Street preacher demonstration incites large student protest NEWS: PAGE 4
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
VOL. 112 No. 11
NTDAILY.COM
83 faculty salaries to be adjusted By Lizzy Spangler @LizzySpangler
SEE SALARIES ON PAGE 3
Afro Deezy Axe performs at Midway Craft House’s two-year anniversary party on Friday. The convenience store hosted a two-day celebration with special beer tappings, giveaways and live music. Paige Bruneman
Denton’s most convenient venue Midway Craft House celebrates its 2-year anniversary on Hickory By Slade Meadows @SladeSe7ens A man exits a Fry Street bar on a mission in search of cigarettes and a late-night snack. He walks a block down West Hickory Street and finds himself at the small corner store known as Midway Craft House. He purchases his cigarettes and Doritos with the intention of returning to Fry, but his trip is prolonged by the live music, craft brews and atmosphere of the quaint little convenience store. His plans change. His journey becomes his destination. “It’s such a funny setup, to come to
a convenience store and watch a band play,” said Makayla Price, a high school English teacher. “But it’s kind of the perfect, cute meet-up place, I would say.” Midway Craft House recently celebrated its two-year anniversary with a two-day event featuring music from bands like Honest Shaun and a selection of free giveaways. While often considered a convenience store, the business offers much more than just soda and Pop-Tarts. The venue is known for its live music, large selection of craft brews and growler bar. The venue’s unique appeal has not gone unnoticed by the Denton community either. It was voted “Best Nontraditional
Venue” by the Denton Art and Music Awards for two years running. “A lot of work goes into managing the store and booking events,” said Rahim Dewji, manager of Midway Craft House. “We have four businesses in one location: a craft beer store, convenience store, growler bar and event venue. Each type of business has its own set of laws to abide by and follow. The Midway Craft House is the most unique business in town. We have something for everyone.” Not only is Midway Craft House unique to Denton, the store is also unique to Fry Street. Though the venue is at the corner
“
Music is the lifeblood of this city — it’s been that way for decades.
“
Eighty-three faculty members – eight assistant professors and 75 continuing faculty – will receive a salary adjustment following a study into market value and salary conducted by the Provost’s Office. Faculty employed by UNT on Oct. 1, 2017, were a part of the study, which Provost Jennifer Cowley appointed a sevenmember task force to administer. The methodology used Jennifer Cowley in the study came from a book called “Paychecks: A Guide to Conducting Salary-Equity Studies for Higher Education Faculty” by Lois Haignere. The adjustments took effect for assistant faculty on April 1 and will begin Sept. 1 for full-time faculty. “When I had a meeting with some key leaders on campus, they raised the issue of whether or not our salaries were competitive with market,” Cowley said. “I put it on the priority list and we put together a team that was able to conduct the analysis.” The last salary analysis, similar to the one conducted in October 2017, was conducted in November 2015. Following that analysis, salary adjustments were made accordingly. “It’s pretty rare to have a systematic salary adjustment,” Cowley said. “This is fairly unusual, but the university is undertaking this. Although, certainly there [are] individual circumstances where individual faculty members’ salaries can be adjusted.” In the analysis results, UNT’s average salary-to-market ratio is 1.009 on a scale from .5 to 1.6 and above across 1,096 faculty members, meaning overall UNT pays its faculty members a bit more than the average, which is 1. More specifically, 98 percent of faculty make between 60 to 139 percent of
- Rahim Dewji, manager of Midway Craft House
SEE MIDWAY ON PAGE 6
Trautwein emerges as ace for Kee as softball surges in C-USA play By Luis Diosdado @luis_diosdado9
North Texas freshman pitcher Hope Trautwein (7) pitches the ball on March 3 at Lovelace Park in Denton. Jake King
There has not been a single North Texas pitcher to maintain an earned run average of under 3.00 throughout a season since Ashley Kirk in 2013. Kirk was also the last one to toss over 100 strikeouts with 214 in 2014. With a 2.51 ERA and already 103 strikeouts so far this season, freshman pitcher Hope Trautwein is on pace to reach both of those milestones in just her first year in a Mean Green uniform. And to think, Trautwein almost did not come to North Texas.
It was not until late in her high school career that Trautwein was even noticed by North Texas head coach Tracey Kee and her coaching staff. By that time, she was already committed to play at Tyler Junior College. “I was kind of shocked,” Kee said. “We happened to stumble upon Hope at a clinic two miles from campus, and there was no doubt in my mind that she was a Division I pitcher. Sometimes it’s just best to get lucky in recruiting.” After her first visit, Trautwein knew Kee’s program was going to be one she joined. “I’ve always heard UNT was a
really good school, and the girls on the team just seemed like one really big family,” Trautwein said. “I wanted to be a part of that family, so that’s why I chose to come here.” After spending plenty of time around the team, Trautwein’s decision continues to be proven right as she makes the most out of the time with her teammates. “We really do enjoy being around each other — both the coaches and the girls,” Trautwein said. “That’s the biggest thing for me. We have chemistry on and off the field.”
SEE SOFTBALL ON PAGE 7
Chase Christensen tailslides into small business By Amy Roh @rohmyboat Chase Christensen’s room is filled with bright pink skateboards and smiley faces. On his windowsill there are stacks of finger skateboards branded by a laser cutter from the UNT Art Building. Mockups of boards hang on the wall with different designs, colors and varying face shapes with amusing phrases like “thicc
necc” scrawled underneath. Christensen, a graphic design senior, is the founder of Pleased To Skate, a skateboarding company run out of his own home. “The original idea came from being at the skate park and seeing people getting mad at themselves for not landing a trick or sometimes not being able to impress the other people there,” Christensen said. “I would be waiting to skate and a guy would come up to me and be
NEWS
putting [himself] down and my response was like, ‘I’m just glad to be here. This is the most fun thing I get to do all week and I’m not going to let a trick ruin my one night that I get to skate.’” What really sparked Christensen’s start with the brand was the classroom. As a project in his entrepreneurial class, graphic design students were asked to create their own business or product. As someone who has
UNT looks to extend Smatresk’s contract past 2019 pg 3 The Board of Regents voted unanimously to allow Chancellor Lesa Roe to execute a new deal to keep President Neal Smatresk past when his current contract expires in 2019.
been skating since the age of 8, Christensen’s choice to create Pleased To Skate, a company that evokes the sense of joy while skateboarding, made immediate sense. “If you didn’t do it for fun…did you do it at all?” the tagline reads. “Really quickly after I ordered the first five boards, I realized I wanted to do more,” Christensen said. “I realized if I could sell them,
SEE SKATEBOARD ON PAGE 6
IN THIS ISSUE
ARTS & LIFE
A wrinkle in time at UNT pg 5 Film student Ciara Bonafice receives the Visonary Filmmaker Award after being chosen as the winner of national compeititon in partnership with Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time.”
SPORTS
Chase Christensen shows his various available deck shapes. Will Baldwin
Gurnell provides new voice for Mean Green volleyball pg 7 New assistant coach Carrie Gurnell hopes to help volleyball continue momentum of winning 2017 season.
OPINION
This & That: The Oxford comma pg 9 This week we gave an English major and a journalism major the biggest topic to debate — in what could arguably be considered the most controversial This & That of all time — the Oxford comma.
NEWS Page 2
North Texas Daily
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Rayzor Ranch gearing up for more growth
Editorial Board
By Jacqueline Guerrero @gagaart1
Editor-in-Chief Kayleigh Bywater @kayleighbywater Kayleigh.Bywater@unt.edu
Construction is officially underway at Rayzor Ranch Town Center and is expected to be completed by summer 2018. Restaurants, shops and a luxury apartment complex will be added once the construction is finished. RED Development broke ground in March on three new multi-tenant buildings at what’s locally known as Rayzor Ranch, located at the intersection of I-35 and U.S. 380. The tenant buildings are pre-leased to Zoe’s Kitchen, Massage Envy and Sprint, according to a press release. The Village, an 11-acre parcel being developed by EPC Real Estate Group, will include 292 luxury apartments with studio, one and two bedroom units. The complex will open in early summer 2019. These new developments are part of phase three of Rayzor Ranch Town Center’s multistage infrastructure development. Phase 1 was completed in 2016, opening spaces to tenants. Phase 2 ended in 2017 with the opening of a hotel and convention center and phase 3 kicked off in 2018. RED Development managing partner Scott Rehorn said the addition of tenants at Rayzor Ranch Town Center brings both energy and excitement to Denton. “As new tenants begin to open, construction milestones are met, leasing momentum continues and the luxury apartments take shape, we’ll begin to create density and liveliness that will make this project a standout in Denton and surrounding communities,” Rehorn said in an email. “We hope the community takes pride in this unique, regional mixed-use destination.” Rehorn said Denton is benefitting from the strong economy in Texas and especially Dallas, which draws in new business from all over. When tenants build a “solid market” in the region, they start to branch out and expand to the Denton area and places such as Rayzor Ranch Town Center. “Denton has proven to be a solid market,” Rehorn said. “In fact, some of the tenants at Rayzor Ranch have sales that are in the top third of the metroDallas market. Denton is a great city
Managing Editor Kayla Davis @kaylajeann19 KaylaDavis@my.unt.edu News Editor Sarah Sarder @sarderrr Sarah.Sarder@unt.edu Arts & Life Editor Alec Spicer @Spicer_Alec AlecSpicer@my.unt.edu Sports Editor Matthew Brune @mattbrune25 MatthewBrune@my.unt.edu Opinion Editor Nina Quatrino @ninaquatrino NinaQuatrino@my.unt.edu Visuals Editor Jake King @King_Jake1st JakeKing@my.unt.edu
Production Team Design Editor Kelly Fox @kellythefox1 KellyFox2@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Marshall Cearfoss @JustMarshalling MarshallCearfoss@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kaitlin Pennell @k_itlinn KaitlinPennell@my.unt.edu
NTDAILY.COM
City Council member Gerard Hudspeth, left, and Denton Mayor Chris Watts, right, shovel dirt along with a team from Andy B’s. Construction on the entertainment center is expected to be finished by early 2019. Jake King/DRC
Construction began recently on the frame of the building that will become an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the Rayzor Ranch Marketplace. Jake King/DRC that has a lot to offer and businesses are taking notice.” Kinesiology junior Cameron Badolato said he would like to see new shops at the current shopping centers, preferably clothing stores. “I think the addition of new shops and businesses will definitely be good for the community,” Badolato said. “Denton is home to many college students that are always interested in shopping and going out. Businesses should easily thrive in this area because of help from the student population.” Journalism junior Preston Lawrence said he thinks adding more to Rayzor Ranch Town Center will leave a positive impact on the Denton community and for him individually.
