host memorial service to honor Abz Zeitler

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka November 21, 2016

To some, she was a mentor, to others a teammate. Some called her their “ghoulfriend,” others knew her as a co-worker, an employee, a daughter, a best friend, a sister.  But whether...

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Tat-Tuesday: Sound On Sound festivalgoers share stories behind their ink

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka November 8, 2016

Editor’s note: Tat-Tuesday is a weekly series that features students around campus and their tattoos. J and Kristin  Some of J’s tattoos are older than most college students. “I’m...

2016-11-06_SOS Day 3_Joshua

Sound on Sound Fest: Day Three proves worth the wait

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka November 8, 2016

Rain or shine, the show must go on. As a downpour flooded the festival grounds early Sunday afternoon, hundreds of fans evacuated to cars and shuttles thinking the three-day festival had come to a premature...

2016-11-05_SOS_Day2_Joshua

SOS Fest: Day Two brings ultimate dream pop experience

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka November 6, 2016

Day Two of Sound On Sound Festival kicked off to a muddy start after a round of heavy morning showers early Saturday, but that didn’t stop festivalgoers clad in rain boots and jackets from lining...

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Electric hip-hop performances dominate Day One of inaugural Sound On Sound Music Festival

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka November 5, 2016

Slowly but surely, attendees trickled into the Sherwood Forest grounds Friday afternoon for the inaugural Sound On Sound Festival. The fest shares many similarities with downtown Austin’s Fun...

Q&A: Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel talks new album, finding light in darkness

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 4, 2016

Phantogram jumped into the music scene in 2009 with a boldness reflected in their sound. Since then, they have dominated the trip hop genre, and hits such as “When I’m Small” and “Don’t...

Q&A: Small Black shares loss reflected in latest album

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 27, 2016

When Small Black’s lead singer Josh Kolenik started writing music, he performed a song about hating his elementary school teachers with his then band, Crayola Crew. Since then, Kolenik has released...

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Tat-Tuesday: ACL Weekend 2 attendees share personal stories behind tattoos

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 11, 2016

Editor’s note: Tat-Tuesday is a weekly series that features students around campus and their tattoos. Luc Salazar Since his grandmother passed away, wine connoisseur Luc Salazar has moved...

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ACL Day Three Recap: LCD knocks it out of the park, Willie Nelson satisfies crowds

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 10, 2016

It’s not easy to follow headlining acts such as Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar and Mumford and Sons. But on Sunday, LCD Soundsystem concluded the festival with the most passionate performance of the weekend. Best:...

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15th annual ACL closes out with a bang

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 10, 2016

Another successful ACL weekend has come and gone. While smaller bands were given a chance to showcase their new releases, the headliners and big names were what set this weekend apart.  Flying...

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ACL Day Two Recap: Kendrick captivates audiences, concluding a hip hop-heavy Saturday

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 9, 2016

Friday’s highlights were alternative rock bands, but Saturday’s were the kings of hip hop. Best: Kendrick Lamar did it again this weekend, amping the crowd up with plenty of hits from To...

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ACL Day One recap: Radiohead tops last weekend’s performance, M83 dazzles crowd

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 8, 2016

Yesterday, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke turned 48 and Flying Lotus’ Steven Ellison turned 33 — and during their performances, they decided to celebrate. Best: Radiohead lived up to high...

Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell talks making music as father, favorite festival

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 7, 2016

Band of Horses is known for their indie progressive hits “The Funeral” and “Is There a Ghost.” But with their newest album, Why Are You OK, they move away from their previous sound,...

2016-09-22_Tejano_Music_Dad_And_Son

Father-son duo recall rise, fall of Tejano music in Austin

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka September 23, 2016

To the majority of radio broadcasters in the 1960s, Tejano music was the “ugly stepchild” of the industry. But to people like Marcelo Tafoya and his son, Tony, it was Cinderella. “It...

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Longhorns in Love: Geography professors share love story

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 7, 2016

They met in the flat planes of Botswana, sleeping in tents, cooking over a fire pit and living out of their suitcases. Geography and the environment associate professor Kelley Crews and lecturer Thoralf...

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UT Tower carillon player leaves lasting legacy on campus

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 6, 2016

For six decades, Tom Anderson went up 30 floors to the top of the Tower. Tucked away in a small office, he sat down at his carillon and played. Anderson, UT’s carillon player, died on Aug....

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UT Tower carillon player dies at 93

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 3, 2016

The sound of 56 bells has rang through campus daily from the top of the Tower. For the past 64 years, Tom Anderson was the man behind the music. Anderson, UT’s carillon player, died on Aug. 18...

2016-08-31_Common_Joshua

Common talks following his passions, remembering roots

Elizabeth Hlavinka August 31, 2016

Hip-hop artist Common visited the Hogg Auditorium on campus on Tuesday. He talked with The Daily Texan about his recent projects, his Chicago roots and his basketball prowess. The Daily Texan: Within...

