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  • Student Government launches donation drive for Moore, Okla. victims

    By Katie Paschall

    Although Texas and Oklahoma usually meet as rivals on the football field, UT students have set that rivalry aside to help people affected by a tornado that left 24 dead in Moore, Okla.

    UT Student Government will be collecting clothing and non-perishable items for victims beginning Thursday. The “Texas Helps Oklahoma Relief Efforts” donation drive will last until next Wednesday. Donations will go to the Salvation Army in Austin.

    Where: The Student Government office in room 2.102 of the Student Activity Center; the Multicultural Engagement Center, room 1.102 in the Student Activity Center; and the University Co-op on Guadalupe Street.

    When: People can donate in the UTSG office and the MEC Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The University Co-op is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Co-op is open Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

    What to bring: Clothing, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby formula, bottles, diapers, hand sanitizer, heavy-duty gloves. Any clothing should be brought in one bag. All other items should be placed in separate bag.

    Spread the word on Twitter using the hash tag #TexasHelpsOklahoma or tweet to @UT_SG show your support. 

  • Safety tips: If a tornado strikes, what do you do?

    By Christine Ayala

    A tornado ripped through Oklahoma and left 24 dead late Monday, with wind speeds of 200 mph. As of Sunday, there have been 304 tornados recorded this year, fewer than the average 714. According to National Weather Service, Central Texas is expected to receive severe storms Tuesday with the potential of large hail, damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes. With the possibility of damaging weather, here are a few tornado safety tips:

    Is it a tornado?

    1. Signs include heavy rain, strong winds, large hail and frequent lightning.

    2. Looks like a thunderstorm cloud with a rotating bulge at the base. It may have a green hue.

    3. Creates loud noise similar to a train or jet air plane that doesn’t fade immediately.

    Stay in the know:

    1. Don’t ignore unusual weather. Check for weather updates and storm development.

    2. As soon as possible, get information about where the storm is headed and if you might be in its path. This way, in case electricity and internet are lost, you will already be informed.

    3. If the storm is headed your way, prepare to wait it out.

    When you know it’s coming:

    1. Prepare food and water along with a battery-operated radio, and any medicine you regularly take.

    2. Don’t ignore the warning to stay indoors, avoid cars and look for shelter.

    3. Find an indoor space without windows or heavy furniture that may fall. Look for smaller rooms at the interior of the building.

    If you’re stuck in a car:

    1. If you cannot seek shelter because of high winds and debris, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened.

    2. Get as low as possible below the windows and cover your head with any available blanket or coat.

    3. If there is a near by area noticeably lower than the roadway, leave the car and lie flat, with your hands protecting your head. Avoid shelter under bridges.

    When its arrives:

    1. Stay put. If you have found a safe spot, stay there until the storm passes.

    2. Crouch down and place hands at the back of the head to protect against falling debris and injury.

    3. Cover yourself with padding, if possible with a thick blanket or mattress.

    When it passes:

    1. Check for any injuries caused by the storm.

    2. Check for building damage and be aware of potential broken glass, downed power lines and escaping natural gas.

    3. Listen for radio updates. Find a medical aid area or an assistance centers if needed.

  • The Morning Texan: Thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes possible later today

    By Bobby Blanchard
    Late Tuesday afternoon, Central Texas may see thunderstorms, hail and even possibly tornadeos. Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.
    Late Tuesday afternoon, Central Texas may see thunderstorms, hail and even possibly tornadeos. Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.

    Austin might be in for some thunderstorms later this afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, Central Texas may get one to two inches of rain. The National Weather Service also said there is a chance of hail, gusts of winds and even tornadoes. Stay safe.

    What is was happening today: Update 12:10 p.m. — The meeting was cancelled. At 1 p.m., the Texas House Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations will have a meeting. Representatives from the UT System were expected to testify, and The Daily Texan was planning on covering the meeting.

    Yesterday’s most read article: Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Nominations and other senators grilled UT System regent nominees Ernest Aliseda, Jeffrey Hildebrand and current UT Regent Paul Foster for four hours. We picked the five quotes you have to read. This includes: “I’ve heard more about the University of Texas System than I have ever wanted to in my life this legislative session. No, Senator Zaffirini, actually that’s not because I’m an Aggie.”

    In case you missed it: While senators we’re busy cross examining new players Aliseda and Hildebrand, the Texan did a little bit of research. Here are ten things you probably didn’t know about the two new UT System regent appointees. For example, did you know Hildebrand is a billionaire, or that Aliseda has family members involved in public service?

    What you have to read: Enough with all these blogs and sidebars, check out our full article on the hearing at the Senate Committee of Nominations.

