TUESDAY March 28, 2023
VOLUME 112 ISSUE 26 www.UniversityStar.com
EDITORIAL
Main Point: Proposition A needs a formal policy By Editorial Board In November, Prop A, an ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana in San Marcos, was passed with nearly 82% of the vote. However, the San Marcos Police PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE RUGBY Department said it wouldn't adopt a Texas State masters student forward Joel Rebollar runs downfield against the University of North Texas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2022, at formal policy. West Campus Fields. SMPD is not arresting or issuing citations for small amounts of marijuana, CLUB SPORTS but the ordinance is not clearly outlined in city law. Without a formal ordinance, it opens the door to the policy potentially fading into obscurity, even after voters expressed support for an official law — not a spoken change of behavior.
Tradition of success continues for TXST rugby By Brendan Fielding Sports Contributor
The Texas State Renegade Rugby Club is no stranger to winning games. With their ability to execute, the Renegades strengthen their club's bonds through their community's connective nature. In order to be successful in a sport that demands a certain physicality, a level of dedication is required. Joe Puccio, Renegades president and junior back, said dedication within the team's highly-skilled roster and staff is something that sets them apart from
other rugby programs. “Our first goal is to always start at the beginning, build up from that, and then show [new players] how we play rugby here at Texas State,” Puccio said. “That’s what I think we do better than every other school is every other school wants to hop into doing the advanced stuff or hop straight in.” Texas State Rugby has been successful throughout its history which started in 1983. With decades of winning seasons on its belt, it has grown into a club whose culture is one of strong brotherly bonds and winning games.
SEE EDITORAL PAGE 4
After a state championship run this past season, where they lost by just three points, the Renegades have continued to better themselves on and off the field with encouragement from alumni through social events and academic achievement. Alumni involvement is an element of Texas State Rugby that sets it apart from other Texas State club sports and Texas university rugby teams. Alumni support is showcased via a willingness to show up for the current team.
SEE CLUB SPORTS PAGE 6 ADVOCACY
Hays County jail inmates, advocates speak out on poor jail conditions By Samantha Guerrero News Contributor With new officials elected into the Hays County government last November, advocacy groups have asked for the county government to look into ways to improve the conditions of Hays County Jail. Inmates claim that the jail fosters a breaking facility, participates in medical negligence, withholds mail and "[encourages] abusive officers." Advocacy groups also speak on Hays County Jail staff and said that the jail has a toxic work environment with a high turnover rate. Cyrus Grey, a past inmate of Hays County Jail, said the inmates struggle immensely because of the conditions. "The place is gross," Grey said. "They feed you badly. Not because they don't have the resources to feed you better and it's very unhealthy." Grey also said that it often takes weeks for them to receive medical attention should they need it. "I was there maybe five years and saw a medical professional maybe twice," Grey said. "It takes anywhere from a month to three months before you see a doctor. By then, either your situation is much worse or your body has taken care of the problem by itself." Letters from current Hays County Jail inmates to the Hays County government say that medical neglect can go as far as
near death. Melvin Nichols, an inmate with diabetes, said that he put in several medical request forms that were disregarded. "I had a real close call with death with a blood sugar count of 1667 by the time they got me to the hospital," Nichols wrote. "When I arrived, I went into a coma that lasted two and a half days." When he was released, Nichols was prescribed 40 units of insulin once a day and a diabetic diet. "I didn't receive the insulin for 38 days," Nichols wrote. "And I am still not receiving my diet." Amy Kamp, the Hays County Jail ambassador for Mano Amiga, said that the issue of medical care also extends into the pharmacy. "They have their own pharmacy there," Kamp said. "And so, imagine you're at a crossroads where you are given a specific antidepressant you were prescribed then you go into the jail and they tell you 'we don't have that one.'" John Thomas, an inmate with several diagnosed medical conditions, also wrote a letter to the county about not being able to receive proper medical care. "Before coming here, I was scheduled to receive a sonogram, endoscopy and a colonoscopy," Thomas wrote. "It has been five months, and the only procedure I have received is the sonogram. Some of these procedures are detrimental to keeping me alive."
SEE ADVOCACY PAGE 2
(top) A photo of warning signs outside Hays County Jail, Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Hays County Dispatch. (left) A photo of Hays County Law Enforcement Center, Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Hays County Dispatch. PHOTO BY ALLISON MENDOZA
PHOTO BY ALLISON MENDOZA