A Rooms To Go store is currently in the process of being built and completed. Ashley Gallegos
“It will bring in more options of places for people to shop at,” Lawrence said. “Which I know would benefit myself in the long run, especially if they are stores or places I like to shop or eat at.” Some of the recent and upcoming openings are: • Brain Balance: newly opened. • Rooms To Go: will open the week of April 19. • Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: will open summer 2018. • Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: will open summer 2018. • Andy B’s Entertainment & Bowling Center: will open early 2019. “I live pretty close to Razor Ranch so more shops and restaurants will help me stay on one side of Denton,”
accounting junior George Arciniega said. “The additional shops will give me a wider variety of shops and restaurants.” Rehorn said RED Development’s consistent growth at Rayzor Ranch Town Center will impact the Denton community for consumers and tenants. “It’s RED’s plan and goal to continue to create a destination that will have something for everyone in Denton,” Rehorn said. “Along with the shopping, dining, entertainment and daily-life needs, we’re focused on creating a destination where people feel welcome to stay, socialize, interact and experience all that Rayzor Ranch Town Center has to offer.”
UNT prepares for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Designer/Copy Editor Kiera Geils @KieraGeils KieraGeils@my.unt.edu
By Lizzy Spangler @LizzySpangler UNT is set to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) throughout April, emphasizing this year’s theme “Embrace Your Voice” at a variety of events including the annual Take Back The Night event on April 5. Numerous departments at the university, including the Dean of Students, the Health and Wellness Center, UNT Libraries and more, are planning events. Denton County Friends of the Family (DCFOF) is also putting on programs to mark the month and educate people on sexual assault.
Copy Intern Becca Stetson @beccastetson rebeccastetson@my.unt.edu Social Media Manager Kenli Gunter @kenliiiii KenliGunter@my.unt.edu Senior Staff Illustrator Austin Banzon @Austinbanzon99 austintroybanzon@my.unt.edu
Business Director Adam Reese 940-565-4265 Adam.Reese@unt.edu
Faculty Adviser Gary Ghioto 940-891-6722 Gary.Ghioto@unt.edu
To pitch a story, or contact the Editor-in-Chief, please email northtexasdaily@gmail.com
The significance of SAAM This year marks the 17th anniversary of SAAM, according to The NO MORE Project, which aims to educate communities about sexual assault and raise public awareness. “One in four women in the state of Texas and nationally are affected by sexual assault specifically,” DCFOF Community Education Specialist Nathan Richardson said. “This is a very real issue for a lot of people, either something they have experienced personally or they know someone who’s experienced it.” DCFOF also wants to dispel stereotypes about sexual assault during this month, holding workshops to educate people about domestic and sexual violence. “There’s still very much this idea [that] rape only happens by a stranger in a dark alley,” DCFOF Community Education Specialist Nicole Owens
said. “We know that’s not often the case, so there’s still a lot of myths and things that we want to debunk and bring awareness to.” Perla Valdez Gomez, the founder and current president of the UNT organization This Ends Now, said this month is also helpful for those who don’t have any experience with sexual assault advocacy. “I have encountered people in the past who don’t believe it’s their place to advocate for victims or survivors because they themselves have never experienced this, so they don’t want to speak for them,” Gomez said in an email. “This month of awareness I think can help those individuals realize that the fight against sexual assault is going to require the support of victims and bystanders both.” UNT Survivor Advocate Renee McNamara stressed the importance of combatting sexual assault and of people getting involved. “It is a UNT community issue to combat sexual assault,” McNamara said in an email. “We need students, faculty, staff and community members to help us do continued education and prevention. We all need to be active bystanders and help those that need our assistance.” #MeToo & SAAM With the visibility of the #MeToo movement, which shed light on the issue of sexual assault and harassment through social media, DCFOF believes the movement will help bring attention to SAAM. Richardson said he hopes to see
more engagement in SAAM through activism, social media and attending events. “[Hopefully] we’re just going to have more interest in our events that are going on and more activity after the fact,” Richardson said. “The idea behind this is to get people excited so that we can sustain. We can get people signed up to be volunteers or to donate.” Gomez said she thinks the #MeToo movement will affect this year’s SAAM by bringing understanding to the issue of sexual assault. “I think for bystanders or people who haven’t experienced assault, they can better understand that this is way more common than many people believe it to be,” Gomez said. “Ideally, I think this will inspire many more people to join the fight to end sexual assault.” Events honoring SAAM UNT will be hosting “It’s On Us” week during the first week of April, with tabling, a town hall and Take Back
the Night as the biggest events UNT has planned. “These programs provide opportunities for those passionate about advocating against sexual assault to stand in solidarity with survivors and educate the community,” McNamara said. DCFOF is introducing a new event to their SAAM event lineup, “Cup of Prevention,” which is a campaign to partner with local coffee shops to raise awareness about sexual assault. “We just wanted to find some other ways to get connected to our community,” Owens said. “This was an idea that has been done by other agencies around the country before and so, we just thought it was a good idea for our community to do.” If you or someone you know is dealing with sexual or domestic violence, contact RAINN at (800)-6564673, DCFOF at (800)-572-4031 or a UNT Survivor Advocate at (940)-5652648.
President Neal Smatresk talks about resources students can use to learn about sexual assualt prevention at the “It’s On Us” town hall on April 3 at the Union Avesta. Rachel Walters
NEWS AROUND THE US By Devin Rardin
Trump to send military to secure border
Shooting at Youtube HQ leaves three wounded, one dead
Teachers walkout in Kentucky, Oklahoma
Police cruiser involved in hit and run
President Donald Trump is sending U.S. troops to secure the Mexico border until 700 to 800 miles of wall can be built, according to CBS News. The move is in response to 1,200 migrants leaving a violent Honduras. Trump called the militarization a big step, while South American diplomats said this will cause solidarity with Mexico during the Summit of the Americas in Peru next week.
YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, California were the site of a shooting Tuesday afternoon. A female suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and three people went to hospitals for gunshot wounds, according to CBS News. The shooting is being investigated as a domestic dispute.
The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that the Kentucky state capitol saw teachers protesting pension changes and school funding on Monday. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed legislation that gave teachers pay increases of 15 to 18 percent. Teachers say that was not good enough, which caused the walkout.
A 61-year-old woman was killed when a police vehicle struck her during a protest in Cleveland, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle. Officers called for a group of about two dozen people surrounding a police cruiser to back away before the second vehicle started driving forward, striking the woman.
Stocks drop as investors fear US-China trade war
Wall Street stocks dropped sharply on Wednesday during a trade dispute between the United States and China, according to The New York Times. Washington and Beijing issued tariffs against each other. Donald Trump said China has unfair trade and put tariffs on products such as steel, aluminum, aircraft parts and flat-screen televisions.
NTDAILY.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Page 3
Denton City Council nears adoption of ethics ordinance By Devin Rardin @DevinRardin Denton’s ethics ordinance, which looks to enforce integrity and transparency within city hall, is nearing completion after six years of conversation surrounding the issue, but some area residents are not satisfied with mandates for conflict of interest disclosures. The ordinance will apply to city officials, former city officials of the past two years, vendors and complainants. It addresses issues such as accepting gifts, improper influence, misuse of information and abuse of position. Alan Bojorquez, a lawyer hired by the city, drafted three versions of the ordinance, which is nearing completion. Area residents are concerned about full disclosure rules under the document. Council members discussed the potential reasons to make a conflict of interest disclosure mandatory. The current draft states conflicts must be disclosed if a council member has over $600 invested in a pending matter. Some residents think all business and financial interests need to be disclosed even if the financial interest is less than $600. “This kind of disclosure is important in aiding the citizens in understanding, not just if
there is a bias, but if there is an appearance of bias,” Denton resident Den Gold said during a public hearing session. “I think that’s a higher standard than just saying above $600 it’s prohibited, but below $600 is ethically OK. I just don’t like how that ethically looks.” Council member Keely Briggs opened a conversation about full disclosure during the last council meeting on the subject. Council member Dalton Gregory recommended making disclosure optional. “I think that’s too steep of a rule for an issue that probably is very insignificant in terms of its impact,” Gregory said. Deb Armintor, UNT English professor and Place 5 Denton City Council candidate, spoke during a public hearing about why council members should disclose any conflicts of interest. “Being on a board or committee involves a lot of work,” Armintor said. “I think the most important thing in what we should be thinking of is the public, not so much the burden on the people being asked to disclose.” Paul Meltzer, local businessman and Place 6 candidate, said the issue is a lot simpler than it is made out to be. “If you have a relationship with a person that is bringing business before you, you gotta say so,”
Meltzer said. “It’s as simple as that. It’s not about a dollar limit or finding some wiggly way to avoid it. You just gotta say so.” The issue of nepotism, employment based on knowing someone in power, will not be in the ordinance because it is already in city policy. The ethics panel which administers the ordinance, an adhoc subcommittee of the Board of Ethics, will be subject to the Open Meetings Act. The ordinance has been in the works since Nov. 7, 2017, when a charter election was held on the subject. The election resulted in 1,822 votes for formulating an ordinance and 276 votes against it. Council members participated in ethics law training had seven work sessions and two public hearings on the ordinance. The ethics ordinances for 18 other Texas cities and state law were taken into consideration when writing the ordinance. “No one can say you have a cookbook ordinance,” Bojorquez told the city council. “This one was crafted specifically for Denton, reflecting your wishes and your preferences.” Council members will discuss the third draft during their regular meeting on Tuesday. They are expected to adopt the ordinance on April 17.
