On Friday, March 16, the two presidential tickets for the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) sat down at a town hall to discuss their platforms and field questions from campus. The tickets are ECE Ph.D, Secretary David Giles with BME Ph.D Senator Elorm Agra, and AE Ph.D Senator Andrew Cox with HSTS Ph.D Senator Renee Shelby.

The town hall opened with the candidates discussing their platforms and the changes they want to see on campus. Giles led off with some broad ideas he had for GSGA.

“I would like to have a more data driven approach,” Giles said. “Basically, I think the best decisions are the ones that are made with the most information, so I’d like to hear from as many grad students as possible, especially those that are traditionally quieter and maybe feel like they’re a little bit more alone on campus.”

In addition, he discussed the possibility of increasing GSGA’s presence by holding weekly office hours and increasing involvement online on sites such as Reddit. Overall, the Giles/Agra platform revolves heavily around engagement and involvement.

Cox, on the other hand, began discussing his platform in the realm of empowering graduate students.

“Us graduate students conduct Georgia Tech’s world class research,” Cox said. “And we have the best interest, as any graduate student would whether you’re funded or unfunded, in seeing Georgia Tech succeed. But we need to also make sure that Georgia Tech has the resources available and that we’re utilizing those resources to make ourselves succeed in Georgia Tech’s environment.”

Cox then delved into specific areas he would help graduate students in. He addressed the continuing issue of graduate student stipends staying up to date on current costs of living and inflation, and discussed the possibility of a graduate orientation for new graduate students.

One point that both platforms agreed on is getting more graduate students involved in GSGA and the power it holds on campus.

After both teams discussed their platforms, questions were fielded from the audience and the moderator. The candidates were asked what one thing has to be changed about GSGA.

Shelby answered first, citing two things. First, GSGA needs more clarity and transparency in what they do. Second, is splitting the pot of money that the student activity fee goes towards.

“All grads pay into the student activity fees and then they do not effectively see that money that they pay in,” Shelby said. “So, one thing that I would like to see happen is an actual splitting of the fees, the graduates pay into a pot that is 100 percent separate from what the undergrads do, so that we can dedicate those fees to fund things that grads want and need.”

Agra agreed with Shelby in splitting the pot, especially since most bills that go through GSS are submitted by chartered organizations made up of almost entirely undergraduates.

“That system sort of lends itself to groups that are already established and hinders innovation,” Agra said. “And lends itself to people who know how this stuff works already and who have been doing this for a while. I would like to shift that more towards inspiring innovation, [getting] new ideas from normal graduate students like myself.”

Giles then echoed Shelby’s point about spending money proportional to the amount graduate students put in.

The next contentious issued revolved around how to help international graduate students who want to stay in the U.S. after getting their degree. Agra, as an international student from Ghana, said that they issue hit close to home. One of his ideas is to have a dedicated immigration lawyer on campus for students.

“This is Georgia Tech,” Agra said. “These are the brightest students in the world and we shouldn’t be worried about where we go after.”

Cox, being an American, acknowledged that the domestic students do not have an appreciation of what international students have to go through. He suggested, “working with our campus law services to meet more with international students and give them their options.”

After questions ended, each member of both teams gave a closing statement on why graduate students should vote them as their next leaders. Cox and Shelby highlighted their extensive platform and how they crafted their ticket with the larger Tech community in mind.

Giles and Agra focused on broader issues that they feel need fixing. They want to focus on reaching out to the average graduate student and representing them. They feel the nitty-gritty is not as important at this time because those will fall into place regardless of who gets voted in.

Elections are open until Friday, March 23, and more election and candidate information can be found here. The website for graduate students to vote can be found at elections.gatech.edu.

No. 12 Texas pushed its winning streak to six matches in a row after defeating Big 12 opponents Kansas and Kansas State this weekend.

The Longhorns started their successful road trip with a 4-2 win over No. 17 Kansas on Friday evening. The Jayhawks opened the match up by winning the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead over Texas. The loss ended a streak of wins in the doubles point for the Longhorns, who made changes at the spot after struggling earlier in the season.

