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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 Victoria Pagan
2012-05-04_Victoria_Pagan1541_Fanny_Trang

Editor concludes semester with parting words: Victoria Pagan

Victoria Pagan May 4, 2012

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’s basement office. The term comes from the old typesetting...

Test PAC aims to unseat Lamar Smith

Nick Hadjigeorge and Victoria Pagan February 13, 2012

The political action committee Test PAC has its sights set on unseating Rep. Lamar Smith R-Texas using Internet-based tactics, while seeking to differentiate themselves from mainstream politics. Smith...

Kokabee to remain imprisoned in Iran for at least another year

Victoria Pagan February 2, 2012

Physics graduate student Omid Kokabee will remain illegally imprisoned in Iran under espionage charges for at least another year with no court hearing or release date in sight, said Eugene Chudnovsky,...

Student imprisoned in Iran writes letter seeking basic rights

Victoria Pagan February 1, 2012

UT physics graduate student Omid Kokabee's second court hearing for espionage charges in Iran was scheduled for Tuesday, but those in contact with him are still not certain if it happened, said Eugene...

After charges of leaking secrets, student remain in Iranian jail

Victoria Pagan January 31, 2012

UT physics graduate student Omid Kokabee remains imprisoned indefinitely in Iran despite pleading not guilty to espionage charges in an Iranian court. Kokabee was imprisoned while on a visit to his native...

Bill requires Texas women to hear sonogram before abortion

Victoria Pagan January 23, 2012

Texas women seeking abortions must now receive a sonogram and hear audio of the fetus’s heartbeat 24 to 72 hours before their procedure. These additions to the sonogram bill, sponsored by Sen. Dan...

Co-op, Senate of College Councils raise money for wildfire relief

Victoria Pagan September 12, 2011

Thanks to the University Co-op and a handful of students, the UT community can buy T-shirts to support the Bastrop wildfire relief efforts. Two students on the Senate of College Councils’ Outreach...

American Muslims reflect about 9/11’s effect on Islam

Victoria Pagan September 9, 2011

Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, the American Muslim community is still working to show support for its country and end negative stereotypes that arose from the tragedy. Business senior and president...

Natural Science undergrads to get entrepreneurship, collaboration training

Victoria Pagan August 30, 2011

A new program will train College of Natural Sciences students to market their ideas and start their own companies in the future, said W. Arthur Porter, a new dean of the college who will develop the initiative. Porter...

Study shows women use handguns for defense, self-empowerment

Victoria Pagan August 26, 2011

Fewer women than men in the U.S. hold concealed handgun licenses and women who do carry them do so for self-defense and a need to feel empowered, according to a study by sociology graduate student Angela...

Longhorn Network to launch today without Central Texas distributor

Victoria Pagan August 26, 2011

The Longhorn Network landed its first broadcasting contract with a cable provider yesterday, but some fans may not be able to tune in tonight in time for the 6 p.m. launch. Yesterday, the Longhorn Network,...

UT network set to launch despite lack of industry deals

Victoria Pagan August 24, 2011

Less than four days before the Longhorn Network is set to launch live from the South Mall, the station does not have a contract with a cable or satellite provider. Network Vice President of Production...

Council aspirations aim to protect jobs, raise success rates

Victoria Pagan August 24, 2011

The Faculty Council will focus on protecting the financial rights and earned benefits of faculty members from budget cuts and attacks on higher education during the upcoming year, said council chairman...

University Co-op adds grocery store on the Drag

Victoria Pagan August 24, 2011

Students will soon have another option for purchasing health conscious, local groceries at the University Co-op grocery store scheduled to open next week. Co-op management decided to build the grocery...

Arts, Natural Sciences tighten their belts

Victoria Pagan August 11, 2011

UT’s two largest schools, the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Natural Sciences, chose to tackle required budget cuts in very different ways, and both stand by their tactics. The...

Ramadan proves challenging but worthwhile sacrifice in summer heat

Huma Munir and Victoria Pagan August 4, 2011

After Ramadan began Monday, UT’s practicing Muslim students will abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset — a challenge when temperatures have reached 107 degrees twice this week. Ramadan...

UT Marine Institute makes preparations for hurricane season

Victoria Pagan July 28, 2011

Researchers at the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas are already preparing for hurricane season. Officials said scientists and animal rehabilitation experts are used to the impact hurricanes...

Gender-neutral restrooms to be phased in to broader use on campus

Victoria Pagan July 25, 2011

The choice between using a men’s or women’s restroom isn’t conscious for most, but an effort to provide gender-neutral, one-stall bathrooms in all campus buildings will help meet the...