Neal Smatresk, center. File
UNT looking to extend Smatresk’s contract beyond 2019 end date By Sean Riedel @SeanRiedel The UNT Board of Regents is looking to keep Neal Smatresk as president past the end of his current contract in 2019. The board recently voted unanimously “to delegate authority to Chancellor Lesa Roe to finalize a new deal with Smatresk,” the Denton Record-Chronicle reported. Smatresk has been UNT’s president since February 2014. He signed a second contract in 2016 to extend his time at UNT until Feb. 28, 2019. Smatresk earns $535,000 annually under his current contract. Following the unanimous vote, Board of Regents Chairman G. Brint Ryan praised Smatresk’s efforts over the past four years. “President Smatresk, on behalf of myself and the board, we appreciate your service,” Ryan said. “We appreciate your excellent work. Frankly, there has not been in my eight years on this board a more exciting time for UNT and our flagship than there is today.”
During the same meetings, the Board of Regents also voted to extend the contracts of athletic director Wren Baker and football coach Seth Littrell, according to the Record-Chronicle. In a statement issued Tuesday, Smatresk talked about his aspirations for UNT’s future and thanked those who voiced their confidence in his leadership. “We’ve accomplished so much during my four years at UNT with regard to enrollment growth, research discoveries, athletic performance and financial transformation,” Smatresk said. “We continue to deliver on our promise of offering students the best education experience in Texas and are making strides to become a global leader in education innovation. Through strategic partnerships with leading corporations and DFW area industries, we are collaborating to prepare our students for careers in a rapidly changing world. I thank the Chancellor and the Board of Regents for their confidence in me and look forward to continuing to lead UNT.”
Melissa Francis, left, of Fox News speaks during a question-and-answer session with G. Brint Ryan during the March 29 Kuehne Lecture Series at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Courtesy Dalton LaFerney/DRC
Melissa Francis talks fake news, #MeToo at UNT Kuehne event By Zaira Perez @zairalperez FOX News Channel and FOX Business anchor and host Melissa Francis spoke about President Donald Trump’s strategy to foster negotiation, fake news and the #MeToo movement March 29 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The luncheon and reception had about 450 people in attendance and was a part of UNT’s Kuehne Speaker Series. Francis also contributes to FOX’s “The Five” and “America’s Newsroom.” “[Trump] understands what it takes to make the country grow,” Francis said. “He understands that the government needs to get out of the way and off everyone’s back and he understands what it takes to get things going right.” Ernie Kuehne, the founder and namesake of the Kuehne Speaker Series, said Francis is someone he “admires greatly” during his welcome remarks. President Neal Smatresk said UNT holds events like the Kuehne Speaker Series to raise money for scholarships. He said UNT promotes the “free exchange of ideas” on campus. “Events like this showcase and highlight that we are out there, that we’re not afraid of controversy,” Smatresk said in reference to the Donald Trump Jr. speech the series hosted in October 2017. In her speech, Francis referenced her recent op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, “The Art of the Steel Tariffs,” where she wrote that Trump’s strategy of “[stirring] controversy with unexpected announcements” and taking “outlandish” stances is what brings about negotiation. The example she highlighted from her op-ed was about his proposal for a border wall that involved thinking big and protecting oneself by “being flexible” and not getting “too attached to one deal.” Francis said to consider what is going on behind the scenes next time Trump tweets something about policymaking.
“The next time you hear something he says that sounds really outrageous, ask yourself, ‘What is this really about? What else is really going on today? What negotiation is out there right now that he’s resetting?’” Francis said. She added that she did not know if this would work in every case. Francis said people in Washington do not negotiate and compared the wide differences in negotiating for policymaking to the harsh negotiation of hot dog prices at a hot dog stand in New York. She said that Trump’s new employees are not “yes-men” but instead are the opposite. She said they are not hard-right since they range in opinions, but instead they are hardcore because of their determination and focus. “These are the people [Trump is] surrounding himself with,” Francis said. “He’s tired as the CEO of people coming back to him and telling him why what he wants is the wrong thing to want.” Francis said she knows the people working for him personally. She said the public should consider it further when it sees people coming and going. “You don’t want people working with you who are wishy-washy, who doubt your vision, who are undermining you,” Francis said. “You also don’t want people who are just agreeing with you.” Francis also spoke about fake news and how it is a real thing. “Facebook and CNN and FOX for that matter, it’s all a business at the end of the day,” Francis said. She said that algorithms are “devastating” for news consumers because it is a machine promoting those stories, not people. “[Stories that are being shown are] just reflecting back at you what you clicked on,” Francis said. “In Facebook’s case, it’s reflecting back on you what you said to other people online.” Francis spoke about the recent controversy surrounding Facebook. She said Facebook is the largest data mining company that uses information it learns
about its users in order to sell it. “[Facebook] is trying desperately to keep you there for as many minutes,” Francis said about Facebook’s algorithm. Francis also compared CNN and FOX to football clubs when they “talk trash” to each other. “We’re both trying to get the most fans,” Francis said. She added that the trash talking should not be “taken off the field.” Brandon Searcy from Dallas Capital Bank said he hopes Francis’ speech helped more people confirm and settle things about Trump. “I just think [Francis’ speech] gives a lot of people a different perspective and way to understand the president and why he does the certain things he does,” Searcy said. Chairman and CEO of Ryan, LLC, G. Brint Ryan presented questions from sponsors during a question and answer session. Francis spoke about her thoughts on the #MeToo movement’s impact in the newsroom and the 2018 midterm elections. Francis spoke about an experience when she was first starting out in the news when her boss showed up drunk at her house at 5 a.m. trying to get in. Francis said he did not know where she lived, so he must have looked up her address with the company. When his wife called him, he told Francis that he should tell his wife where he was and what he was trying to do. Francis did not report her boss. Francis said her reaction the next day was to find a new job. She said she now wonders how many other women went through the same thing with him. “Who was I going to go tell?” Francis asked. “He was the boss.” About the midterm elections, Francis said she believes Democrats are overconfident. She ended with advice to young journalists. “You have to fight for it,” Francis said. “You have to have passion. You can’t be afraid to take risks.”
Infographic by Lizzy Spangler
UNT to adjust 83 faculty salaries following concerns over pay rates SALARIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 market salary, with the remaining two percent making more than 139 percent of their market salary. “I was very pleased to see that overall, if we look at the university as a whole, we’re paying right at the middle of R1 and R2 institutions,” Cowley said. “[UNT was] appropriately placed given our position as an institution, so that was great news to see that overall, we’re paying pretty well.” Cowley said the results of this most recent study show her that this proves that UNT’s equity work in the past – the November 2015 study and prior studies – is making a difference and UNT is moving in the right direction. Andy Harris, who teaches in the dance and theatre department and has been at UNT for 15 years, is one of the faculty members receiving a salary adjustment. “Since I didn’t request it, I didn’t expect it,” Harris said. “I was extremely pleased as it was [done] in terms of wanting to retain me and reward the work I’ve been doing in UNT.” The study also identified four
areas of salary compression: in the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism from lecturer to senior lecturer, in the College of Business from senior to principal lecturer and from assistant professor to associate professor and in the College of Information from senior to principal lecturer. “We’ve invested approximately $310,000 in market adjustments for 83 individual faculty members,” Cowley said. “That was an effort to address the faculty that were most compressed and also performing well.” Another faculty member, Professor Jiangping Chen who came to UNT in 2004 and teaches in the College of Information, said she was very surprised at her salary adjustment. “I feel so appreciated,” Chen said. “I think the value doesn’t really matter, but just the way I could get an adjustment means a lot to me.” UNT plans to replicate this study every three years to continue to monitor salary equity and will make changes as necessary according to Cowley. “We hope to maintain [the study] as it has been crafted
for consistency,” Cowley said in an email. “But of course, improvements could be possible.” Jodi Duryea, a senior lecturer in CMHT who’s been at UNT for 12 years and received a salary adjustment, is glad UNT is making an effort in addressing salary equity. “I think it’s important,” Duryea said. “It is something that [I have] been aware of for a while, that I’m not paid as much as my peers at other universities and I’m glad they’re making an effort.”
FOUND GOLD RING Inside Willis Library January 2018
To Claim Please Contact: The University of North Texas Police Department Sullivant Public Safety Center 1700 Wilshire St. Denton, TX 76201-6572
940-565-3000
Page 4
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Street preachers take to campus
NTDAILY.COM UNT students gathered Thursday and Friday afternoons at the Library Mall after word spread that a small group of demonstrators appeared holding signs that read “BLM are racist thugs,” “Every Real Muslim is a Jihadist” and “Got Aids Yet?” The group of demonstrators originally declined to identify with any organization but have since then been identified as part of the National Street Preachers Conference. Thursday and Friday’s protests we listed as an “outreach” event on the conference itinerary online. Students’ responses ranged from loudly playing trombones to impromptu dance parties.
