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Baylor Lariat W E ’ R E T H E R E W H E N YO U C A N ’ T B E TUESDAY
JANUARY 30, 2018 Opinion | 2
B AY L O R L A R I AT. C O M
Arts & Life | 5 Art to table
Time for change
Bipartisan compromises have been ineffective.
Sports | 7 High expectations Freshman Lady Bears rise to meet the team’s standards.
Chefs create meals based on artwork.
Dress code outrage BU reverses changes to SLC policy REAGAN EBB Staff Writer Baylor University posted a sign Sunday afternoon in the Student Life Center notifying students of a dress code policy change for the SLC. The one of new rules said female students could no longer wear shorts that were shorter than one’s fingertips. In response to the policy change, many students responded with frustration, turning to Twitter and Facebook to question Baylor’s decision. In response to the student body, Baylor University issued a statement on Twitter, saying it had been brought to their attention that the newest change in dress code for the SLC created “confusion.” “Therefore, we are returning to our former interpretation of this policy and will seek additional student input should there be any proposed changes in the future,” the statement said. Houston recent graduate Jacquelyn Kellar said she had mixed feelings about Sunday’s events. She said it was great that Baylor listened to the opinions of the students, but the school took the wrong approach to the situation. “It’s important for students to feel heard,” Kellar said, “I believe that the responsibility to keep men focused in the gym should not fall to women and their attire.” Atlanta sophomore Kerlin Anderson organized a student protest to be held outside the SLC at 6 a.m. Monday. The protest was canceled due to Baylor’s change of heart, but Anderson still plans on making her voice heard. “Right now, with the #MeToo movement, voices are more
SLC >> Page 4
Photo Illustration by Josh Aguirre | Multimedia Journalist
Campaign shows campus in new light JULIA VERGARA Staff Writer As students arrived at Baylor for the Spring 2018 semester, some may have noticed the university was different –– it was brighter, lit up with green all across campus. These lights represent the beginning of Baylor’s new marketing and communications campaign, “Where Lights Shine Bright.” Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communications and chief marketing officer, said the lights were meant to visually send a signal that something different is going on at Baylor. “We’ve been in a period of darkness over the last couple of years and now it’s time for us to step into the light,” Cook said. “We’re called to be a light in higher education as a Christian research university.” With the start of a new year and a new semester, the Baylor marketing and communications department decided it was time to put a new face and a new message to Baylor, Cook said. Cook said when Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone came to Baylor in June, they started having conversations on how to re-introduce Baylor to not only alumni and current students, but also prospective students, people around the state and across the country. “We think the theme of light is really who we are,” Cook said. Cook said the theme of light speaks to the university scripturally and from a tradition standpoint.
“In Matthew 5:14-16, each of us is called to be light in the world,” Livingstone said in a statement. “Our distinctive mission as a nationally ranked research institution that is unapologetically Christian places us at a very unique crossroads where faith and learning, scholarship and teaching, knowledge and service combine to create an academic experience unlike any other.”
“
We’ve been in a period of darkness over the last couple of years, and now it’s time for us to step into the light
JASON COOK | VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Cook said even though Baylor marketing and communications has intentionally not told the entire story of the Baylor Lights campaign,
they have planned a lot of different, fun ways to communicate light. “There’s been some curiosity,” Cook said. “People asking the question, ‘What in the world is going on? I don’t understand this. Why are all these green lights here?’ And that’s one of the things that we wanted to do –– create some energy, some excitement, some curiosity with the campaign.” One of the most noticeable features of the campaign is the newly installed letters around campus, spelling out “Baylor” and “Lights.” However, the letter Y is missing in “Baylor” and the letter I is missing in “Lights” –– providing an interactive photo opportunity for the community. Individuals can stand in for the missing letters, take a picture and post on social media using the hashtag: #BaylorLights. Last Tuesday, a special “glow-tastic” Dr Pepper Hour took place. Not only was Livingstone present at the event, but they handed out Baylor Lights soda cups and unveiled the “Bright” letters to go along with “Baylor” and “Lights.” There was also a social media mosaic from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bill Daniel Student Center where students were able to piece together a mosaic about Baylor using various social media images. On Thursday night, the women’s basketball game will feature Baylor Lights with free t-shirts and glow sticks. The campaign will also be bringing a Light Bright Scavenger Hunt for students this semester.
LIGHTS >> Page 4
Waco race weekend benefits bone marrow donor program MICAELA FREEMAN Staff Writer Waco hosted Miracle Match Marathon over the weekend to benefit Be The Match, a program that allows bone marrow donors to become matches to recipients. The two-day event had events for every level of fitness, including half, full and ultra marathons on Sunday morning. It offered hundreds of runners the chance to tour Cameron Park, Baylor campus and downtown Waco on foot. The 5K and 10K kicked off the weekend on Saturday, while the longer races were on Sunday. The races attracted people from all over Texas and the country. The weekend raised awareness for Be The Match and allowed participants to register as donors. All of the proceeds from the races went to Be Vol.118 No. 32
The Match, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program. The marathon race has become known as the toughest marathon in Texas with the saying, “The Toughest in Texas; No Bull.” This is in part due to the course’s hills and the climb up Jacob’s Ladder in Cameron Park. The hilly marathon is entirely local, with man-made medals, local food and a course that runs through Baylor’s campus, Cameron Park and the Waco Suspension Bridge. Miracle Match Marathon’s official website allowed participants to leave their stories and testimonials about what the race meant for them. “At the finish line, there is a huge party waiting with brisket tacos and adult beverages. Always unique, handmade medals and awards! PLUS, this race is about saving lives and BE THE
MATCH. Win-Win,” wrote Ruel Sword in a testimony about Miracle Match Marathon. Nancy Goodnight, local marathoner, made the event possible as director. As special events coordinator for Scott & White’s Marrow Donor Program, Goodnight is responsible for every aspect of the race from registration to awards. Passionate about Be The Match and local health, Goodnight is eager to carry out her volunteering acts throughout her community. “I originally got involved as a runner but I learned through the years what it really meant to be a part of Miracle Match Marathon, which sounds like a dating service but isn’t,” Goodnight said. “I’ve got to meet people who are searching and see survivors all over.”
RACE >> Page 4
Photo Courtesy of Miracle Match Marathon
RUNNING TO HELP Hundreds of runners participated in races of various lengths this weekend to raise awareness for Be the Match.