Student organizations given more funding by budget committee

Victoria Pagan July 21, 2011

The Student Services Budget Committee approved new allocations of money from student fees to five University organizations who displayed particular needs, the committee’s former chairwoman said. Former...

Latvian delegation looks to UT for example to follow

Victoria Pagan July 21, 2011

Secret Service agents surrounded all the Main Building’s entrances early Tuesday morning, but UT Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Hegarty said their presence on campus is more...

Last call for the Hogwarts Express

Victoria Pagan July 14, 2011

For many UT students, the release of the final installment of the Harry Potter film series marks the end of an era that began when they were reading their first chapter books in elementary school. What...

UT Senate’s advisory committees to be fully formed by September

Victoria Pagan July 11, 2011

The College Tuition and Budget Advisory Committees proposed by the Senate of College Councils for all 16 University colleges are scheduled to be fully formed by the end of September, said Senate president...

University Senate uses time line to follow decisions of Regents

Victoria Pagan July 4, 2011

The UT Senate of College Councils is closely following the UT System Board of Regents with a new interactive time line. Over the summer, the senate has kept students updated on an ongoing controversy...

Student Government allocates funds to organizations

Victoria Pagan June 30, 2011

Fourteen student organizations competed against each other last month for funds from the new Student Government summer finance committee. Student Government officials allocated $4225 overall to...

Student Government blood drive to help tornado victims

Victoria Pagan June 27, 2011

Tornado survivors in Alabama and Missouri will get relief from University blood donations next week. The tornado disasters in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Joplin, Mo., two months ago inspired Student Government...

Construction continues with help of increased donations

Victoria Pagan June 27, 2011

While higher education continues to struggle with budget cuts, donations from various organizations continue to allow for the beginning of new construction projects throughout the University, project...

UT researches indoor air quality to find solutions for a healthier life

Victoria Pagan June 23, 2011

While sun burn and heat exhaustion pose great risks to those who spend too much time outdoors, indoor air pollutants may cause respiratory issues and other health complications, according to UT researchers. Engineering...

Cactus Cafe sees success one year later

Victoria Pagan June 20, 2011

A year after the Cactus Cafe announced its partnership with KUT Radio, the iconic cafe is financially stable while still upholding the Bohemian-refuge vibe guests have always loved, managers said. The...

Getting a feel for the 40 Acres

Victoria Pagan June 16, 2011

For the first time, the University isn’t requiring incoming freshmen to attend summer orientation, but administrators say more than 95 percent will still attend. Wednesday afternoon, the...

SlutWalk rallies to give voice to sexual assault victims

Victoria Pagan June 13, 2011

The Capitol lawn hosted some unusual outfits ranging from corsets and thongs to sundresses and sweat pants Saturday as 400 people gathered to condemn a culture that blames rape victims in SlutWalk...

Student entrepreneur juggles two businesses, schoolwork

Victoria Pagan June 9, 2011

Public relations senior Tristan Mace has always had an eye for design and a head for numbers. Mace created his first website development company at 14. At 16, he sold that company to media firm...

Professor of Roe v. Wade fame reinstated after campus outcry

Victoria Pagan June 6, 2011

When students and faculty learned last semester that famed lawyer Sarah Weddington had been laid off from the University’s faculty, they rushed to support her, incredulous at the possibility of...

UT unveils $2 million solar panel system at Pickle Research Campus

Victoria Pagan June 3, 2011

Vice president for university operations Pat Clubb flipped an enormous green switch Thursday, celebrating the University’s newly completed solar panel project at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. A...

TSM director offers advice for improving content despite cuts

Victoria Pagan June 2, 2011

Newly appointed Texas Student Media director Gary Borders said the future of the UT media outlets lies in increasing the use of technology and cooperation between TSM branches to maximize quality coverage. Borders...

University, ESPN work to draft contract for Longhorn Network

Victoria Pagan May 5, 2011

The ESPN network is working to finalize programming contracts with UT and the Pac-12 Conference without assuming complete control of broadcasting rights, according to the Austin American-Statesman and...

Senior fights against deportation after arrest

Victoria Pagan April 29, 2011

Urban studies senior Raul Zamora may not graduate in 2012 after a broken taillight led UT police to discover his undocumented immigrant status. Zamora is facing a deportation battle that began on...

Education board discusses governor’s proposal for cheaper degree

Victoria Pagan April 28, 2011

Educators scoffed when Gov. Rick Perry proposed a $10,000 bachelor’s degree in February, but the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is taking steps to make his idea a reality. The board...