Below: Students in NAACP take a stance together against the protesters. Kathryn Jennings
Protester waves a Bible and preaches to a crowd of counter-protesters. Rachel Walters
Psychology freshman Chelsea Egenti says UNT students are “bringing the heat” against protesters. Egenti also demostrated for the Black Lives Matter movement on Friday. Rachel Walters
Students and a demonstrator converse over what is on the demonstrator’s sign. Kathryn Jennings
UNT President Neal Smatresk talks to students during the protest and counter-protest outside the Library Mall. Rachel Walters
TM
PEOPLE UNITED REACHING EVERYONE
A student voices her opinion to a demonstrator as he speaks with a microphone at the protest on Friday afternoon at the Library Mall. Kathryn Jennings
Health and Wealth
in 3 easy steps Become an independent business owner Invest today earn money tomorrow
Invest alongside entrepreneurS like Phil Knight
Text/Call
Ashton Morgan (940) 453-8329 a_morgan3@hotmail.com
bit.ly/NXTLVL18
Students protest a demonstrator from the National Street Preachers Conference. Demonstrators were on campus Thursday and Friday. Mallory Cammarata
Students chant and play instruments to counter protest a group of street preachers. Rachel Walters
ARTS & LIFE Page 5
Going behind the scenes: Ciara Boniface By Rachel Linch @rachel_linch “Action!” The room goes silent as the camera rolls and the actors dive into the scene. Looking at every detail through her director’s lens, media arts junior Ciara Boniface watches the short film she wrote, “Skintight,” come to life on the 7-inch monitor in her hands. At just 19 years old, writing, directing and editing is the rhythm of her life as a filmmaker. It’s a passion requiring long hours of hard work, but Ciara cannot imagine anywhere she’d rather be than behind the scenes creating art. “It’s just really a great feeling for people to trust your vision and trust that you can tell a good story,” Ciara said. Even though being a filmmaker is her passion, it is a profession that goes against her natural demeanor. When Ciara decided to submit a video to the “A Wrinkle In Time” Visionary Filmmaker contest, this was a quality on which she focused. “One of the things I mentioned that makes me unique is the fact that I’m a more reserved person,” Ciara said. “Even though that’s true, it’s not something [I] think about when I’m on set because all of that goes out of my mind, and I know it’ll get done.” Ciara’s focused yet quiet determination as a young filmmaker caught the attention of “A Wrinkle In Time” director Ava DuVernay. At the end of February, Ciara was handpicked by DuVernay and a team of Disney executives to be the winner out of 1,200 submissions. She won $100,000 to work on a film, a car from Nissan, a new HP computer system and a trip to Los Angeles to meet DuVernay and her other filmmaking inspirations at the world premiere of the movie.
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
NTDAILY.COM
“At the premiere, Ava told me she handpicked me, so that was really cool,” Ciara said. “It’s really unreal that these people already in the industry are pushing for me — a student filmmaker — to keep making stuff.” The entire experience was one that any filmmaker would dream of having, and Ciara checked it off her list at just 19 years old. Although it may seem like she showed up overnight, this dream has been many years of hard work in the making. Humble beginnings Ciara remembers the moment she held her first camera. It was Christmas morning 2011 when she opened the gift she had asked her parents to get her: a white, ultra-flip camera. “She was so interested in filming and videos and all that stuff, so we decided to get it for her,” Ciara’s dad Armstead Boniface said. “I think that’s what really fueled the excitement and enthusiasm to move forward and to try to create more videos.” At first, she stuck to skateboard videos, because that was her main passion at the time. It wasn’t until she created a music video for her English class at Roach Middle School in McKinney that she started to look for more opportunities to create. “I remember it being really big because it was one of the first things people actually saw,” Ciara said. “I thought that was cool how people liked it, and that just made me want to keep doing stuff.” When she was in ninth grade, Ciara wrote, directed, recorded and edited her first film. Both of her parents starred in the film and were amazed as they watched their youngest daughter, who was typically soft-spoken, direct them behind the same camera they had given her as a Christmas present. “To see her blossom into this person that we didn’t know was
there that can direct people and tell them what to do is still amazing,” Ciara’s mom Paulina Boniface said. Ciara’s parents have proudly supported her dreams every step of the way over the years as her passion for telling stories through film has grown. From watching her open her first camera to walking down the “blue” carpet with Ciara, her parents are grateful they have been a part of nurturing her passion for filmmaking. “We just want to see her be successful with her passion, and it’s happening so fast and so young,” Paulina said. “She’s always been so humble and is a gift to the world with what she does.” Just getting started For Ciara, winning the Visionary Filmmaker Award is only a step on her journey toward telling meaningful stories through her films. She has already made 12 films during her career and is looking forward to many more. The short film she recently wrapped up in March, “Skintight,” is what she is focused on now in its post-production phase. It
will eventually be turned into a feature film, which she plans to do with the $100,000 she received from her winnings. “She cares about the entire story and characters, and it’s so transparent when you read her scripts or see her work,” said Parker Foster, who has worked as director of photography on two of Ciara’s films. The film will focus on the scary reality of being stalked, a fear many of Ciara’s friends told her they had. Ciara was even more inspired to tackle a real-life issue and apply it to a horror film after she saw the movie “Get Out.” “‘Skintight’ is an important story to tell because it’s based on actual events, in a way, and it’s also something that people aren’t really talking about as much,” Ciara said. “I guess it’s mainly inspired by ‘Get Out’ because of the social conversation that it could start.” The possibilities for the stories Ciara can tell and the films she can create are endless. And as her parents and peers watch her from the sidelines, they can’t wait to see where she goes. “Instead of just making up fictional stories, she’s making films to change the world,” Parker
Top: Ciara Boniface on-set directing her most recent short film, “Skintight,” which will be turned into a feature film with the money she won from the “A Wrinkle In Time” Visionary Filmmaker Award. Courtesy Cody Prenn Bottom: Boniface studies media arts and hopes to continue filmmaking. Omar Gonzalez said. “I have no doubt she’s going to be in the conversation for best new female director in the next five years.” For now, Ciara keeps reminding herself she is still young and has more room to grow as a filmmaker. Since she won the award and checked off a bucket list item, Ciara has new goals and
is going to keep working hard — she believes she is just getting started. “It’s just really a cycle to constantly keep going and not let anything push me away from that path,” Ciara said. “As a filmmaker, it’s easy to get distracted, but anything is possible if you keep pushing for it and believing.”
Denton Trading Co. brings new experience to the Square By Sadia Saeed @sadiasaeed97 The low rumble of the drill can be heard as dust picked up outside Denton Trading Co. Situated next to West Oak Coffee Bar on the Square, the new shop is expected to open up in May of this year. Owned by Kristin Brittan — who has another location in Roanoke, Texas, as well as four candy shops throughout North Texas — said the Denton location will have its own unique twist. Though cut from the same cloth, Denton Trading Co. will use its location as its inspiration. The shop will sell a variety of merchandise, from candles and kitchenware to clothing and furniture. The possibilities depend on the reaction of the public. This “one-stop shop” provides not only merchandise, but also an experience. “The way I always describe it is that RTC [Roanoke Trading Co.] is more like Anthropology and DTC [Denton Trading Co.] is more like Urban Outfitters,” Brittan said. “It’s the same company, but this one will be more hipster.” Inspired by the funky Denton atmosphere and the residents, Brittan aims to bring the same influence into the shop. For instance, Brittan plans to display a 10-foot guitar made entirely of pennies to showcase the music side of Denton, as well as a public piano and a wall dedicated to UNT alumni in the front window. “It is important for us to have things we wouldn’t expect — it’s kind of our niche,” Laura Lake, manager of Denton and Roanoke Trading Co. said. Because she was already juggling five stores, Brittan had no intention to open another shop until she fell in the love with the building on the Square. The brick walls, the exposed ceiling and the cozy atmosphere convinced her to take on another shop. The community in Denton is what ultimately drew Brittan to the project. “I fell in love with it,” Brittan said. “I have been hanging out in Denton a lot the past year and a half instead of going into Dallas or Fort Worth. I just wanted to be part of the community more than anything and the growth that is going on along here.” Giving back to the community and maintaining great customer service is what Denton Trading Co. aims to create. It is an experience and a place to shop. Brittan’s goal is to make the community a part of the store, and she has already been working on that by meeting with local artists to bring their works inside the shop. “[We] really [want to] support the community because we know it’s a choice to shop here,” Lake said. “Making sure that customers are satisfied — I just love that part of it. Meeting the customers, listening to them and taking note of what they are looking for.” Brittan and Lake try to go above and beyond for their customers by seeking out antique items they ask for from various vendors.
The shop caters to everyone’s needs, from children to the elderly. By keeping the name of the store broad, it incites people from a variety of age ranges to come and check out the store without being hung up on the name. Along with the interactive store, Denton Trading Co. will be one of the few stores selling Annie Sloan chalk paint. Considered the most respective in decorative paint, the store will offer customers sessions to learn specifically with the paint. “We will have workshops [to] learn how to do the techniques and textures so you can do your own DIY,” Brittan’s sister, Stacy Beleu, said. “It’s a big deal to have a location that sells [the paint], and we will have a location in the back dedicated to this.” Each part of the story will have its own story and history. From a Volkswagen protruding out from the wall to the jet fuel filter jewelry display, each piece in the store is handpicked. “It’s not a mercantile store,” Lake said. “It offers much more by bringing a personal touch to each product purchased for the shop.” For instance, the Volkswagen piece in the store pays homage to Brittan’s and Beleu’s childhood. “As kids, we spent most of our time in the Volkswagen,” Brittan said. “Our parents were hippies.” The décor, the products and the interaction are what make Denton
Kristin Brittan is the owner of Roanoke Trading Company in Roanoke, Texas. Roanoke Trading Company is opening a new location named Denton Trading Company in Denton. While the Roanoke location focuses on Americana and country style products, the Denton location will feature a more musically oriented theme. Jake King
Trading Co. a unique shop. As she begins working with people throughout the community, Brittan wants to make the shop an experience for everyone. “We want people to leave inspired,” Lake said.
