Denton firefighters travel to South Texas to assist in recovery efforts PAGE 3
VOL. 111 No. 4
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Graduate student found unconscious, pronounced dead By Celeste Gracia Staff Writer A 67-year-old UNT graduate student was found unconscious Sept. 14, in a parking lot on campus. The woman was taken to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and later pronounced dead. Margaret R. King, who also worked for UNT as a custodian, was found unconscious in a parking lot near Bain Hall. A passerby found her and notified the police around 10 p.m. UNT spokesperson Julie Payne said she appeared to have died from natural causes. “We are looking at this as a tragic situation,” Payne said. King was from Haltom City and was a graduate student in interdisciplinary studies, according to the release. She had two master’s degrees from UNT in information science and computer education and was pursuing her third. She worked for UNT as a custodian since June 2016.
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By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer
North Texas sophomore wide reciever Jalen Guyton (9) runs for a touchdown late in the game against Southern Methodist University. Colin Mitchell |Visual Editor
Jalen Guyton’s Saturday mornings during football season have started the same way for a while now. As the clock turns to 8 a.m., he’s on the couch with the remote nearby, but only to increase the volume when needed. The television shows the familiar faces of Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit, all ready to go with a sea of the home team’s fans behind them. The energy of the fans and the hype behind the set forces a smile onto his face. Just three years ago, Guyton was a standout receiver at Allen High School waiting and hoping for a chance to play on TV in one of the marquee games where Corso famously throws on the mascot head of his big pick. As a top 30 wide receiver in the country and a top 40 player in Texas, Guyton committed to the University of Notre Dame in 2014. The move seemingly ensured his dream to play college football on the biggest stage.
By Sarah Sarder Senior News Writer
The UNT Student Government Association discussed a resolution declaring support for the removal of the Confederate monument from the Denton Square in their general meeting Wednesday. Senator Jordan Villarreal from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences read the bill and answered questions following the reading. The resolution reads, “The Student Government Association of the University of North Texas stands firmly against any reactionary, revisionist sentiments, and fully supports the complete removal of Denton County’s Confederate memorial.” Reasoning for this declaration includes references in the resolution to the Lost Cause movement which encouraged such monuments, the date of the monument’s erection, the honorary text of its plaque, a lack of historical context and the monument’s existence in a public place. SGA senators Jordan Villarreal, Misaki Collins, Luis Avila and Pamela Ashwood from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) as well as Ram Prasanna
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 6
Nonprofit aims to close tech industry gender gap By Amy Roh Senior Arts & Life Writer Women in the tech industry shatter glass ceilings every year. Forbes reported that women generate 12 percent more revenue than male-run startups do. Acclaimed companies like Cisco, Slideshare and Flickr were all founded by women while Google and Facebook have appointed their own female executives, according to Business Insider. Despite these strides, the tech industry is still very much a “boy’s club.” National nonprofit Women Who Code aims to change that by promoting females in a scene that is historically male-dominated, according to a 2016 report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Denton falls under its Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, where people of all backgrounds come to educate each other, socialize and talk code. “In my first computer class, I was the only girl in the classroom,” WWC member Del Mar Moreno said. “Everyone there was a guy and way older than me. It was very intimidating, and it’s hard not only to be taken seriously, but also to earn respect from them. But now, I can go to these meetups, and [everyone is so welcoming]. ” The DFW chapter opened in 2013 and has since garnered a varied group of tech nerds. There are seasoned programmers, college students and curious newbies. Directors of WWC host several tech events in their areas to teach and mingle. “It’s a way for women who are interested in tech and programming to have a support group,” WWC director Isis Tejeda said. When scrolling through its meet-up page, users can find workshops, study groups, special projects and “Casual Coding” sessions. During the summer, it launched introductory workshops in Denton for college students on break.
SEE CODING ON PAGE 5
SGA considers supporting Confederate monument removal
Guyton finds home College Gameday dreams turn to reality
SEE SGA ON PAGE 3
Denton Blues Fest fills Quakertown Park with culture and soul By Austin Wagner and Sasha Taj Staff Writers
Musician Walter “Wolfman” Washington sings at the 19th annual Denton Blues Festival. Washington headlined the event with artists Dana Fuchs, Redd Velvet and Finger Prints. Rachel Walters|Staff Photographer
Rather than their usual bounty of dog walkers, Quakertown Park was host to several hundred spectators last weekend at the 19th annual Denton Blues Fest. Organized by the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce, the free event garnered a crowd of all ages to enjoy blues music from a variety of talented bands, chow on some great food and appreciate just one of the genres that makes up Denton’s substantial music scene. With children playing in the park and parents dancing by the stage, the festival demonstrated its appeal to different groups. Perhaps the most eyecatching festival attendee was a pet parrot named Tico. Tico is owned by Sanger
resident Sam Alexander. The two like to come to Denton to enjoy the music and events established in the area. “Tico and I have been friends for 13 years,” Alexander said. The pair have been coming to Denton for a large chunk of their friendship and are recognized by many locals. “I like to bring him out to festivals,” Alexander said. “It’s cool to see others enjoy him. When we come out for Jazz Fest, his picture gets taken thousands of times.” The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce likes to keep the festival free as a way to give back to the community and welcome an inclusive crowd.
SEE BLUES ON PAGE 4
UNT holds DACA informational forum, promotes resources By Sarah Sarder and Zaira Perez Senior News Writer and Staff Writer
Denton residents gathered at The Square to protest the repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The repeal of DACA affects 800,000 immigrants in America. Cameron Roe | Staff Photographer
Graphic by Sarah Sarder
UNT held an informational forum regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, at noon Tuesday in the University Union. The forum was organized to provide information to DACA students about how they might be affected after President Trump’s recent decision to end the program. Director of Student Legal Services Keisha Ware led most of the forum, with contributions from Sarah Herrera of Counseling and Testing and Renee McNamara, the UNT survivor advocate. About 15 students attended. Since the President’s announcement on Sept. 5, UNT leaders have issued statements and promoted university resources for affected students. President Smatresk declared his support for DACA students the same day, saying, “I want to make clear that I unequivocally support DACA, undocumented and other students who are overcoming significant barriers to educational attainment.” Provost Jennifer Cowley reiterated these sentiments in her own statement on Sept.
IN THIS ISSUE
8, referring students to UNT resources and a website dedicated solely to DACA-related information. The university is in the process of hiring a part-time attorney with experience in immigration law to join Student Legal Services and better help DACA students. The new lawyer will serve in a part-time position to begin within a few weeks, becoming the second attorney at Student Legal Services. The Student Services Fee Committee allotted funding for the position after UNT’s Student Government Association recommended the university hire such a person to assist DACA students and others. The position is permanent and intended to continue after issues with the DACA program are resolved. “As a senator I’m completely behind DACA students,” SGA College of Science Senator Ram Prasanna said. “That’s the reason I’m at the forum, so hopefully I’ll be equipped to help in this situation.” What is DACA DACA allows certain
undocumented
immigrants who came into the U.S. as minors to receive legal status and have their deportation deferred for a two-year period, after which they may renew DACA status. It also gives some participants eligibility for a work permit for the same period. Trump announced his decision to repeal the program on Sept. 5, encouraging Congress to approve a replacement before the phaseout process begins in six months. If no such replacement is passed, undocumented immigrants will lose the ability to renew their DACA status and be subject to deportation. Marketing sophomore Bryan Segura is a DACA recipient who won’t be applying for renewal because his status expires after March 5, 2018.
“There’s nothing for sure we can hope for. There’s no security for us.” SEE DACA ON PAGE 2
NEWS
ARTS & LIFE
SPORTS
OPINION
Campus carry one year later pg 3 UNT Police note campus carry brings no apparent change after a year of being implemented
Dog trainer has a paw-sitive affect on humans and their four-legged friends pg 5 Expert trainer Summer Milroy has an atypical approach to training dogs as well as their owners.
Freshmen stars shine bright for soccer pg 7 Coach John Hedlund has a trio of freshmen who have made an immediate impact for the North Texas soccer team. Those three will play a big role in the quest for another C-USA title.
Denton’s Confederate statue must come down from its perch pg 8 SGA Senator Jordan Villarreal explains the group’s decision to present a resolution to the city of Denton to remove the Confederate statue from the Denton Square.
