North Texas Daily 1-21-16

VOL. 106 No.1 DENTON

BSU joins coalition on race

A MONTH OF TRAGEDY

By Chelsea Watkins Staff Writer @chelloo UNT’s Black Student Union will partner with the Denton Together Coalition, a group that explores race relations and issues in Denton, to serve as the link between the student body and Denton leaders.

Denton Mayor Chris Watts officially established the coalition in November 2015.

Members include representatives from UNT, Texas Woman’s University, North Central Texas College, Denton’s League of United Latin American Citizens, the county NAACP, the Denton police department and other school districts in the area. And now with the BSU included, its findings can flow directly to the UNT student body.

BSU President Lauren Hardgraves sees the coalition taking steps toward meaningful and restorative changes in the community.

“The coalition’s efforts are not patronizing in any way,” she said.

“Being next to a group like that is beneficial for everyone in the city. Now students not only have a voice at UNT, but also a voice in Denton.”

The BSU hopes to sponsor a town hall meeting on campus, Hargraves said.

“In the future, the coalition hopes to have more students present at meetings and assisting in planning various unity programs throughout the year,” she said, volunteering BSU to be the catalyst to that exchange.

SEE DENTON ON PAGE 2 WEATHER

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@ntdaily @thedose_ntdaily @ntd_sports

#Suicide Squad

The first official trailer for the DC Comics film premiers Tuesday night during Legends of Tomorrow.

#HSM10

The original cast of High School Musical reunites for a special broadcast on Disney Channel for the film’s 10th anniversary.

#Sarah Palin

Palin blames Obama’s tratment of veterans for son’s arrest, endorses Trump.

#Pokemon20

The Pokemon Company and Nintendo kick off the 20th anniversary of the series with remastered films, games and more.

EDITORIAL ON PAGE 6

BAN THE BOYCOTT

RECOVERY

Founding Mayborn dean, residents recuperate after tornado

By Matt Payne Copy Editor @MattePaper

Photo collage of students at Sara Mutschlechner’s candlelight vigil, left, and the crime scene at the corner of Oak and Fry streets where Ryan McMillan was shot and killed by UNT police. Photos by Kristen Watson | Visuals Editor and Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

Sorority sister killed on New Year’s Day

By Sarah Lagro Senior Staff Writer @lagroski

Sara Mutschlechner, 20, a sister of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, was a designated driver in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day when she was shot and killed by someone from an SUV while traveling on North Elm Street.

Denton police said Eric Johnson, 20, has confessed to holding the gun that fired two rounds into Mutschlechner’s car, hitting her in the head and causing her to crash into a utility pole.

Johnson, the police said, remains in custody at the Yuma County Detention Center in Yuma, Arizona, after U.S. Marshals arrested him for murder. On Jan. 5, authorities found him at a base where he was stationed as a U.S. Marine.

“Investigators were confident that Johnson was the lone shooter,” Denton police officer Shane Kizer said.

The Marines have since discharged Johnson, who has been cleared to be brought back to Texas. His criminal trial in Denton County courts has not begun.

Denton authorities said Johnson was driving the grey SUV, which was recovered by police, while men from inside the SUV shouted sexually-charged comments at Mutschlechner and her female passenger. Two men in the backseat said they didn’t like the way the men inside Johnson’s Honda Pilot were talking to the women in their car.

Police said the key to arresting Johnson was through social media.

His Twitter handle and alias, @SantanaSage, provided clues to his whereabouts.

Police said Johnson wished for them to relay his sympathies to Mutschlechner’s family, friends and sorority sisters.

SEE CRIME ON PAGE 2

Sophomore shot and killed by UNT police

By Tiffany Ditto Staff Writer @TiffanyDitto

In the midst of winter break, sophomore Ryan McMillan was shot and killed by UNT police Cpl. Stephen Bean, 27, in the early morning hours of Dec. 13 on the corner of Fry and Oak streets. He had just finished his first semester at the university.

McMillian, 21, was seen walking through the U-Center parking garage wielding a small axe. According to residents and police, McMillan was using the axe to shatter car windows.

After making his way through the parking garage, McMillan traveled to the street where police approached him.

He was one of 15 UNT students who died in 2015, the university said.

The dash camera footage, released by police on Dec. 15, shows McMillan holding the axe while walking in Bean’s direction.

Bean is seen ordering McMillan to stop approaching him six times.

McMillan kept advancing and yelled, “Shoot me! Just shoot me!”

The encounter lasted about 22 seconds. Bean fired multiple shots, and McMillan was taken to Denton Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Joshua Meehan, a UNT biology senior and U-Center resident, saw a majority of the events unfold from his balcony.

“My roommates and I were watching a movie when we heard the shots,” Meehan said. “We stood on our balcony and watched.

I saw people in the street yelling at the officers as they tried to clear the street.”

Meehan said medics arrived within 15 minutes of the shooting and police had blocked off the street.

“I would say that it took about 15 to 20 minutes for the medics to

SEE POLICE ON PAGE 2

BROADCASTER

Former Dallas Stars broadcaster Ralph Strangis returns to UNT as student

By Reece Waddell Senior Staff Writer @ReeceTapout15

TRENDING

NTDAILY.COM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

Despite four previous dropouts while pursuing his bachelor’s degree, former Dallas Stars playby-play broadcaster Ralph Strangis is giving it another go at UNT. And even though he’s 54 years old and a dozen years removed from his last class, the former voice of the Stars is still young at heart.

“I’ll probably wear my Led Zeppelin T-shirt and go shop for bongs,” Strangis said jokingly.

“I’ve been getting some funny social media requests saying, ‘Hey we’re going to have a party. Do you want to come by?’”

While Strangis said attending class is his top priority, he isn’t going to miss his chance to receive the full college experience.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if he’d accept the invitations to parties. “Heck yes. Are you kidding me? Why wouldn’t I? I’m in college, for crying out loud. It’s the fountain of youth.”

The commitment to education is apparent for Strangis, as he returns to college after reaching what many would consider to be the pinnacle

of success for a sports broadcaster.

Not even two and a half decades of announcing professional hockey was enough to quench Strangis’ thirst for knowledge.

It’s the same passion for scholarship Strangis hopes to one day instill in students—as a professor.

“I think I have a lot to offer younger people in terms of advice, information and guidance,” Strangis said. “I’ve always thought I would be a good teacher. I’ve done some of that in the past. I’ve guest lectured a ton. I even cotaught a class a dozen years ago at UNT.” The calling to teach became evident to Strangis a few years ago when he said he felt a push out of his old life. Once he was sure he wanted to pursue it, Strangis knew the next step was completing his undergraduate degree in applied arts and sciences.

With only 33 hours needed to complete his degree, Strangis is taking five classes this semester: two U.S. history courses, one political science and two online leadership classes. He has even designated Tuesdays and

SEE BROADCASTER ON PAGE 7

Ralph Strangis poses in front of the Union. The former Dallas Stars play-by-play broadcaster has decided to attend UNT again after four previous attempts to obtain his bachelor’s degree. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

The North Texas cold front on the evening of Dec. 26 brought more than a 30-degree drop for Mitch Land and his family.

Several of Mitch’s family members gathered at their recently-built home in Rowlett, awaiting the couple’s D-FW Airport arrival from Virginia.

The fully-furnished home was part of a new residency upon their retirement.

Neither Mitch nor his wife Lea are strangers to the North Texas locale. Not only are the Lands UNT alumni, but Mitch is also the founding dean for the Mayborn School of Journalism.

