TUESDAY June 6, 2023
VOLUME 113 ISSUE 1 www.UniversityStar.com
O R I E N TAT I O N I S S U E PARKS
MEALS
Sewell Park: Over 90 years of San Marcos' beloved park
Dining changes for upcoming class
By Connor Ek Life & Arts Contributor San Marcos has many natural areas and preserves open to the public, such as The Meadows Center and Purgatory Trail, but one of Central Texas' biggest crown jewels of nature is Sewell Park and its nearing 95-year legacy. Opening in 1932, Sewell Park was first established as a recreational area for then Southwest Texas State University students. Earning its name from former Southwest Texas State University President Dr. Thomas Glover Sewell, the park was part of a passion project for Sewell.
PHOTO BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
San Marcos river goers enjoy the hot weather and cool waters, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Sewell Park.
Helping make it aesthetic, yet also necessary additions to the park, the developing park has laid a solid groundwork for an attentive and caring administrative group to look after and maintain. 1943 was the pivotal year that Sewell Park's boundaries were expanded to where they are now. The park has remained an integral part of San Marcos culture, along with being a large tourist attractor during the warm summer months, helping build up tourism in the local area. The park operates as a free open-to-the-public park and has been for 92 years, and within that time, multiple generations of students have been able to enjoy the park and its connection to the San Marcos ecosystem. After four years of visiting the park, Kaiti Jeppesen, Texas State alumna of 2023, believes that Sewell was a staple during her college years, especially when graduating. "Sewell was the first place that I went when I got to San Marcos as a freshman," Jeppesen said. "It was the first place I got to experience the Texas State community. Flash forward three years later jumping in the river, it was kind of a full circle moment for me. The river just feels like home." For those new to Texas State and San Marcos, Jeppesen believes that Sewell Park can be a great meeting place to branch out into new groups and make new friends. "You go there and there's no judgment, and it feels like the heart and soul of the Texas State community," Jeppesen said. "I feel like every time I'm there people are asking you to join their volleyball game, or you're talking to Frisbee Dan or Sun God. You really get to feel like you're a part of the community."
As more students are being accepted to the university and planning to move on-campus, the prospect of dining is at the forefront of many minds. Texas State has two traditional buffet style dining halls, Commons and Harris, and multiple dining centers that have restaurants that students can order whatever they choose from. All freshmen are required to have a dining plan which has four different levels one can choose, giving a different amount of meal swipes and dining dollars. "Meal swipes are going to be used mostly in our two dining hall facilities, Harris and Commons which is one swipe per entry and all you can eat," Whitney Villarreal, the director of marketing and guest experience for Chartwells at Texas State, said. "Dining dollars are like a debit card that can be used at the national brands like Starbucks on-campus."
SEE PARKS PAGE 5 SEE MEALS PAGE 3
MATTRESS PAD
EXTENSION CORD
By Blake Leschber News Editor
WALL PUTTY, THUMB NAILS SECONDARY LIGHTING
LAPTOP
CLEANING SUPPLIES
CARABINERS DISHES LAUNDRY BAG
COMMAND STRIPS CANDLES AND INCENSE
ur ith yo Talk w ate(s) roomm e cid and de who's ng the bringi r and/o e g d i fr wave. micro der Consi ng the splitti ith cost w them!
AIR FRYER OR HOT PLATE INFOGRAPHIC BY SARAH MANNING
STUDENT LIVING
Campus housing prepares for fall 2023 By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter Dorm life is often times the first time students get the experience of living away from home, as Texas State requires all freshmen under 20-years-old with fewer than 30 credit hours to live on campus. For students like Jordan Hunter, an incoming business administration freshman, it is an exciting time. "I'm feeling good, you know? I'm looking forward to meeting new people," Hunter said.
Housing applications are arranged in groups between one and five based on the date of completion for housing contracts. Housing applications are closed for all groups except group five, which is still accepting applications. "Room selection began in early May, and has continued utilizing the published room selection process located on our website. At this time, students have been able to select their rooms, and the next two groups [four and five] will be assigned to available spaces within the housing system," Bill Mattera, the executive director of Housing and Residential Life, said.
SEE STUDENT LIVING PAGE 3