NEWS Page 2
North Texas Daily Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Reece Waddell @ReeceWaddell15 ReeceWaddell@my.unt.edu News Editor James Norman @JamesTNorman_WL JamesNorman@my.unt.edu Arts & Life Editor Abby Jones @abbyfjones28 AbigailJones3@my.unt.edu Sports Editor Brady Keane @BradyKeane BradyKeane@my.unt.edu Visuals Editor Colin Mitchell @CJHMitchell ColinMitchell@myunt.edu Opinion Editor Clay Massey @Clay_FC ClayMassey@my.unt.edu
Production Team Design Editor Julia Contarelli @ContarelliJ JuliaPaschoal@my.unt.edu Copy Chief Kayleigh Bywater @kayleighnic0le KayleighBywater@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Circe Marez @CirceMarez CirceMarez@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kayla Davis @kaylajeann19 KaylaDavis@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kelly Fox @kellythefox1 KellyFox2@my.unt.edu Social Media Manager Alec Spicer @Spicer_Alec AlecSpicer@my.unt.edu Illustrator Theresa Sanchez @Theresas_here TheresaSanchez@my.unt.edu
Business
Director Adam Reese 940-565-4265 Adam.Reese@unt.edu
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
UNT provides resources to DACA recipients DACA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “After the March 5 date, I’m kind of lost without the government,” Segura said. “There’s nothing for sure we can hope for. There’s no security for us.” Broadcast journalism junior Joel Miwa-Medina had DACA status until early 2016. He was able to gain citizenship through his marriage. He and his fiancé planned to marry in October 2016 but pushed it to November 2015 because of the 2016 election. “It’s sad to build everything from scratch and for it to be taken away from you,” Miwa-Medina said. “It’s heartbreaking. Especially when your heart is American.” Have a plan Ware emphasized the importance of students being prepared for the potential end of DACA. She said every DACA student should set up an appointment with a legal advisor as soon as possible so they can get help developing a plan. “It can be through our office or private counsel but we’re encouraging all of our DACA students to make sure they speak with an attorney regarding their particular factual situation so they can receive all the information they need,” Ware said. “They can set up an appointment with anyone on the legal team but just get legal advice, period.” Ware said part of the reason planning ahead is so important is because renewing your DACA status in time could give DACA students the chance to be in the U.S. for longer and allow a solution to be brought about. “Those people who are able to renew before October 5 will have an additional 2 years of protection regardless,” Ware said. “That gives more time for a situation to be worked out or a law to be passed to codify what DACA was.” Ware added that those who can’t renew may qualify for other programs and should talk to an attorney as soon as they can. Pre-communications freshman Orvil Tarango was one of the first in line to apply in 2012. This also means he will be one of the first to be taken off DACA. His plan expires after the March 5 deadline. DACA helped him go to college. “It has given me an opportunity to work without fear,” Tarango said. Now that he’s at risk of losing DACA, he is researching his options. “It’s tough,” Tarango said. “Something that’s helped you heal and grow is suddenly being taken away. I have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” The Dean of Students is prepared to help as well. “Our role is to help advocate where students feel it’s needed,” Dean of Students Maureen McGuinness said. “We help them navigate this big institution and get them the help that they need.” Get help with the renewal process Students can apply to renew their DACA status between now and Oct. 5, 2017, only if it is set to expire between Sept. 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018. Political science senior and DACA recipient Vanessa Garcia said the repeal decision made her especially sad for the children who don’t have DACA yet and may now never have the chance. Garcia spent the past summer as a legal intern for Catholic Charities, helping people with immigration and DACA issues. Garcia arrived in the U.S. when she was 1 year old. Her parents have told her to stay and finish school if they
are deported. “I’d tell DACA students not to give up hope,” Garcia said. “We have to keep fighting, organizing, calling our congressmen. The last thing we can lose is hope.” All applications must reach U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services by Oct. 5 via the physical, paper process of DACA renewal, meaning students should plan ahead. The application requires many of the same documents used to initially receive DACA status, obtaining copies of which may further lengthen the process. The application fee to renew DACA status is $500. Student legal services in Union 411 can give students additional help with the process for free. “We’re able to assist students with filling out the paperwork with their renewals and we can answer questions about the phase out and how it’s going to impact that individual student,” Ware said. “We also want to assist students with coming up with a plan as to what their rights are and keep students informed about issues in regards to the DACA process.”
students with free counseling as well as a variety of group sessions including stress reduction. It also houses the MindSpa, an area open to students who wish to relax, meditate or work on stress management. At the DACA Information Forum, Sarah Herrera from the Counseling and Testing Center advised that reaching out and seeking help when needed is important. She stressed that self-care is not self-indulgent, but it is crucial to maintaining one’s personal health. Even those who are not able to renew their DACA status can benefit from the services available to students. Tarango was aware of the different student services on campus but did not know how much they were willing to help until the Information Forum on Tuesday. “This is definitely an eye-opener to services I may not have seeked out before,” Tarango said.
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Know your rights UNT students’ personal information is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This prohibits UNT from sharing student information, including immigration status, with third parties such as federal immigration agents without the written consent of the student. Ware pointed out Student Legal Services gives students double protection with attorney-client privilege as well as FERPA. Ware’s office is collecting student emails at events to send monthly newsletters to with information and updates on topics including DACA. She encouraged students to email the office at studentlegal@unt.edu to join the list, which does not consist solely of DACA recipients. Tarango says President Smatresk’s support of DACA students is reassuring to him. “It helps to understand he’s behind us and that he’s willing to help,” Tarango said. Risks and benefits of exposure Students with DACA status must refrain from receiving any legal charges exceeding a minor traffic citation. Renewing DACA requires applicants to disclose criminal charges and violations of the law. Recipients can lose their DACA status or have renewal denied on this basis. “DACA status is a privilege and not a right, so you can lose the privilege,” Ware said. “If you get a minor traffic citation make sure you get with our office to make sure it’s taken care of.” Students should keep in mind the risk of being arrested at certain types of protests or gatherings, such as those without permits, and weigh the risks for their situation. “It’s very encouraging to see young people advocating for their rights and marching and protesting,” Ware said. “That’s very noble but as a DACA student you want to keep in mind that you do not want to do anything that causes you to break the law, like get arrested for civil disobedience or criminal trespass, because that can trigger a revocation of your status.” Practice self-care Students should take time to ensure they are in a good mental state, and get professional help if necessary. The Counseling and Testing Center in Chestnut hall provides
Denton County first in country to unveil new voting equipment By Julia Falcon Senior News Writer Following the series of glitches that required multiple recounts during the November election, the Denton County Elections Administration has replaced its voting equipment after a vote to approve the new system on June 20. The new system, Hart InterCivic’s Verity, is a ballot on-demand system that will be electronic-based and have a paper trail for voters and officials. The system is designed to be easy, versatile
and trustworthy, according to the website. Officials can also audit results in a simpler way if needed. The true paper trail system was unveiled and demonstrated to a crowd of around 100 people on Sept. 12 and 13 and will be first used during early elections in late October. “We are the first county in the United States that’s implementing the paper ballot on demand system,” said Frank Phillips, the Denton County elections administrator. At the last election, polls at a few
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Open houses were held September 12-13 to give the public a firsthand look at new voting equipment, Poll Pads. Mallory Cammarata |Staff Photographer
voting locations were left in test mode and didn’t record some votes. Memory cards that scan the paper ballots were also mislabeled and used in the wrong machine. Another issue from that night was ballot boxes out of order and ballots inside the boxes looking like a “birds nest,” Judge Mary Horn said to the North Texas Daily in November. The ballots were counted a total of three times. At the time, Lannie Noble was the elections administrator. Soon after, he resigned and then-Tarrant County elections administrator Phillips took over. Former candidate for state representative, Read King, said he has worked in information technology for 15 years and noted having a paper trail is important. “At some point, it comes down to a level of trust,” King said. “Integrity of a vote is very important no matter where you are on the political spectrum.” Phillips said the issues in November were not the only reasons for getting the new machines. The system being used was 12 years old and was only expected to last for 15 years. “Essentially, electronic voting is to aid people and prints a paper ballot out,” King said. “I know there are a lot of people are like ‘why do we need to go
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS ‘Billboard’ names UNT College of Music a top 15 music business school
UNT student receives $5,000 grant from Government Finance Officers Association
UNT to hold Refugee Summit
Billboard Magazine listed UNT’s College of Music as one of the 15 Best Music Business Schools in 2017, according to a release from the university. The College of Music offers internships, has guest speakers and frequent departmental lectures, as well as career advising and networking opportunities for music majors. UNT is at No. 13 followed behind the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
A second-year UNT student in the Master of Public Administration degree program received a $5,000 grant from Lynn F. Anderson Fellowship in Government Finance from the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas, according to a release from UNT. Lindsay Jacques, the recipient, is currently an intern at the City of Southlake City Manager’s Office and a legal assistant in the Law Offices of John C. Rentz in Denton.
UNT is holding “Seeking a Safe Haven: UNT Refugee Summit 2017” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, in Union 314 according to a release from the university. The summit is being funded by a grant provided from Council on Social Work. The event is free to all but registration is required to attend. Register online at the event page’s website until Monday, Sept. 25.
back to paper voting?’” The product itself can be configured in three different ways. Votes can be cast all electronically, hybrid or just paper. The method Denton County will be using is the paper method. Phillips said the new equipment is ready to be used for the next election and those who tested it had positive feedback. In electronic voting, everything happens on a touchscreen. A paper ballot is printed to keep a record for the voter and is run through another scantron machine to record. Despite the counting glitches from last year’s elections, Phillips said it was nearing time for the elections administration to get a new voting system anyway. “At the end of the day, regardless if there were any issues or if there is a recount that candidates sometimes request, we can return to the very ballot that the voter cast,” Phillips said. Phillips noted with the advancements of technology, as well as the wear and tear of the old equipment, it was time to explore new options. “We are extremely excited to have it and grateful to purchase a new system,” Phillips said.
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UNT President gives $5,000 scholarship to his 12,000th Twitter follower On Friday, Sept. 16 at UNT’s Founder’s Day Picnic, 18-year-old media arts freshman Braeden Langlois received a $5,000 tuition award for being UNT President Neal Smatresk’s 12,000th Twitter follower. “I was at the Founder’s Day event eating my food by the library when I heard [Smatresk] announce a prize for his 12,000 follower,” Langlois said. “So I went and followed him and a couple minutes later he called out my name…It took me a couple of seconds to realize it was me. I was so surprised.”