Upon arrival at D-FW airport from Virginia, Mitch received a text from his daughter, MaeBeth.

“When she told me what happened, I thought she was playing a game,” Mitch said.

A pitch-black sky, the screaming blare of sirens and a rattling garage door.

Mitch and his wife had anticipated an evening of opening Christmas gifts and catching up with family members usually located far apart. Among the 22 relatives gathered in their recently-constructed Rowlett home, Mitch and Lea were most excited to see their son Andrew for the first time in four years.

Their plans were drastically

SEE RECOVERY ON PAGE 5 SAFETY

Campus carry policy under review, restrictions pending

By Evan McAlister & Haley Yates Senior Staff Writers @evan_Mcalister @Haleysocoollike The university’s campus carry policy is under review by the Board of Regents and could set up restrictions for those visiting the campus.

But it acknowledges concerns from those opposed to the Texas law.

The preliminary policy establishes gun-free zones, allowed by the Texas Legislature.

People will not be able to carry at the UNT Police Department, nor will there be weapons where minors are present, like McConnell Hall or the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center.

The university hopes guns will not be allowed at sporting events, but CHL holders will be able to carry at sports arenas when games are not being played. UNT does not want CHL holders to carry at the University Union.

“I would prefer not having CHL on campus, but that’s not an option,” UNT president Neal Smatresk said. “That said, I think we have done the best we can, and after this is applied, like many other things in life, it’ll just become part of the background and we won’t really be thinking about it a lot.”

Based on the current draft, students with a CHL who live on campus will be required to keep their handguns in a safe inside their room. Parents and non-residents must keep their firearms on them at all times and

SEE SAFETY ON PAGE 3

NEWS Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

Texas Rangers investigating student-police shooting POLICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

arrive, but it could have been much sooner than that,” he said.

“It just seemed like a long time because the situation made it seem like it took forever.”

Meehan said he doesn’t feel any less safe on Fry Street but is shaken by the event.

“Even though it didn’t affect me personally,” he said, “one guy stood out [to me] in particular…he was just sitting in the middle of the street sobbing and yelling, ‘you shot him! He didn’t have a gun, why the f--k did you shoot him?’ over and over again.”

The case was immediately handed over to the Texas Rangers. Bean has been placed

on administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted, a routine process for police-involved shooting investigations. That inquiry is not complete, and authorities are not forthcoming about timelines of such projects.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ordered a toxicology report in the autopsy of McMillian’s body, but it could take until February to get the results.

People who knew McMillan said, after watching footage and hearing witness accounts, that he wasn’t himself that night, and friends recalled him as a kind spirit.

Because of McMillan’s

call for Bean to shoot him, a conversation has emerged on police-assisted suicide, a subject UNT alumna and now national certified counselor Elaine Cooper described as complicated.

“There are a variety of factors that lead to suicide, most frequently depression and sometimes rage as well,” Cooper said. “The method of any suicide is determined by both availability of a means and the personality of the individual. In cases of police-assisted suicide there are victims on both sides of the situation and it also has ripple effects that impact the surrounding community

creating fear, hurt, and confusion.”

She added that in situations where victims use police to carry out the suicide, it becomes difficult to understand the roles everyone plays in the event.

“One of the challenging and complicated aspects of policeassisted suicide is that the person who engages in this type of self-harm has by definition gone from being a victim to being a perpetrator,” Cooper said. “An individual trying to provoke a lethal response by threatening a police officer or a civilian with a weapon, even if unloaded or fake, has also committed a crime.”

McMillan’s childhood

friend, Sergio Martinez, a media arts junior, reminisced on memories shared.

“Ryan was a human just like the rest of us,” Martinez said.

“All who were closest to him know him by the kind heart he had.”

Martinez said he and McMillan grew up together and described him as “[his] first real friend.” Martinez remembered fifth grade with McMillan, sitting at the lunch table. Their friends would dare McMillan to try all sorts of foods combined together and McMillan would pretend to enjoy it, just so his friends would be the grossed out ones.

“He was accepting of all

people and was easy going,” Martinez said. “I know that to be true.”

Martinez posted a tribute to McMillan on his Facebook the day of his death. The post read: “When you were nine and I would visit, you would run around the house and chase me with one of your pet birds.

When you were 10 and I saw you cry for the first time after hitting your head on the corner of a dry erase board. When you were 11, we would ride on buses back to south hi mount.

You were my first real friend and I will keep these memories and hold them close for the rest of my life. Rest in Peace, Ryan McMillan.”

Sara Mutschlechner, 20, killed on New Year’s Day CRIME CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Annie Irwin, one of Mutschlechner’s sorority sisters, said dozens of people visited the ICU at Denton Regional throughout New Year’s Day in support of a friend, classmate and loved one. Irwin had this to say before the candlelight vigil held in Sara’s memory: “I’m absolutely devastated.

Sara was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. [She] always had a smile on her face and never had anything bad to say about anyone. To have this happen to her is horrific.”

Biology junior and friend Douglas Campbell shared a similar sentiment.

“This was the first person in my lifetime to pass away that left me completely devastated,” Campbell said.

“I was with her days before it happened, and even called her that night.”

Campbell said he and many others are pushing toward carrying out Mutschlechner’s legacy. In order to memorialize

her, Campbell got a small cactus tattoo - featuring “Sara” written underneath on his arm, matching a tattoo she had.

“I have a lot of dumb tattoos, but this one actually means something to me,” Campbell said. “It makes me happy to look down and see it, because she loved her little cactus. She touched so many during her time with us, so it’s not a memorial tattoo of her death, but of her life and legacy.”

Dean of Students Maureen McGuinness said an organ donation drive, which invites people to become organ donors, will be held the week of Valentine’s Day to honor Mutschlechner.

Mutschlechner’s parents said she was a registered organ donor and continued to help people after she was taken off life-support.

Kayleigh Bywater | Senior Staf f Writer contributed to this report.

North Texas Daily Editorial Board

Editor-In-Chief...................Nicholas Friedman News Editor...............................Dalton LaFerney Arts & Life Editor..........................Erica Wieting Sports Editor......................................Scott Sidway Visuals Editor..............................Kristen Watson Visuals Editor............................Meagan Sullivan Opinion Editor.............................Harrison Long

Production Design Editor........................Hannah Lauritzen Copy Editor......................................Linda Kessler Copy Editor..........................................Matt Payne

Black Student Union joins Denton race coalition

DENTON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

She described race relations in Denton as somewhat strained.

“Denton has recently had to confront a series of racially charged incidents in both our city and the greater North Texas region,” she said. “I believe most of the citizens of Denton are well-meaning [and] have good intentions but we have forgotten to build relationships with one another. Denton has expanded tremendously in a very short period of time.”

Pat Smith, the executive director of Serve Denton and vice-chairman of the coalition, said the group wants to build trust across Denton’s

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Gloria Mutschlechner, Sara’s mother, shares a few words as her husband and Sara’s father, Clay Mutschlechner, far left, looks on from the side during the candlelight vigil held by Zeta Tau Alpha. Kristen Watson | DRC

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multicultural population, ensure racial justice in the community and come up with solutions to the problems.

“The coalition is important because it provides a forum for our community to resolve race relation issue before they make the front page of the paper or the evening news,” Smith said.

The Together Coalition will host three town hall meetings open to the public in February held at different college campuses in the region. They will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 4 at NCTC, Feb. 11 at UNT and Feb. 18 at TWU. The meeting rooms have not yet been specified.

