Just a few months ago I filed into Strahan Coliseum with the rest of the freshman class for Fall Convocation. I watched Associated Student Government President Mel Ferrari take the stage, looking perfectly business casual as per usual, and give her speech telling us it would be “a new day in Bobcat Country.” I remember wondering to myself who she was exactly, and what the ASG was. I quickly learned exactly who Ferrari is and what ASG does upon my first couple of weeks working at the University Star.

“It’s a free country” has been one of my most frequently used excuses since I was old enough to open my mouth.

“Why didn’t you do your homework?” It’s a free country. “Don’t hit your brother.” It’s a free country. “Clean your room.” It’s a free country. I stopped using that excuse when I was old enough to realize it’s probably not the most tactful or respectful thing to tell someone. However, I still stand by the fact it is a free country, and it’s my First Amendment right to be able to say what I want, when I want and where I want to say it.

District 26 State Rep. Charlie Howard is ready to stick you with a healthy dose of his new bill, whether you like it or not. Howard has filed a bill to require all Texas college students to receive a bacterial meningitis vaccination. But there’s no need to worry, it's just a little prick, right?

There comes a time in every student’s day when they have to make an important decision — should they conserve energy and time by walking up a wheelchair ramp and risk looking like a lazy jerk, or make the long and painful trek up a flight of stairs?

I’m an admittedly lazy person. If I’m presented with the option of a set of stairs or a handicap ramp, I’m choosing the ramp every time, no doubt about it. I don’t see anything wrong with a pedestrian such as myself using a ramp designated for physically disabled students.

I like to creep. Not in an excessive “I’m going to follow you home and watch you sleep” kind of way, but in the “I’m going to add you on Facebook just so I can judge you by your unimpressive statuses” way. Whenever I find out a mutual friend’s profile is public I feel like a teenager on their 16th birthday who just got the red convertible they always wanted. God-awful prom pictures from 2008? Don’t mind if I do.

According to a Feb. 15 University Star article, the San Marcos Police Department is reaching out to the community to create new designs for badges and patches worn on the shoulder of officers’ uniforms. This is a fantastic opportunity for students looking to gain graphic design and work experience to become more involved in the community and literally leave their mark on the City of San Marcos.

I’m not usually one to criticize any ban or law that tightens controls on the possession or sale of drugs. Let’s just say I’m not a regular customer at High Times, and never plan to be. However, as much as I would like to agree with Sen. Florence Shapiro for filing a bill to ban the manufacture, sale and possession of K2, I just can’t because the motives behind the bill are missing something important: facts.

University officials have gone to great lengths to find a solution to the issue of the Texas State Intensive English Program. However, do these initiatives show the university’s commitment to diversity, or is it simply for show?

Austin Humphreys, Staff Photographer

Isaac Torres dropped out of high school when he was 17.

—Caitlin Clark is a pre-mass communications freshman

There is a large stack of money sitting under my desk right now. If I had to ballpark it I’d say it equals at least $500, if not more.  It taunts me every day. I can’t spend it or save it, and I barely touched most of it last semester. As my textbooks collect dust, I cannot help but stress over the fact this could undoubtedly happen many more times before I graduate.