  • Top five quotes from Monday's UT regent grilling

    By Jody Serrano

    Declarations of love and conspiracy theories were common at Monday’s Senate Nominations Committee hearing.

    Senators grilled UT System regent nominees Ernest Aliseda, Jeffrey Hildebrand and current UT Regent Paul Foster for four hours Monday, which may be the longest time spent interviewing candidates this session.

    The hot topic was the board’s relationship with UT-Austin President William Powers Jr. and whether there were any plans to force him out of office. Below are the Texan’s picks for the top five quotes from the hearing. 

    1. Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, expresses her support for Powers.

    “Do you understand that Bill Powers, the president of UT-Austin, is not only respected and admired, but I would dare say loved by members of legislature?” she asked the nominees.

    2. Senator Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, does not want to hear about the conflict between the UT System Board of Regents and Powers any longer.

    “I’ve heard more about the University of Texas System than I have ever wanted to in my life this legislative session. No, Senator Zaffirini, actually that’s not because I’m an Aggie.”

    3. UT Regent Paul Foster on tenure for university professors.

    “I think tenure is important but I think it could stand to be reexamined from time to time. I don’t it needs to be a lifelong right. It should be earned. Don’t professors know how to do that?” he said.

    4. Senator Zaffirini said the UT System has made open records requests very difficult for her office, citing the system put password locks on records she requested so she could not print them.

    “It was such a difficult process, it was like pulling teeth. Typically we get the documents just before 5 o’clock on Friday, typically we’re gone just before 5 o’clock on Friday,” she said. “What are they hiding, Regent Foster?

    5. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, tells the nominees he thinks they and the board are on a mission to fire UT’s President Powers.

    “So gentlemen, this morning if I had to vote (on your confirmation) I would vote no, because I don’t want to play any role in the replacing of Bill Powers,” Whitemire said. “First of all, he’s an outstanding human being, he’s recognized in this nation as a leader in the academic field, he has an impeccable integrity.”  

  • Senate committee interrogates UT regent nominees on Powers

    By Jody Serrano

    Members of the Senate Nominations Committee interrogated three nominees to the UT System Board of Regents on whether there was any plan to fire UT President William Powers Jr. for two hours Monday morning.

    Committee members took turns questioning nominees Ernest Aliseda, Jeffrey Hildebrand and current UT regent Paul Foster, who was reappointed by Gov. Rick Perry, on how they felt about Powers' leadership and whether there are plans to force the president out of office.

    Foster acknowledged the rift between the board and Powers, but denied any conspiracy or hidden agenda to fire the president. In recent months, the board has been accused of trying to micromanage UT-Austin and force Powers out. 

    “Every day of my life I hear someone talk about the termination of Bill Powers, but what I’m saying is it’s never been discussed by the board,” Foster said.

    Regents are appointed by Perry and must be approved by the Senate. Aliseda is a graduate of Texas A&M University, works as an attorney for Loya Insurance Group and acts as a municipal judge for the city of McAllen. Hildebrand graduated from UT-Austin and is the CEO of Hilcorp Energy Co.

    Foster has been been on the board since 2007 and is the current vice chairman. All three have contributed money to Perry over the years.

    If approved, Aliseda, Hildebrand and Foster would serve until Feb. 1, 2019. The committee will meet again today to question the regents before voting.

    “If I had to vote this morning I would vote no because I don’t want to play any role in the ousting of Bill Powers,” said Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.

    Foster said he believed in Powers, but has issues with Powers being stubborn by not working with the board.

    “He has been very difficult for the regents to work with,” Foster said. “My concern is that in some instances the controversies and issues surrounding him are so overwhelming and so significant it frustrates the whole process and detriments the entire system.”

    Foster said every time some issue with Powers comes up there is a very organized campaign of public outcry, including a flood of phone calls and editorials, that frustrate the regents.

    Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Sen. Juddith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, led the charge in cross-examining the regents. Watson asked Foster how he would vote if asked to take a vote of confidence in the president. Foster said he would vote in favor of Powers.

    Watson also brought up an email from UT regent Alex Cranberg, in which Cranberg said Powers was trying to be a hero figure instead of trying to get things done.

    Zaffirini asked the nominees to each name five specific steps they would take to close the rift between the board and Powers. Some nominees said they would meet with UT Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and the regents to establish the goals they want to accomplish.

    Nominees also said they would meet with Powers to understand his side in the controversy and meet with the students and alumni groups that support him.

    Zaffirini said any plan to fire Powers would be detrimental to UT and the state.

    “If Bill Powers were fired, all hell would break loose,” she said.

    Correction: This article has been updated to correctly attribute a quote to Paul Foster, not William Power Jr.

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