General group meetings are every third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm in the City Council Work Room at City Hall on 215 E McKinney St. They are open to the public.

BSU president Lauren Hardgraves. Colin Mitchell | Senior Staff Photographer “We believe that this is how Denton can holistically address racial reconciliation, genuinely

serving and actively building relationships,” Hardgraves said.

POLITICS

Sheriff Travis not a fan of marijuana decriminalization

By Jynn Schubert Staff Writer @JynnWasHere

Sheriff William Travis condemned the legalization of marijuana as part of his campaign for re-election for Denton County Sheriff and rejected the “cite and release” practice underway in Dallas.

“It is reckless and irresponsible for our government here in Texas to be considering this,” Travis said during a speech posted to YouTube. “I am going to fight very hard to keep it illegal in our state.”

His steadfast opposition to marijuana reform has been on full display lately, as Denton rejected the Dallas police’s experiment, cite-and-release, allowing police to write a ticket to anybody caught with less than 4 ounces of marijuana instead of taking the individual to jail.

With 52 percent of all national drug arrests in 2010 being for marijuana, such a policy could drastically reduce the number of Americans in jail, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

The experiment is allowed

by Texas House Bill 2391,

passed back in September 2007, and could save officers three to four hours by issuing citations mandating that the accused appear in court instead of being taken into jail immediately.

“I’ve heard that the police here in Denton don’t even have the forms to do this type of thing, even though legally speaking, any officer in the state of Texas can just give you a cite and summons for

[possession of marijuana].”

Marshall Williams, Deputy Director of Denton’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said.

Denton County Sheriff William Travis answers a question during a debate put on by the Denton Republican Women’s Club on Jan. 12. Kristen Watson | Visuals Editor

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 3

Campus carry policy under review, restrictions pending SAFETY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 handguns in the room safe.

Universities in Texas must aim to comply with the law while ensuring the public’s safety concerns are met.

Smatresk and the Task Force are developing an internal policy based off the legislation’s suggestions on how to execute campus carry.

“While most people perceive strong negatives associated with this in universities, we should be aware that if there are situations that arise, we should be ready to use them to our advantage, as well as any other means available to us,” Smatresk said.

The Task Force is currently working on a series of trainings on crisis and conflict management in the event of a CHL-related emergency. Smatresk hopes students will take advantage of programs that will allow them to be proactive about their personal safety and awareness.

“We hear students cry for help and sometimes that’s more serious,” Smatresk said. “Sometimes it’s whimsical, and sometimes it’s urgent and should be attended to.

How we deal with a student that is experiencing that crisis is something that I feel every campus in the United States needs to get better at.”

Some students are concerned about the new law and are fearful

UNT biology freshman Austin Rodgers asks a prepared question during the first town hall style forum on campus carry.

Kristen Watson | DRC about weapons being allowed on campus.

“I’m personally not a fan of campus carry,” converged broadcast media junior Olivia Flores said.

“When I found out that it passed, I was terrified. No guns on campus, except for those on policemen, would make me feel safe.”

Smatresk also believes more officers visible on campus will enhance the community’s sense of security.

“We want to make sure that our campus officers are visible,” he said. “I believe that chief Reynolds runs an incredibly professional and very good organization for college students.”

EDUCATION

State approves UNT retail degree to meet national demand

By Sarah Sarder Staff Writer @sarderrr

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved UNT’s move to introduce a bachelor’s of science degree in retailing, reflecting the demands of the industry and underscoring UNT’s desire to fulfill regional and national job needs.

It will be the first in the United States of its kind to include a focus in merchandising and digital operations. Students can start taking the courses in fall 2016.

Another degree, one in public health, will be offered as well.

The new retail program will be the fourth degree option offered by the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism. The program comes as a welcome addition to complement the current retail-oriented degrees offered by the department, namely digital retailing, home furnishing merchandising and traditional merchandising.

“Our hope is to fulfill a void that exists in the North Texas area and to become a feeder for store management training programs, since there is a need for people coming out of school that are current on the impact of

digital space too,” said Richard Last, senior director of the Global Digital Retailing Research Center.

Students majoring in retailing won’t be the only ones who could benefit from the degree. UNT will be adding three new classes along with the major: retail finance, advanced buying and planning, and retail strategies.

Sophomore Lindsey Lotze is already planning on taking these classes as electives to complement her merchandising and digital retailing double major.

“I want to make the most of being here at this school, and utilizing the tools that it’s

equipping me with, to come out the strongest that I possibly can be,” Lotze said. “Using the classes as electives will allow me to fit them into my schedule.”

The recently-approved program will allow students to pursue a variety of new options in retail careers.

The public health degree UNT also hopes to educate a generation of public health professionals to offset the projected deficit of health care workers in the near future. The new public health program is set to equip students to succeed in a

changing job market.

While the College of Education already offers programs focused on specialized aspects of public health, the new program will encompass the entire discipline.

The Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation has added two new classes with the introduction of this degree: introduction to public health and introduction to global health.

“It’s a very interdisciplinary degree, which really makes us unique because students get to engage with professors and departments all across campus,” associate graduate faculty and

lecturer Dr. Jennifer Edwards said. “We orient our students toward what skills they will need to be public health practicing professionals.”

Chantel Coleman, a sophomore at Tarrant County College, will be transferring to UNT next semester in order to take advantage of the new public health program.

“What interests me is the administration aspect of it,” Coleman said. “I was looking for a degree that was going to be very beneficial in the health care administration field because I really want to work in hospitals, and this will fit me perfectly.”

CAMPUS GOVERNMENT

SGA hopes to remain active during slow spring semester

By Lisa Dreher Staff Writer @lisa_dreher97

Student Government Association is determined to have an active semester, unlike previous spring semesters when the governing body tended to not get a lot of stuff done, SGA president Adam Alattry said.

Alattry said he will make it clear that student legislators will follow its mostly productive fall semester with more strides in progress for the student body.

“I want at least 40 pieces this semester,” Alattry said. “I think that each and every senator is capable of doing their duties.”

Three bills and one amendment to the bylaws of SGA’s student constitution were passed in fall 2015.

Last semester, SGA moved to resolve a long-standing representation problem by abolishing the SGA House. The problem continues this semester, but in 2016 the question is whether a senator who changes majors should represent their previous college or represent the college of the new major. In a November SGA Senate meeting, senators clashed over which college should be represented in such a situation.

“You were elected into your seat because you had a platform for that college,” College of Arts and Sciences senator Owen Saenz said. “You have to stay in your seat until eligible to be relocated at the end of term.”

Because the SGA House had represented student organizations,

meetings once a month between the orgs and SGA will commence to ensure those groups are still heard in the halls of the student government.

“For the entirety of last semester, I was trying to figure out a way to get all of the organizations together because there are over 450 on campus,” SGA director of campus outreach Mikayla Barnes said.

Barnes spoke with Billy Poer, former speaker of the SGA House who suggested the idea, knowing there would be a need to solve the representation puzzle for the organizations. Representatives and executive leaders will learn about the resources SGA and Student Activities provide, including OrgSync, the Eagle’s Nest Fund

and travel grants.

Alcohol in the Union SGA’s biggest priority this semester? For Alattry, it’s whether to allow alcoholic beverages to be served in Fuzzy’s Taco shop in the Union. A referendum was drafted last semester but not voted on. Student legislators have been quiet about plans on this issue, but SGA officials have said it will be resolved soon.

“I think the alcohol resolution is going to be biggest monster we have to overcome,” Alattry said. “We’re fortunate that we worked so hard this past semester drafting and researching that at the beginning of the semester we can hit the ground running and go from there.”