Texas rallied to beat Kansas after collecting four strong wins in the singles session that sealed the match victory.

The highlight of the match was No. 1-ranked Bianca Turati defeating Kansas’ Anastasia Rychagova — a former No. 1 and now the No. 3-ranked player.

“Kansas is a feisty and tough team, and we definitely will draw some confidence from the win,” Texas head coach Howard Joffe said. “Everyone chipped in, but Bianca’s emphatic win over the No. 3 player in the nation was excellent.”
 
Texas continued play Sunday in Manhattan, where the Longhorns defeated No. 40 Kansas State. The match started with a doubles-point win for the Longhorns. That led into an incredibly competitive singles session in which the Longhorns started every match with a first-set loss.

Texas rallied in each of those matches and avoided a single loss on the day.

“After losing all six first sets, it looked a little bleak for a while, but this is a prideful and tough group of young ladies,” Joffe said. “They were able to pick themselves up and turn the match around.”

Texas (11–4)  is now 2–0 in conference play and will host Oklahoma on Friday at 5 p.m.

Draylen Mason, the 17-year-old killed by a package explosion on March 12, had been accepted to the University of Texas in the Butler School of Music, UT spokesman J.B. Bird said in an email.

“This was an accomplishment to be proud of — admission to the school is highly competitive,” Bird said. “We are deeply sorry for (Mason’s) family’s loss.”

Mason was involved in a youth orchestra program called Austin Soundwaves, said Doug Dempster, dean of the College of Fine Arts, in a statement. Austin Soundwaves provides free music instruction to artistically underserved children in Austin and especially East Austin, Dempster said. UT’s College of Fine Arts is a co-sponsor of the program.

“I’ve been watching Draylen blossom in the program for the last few years,” Dempster said. “I knew he had the chops to study music in college.”

Dempster said Mason was one of the first students to participate in the Austin Soundwaves program and was due to graduate from the program in the spring.

“(Mason) was a remarkably and precociously talented bass player whose talents developed enough through the program for him to audition into top music schools, including the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas, to begin next year as a freshman,” Dempster said.

The Austin Soundwaves program was celebrating Mason’s success, and the UT faculty was excited for Mason to join the music school, Dempster said.

“(Mason) was every inch a musician,” Dempster said. “He carried himself with a kind of quiet maturity that belied his youth.”

A crowdfunding page has been set up for Mason’s family through YouCaring.com. Within one week over 2,500 people had donated and raised over $93,000, surpassing the initial goal of $25,000.

The explosion that killed Mason was the second explosion of a package since March 2 when a package exploded at a home in northeast Austin, APD Chief Brian Manley said in a news conference last Tuesday. After the incident on March 2, APD was investigating the case as an isolated incident.

“What we had was a singular event that had taken place in this community that was very unique,” Manley said. “We had no information to believe that it was related to a larger plan at that time.”

Following the package explosion at Mason’s home, a third package exploded in southeast Austin at the home of a 75-year-old Hispanic woman, who is in critical condition, Manley said.

A $115,000 reward has been put forward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest of a suspect in these incidents. Additionally, APD is working with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the investigation, Manley said.

“We want the people of Austin to know that the full resources of the FBI’s team have been brought to help on this and we will continue to work with our partners until we catch a resolution,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs said in a news conference.

Following the package explosions on March 12, APD urged anyone in the Austin community who sees a package that may be suspicious to report it to APD. As of last Thursday morning, APD tweeted they had received a total of 495 suspicious package calls since 8 a.m. on March 12.

All eyes were on senior guard Rob Gray Jr. after he scored a career-high 39 points against San Diego State in the tournament’s first round. Gray led the Cougars with 23 points in the loss against Michigan. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

After a heart-racing game against San Diego, Houston had another thriller in its 64-63 defeat by the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA tournament’s second round on Saturday.