Denton Trading Co. is located on West Oak Street, directly next to West Oak Coffee Bar. This will be the companies first location in Denton. Jake King
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Page 6
NTDAILY.COM
Pleased to Skate kickflips designs into passion SKATEBOARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 I could make more because they would pay for themselves. It’s still not a way to make money or to live off of, but it’s more of, ‘how can I make more of this art?’” Christensen began selling boards to friends and has been increasing his customer base little by little. His drive comes from seeing his art embedded in peoples’ daily lives.
“
To make a piece of art and have it live on a computer or canvas is cool, but to get it printed onto something you can use just blew my mind.
“
“To make a piece of art and have it live on a computer or a canvas is cool, but to get it printed onto something you can use just blew my mind,” Christensen said. “Because I was not just looking at my art, I was riding it to class and at the skatepark.” The skateboards themselves are stored in his room, neatly wrapped in plastic and labeled by model. Christensen designs and chooses shapes from a catalogue, and boards are produced and shipped out from California. There are currently five shapes — the Original, the All Terrain, the Niner, the Flatsicle and the Popsicle. “With the diversity in the styles, boards are changing a lot,” Christensen said. “To promote that, I got many
different shapes so I could add to that diversity and encourage people to get out of their comfort zone and try something new.” Christensen’s close friends say they see the brand as an encouraging message to new skaters as well. “Skating can be very judgmental, and I think Chase is trying to make it a more welcoming thing,” said Kristen Barnhart, friend and owner of kb illustration. “Anyone would be welcomed or pleased to skateboard and try it out without judgement for doing it.” Before starting this, Christensen said there was no concrete business plan or market research to be able to field a large profit. If anything, he was simply drawn to the brand because it was a creative outlet. “I study graphic design, and I never called myself an artist per se because it’s usually a logo for another company,” Christensen said. “It’s never been really my style until now. It’s the first thing I’ve done [where] whatever I want to do, works.” Now that he has more to show and tell, Christensen is doing more to showcase his boards in his own ways. He set up a Big Cartel site, posted a short video of him and friends skating the boards around town and started utilizing social media. These tactics seem to be working. “Right now, it’s a lot of friends,” Christensen said. “But what’s cool about Instagram is that it just connects you to the whole world. Within two days after [I got] those, I had gotten hit up by someone from San Francisco and someone in Kansas City and it’s like, ‘How did they even find me?’” As Pleased To Skate continues to grow, Christensen said there is definitely more to learn as he goes further along with the brand. “Now that I have to manage things, do inventory, tax — there’s a lot of work that goes into running a business that I’m finding out every day,” Christensen said. “It’s all just really slow-going because I had to use my savings to fund
Chase Christensen is the owner and founder of Pleased to Skate, a home-grown skateboard company. Christensen is a senior at UNT who is studying graphic design. Will Baldwin this, but it’s slowly coming back, as people buy boards and I can invest what I get back into the company.” While Pleased To Skate is still small and Christensen is constantly in the learning process, others in his circle are already observing his considerable progress. “It’s not changing who he is and is
sending the message that he wants to about life in general,” said Caleb Jacks, a close friend and fellow artist. “I think it’s great because he’s a college kid, yet he’s done a lot more thing than others have already.” Looking toward the future, Christensen hopes to expand more and eventually sell to other skate shops.
“Skateboarding is really expressive,” Christensen said. “It’s not a super competitive sport, it’s just about what you think is fun and what you think is cool. I don’t want the brand to feel super heavy or feel like it defines somebody who’s riding this board, but more so to act as a platform for them to express their style and their creativity.”
Midway Craft House influences music’s return to Fry Street MIDWAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of West Hickory and Welch Street, it belongs to one of many businesses adjacent to Fry Street. For some time now, Midway Craft House has been the only establishment on Fry Street that hosts live music or comedy on a regular basis. Dewji is working to change that. “The reason I started having live
shows was because when I was hanging on Fry during my college days. There were a lot of places to see live music,” Dewji said. “These days, Midway Craft House is the only place that regularly has live shows. My dream is for live music to be back on Fry.” As Midway Craft House has continued its emphasis on live performances, Dewji has also noticed the unique
Members of Afro Deezy Axe smile after a performance at the Midway Craft House Two-Year Anniversary Party. The unique convenience store hosted a two-day celebration with special beer tappings, merch giveaways and live music. Paige Bruneman
venue’s inf luence making its way down the street to nearby businesses. “Tom’s Daiquiri now has live music each week on certain days, and Rip Rocks has started having live bands again, [so] hopefully soon more people will open up their businesses to live shows.” Dewji said. “Music is the lifeblood of this city — it’s been that way for decades.” Dewji seems to be in good company though, as he’s not the only person who welcomes live music on Fry Street. “I usually come here to listen to the new up-and-coming bands,” accountant Brian Sikich, 52, said. “It’s a good place for them to come here and have a little start up. Plus, they have a wide selection of beers. It’s awesome.” While the Square is known for its abundance of live music, comedy and improv shows, Fry Street is known as a different environment full of outward energy. Midway Craft House is considered a marriage of the two demographics. “I think it’s like a beautiful kind of mixture of the Square and Fry Street,” Price said. “You get [both] the young and the slightly mature kind of coming in, so you get a nice mix of people.” The musicians who perform at Midway Craft House feel the difference
too, welcoming its introduction to Fry Street. “It’s not like the bar scene on Fry Street — that’s kind of difficult to deal with,” said James Angry, lead vocalist of the band Honest Shaun. “It’s not quite like the Square either, but an in-between. I mean, literally, it is inbetween Fry Street and the Square.” Honest Shaun has been playing at Midway Craft House since the very beginning. The band has been playing for two and a half years and Midway Craft House has been open for two years, so the band credits the establishment for helping them and other new bands get off the ground. “I believe that Midway Craft House gives the chance for other bands to shine here,” Angry said. “It may be a little smaller than other venues around Denton, but I always love that Rahim gives other bands chances here. It’s a good starting ground for everyone.” The venue also provides one of the most unique environments for upand-coming bands, as performing in a convenience store provides a one-of-akind experience. “Where else are you going to be able to play in between condoms and Hot Pockets?” Patrick Peterson said. “We had somebody come by during the last
show to get some. That was funny and awkward. To have a good time, you have to get by us.” While music is definitely an important feature of Midway Craft House, concerts are not the only thing on the lineup. They host trivia on Tuesdays, open mic on Wednesdays, live music every Friday and Saturday, a classical guitar show twice a month, as well as the Convenient Comedy Show twice a month on Wednesdays before open mic. The business has also been working toward creating more events specifically for female artists, including a ladies’ singer-songwriter night each month and a regular ladies’ stand-up comic night. Overall, Midway Craft House has found its niche on the corner of the street and seeks to grow and cooperate with other popular venues in the Fry Street community. “We are part of the Fry Street family,” Dewji said. “We support each other and the community of Denton. There are different events we each do that give back to the people. We know without the community, we wouldn’t be here, and we are very grateful to the people of Denton.”
SPORTS Page 7
Trautwein on pace to break Mean Green softball records
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
NTDAILY.COM
Gurnell brings new perspective
SOFTBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Entering a program as a freshman is never easy, but for Trautwein, it is safe to say she has adjusted well. She currently leads the team in ERA, strikeouts, complete games (8), opponents batting average (.258) and wins (10). Not to mention, her 6-1 record with a 1.58 ERA during conference play. It may have taken her some time to get there, but Trautwein is definitely making her presence known to opposing teams. Kee sees it as well and noticed her small changes and improvements since the beginning of the season. “I think, for her, it has just been the change of confidence and trusting her stuff,” Kee said. “I’ve always had the most confidence in her. I think with each inning she’s grown in maturity and now with conference play coming around, she’s really begun to hit her stride.” Sophomore catcher Nicole Ochotnicki has the best view when it comes to Trautwein’s pitching and has high praise for the stud freshman. She has caught every single pitch Trautwein has thrown this season, developing a deep pitcher-catcher relationship, only enhancing their play. “It’s good to have a great connection with the pitcher just so you know what tendencies they have,” Ochotnicki said. “I think we’ve figured out throughout the season what we need from each other, and what I can do for her.” Being a former catcher herself, Kee understands how important it is do have this kind of trust between the pitcher and catcher. “Ocho has that calming effect and is brilliant in regards to understanding the pitchers,” Kee said. “It’s a confidence thing. I think all the pitchers trust her and you need within your battery that whole trust of, ‘No matter where I throw it, she’s going to frame it.’” This season, Kee has had an influx of young pitchers who have their moments in the circle, but Trautwein has emerged as the default number one choice, especially after her recent outings at Florida Atlantic University. Ochotnicki has taken notice of the subtle details that makes Trautwein so effective. “Everything that comes out of her hand looks exactly the same, no matter what it is,” Ochotnicki said. “She’s extremely accurate, and she works hard everyday.” One of Trautwein’s biggest specialties has been her ability to work herself out of tough situations. Many of her wins have been within margins of one or two runs, much like both of her key wins against FAU, showcasing the maturity she has gained. “I see it in her body language,” Kee said. “When she doesn’t get a call or there’s an error behind her, she doesn’t get rattled.” Now as the Mean Green continue having one of their more successful seasons in recent years, Trautwein hopes to blossom as an even more prominent part of this program in the coming seasons. “I just want to make a statement,” Trautwein said. “I want someone to come to UNT and be like, ‘Oh, I remember when that pitcher Hope Trautwein was here,’ and put my name on the map.”