Honoring UNT’s fallen students Another project is the Fallen Eagle’s Ceremony to memorialize students who have died. SGA has created a committee to revamp the program and are working with the university’s music department to create a song similar to “Silver Taps.” The tune is played at Texas A&M University for students who have died.

“We’re trying to make it more intimate and making it more so for active students and active faculty and staff,” Alattry said.

Again, voter turnout is an issue For upcoming senatorial, vice presidential and presidential elections, Alattry hopes to raise the student voter turnout from 3

to “at least 10 percent” through student outreach strategies. In last semester’s vote to remove the SGA House, about 0.6 percent of the student body participated in the referendum.

From Jan. 27 to 29, SGA and student-run political groups will pass out registration cards in a voter registration drive at Library Mall. Those present are the College Democrats, International Socialist Organization, Young Americans for Liberty, Young Conservatives and College Republicans.

“Every year in Denton county elections, about less than 8 percent of people who go are college-aged, so we’re trying to increase that number and get students more politically involved,” Alattry said.

ARTS & LIFE Page 4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

PEOPLE

Whispers of hope: Dax’s procedure shows promise

By Matt Payne Copy Editor @MattePaper As the Thakkers awaited the arrival of their family’s ear, nose and throat doctor, mother Lisa enthusiastically tapped a thumb and her index fingers together next to her son Dax’s ear.

Dax had a faint quirk in his eye. His mother wore an eager smile.

“A few months ago, he couldn’t hear a thing,” Lisa said. “Now he can hear it when

I come up really close. I think we’re in a really good spot.”

In the same building where the first of a series of surgeries took place on a rainy Halloween evening, parents Lisa and Anooj Thakker found themselves anticipating the follow-up appointment for their 7-year-old son Dax, who is currently undergoing treatment for an ear condition that affects only a handful of people: congenital cholesteatoma.

The Thakkers have a reason to hope for favorable

circumstances since the family’s status this past fall.

Things before Dax’s operation in October were precarious and uncertain, but Dax’s parents now have reason to start hoping for the best in the reparation of his hearing.

Lisa and Anooj began to deliberate on the possible results of their appointment as they waited for Dr. Paul Bauer, Dax’s practitioner, who has 20 years of experience in the ENT field. During the past three months of living with cloth packing protecting Dax’s

ear as it recovered, the child and his parents were warned to stay away from strenuous activity. The prosthetic pieces in Dax’s left ear would risk the chance of damage.

Despite these precautions, Dax’s father Anooj doesn’t think Dax’s daily routine has been hurt.

Since Christmas day over the past winter break, the 7-year-old’s latest vice has been a “super-rad” bicycle, complete with a metal rod on the rear tire that makes sparks f ly upon forcible contact to

Dax and his mother Lisa Thakker smile at each other after receiving the good news that his eardrum looks great after looking at X-ray results.

Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer pavement. Between soccer, elaborate Minecraft mods and persistent couch gymnastics with his younger sister Olive, Dax is known to many as “quite the daredevil.”

“I wouldn’t say he’s missed out on anything,” Anooj said.

“Sometimes we hardly ever think about his condition. And you can’t even tell he has it.”

Now, Bauer had arrived to perform the removal of the packing and led him and his parents to the procedure room.

Lisa was close to her son’s side throughout the entire 15-minute procedure, through every one of Dax’s moans of pain.

Following the meticulous removal of the pad, Dax’s ear completely exposed, Bauer announced he was impressed by the progress.

“It’s notable how well his ear has started to return to a state of normalcy,” Bauer said.

Bauer then led Lisa, Anooj and Dax to the X-ray room, which afforded a closer look into the structural integrity of Dax’s left eardrum.

Bewildered, the practitioner performing the scan on his

Lisa and Anooj Thakker hope for good news while Dr. Paul Bauer, left, removes the cloth packing from Dax’s ear.

Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

ear had to exchange a few words with Bauer. The ear’s condition seemed too normal.

“What am I supposed to be looking for again?” the practitioner said.

From the minor cues of subtle tapping next to his left ear and the follow-up appointment just completed, it can safely be said that Dax’s left ear, recovering from the presence of a malignant tumor deteriorating his eardrum, is showing startling signs of promise in recovery.

So much so that Bauer has started to question the possibility of actually needing to perform a traditional surgery. Dax will have a checkup prior to the planned surgery in April to determine whether operation is necessary.

Nevertheless, Bauer remains cautiously skeptical. Although the success rate for Dax’s full recovery remains notably high, no standard procedure has been ruled out.

“I’m the eternal pessimist,” Bauer said. ”I’m not happy until we’re good years down the road.”

SCIENCE

Illuminating an unknown realm at the Perot in Dallas

By Erica Wieting Features Editor @EricaWootang One step through a set of sliding double doors brings a complete sensory change.

The room is dark, but lighted exhibits guide one’s path through displays of diverse, glowing organisms. Ethereal music, softly playing overhead, offers respite from the hubbub of conversation and crowds of people filling the halls in the surrounding museum.

“Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence” is the current traveling exhibit at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Until Sunday, Feb. 21, displays of luminous fireflies, glowworms and marine life will inhabit a space in the eco-friendly building.

“It’s been an interesting way for people to not only learn about bioluminescence as a whole, but how it’s different from more glow-y

things, like glow-in-the-dark stickers, that they might be more familiar with,” Eveline Kuchmak, manager of temporary exhibits at the Perot, said. “And how we can see bioluminescence in the world around us.”

Kuchmak said bioluminescent organisms use chemicals to emit light and are able to do so in complete darkness. Other lightcreating organisms are fluorescent and create light through energy, so they need a source of light to draw from.

There are various reasons each organism might want to glow, including mating rituals, communication and camouflage.

In addition to displaying the organisms’ environments and how they produce light, the installation aims to educate viewers about these motives.

Divided into six sections, the program is curated by the

American Museum of Natural History. It has visual as well as interactive elements, including touch screens, microscopes and an immersive cave environment simulation.

“We need people to be excited to learn about science and nature,” said Krista Villarreal Moore, senior public relations and communications manager at the Perot. “And the way that they do that best is if it’s something fun, if it’s something they can touch and see and apply to their real lives.”

Because the majority of bioluminescent organisms cannot be captured, Kuchmak said large, detailed models make up much of the displays, rather than living things.

Beginning with a giant manmade mushroom and a largerthan-life overhead firefly model, the subjects of the exhibit’s first displays could be found in an

A display shows various objects that are naturally fluorecscent in the Creatures of Light exhibit at the Perot Musuem of Nature and Science.

Kristen Watson | Visuals Editor American backyard. To stroll through the glowworm caves of New Zealand and the lagoons of Puerto Rico brings one to a section featuring the Cayman Islands, home to a variety of translucent sea dwellers.

“The crystal jellyfish are really neat,” Kuchmak said. “The cool thing about the crystal jellies is that they bioluminesce and they fluoresce because of a special protein that doctors actually use to track toxins in the body.”

Located near the end of the journey is the darkest section of all. Residing here is one of the few live instillations of the exhibit: a school of small, underwater creatures called flashlight fish.

Twenty of the blinking animals reside within the watery depths of an aquarium. Under each eye, the fish have pockets of glowing bioluminescent bacteria.

They communicate using what Kuchmak called a “shutter mechanism,” which turns the pockets around and hides the light, causing a flashing effect.

The fish are viewed through two windows to reduce their exposure to light and sound, which Kuchmak said the creatures are extremely sensitive to.

