#bobcatupdate

By: Alexis Richard  April 19, 2019 

College students are dealing with daily stresses from class and work and adjusting to adulthood. It's a great way to focus solely on one's self.

“Yoga allowed me to really relax and sink into myself and become aware of why I was doing negative things to myself. And to let all that go and relax into a deeper state of peace,” said Makay Well, a yoga instructor.

Experts say not only can yoga reduce daily stresses, but it can help with stress prevention. Just take that time to better yourself and relax your mind.

“There are a bunch of scientific functions like mindfulness of breath and all of those things have on your nervous system and actually allowing you to physically get stressed. And that’s why it works so well as a stress reliever,” said instructor Gage Howell.

Many college students also suffer from lack of sleep due to late night study sessions and overexposure to technology. Yoga has proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and reduce the chances of insomnia.

“If you feel like you’re not physically able to do the full poses, we have modifications for every single pose. So, I guess my advice would be, to not be nervous,” said instructor Veronica Tapia.

Yoga is all about becoming one with your mind, body, and soul.

By: Tynisha Jackson April 16, 2019

Some Christian organizations at Texas State are spreading the word about their worship night.  United is what they call their night of worship. Making the event possible are the groups Delight Ministries, BYX (bucks), Bobcat Orphans and Sigma Phi Lambda. Their common goal is to promote fellowship. 

"We just started brainstorming,” said United co-director Cesar Leon. The organizations wanted to find a way to work together.

“So we had it last year, and it was kind of small,” said United co-director Ally Fleischhauer. “We only had about 100 people. We gave out free food, had t-shirts. This year it’s just grown twice the size

By Darrell Green April 11, 2019

The Student Government at Texas State has passed a bill that would prohibit Turning Point USA, which is a conservative-leaning student organization. Student leaders say the group has created a hostile environment that includes the harassment of students and professors who don’t agree with Turning Point's views. However, the president of the group says the ban infringes on their free speech rights. 

“We are intended to be a home for a lot of conservative students who feel like they don't have a voice, that they don't get to see speakers who support their beliefs,” said Turning Point USA President Stormi Rodriguez. “We welcome them, they are more than welcome to have discussion with us. We bring in guest speakers that way they can finally hear their opinions shared on a college campus.”

Turning Point USA says it identifies, organizes, and empowers free-market activists. Rodriguez says the Texas State student government is also supposed to be a voice for them, but it hasn’t been.

“ My members, my officers and myself are also their constituents,” Rodriguez said. “They are also supposed to be representing us, our best interests and listening to our voices. I think it’s a shame that they are not doing that.”

By: Alexis Richard April 5, 2019

Pointe San Marcos is close to campus and attracts a lot of students, but the apartment complex started off badly. There were construction delays in the beginning and problems with the garage flooring. Also, a flooding drain had to be fixed and continues to be monitored.

The Pointe has improved its office where it welcomes residents and potential tenants. The staff hosts weekly events like yoga, workout training, and buffet-style meetings.

Marketing Director Conner Lee said he enjoys working and living at Pointe. Lee described the apartments as a second home for him.

“What I really liked about this place was like the community feel, so like it’s really the location of a dorm and the community feel of a dorm,” said Lee. “I transferred here from a different college and came in here as a Junior. So, I didn’t know anybody. I met all my friends here at Pointe San Marcos.”

Residents have many opportunities to connect with one another in hopes of creating a community outside of the university. The Pointe is a good place to spend free time and unwind.

A resident of Pointe San Marcos, Jacob Blackmon, said he enjoys living at Pointe and getting to know all of his fellow neighbors.

“The quality of living here is phenomenal,” said Blackmon. “I have my own room, I have my own bathroom and a kitchen. Those are my three essentials.”

If you're looking for off-campus student housing and open to a community-style apartment, you might like to check out Pointe San Marcos, located on North Comanche Street.

The campus at Texas State University may, for some people, seem like an obstacle course. 