Carrie Gurnell, the new assistant volleyball coach, comes from Gardner Webb University in North Carolina. This is her first season at UNT. TJ Webb
By Deondre Jones @deondrejones34 Before the volleyball team is even in the gym to practice, assistant coach Carrie Gurnell is out hitting a ball against the wall to herself over and over again. Overjoyed to be coaching the sport she loves, Gurnell is ready to bring her ample experience and energy to a North Texas volleyball program coming off of a conference championship and a 29-4 record. A native of Katy, Texas, Gurnell was a two-time all-state honoree at Cinco Ranch High School. She was ranked the No. 11 recruit in the nation by prepvolleyball.com and was also listed among Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 players. Gurnell had offers from major universities, including the University of California at Los Angeles, University of Minnesota, University of Florida and University of Texas. She was even recruited by current associate coach Geno Frugoli while he was at Baylor. She eventually set her sights on Purdue University. At the time, Purdue was an up-and-coming program, but Gurnell knew she wanted to be a part of something great there. “When I went to Purdue, we were a growing program at the time, which was a little bit of a shocker for some people, but I thought the culture and atmosphere was amazing there, and it was just a perfect fit for me,” Gurnell said. Gurnell started for Purdue from 2006 to 2009, totaling more than 1,000 kills as an outside hitter for the Boilermakers while earning a spot on four all-tournament teams during her senior season. The four-year starter played in 127 matches during her career at Purdue and posted at least 10 kills in 50 contests, including 24 as a senior. After her college career ended, Gurnell decided to play overseas in Innsbruck, Austria for the Volleyball Club Tirol as a middle blocker for three seasons. During her stint with VC Tirol,
Gurnell helped the team to back-to-back second place finishes in the Bundesliga Damen regular season standings. While overseas, Gurnell got a chance to travel a lot and enjoyed the thought of playing volleyball for a living. “I absolutely loved it,” Gurnell said. “Playing college sports is very hard and really demanding so just imagine being freed up and just focusing on volleyball. I thought that was a great experience and just being able to travel and explore Europe was great as well.” While playing, she ventured into coaching young children in the Austrian public school system during her time with VC Tirol for two years. Her playing career eventually ended, and after that brief experience teaching kids, she knew she wanted to go into coaching full time. Gurnell started sending her resume out to several places where she would be interested in coaching and thought of it as a random occurrence when she was reached out by Leo Sayles, the head volleyball coach at Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. “I heard great things about coach Sayles, and we connected and kind of took off from there,” Gurnell said. She spent two seasons at Gardner Webb, and while the team had below a .500 record while Gurnell was there, she took away much more from her experience as a first-time coach than winning matches. “Obviously [it helped] having my first college coaching experience and learning how to interact with players from the coaches perspective,” Gurnell said. “Especially being a female coach learning that balance, what that relationship looks like and managing the sport and players as opposed to the volleyball aspect.” After the volleyball season ended for North Texas, there was an assistant coach opening when former assistant Vinh Nguyen accepted the head coaching position at the University of Hartford. The team put out a national search
and reached out to several people for interviews. After the process, Gurnell came out on top. It helped that head coach Andrew Palileo knew her former coach at Purdue, who spoke highly of her. “He talked quite a bit about her and what I was looking for and what she could bring to our program,” Palileo said. “It seemed like a good fit.” Gurnell believed that as well and knew she had plenty to offer in the position. “I’ve played for a long time and overseas, so I’ve played with different techniques, whether it would be from my European game or taking what I learned while playing in college,” Gurnell said. “I bring something different to the table. Maybe a different mindset or just having someone who played collegiate sports as a female, I kind of bring that mentality to the table.” On Feb. 14, Gurnell was officially brought on as the new assistant volleyball coach at North Texas. While changing locations is usually the hardest part about changing jobs, Gurnell loved it. She was finally able to return to her home state. “If you’re from Texas, you love Texas,” Gurnell said. “I wanted to go somewhere else and experience other
opportunities, but once you move around and figure out where you wanna be, you kind of just realize you want to be back in a place where you were happy.” Gurnell’s family lives about four and a half hours away, so they will be able to come to games—something they were not able to do while she was overseas or in North Carolina. Besides coming home, Gurnell believes North Texas is an up-andcoming team she wanted to be a part of. “Obviously they had a great season last year, and the university’s been growing,” Gurnell said. “I’ve been away from Texas for a long time so it’s nice to come back to the state that I love and be a part of a growing program that has been successful.” Gurnell has already started to make a coaching impact for the team as well. Jordyn Williams, a junior middle blocker, has built a strong connection with Gurnell considering she was middle blocker during her professional days. “She has a very strong presence, and that’s good to have around, especially with her playing experience,” Williams said. “It helps her relate to us, and she’s also bringing a lot of new techniques to our play, and that’s helping us out a lot.” In this spring season, Gurnell has primarily been focusing on the defense and passing, but hopes to get involved more on the offensive end. “They have a very unique and complex offensive system, so I’m very excited to learn more about that,” Gurnell said. Palileo said it is too early to for her to make a full impact yet as she continues to learn their style, but he likes what he sees so far. “She’s done a good job,” Palileo said. “There hasn’t been a lot of time for her to make a full impact yet, but just her being in the gym with the girls and doing some of our passing drills has helped them quite a bit.” Now back in Texas, Gurnell hopes to learn in her new position at North Texas as Mean Green volleyball comes off a championship season with hopes of repeating. “Andrew [Palileo] treats me like he understands this is something that I’m passionate about,” Gurnell said. “He kind of gives me extra knowledge about what I’m doing, why I’m doing it and why it’s important to the program. Just helping me [learn] as a coach and possibly having a team of my own one day.”
North Texas volleyball won the 2017 Conference USA championship. Matthew Brune
SUMMER MUSIC COURSES IN THE UNT CORE 3-Week I (May) MUET 3030
5W1
MUED 1130 MUJS 3400 MUMH 2040 MUMH 3000 MUMH 3500
5W2
MUED 1130 MUJS 3400 MUMH 1610 MUMH 2040 MUMH 3010 MUMH 3510
Music Cultures of the World
MUSIC.UNT.EDU
Foundations in Music (for College of Education Students) Understanding and Appreciating Jazz in U.S. and World History and Culture, ONLINE Music Appreciation, ONLINE Nineteenth-Century Music Music History and Literature to 1750 Foundations in Music (for College of Education Students) Understanding and Appreciating Jazz in U.S. and World History and Culture, ONLINE Music as Communication Music Appreciation, ONLINE Twentieth-Century Music Music History and Literature Since 1750
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Page 8
NTDAILY.COM
Forslund’s journey from Sweden pays off for Stracke and men’s golf By Joshua Paveglio @Joshpaveglio When North Texas men’s golf head coach Brad Stracke received an email from a Swedish athlete who was still deciding between which sport he would pursue in college, Stracke was forced to take a risk. Despite having never seen him play, he chose to offer Viktor Forslund a spot on his golf team. He was going to rely solely on the recommendations from his connections in Europe, all of whom beamed when speaking of Forslund’s abilities. Now, as Forslund endures his first year at North Texas, he’s turning out to be more than Stracke could have possibly hoped for. “They were right,” Stracke said. “They were right about everything they said about him.”
Forslund started playing golf with his grandparents in his early adolescent years. However, the freshman golfer was involved in several other sports which stayed with him as he grew older. Eventually, Forslund had to choose whether he would pursue golf or soccer after high school. The Sweden native was torn, but the challenges golf presented appealed to his drive more than what the soccer pitch could provide. “You can get better every single day,” Forslund said of his choice. “You can never be perfect in golf. I had to choose between soccer and golf which was probably the most challenging thing for me.” Soccer in foreign parts of the world is extremely competitive, and the sport dominates the country where Forslund calls home making the decision even tougher. Forslund sacrificed his love for soccer to compete in golf
at North Texas, which was a combination of factors. One is his want to go to college for school and learning purposes while the other is his thirst to grow as a golf player every day. “I think college is a great step after high school,” Forslund said. “Four years here, combining education with playing golf, I thought it was the [right] choice for me.” For Forslund, the adjustment came in adapting to life living so far from his family and living in this foreign country. “He’s adjusted well since he came over here,” Stracke said. “You never know with a freshman if their going to adjust well living in a dorm. Being so far away, I know he misses his family. He adjusted well and has been a great student in the classroom.” Stracke was not the only one taking a risk in this situation. The freshman golfer had no idea what to expect out of
Mean Green men’s golf compete at Four Seasons golf course during the Spring Break Challenge in Dallas. Courtesy | Rick Yeatts Photography/Colin Mitchell
college golf in America and had never visited North Texas before attending last fall. Either way, he took the risk with Stracke and it has not slowed Forslund down on the course. “The tournaments they play, the players are so much better than I was used to back in Sweden so I’ve learned a lot,” Forslund said. “When looking at the fields we were playing I would be thinking, ‘They must be so good,’ now that I’ve played with them, of course they’re good, but the fact I know I can beat them, it means a lot.” Forslund has not only been a dedicated student, but his game since making the move to Denton has continued to grow due to his praised work ethic. He has been a reliable asset for the Mean Green, always rolling with the five golfers that represent North Texas in every tournament. And while he is quickly finding his way in America as a student and a golfer, his coach can not wait to continue unlocking his potential on the course. “He’s been excellent since arriving here, in the classroom and on the course,” Stracke said. “The type of kid we want to recruit here at North Texas.” The choices of Forslund to play golf and his coach to believe in him are quickly paying off for the Mean Green. Now that his first year is wrapping up, it is easy for Forslund and his coach to agree that both made the right decision. “He’s a great kid with a great work ethic, and he’s done excellent for us this year,” Stracke said. “The guys have faith in Victor, and when he tees it up, they know he’s gonna play well, and I do as well.”