Each of the museum’s

Fireflies underneath a magnifying glass at the Creatures of Light exhibit.

Kristen Watson | Visuals Editor approximately 300 employees contributed to the exhibits in his or her own way, Moore said. This particular instillation was achieved with help from the AMNH. “It’s got this look that’s allencompassing,” Moore said. “It’s just amazing how completely they transform things.”

Nearly a year and a half of planning went into bringing the instillation to the Perot Museum, but the resulting four months of education and enjoyment have been

well worth it to those who labored to make it happen.

“The reason we have these traveling exhibitions is we like to bring fresh things that people can learn,” Moore said. “Our mission is to inspire minds through nature and science.”

The next temporary exhibit at the Perot Museum, entitled “Eye of the Collector,” will begin Saturday, April 16. It will be the museum’s first self-curated temporary exhibit.

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 5

Founding Mayborn dean, residents recuperate after tornado RECOVERY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

changed when a category EF-4 tornado ripped through the town, leaving over $1 billion in damages and 11 dead. In the aftermath of the Rowlett tornado, the Lands’ house was completely destroyed.

“You never think something so disastrous like this will actually happen to you,” Mitch said. “My heart especially breaks for those who lost their lives.”

Through the initial whiplash of the storm, the family huddled in one of the home’s hallways outside the laundry room. The roof was torn off. What Mitch’s family described was far longer than the actual two minutes. All the 22 could do was brace each gust of wind tearing the home asunder in the 4-feet by 15-feet hallway and hope.

Two minutes passed. The family of the Lands were in the eye of the storm. They gathered what they could and fled to the home of one of Mitch’s sons in Richardson.

Among those killed by the tornado, none of his 22 relatives died or were injured.

Mitch and Lea are currently residing in a hotel located about five miles away from their former home in Rockwall. Because of work obligations, Mitch will have to return to Virginia alone while Lea stays in Texas, working out the situation with their insurance company.

Lea is also staying to aid her daughter, Mae-Beth, whose home was destroyed by the tornado as well.

“All that was lost were material things,” Mitch said. “And I’m just so thankful that everybody made it out OK.”

Another perspective Among those who also faced the brunt of the storm head-on were Fernando Alvizo, his wife, his two daughters ages 6 and 10 and their pet dog and rabbit.

“None of us were expecting the weather to be what it was like,” Alvizo said. “I wanted to be ready for the worst, but I don’t think anybody was ready for the severity that came.”

The Alvizos were visiting the church they attend regularly, Spring Creek Fellowship. Alvizo is a chaplain there. Usually, whenever service is complete, the Alvizos check out with their children in a designated area.

But that day, all children were moved into the church’s auditorium as a precaution for the oncoming severe weather. Parents were told by counselors to either stay while the storm made its way through the city of Rowlett or leave of their own accord. Since the Alvizos live close to the church and had a habit of letting their children visit with their grandparents each week, they decided to leave for the day.

The Alvizos’ Saturday evening preparing dinner with their grandparents as any night after church would be was interrupted by a TV report that the weather was getting perilous. They found themselves hastily speeding to their home and huddled inside a

closet for more than an hour.

As Alvizo’s wife, two children, pets and himself nestled into the safety of the closet’s darkness, Alvizo was stricken by the series of events he did not witness, but heard.

“The wall of the storm sounded exactly like a freight train looming.

There’s no better way to describe it,” Alvizo said. “And once we were in the eye of the storm – silence.

Silence, except for the distinct tearing of the house being torn apart.”

The storm passed. The Alvizos’ closet was intact, but the same clothes inside the closet that had shielded them were now surrounded by debris. The Alvizo family was starting to run out of air.

The succession of events Alvizo and his family went through following the storm were overwhelmingly positive. The family has had good Samaritans in legion spontaneously aid them in salvaging through rubble and providing rides to and from the affected area. One unknown individual dropped $200 in cash into their laps during a bank visit as they established an account for home reparations.

“I feel this disaster has shown the true nature of how we as humans are supposed to act,” Alvizo said. “Instead of feeling defeated, I feel victorious.”

The aftermath The Lands and Alvizos now face reparations and the repercussions

Homeowner Ima Allen embraces volunteer Pam Burge as they salvage personal belongings after the tornado.

Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

of forced separation. Mitch remains resolute, with the aid of hundreds working in tandem with nonprofit organizations like Operation Blessings and the Salvation Army.

Helping empower the several volunteers working with the nonprofits to better serve those affected by the tornado is the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), led by founder Joe Hillis and several other volunteers.

Hillis has been involved in more than 60 recovery efforts. He has witnessed victims recovering from circumstances on a wide spectrum of severity but is surprised by the overwhelming resilience of

Rowlett citizens and their ability to band together.

“These events are always sobering,” Hillis said. “But I’ve never seen so many people come together and tirelessly work to rebuild. It speaks magnitudes to the level of resiliency these people have.”

The ITDRC, an all-volunteer organization, provides a wide array of technology to victims of disaster, including but not limited to computers, mobile phones and wifi hotspots. Hillis’ coalition has also implemented a system not unlike Craigslist for disaster situations.

Victims can post necessities they are looking for, such as clothing,

toiletries and food. Conversely, donors are able to post what they can provide through the system based on the venues the nonprofits are working out of.

There is self-described sorrow for the victims of the tornado that tore through Garland, Rowlett and other areas, and namely, for those who lost their life. Even so, citizens, with the unprompted aid from several hundred individuals, find themselves looking to the future.

“How strong the community has come together to help all who were affected brings me to tears,” Mitch said. “It almost makes going through all of this worth it.”

PEOPLE

UNT police lay out plans for the semester

By Samantha Sullivan Staff Writer @SamElizabethan Efforts by the UNT Police Department are in full swing in anticipation for the rollout of campus carry on Aug. 1, but that isn’t the only concern the department has this semester.

Keeping students and staff up-to-date and educated about safety concerns is a top priority for chief Ed Reynolds and his department of 45 officers this semester. The department was re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in November—something that less than 7 percent of police departments achieve.

Students and housing This semester, there will be new collaborative efforts between the police department, the dean of students and student housing. Students and staff should see an increase in appearances by officers at residence halls giving presentations and handing out

safety and theft pamphlets.

“We’ve worked with [housing] and the Dean of Students office to be in there twice a semester for each dorm,” community relations officer Kevin Crawford said.

The police department hopes their efforts with the Dean of Students and housing will aid in further educating the public about how to protect themselves.

Assistant vice president for Student Affairs Maureen McGuiness has known the chief for 19 years and said her office collaborates with the police department on a daily basis. She said the chief and his department are looking at safety from a holistic perspective and have become customer service-oriented since Reynolds became chief.

“They’re really focused on becoming proactive from different perspectives,” McGuiness said.

But among those who aren’t new to UNT, there’s a chance these changes will go unnoticed.

“I think the students who have been on campus will see the same police presence they’ve seen and been accustomed to,” Reynolds said.

For new students, seeing multiple officers on campus could be alarming, but Reynolds said the increase in security is in the best interest of everyone at the university.

“We want to have a heavier presence on campus,” Reynolds said. “We want to have officers that are on foot patrol and bike patrol, not just riding around in cars. We want you to see them walking through buildings and things like that.”

The heavier presence isn’t because UNT is under any greater threat than it has been in previous years, but so the community can get more acquainted with the department outside of critical situations.

“The more you see them walking through the buildings, the less you think when you see one, ‘I wonder what’s

going on? Why are they here?’”