Felicia Tapia is one of hundreds of disabled students at Texas State who must deal with ramps and stairs that seem to prevail on campus.

“It takes a lot longer because I have to push through a crowd of people going on this ramp, like walking or riding their bike on the ramp, which is really inconvenient because I’m just trying to go to class,” Tapia said.

The social work junior says the university should also improve access to its residential halls.

“I get that, you know ADA wasn’t passed til 1990; technically, it wasn’t required for residential halls to be accessible before then,” Tapia said. “But, it’s way past 1990. It’s 2019! Can’t you like update it a little bit.”

By: Cartney Sharp March 29,2019 

Texas State University has a diverse population of students. However, some of them take issue with what they perceive as a lack of diversity among the faculty who teach them.  

Forbes magazine lists Texas State as one of the best employers for diversity. Evidence showing the university's commitment includes the hiring of a new Chief Diversity Officer, more staff being added to the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and a special assistant now on staff to increase diversity among faculty. But some students complain that the university still has a long way to go. “I feel like the student body is more diverse than the professors,” freshman Joshua Smith said . 

“I’ve only had one that’s of a different ethnicity than my others,” junior Aimee Gouris said about her professors. 

While many students feel that minorities are underrepresented among the faculty, some believe that they are getting enough representation. 

“So like in terms of my experience it’s been very diverse,” English major Hunter Hornsby said. 

While there are many viewpoints on the topic of diversity, one thing rings true—students feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed. 

“Students feel very neglected when they don’t see representation of people who look like them and have the same sexual orientation as them. So I do think it is needed so that people feel more comfortable in class,” criminal justice major Quieraney Belvin said. 

The newly elected student body president says diversity is one of his concerns. Corey Benbow, who takes office next month, says he wants the university to serve the students better.  

by Ashley Bowerman March 28, 2019                                                                                       

The Texas State Strutters have performed in more than 26 foreign lands since their establishment in 1960. The world-famous dance team is the largest of its kind in the nation, with more than 100 student dancers. 

This spring break, the Strutters were invited to showcase their talent aboard Royal Caribbeans Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. 

Strutter Head Captain Paige Carter said the team spent hours preparing for the performance of a lifetime. 

“Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 a.m. to about 9:30,” said Carter. “It’s been a long journey but we are really excited about it.” 

All of the preparation paid off after the Strutters delivered a show-stopping 30-minute performance in the ships main ballroom. 

First-year Strutter Abby Cartwright said the trip is an experience she will cherish forever. 

“Little girls wanted to take our picture and that was really cool,” said Cartwright. “Especially being in a foreign country with a bunch of people from all over the United States, and all over the world that could come and watch us perform.” 

Strutter Director Tammy Fife said the team will always hold a special place in her heart. 

“The girls always say such nice things to me and thank me for everything that I’ve done,” said Fife. “But my comment is always, look who I get to work with. They are amazing.” 

The Strutters are now preparing for their next performance, spring show, happening at Texas State in Evans Auditorium on April 5 or 6. 

by: Alex Bulko March 27, 2019

Texas State Opera will premiere Mozart's "The Magic Flute" tomorrow night at 7:30. However, this isn't a traditional opera. The classic story and characters are set in a Star Wars universe, which should make the performance an interesting draw for students not familiar with opera.

Playing the principal role of Tamino, Reese Landis believes the combination of the two radically different backgrounds reinvigorates the art form.

“We’re meshing them together and bring like, a new life almost to this older art form that a lot of us love, but a lot of people are not familiar with,” Landis said.

The show features performers from all grade levels, including freshman Josh Moore, who plays the principal role of Sarastro.

“I’m really just excited to get out there and show the audience, show whoever comes the Texas State Opera program,” Moore said.

Ivy Cantu, who plays the role of 1st Lady, is also excited. She believes the show has something for everyone to enjoy.

“Not every opera is boring,” Cantu said. “This one’s going to be so fun. There’s comedy in there, there’s romance, there’s tension, there’s everything there.”