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Denton lends helping hand during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts By Julia Falcon Senior News Writer In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, cities across the state have offered their assistance in the form
of donations and rescue teams. Denton Mayor Chris Watts, as well as city police officers and firefighters, traveled down to the affected areas to assist in these efforts. On Aug. 29, donations began coming into Central
Capt. Brian Cox stands in front of a fire truck. Cox spent time helping people all over the Houston area that were affected by flooding. Zoee Acosta | Senior Staff Photographer
Pops Carter statue in Quakertown Park vandalized By Julia Falcon Senior News Writer
On Sept. 13, the Tom “Pops” Carter glass sculpture at Quakertown Park in Denton was vandalized. Pops Carter, who was 92 when he passed away in 2012, was known for his blues and roots music in Denton. His band, Pops Carter and the Funkmonsters, was popular in Denton in the 1980s. The sculpture’s creator, Christie Wood, said in a post on Facebook she is devastated by what happened. The sculpture was unveiled on Sept. 20, 2014 in the park. “I am certain this is tied into the growing rise of American Nazi and white supremacist’s organizations and individuals, who feel empowered,” Wood said in the post. “Once they start destroying art, they always move into destroying artists, and then into destroying cultures.” This vandalization happened in the wake of news of the Robert E. Lee statue in Dallas being taken down and local residents calling for the removal of the confederate monument at the courthouse on the Square. The 270 pound sculpture was shattered by baseball bats despite the 3/8 inch bullet proof glass it was encased in. The sculpture is also listed on Wood’s website for over $26,000. An icon of the Denton college music scene, Carter’s music was a blend of Texas blues with influences from funk, soul, R&B and rock.
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Fire station. The next day 17 members of Denton’s fire department went to the Houston area to help with relief efforts. The Denton Fire Department has members on Task Force 1, an urban rescue system that functions under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s system of rescue teams. On Aug. 23, the Denton Fire Department was asked if they had a team ready to deploy. They were sent out the following day. “We were a part of a state-wide team that got deployed,” Watts said. “We wanted to make sure that we put our assets available to help people who have experienced tremendous tragedy.” On Sept. 5, Watts, as well as more members of the fire department, went to Rockport, Fulton and Rosenberg, Texas to assist with rescue efforts. Denton Fire Department Capt. Brian Cox said of the several other deployments he has been sent on, Hurricane Harvey was the worst. “A lot of times people would ask me where we were going, and I didn’t know,” Cox said. “I was just getting out of the danger zone first, which was to a gas station.” A 20-foot trailer of donated goods, toiletries, water and snacks from the community were taken to the affected areas. Watts said there were several more donations that would not fit on the trailer. “It was a very extreme response,” Watts said. “I really enjoyed seeing the communities pull together but very sad to see the dire situation they were in.” Members of Denton’s Streets, Drainage, Parks, Fleets, Police, Water and other departments have been aiding in these efforts as well. Firefighters were sent to the affected areas in waves of seven days. Jason Eddington is one of the firefighters who drove one of the Denton Firetrucks to the Houston area. He said when he went on Sept. 10 during the third wave, the roads weren’t as bad as he
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SGA discusses resolution for statue removal SGA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 from the College of Science and Zane Motlagh from the College of Business, submitted the resolution to the Senate. During the question and answer portion of the meeting following Villarreal’s reading of the resolution, he clarified that the document only pertained to SGA’s support for the removal of the monument, and not its replacement or where it might be moved to. He said it was important for the student government to take a stand even if they couldn’t change anything directly. “I think it’s always important for SGA to take a stance just because we are the governing body of the students,” CLASS Senator Misaki Collins said. “It’s really evident, especially in the Denton community where there’s always protests on the Square, the monument is a problem.” Political science senior Villarreal said he was inspired to draft the resolution after speaking with Willie Hudspeth, a local civil rights activist who has been campaigning for changes to the monument for 18 years. Villarreal pointed out the effect of the recent white supremacist killing of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville as a cause for increased attendance at the demonstrations. If approved, the resolution would be posted to the SGA website and social media. Copies of the resolution would be sent to the Denton County Commissioners’ Court, Denton City Council, the Denton County Historical Commission and the Texas Historical Commission. “I’m under the impression that the Confederate South was fighting for slavery and had a disdain for the U.S. Constitution,” Physics junior Prasanna said. “Those two traits compounded go against UNT morals. As UNT has a big place in Denton, the statue should be relocated into a museum where it doesn’t glorify the Confederacy and has proper historical context.” Although the Denton County Commissioner’s Court added a plaque near the monument in 2010, Villarreal said it wasn’t enough. The Commissioner’s Court meets at 9 a.m. every Tuesday in the Denton County Courthouse Museum on the Square and includes a public comment section at the beginning of each meeting. Denton County Judge Mary Horn reacted to a recent increase in the number of commenters by decreasing speaking time from three to two minutes if more than 15 people spoke. This week, she capped the number of people who can speak before the meeting at five. Commenters can still speak after the meeting agenda is complete. “It’s disgusting and abhorrent and I hope she loses her seat,” Villarreal said
about the latest change, distinguishing the opinion as a personal one and not representative of SGA. SGA plans to reach out to the Graduate Student Council at UNT as well as student government representatives at TWU and area community colleges. The goal is to learn how they feel about the monument and potentially cooperate moving forward. Students who wish to offer their opinion on the resolution can reach out to Senators via email or social media, or visit them during office hours. SGA will vote on the resolution at their 5:30 p.m. general body meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The meeting is open to the public.
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Members of the Student Government Association heard from senators about a resolution supporting the removal of the Confederate monument on the Square on Wednesday. Kelsey Shoemaker | Staff Photographer
One year later, campus carry brings no apparent change By Bianca Mujica and Devin Rardin Staff Writer
The Funkmonsters, “Pops” Carter’s former band, played at Denton Blues Festival on Saturday in Denton. Jake King/DRC
had expected. “There was still a lot of debris, but they were really starting to get a handle on stuff out there,” Eddington said. “I would imagine the first week was a lot harder.” Many of the people rescued from boats were trapped in the attics or second stories of their homes. Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Hedges said this is a result of waiting too long and not expecting the water to rise so high. “We had a six-person boat team from College Station that was deployed after the storm hit,” Hedges said. “That was for three weeks, and they were deployed three to four days before the hurricane hit and were out for three to four weeks after that.” Hedges said the six-man team went around by boat and rescued approximately 500 people and 100 animals in the few day span they spent around Houston and sent them to respective shelters. Volunteer firefighters from the affected areas were receiving dozens of calls a day to make rescues, not leaving them time to manage their own homes. Denton firefighters helped relieve them. “A lot of other fire departments were sending ambulances and trucks down,” Cox said. “Crews were sent down seven days at a time and they would answer calls for the city because their fire stations were devastated.” The Denton rescue team made their full return on Sept. 17 and is completely done with Hurricane Harvey help. “As we drove around, we saw the great response from the people of this state who helped their fellow Texans,” Watts said. “There were all sorts of distribution centers, places to pick up food and people helping people clean up.”
The beginning of the 2017 fall semester marks one year since campus carry took effect in public universities across Texas. According to the UNT Police Department, the law has not changed the campus environment in any significant way. “We have had no incidents since the law passed or since the law went into effect of criminal acts by License to Carry holders,” UNT Chief of Police Ed Reynolds said. “We have had cases that involved weapons on campus, but the individuals that were carrying were not License to Carry holders.” Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law, Senate Bill 11 (SB11), in June 2015 and it took effect in August 2016. While it allows licensed holders to carry concealed handguns on public university campuses, each institution created their own implementation process and policy. UNT gathered a task force of 23 people, including Reynolds, to review the bill then present a draft policy to UNT President Neal Smatresk. UNT’s official campus carry policy includes prohibiting concealed handguns in places of religious worship, polling locations on the day of elections, labs with biological hazards, locations that service minors or hold events with at least 200 people, medical facilities and sporting events. Open carry is not allowed and concealed carriers must have their license present at all times. Anyone applying for a License to Carry (LTC) must meet certain requirements, such as being at least 21 years old unless they are on active military duty, a legal resident six months prior to the application, never been convicted of a felony and have no class A or B misdemeanor convictions in the five years prior to the application. Applicants have to pass a state-mandated four-hour class, 25-question written test, state-administered background check and get fingerprinted before getting a license. Bill Anderson, owner of local gun store Call to Arms, offers a course at his store that covers the material mandated by the state. He rarely carries
and said people who think it is necessary are “misinformed.” “You probably will never have to use a gun, but we get a license to prepare,” Anderson said. “It’s not about whether you carry a gun or not. It’s about you making your decisions. I completely support your decision not to carry a gun just as I would support your decision to carry a firearm.” Before last year’s election, he had a class every other Saturday that reached capacity weeks in advance. Now he does one class a month with 10 to 12 people at a time. His customers are rarely college students and overall interest has declined. However, he does not believe the law makes UNT any safer. “Is the campus safer or is it just less likely an idiot with harmful intentions will act?” Anderson said. “I think it has less to do with it being safer and more to do with it being a deterrent to crime.” Anderson said the likelihood, no matter how small, is still there and a gun is more dangerous if the holder cannot use it properly. “Practice should be a regular, continuous, ongoing effort,” Anderson said. “I tell them that for their own protection.” A Twitter poll conducted by the North Texas Daily asked for opinions on the law. Of the 166 respondents, 22 percent were in favor, 60 percent were opposed and 18 percent were indifferent. Reynolds said the main comment the task force heard was on the law itself and not the specifics of UNT’s policy. “People were uneasy about this change, but that was far beyond our control as a committee,” Reynolds said. “So what we had to do was spend a lot of time educating the university community as a whole.” He has heard “very little concerns or complaints” since the law was passed. Despite the silence, some members of the community continue to be opposed. A student against the law, library and information science senior Jennifer Kelley, said she forgot the law was in effect and has not heard
anyone discuss it recently. She is personally opposed to the law and believes the controversy is about more than just protection — it’s also about how people feel knowing there might be a gun nearby. “I don’t think having guns creates a culture on campus that’s safe for everyone,” Kelley said. “I don’t think weapons have a place on campus. It’s not the sort of culture we want to promote.” Psychology senior Anthony Crane, on the other hand, carries a concealed handgun on campus. He believes everyone should keep themselves safe and as a result, places where guns are allowed become less prone to dangerous situations. “[Those against the law] are generally misinformed,” Crane said. “When was the last time you heard of a [National Rifle Association] meeting getting shot up or a gun store getting robbed? That stuff doesn’t happen because somebody is there with force to meet them.” A different student, who will remain anonymous, got his license two years ago and carries frequently. As a veteran, he thought it sensible to carry since it was a major part of his previous job. “We’re not out to hurt anyone, we just want to defend ourselves and our families,” he said. “I’m not looking for trouble. Most people don’t even know I have one.” According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Denton County issued 12,153 licenses in 2016, suspended 54 and revoked 34. The county also denied another 38 applications. Out of last year’s 42,797 criminal convictions statewide, 148 of them — or 0.3 percent — were committed by license holders. “Most individuals aren’t going to go through the trouble to get the training, buy the gun and get the holster to do a criminal act,” Reynolds said. “The License to Carry holders are exceedingly lawabiding citizens.”