Reynolds said.

Alcohol in the Union With the decision to serve alcohol at the new Union still looming, Reynolds said he and his department would deal with things in a similar fashion to when Apogee Stadium began serving alcohol in the fall of 2014.

“We actually researched a couple of universities that had already started serving alcohol at their stadiums and found out from them that they didn’t really notice any increase in issues,” Reynolds said. “So we didn’t increase our staff necessarily for that, and we’ve gone two seasons and haven’t had any noticeable issues with the alcohol.”

The department doesn’t anticipate that there will be any major changes to police protocol if licensed individuals are permitted to serve alcohol in the new Union.

Students on campus don’t think alcohol will be much of a problem either.

Denton police chief Ed Reynolds. Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be safe,” said Katie Gibbs, a second-year journalism graduate student. “People can get alcohol anywhere. I don’t think more officers would help.”

Parking and transportation

will remain the same, although the department is anticipating the master plan to be finalized this spring. The department has already started working with a consultant who will make suggestions for the next 10 years.

ACTIVISM

Denton NORML planning for major progress in new year

By Kyle Martin Staff Writer @Kyle_Martin35 It’s a new year, but Caroline Turner, Marshall Williams and Denton NORML will still have to patiently wait until 2017 for the Texas Legislature to reconvene and begin their legislative sessions.

Williams’ recent hashish bill is written and prepared, along with other bills, but neither he nor NORML can make any moves until elections are over and the new House of Representatives is determined.

In the meantime, Turner, a junior at North Central Texas College and president of Denton NORML, and Williams, its vice president, are looking to revamp the organization into a legitimized 501(c)(4) organization. The goal is to be able to focus their efforts on public education through advocacy programs and events.

Any 501(c) organization is a taxexempt nonprofit. Becoming a 501(c) (4) allows Denton NORML to be politically active and use resources to push for their political agenda.

Once granted the title of 501(c)(4), the advocacy group will have more freedom to lobby and advance their efforts as a political organization.

“In the past, our meetings have been about ongoing events, things that are going on now and just sort of general topic stuff,” Williams said.

“We’ve now moved our meetings to be ‘agenda-based’ events.”

Upcoming meetings will include discussion on veteran care, patients and how mature cannabis use could

be used to aid in treatment. Other topics will be the election cycle and understanding how the election process works, which coincides with the Texas Primary Election set for Tuesday, March 1st and the general election, taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Things on the group’s hit list for the coming year include activist seminars, a general push for cannabis education throughout the Denton community and implementing “cite-and-release” county-wide.

According to the Texas Cannabis Report, the policy of “cite-andrelease” has recently picked up momentum in Harris County, which

now implements a mandatory court summons instead of jail time for firsttime offenders caught with less than two ounces of marijuana.

Turner said she is hopeful that the North Texas suburb can adopt the same approach as NORML begins its trek into the new year.

“Our education is our No. 1 priority,” Turner said.

Activism is a significant part of the fight for marijuana legislation reform, which includes lobbying and speaking with local representatives about what changes need to be made and why. Neither Turner nor Williams are strangers to accessing their local legislature.

“One thing you’re definitely going to see out of Denton NORML in 2016 is, while we are a marijuana-focused organization, we’re ramping up for the legislative session in 2017,” Williams said. “So that means this year we’re going to be doing a lot of legislative training.”

The couple and NORML plan to show interested individuals specifically how to approach their representatives and how they can show their voices to the elected officials who are there to represent the people.

“I can really relate to people when talking about it because I can remember very distinctly the

Marshall Williams poses during Denton NORML’s social hour at Oak Street Draft House and Cocktail Parlor on Tuesday.

Kristen Watson | Visuals Editor

first time I ever spoke with my representative,” Turner said. “I remember the first phone call I ever made. I remember the first letter I ever wrote. [It’s important] having people who can relate to those who have never done it before.”

Troy Gattis, 24, has lived in Denton for 13 years and is currently the director of marketing for Denton NORML. He finds local businesses and groups to support their cause, handling the business end of the organization.

After living here for so long, he said he understands the town and its many

inhabitants and believes if there is a Texas town that could make a change, Denton is definitely one of them.

“I just know that the support is here, and it’s truly not being represented,” Gattis said. “I’m hoping that we can get the rednecks, the hip-hoppers, the hipsters, the goths, the geeks and get everyone that we all truly have something in common with and make an actual change.”

Denton NORML will have its next monthly meeting Feb. 13, themed “Understanding Election Season.”

More information can be found on their Facebook page.

OPINION Page 6

FROM THE EDITOR

Letter: A new semester and 100 years of journalistic excellence Nicholas Friedman Editor-In-Chief @NMFreed It’s hard to imagine what the world looked like 100 years ago. World War I raged on, the Titanic had sunk and films were still black and white. And journalists, well, journalists were still putting their noses to the grindstone.

Believe it or not, the North Texas Daily has been around for that long. Starting as The Campus Chat in 1916, the paper moved to regional prominence and has catalogued some of the most influential events of the last century.

Things like the JFK assassination, the moon landing and 9/11 are just a drop in the pool of history, and the Daily was always there to acknowledge, report and chronicle.

And now, 100 years later, I want to keep holding the Daily to those standards, and I believe we’re well on our way to leaving our own footprint. Our move to digital-first has been a challenge, but it’s paid off. We’re engaging through social media, our website has entered the 21st century and we’re passionate about each story we tell.

But it’s not without tragedy.

This winter break was rough, and we all felt it. As a university, we lost two students, and as a region we suffered a natural disaster. There were wrecks, crime and corruption.

But whether we were around

Editor-In-Chief Nicholas Friedman Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor as journalists, community members, leaders or students, we all came together and played our part.

It’s easy to forget about the news at a student newspaper, especially when you write for it.

In years past, the cycle stopped when we checked out for the break, but that’s not the case anymore. We believe it’s our duty to keep you, as our readership – our family – informed and aware, and we hope we were able to do just that.

As we look forward, we don’t want to think about tragedy and loss. We want to think on fond memories, of course, but we must look to the future and what it presents.

In our 100th year as a paper, we want to tell the stories you may have never heard and the ones you want to tell us.

After 100 years, we’re still here, and you’re here with us.

Thanks for sticking around.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

CAMPUS CARRY

Hey, don’t boycott a business for banning open carry The Editorial Board Sitting in a Cowboy Chicken, bathing in the aroma of a spiced rotisserie breast and taking that first bite of “home-on-the-range” style twice-baked potatoes, the last thing one might expect to see is a glock-19 strapped to the waist of the restaurant’s newest patron.

Despite the Wild West feel of the restaurant, there is certainly no chance of an Apache attack around these parts, leaving a puzzled confusion among those in attendance. Continuing on, the sighting is soon forgotten, the side of baked beans vanishing alongside it.

This kind of encounter is sure to become more commonplace as the year goes on. With Texas’ new open carry law having gone in to effect Jan. 1, it is now legal for license-carrying individuals to bolster their weapon on their hip on the property of compliant

venues.

This is where things get tricky.

Although sightings have, so far, been few and far between around the North Texas area, there are many businesses that ask would-be warriors to abstain from the practice on their property.

Calling around, we found many local establishments less than enthusiastic about sharing their position on the matter with a reporter, and many national chains referring us to their national headquarters or website.

Why would an established venue not express its position on a controversial and polarizing issue such as open carry? Is it more likely that we encountered a string of unenthusiastic employees?

Or perhaps these individuals are acting out of their own selfinterest?

