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

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter

Madeline is a journalism senior from Houston, Texas. Currently, she is a Projects reporter. She previously covered student government and the UT system. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar and reading.

All content by Madeline Duncan
Campaign and voting signs crowd a grassy patch near the Peter T. Flawn Academic Center, one of two on-campus polling places at UT.

Delayed implementation of Police Oversight Act frustrates victims, activists

Madeline Duncan, General Projects Reporter November 30, 2023

On Jan. 5, 2021, Elizabeth Gonzales faced every mother’s worst fear. Austin Police shot and killed her son, Alex Gonzales Jr., who was 27 years old.  According to an Austin Police report, the incident...

The history of Wheatville: the Black community that originally settled in West Campus area

The history of Wheatville: the Black community that originally settled in West Campus area

Madeline Duncan, General Projects Reporter October 3, 2023

On the western edge of West Campus, nestled in the center of HillTop apartments, lies a small, two-story building made of wood and limestone. The building is the last remaining piece of Wheatville, Austin’s...

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Senado aprueba proyecto de ley de presupuesto que prohíbe a las universidades utilizar fondos estatales en los esfuerzos de DEI

Madeline Duncan and Alyssa Ramos April 20, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 17 de abril por Madeline Duncan y fue traducido al español por Alyssa Ramos. El Senado de Texas aprobó por unanimidad el Proyecto...

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

The Texan looks back, forward at news this semester

Politics and Protests Looking Back: UT students got involved with the state legislative session by testifying to committees and interning with congressional offices. UT’s student advocacy program,...

TikTok influencer Chris Olsen talks on mental health, new coffee brand

TikTok influencer Chris Olsen talks on mental health, new coffee brand

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter April 20, 2023

Over 400 UT students gathered to listen to TikTok star and entrepreneur Chris Olsen speak about his journey as a content creator and advocate for mental health and his new coffee brand at the University...

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Senate approves budget bill banning universities from using state funding on DEI efforts

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter April 17, 2023

The Texas Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1, the proposed state budget for 2024 and 2025, on Monday. The bill, which consists of about $302.7 billion in funding, includes a section prohibiting...

Senate approves bill incorporating Stephen F. Austin State University into UT System

Senate approves bill incorporating Stephen F. Austin State University into UT System

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter April 17, 2023

The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1055 on Monday, which would move Stephen F. Austin State University into the University of Texas System.  The SFA Board of Regents voted to join the...

Protesters hold up a sign at the March for Our Lives protest on June 11, 2022. The protest was held in reaction to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in May.

Los senadores demócratas buscan reforzar las leyes de seguridad de las armas en Texas

Madeline Duncan and Esteban Elias April 7, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 3 de abril por Madeline Duncan y fue traducido al español por Esteban Elias. Aviso de contenido: Esta historia contiene menciones...

Protesters hold up a sign at the March for Our Lives protest on June 11, 2022. The protest was held in reaction to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in May.

Democratic senators seek to strengthen gun safety laws in Texas

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter April 3, 2023

CW: This story contains mentions of gun violence. In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School last May, Democratic Texas state senators are attempting to keep gun control in the...

Protestors gathered at the Texas state capitol to rally against House Bill 1686 and Senate Bill 14 on March 27, 2023. The two bills, if passed, would prohibit gender transitioning in youth.

Texans, UT students protest anti-trans legislation at Texas Capitol

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter March 27, 2023

Texans gathered at the Texas Capitol on Monday to protest bills that would prohibit physicians from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth.  If passed, House Bill 1686 and Senate...

Temporary exhibit honors first generation of Black UT students

Temporary exhibit honors first generation of Black UT students

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter March 23, 2023

UT honors the first generation of Black UT students, known as the Precursors, with an exhibit displayed in the East Mall until March 31. The exhibit displays 118 wooden posts that represent the first...

Students walk past Longhorn Coffee Co in the WCP. Longhorn Coffee Co, which is run by Housing and Dining, pays students a minimum of $13/hr.