© 2018 Baylor University
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
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EDITORIAL
Redefining compromise Bipartisan negotiations continue to be ineffective Although it’s well-known that the best way to get a bill passed is to secure bipartisan support, compromises between parties have been ineffective. The government shut down on Jan. 19 because Congress could not decide on a spending bill, and even though the national government is currently controlled by a Republican majority, this shutdown had everything to do with unsuccessful bipartisanship. Congress’s current definition of “compromise” is less about meeting in the middle and more about trading-off between parties. Instead of coming to a consensus and working together to address the needs of both parties, and the entirety of the American people, the government has adopted a quid pro quo methodology. A prime example of this trade-off mentality comes from the present Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) debate. President Donald Trump readdressed the DACA discussion last week by proposing a path to citizenship for the program’s recipients, in what is no doubt an attempt to appease both parties while also asking for concessions from the Democrats. The DACA program was created by President Barack Obama in 2012 to offer protection for people who were brought into the U.S. as children. While DACA comes with various benefits, and a person’s citizenship status can be renewed every two years, the program does not currently present a route to citizenship. However, Trump did away with the program in September, which caused many members of Congress on the left side of the aisle to advocate for a “clean” Dream Act, which would lead DACA beneficiaries to citizenship. This path to citizenship seems to be a satisfying compromise for Democrats, but many Republicans have stated they will be less likely to vote in favor of such a bill if they aren’t getting something in return, such as a border
Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist
wall or more immigration officers. If no deal is struck between parties, these “Dreamers” will be susceptible to deportation and will be unable to renew their DACA status, which could begin in March of this year. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, cooperative lawmaking has definitely been successful in the past, with policies such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and even the 2010 Tax Deal demonstrating effective bipartisanship among parties. Be that as it may, Congress’s views of compromise have shifted, and congressional mindsets are now more inclined toward their own agendas than the well-being of the American people. While the existing trade-off ideology is one way of negotiating, it is in the best interest of the government, not in the best interest of the
governed. Not to mention, switching from one party’s stance to the other’s on any number of issues is incredibly divisive and could certainly lead to issues equal to and surpassing the seriousness of the recent government shutdown. In light of the closure, and in respect to the continuous DACA debate, it is more important than ever for Congress to re-evaluate what “compromise” really means. These lawmaking agreements are not meant to be hard-driven bargains or switching off on stances, but rather understanding what the American people are asking for and, in turn, working together to ensure that their ideals are being represented. In the midst of these bipartisan “efforts,” there is a moderate group of senators known as the Common Sense Coalition that has been putting these practices in place. According to Business Insider, these lawmakers are a primary
reason why the government shutdown came to a close, and their moderate ideologies and actual compromises should be mimicked by their radical left and right colleagues. While there will definitely be some dispute in any government discussions, as is the nature of political parties, it is imperative that Congress’s mindset moving forward embodies working together toward a common goal – not working separately toward entirely different goals. As far as DACA is concerned, Trump’s proposed plan to citizenship is certainly an act of compromise toward the Democrats, but demanding multiple concessions from the Democrats in return for this deal is not. Compromise means everyone wins, not “I win this one and you win the next one.”
COLUMN
Harvard sanctions ignore benefits of Greek life BROOKE HILL Copy Editor
In May 2016, Harvard began the discussion of refusing to recognize all single-gender groups on campus. This would have the largest impact on sororities and fraternities, and it is presumably aiming to eliminate the possibility of facing problems with sexual assault and hazing, which are sometimes associated with Greek life. The university renewed adoption of this policy in December 2017. Needless to say, this did not go over well. Any single-gender groups that chose to remain on campus despite university’s new policy have started to see the effects of the new sanctions. The sanctions –which took effect with the class of 2021 – bar members of singlegender clubs and Greek organizations from
holding student group leadership positions, being varsity athletic team captains and receiving college endorsement for prestigious fellowships. Sororities and fraternities are a place where women and men come together and support each other. The negative connotations that come along with these organizations often overshadow the true heart behind why these organizations exist – to uplift and encourage organization members. Many students are able to find their lifelong friends through these organizations, and that shouldn’t be punished. My sorority, the Baylor chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, is a place where I feel accepted and loved around every single one of my 300+ sisters. It gives me a place to lead my peers and better myself. These Harvard students aren’t just fighting for the right to keep wearing their letters; they’re fighting for their right to keep their support system. “By removing … spaces for women, Harvard is making our campus less safe for women,” Harvard student Rebecca Ramos told the
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Harvard Crimson. Greek involvement is meant to propel women and men into leadership positions that will help them become the best versions of themselves. Instead, Harvard is using Greek life as a way to hinder involvement in other areas of campus by enforcing these punishments. The men of Harvard’s chapter of Sigma Chi are also taking a stand and have not conformed to the policies and called for an open dialogue with Harvard President Drew Faust to discuss how Greek-letter organizations can contribute to a safer, more inclusive college experience. Three out of four sororities on Harvard’s campus are ignoring the ban and currently going through spring recruitment despite sanctions. Harvard’s chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma suspended chapter operations, and the women formed a new, gender-neutral group called the Fleur-de-Lis, which is still allowed to be “female focused.” Shame on Kappa Kappa Gamma for giving up. Women don’t make history by backing down. They should have stood with their fellow
Panhellenic sisters and fought for their right to retain their support system. Harvard’s chapters of Kappa Alpha Theta, Alpha Phi and Delta Gamma sororities are presenting a unified front and fighting the sanctions. On Jan. 23, women from sororities all over the nation took to social media using the hashtags #HearHerHarvard and #WithoutMySorority to voice their support for their fellow sisters. By fighting back and not backing down, these women are showing tremendous leadership, and I couldn’t be more proud to call some of those women my sorority sisters. According to The Harvard Crimson, Ramos argued that the policy has “taken away our place to speak openly about women’s issues and actively empower each other and other women, and in doing so, they effectively turn back the clock on all of our progress.” I hear you, women of Harvard. Don’t give up the fight. Brooke Hill is a sophomore journalism and English double major from Garland.
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
News
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BU Police urge students to uphold safe behavior practices on campus THOMAS MORAN Staff Writer
Meredith Aldis | Broadcast Reporter
NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN (Top) John Calaway sits down with the Lariat after being named the new executive director of Mission Waco. (Bottom) Mission Waco owns a variety of businesses and outreach programs in Waco, such as Fair Trade Cafe, where community members can give back.