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ARTS & LIFE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
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Impending repeal of DACA affects both ‘Dreamers’ and their loved ones Since President Donald Trump’s announcement of his plan to terminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), about 800,000 people registered with the program are living in a new state of worry. Although he is not one of these 800,000 people, the situation is hardly different for music education freshman Joel Ramirez. While Ramirez and his younger brother were born in the United States and are U.S. citizens,
his older brother, who plays a part in earning a portion of his family’s income, was not. “At the moment, he is a part of DACA until it expires or he gets married,” Ramirez said. “I was a little worried because if his plans for marriage don’t go through, then he needs to figure out something he should do. He’s lived here all his life. He legally works here. He has a home here.” Not only is Ramirez worrying for his older brother, but also for
his stepmother, who is another key factor in his family’s income. “She does her best to not get on the radar,” Ramirez said. “For her and my dad, it’s always been a worry that one slip-up could mean her going back to Mexico.” Ramirez’s stepmother is an undocumented citizen with no criminal record. While she may not be someone registered with DACA, there is the worry that if Ramirez’s older brother were to be deported after
Music education freshman Joel Ramirez practices his trombone. The sacrafices his family makes to ensure his eduactation, influences him to perform his best. Dana McCurdy | Staff Photographer
the program’s termination, she could possibly be sent back with him. “As my younger brother gets older, [her not getting deported] is less likely to me,” Ramirez said. “The likelihood of an officer deciding to deport her when she has a younger son depending on her is, in my mind, not that likely.” Ramirez’s parents did not attend college, and his older brother went straight into work after graduating high school. Ramirez’s father did not even get to finish grade school and was put to work in fields around 9 years old. During the 1980s, Mexico was struggling with a financial crisis, essentially forcing the poorest citizens to flee for America where there was a higher demand for work. Ramirez’s father immigrated to the U.S. during the crisis and later became a citizen after marrying Ramirez’s mother. “Seeing everyone work hard has encouraged me to go to college,” Ramirez said. “They want me to make the money they do or better, but not have to work hard labor jobs. My stepmom works two eighthour shifts a day at least, and that’s all just trying to contribute.” Ramirez’s family has been supportive of him in his endeavors ever since he became involved with music in sixth grade. “I wanted to be able to help kids express themselves through music,” Ramirez said. “My dad has been supportive because he
[knows] the joy that music can bring to kids.” While some members of his family dabble in music, his past band directors inspired Ramirez to pursue a career in music education because he saw how happy his directors were doing what they loved day in and day out. “He was one of those dream kids that every director would kill for,” said Mark Melton, director of bands at Pine Tree High School. “Early on, he was a good, consistent hard worker.” In addition to being involved in concert and marching band, Ramirez competed in UIL AllRegion Band all four years of his high school career. He also advanced to the area competition, participated in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest where he advanced to the state level every year and served as a drum major for the band and the trombone section leader his senior year. “He was always encouraging of everyone around him,” Melton said. “He excelled academically. He excelled musically. I think whatever doors are open to him, he can go through and be successful at.” Ramirez graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and received an academic scholarship as well as three grants. “For the longest time, it worried my dad — being able to pay for college,” Ramirez said. “It still worries him. He always encouraged
me to work really hard in school because he knew scholarships were a thing. He didn’t want me to end up like he was. He didn’t want me to end up working a job like he had.” Ramirez’s roommate, religious studies and history freshman Connor McCain, believes that Ramirez’s respect for his family’s efforts and his determination to make them proud is what fuels him. “Since he’s a music major, he’s busy a lot,” McCain said. “He’s kind of anxious sometimes, so I think [music] is kind of his way of expressing himself. It’s music — he doesn’t have to be anxious about it. He’ll always be able to express himself that way.” Although Ramirez has come from a busy family, he’s still made time for his studies and his passion. Through the hard work of his family and the efforts he made in school, Ramirez has been given a life where he has the chance to pursue his dreams. He would not have this opportunity had his father not immigrated to America in the 1980s. “For [my family], it means a chance for a better life — what they could have had,” Ramirez said. “That’s the story for many people who come to America — a chance to live a better life than what they were experiencing.”
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Blues fest showcases music and creativity from near and far BLUES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Blues Festival, which was funded entirely by sponsors, made sure to put a heavy emphasis on the community and showcase just a fraction of Denton’s artistic and creative greatness.
One such talent is Ilyce Murray, who operates a kiosk out of Golden Triangle Mall. Murray sells homemade bath products like bath bombs and fragrances. “We try to avoid using harmful chemicals in our products,” Murray said. “We use oils, butters
Dana Fuchs performs her first show in Texas at the Denton Blues Festival. Madison Gore | Staff Photographer
and other additives that are great for the inside and the outside of the body.” Murray has been in business for two years and has been at Golden Triangle since August. She displayed her specialty “Bubble Cakes,” a product that features a bath bomb as the base and a soap scrub swirled on top to look like a cupcake, at the festival. “I was really shocked, we sold out of our Bubble Cakes really fast,” Murray said. The Denton Blues Festival emphasizes African-American talent and is a chance for that demographic to represent their culture in the community. It also works in partnership with the Denton Black Film Festival, who had their tent pitched front and center last weekend to spread the word about their own festivities coming in January. “The festival happens on the Square at the Campus Theatre and is a three-day extravaganza for film, music, art, comedy and spoken word,” DBFF operations director Natalie Nichelson said. Numerous vendors, like LoJoJo Concession Stand, are able to
thrive at festivals like these thanks to the support of the Denton community. A portion 0f LoJoJo Concessions’ sales goes towards charities benefiting kids in poverty. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” owner Joe Sherrill said. “I enjoy it a lot.” Mixed-media artist Heather Deaton was another residential talent present at the festival. Her work focuses on topics of nature, fantasy and spirituality. Deaton was satisfied with her first year at the festival and is glad to have accumulated some support for her art. “A lot of new customers have come by and seen my work,” Deaton said. “I think being here helped me reach a lot of people.” Although the array of vendors was enough of a reason to attend the Denton Blues Festival, the musical acts were another highlight of the weekend. “We want to bring in local musicians,” said Kerry Goree, chairman of the board of the Black Chamber of Commerce. “Denton is a music city. Why go elsewhere?”
Local and past musicians had an impact throughout the festival. One reoccurring topic during the weekend was the defacing of Quakertown Park’s memorial statue commemorating the late blues legend Tom “Pops” Carter. The 7-foot glass structure was shattered a day before the Blues Festival, but that didn’t stop the icon’s spirit from resonating all weekend. “Evidently, some don’t realize and understand heritage,” Goree said. “Some people don’t understand tradition. We should be proud of that statue in every sense.” Denton-based blues band FunkMonsters made Pops proud as they got the crowd on their feet with some traditional classics. “We’ve played every Denton Blues Fest,” bassist Clarence Pitts said. “The Black Chamber of Commerce keeps us going. We’re all friends.” Members of FunkMonsters played with Pops since they were kids. “If you played with Pops, you were a big deal with the Blues Fest,” Pitts said.
Regional bands were not the only entertainment last weekend. Artists came from as far as Tennessee and Georgia to play the Denton Blues Festival and take in all the Texan spirit. Coming from New Orleans — arguably one of the largest hubs of blues music in the country — Walter “Wolfman” Washington put on a performance that was a treat for all ears. Washington has been playing blues for 45 years, so witnessing anyone sitting down during his set was a rare sight as dancers frolicked through the park. “This is my first time here, and I loved it,” Washington said. “Everybody was very accommodating.” The Blues Festival’s ability to celebrate blues in Denton for 19 years serves as a testament to the timelessness of the genre. “The festival does blues justice,” Pitts said. “They do a great job. I just want to play blues. It’s part of me. I love it.”