Longhorn Coffee Co. employees face worker shortages

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter March 20, 2023

Employees at Longhorn Coffee Co. in the William C. Powers Student Activity Center say issues with new management has left them understaffed. McKenna Golen, a government sophomore and student manager...

Representante de Texas presenta proyecto de ley para prohibir locaciones de votación en los campus universitarios

Representante de Texas presenta proyecto de ley para prohibir locaciones de votación en los campus universitarios

Madeline Duncan and Jessica Nino March 6, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 27 de febrero por Madeline Ducan y fue traducido al español por Jessica Nino. La Representante Republicana de Texas Carrie Isaac presentó...

New esports arena to open in Union Underground

New esports arena to open in Union Underground

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter February 28, 2023

Gamers rejoice: A new Alienware esports arena will open in the Texas Union Underground fall 2023. The arena will be equipped with at least 30 Alienware gaming stations, console stations and production...

Texas representative introduces bill to ban polling locations at college campuses

Texas representative introduces bill to ban polling locations at college campuses

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporters February 27, 2023

Republican Texas Representative Carrie Isaac introduced a house bill to prohibit Texas counties from placing voting locations on college campuses earlier this month. If enacted, HB 2390 would take...

Austin City Council passes ordinance to secure police pay after Austin Police Association refuses to negotiate a contract extension

Austin City Council passes ordinance to secure police pay after Austin Police Association refuses to negotiate a contract extension

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter February 24, 2023

The Austin City Council voted on Thursday to put in place a one-year ordinance that maintains steady police officer wages and benefits, resulting from the Austin Police Association’s refusal to negotiate...

Cronk gets bonked: Austin City Council removes City Manager Spencer Cronk for winter storm failings

Cronk gets bonked: Austin City Council removes City Manager Spencer Cronk for winter storm failings

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter February 16, 2023

The Austin City Council voted to remove Spencer Cronk from his position as city manager due to his shortcomings during winter storm Mara in a special session on Feb. 15.  The council voted 10-1 to...

El guia del The Daily Texan  para la construcción actual en el campus

El guia del The Daily Texan para la construcción actual en el campus

Madeline Duncan and Maria Fernanda Castro February 10, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 26 de enero por Madeline Duncan fue traducido al español por Maria Fernanda Castro. Mientras que el naranja bronce es el color de...

Austin Police Association funded petition imitating Police Oversight Act

Austin Police Association funded petition imitating Police Oversight Act

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter January 30, 2023

Campaign finance reports filed by Voters for Police Oversight and Accountability revealed it is mainly funded by the Austin Police Association, the union representing Austin police officers. VOPA, the...

Noble 2500 Abre Tras Meses de Retraso

Noble 2500 Abre Tras Meses de Retraso

Madeline Duncan and Esteban Elias January 29, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 23 de enero por Madeline Duncan y fue traducido al español por Esteban Elias.  Residentes en Noble 2500 se mudaron el pasado fin...

The Texan’s guide to current construction on campus

The Texan’s guide to current construction on campus

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter January 26, 2023

While burnt orange is UT’s color, students have been seeing more of a bright orange on campus lately due to construction. Below are some notable spots on campus under renovation.  Battle Hall Home...

Noble 2500 opens after months of delays

Noble 2500 opens after months of delays

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter January 24, 2023

Residents at Noble 2500 moved in this weekend after five months of delays and temporary living situations.  The West Campus apartment complex was initially scheduled to open before the start of...

Petition imitating the Austin Police Oversight Act may appear on the May ballot

Petition imitating the Austin Police Oversight Act may appear on the May ballot

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter January 12, 2023

Austin voters may face two nearly identical propositions concerning police oversight in May. Despite having the same name, one of these propositions would increase oversight while the other intends to...

New Chrome extension aims to ease UT registration process, replace old extension

New Chrome extension aims to ease UT registration process, replace old extension

Madeline Duncan, Senior news reporter December 19, 2022

UT students have created a new Google Chrome extension to make registering for classes easier.  UT Registration Planner is currently free to download on the Chrome Web Store and allows students to...