New executive director named at Mission Waco JULIA VERGARA Staff Writer As a student in Baylor’s Truett Seminary, John Calaway attended classes taught by Jimmy and Janet Dorrell, co-founders of Mission Waco. In January 2018, Jimmy Dorrell has handed off his role as executive director to Calaway. “Because I have lived out this calling to serve and empower the poor for 25 years, I know the character and quality of life needed to do it well,” Dorrell said. Dorrell said Calaway sat in his “Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission” class at Truett Seminary many years ago. Dorrell watched Calaway serve and worship at Church Under the Bridge and kept up with him as he led a strategic mission effort for a large church in Austin. After that, the Dorrells invited Calaway to work at Mission Waco in an assistant executive director role to make sure he understood the ministry before offering him the position of executive director. “Through all those experiences and years, I became convinced he had the heart, the work ethic, the personality and the personal commitment to continue this legacy,” Dorrell said. Calaway said he first heard about Mission Waco in Thailand. While on a retreat with an organization, he met Jimmy and Janet Dorrell’s son, Josh, who told him that if he ever moved to Waco to attend Truett Seminary, he needed to look up his parents and an organization called Mission Waco. “I started at Truett Seminary and had Jimmy and Janet as professors,” Calaway said. “And the very first class that I had, I went up to him and said, ‘I think I met your son in Thailand.’ And they kind of laughed, they invited me to Church Under the Bridge and that was really my first introduction to Mission Waco.” After Calaway lived in Austin for six years, Dorrell invited him to move back and become a part of the organization’s staff. “[He] sat me down over a cup of coffee and an omelet and then he said, ‘I want you to come on staff at Mission Waco,’” Calaway said. “And
my first response was, ‘No, I think I’m good in Austin.’ And he said ‘Well at the very least, can you pray about it?’” Calaway said he told Dorrell that he would start praying about it and just see where the Lord leads –– six months later, he joined their staff. The way the organization goes about empowering people –– the idea of giving people hand-ups not handouts –– is ultimately what brought him back to Mission Waco, Calaway said. In April 2017, Calaway joined the organization as the associate executive director of development and volunteers which included a lot of fundraising as well as volunteer recruiting and placement. Less than a year later, he took on the role of executive director. Calaway said Jimmy and Janet Dorrell’s personalities embody people who like to mentor, lead and create a culture of learning, and has made his transition to executive director easy. Dorrell is still on staff as president of Mission Waco and is still intimately involved in its projects. A lot of the responsibilities are still shared between the two and will remain that way over the next few years as this transition takes place, Calaway said. “We still meet on a weekly basis,” Calaway said. “I probably talk to him at least four times a day and so he’s created an environment of transition of me being able to continue to learn from him.” Calaway said that going forward, his vision and his goal for Mission Waco is to continue the legacy that Jimmy and Janet Dorrell have put in place over the last 25 years. Mission Waco will continue to be about empowering people, mobilizing the middle and upper class to compassionately serve the poor and fighting the systemic issues that surround injustice in the city, in the nation and around the world, Calaway said. “It’s really those three things that we will always continue to be about and it’s those three things that Jimmy and Janet and our staff and our board of directors have fought for and have tirelessly worked for,” Calaway said.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, 36,348 criminal offenses were reported on college campuses in 2015 and 1,979 of those offenses occurred on Texas campuses. Leigh Ann Moffett, director of emergency management at Baylor, is closely involved with campus safety and, in light of these statistics, encourages students to become more knowledgable about campus safety. On a very basic level, there are certain strategies students can use to avoid being an easy target for crime, Moffett said. She also said being aware of one’s surroundings is a crucial element to personal safety on campus. “Confidence ... exude confidence,” Moffett said. “Don’t walk with your nose in your phone and acting like your scared. Be alert. Watch your own.” Simple changes such as these can drastically increase your safety on and off campus, Moffett said. Aside from body language and environmental awareness, Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtil said he urges students to be knowledgeable of the resources available to them to increase personal safety. BU Campus Guardian is a free cellphone application that allows students to keep track of one another. Students are able to enter a specific destination and estimated time of travel. If the student does not reach their destination by the pre-determined time, their friends will get an alert from the app and be able to check in on them. Police can be contacted through the app, and the Baylor Department of Public Safety is able to establish nearly the exact location of a student if they require assistance. There are currently 81 emergency call boxes and 152 emergency telephones across campus that immediately connect students to the Baylor Police Department. Wigtil said he suggests that students be aware of these locations to assist them if they feel unsafe or are involved in an emergency situation. Students are also able to contact the police for an escort to their residence
Bailey Brammer | Editor-in-Chief
CAMPUS SECURITY Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtil said there are around 1,076 cameras on campus, some of which are located in a perimeter around the campus, which has been illustarted above. There are alsovarious other resources for students to use to remain safe while at Baylor.
if they feel uncomfortable crossing campus at night, Wigtil said. They will even bring students to off-campus sites, within reason. Wigtil said there are around 1,076 cameras on campus as well, which hopefully contributes to the student body’s sense of security. However, when in doubt, Wigtil said students should always feel comfortable to call the police. “Be proactive. ... If students become aware of any disconcerting acts of any individual, including fellow students, call the Baylor Police Department,” Wigtil said. Dallas freshman Melinda White said Baylor leadership and the many resources and safety precautions that
Baylor maintains provides her with peace of mind when crossing campus alone in the evening, which she says is a nightly occurrence. “It makes me feel incredibly safe, especially when I found out that you can just give a call to a police officer and they’ll drive you home,” White said. “I think it’s so great that Baylor is putting safety first.” Ultimately, everyone plays a part in campus safety and has a responsibility to look out for one another, Wigtil said. The necessary information that students need for campus safety can be accessed on the Baylor Police Department website.
freedom She Sang
AN EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE IN CELEBRATION OF
black history month
featuring artist and storyteller
Dr. Tammy Kernodle
with tonya cox and Daniel Brinson performing the Music of nina simone, aretha franklin, mavis staples and Roberta Flack
7 P.M. | FEBruary 8 BENNETT AUDITORIUM BAYLOR UNIVERSITY a reception will follow
SPONSORED BY the Pruit Memorial Symposium Endowment Fund; department of American Studies; department of Communication Studies; Department of History; Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media; the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project; College of Arts & Sciences; School of Music; and Truett Theological Seminary
for more information, visit baylor.edu/library/freedom
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
News
On-campus Fridges provide students snacks
Men’s tennis sweeps weekend matches
VIVIAN KWOK Reporter
Josh Aguirre | Multimedia Journalist
VICTORY Baylor freshman Sven Lah prepares to serve in a doubles match against Florida State as fellow freshman Roy Smith prepares at the net. No. 11 Baylor men’s tennis qualified for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Team Indoor Championships with wins over UNLV and No. 21 Florida State this weekend in Waco.