Houston started on the right foot with sophomore forward Breaon Brady scoring a pair of layups to take the lead.

Michigan started extremely cold and made none of its first six shots, all of them 3-pointers, and only a single free throw in the first six minutes.

The Cougars’ guards struggled early due to the Wolverines’ size advantage, and most of the team’s scoring in the first ten minutes came from the forwards.

Michigan senior guard Duncan Robinson led them nine points off the bench in the first half, while Houston kept most of Michigan’s starters contained.

Senior guard Wes VanBeck sparked Houston’s offense off the bench with a three after he missed the entire AAC tournament with an injury.

VanBeck saw more play than usual, partly because he is the tallest guard on the Cougars’ roster. Also, alternative guards, including junior Corey Davis Jr. and sophomore Armoni Brooks, have been shooting poorly.

While defense was strong, shooting was incredibly poor from both teams.

Houston shot with 31.3 percent accuracy while Michigan had 30 percent accuracy from the field as the teams went to the half tied at 28 points.

Senior guard Rob Gray scored eight points in the first half and shot with 18 percent accuracy, but the team was still able to hang on.

A positive for the Cougars: They fouled less than typical this season. Michigan did not enter the bonus until six minutes remained in the half, and Houston only had eight fouls at that point.

Houston started the second half with four points but Brady lost his cool and picked up two fouls as Michigan took back the lead.

Both teams played chippy and picked up three fouls apiece in the first four minutes of the second half.

After that, everyone played a bit softer, allowing shooters more room. Shooting accuracy increased for both teams.

In response, both teams started playing rougher once again and were in the bonus in the latter part of the half.

In the final stretch, Robinson, who was leading the team in scoring, fouled out, but other Wolverines stepped up.

On the other side of the ball, senior forward Devin Davis stepped up as well as he scored 17 points and made 9 of 12 free throws.

But a pair of missed free throws by Davis left the game at 63-61 with a few seconds remaining, giving Michigan a chance to tie or win it.

With time running out, freshman guard Jordan Poole nailed a three at the buzzer to give the Wolverines the win.

Michigan advances to face North Carolina next weekend, while Houston will head home for the season.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“Wolverines end Cougars’ tournament dreams with buzzer-beater” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

On March 7, Nottingham Trent University student Rufaro Chisango tweeted a video of people chanting racist remarks outside the door of her dorm. The tweet was spread worldwide and received support from friends, student leaders and members of Parliament. Shortly after, police detained two men, but released them on March 9. So, what can students and universities across the globe learn from this incident that sets it apart from other racist incidents on campuses?

First, we should examine the actions of the victim. Chisango heard the chanting, recorded a video where the chanting is clearly audible, posted it to Twitter, then sent a written statement about it to the university. Chisango did not leave her dorm out of fear of those in the hallways would do if she did. All of these were the right thing to do, and I hold her in high respect for handling the situation as well as she did. Getting evidence the incident actually happened was an incredibly smart decision. In a climate where universities have to go into every reported incident like this wondering whether or not it was a hoax, removing that from the conversation entirely and allowing the police to go in and find out who did this wasn’t something she necessarily had to do, but it benefited everyone greatly that she did.

She also took her own personal safety into consideration while doing this. We often see people going to extreme lengths to get video footage, but for her to resist the urge to just go out there and get their faces on camera shows a great amount of restraint. Most importantly, she wrote a statement to the university. She took the time to go through the proper channels to report what had happened to give the university a chance to look into it themselves. If they tried to cover it up like a remarkable amount of schools do when something like this is reported, the world would have gotten on the university’s case. By tweeting the video the night she sent the report, she guaranteed herself a response.

The community was incredibly supportive of Chisango when she tweeted the video. Students on campus who didn’t know Chisango personally asked if she was okay and showed their sorrow that something like this could ever happen to one of their fellow students on their campus. Prime Ministers in parliament tweeted out to her showing their support. All of these mentioned tweeters walked her through two more important steps which I’m hoping Chisango did, which was to contact campus police if she felt her safety was at risk and to contact her local member of parliament so the government was aware that this happened.