Upon a quick search of the web, the source of this ambiguity was quickly found: boycott lists.

The idea of a boycott is to refrain from purchasing or using the services of an establishment for an outside reason - it isn’t a new concept, but the threat to local businesses has seen new life in the passage of open carry.

2aCheck.com, a watchdog website for second amendment activists, maintains a constantly revised boycott list for those venues which have asked its patrons not to bring guns onto their premises.

Not all of these organizations are surprising. Starbucks, Target and Chipotle have all in the past been proven to subscribe to progressive policies. Even the unexpected additions make sense: Whataburger, Waffle House and Hooters all, even if covertly, maintain their image through the glad serving of drunks and boisterous patrons. Why should these chains be punished for, through the practice of common

sense, attempting to avert the same kind of accident that has always been banned inside of bars?

What is concerning about this unabashed blacklisting is that many of those who brazenly and uncompromisingly support the brandishing of guns also claim to be pro-small business. How can this claim stand if the owners of these small businesses are arguably afraid to express their opinion on the matter, concerned the consequences of a boycott might be far more drastic than those against resilient national chains?

In short, it can be claimed with certainty that boycotting a business for asking customers to refrain from conspicuous brandishing of weapons on their person does more to harm those uninvolved than supporting second amendment rights.

It’s time to start picking battles wisely.

OSCARS

#OscarsSoWhite and the need for black representation

By Preston Mitchell Staff Writer @presto_mitch Last week, the Academy Awards nominated 20 white actors and excluded many acclaimed black entertainers for two years in a row. The resulting chagrin sparked the resurgence of the “#OscarsSoWhite” hashtag, criticizing the Academy for being too out-of-touch to recognize diversity in film.

Making matters worse was Spike Lee, a controversial filmmaker in his own right, boycotting the Oscars’ lack of black accolades.

While the hashtag itself is another nonsensical Twitter movement, it is true that Hollywood needs to represent blacks better.

Two of 2015’s best films were “Straight Outta Compton” and “Beasts of No Nation.” Despite being a Netflix endeavor, most critics recognized the cinemalike perfection of “Beasts.” In fact, the biggest Oscar snub in terms of nomination was that of Idris Elba. His performance in the film gave a disturbingly paternal quality to his role as a child soldier leader.

The lack of Elba-love is even more peculiar upon looking at the actual best supporting actor list.

Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Mark Ruffalo and Sylvester Stallone were all outstanding in their respective films. While Mark Rylance was great in “Bridge of Spies,” his performance doesn’t measure up to that of Idris Elba— Rylance could’ve easily been replaced.

With regard to “Straight Outta Compton,” movies released during the summer season are rarely nominated for best picture.

However, “Mad Max: Fury Road” is a May action movie whose unprecedented vehicular stunts and powerful female lead character in Furiosa earned it such a nomination. Also notable is the inclusion of “The Martian,” another excellent blockbuster that grossed nearly $600 million in its run.

That said, the lack of “Compton” admiration is perplexing. F. Gary Gray successfully crafted a music biopic more similar to Scorsesegangster films than the “Ray” and “Walk the Line” mold that everyone was accustomed to.

Best of all, it re-popularized N.W.A. and boasted amazing

performances of its own.

Therefore, only nominating it for original screenplay is doing the film a disservice.

In conclusion, it all boils down to the weak representation of African-Americans in film.

Nominating “Selma” for best picture but not for best director was already a robbery. But continuing that trend at cinema’s most prestigious award show is why Kevin Hart and Marlon Wayans keep making lowbrow entertainment.

Without the Oscars honoring the truly great black films, fewer moviegoers will pay for those films and will use that finance toward the nonsense that they’re already used to.

It’s all mathematics. The Academy just needs to catch up to the product.

TELEVISION

‘Making A Murderer’ and a façade of criminal justice

By Morgan Sullivan Staff Writer @sadsquadch

Illustration of Steven Avery, subject of the popular Netflix series, “Making a Murderer,” which documents his trial. Jake Bowerman | Senior Staff Illustrator COSBY

The ‘Not-so Cosby Show’

By Preston Mitchell Staff Writer @presto_mitch

For the past half-century, Bill Cosby has been an iconic figure in the United States’ comedic pop culture scene.

The observational satire of his stand-up was far ahead of its time, and has influenced countless subsequent comedians. His animated creation “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” was a massive edutainment success in the ‘70s, even earning him a doctorate of education from the University of Massachusetts. Most importantly, “The Cosby Show” single-handedly popularized the image of an intelligent black family within the sitcom medium.

However, it’s difficult to ignore the scope or magnitude of Cosby’s recent sexual assault accusations. Despite defending himself as innocent, some of the charges date back to 1965 - no matter how this situation may come to

pass, Cosby’s image will forever be tarnished by these accusations.

While no part of these tales should be taken lightly, it is important to keep a frame of reference when thinking about Cosby in the future.

Despite the horrid acts the entertainer has allegedly committed, when looking back, the scope of his work and influence should also be taken into account.

While that sentiment may come as a shock to some, it all boils down to something called “separating the art from the artist.”

By human nature, we tend to fixate on the smallest supposition of a man’s despicable acts. I’ve certainly had my fair share of dislike for a celebrity’s persona. In spite of such matters, looking past someone’s misconduct to still venerate their legacy is really important in the field of artistry.

Some could argue that both are inseparable, but that’s not always the case.

Case in point: Mel Gibson. As a person, I think he’s as much of a degenerate as many do. The antiSemitism, homophobia, racism and

By now, most of the country has seen Netflix’s documentary series, “Making a Murderer,” which follows the fate of Steven Avery after he is accused of both murder and rape over the course of 18 years.

The series became an overnight sensation as viewers binge-watched, anxiously awaiting Avery’s fate, even though the events being observed unfurled nearly 10 years ago.

In a flash, everyone with a Twitter account became an expert in the criminal justice system, weighing in on the verdict in the Avery case.

Just as seeing every episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” doesn’t earn one a medical degree, swallowing 10 episodes of “Making a Murderer” doesn’t afford one a law degree.

Though the series is certainly alcohol abuse he’s expressed have given him infamy to say the least.

Nonetheless, the man is still a legend in the cinematic world.

As an actor, he’s given countless stellar performances, even immortalizing “Mad Max” far before Tom Hardy came along. Furthermore, I also appreciate him as a brilliant film director. His classics “Braveheart,” “Passion of the Christ” and even the underrated “Apocalypto” are all risky in theory. Worthy of note, Gibson successfully made historical epics for mainstream audiences that normally aren’t keen on brutal violence or dead languages.

Another example is Michael Jackson, whose allegations of child sexual abuse are forever attached to his image. At the same time, no music lover can deny his immense influence on the craft. Defined as the King of Pop, he spent his entire career mixing and mashing genres to create some incredible, timeless music.

Moreover, his Gene-Kelly-inspired dancing techniques turned the music video into a legitimate art form, which (sadly) few artists take advantage of today.

One can’t simply blame the media, as there was an outpouring of coverage. A case of this caliber should have left more of a mark.

We simply do not care for the legal system when we aren’t hidden comfortably behind our screens.

The criminal justice system is a dark, mangled monster, and we are safely hidden under the covers. The fact is that it is just easier to look away than to face the belly of the beast.

We are easily up-and-arms about cases like Avery’s, ones that strike a nerve, yet we ignore criminal proceedings happening in our own cities.

This is not to suggest that we must sit in on every open trial.

However, we must make a conscious decision to be more involved in our community.