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FOR UNIQUE COSTUMES
SHOP NOW! YOUR HALLOWEEN HOOKUP 1701 BRINKER ROAD–NEXT TO WALMART
MON-SAT 9AM-8PM | SUN 11AM-7PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Denton Event Radar September 21, 2017
Being an Immigrant in Modern America Where: Jade Eagle Ballroom When: 6-8 p.m. Free
September 22, 2017
DCBC Mural Reveal Where: Denton County Brewing Co. When: 7-11 p.m. Free
September 23, 2017 DTX DNB Monthly Music, Flow and Art Where: Backyard on Bell When: 7 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Under 21: $5, 21+: $3
September 25, 2017 Bubble Fest Where: Library Mall When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free
September 26, 2017
Painting with a Twist: Autumn Forest Where: Painting with a Twist When: 7-9 p.m. $35
September 27, 2017 Union Art Workshop: Turkish Marbling Where: Union 339 When: 6-8 p.m. Free
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Making a paw-sitive impact on four-legged friends By Kayla Henson Staff Writer Imagine a regular work day involving going into unfamiliar homes and training strangers’ dogs to perform anything from basic commands to positive behavioral interactions. This has been the norm for dog trainerextraordinaire Summer Milroy for around 11 years. “It’s not like a normal 9-to-5 job,” Milroy, 41, said. “There’s no normal day. It just varies depending on how busy it is [and] what time of year it is.” Milroy’s passion for training dogs derived from learning how to train a German shepherd she had in the past. After taking many dog training courses, she felt confident in her ability to make a lifestyle of it. Milroy originally opened her dog training business, On the Ball K9 Training LLC, in Alaska in 2006 before moving the business to Denton three years later. Since then, she has immersed herself in Denton and has become a trainer the community has grown to recognize. She now has three Belgian Malinois dogs who she brings to some events and social classes. Milroy deals with various types of training, ranging from basic manners to aggression issues to dogs with anxiety. Milroy goes to clients’ homes and teaches them how to properly train their dogs to ensure a better, less stressful relationship between the dogs and their owners. “I’ll go out and evaluate the dog [to] figure out what the owners want,” Milroy said. “I have a base program for my private sessions that covers all the basic manners, like how to come when [the owners] call them and not jump on people, which is usually a big one.” After the free-of-charge initial evaluation, Milroy determines what type of training the
Dog trainer Summer Milroy sits her dog Modi beside her. Modi has her own Facebook page with more than 500 likes. Rachel Walters | Staff Photographer particular dog requires and personalizes each session to the dog’s and owner’s needs. Milroy also encourages most clients to enroll their pets in the socialization classes, which is a time for dogs to learn how to properly mingle with unfamiliar dogs and humans in a controlled, safe environment. “It’s good for everybody because it teaches them how to read body language and communicate with each other without a whole lot of interference from the owner,” Milroy said. Past client Melody Neely, 61, was in the program for around a year with her two large rescue dogs and said the program made her life with the dogs much easier. “As Summer will tell you, it is as much about training the owners how to interact
Modi, a Belgian Malinois sits on top of a natural gas meter. Owner and dog trainer Summer Milroy has won several awards in her years of dog training. Rachel Walter | Staff Photographer
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with their dogs as it is about training the dogs,” Neely said. “Both dogs were rescues that had little to no training and were both quite smart. Without the training with Summer, we might not have been able to continue to keep them. However, it only took a very short while of consistent effort to where we could all live happily together.” Another previous client, 32-year-old Lindsay Rothman, had her dog Linus enrolled in the program over the span of around seven weeks. Rothman immediately noticed a positive difference in Linus’ behavior after training with Milroy. “Linus came to our home from a rescue group and was very timid [and] skittish,” Rothman said. “My husband and I employed Summer right away, and the tools she gave us helped Linus settle into his role within our family. He now has a lot of structure and gets to participate in more activities because we know we can trust him to behave appropriately in most situations.” While Milroy said she attracts clients from all over the age and job spectrums, the most important factor is to enroll the dog in a program as young as possible. “I find that there are very few people who try to get dog trained right off the bat,” Milroy said. “It’s easier to train a younger dog because it’s like a clean slate. They haven’t learned any bad habits yet.” Milroy also said it is important to find the right trainer for the specific dog and owner’s
taste, even if her training company does not fit what the dog needs. “A lot of times people contact me because they don’t know what to do,” she said. “Some people have tried training or have gone to other trainers, [but] not every trainer is good with every person. They’re not always a good match.” If the owner or dog isn’t a good fit for the program, Milroy often refers them to other trainers in the community who might have different training styles or facilities. She finds solace in the Denton dog training community because they support each other’s businesses rather than competing against them. “In North Texas, we have a pretty good network of trainers that we can bounce ideas off of,” Milroy said. “We actually have a group on Facebook so that we can all get together for networking meetings and we refer out to each other.” While the sessions Milroy offers may be an investment, she believes the personalized training is most beneficial to owner’s who wish to have a more positive and stress-free relationship to their canine companion. “My prices are going to be a lot more than PetSmart, but you also get the more personal [experience],” Milroy said. “It’s more oneon-one, and it’s geared towards being able to take your dog out.”
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Group empowers tech-savvy women CODING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “There are members of the community who are willing to teach others so people can learn more about something,” Tejeda said. The NCWIT study states that in 2016, only 26 percent of the computing workforce was made up by women, although 74 percent of girls in middle school expressed an interest in STEM fields. WWC is trying to support that through their events and workshops. “When I was in the computer science program, there weren’t a lot of females, so it’s nice to reach out and support others,” WWC member Lauren Ko said. “Depending on where you are, there’s not a lot of support.” Startups, like Stoke and Techmill, and WWC meetups have united underground tech gurus into a connected community. “Even though it’s called Women Who Code, it’s embracing everybody who wants to come and talk,” Moreno said. Moreno said she felt the same kind of unity in other initiatives like Women in Commerce. Like WWC, it has promoted women to be a part of starting new ventures in a male-dominant industry. “Finally seeing a room full of women and knowing that every woman in here is a business owner or an entrepreneur was like, ‘Wow, we’re finally getting there. We’re improving,’” Moreno said. It is a mix of promoting women in the field while fostering a helpful community, which Moreno said should go hand-in-hand. “It’s really important to keep fighting for that equality in the industry,” Moreno said. “ But it’s [also] important to mark that we shouldn’t be competing with each other.” Diversity has been key to fostering a cohesive network of people.
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“We, since the beginning, have created a very open [and] inclusive community,” Techmill president Kyle Taylor said. “We have a ‘give first’ mentality that we’ve built in where we want people to show up and not expect anything in return.” But there is still room for improvement to be done on the startup end. Thanks to the nature of a college town, Tejeda said Denton meetups fluctuate according to the school year. During finals week, attendance dips. In the fall, attendance rises. But when tech majors graduate, they move. “I want to be able to provide links from companies to people who have those skills and are looking for that opportunity to work,” Tejeda said. “I really hope to see [those local startups]. That way students don’t have to go back home or go somewhere else, and they can stay here locally.” Although it is small, there is a lot of room for growth in Denton’s tech scene with its tight-knit community and creative culture. “You have two universities in town, but on top of that you have all these underground tech gurus that are here,” Moreno said. “There are also community groups where techies can meet up. I see this town has a lot of resources and not just tech people, but a lot of shops here are into helping each other.” Ultimately, it all comes down to the main point of WWC: educating and supporting one another. But for things to happen, Tejada believes people need to be ready to collaborate and learn. “You have to put in the work,” Tejeda said. “You have to pull your hair at some of the things you’re doing, but everybody is willing to help you learn if you’re showing interest.”
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SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Page 6 UPCOMING GAMES Thursday • Soccer: @ Marshall – 6 p.m. Friday • Swimming and Diving: vs. Texas Christian, UT-Permain Basin – 6 p.m. • Volleyball: @ Southern Mississippi – 7 p.m. • Tennis: @ Rice Invitational – All Day Saturday • Football: vs. University of Alabama Birmingham – 5:30 p.m. • Tennis: @ Rice Invitational – All Day Sunday • Volleyball: @ Florida International – Noon • Soccer: @ Louisiana Tech – 1 p.m. • Tennis: @ Rice Invitational – All Day • Men’s Golf: @ Trinity Forest SMU Invitational – All Day through Tuesday
CONFERENCE USA STANDINGS
Conference USA West Team Conf. Overall La. Tech
1-0
2-1
Rice 1-0 1-2 UNT 0-0 1-2 S. Miss
0-0
2-1
UTSA 0-0 2-0 UAB 0-0 2-1 UTEP 0-1 0-3
Conference USA East Team Conf. Overall Marshall 0-0
2-1
ODU 0-0 2-1 FIU 0-0 1-1 MTSU 0-0 1-2 Charlotte 0-0
0-3
FAU 0-0 1-2 WKU 0-1 1-2 Notable Results: Sept. 9: UTSA 17, Baylor 10 Sept. 9: MTSU 30, Syracuse 23 Sept. 16: La. Tech 23, WKU 22
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Guyton excels as deep threat for Fine FOOTBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But it never came to fruition. Guyton redshirted his freshman season with the Irish and was suspended from the team in December 2015. He left the program after the season, searching for an opportunity to be closer to home. Guyton’s time with one of the largest programs in the country will always stay with him wherever football takes him. “It was a learning experience,” Guyton said. “I redshirted, but I was around a whole lot of really good guys. A lot of guys that are still playing on Sundays. I was just trying to soak up all their little tendencies and everything.” Guyton eventually made the decision to transfer to Trinity Valley Community College, located in Athens, Texas – about 83 miles southeast of downtown Dallas. It was a place where Guyton felt more at home while also having a chance to saturate the stat sheet with his performance. In his lone season with Trinity Valley, Guyton caught 45 passes for 968 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games. The experience, however, went far beyond the numbers for him. “It was absolutely great,” Guyton said. “It’s one of those places that really opens your eyes. It made me hungry. It made me [think], ‘OK now I have to climb back up.’” He finally reached the summit of his climb when he committed to the University of North Texas and came to campus as an early enrollee in January. As soon as he arrived, his new teammates saw his work ethic and pure athletic ability from the get-go. “We knew he was a super talented guy coming in,” senior wide receiver Turner Smiley said. “What I’ve always seen is that he works really hard on and off the field. It’s great to see all the hard work translating into his game.” Guyton joined the program as a deep-ball threat and was thought to be a much needed addition to the North Texas offense that lacked any sort of vertical weapon in 2016.