North Texas junior Rhyie Makawe claps while running to third base in a game against the University of Texas at Arlington on March 4 at Lovelace Stadium. Sara Carpenter
Errors cost Mean Green By Luis Diosdado @luis_diosdado9 The Mean Green were unable to stay hot after their big series win this past weekend as they were upset by the Sam Houston State University, 4-3 Wednesday night at Lovelace Stadium. It was a bad combination for North Texas (18-17), as three errors led to two of Sam Houston’s (13-25) four runs while on offense, the Mean Green were held scoreless until the final two innings. “We just came out flat,” head coach Tracey Kee said. “[Sam Houston] has the power to hit any type of pitching that goes out there. Our energy was low and when that happens, we don’t play well.” Freshman Maria Priest took the mound for North Texas, tossing all seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out two. However, only two of her runs were earned. Early in the fourth inning, a catchers interference put a runner on for the Bearkats. Sam Houston capitalized on the error by driving in the first run of the game with a double to left center. Not long after, another error would lead to the second run as a throw attempting to get a runner at home from sophomore infielder Lindsay Gregory bounced short. “I thought Maria threw a great game,” Kee said. “If she had a little more defense behind her, it’s a different story. But I do think it was probably one of her best outings I’ve seen in the past few weeks.” At the plate, Lindsay was able to spark the late rally with a tworun double in the sixth inning to cut the lad two. Then it was junior infielder Sam Rea that made things
interesting with a leadoff solo home run to start the seventh inning, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Unfortunately for the Mean Green, the game ended dramatically as North Texas loaded the bases with two outs, just after a ball hit by sophomore catcher Nicole Ochotnicki landed a few inches foul nearly tying the game. Next, sophomore infielder Lacy Gregory ripped a ball to right field, but the right fielder chased down the ball to seal the win for the Bearkats. “I don’t think we made good enough adjustments at the plate,” Kee said. “We basically only showed up for six outs. If we bring that fight in the first or second inning, it’s a different ballgame.” Sam Houston pitcher Annie Bailey entered the game with a 7.97 ERA, but Bailey was able to keep the big bats of the Mean Green in check, throwing 5.0 innings while only allowing two runs on four hits. “I don’t think we underestimated her,” Lindsay said. “We have been seeing some faster pitching so I think the slower stuff threw us off at first. We should have made the adjustment a little quicker.” With a weekend series against another lower ranked ranked nonconference opponent, the Mean Green will look to avoid a repeat of what happened on Wednesday night. “I think the pitcher we saw today will definitely help us the weekend,” Lindsay said. “Seeing the changes we made and knowing we just need to make those changes earlier in the game will benefit us.” Up next: North Texas will travel to take on Mississippi Valley State for a non-conference weekend series starting with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. then 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Previewing the offseason
By Matthew Brune @mattbrune25 With the men’s basketball season ending Friday, here are five things to watch in the offseason.
i’ve gotta go!
940.535.5555
...because even the best of us can be a DICK
Lawson’s wrist Sophomore guard A.J. Lawson infamously injured his wrist coming into the season – something most people did not find out until months into the season. It showed in his play as he shot nearly eight percent worse from the 3-point line in his sophomore season than his breakout freshman year. His sophomore campaign also showed a four percent drop in his free throw accuracy. “It hurts to shoot,” Lawson admitted back in January. As a result of his inability to catch and shoot, Lawson shot 1.1 less 3-pointers per 40 minutes as a sophomore than as a freshman. Lawson underwent surgery for his wrist on Monday, merely three days after the College Basketball Invitational Finals game three. He tweeted that the surgery went well, and now his fight to return to basketball normalcy begins. If he can not get to a 30 percent 3-point shooter, his role on the offense could become limited in his junior season, especially with the bevy of talented guards on this team. Lawson’s playing time dipped in the CBI tournament as junior guards Jorden Duffy and Michael Miller offered more versatility and shooting offensively. While his finishing and power game could equate to a small-ball forward next season, that’s a limited specialty. Umoja Gibson Arguably a top three player on the 2017-2018 team before his season was ended in game two with an ankle injury, Gibson is now the main player who has Mean Green fans excited heading into next season. A third dynamic guard to go beside sophomore guards Roosevelt Smart and Ryan Woolridge who can shoot, create and playmake has everyone salivating. Gibson received a medical redshirt after his injury, so he will enter the 2018 season as a redshirt freshman with the potential to open up the offense even more than what we saw in the CBI tournament. While he may be undersized for a two guard, his basketball savvy and the team defense should be able to cover any deficiencies he has on the defensive side of the ball.
Redshirts Mark and Miah After redshirting this past season for different reasons, Jahmiah Simmons will be a redshirt sophomore and Mark Tikhonenko will be a redshirt freshman entering the 2018 season. Tikhonenko is a 6-foot-10-inch forward who is advertised as a 3-point shooter similar to senior forward Shane Temara. His shooting did not stand out as exceptional to me when I saw him before the season in drills or 5-on-5. He is not skinny despite being young, so his strength could be a positive as well, but defense and rebounding is the major focus for him along with sharpening his shooting. If he can shoot 35 percent from 3-point range, he adds a whole other dimension to next year’s offense. Jahmiah, meanwhile, came to North Texas from Arkansas State along with McCasland and was forced to sit out as a result. At only 6-foot-4-inches,Jahmiah played much like Charles Barkley in the post and on the glass. He has been working on adding a 3-point shot to his arsenal, though. It’s almost essential in today’s basketball to at least hit a mid-range jump shot, but there have been videos of him sinking tons of 3-pointers in practice with consistency. In his sophomore season at Arkansas State, he attempted nine threes on the entire season. Much like Lawson, Jahmiah’s shooting could determine his playing time and role on the team next year. Guard competition Game after game, Woolridge and Smart played 35 or more minutes as the two primary guards with sophomore DJ Draper or junior Jorden Duffy coming in beside them to handle the ball. Those four are coming back next season. Add Gibson, junior Michael Miller, any recruit McCasland lands and perhaps Lawson if he can stretch the floor, and there’s not a lot of minutes for the six or seven of them. If Woolridge and Smart take another step of improvement next season, the remaining minutes will be even less for the rest. That’s Draper, Duffy, Lawson, Miller and Gibson without even mentioning junior guard/forward Allante Holston and Simmons, both of which can play the four position. The development of Zachary Simmons Freshman forward Zachary Simmons has one of the highest ceilings on this team with his touch around the basket and his length. We saw him grab 22 rebounds in a CBI Finals game and finish numerous times around the rim with crafty shots or a post hook. His post game improved drastically and so did his defensive awareness throughout the season. The next development from him could come in improving his abilities as a roll man in the pick-and-roll. Often Zachary caught the ball outside of the paint and most of the time he did not have the ability to attack with a dribble and also struggled to find the open pass on the rotation. He has all the tools of a terrific forward in Conference USA, and I would not be surprised to see a big jump in his sophomore campaign.
OPINION Page 9
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
THIS & THAT: THE OXFORD COMMA
NTDAILY.COM
THIS & THAT: THE OXFORD COMMA
Commas, consistency, and law The Oxford comma is not necessary
By Peyton Miller @peytonmiller31 Oh, the Oxford Comma, so seductive in its controversy that few would fain forfeit the opportunity to fight for or against its rightful place as ink on a page. One might expect to find refuge from contention in a field of study so seemingly mundane as grammar. But, like with gun legislation or President Trump’s Twitter page, emotions run equally as high when it comes to the Oxford comma. So, as I am quite aware that one of my journalistic counterparts is producing an argument for the extinction of the Oxford comma, allow me, a member of a different field of language study, to defend the underappreciated punctuation mark. Not to be redundant — since I am sure Spencer also defined what exactly this pesky comma is and does — but the Oxford, serial, or Harvard comma (all names mean the same thing) is that minuscule line of ink in between the last two items in a series. In the sentence “I went to
the store and purchased grapes, cookies, and milk,” the Oxford comma would be that preceding the “and.” Many writing cultures — specifically that of journalists — have determined its employment is unnecessary. Dig through the pages of most newspapers or magazines and you will find a distinct lack of the Oxford comma’s use. I feel it necessary to concede that this is true in many cases. In the sentence above, the removal of the Oxford comma doesn’t create any ambiguity, and it is clear either way that I bought those three food items regardless of the comma’s employment. Unfortunately, however, rather than simply leaving out the comma in instances where no ambiguity is created, the other side of the comma aisle seems to think that its use should be eradicated entirely. The only arguments that I think hold water for this belief suggest that it is not always necessary and that removing it saves keystrokes — hence why journalists are so fond of forgetting it all together. This is where I feel the need to passionately step out in defense of the comma’s rights as a punctual being. I believe the Oxford comma should be used in order to avoid accidental ambiguity and maintain consistency. For example, take a more complex sentence: “The graduate thanked his parents, Jesus and Brad Pitt.” If you add in the
Oxford comma, the graduate no longer is thanking Jesus and Brad Pitt as his givers of life, but he is thanking his parents as well as Jesus and Brad Pitt. Many would argue the above sentence could be rearranged, and I think that is a valid argument. I am making the case, however, that we are better served to consistently use the Oxford comma to avoid any accidental ambiguity. One extra keystroke is much easier than completely rearranging a sentence. But don’t take my word for it. Who cares what a senior in college has to say? Instead, let us turn our attention to nearly all facets of law. The U.S. Supreme Court, both houses of Congress, and many state legislatures require the use of the Oxford comma. They do so because it is so effective in avoiding any ambiguity or misinterpretation in legislative or contractual literature. In the case O’Connor v. Oakhurst Dairy, a missing Oxford comma was the deciding factor that cost the Oakhurst Dairy company $5 million. While I agree there are plenty of circumstances in which the serial comma is not absolutely necessary, I think eradicating it leaves far too much room for potential misinterpretation. I’m by no means a grammar absolutist, but, in the case of the Oxford comma, I feel an obligation to come to its defense.