RACE from Page 1 In 2009, Goodnight became the director of Miracle Match Marathon and hasn’t looked back. In 2004, she became an advocate for her community and felt pulled towards volunteering in any way she could. Goodnight is currently training for the Boston Marathon while directing another race in the upcoming fall. Goodnight is excited about the opportunities she’s received from Be The Match and Miracle Match Marathon. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve also got to meet people I would’ve never met without this program,” Goodnight said. Waco not only has gained awareness for Be The Match, but also, Baylor has become a part of the advocacy for the marrow donor program. Stephanie Jardot, the community engagement representative for Be The
Match, is the liaison between the program and Baylor. Jardot believes that 2018 will be a year full of accomplishments for the program. “We have several drives scheduled on campus for the spring semester … We want to get into classrooms and talk to more organizations to raise awareness for the registry,” Jardot said. The marathon was the program’s biggest event for the year and jump-started the anticipated goals for both the Scott & White and Baylor programs. The Be The Match program hosts meetings for those interested in donating and the program every other Thursday in Earle Hall. The next meeting is 5pm.m Thursday.
campus wide project where everybody’s doing it out of the goodness of our hearts,” Vielledent said. He said his hope for The Fridge project is to have a stocked mini-fridge in every major academic and administrative building. “We’ll have another one in Bobo coming this week and another one at the Martin House,” he said. “I want to get one in the SUB. I’m getting another one in Marrs McLean Science hopefully within the next month and then another one in School of Social Work probably sometime in early February.” Cliburn-Allen and Vielledent acknowledge
The Food Insecurity Working Group on campus officially opened The Fridge, a new initiative addressing college food insecurity, on campus Wednesday last week. The group also hosts free food events such as the Baylor Free Farmers Market, which occurs once a semester, and the Baylor Mobile Food Pantry, which occurs monthly. The Fridge provides access to quick snacks and healthy meals to students who need it most through a series of mini-fridges on campus. The first Fridge had a soft opening Dec. 1 in 201 Moody. The second Fridge opened last week in the BARC. El Paso graduate student and founder of The Fridge Jorge Vielledent said it is important for people to realize a stereotype of Baylor student exists. “[People think] if they can afford the tuition then they can afford food and everything they need to pay per month,” Vielledent said. “But there’s still a lot of students on our campus that cannot afford even the groceries or to go out and buy textbooks.” Cara Cliburn-Allen, doctoral student and chair of the Food Insecurity Working Group, has done studies about food insecurity on Baylor’s campus. Photo Illustration by Baylee VerSteeg | Multimedia Journalist Interviews with students show a story contrary to the stereotype. HELPING HAND The Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center “We found that students houses one of five locations for The Fridge. really struggled because they worked a lot of hours,” CliburnAllen said. “Which meant getting food quickly, the potential stigma associated with food aid. that was accessible, that is also nutritious is “Stigma is always an issue because in our really difficult when you’re strapped for cash.” country hunger is associated with stigma,” Cliburn-Allen said the Fridge allows students Cliburn-Allen said. “So we’ve been really to make a sandwich before class so they do not careful to think about the events that we do and need sit through it hungry. the goals that reduce stigma.” “That’s really beneficial to students,” she One way The Food Insecurity Working said. “I think it’s a great project for those sorts Group reduces stigma is by avoiding the terms of things.” “food pantry” or “food insecurity” in the titles of Vielledent also said food insecurity impacts their projects. That is why The Fridge is called these students academically if they are having to The Fridge. work to buy food instead of study. “They can go to the Fridge and say I’m “I think it’s important because it’s helping getting it from the Fridge and it’s perfectly true,” our students in their personal lives as well in Vielledent said. “We’re using soft names that to their academic world,” he said. avoid all stigma.” Vielledent said he got the fridge idea from Dr. Cliburn-Allen said they want students to Hugh Riley, senior lecturer and undergraduate realize that support with food is like receiving program director in the psychology and academic support through the success center or neuroscience department. He said Riley has a financial support through financial aid or grants. mini fridge in his office that he stocks with basic “We’re excited to continue to serve our sandwich materials for hungry students who students on campus with different initiatives. need help. Vielledent said he wanted to expand We’re brainstorming other ways,” Cliburn-Allen the fridge idea to the whole campus. said. “We know that food pantries are just a “So rather than just being one professor doing Band-Aid to a large solution that we’re working it out of the goodness of his heart, have it as a to solve on our campus.”
SLC from Page 1 important than ever,” Anderson said. Anderson said current events like the Larry Nassar trial make this happening at Baylor even more enraging. “You would think that Baylor was being conscious of how women are being treated,” Anderson said. “There is such a heightened consciousness around the issue of sexual gender generalizations.” Anderson said even with such a small issue as a dress code change, that Baylor did not think about the repercussions of
the event. She said the action seemed to foster a rape culture, saying that some people ask women what they were wearing when a sexual assault occurred. “I felt that Baylor was almost for blaming women for how males were reacting to our athletic wear in an environment where we are working out. It’s just absurd,” Anderson said. Anderson said she thinks Baylor only revoked the dress code because the students’ outrage.
Peoria, Ill., junior Amanda Seaboch said she was disappointed in how the university handled the situation, commenting on Baylor’s Title IX situation. “It was two steps backwards in the direction we should go. Their initial reaction was ‘blame the victim,’ so it goes back to Title IX. Are they doing it because they have to? Or because they actually care about women?” Seaboch said.
LIGHTS from Page 1 Additional campaign events and details will be communicated through Baylor’s social media channels. Cook said that the next phase of the campaign is to feature the lights on Baylor’s campus. In a statement, Livingstone said that the “Where Lights Shine Bright” campaign will be sharing stories about Baylor’s transformative educational experience. “We have faculty members, we have staff members, we have students who are lights on our campus,” Cook said. “So we’re going to be exploring these stories of the many lights that exist on our campus.”
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Photo Illustration by Josh Aguirre | Multimedia Journalist
PHOTO OP This installation on Fountain Mall is one of four words around campus, each missing a letter. They are intended to be an interactive photo opportunity.