North Texas sophomore wide reciever Jaylen Guyton (9) smiles after scoring a touchdown against Southern Methodist University. Guyton finished the game with three receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor Last year, the team’s average pass attempt went for 6 yards and the average completion for 10.4. Thaddeous Thompson led the team in yards per catch at 12.7 yards, and his longest reception for the season was 43 yards. In three games, Guyton has lived up to the expectations and hype surrounding his arrival in Denton. The offense now averages 8.5 yards per pass attempt and 12.7 yards per catch – a dramatic improvement from a year ago. Guyton thrives by way of the deep ball and feasts on lapses in coverage. In his senior season at Allen he averaged 21.6 yards per catch and just about matched that number at Trinity Valley with 21.5 yards per catch. Guyton’s average with the Mean Green sits just above 23 yards per catch this season.
“He does a lot of good things,” wide receivers coach Joel Filani said. “He can attack the [defense] and stretch them vertically. He can also run good routes, has good hands and now he’s learned to play physical [so] he’s playing confidently.” After putting up 63 yards and 109 yards in the first two games, Guyton was held to just 13 yards against the University of Iowa in Week 3 – but he still had ample targets, showing his importance to this offense. He caught the team’s final touchdown of the game just before halftime. Regardless of whether his stats jump off the page or not, Guyton goes about judging his performance on a different scale. “As far as stats, I’m never really expecting too much on the stat sheet,” Guyton said. “I always expect to go in and play my ass off.
COLUMN
Volleyball’s hot start is only the beginning
By Brady Keane Sports Editor Don’t look now, but head coach Andrew Palileo has something special brewing at the Mean Green Volleyball Complex. Not a whole lot of people outside of Palileo’s program expected North Texas to do much on the court this season. The Mean Green were voted to finish sixth in Conference USA in the league’s preseason poll, based largely on the struggles the team experienced last season. North Texas won just 13 games a year ago, finishing 13-19 with a 7-7 mark in conference play. It didn’t take long at all for Palileo and the rest of the team to prove their expectations rest significantly higher than where others set the bar for them this season. The Mean Green are off to an absolutely torrid start, winning 11 straight matches on their way to a 12-1 record. While a few of those wins have come against lesser opponents, there have been some big-time programs sprinkled in the schedule as well. Now it’s still early, and the C-USA schedule is a doozy with teams like Western Kentucky University (13-2) waiting in the wind – but so far, the Mean Green have far exceeded expectations. After getting off to an impressive start, there is no reason to believe North Texas will do anything but continue to play well as C-USA play rolls around. North Texas has defeated Power Five opponents Oregon State University (112), Boston College (3-7) and Mississippi State University (9-6) along the way, and the team’s only loss came to Texas Tech University – which boasts an 11-2 mark on the season. Last year, a majority of the team’s struggles stemmed from the fact that North Texas was trying to move on from the graduation of one of the best players in school history – Carnae Dillard. Dillard, who has since returned as an
assistant coach, accounted for almost 40 percent of the Mean Green’s total attacks in 2015, and she finished with 687 kills – more than twice as many as then-sophomore Holly Milam, who was second on the team with 274. Replacing a player who dominated the offensive touches the way Dillard did was no easy task, and North Texas went through some major growing pains. To name just part of the statistical decline, the Mean Green’s attack percentage went from .241 to .199 and their total attack errors went up from 656 to 729. The improvement this season is encouraging. North Texas skyrocketed its attack percentage to .300 and they are averaging 15 kills per set – almost two kills more than last season. The team is improved in just about every statistical category, paving the way for a dramatic improvement in the win column. After pressing to find a replacement for Dillard last season, the Mean Green have settled into an offensive rhythm with several different players combining to share the bulk of the kills. Rather than relying on a single star, North Texas has five players within the team lead for kills this year. Senior Amanda Chamberlain is the most efficient, boasting the No. 1 hitting percentage in all of NCAA Division I at .514. She leads the way with a team-high 127 kills. But Milam (114), freshman Valerie Valerian (114), senior Alexis Wright (101)
and freshman Barbara Teakell (100) aren’t too far behind and help to spread the floor for Palileo. The offensive balance falls heavily on the shoulders of junior setter Karley York, who has dramatically increased her production from 6.72 assists per set last year to 11.61 this season. She has 511 assists through 13 matches, and is on pace to be within reach of cracking the program’s top 10 mark for assists in a single season. When a superstar like Dillard was on the roster, focusing on getting the ball to one player consistently made life easier on opposing defenses as they often knew where the ball was going. Sharing the wealth more effectively between several players has made a world of difference and is a major reason why the Mean Green have turned things around. North Texas needs just one more win to match last year’s total of 13, and the next victory will be the most important to date. The Mean Green start C-USA play Friday against the University of Southern Mississippi, marking the team’s first true opportunity to prove just how slighted it was in the preseason rankings. From the looks of it, North Texas had reason to enter the year on a mission to prove the league’s coaches wrong. This is no flash in the pan. North Texas volleyball is here to stay.
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Junior Alex Janek (18) sets the ball to senior Amanda Chamberlain (13). Madison Gore | Staff Photographer
If that’s reflected in the stat sheet or not, it’s all the same.” Guyton’s ability to make plays down the field has paid off for sophomore quarterback Mason Fine, who has seen an increase in his production throwing the ball this season. Fine always seems to know where Guyton is on the field, and the majority of his deep balls go in the direction of number 9. “I like my match up with [Guyton],” Fine said. “I think we have great chemistry, so if I see a one-on-one matchup with him I want to try to get him the ball as much as I can because he usually does something with it and you know he’s going to come down with the football.” From the highest summits of going 16-0 his senior season at Allen and going to Notre Dame, to the less
glamorous but equally as important season at Trinity Valley – Guyton has seen both ends of the college football spectrum. Now he’s returned to the peak of the mountain at the Division I level – but this time, instead of learning the ropes, he’s making his presence felt and putting up the types of numbers many knew he was capable of a few years ago. On Saturday mornings since he was a kid, Guyton knew what his goals were as soon as he turned to College Gameday on his television. And now, at North Texas, he’s beginning to fulfill them. “This is something I dreamed of,” Guyton said. “When you’re young you watch College Gameday, well now I watch College Gameday and I’m a part of it. It’s a dream come true.”
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Preview: UAB brings run heavy offense to Denton By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer North Texas looks to stop a twogame losing skid this season, while the University of Alabama Birmingham (2-1) hopes to remain undefeated against the Mean Green (1-2), winning the two prior meetings between the schools in 1995 and 2014. UAB run game vs. North Texas front seven The strength of the Blazers’ offense is going directly against the strength of the North Texas defense. In its first three games UAB has averaged 254.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 16th in the country. Meanwhile, the Mean Green’s front seven and even their two safeties have been great at nullifying the opposing team’s run game. North Texas is allowing just 3.4 yards per carry and 141 yards per game. “It starts up front with our D-line,” Littrell said. “[UAB] is a really good run football team. We’ve done a pretty decent job with our run defense, and we have to continue to do that. It will be a big key.” Big plays from the Mean Green North Texas has not been bashful about taking its shots deep so far this season. The team’s average completion goes for 12.7 yards while UAB allows 10.1 yards per catch. Sophomore wide receiver Jalen Guyton and company should have their opportunities down the field as the offense is averaging more than 35 points per game and has proven to be dangerous. “I’m just happy we’re making plays,” wide receiver coach Joel Falini said. “From year one to year two it’s been a big jump, [with] a lot of guys ready to work so it’s good to see they’re executing their game.”
Jeffery Wilson After struggling against Southern Methodist University, a team who loaded the box in an effort to stuff the run and force Mason Fine to throw the ball, senior running back Jeffery Wilson returned to form against Iowa last weekend. Wilson ran for 95 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. The lone score was an explosive 41-yard run through the heart of the Hawkeyes’ defense. While UAB only allows 3.4 yards per carry, it hasn’t faced a running back near Wilson’s caliber in its three previous games. “I thought we did a good job of running the football [against Iowa],” Littrell said. “They gave us some opportunities to run the football, and [I] felt like we did a nice job staying balanced throughout the game.” Level of competition In their first three games, the Mean Green faced Lamar University at home, SMU on the road and Iowa on the road. In comparison, UAB played Alabama A&M University at home, Ball State University on the road and Coastal Carolina University at home. The Blazers lost their lone road game to Ball State, 51-31. The competition the Mean Green faced early in the season should prepare them well for this game and Conference USA play in general. The only downside is they may be beat up physically from the last two games. “The games we played, we faced some good competition,” sophomore safety Khairi Muhammad said. “We played some good schemes from some good coordinators and going into Conference USA it’s not going to stop, so we just need to stay hungry and execute.” Score Prediction: North Texas 38, UAB 21
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NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 7
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Freshmen stars shine bright for soccer By Matthew Berger Staff Writer Head coach John Hedlund blows his whistle three times to signal the end of another intense practice for the North Texas soccer team. Hedlund calls for a huddle with the players, speaks some words of encouragement to his team and then calls it a day. Players and coaches begin to leave the field – except for the freshmen, who are tasked with picking up the balls and moving the goal posts off to the side. It’s typical for freshmen to be handed the grunt work for a team at the college level as they put in their time hoping to earn a spot on the roster. These aren’t just any freshmen Hedlund is dealing with. The Mean Green have several newcomers who fill key roles in the starting 11 for the three-time Conference USA regular season champions. Freshmen Brooke Lampe, Berklee Peters and Logan Bruffett are among those who have earned significant playing time early in their career. “The future is bright,” Hedlund said. “They’ve scored a majority of our goals offensively, and they have helped us in the back tremendously on defense.” The Mean Green have built a name for themselves as a dominant soccer program under Hedlund, and even with the young roster, the expectations are high for the team to four-peat in C-USA. The Mean Green are currently 4-2-1 and are preparing to open up the C-USA portion of their schedule. Hedlund knows the younger girls playing well is vital to the program long-term, but their success is just as important in the immediate future as well. “I feel good about it,” Hedlund said.