Training session helps educate GLBT allies

Victoria Pagan April 14, 2011

The Gender and Sexuality Center sponsored an Ally-training session where 12 staff and students learned about GLBT terminology, misconceptions and ways to support the community. The program was one...

Court justice supports educational games

Victoria Pagan April 13, 2011

Gamers can count former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as one of their own after she spoke at a conference Tuesday on behalf of a new interactive video game that teaches young...

Event benefits abused women’s shelter

Victoria Pagan April 11, 2011

About 70 Austinites spent their Saturday morning wearing flippers, pushing hula hoops across the group and carrying balls between their heads to raise money and awareness for SafePlace. The third-annual...

Scientists discover genetic basis of caffeine

Victoria Pagan April 11, 2011

Caffeine intake can be directly correlated to two specific genes in our DNA, according to a study released by a team of biological researchers. A group of researchers from various schools of science...

Organizations protest budget cuts in state agency funding

Victoria Pagan April 7, 2011

A multicolored sea of more than 5,000 T-shirts representing more than 60 organizations flooded the Capitol steps Wednesday as people rallied against proposed state budget cuts. The Save Our State...

Austin City Council candidates discuss issue positions at forum

Victoria Pagan March 24, 2011

Candidates hoping to fill three open seats on the Austin City Council debated on community values and city planning Wednesday during a public forum held by the Austin Neighborhoods Council. The Austin...

Bill attempts to increase affordability of textbooks

Victoria Pagan March 10, 2011

Bookstore representatives and a UT student testified before the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday in support of a bill that would make college and university textbooks more affordable. Rep....

UT Police Department uses GPS in order to catch bicycle thieves

Victoria Pagan March 3, 2011

In an effort to catch bicycle thieves, UT Police Department has been planting “bait bikes” with GPS trackers around campus since January. When former officer Larry Robertson came across GPS technology...

Grad student String Project to be housed in upcoming music space

Victoria Pagan March 3, 2011

A project designed to give teaching opportunities to graduate students and music experience to pre-college-aged students inspired the recent approval of a new academy of music on campus. After Sarah...

Licensing course prepares people to handle guns with safety, skill

Victoria Pagan February 28, 2011

As state legislators take up the issue of concealed carry on campus this session, 66 people are one step closer to receiving their concealed handgun licenses. Michael Cargill, UT Students for Concealed...

UT System chancellor writes to Gov. Perry about gun law

Victoria Pagan February 28, 2011

UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa sent a letter to Gov. Rick Perry encouraging him to prevent the Texas Legislature from allowing guns on college campuses. The letter, which Cigarroa sent...

Physicist describes state of global warming rhetoric, energy alternatives

Victoria Pagan February 17, 2011

A Nobel Prize-winning physicist encouraged a more realistic discussion rather than one based on exaggeration of the future of energy use in the 21st century during a lecture Wednesday. Burton Richter,...

Biking for Change

Victoria Pagan February 17, 2011

Cyclist Furtemba Sherpa has used six bikes to ride 46,000 miles in 71 countries in hope of promoting environmental awareness and world peace. Sherpa arrived in Austin on Monday afternoon with the...

News decline persists with no clear solution

Victoria Pagan February 8, 2011

Commercialization, lack of opportunity for new journalists and low-quality reporting all contribute to the overall decline of the news media, a visiting journalism professor said. Robert W....

Ceremony shows off center’s features

Victoria Pagan February 8, 2011

Student volunteers passed out programs embedded with wildflower seeds to demonstrate the environmentally sustainable efforts of the Student Activity Center at an opening ceremony on Monday. The University...

Grad student wins renewable energy award

Victoria Pagan February 3, 2011

A UT graduate student was awarded one of six scholarships that provide opportunities for students who show interest in the renewable energy and biofuels industry. Julia O’Rourke, a public affairs...

Volume of concerning behavior reports increases from last year

Victoria Pagan January 27, 2011

A UT safety hotline in its third year provides faculty, staff and students with a confidential way to protect themselves and those around them from potentially violent or destructive individuals. Three...

Harry Ransom Center showcases plate with Picasso pooch painting

Victoria Pagan January 27, 2011

The Harry Ransom Center will display a plate painted by Pablo Picasso in an upcoming exhibition. The plate was donated to the Ransom Center by photojournalist David Douglas Duncan in honor of Stanley...

UT professors shine light on alternate fuel source

Victoria Pagan January 26, 2011

Two UT professors have discovered a process to harness sunlight to split hydrogen from water and use it as a fuel source. The process could eventually lead to the creation of a clean, affordable...

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