arts&life REVIEW OF THE GRAMMYS What should be a celebration of art and artists is becoming more of a popularity contest than anything. pg. 6
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Answers to the weekly crossword can be found under “Puzzle Solutions” under the Arts & Life tab at baylorlariat.com. pg. 6
Art
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
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I heard so many rich discussions around the dinner table. It was the perfect result. Rebekah Hagman | Cultivate 7twelve pg. 5
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Collaborative event merges fine art and fine dining
chain reaction among both the chefs and the dinner guests. “Toby and Juanita’s willingness to share who they were in the dishes I think inspired similar conversation among the [guests] — their past, who they were, where they came from,” Hagman said. “I heard so many rich discussions around the dinner table. It was the perfect result.” Conversation and laughter hung as unapologetically in the air as Wallis’ MEREDITH WAGNER many paintings did on the walls. The Arts & Life Editor second postcard was served promptly, Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor and guests glanced around the room For creative thinkers and feelers, ARTISTS AT WORK Toby Tull, co-owner of Happy Harvest, speaks to dinner guests about how he and Juanita to locate the original work. An orange, artwork is hardly limited to the Barrientos, co-owner and head chef of Happy Harvest, conceptualized Saturday night’s dessert (top right corner). The fiery human figure labored to escape course was inspired by Charles Wallis’ painting ‘When Did Thinking Become a Bad Thing?’ (top left corner). paintbrush. a cloud of blurry, blue heads in the Local businesses and nonprofits one of the displayed paintings. The guests, moving away from her lips. Served alongside the background, fiercely breaking from joined hand-in-hand Saturday night happily conversing over mineral water, received photo was roasted wild mushroom swimming the conformity of the crowd. Alongside this to host an event titled “Palette,” the only art-topostcards displaying the artwork that inspired in a seasoned umami broth, balancing the mild, postcard was a fresh ricotta galette, encircled by table experience of its kind in Texas. The air at Cultivate 7twelve, a recently opened art gallery the course they would be served shortly cool color palette of the painting with a bowl of kale that had just moments before been handmostly neutral hues. charred with a fiery torch, the flame mimicking and event space in Waco, echoed with live piano thereafter. Dinner guests dined among the works Owner of Cultivate 7twelve Rebekah the burning figure in the painting. and the chatter of nearly 50 guests, all of whom of nationally acclaimed Waco artist Charles Hagman said Barrientos and Tull created dishes As the night continued, Barrientos and others awaited a night of fine cuisine and immersive, Wallis, a painter who uses his craft to express that reflected a sense of courage similar to that worked rapidly yet steadily in the back-roomcreative inspiration. turned-kitchen. Preparation for the dinner had The name “art-to-table” succinctly describes his journey as a deeply compassionate, intuitive in the paintings. individual. The elements of light and color in “You’re really getting a big window into begun weeks in advance, when Barrientos and the premise of the dinner: Juanita Barrientos and Toby Tull, co-owners of Happy Harvest, his paintings made for a night of creativity on a human being,” Hagman said about artist Tull together selected which paintings they selected four paintings hanging in the Cultivate multiple accounts – edible or otherwise. Wallis Charles Wallis. “Not only did Juanita and Toby’s would use as inspiration. The process from there 7twelve gallery, and proceeded to create an also attended the dinner and spoke about each dishes reflect the content of Charles’ work, but is one of complexity, patience and a special form edible, high-end dish to represent each chosen painting before the course representing that … I saw them much more exposed. They were of creativity. talking about themselves as introverted, as overTull said head chef Barrientos draws from work. Barrientos and Tull brainstormed, work of art was served. The first postcard depicted the profile of a thinkers, as creatives. It was really personal. ” multiple elements of the painting to build her prepared and served four courses in total, each woman with serious eyes and blue hair staring Hagman said the vulnerability and of which portrayed, abstractly or realistically, intently to the right, the word, “hmmmm?” authenticity displayed in the paintings caused a ART-TO-TABLE >> Page 6
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor
YES PLEASE A fresh ricotta gilette, alongside kale that had been charred moments before, was served to represent Charles Wallis’ painting titled “I Feel You.”
IT IS US Co-owner and head chef of Happy Harvest Juanita Barrientos (right) dishes honey and cracked pepper whipped feta onto the main course. Barrientos referred to her team as her backbone. “We could not do this without these hands right here,” she said.
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor
CULTIVATING CREATIVITY Rebekah Hagman, owner of Cultivate 7twelve, speaks to a crowd of almost 50 at the art-to-table dinner Saturday. On the right is Charles Wallis, the featured artist in the gallery and inspiration for many of the dishes.
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist
DESSERT, PLEASE Meringue atop a cinnamon honey cake is burnt just before being served.
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Tuesday, January 29, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
Arts & Life
REVIEW
60th Annual Grammy Awards lack diversity Record of the Year: Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
MOLLY ATCHISON Print Managing Editor Awards season is well underway, as evidenced by the amount of glitz and glamour circulating social media. On Sunday night, the biggest names in music swept into New York City’s Madison Square Garden arena, with smiles sparkling as hopefuls strutted down the red carpet awaiting their fate. As always, there was a mix of live music, including a powerful performance by Kesha, a cover and tribute to Tom Petty performed by Emmylou Harris and Chris Stapleton, and a stunning dance number by Rihanna during her performance alongside DJ Khaled of their hit song ‘Wild Thoughts.’ However, the Grammys, as many critics have said for years, seem to be slipping downhill in terms of award decisions. Additionally, after a year rife with political activism during awards season, the Grammys did not seem to represent any sort of diversity in its performances or its choices. Album of the Year: Bruno Mars, “24K Magic” Bruno Mars has been in the music business for a very long time, and it seems that the longer he creates music, the more retro his sound becomes. 24K Magic encompassed an air of nostalgia mixed with groovy dance vibes, showcasing not only Mars’ vocal talents but also his passion for mixing more traditional sounds with newer, original beats. His show-stopping album has a plethora of hit singles, such as “24K Magic,” “That’s What I Like” and “Versace on the Floor.” To me, this album was definitely worthy of the title Album of the Year. The main complaint about this category was not at all about the choice of artist, because nobody can deny that Mars is worthy of the title, but rather because of the performances involved. Traditionally, most artists nominated for Album of the Year are given the opportunity to perform prior to the award’s annunciation. This year, Jay-Z, Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar were all slated to show their stuff on stage, but one of the Album of the Year contestants was not included in this lineup: the single female nominee in the category, Lorde. While it may have just been a matter of timing and availability, Lorde being denied the same privilege her male counterparts were offered left a bad taste in viewers’ mouths.
Cleaning the floor in this category as well, Mars won Record of the Year over Jay-Z, Justin Bieber and Childish Gambino. It isn’t difficult to get on board with Mars additionally winning Album of the Year, because the list of songs is a diverse, funky and refreshing new take on traditional genres; still, Record of the Year had so many different artists with the potential and capacity to win. When looking at some of the more specialized nominations, it is clear several of these artists were jipped somewhere. For instance, Mars walked away with the titles of Best R&B Song, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album as well as Album and Record of the Year. Though Mars’ album did contain elements of R&B, such as strong baselines and nontraditional instruments like the saxophone, multiple artists in these categories were much more deserving than Mars. Spread the wealth, Grammys. Childish Gambino could have taken any of these awards in a heartbeat. Song of the Year: Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like” Three out of the four main categories of the award show were dominated by the same artist with the same song from the same album. At this point, it became increasingly less apparent why Mars was winning these awards, especially in this category. The other nominees for Song of the Year included “Despacito,” performed by Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, “4:44” written and performed by Jay-Z, “Issues” performed by Julia Michaels and “1800-273-8255” performed by Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid. Each song had merit and rightfully deserved a nomination. “Despacito” was a Latin-influenced summer banger. “4:44” was an emotional and passionate piece in JayZ’s recent expose on his life, love and his walk through fame. “Issues” was an anthem for young adult relationship angst, naturally pleasing the ears. Finally, “1-800-273-8255” sent a powerful message about suicide and depression, and even the title (which is the phone number of a suicide prevention hotline) is a tearjerker. While “That’s What I Like” was a happy-go-lucky 2017 dance number that made people smile, it doesn’t hold nearly the amount of power and purpose some of these songs did. It seemed as if the breakout potential of these songs were overshadowed by the popularity of the Mars brand.