“They’ve never played in conference before where the stakes are a little bit higher. They’re playing well, we just have to remain healthy.” One of the players who helped the team achieve the level of success it’s had over the last few years, Rachel Holden, graduated last season. The Mean Green needed someone to step up to fill her role as the sixth-leading scorer in program history, and while it’s still early, Peters is playing well beyond her years as the scorer North Texas needed. After seven games played, Peters is tied for seventh in C-USA in points (11) and is fifth in goals (5) scored. Peters recorded a hat trick earlier this season versus Houston Baptist University, marking just the 10th time in school history the feat has been accomplished by a freshman. Peters wants her fellow freshmen teammates not to only be remembered for their play this season, but also down the road after they graduate. “I feel like we will be remembered as the freshmen who never gave up,” Peters said. “We have done a really good job throughout the season making a stand and playing really well together.” Although Peters has been dominating on the field throughout the year, the amount of playing time she and her freshmen teammates have received is still somewhat of a surprise to the budding star. “We all have played well and got a lot of playing time,” Peters said. “Which is good, because coming in here I did not think I would get half of the playing time that I am getting now.” Lampe, another freshman who has caught Hedlund’s attention, is currently tied for fifth on the team with four total points and is tied for third on the team with two goals. Lampe knows the lore of playing for the Mean Green and uses the
North Texas freshman forward Berklee Peters looks to kick the ball in a game against Indiana University on Sept. 10. North Texas tied Indiana University 3-3. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer program’s history of success as motivation. “The history helps us because they have the bar set so high,” Lampe said. “We knew coming in if we wanted to play we had to bust our butts and that set us up with a good mentality.” Bruffett, whose older sister Lauryn also plays for the team, believes the level of competition on the team has also helped with the success of the freshmen on the field. “The coaches stress competition a lot,” Bruffett said. “It is a healthy competition, though, that helps keep games and practices intense.” Bruffett, who scored her first career goal off an assist from Peters against Indiana, has enjoyed the team chemistry during games and at practice this season. The positive communication from the
older players and coaching staff has helped her and her fellow freshmen teammates feel right at home. The positivity has also helped the freshmen grow more confident with each practice, and it shows with their play on the field. “We do so well because we hype each other,” Bruffett said. “It’s not about someone doing better than me, it’s more the team is doing good, so we do what is best for the team.” Senior midfielder Katie Gernsbacher and other upperclassmen have taken notice of the stellar play from the freshman class. Knowing how difficult it is for freshmen to come into a new environment, their poise has left an impact on some of the team’s veterans. “They have been great, having the
freshmen come in and do as well as they have says a lot about the program,” Gernsbacher said. “It says a lot about the type of people John [Hedlund] brought in this year.” Gernsbacher, who is in her second year with the program after transferring from the University of Texas at Austin, has seen the play on the field from the freshmen and feels the program is in good hands when she leaves. The bar has been set high, but the Mean Green are confident their talented group of underclassmen will only continue improve. “It is only going to get better,” Gernsbacher said. “I want to succeed this year, but it gives me hope for when the seniors and juniors leave. They will still be successful.”
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Five people who fly under the radar for North Texas football By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer
At the end of every practice, the North Texas football team gets on a knee and listens to head coach Seth Littrell’s short spiel on the day’s practice. The team breaks into their position groups with offense going one way and defense going another – but before long, most are headed off the field and into the training room.
At that point, every player has one thing on their mind. An ice bath. “Getting in the ice tub relaxes you,” senior running back Jeffery Wilson said. “It releases a lot of things. You’re able to get in there and break down the muscles that you normally can’t stretch out after a long day.” When players begin to roll off the field about 20 minutes before practice is over at Apogee Stadium,
the strength and conditioning staff is performing the menial job of filling dozens of tubs with ice and water. While this is by no means a one-man job, the first name Wilson rattled off is the first name on this list. A list of five underrated people who should get more recognition for the football team’s success: Josh Woods and company Now in his second season with
Coach Marc Yellock makes a few adjustments during Mean Green Spring Football at Apogee Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Denton. Courtesy | Rick Yeatts
North Texas, Woods and the strength and conditioning crew set out the protein shakes and get everything ready for the athletes to recover after games and practices. Woods is an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Although he isn’t the top guy, Zack Womack, but he’s still vital to the player’s everyday recovery. This is especially the case with Wilson, who is coming off an injury he suffered last season. “[The trainers] have been very important [to me],” Wilson said. “They became my best friends and that’s because of the time we’ve spent together.” Marc Yellock Another person who is largely unknown among fans and Mean Green faithful is defensive line coach Marc Yellock. In his first season in Denton, Yellock has already made a huge imprint on the defense as a whole with the work he’s done with the defensive line. Despite the injury to starter Bryce English in the preseason, Yellock has still found a way to improve the defensive line from last season. The run-stopping ability of the defensive line has been impressive. Opponents are only averaging 3.4 yards per carry against North Texas and most of that is a product of the defensive line using their hands to shed blocks and fill holes. “Coach Yellock is a big key in everything that we do, he’s our
foundation,” junior defensive lineman Ulaiasi Tauaalo said. “Yeah, coach Yellock should get more recognition, but he’s not that type of guy. He’s blue-collar, comes to work every day and we get the work in.” Colton McDonald One of the four starting linebackers for the Mean Green, McDonald is not the flashiest player on the defense – but he does rank third on the team in total tackles (17) through three games. He made his debut for the Mean Green in the season opener against Lamar, so it’s understandable he’s not a familiar name to the casual fan. However, the West Texas A&M transfer will be a linchpin on the defense if he continues to rack up the tackles. “Colton is a great player,” linebacker Brandon Garner said. “He’s strong. He’s fast. And he flies to the ball.” Tommy Mainord His exact job description is pass game coordinator/inside wide receivers coach, which alone speaks to his importance. Inside receivers Jaelon Darden and Michael Lawrence both had stellar games against Southern Methodist University in Week 2, and will continue to be important parts of the offense moving forward. Lawrence has 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown on the
year while Darden has racked up eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Mustangs. A majority of their success with QB Mason Fine comes from Mainord’s coaching. “He knows a lot about the game and he really gets us the knowledge we need,” Lawrence said. “He does a tremendous job with what he does and it reflects on us.” Quinn Shanbour The backup quarterback – underrated? Yep. Simply look at Shanbour’s ability to fill in for an injured Mason Fine late in the first half of Saturday’s game against Iowa. Shanbour may not see the field too often, but he stepped up and put the finishing touches on a touchdown drive that gave the Mean Green a 14-10 lead at the break. Shanbour was selected to the leadership council before the season started because of his ability to communicate and help players on the offensive end – especially Fine. Early on in camp, Shanbour put some pressure on Fine for the starting job. He might not be the starter, but everyone in the locker room knows and respects Shanbour. “Quinn has done a lot of great things [for the team],” Littrell said. “The type of teammate he is, the type of leader he is, we expect him
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Former Texas State legend Akers on his way toward a women’s golf rebuild By Malik Wright Staff Writer In his second season at the helm of the program, Michael Akers is looking to put the Mean Green women’s golf team on the map. Akers began his tenure as the head coach at North Texas last spring after 10 successful seasons calling the shots at Texas State University. He is considered one of the best coaches in the Bobcats’ history, having led the team to six NCAA tournament appearances while also winning three conference championships. Leaving the San Marcos area was not necessarily a move he was searching for, but the opportunity at North Texas proved to be too good to be true in the end. “I really wasn’t too anxious to leave where I was at,” Akers said. “I loved Texas State and was going to build a house in San Marcos – but when I came and saw the campus [in Denton] as well as looked up the school’s academics and the new golf facility, I got excited.” The new facility Akers mentioned, the Maridoe Golf Club, opened its doors for member play July 22 and is thought to be one of the best facilities in the country. Maridoe will fully host both the men’s and women’s golf teams in the near future. When he arrived on campus last year, Akers wasted no time in scheduling tough
competition. This year, the Mean Green will play their toughest schedule in school history, which speaks to Akers’ competitive nature. “We are going to be playing the Texas’ and the Oklahoma’s of the world, and we are going to act like that, prepare like that and expect to compete,” Akers said. “I want to beat the Big 12 teams. You have to set in your mind that no matter who we are playing, we are going to compete.” While reaching the level of some of the top teams in the Big 12 involves a rebuild that may take some time, North Texas has shown some bright spots early this season. Nyka Khaw, the lone senior of the team, has seen a dramatic difference in Akers’ time on campus. “The mental side of our games has gotten better,” Khaw said. “We are always competing, and compete in game-like moments at practice which has helped our games.” Akers has placed a lot of importance on the team’s preparation, which he believes is key to laying the foundation for the program moving forward. The results are evident, and North Texas has already demonstrated improvement. The Mean Green didn’t post a top five finish as a team until early November last season. But with a year in the system, Akers led the team to fifth place this past
weekend at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational. “Practice is a serious time to grind and prepare,” Akers said. “Tournaments are the time to relax and have fun.” Akers hopes that mindset will be part of what helps transform North Texas into one of the premier teams in Texas. But in addition to the changes in preparation, Akers knows a commitment from the athletic administration is important to attracting the talent needed to make that competitive jump. The Maridoe complex, one of the draws that ultimately attracted Akers to Denton, will eventually have the same effect on recruits. “Our athletic department has done a great job of promoting,” Akers said. “They are doing the little things – showing a lot of signage and new bling to recruits, and that’s helped with the process.” In addition to taking advantage of the faith athletic director Wren Baker has placed in his program, Akers wasted little time bringing a big name in women’s college golf onto his staff as yet another way to catch the attention of recruits. Akers hired Kendra Little as his assistant coach in September of last year, adding to the program’s credibility. Little, who held full-time status on the LPGA Symetra Tour from 2013 to 2015, is one of the most
successful golfers in University of Oregon history. “It was a huge opportunity,” Little said. “I had no prior coaching experience, so getting to coach under him serves as a great learning tool.” It’s still early in his tenure, but Akers is well on his way to successfully rebuilding the North Texas women’s golf program. It is a challenge he welcomes and one he is
Head coach for women’s golf Michael Akers is in his second season with North Texas. Akers is the former head golf coach for Texas State University. Cameron Roe | Staff Photographer
enjoying tackling head-on. “Being surrounded by talented young people is awesome,” Akers said. “I look forward to going into work every day. One of the things I like most about coaching is that it is a win-win situation – whether it be in the classroom or on the field, if they are successful then so am I.”