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Texas Exes Pride Alumni Network to march in 26th annual Gay Pride Parade

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka August 26, 2016

Usually, the back-and-forth “Texas! Fight!” chant can be heard echoing the stadium during a football game. But this weekend, it will ring across Congress Avenue. This Saturday, Aug. 27,...

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Students leave University to pursue social app

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka August 25, 2016

A year ago, Chris Prinz walked into his intro to marketing class, beginning his second year at UT. But on the first day of school a year later, he was far from campus, feverishly working behind computers...

First day of school through the years

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka August 24, 2016

The Daily Texan dug in its archives for three stories from three previous decades, all published on the first day of the fall semester. 1986: 19-year-olds mourn lost drinking privileges in 1986 For...

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Austin hosts events to celebrate national Pride Week

Elizabeth Hlavinka August 24, 2016

It’s Pride Week in Austin, a city with one of the largest LGBT communities in the country. Here are eight events to celebrate and show pride for the rest of the week. Austin Pride Queer Art Show...

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Fall semester features interesting class options

Katie Walsh and Elizabeth Hlavinka August 22, 2016

Cramming your schedule full of major requirements is not ideal. Sometimes, you need to break from traditional classes and try something different. Below, The Daily Texan compiled five interesting classes...

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UT sophomore runs for Pflugerville City Council

Elizabeth Hlavinka July 11, 2016

When government sophomore Victor To wanted to be an author, he wrote a novel. When he wanted to be a computer coder, he built his own social network. Now, he has decided to go into politics — and...

2016-06-20_UT_Rock_Climbing_Rachel

Texas Rock Climbing conquers new heights

Elizabeth Hlavinka June 27, 2016

Art history senior Hanna Bernbaum joins her competitors in the isolation area, handing over her cell phone and leaving her teammates behind. She has only a moment to look at the wall — 10 seconds...

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Free Austin events in June

Elizabeth Hlavinka June 3, 2016

Start your summer right — and without breaking the bank — by checking out The Daily Texan’s picks for 10 free events this June.   Giant Chess June 4, 12:30 – 3:30...

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What’s love got to do with it?

In this compilation of stories, the Life & Arts department explores the joys and challenges that come with love. Despite discrimination, distance and life's many responsibilities, these four student...

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UT couple shares experience of introducing same-sex partner to family

Elizabeth Hlavinka May 4, 2016

They met in the campus library, pouring over the same stack of 50 children’s books they procrastinated reading for the semester. Finals ended and they went their separate ways, but when they returned...

2016-04-29_Basketball_Practice_Team_Mike

Men in Black male basketball squad demonstrates gender equality in sport

Elizabeth Hlavinka May 3, 2016

When the UT women’s basketball team played Baylor, they drew enough fans to open the top level of the stadium for the first time at a women’s basketball game. But every game this season, a...

2016-04-22_Hip-Hop_Journalist_Mike

UT alumnus documents music scene as journalist and filmmaker

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 29, 2016

When UT alumnus Sama’an Ashrawi hears hip-hop, he thinks back to the first Dr. Dre CD his cousin played him, hunched over the stereo in his room. He thinks about the samples involved, like the James...

2016-04-26_300_Mariana

CMHC staffer helps students organize and navigate UT system

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 26, 2016

Editor’s note: In 300 words or fewer, this series spotlights people in our community whose stories typically go untold. Over the past 15 years, Michelle Rivera helps hundreds of students passing...

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UT student showcases black student diversity through Four Point Five blog

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 20, 2016

On a campus of more than 53,334 students, it can be easy for the voices of the 2,000 black students to be silenced by the majority. Advertising sophomore Langston Dillard is working to change that. This...

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UT locksmith shares key to happiness

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 19, 2016

Behind campus’s closed doors rest the Gutenberg Bible, artifacts from space and millions of dollars of research materials. Each of these doors has its own unique lock — and Lee Hart holds their...

2016-04-13_Glory_FILE_Daulton

All-female GLORY wrestlers fight for gender diversity in sport

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 13, 2016

Screams and grunts echo from within the wrestling rink’s rope walls. Two opponents bare their teeth as one lifts the other over her knee in a backbreaker, slamming her down for an easy pin.  The...

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300: UT piano tuner keeps instruments sharp

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 12, 2016

When Charles Ball reflects on the hundreds of pianos he’s come across in the past 50 years, he sees a nine-foot Steinway UT acquired in 1938. He sees the fixer-upper his friend’s grandmother...

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West Campus Block Party returns to bring residents live, local music

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 7, 2016

More than a thousand students line the streets of West Campus, with art vendors, vintage shops and live music, surrounding them in every direction. It’s a scaled-down version of Austin City Limits...