Best New Artist: Alessia Cara Finally — someone who isn’t Bruno Mars. 21-year-old Cara, hailing from Ontario, Canada, is best known for her breakout song “Here.” With a raspy voice and strong, gritty sound, Cara is a passionate powerhouse who highlighted the trauma and turmoil of youth in her first EP “Know-It-All.” Her performances, presentation and musical talent helped her jump to the top of the charts, and her relatable lyrics pulled in a incredibly diverse fan base. Cara is completely deserving of this award, but it was definitely a close call. The category often spans genres in favor of finding the most interesting new artist, and it is apparent that there are plenty of new, interesting artists out there with the potential to shake the industry. Among them is Khalid, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Georgia who has crossed the lines between soul and pop. In a short two years, Khalid has already made topcharters with some of the most prominent names in the music business, such as DJ Marshmello and Calvin Harris. There’s a small margin between the two artists’ levels of talent and success that it’s hard to argue either way, but in a Grammys with so little female representation, it’s unsurprising that Cara snuck ahead. She definitely deserved it. Some other complaints, and a few shoutouts Kesha should have won Best Pop Solo Performance — not only because her single “Praying” invoked a deeply personal, empowering message, but because it was comparatively more deserving than the repetitive Ed Sheeran song that
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ART-TO-TABLE from Page 5 own masterpiece. “Emotion, color, style, actual content — There are so many places she can take it,” he said, adding that, no matter the creation, “People have responded so well.” Barrientos furthered this by describing her culinary-minded, creative process in detail. “For me, a feeling can be cinnamon — I know that sounds weird — but it reminds me of warmth, of comfort. If [the artwork] talks about something being aggressive, I think spice. I think citrus. I think burnt,” she said. “I really just play around with different components.” The main course, which drew inspiration from Wallis’ piece ‘It Is Not You. It Is Us.’, encompassed slow-cooked pork, escabeche and mole blanco, wrapped snugly within a glowing banana leaf. The warm oranges and yellows depicted in the lighting of the painting, which peered
through a central, pane-glass window, were captured using brightly pigmented vegetables and sweet potato puree. The green of the banana leaf, encapsulating all other ingredients, directly mimicked the greenery surrounding the lone human figure in the painting, as if nature was the primary support for all else in life, and in dinner. “Each dinner is very nerve-wracking because it’s so personal,” Barrientos said later. But, she said, “After every dinner, I learn to be a little bit more fearless.” No evidence better captured her fearlessness than dessert. Vanilla stout ice cream accompanied a cinnamon honey cake topped with burnt meringue. Pear compote and salted caramel added extra flavor, and the explosion of color on Wallis’ canvas was recreated with an explosion
beat it. However, Portugal. The Man broke down some serious walls when they won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with their jam “Feel It Still.” As a traditionally ignored category of music, alternative rock needed a win, and hopefully with more and more alternative rock artists working their way into top charts, Portugal. The Man will set a precedent which might eventually earn alternative rock its own category in next year’s Grammys. Finally, Carrie Fisher was paid tribute posthumously, with a Grammy for a spoken word performance she created before she passed away this year. Titled “The Princess Diarist,” her spoken word album is not only a self-reflection, but also a memoir of her experiences in the movie and entertainment industry. For many, this year’s Grammys were disappointing. While each and every artist that won should be recognized for their talent and dedication to their profession, there was a lack of diverse choices in both the main categories, and the nontelevised, less-publicized awards. What should be a celebration of art and artists is becoming more of a popularity contest than anything. Maybe next year, the Grammys will make an effort to highlight uniqueness and unity instead of letting certain artists walk away with trophies they comparatively didn’t deserve.
of toasted pecan brittle on the plate. Tull explained the similarities of the dish, and the painting, to his and Juanita’s habits of thoughtfulness. “This dish highlights the benefits of overthinking,” he said to the crowd. Proceeded by a spurt laugher from the dinner guests, Tull added, “We really over-thought this dish for you guys.” Chicago native Nicole Stark is the store manager of Happy Harvest’s pre-made health food store. Stark said Tull and Barrientos are the reason she stays in Waco, instead of moving around the country working at various organic farms, as she used to do. “I am able to be happy because I’ve met them,” she said. “I met [Toby] right away when I moved to Waco. It’s because of Toby and Juanita and what they do — that’s why I stay here.” As the night wound down, head chef
of clker.com
Barrientos said she was overcome by a sense of relief, followed by an immense gratitude, both for the opportunity to create and for the hands that helped. “I feel very full inside. It’s just very humbling,” she said. Addressing the crowd, she added, “We could not do this without these hands right here. They are my backbone.” Hagman reinforced the purpose of the event as a whole: “It’s a tactile experience of beauty, intentionality and reflection that we never make time for, and we need to,” she said. Hagman said her hope is that everyone in Waco will, at some point or another, feel drawn to the event, which occurs once every month. “I want everyone to be able to have this kind of experience. I hope in three years we cycle through every person living here.” After all, Hagman said, “We’re here for Waco.”