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OPINION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Page 8
NTDAILY.COM
Save your money and avoid the iPhone 8 and iPhone X By The Editorial Board The new iPhones are almost here, and they are really shiny. But are they worth the hefty price tag? The iPhone 8 can be bought with a one-time payment of $949 from Apple without a contract. The iPhone X, on the other hand, is considerably more expensive, and not shockingly the most expensive iPhone to date. A one-time payment for the 256GB iPhone X will run you $1,149 – about 10 percent of a semester’s worth of tuition at UNT. Announced on Sept. 12, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X are the latest and greatest smartphones to get consumers in a tizzy. And although they’re slick and nice to look at, we have to ask. $1,000 for a phone? Really, Apple? The iPhone 8 and X are guaranteed to change the market for smartphones, but what if you are better off
holding onto your iPhone 7, or upgrading to a 7 if you have a model below that? It feels like you are. In recent years, it has become a trend among college students and millennials as a whole to buy the newest technology as it comes out. Millennials are the top users of smartphones in the United States, and a total of 43 percent of smartphone users use Apple’s iOS operating system. The focus should be on the iPhone 8 because let’s be real–we are broke college students. If we upgrade, which most of us should not since we do not have the money to, we will most likely be looking at the cheaper option. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 look almost identical from the front. Just a tenth of an inch separates the dimensions of the two phones with the 8 being slightly larger.
First-yea r students shou ld avoid on line classes By Spencer Kain Staff Writer
I did not know what to expect when I signed up for two online classes entering my freshman year of college. While I had never had a class where all the lectures, assignments and projects were entirely done online with minimal instructor interaction, I was open to try a new way of learning. After three weeks of experiencing my first online classes, I want to warn all students, especially first-year ones, to be very wary of selecting an online course. It is best to avoid them altogether. Lectures are an integral part of the learning experience and seeing a professor explain the material in depth is incredibly beneficial. As a visual and auditory learner, I thrive in a classroom environment where I am able to follow along with my professor as they delve into the subject that they are teaching. In a classroom environment I focus not only on what the professor is teaching, but how they teach it.
Most people find that seeing what they are learning is beneficial for their needs as well. A majority of online classes are hosted in Blackboard which brings about a whole new set of problems. The Blackboard system has its own issues as is, and those are especially highlighted in online classes. In an online class, students are essentially on their own in regards to learning the material and making sure the required course material is finished in a timely manner. This is a crucial part of being a student, but deadlines can be hazy at times, and without weekly face-to-face communication with a professor, some can go unnoticed to a busy student. These courses require the student to take on more responsibility than if they were to be in a traditional classroom setting. Contrary to how high school teachers nag their students about being independent, it is actually helpful to have a professor audibly remind you of assignments and tests that are due instead of completely relying on an online program.
Illustration by Max Raign
On paper, they are practically the same, but Apple is promising upgrades. It feels as if we have hit a plateau in smartphones. The iPhone 7 was a great installment of the iPhone. It is still the fastest phone on the market until the three new editions of the iPhone come out. So is it really worth ponying up the money Apple wants for the 8 and the X? No. If you own an iPhone 7, stick with that. If you own an iPhone 6 or below, upgrade to an iPhone 7 or 7plus, which will drop in price soon. But we know all over campus, the iPhone 8 and X will be popping up left and right. People have to have the latest technology, but you can save your money on this one. It is the smart move in the long run. Trust us.
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Op-Ed: Denton’s Confederate statue must come down from its perch
While some may call this irresponsible or neglectful, I call it resourceful and collaborative since an instructor provides college students with an extra aid to alleviate their already heavy workload. While many students are ready to be independent as first-years, others may need more of an adjusting period, one that online courses do not provide in the student’s new environment. In short, online classes are a nuisance. I highly encourage to avoid taking them first year of college. While most freshmen think they are ready for that level of independence, they will quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Get familiar with face-to-face lectures and personal interaction with your professors. I promise it will help your freshman year run smoother if you have the time to go and sit in a lecture and let your professor do the teaching rather than trying to play the role of both student and instructor as you scramble to finish the course to the best of your ability.
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A new glass back on the iPhone 8 will allow for wireless charging using Apple’s new charging pad, sold separately, and a chance to crack more than the front of your phone. The design is still practically the same from the 7, as the headphone jack is still missing and TouchID is still a feature on the 8 while the X can scan your face like some kind of sci-fi movie. The iPhone 8 does not improve its brightness and contrast from the iPhone 7, but does add a “true tone” look to colors in the display to ensure color balance in any ambient light. With Apple’s new A11 chip, the 8 is supposedly 25 percent faster than the 7. But the iPhone 7 was already the fastest smartphone on the market, and it was crazy fast. The 8’s camera boasts a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization plus a seven megapixel, f/2.2 camera on the front – identical to the iPhone 7.
By Jordan Villarreal SGA Senator Editor’s note: UNT Student Government Association recently discussed a resolution to have the city of Denton remove the Confederate statue from the Denton Square. SGA Senator Jordan Villarreal, who is spearheading the effort, wrote an op-ed to explain the group’s stance. The horror that transpired at Charlottesville — the carnage, the violence, the racist chants — all stemmed around the planned removal of a Confederate statue at the University of Virginia. The monument became a rallying symbol for the white nationalists, the neo-Nazis and members of the now infamous alt-right. We cannot let the same thing happen here. Our city cannot be the next setpiece for whatever bloody white nationalist rally may follow Charlottesville. If you think it will not happen here, in a city so ostensibly progressive, then you are partially right. It will not happen here because it is already happening. In mid-August, a dozen neoConfederates, from an out-of-state organization, decided to pay our town center a visit. They brought with them semi-automatic weapons and Dixie battle flags. Groups from around the country will now use our great and fair city as a launching ground for perverse agendas. Forgetting for a moment that
the nearest battle to Denton County was over 350 miles away at Sabine Pass, you might say the statue itself simply represents the lives lost in the war? Maybe no sinister or malevolent motive exists for its creation? Sadly, this assumption would be entirely wrong. The United Daughters of the Confederacy commissioned Denton County’s Confederate memorial in 1918, 53 years after the last battle of the Civil War. The UDC perpetuated and cultivated the new, “Lost Cause” philosophy during the Jim Crow era. They portrayed the Confederacy’s acts as heroic and downplayed the impact and extent of slavery during the secessionist era. They even went so far as to state it was, “erected… in memory of the Confederate soldiers, who in heroic self-sacrifice and devoted loyalty gave their manhood and their lives to the south in her hour of need.” The statue, and its engraving, offer nothing of historical or artistic worth. It is a massproduced, cheaply made propaganda piece from a bygone era. Some of you may argue that a “few” bad eggs using a historical memorial for their lost cause should not lead to the statue’s removal from county grounds. You may be told that the memorial is part of history, that the Confederacy was truly a noble cause or that the slavery wasn’t the catalyst for secession and the Civil War. These revisionist sentiments are all categorically false, and can easily be dismissed with proper historical and contextual facts. The Confederate States of America was founded specifically and explicitly for the preservation of slavery, particularly the enslavement of
African-Americans. This is not my opinion or callous inference, this is what the government and states claimed when the seceded. In Texas’ Declaration of Causes of Secession, slavery is mentioned 21 times throughout the document. With regards to this, and since everything must be bigger in the Lone Star State, the writers of the clause state that, “We hold as undeniable truths that the governments of the various States, and of the confederacy itself, were established exclusively by the white race, for themselves and their posterity…” Does not sound like a war for states’ rights and individual liberty to me. Lest you think it was just Texas, Alexander Stephens, the vice president of the Confederate States of America, and the moderating force in the Confederacy’s executive branch concretes this idea. “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that [blacks] are not equal to the white man,” Stephens wrote. “Slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.” The statue, its creators and the cause it glorifies do not stand in line with UNT’s values. It runs contradictory to our values and beliefs as Americans. It stands firmly against the notions of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If we truly want to progress as a society, if we want to move past this relic of hatred, then the statue must come down from its perch.
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