Student petitions for access after accusations of violating UHD contract

Student petitions for access after accusations of violating UHD contract

Madeline Duncan, Senior news reporter November 18, 2022

A UT student started a petition advocating for improved food access after she was reported by a dining hall employee for taking a cup of fruit from Jester City Limits.  Sociology sophomore Jenna Dillon...

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Austin mayoral, City Council District 9 races move to runoff

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter November 9, 2022

The Austin mayoral race will go to a runoff between Celia Israel and Kirk Watson.  The runoff election will be Dec.13. State representative Celia Israel will face off against former state senator and...

Senate votes to support accommodations for pregnant, parenting students

Senate votes to support accommodations for pregnant, parenting students

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter November 8, 2022

The Senate of College Councils voted Oct. 27 to give increased academic accommodations to pregnant or parenting students if they are willing to discuss their situation with their professors. According...

Alexander Feinstein, along with Jerold Holmon and Surekha Balakrishnan, introduced legislation at the Student Government meeting on Nov. 1, 2022. The legislation calls for the university to ban Kanye West music at UT sporting events.

Student Government advocates for banning Kanye West music from UT sporting events

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter November 2, 2022

Student Government called for a ban of Kanye West music from UT sporting events in light of the artist’s recent antisemetic remarks. Student Government unanimously passed a resolution on Nov. 1 advocating...

Student Government presents six ways UT can be more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students

Student Government presents six ways UT can be more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter October 28, 2022

Student leaders presented six immediate recommendations for UT to improve inclusivity for LGBTQ+ staff and students on Wednesday, eight months after releasing a report addressing the LGBTQ+ state of affairs. The...

Noble 2500 apartment complex delays move-in date two months after scheduled open

Noble 2500 apartment complex delays move-in date two months after scheduled open

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter October 18, 2022

When the future residents of West Campus apartment complex Noble 2500 signed their leases, they were told the building would be ready for move-in by mid-August. Now, two months later, Noble continues to...

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UT students host events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter October 14, 2022

CW: This column contains discussion of interpersonal and relationship violence.  October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and UT’s Voices Against Violence will host events and workshops all month...

Pride flag found vandalized twice in physics mathematics astronomy building

Pride flag found vandalized twice in physics mathematics astronomy building

Madeline Duncan, Senior news reporter October 11, 2022

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story said the flag was vandalized in the PMA library, but the flag was vandalized in a lounge in the building. The story has been updated to better reflect that....

Student leaders call for additional federal loan debt forgiveness

Student leaders call for additional federal loan debt forgiveness

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter September 26, 2022

Student body representatives at UT are calling on President Joe Biden to cancel at least $50,000 in loan debt per student, after the president canceled up to $10,000 in loans per student and $20,000 per...

Apartment complex applies to replace 24th Street Starbucks, Smoothie King

Apartment complex applies to replace 24th Street Starbucks, Smoothie King

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter September 20, 2022

An apartment complex has applied to purchase the 24th Street lot, which contains Starbucks and Smoothie King, and replace it with a multifamily development. The City of Austin notified residents living...

‘Completely absurd’: Student organization to challenge I-35 expansion to 20 lanes

‘Completely absurd’: Student organization to challenge I-35 expansion to 20 lanes

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter September 20, 2022

Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Rethink35 is a new student organization, but it is a new chapter of a larger organization. The Texan regrets this error. UT students and faculty...

ACC Eastview to offer free clinical mental health services in partnership with Dell Medical School

ACC Eastview to offer free clinical mental health services in partnership with Dell Medical School

Madeline Duncan, Senior news reporter August 26, 2022

Dell Medical School is partnering with Austin Community College this semester to create the Amplify Center — a mental health office located at ACC’s Eastview Campus where students can access licensed...

UT researchers develop brain-like transistors

UT researchers develop brain-like transistors

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter August 26, 2022

UT researchers have developed new biocompatible transistors that mimic brain synapses, an advancement that could potentially help scientists to rebuild neural pathways or create brain implants. While...

UT astronomers find new distant galaxy with James Webb Telescope

UT astronomers find new distant galaxy with James Webb Telescope

Madeline Duncan, Senior News Reporter August 23, 2022

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest optical telescope in space, UT astronomers along with researchers from other institutions have discovered a galaxy formed roughly 300 million years after...