2016-04-05_DRONE_Marshall

Austin aerial photography scene brings new perspective to city

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 5, 2016

The UT Tower, the Pennybacker Bridge and Lady Bird Lake each have been photographed thousands of times and from nearly every angle. So when a group of photographers wanted to shoot Austin icons from a...

2016-03-29-Chulita_Vinyl_Mariana

All-girl vinyl DJ group, Chulita Vinyl Club, empowers women through music

Elizabeth Hlavinka April 1, 2016

In Spanish, “chulita” means beautiful or sweet. But when girls refer to themselves as “chulitas,” the word becomes empowering and confident — like Beyoncé calling herself...

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Director of public programming brings art to UT and Austin community

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 29, 2016

Editor’s note: In 300 words or fewer, this series spotlights people in our community whose stories typically go untold. After earning her studio art degree, UT alumna Xochi Solis didn’t...

2016-03-24_Who_We_Were_Marshall

UT students to release full-length horror film, “Who We Were Before”

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 24, 2016

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” “The Strangers” and the developing film “Who We Were Before” have two things in common — they’re all directed by UT students...

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300: Fire life safety technician John Abroms gives 27 years of service to UT

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 22, 2016

When most people walk into a building on campus, they notice the decorations on the walls or the door they walk through. But when John Abroms enters, he sees the building’s skeleton — the rafters,...

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Free shows to attend this week at SXSW

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 11, 2016

Scroll down below the infographic to read more about each event. ​Infographic by Iliana Storch | Daily Texan Staff   Monday, March 14 All the Friends Ball When: 12 p.m. –...

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UT students serve as mentors for refugee high school students

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 10, 2016

Refugees from all over the world flee their home countries, seeking reprieve in the United States. Once they arrive, they must overcome language, cultural and economic barriers — all of which UT...

2016-03-07_300_Portrait_Carlos

SSD associate director brings opportunity to DHH students

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 8, 2016

More than 50 percent of the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students at UT live unaware of the extent of the captioning and interpreter services the University offers. But there to ensure these students’...

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Ph.D. student improves therapeutic theater performances for refugees

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 3, 2016

80,000 people in Jordan’s Zaatari Refugee Camp sleep in temporary trailers, surrounded by crime, gangs and sexual violence. But in the heart of the camp, they find a way to transport themselves to...

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300: UT astronomer provides scientific, historical knowledge

Elizabeth Hlavinka March 1, 2016

While most 5-year-olds prefer picture books or cartoons, UT alumna Lara Eakins was fascinated by the newly discovered images of Mars, the rings of Saturn and Neptune’s moons that lined the pages...

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Austin flow scene brings fire art, community to campus

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 24, 2016

When international relations senior Gwam Puerta notices a dip in the party’s energy, he wets his hair, lathers his beard in Vaseline and sets a torch on fire — ready to bring the crowd to life. Puerta...

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300: J2 chef Ivory Mobley brings food, company to students

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 23, 2016

Editor’s note: In 300 words or fewer, this series spotlights people in our community whose stories typically go untold. Hungry students shuffle through the packed lines of the J2 buffet, overwhelmed...

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UT alumna’s company Noonday Collection helps relieve global poverty by creating artisan markets

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 18, 2016

UT alumna Jessica Honegger has seen some of the poorest countries in the world, and after witnessing the effect of poverty on families, she found the solution was something present in everyone —...

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Ballet Afrique dance studio promotes African diaspora, community through dance

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 17, 2016

Homeless and hungry, China Smith prayed for something — anything — that could end her three-day starvation. Just a moment later, a woman in red approached her and placed a $20 bill...

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UT Immigration Clinic lawyers represent detained immigrant women, children

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 11, 2016

UT clinical professor Elissa Steglich has seen the despair and fear that resides in Texas detention centers firsthand. One woman she spoke to, a tailor from Central America, terrified by gang threats and...

2016-02-09_Artist_300_Jesse

Local artist reflects on 40 years of life as a jeweler at 23rd Street Artists’ Market

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 9, 2016

After falling asleep at the wheel, slamming his car into a bridge and having his body peeled out in critical condition, local artist Randy Eckels was lucky to be alive. Released from the hospital and...

2016-02-03_Indelible_Austin_Jesse

UT alumnus’ new book links Austin history with current city landmarks, profiles

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 3, 2016

Within a collective 50 years, father and son Buster and Jack Robinson avoided disastrous floods, disposed of an abandoned truckful of snakes and used the incessant train horn of the Zilker Zephyr as their...

2016-02-01_Open Carry Signs_Mariana

UT alumna’s Wyatt Brand debuts anti-gun signs

Elizabeth Hlavinka February 2, 2016

UT alumna Rachel Wyatt was scrolling through her news feed last December when she came across another report of a school shooting. She thought of those lost, those in danger, and her husband and eight-year-old...