INTELLIGENT LIFE Right A comic strip featured weekly on our pages. >>
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Freshmen embrace challenge of excellence NATHAN KEIL Sports Editor For many teams in Division I basketball, having only nine available players probably wouldn’t be ideal. For No. 3 Baylor, currently 19-1 overall and 9-0 in the Big 12, it hasn’t been an issue. Not only has it not been an issue, it has given two freshman guards, Alexis Morris and Didi Richards, the opportunity to shine and blossom right in front of Baylor Nation’s eyes. Morris said she considers herself lucky to have an opportunity to contribute to a great team and a great program during her first season. “I look at it like an opportunity to play on this level and grow as a player and a person. It’s a blessing to be a freshman,” Morris said. “Not many freshmen are capable of doing what I can do, especially playing in Baylor’s program, so it’s a blessing.” But for head coach Kim Mulkey, their success and ability to contribute hasn’t been much of a surprise. Mulkey feels that they have the experience of playing at a high level and are well-prepared for the moments and situations they see on a nightly basis for Baylor. “They’re good, first of all,” Mulkey said. “They played a lot of basketball in their life. They play at the highestlevel summer teams. They got a little swag about them, like a lot of freshmen want to have but they have it because they can back it up. They just have a personality about them.” Morris has been excellent off the bench for Baylor this season. Not only does she run the offense to give senior guard Kristy Wallace a breather, but
she allows Wallace to play off the ball in order to get her some good perimeter looks in the offense. In 19 games this season, Morris averages just less than 10 points per game, while shooting 47 percent from the floor, 50 from distance and 81 from the free throw line. She averages nearly three assists and three rebounds per game as well. Mulkey said Morris is just smooth on the court as visible in the way she moves, defends and shoots the ball. Richards’ versatility is what makes her a stand-out. She averages a touch more than five points per game to go along with four rebounds and two assists. She has been an effective shooter as well, hitting 46 percent from the floor. Mulkey said Richards’ determination to help the team and her underrated size and Ryan Barrett | Multimedia Journalist strength allow her to be so DYNAMIC DUO Baylor freshman guard Alexis Morris waits for a screen as she runs the offense against Texas. Morris had versatile on the court. “Didi has a little bit up there eight points in the victory over the Longhorns. in her neck and she’ll go out there Morris were the star understudies to scoring column, but she dished out Although they have been with Lauren [Cox] and go play four assists in 15 minutes of action. successful so far, they know the in the post and play with the best of Wallace’s virtuoso performance. Morris played 32 minutes while As much as they have contributed job remains unfinished. With the them,” Mulkey said. “’You need me to go out there and guard outside, yeah, Richards played 24. Morris finished to the offense, it is their defense and Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments I’ll go do that too.’ When you look at with eight points, four rebounds their attention to detail that sets them approaching, it only gets more challenging. But challenges aren’t to her body, it doesn’t look like she can and two steals. Richards scored eight apart, said to Mulkey. “The part that really handcuffs be feared; they are to be overcome. do that but she’s a lot stronger than points and eight rebounds, including getting Baylor extra possessions by freshmen in my program is they “It’s definitely a challenge, but I you think.” usually mess up on the defensive end. don’t run from challenges. I charge at Richards and Morris have never grabbing six offensive rebounds. In Sunday’s come-from-behind Those two don’t mess up much on the them,” Morris said. been afraid of the big moment. In The next challenge is when Baylor fact, in their biggest game this season, win against No. 20 West Virginia, defensive side of the floor,” Mulkey they may have brought their best Richards again chipped in with eight said. “Their quickness allows them hosts No. 20 Oklahoma State at 6:30 points off the bench, while grabbing when they do mess up to quickly p.m. Wednesday at the Ferrell Center. game yet. In Thursday’s 81-56 win over two rebounds and collecting two recover and yet they have knowledge then No. 6 Texas, Richards and steals. Morris did not get in the of the game.”
New pitching lab brings opportunities MAX CALDERONE Sports Writer The Jack Ward Pitching Lab is the latest upgrade to the Baylor Ballpark facilities. Finally, the pitchers have a place to call their own. The new lab is no ordinary bullpen. Completely covered in artificial turf, the turnedout weight room serves as a pitcher’s paradise, with three pitching mounds, two training tables, sets of stretching arm bands and weights to provide players with everything they need to succeed — a longterm investment for the Baylor pitching staff, according to Baylor pitching coach Jon
Strauss. “Our first thought when we got here was, let’s invest in our pitchers,” Strauss said in a video produced by Baylor baseball. “Everybody’s got batting cages and clubhouses, but that was the first thought was, let’s do something for our pitchers to give them somewhere to go and get all their stuff done.” The lab is located behind the visitor’s dugout at the ballpark. It is specifically reserved for pitchers and catchers to work on fine-tuning mechanics and learning how to improve each day. “It’s sweet,” said senior closer Troy Montemayor.
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor
NEW SEASON The new pitching lab is anticipated to help pitchers heading into the 2018 season.
“We get to fine tune some mechanics that we couldn’t normally see out there in the ‘pen.” Five cameras hang from the ceiling to capture every angle when a pitcher is throwing. Footage is sent to a single television screen that spits out advanced metrics and statistics that would make any baseball junkie jump for joy. Baylor head coach Steve Rodriguez said the lab will help him and his staff analyze the physical mechanics of his pitchers in a way unlike any before at Baylor. “We’re able to maximize what each kid can do,” Rodriguez said. “Now we can look at some other intangibles as to what kind of tilt a pitcher has, what kind of rotation, his arm angles, the tunnel that he’s throwing out of. We now have the technology that enables us to do that.” With an excess of software to use, coaches can teach players about their spin rates, arm angles, velocity and location to further analyze their on-field performance. “We’ve got so many weapons at our disposal,” Strauss said. “I think every day we use this lab, we start learning new things.” In a modern world where
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS The brand new Jack Ward Pitching Lab will give Baylor pitchers and coaches opportunities to analyze and perfect their pitching mechanics like never before.
technology moves as quickly as we do, information is at a premium. Baylor pitchers are open to learning as much as possible. “Any information you have is good information,” senior right-handed pitcher Alex Phillips said. “Whether you need to work on something, it’s really nice to come in to a place like this and look at the TV so you can actually see it.” Technology in the lab can be beneficial for players not just in increasing the longevity of their baseball career, but also in keeping them healthy and free of injury.
“All pitchers are different,” Phillips said. “With this technology that we have here, I think you can develop into your own personality and you can work on and finetune things that’s better suited toward yourself.” The pitching lab is also an attractive element for Baylor’s recruiting process. Strauss understands the impact it can have on potential recruits in their process of deciding where they want to play college baseball. “Their eyes light up when they walk in here,” Strauss said. “When we bring recruits in, it’s
just to show them that this is what we’re all about. This is how important you are to us.” Players, coaches and fans alike are giddy about the upcoming season. The addition of the Jack Ward Pitching Lab certainly helps the Bears live up to their season motto: #Elevate. “This is a game changer for us,” said Strauss. “It’s like Christmas morning for a pitching coach.” Baylor will open its 2018 season on Feb. 16 against Purdue at Baylor Ballpark.
Coming Up this week: Men’s basketball: 8 p.m. tonight Norman, Okla. vs. Oklahoma
Lariat Radio play-by-play will be available during the games by Max Calderone and Andrew Cline at www. mixlr.com/baylor-lariat-radio or on the “Mixlr” app under “Baylor Lariat Radio.”
Women’s basketball: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Ferrell Center vs. Oklahoma State
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 The Baylor Lariat
Sports
NCAA denies Smith 2018 season eligibility; A&M gets defensive line coach Robinson MAX CALDERONE Sports Writer
Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor
NEW SEASON, NEW RULES Senior closer Troy Montemayor pitches during the first day of practice Friday.