Your wacky uncle may be right — college makes people more ‘culturally’ liberal, according to UT researchers

Your wacky uncle may be right — college makes people more ‘culturally’ liberal, according to UT researchers

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter July 28, 2022

The myth that has been spouted by family members at holiday dinners for generations — that college makes students more liberal — may actually be true, according to a study led by UT researchers that...

UT program provides testing, application aid to students historically excluded from graduate school

UT program provides testing, application aid to students historically excluded from graduate school

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter July 21, 2022

The Longhorn Center for Academic Equity is launching a new prep program to help make the graduate school application process more accessible to historically excluded groups. As part of the new Strive...

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UT-Austin researcher finds sanctuary policies lower crime rates

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter July 21, 2022

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the July 19, 2022 flipbook. Sanctuary counties that didn’t enforce immigration laws saw lower amounts of violent crime and property crime, according...

UT-Austin researchers develop more realistic audio AI models for Meta virtual reality

UT-Austin researchers develop more realistic audio AI models for Meta virtual reality

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter July 14, 2022

UT researchers have teamed up with Meta to create new voice and audio AI models. Last month, Meta announced three audio models to make virtual reality more immersive and allow for accessible audio editing:...

UT art class increases students’ empathy

UT art class increases students’ empathy

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter July 11, 2022

A professor within the Department of Art and Art History and a Dell Medical School professor found that art can improve people’s empathy for cancer patients in a recent study. “Aesthetics of Health:...

UT-Austin study finds Supreme Court is more conservative than 75% of public

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter June 26, 2022

The United States Supreme Court is more conservative than 75% of Americans, according to research from a UT professor.  Stephen Jessee, an associate government professor, led a decade-long study that...

UT-Austin supercomputer simulates first-ever image of black hole at center of our galaxy

UT-Austin supercomputer simulates first-ever image of black hole at center of our galaxy

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter June 16, 2022

Researchers used UT’s supercomputer to generate simulated images of Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole that potentially lays at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, a finding that provides stronger...

UT offers temporary positions to Ukrainian scholars

UT offers temporary positions to Ukrainian scholars

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter April 29, 2022

UT is offering eight paid faculty positions to Ukrainian scholars who are displaced or unable to return home as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Texas Global is partnering with the...

Coping with Corona study expands to include participant concerns about Russia-Ukraine war 

Coping with Corona study expands to include participant concerns about Russia-Ukraine war 

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter April 19, 2022

A global research initiative meant to examine how COVID-19 is affecting people’s mental health recently added the Russia-Ukraine war to its study in an effort to better understand how people respond...

Kendra Scott invests $13.25 million in UT to support women in business

Kendra Scott invests $13.25 million in UT to support women in business

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter April 7, 2022

Kendra Scott will invest $13.25 million in her UT program to encourage women’s entrepreneurship, according to a March 28 announcement. The money will expand the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial...

UT joins network to become inclusive for students of all ages

UT joins network to become inclusive for students of all ages

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter March 29, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the March 25, 2022 flipbook. UT joined a global network in February in an effort to make the campus a more inclusive space for students of all ages.  The...

UT funds affordable housing research

UT funds affordable housing research

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter March 28, 2022

The UT President's office gave out four $25,000 grants this semester to faculty members studying affordable housing in the Austin community. The University awarded the Faculty Innovation Grants to staff...

Upgrades on deck for Littlefield Patio Cafe

Upgrades on deck for Littlefield Patio Cafe

Madeline Duncan, News Reporter February 23, 2022
The patio, which has been closed since the beginning of the academic school year, is set to open this summer, said Josue Rodriguez, assistant director of marketing and communications for University Housing and Dining.
UT joins worldwide study on coping with COVID-19

UT joins worldwide study on coping with COVID-19

Madeline Duncan, News reporter February 15, 2022

UT psychology researchers joined a global research initiative that is currently recruiting participants to study how individuals are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by researchers from the University...

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