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UT alumni’s Meditation Bar brings mindfulness practice to students

Elizabeth Hlavinka January 29, 2016

Imagine a thin string attached to the ceiling. It enters the top of your scalp, runs taut through your body and connects the balls of your feet to the ground. Focus on your breath.   Deep in meditation,...

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Tat-Tuesday: Students share stories behind ink

Elizabeth Hlavinka January 26, 2016

Photos by Zoe Fu Fernanda Rodriguez The white ink letters on design sophomore Fernanda Rodriguez’s left forearm spell the word “illusions” in Spanish. In the last letter Rodriguez...

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UT alumna Andree Bober publishes book detailing UT’s art collections

Elizabeth Hlavinka January 25, 2016

Resting on a dusty shelf in the dark recesses of a UT laboratory lie jars of preserved brains, canned frogs and animal skulls. To most, encountering the collection would be disturbing or grotesque,...

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300: UT alumna Carin Peterson handles campus wildlife

Elizabeth Hlavinka January 20, 2016

Editor's note: In 300 words or fewer, this series spotlights people in our community whose stories typically go untold. When UT alumna Carin Peterson gets a phone call reporting a raccoon on campus,...

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Voices of Diversity

Click here to read about the complicated relationship between race and genetics.

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UT students share experiences with undocumented citizenship

Danielle Lopez and Elizabeth Hlavinka December 3, 2015

Editor's note: This article is part of a package about diversity on campus. Click here to read the other stories. During bilingual education sophomore Pamela Morales Castro’s seventh...

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Minds Over Matter: Students discuss mental health struggles, recoveries

Check out our video recap of the Texan Talks: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone about mental health concerns, contact the UT Counseling...

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Mind Over Matter: UT student faces adversity, stigmas with bipolar disorder

Elizabeth Hlavinka December 1, 2015

Editor's Note: This is one part in a series about students and mental health. To check out the other stories, click here.   At age 22, Alexis recalled nothing but a life of regret and...

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Storytellers share personal tales at (un)Spoken

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 18, 2015

Sadie Smythe walked across her back porch and settled in to a comfortable chair, opening a pack of cigarettes and taking a deep breath. She unfolded her notebook to a story she had been struggling to write...

Arabic Immersion_court of Kate Adams

UT alumna opens first Arabic Immersion Magnet School

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 16, 2015

While most American students may come home from preschool singing the “Alphabet Song” or “Wheels on the Bus,” Mia Jamal’s son, Khalid, comes home singing ancient Arabic...

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Alumnus hosts satirical talk show “ATX Uncensored(ish)”

Elizabeth Hlavinka November 3, 2015

For the past decade, UT alumnus Brian Gaar has been a news reporter by day and a “Twitter-famous” stand-up comedian by night. Gaar now hosts “ATX Uncensored(ish),”...

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UT alumna opens Texas’ first cat cafe

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 18, 2015

 Blue Cat Cafe customers may arrive for a morning cup of coffee, but — after being greeted by over a dozen furry companions and their melodic meows — they may leave with a new household...

2015-10-14_Mitscoots_Outfitting_Rachel

UT alumni launch The Outfitting Project, help homeless sock it to poverty

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 14, 2015

While on a donation run, UT alumnus Tim Scott watched as a young boy peeled off a filthy pair of socks he didn’t remember putting on. As Tim handed the boy a new pair, he watched as he began skating...

UT alumna’s journey to all 30 MLB parks ends with opening pitch at Cubs game

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 5, 2015

When UT alumna Katie Russell took the mound at Wrigley Field in Chicago last week, she looked up to find herself surrounded by 41,160 fans. With the release of her single pitch, she started the nine-inning...

2015-10-02_ACL_Mayor_Daulton

Public relations freshman named Mayor of ACL

Elizabeth Hlavinka October 2, 2015

For public relations freshman Lainey Gonzales, the secret to a successful mayoral campaign wasn’t shaking hands and kissing babies — it was dressing up as a Teletubby and handing out flowers. This...

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Strange Pilgrims exhibit to come to The Contemporary Austin

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 25, 2015

At The Contemporary Austin’s latest exhibit, visitors can enter a personal thought, dream or wish into a computer as part of Yoko Ono’s “Summer Dream.” A scrolling billboard broadcasts...

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Researchers find clues to early human-inflicted environmental changes

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 9, 2015

UT researchers discovered new data indicating ancient Mayan infrastructure initiated human-inflicted change on the environment, according to a UT study. Tim Beach, geology professor and co-author of...

2015-09-04_GenderHistory_Thalia

Gender symposium kicks off semester with discussion of subjectivity in research

Elizabeth Hlavinka September 8, 2015

UT faculty and students gathered Friday to discuss methods of decreasing subjectivity in gender-based research through theory. Run by history Ph.D. students Liz Elizondo and Sandy Chang, the Symposium...

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