By Spencer Kain @spencer_kain Oh, the Oxford Comma. I am still struggling to find your purpose in this big, complicated world — and while this world may be complicated, you, Oxford comma, are not. You are as unnecessary as the statistics class I took last semester. Just in case you are not sure what exactly the Oxford comma is (I honestly cannot blame you if you don’t because this is how inconsequential the whole dumb thing really is), the Oxford comma is an extra comma used after the second to last item in a
list of three or more items before “and” or “or.” OK, so what really is the whole purpose of it all? Besides the fact it is completely unnecessary in every regard? I do not know. For me, the Oxford comma just feels like overkill. Why does there need to be a comma after each item listed if there are three or more items listed? We get it! The reality is, there does not need to be a comma after each item to separate them at all, we got the phrase after the first comma. It is repetitive, unnecessary and just plain annoying. They are, in fact, so unnecessary that most newspapers completely ban their reporters from even using them in their writing. Journalists get it, but I know how much those English scholars cannot seem to get enough of them. In retrospect, this is precisely the problem. Call me biased
because of my allegiance to journalism, but it goes to show how different areas of study are taught to either use it or not — except you should never. Still, even taking this into consideration, I struggle to find why most people get so worked up over a stupid piece of punctuation, which in turn is not even necessary in the first place. Ask yourself if the Oxford comma is really worth getting all up in arms about. Better yet, let me answer it for you: it really is not. So, to all journalists and English scholars alike, let’s just finally come together for the sake of us all to finally vanquish the unnecessary evil we all know as the Oxford comma. It is finally time to admit how dumb, unnecessary and excessive the Oxford comma really is. Case closed.
Illustrations by Austin Banzon
Get the most from your summer break by earning college credits in just five weeks…without leaving your beach towel! Tarrant County College offers 18 fully accredited, fully transferable and fully affordable online programs for just $59* per credit hour.
Spring time is the best time
Summer Term One: June 4-July 5 Summer Term Two: July 9-August 9
go of the old in order to make room for something new. We all hold onto more than we probably should. Most of us get stuck in the past and forget to move on. In the same way March showers clear away what winter has made brittle and dead, we should use spring as a time to shed all the things that are no longer serving us. Spring’s start brings the end of school and in that, it brings a sort of natural new beginning. Some of us are ending our first year in college, others are graduating. Spring and change cannot be extracted from one another. It’s easy to focus on all the negatives of springtime — allergies, rain and final tests, just to name a few. As springtime finals start looming,
Registration opens March 26.
By Macy Jackson @maccolljackson Spring — it’s a time of transition. It bridges the gap between the wet and cold of February and the sizzling, skillet top heat of a Texas June. I suppose I like spring so much because it is so changeable. It’s the first season that is entirely in the new year. To me, spring is about letting
fatigue and stress take their toll, and everyone can’t help but wish it was just summer already. I can definitely understand that it is a stressful time, but for me, I think spring is the most hopeful time of the year. As the days get longer and warmer, I can’t help but think back to my new year’s resolutions and dream of starting something new. I think there is something just about the sun being out and the whole world being so green that makes me feel wildly hopeful. So as the school year comes to a close, I hope you spend more time outside, more time thinking about what didn’t work last year and what you want out of this year, and just be hopeful.
Advising, tutoring and other support services accessible online. Tuition is due at time of registration.
Visit tccd.edu/online to learn more. *Tuition for Tarrant County residents
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
Page 10
NTDAILY.COM
The difference between free and hate speech
By Sean Rainey @HeldBubble On March 29, several “protesters” stood on campus near the Business Leadership Building brandishing signs of hatred. Freedom of speech is granted to each of us as an inherent right, and I think some individuals abuse that right when they use their words to belittle, embarrass or degrade others. Protesters, which is a word I will use loosely here, held signs which read: “Got AIDS Yet” (supposedly an acronym for “gay”), “All real Muslims are Jihads” and “Black Lives Matter are racist thugs.” These individuals claim to be protesting, but what are they
actually protesting? Progress? Equality? Freedom of Religion? No, they weren’t protesting. They were simply carrying hateful messages and hoping to provoke liberal-minded individuals and gain the attention of the media, both of which were wildly successful. In many of my political endeavors, I have had the term “snowflake” lobbed at me because I (a liberal) think I am so special and deserving of special treatment. Yet these hypocrites — surrounded by police and just begging for attention — are the embodiment of a snowflake. The UNT campus is a place of learning, support and growth. I truly wish these haters would respect this concept. It is so stressful to be on your way to class with a million things going through your mind and happen to stumble upon people spewing hatred. I don’t mean to say UNT should become a “safe-space” where hate and fighting words are prohibited. I do, however, want these people to grow up and respect the university and its students.
What does all of this mean? There will always be haters. There will always be people who thrive on being that dissonance sickening a crowd. The UNT campus was most likely targeted because students of higher education tend to be more liberal, compassionate and open-minded. This especially applies to students in Denton and on our beloved campus. We were targeted because we can give them the attention they need, and in return they can try to rattle us. I urge each and every one of you who were perturbed by this group of haters not to waver in your support for your fellow human. Remember that people who choose to stay muddled in hatred and intend to stagnate progress will be left behind, as we pave the path forward to a better world. A world which supports ideals of equality, liberty and compassion. We will make room for younger generations to aspire to greatness and continue to practice these values. Hatred will expire and those who practice it will be forgotten.
Jim Gilles yells into the ear of Kelli Williams, a music performance student. Williams was previously playing her french horn loudly in Gilles’ ear. For the second day in a row, members of the National Street Preachers Conference taking place in Arlington, Texas, gathered in a free speech zone at UNT with signs and speakers to speak. Jake King | DRC
Sorry about that ticket
By Brianna Adams @bribriixo Illustration by Austin Banzon
Dear attack culture: Calm down, log off and get over it
By Maritza Ramos @maritzarara I believe in calling people out. As in, if someone does or says anything harmful to others, emotionally and/or physically, they should be confronted and corrected. The individual should be made aware of the effects of their behavior. This makes absolute sense to me. What doesn’t is attack culture. I hesitate to even call it that because things can be twisted so anything — even educational discourse — is deemed attack culture. With all the talk about online bullying and my involvement in social media, true attack culture is glaring. I define attack culture as the purposeful verbal and emotional harassment of an individual based off an action or statement deemed problematic by another individual or public. Attack culture makes the social media environment hostile for the individual deemed as biased, problematic or uneducated. At the basis of this more brutal form of “conversation” is the idea that the individual
initiating it is perfect. It is wrong to then totally and guiltlessly desecrate someone online without any thought to the circumstances that may have prevented them from having access to the same information and educational resources the individual themself has (because if you truly think about it, it’s a privilege to be educated and have access to modern-day identity discourse). It is counterproductive. It is cruel. And, honestly, it becomes about something other than the issue at hand: it becomes about finding an outlet for rage, for frustration and for personal vendettas. Even in saying this though, I am aware some people, even after being addressed on how their behavior or words are harmful, continue to engage in the same behavior. But I’m talking about people who are barely becoming aware of certain issues, even in the age of the internet and its free educational resources. Some people still are not aware these exist and that they’re even missing a larger aspect of their cultural awareness. I agree this is not the time to be polite in the same way activists before us had to be in order to survive. This isn’t the time to avoid conversations for fear they will be offensive to a subset that has had the privilege of being catered to their whole lives. This is obvious and deserves to be acknowledged. But to pounce on any little mistake that a person makes? It is wrong and makes no sense in the larger scheme of social justice and change. It becomes a personal thing: an outlet for personal gratification instead of for the good of the messages and movements those who perpetuate attack culture claim themselves to be all for.
“It’s just not fair!” You know why? Because parking fines suck. Getting your car towed sucks. Paying more than a hundred bucks for a permit, in addition to tuition, sucks. Accidentally parking in the wrong designated space (or on purpose for lack of time) just to return and discover a ticket that then leads to a hold on student accounts sucks. I’m sorry, but I cannot afford the $35 ticket. Yes, I know it’s just $35. But when you literally have $5 left in your bank account, $35 is a pretty hefty price. I take six classes and spend an average of $800 on required textbooks. I spend eight hours a day on homework and still never truly finish all of my work. My job hates that I only work weekends, and since I only get scheduled twice a month, I only pull in about $100. I can barely afford my rent every month. I’m sorry, but I have to eat. It’s also unfortunate my minivan costs $60 a week to fill up. I’m even sorry that I just had to go to Applebee’s last Wednesday for Dollaritas. But most of all, I’m sorry that I’m actually not sorry. All of these expenses may suck, but I know I am not the only one. We are all students with baggage and responsibilities. We have to find a balance between school work and our jobs. Some of us are fortunate to not have to work, but that is not an option
for the majority of students. A lot of us deal with offcampus employers who are unsympathetic to full-time students who work. They do not understand, or don’t care, that sometimes last-minute things come up: a special review session, an extra credit opportunity, a special guest speaker in the Lyceum and maybe even an essay you forgot was due in two days. My point is simple: with all these outside influences, a student should not have to worry about their student account having a hold on it from a police department supposedly separate from the university. The UNT parking office should not send citations to credit reporting agencies and charge late fees for currently enrolled students. Some people just may need a little more than 15 days to pay off that ticket. Those same people may need more time when that ticket jumps to $60. I know in the “real world” there are no excuses. But in the “real world,” our tickets are not linked to our educations either.
I think it is time someone hears our concerns and establishes an open forum for a discussion to take place. Maybe permits should be included in tuition, or maybe the cost to get one should be reduced. I know I’m not the only one questioning the current system in place. Thankfully, the parking office sometimes offers money off citations if donations are made, and that is very kind of them. But I just do not believe that $85 is reasonable to charge any student for needing to park their car in order to get to classes they spend thousands of dollars to enroll in. Being the broke college student that I am, I wrote an email to the Transportation Services parking director requesting a reduction on the ticket price. She was happy to retract the late fee, and now I owe $50. Of course, I’d prefer it to be $0, but this is a step forward from where I previously was. So there you have it: voice your concerns and compromise will (hopefully) come.
Illustration by Gabby Evans
CLASS OF
2018
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GAP YEAR
Interact with INDUS TRY PA R T N E R S All Majors Welcomed
11 Month Program G M AT / G R E
waived with a 3.5 GPA
Learn more and contact us at bit.ly/untmbainfo
EARN YOUR MBA IN