New pitch clock rule will impact umpires, not Baylor pitchers by the Big 12, each institution will be required to provide a “timer” who will meet with umpires prior to the start of Beginning March 16, when each game/series to review Baylor hosts Texas Tech for procedures. its Big 12 opening series, the The Big 12 also Bears will activate two visible recommends that toward the 15-second pitch clocks as per beginning of the conference a new experimental rule by season, coaches, umpires the Big 12 conference. should meet prior to first The 15-second pitch clocks pitch of each game to review will only be used when there the process. are no base runners. Failure Big 12 schools are for a pitcher to adhere to the encouraged to do their best to pitch clock will result in a ball accurately record the length of being rewarded to the batter. games so the conference can If the hitter doesn’t enter the analyze the information and batter’s box within the time re-evaluate the rule at season’s constraint, a strike will be end. rewarded. Even though Rodriguez One pitch clock will doesn’t believe this new be located underneath the addition will have much of scoreboard in left-center field an impact on the Bears this and the other will be beneath season, he said he would like the press box in the center of to see the Big 12 follow suit the stands, where it is visible with the SEC and ACC and to the pitcher. add coaches’ challenges. Baylor head coach Steve “I think Rodriguez said college baseball he is in favor really needs to of the pitch emulate what clock because Major League it helps keep a Baseball is quicker pace to doing. There the game, but can’t be as said it shouldn’t many rules have too much and different impact on his situations and pitching staff. circumstances. “The pitch If you have the clock, I think, capabilities of will have having instant absolutely zero replay and the effect. We’re cameras at your doing this for stadium, I think the simple it’s going to be purpose of Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor a great thing. guys not trying IN THE DUGOUT Head coach Steve Rodriguez talks The truth is, it’s to slow games with one of his players during their open practice on about getting down when Friday. the call right,” there’s really Rodriguez said. no need to slow it down. I believe in playing was Montana Parsons, who Rodriguez said the rule fast baseball in regards to was between 13 and 17 the timing of everything,” seconds. However, Parsons will help ensure plays are Rodriguez said. “I went was drafted by the Miami called correctly. “The umpires have a new through a lot of our games Marlins in June’s MLB draft just to see how it would really and pitched in the Minor system now where you can affect us, if it would. Most of League this summer, therefore talk to them and ask them all our guys were anywhere from waiving his final year of to confer, to get the call right. This is just another avenue, nine to 11 seconds in regards eligibility. Although the Bears aren’t another tool to be able to do to getting rid of a pitch, so it’s going to be a clock up there concerned about the changes that. I think it’s going to be a that really should have no coming as a result of the pitch great challenge for the NCAA relevance to anything. There’s clock, one group that it will to see what they’re going to do going to be some teams it’s have a big impact on is the with it, but at the same time I think it’s going to be great for going to affect and that’s what umpires. Rich Fetchiet, who serves as our sport because truthfully we’re trying to fix.” Senior closer Troy the Great Lakes Intercollegiate these kids deserve to have the Conference call right.” Montemayor said he and Athletic (GLIAC) supervisor of Baylor will open its season other members of the pitching staff had already begun Baseball Umpires and is the with a three-game series working with it during their coordinator for baseball against Purdue beginning at for numerous 6:35 p.m. Feb. 16 at Baylor pitching lab workouts, so umpires there shouldn’t be that much conferences, will be working Ballpark. of an adjustment for him with umpires regarding the when he takes the mound in mechanics of the clock. According to a statement the eighth or ninth inning.
NATHAN KEIL Sports Editor
Though the 2018 season may be months away, for Baylor, football is a year-long sport and changes are always taking place. Most notably, the NCAA denied defensive end K.J. Smith a sixth year of eligibility, as confirmed by the Baylor athletic department. Smith missed most of the 2017 season due to shin splints, appearing only in the opener against Liberty. Student-athletes may apply for a medical redshirt when an injury causes them to sit out for extended periods of time. Smith is not expected to appeal the decision. Smith redshirted in his first year on campus, and then went on to make 139 tackles in 40 career games with the Bears. He forced three fumbles and recovered two. In an article for Baylor Diehards, a Baylor fan sports blog, writer Shehan Jeyarajah called Smith “one of the most versatile linemen in Baylor history.” Smith was named to the 2016 All-Big 12 First Team after posting 45 tackles and racking up five sacks in his junior season. Smith’s defensive line coach this year was Elijah Robinson, who had coached under Matt Rhule for four years — three at Temple and one at Baylor. Another change is that Robinson recently accepted a position at Texas A&M to join new head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher, who was hired by the Aggies while coaching at Florida State, has been rounding out his coaching staff by hiring assistants from the Big 12 conference.
It is unknown in what capacity Robinson will serve at Texas A&M, but he is expected to remain on the defensive side of the ball. Baylor has yet to name a replacement. Rhule took to Twitter to extend his well wishes for Robinson. “I am sad but grateful for all of the time I spent with [Robinson],” Rhule said in his tweet. “He did a great job for us at Temple and here at Baylor and I want to wish him all the best as he starts this new chapter in his career.” The Bears head coach wasn’t the only one who tweeted his appreciation for Robinson, as junior defensive lineman Ira Lewis posted a message thanking Robinson for all he had done. “He has turned me into a way better player than I could imagine. Wish you all the best coach,” the tweet read. Sophomore wide receiver Jared Atkinson also took to Twitter to announce he would be taking a semester off from Baylor and returning home to deal with some personal issues. Atkinson caught five passes for 73 yards after appearing in all 12 games for the Bears. In a response to Atkinson’s tweet, his mother Monique announced she is preparing to battle breast cancer. She also thanked Rhule and Baylor football for all of their support. Baylor football has not yet released the date for its 2018 spring game. The Bears will open the next season at home against Abilene Christian on Sept. 1.
“I don’t think it will. We incorporated that a little bit in the pitching lab. It really hasn’t changed,” Montemayor said. “I don’t think anybody really takes that long to pitch. If it does [change an approach] it’s just some minor adjustments, but it’s not really that big of a deal.” From a hitting perspective, the Bears don’t seem too worried about it either. Sophomore catcher Shea Langeliers said Rodriguez has always been quick to give the signs so it’s easy to keep the atbat moving along. “It shouldn’t have too big of an impact,” Langeliers said. “Hitting wise, for me at least, I get the signs from Coach Rod and get right back in the box so it shouldn’t be too big of a deal.” Langeliers also said the Bears’ slowest pitcher in between pitches last season
Photo courtesy of Baylor Ath-
SMITH SAYS GOODBYE Baylor senior defensive end K.J. Smith lines up on defense against Liberty Sept. 2. Smith missed all but one game this season and was denied a sixth year of eligibility.