As for the university and the police, things could have gone a better. It’s good the university didn’t go out of its way to try and cover up the fact that the event happened. However, the response time was a little slower than what it should have been. Police promptly detained and questioned two men who they felt were connected to the incident. However, they shortly after released them, pending further questioning.

I have nothing but respect for Chisango and all of the people who reached out to her that night. They all handled this touchy situation in the best way they could have. As for whether or not this will get any results, it’s still too soon to tell. The two men who the police questioned have not been charged with anything yet, and there has been no news of any new suspects. We can only hope the university and the police can pick up the slack and carry it home. What happened at Nottingham Trent University was appalling, but it has allowed the world to see the proper way to handle a situation like this on campus. Here’s to hoping justice is achieved this way.

letters@chronicle.utah.edu

@TheChrony

The post Swanson: Learning From What Happened at Nottingham Trent University appeared first on Daily Utah Chronicle.

It was supposed to be a simple finish for Oregon in the bottom of the seventh inning. But UCLA, the No. 3 team in the country, certainly made it interesting.

Miranda Elish, who had looked composed throughout the entire game, ran into trouble in the top of the seventh inning. Left fielder Aaliyah Jordan launched a three-run home run into the newly constructed center field bleachers to cut Oregon’s lead to 7-5. Another single, and Rachel Garcia, who had already hit a home run, approached the plate.

Elish forced a fielder’s choice to end the game, and No. 6 Oregon came away with its first conference win of the season, 7-5 over No. 3 UCLA.

“It was very nerve-wracking, but I had confidence in Miranda,” head coach Mike White said. “You could tell she hadn’t really been in that type of game before, and she was speeding the game up a little bit.”

The Ducks did not wait around for UCLA to score first as they did last night. Oregon’s speed around the bases and patience at the plate worked all game against UCLA. The Ducks drew six walks between two pitchers, Selina Ta’amilo, who started the game, and Holly Azevedo.

At the start of the second inning, Oregon got the bases loaded on one hit, a single from DJ Sanders who led off. One hit batter, a sacrifice bunt and another walk brought Mia Camuso to the plate. She worked the count full and forced a walk to put another run on the board for Oregon.

Oregon didn’t score again until the fourth inning, when leadoff hitter Jenna Lilley was hit by a pitch for the second time. Mary Iakopo’s speed prevented the fielders choice on an infield single, and Gwen Skevis hit a single up the middle to load the bases again with just one out.

Mia Camuso stepped up to the plate and was hit by a pitch, scoring a run while she jogged to first. The very next play, Azevedo threw a wild pitch, advancing all Oregon runners while Alexis Mack scored from third base.

“I think we had more patience at the plate, but we also gave away some opportunities that really tore the game open there, especially early on,” White said.

Elish was steady for most of the game, only giving up one run through five innings. The sophomore remains undefeated, now 23-0 in her career and 11-0 on the season. She finished the game with five earned runs, nine strikeouts and four walks. The last inning of the game was by far her biggest challenge.

“It was really intense, I had to calm it down and make quality pitches and trust my team,” Elish said. “[Garcia] capitalized on my mistake, so I just couldn’t make the same mistake again.”

The Oregon-UCLA series will conclude in a rubber match on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Follow August Howell on Twitter @howell_august

The post Oregon softball holds off UCLA comeback in 7-5 win appeared first on Emerald Media.

Junior diver Eloise Belanger, who qualified to compete in all three collegiate diving events, finished in 3rd place on platform at the NCAA Championships.

No. 21 UCLA (5-5-1, 2-4-1 Pac-12) sent seven swimmers and one diver off of its 36-person roster to the NCAA championships. The Bruins came in 26th place out of 45 teams competing in the championships with a final score of 31.

On day one of the contest, UCLA swimming took home a school-record in the 800-yard free relay with a time of 7:01.90, beating the previous school record by almost three seconds. The team, consisting of sophomore Kenisha Liu, senior Katie Grover, junior Sandra Soe and senior Margaux Verger Gourson, placed 14th in the race.

The Bruins ended day one in 14th place, with 6 points.

UCLA opened day two of the championships with the 200-yard free relay, in which the team, which consisted of Liu, Grover, senior Sarah Kaunitz and sophomore Amy Okada. finished just a half second short of the school record they set earlier this season.

On day two, distance swimmers Verger Gourson and Soe both competed in the 500-meter freestyle, and Liu and Shanz each swam in the 200-yard individual medley.

Belanger, the Bruin’s only diver to compete in NCAA championships, finished 20th in the preliminaries for 1-meter diving, missing a spot in the finals.

UCLA did not earn additional points, and was in the 29th place by the end of day two.

Liu competed in the 200-yard freestyle on day three, but did not advance beyond the preliminaries. Junior swimmer Emma Schanz swam in the 100-yard backstroke and did not qualify for finals. Grover returned on day three with a seventh-place finish in the B final of the 200-meter freestyle.

“As a senior this was pretty exciting,” Grover said. “It was my first time scoring individually, so it’s a personal accomplishment”

Belanger came in ninth in the 3-meter dive preliminaries and narrowly missed a spot in the A finals, but placed second in the B finals.

The Bruins finished day three in 28th place with 15 points.

On the final day of competition, Belanger landed 3rd place in the platform diving finals, earning 16 points for UCLA.

Distance swimmers Soe and Verger Gourson finished the 1,650-yard freestyle one after the other, coming in 31st and 32nd place, respectively.

Liu did not qualify for the 100-yard freestyle, Schanz did not qualify the 200-yard breaststroke, and Grover did not qualify for the 200-yard butterfly finals.

This competition marked the end of the Bruins’ season, and for the seniors, the end of collegiate competition.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Grover said. “It’s been a great four years and I’m super proud to be a Bruin. But I’m looking forward to taking the next step in my life as a swimmer.”

Senior guard Rob Gray had a career high 39 points to lead the Cougars over the Aztecs. Richard Fletcher Jr./The Cougar

Thirty four years ago, the Houston Cougars defeated the Virginia Cavaliers and headed to the 1984 NCAA championship game where the Hakeem Olajuwon-led team lost in the finals to Georgetown.

Since 1984, the Cougars have lost every NCAA tournament game they played, until tonight.

The Cougars hung on to defeat the San Diego State Aztecs 67-65 to end the long dry spell and move on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams played with a fast pace, but it came with a cost as the two teams combined for nine turnovers in the first 10 minutes.

There were six lead changes in the first ten minutes, but Houston cleaned up their play to take the lead in the last ten. The Cougars only turned over the ball one more time in the half while the Aztecs racked up another five.

The cleaner play helped the Cougars go on a 20-9 run to end the half with a 10 point lead to go into the half up 39 to 29.

Gray shot 54.5 percent accuracy with a pair of threes to lead the team with 16 points in the first half.

The two teams started the second half by trading twos and three back and forth until the Aztecs made some adjustments.

The much bigger San Diego squad were trying to make jumpers and threes instead of using their size to drive into the paint and out muscle the smaller Cougars.

Once San Diego started taking the ball into the paint, they started to cut away at Houston’s lead.

The Cougars’ discipline broke down and fouls came often as they tried to stop the bigger Aztecs eventually putting them into the bonus with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

But the Aztecs did not fully capitalize on these opportunities as they finished the game making 21 of 35 free throws, most of which came in the second half. 

Due to the missed free throws, Houston’s lead hovered around five points for most of the second half until the heart pounding final minutes.

San Diego’s junior guard Devin Watson tied the game with a three pointer and Gray responded with a three pointer of his own to take back the lead.

Watson nailed a second three pointer to tie the game up with 36 seconds to go. Gray held the ball up as time ticked down, then made his move.

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