We must ask questions of our judges, our policemen and be more open to the idea of dreaded jury duty.

engaging, it highlights a major concern in modern society: viewing the failings of our criminal justice system as entertaining and only being drawn to action once it has become a major visual production.

Nearly a decade later, it’s almost easy to look back on this case and point fingers as to where we believe the system failed Avery, as a case extending over a year was compacted into 10 one-hour episodes.

The entire program is a prepackaged, microwave-ready form of the criminal justice system and has been shown to leave out many key details in its wake.

So many years later, we have the luxury of hindsight to help cast an overwhelming shadow over the prosecution in this case. This may not have been how the trial itself felt in 2006 - the evidence is presented with a thick layer of omniscience.

We are not living in the moment. we are simply viewing it from a

distance.

It’s easy to complain about food poisoning after you’ve already eaten the food and returned to normal.

The trial, as shown in the series, is meant to entertain an audience while keeping out the monotony of an actual court case.

The evidence the documentary chooses to include is laid out in front of viewers in an easy, understandable way.

It has to be.

Documentaries are meant to educate, but “Making a Murderer” seemed more inclined to entertain.

Judging from the vast number of television shows centered around crime, the American public has a deep-rooted interest in the criminal justice system.

However, that often is simply a façade, and “Making a Murderer” is a good example of this. Why, when the verdict was read nearly a decade ago, do we suddenly care about the Avery case?

It should be stated that in no way should Cosby’s allegations of rape and sexual assault be forgotten or wiped from the public’s view. These acts are despicable to say the least, and will forever be a footnote at the mention of the celebrity’s name.

All that should be considered is the impact that the name Cosby once positively had in the Western world, and his influence on the comedic world cannot be abandoned because of his demons.

Not the first to be stripped from our hearts and certainly not the last, it will be some time before we can return to the Huxtable home without feeling dirty ourselves.

HOT MESS ENDORSES DUMPSTER FIRE - SLATE

SQUIRRELS ON CAMPUS

Comics and cartoons. Jake Bowerman | Senior Staff Illustrator

SPORTS Page 7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

NTDAILY.COM Ralph Strangis was the play-by-play announcer for the Dallas Stars from 1993 to April of 2015.

Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

BACK TO SCHOOL... AGAIN Former Dallas Stars broadcaster Ralph Strangis returns to UNT as student

BROADCASTER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Thursdays to be his “Denton days,” since his three traditional classes fall on those days of the week.

College, however, was not always something Strangis planned as carefully as he does now.

“When I first went to college, I wasn’t that serious about it,” Strangis said. “I never saw college as a necessary step to get to where I wanted to go.

And now for the first time, this is something I have to do if I want to teach.”

Strangis also has a yearning for camaraderie and family— two other keys that factored into his decision to return to UNT this semester. One of the most challenging obstacles Strangis had to overcome when he left the Stars was unplugging from multiple relationships he had with players like Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg and captain Jamie Benn.

“One of the best parts about my old job was how I evolved into this mentor or uncle hanging around these young guys,” Strangis said.

“[Teaching] is just something I’ve always wanted to do. And I don’t know, I think there are some things I could do in the classroom that would be of great interest to young, impressionable minds.”

But leaving the Stars was not an easy decision. Having called numerous historic events, such as the 1999 Stanley Cup Championship, Hall of Famer Mike Modano’s final game and Jamie Benn’s Art Ross Trophy, the list of memorable events tied to Strangis seems endless.

Even with so many

unforgettable moments as a broadcaster, Strangis said he’s ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.

“The Dallas Stars represent my past,” Strangis said. “I don’t want to trip over anything that’s behind me. And, well, it’s nice to have a break. NHL.com contacted me and asked me to write for them again this year.

And I thought, ‘If I do that, I’ll have to pay attention. And I don’t want to pay attention.’”

Aside from school, the plan for Strangis is simple: He doesn’t have one.

Even his decision to leave the Stars was one he described as a few years, if not a lifetime in the making. After broadcasting over 2,000 National Hockey League games, Strangis prefers to take life as it comes: No schedule, no commitments and no strings attached.

One of Strangis’ co-workers from his days with the Stars, Josh Bogorad, said Strangis’ new ambitions come as a surprise. Bogorad, the host of Stars Live on Fox Sports Southwest, worked closely with Strangis from 2013 to 2015 and

had no reservations about how Strangis lives his life.

“He’s Ralph,” Bogorad said.

“And anyone that’s gotten a chance to know him knows what that means. He does things maybe differently than some would, but he does them confidently and he does them well. I think Stars fans were lucky to have [him] as the team’s voice for as long as he was.”

After only two short years of working with him, Bogorad said he believes Strangis would, if nothing else, make an entertaining professor.

“He’s interesting, he’s engaging, and one of his passions has always been dealing with younger people,” Bogorad said. “I think he has some intangibles that if [teaching] is the route he wants to follow, you would be hard pressed to find a more interesting guy to teach you.”

UNT president Neal Smatresk commended Strangis’ commitment to education and agrees that the former play-byplay man would excel in the classroom.

“Someone like Ralph could add real-world savvy and understanding to a curriculum,” Smatresk said. “I think the students would just love it, because he is an insider to the industry.”

As for Strangis, the desire to stay young at heart is an aspiration he strives for every day.

After all, he still sees himself as a spry 24-year-old as opposed to a 54-year-old.

“I like young energy,” Strangis said. “The world is a pretty interesting place, and I think sometimes you can get stuck. And I didn’t want to be stuck. I wanted to try stuff.”

BASKETBALL

Criner takes key role on team after early benching

By Brady Keane Staff Writer @BradyKeane3 For the first six games of the Mean Green women’s basketball season, junior guard Kelsey Criner was the starting point guard and played an integral role in the team’s upset win over No. 17 Oklahoma University.

But just five games later, Criner found herself on the bench for an early December matchup against Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.

Head coach Jalie Mitchell decided

to bench her playmaker after Criner had three straight games with eight or more turnovers, culminating in the team’s worst offensive performance to date in a 45-38 loss to Weber State University the night before.

“I think that told everyone else that she’s normal, that she’s human, and that she’s not perfect,” Mitchell said of Criner’s benching. “I feel like it was a wakeup call not only for her, but also for letting the team know how important that particular position and leadership is.”

With Criner out of the starting

Junior guard Kelsey Criner shoots a jumper during a drill in practice.

Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

lineup, the Mean Green faced a daunting 20-point deficit against IUPUI midway through the third quarter. However, the junior point guard came off the bench and sparked a furious comeback that was capped with what would be a Criner game-winning three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining.

“That really just showed me that I can do great things for the team if I keep my mindset right,” Criner said.

“It was a learning experience.”

Since the benching and subsequent come-from-behind win, Criner’s production has skyrocketed through the last nine games. In a thrilling 100-97 triple overtime loss to Rice University on Jan. 10,, Criner had one of the most explosive performances in program history by racking up 34 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

She was originally credited with the first triple-double in team history, but a stat correction after the game left the junior a single rebound short of the milestone.

Following the historic performance, Criner was named the Conference USA Player of the Week.

“It was really great at the time, but we had lost to Rice so it was not as enjoyable as it was supposed to be,” Criner said. “But it was an honor. If I do the same things I did during the Rice game, I should do it every single game. That’s the kind of mindset I have to keep.”

Although Criner hasn’t matched that same output each game, she has proven to be an all-around threat for the Mean Green. Criner is the team’s leading scorer at 12.5 points per game, second in rebounding with 6.3 per game and first in steals with 2.2 per game.

Criner also leads Conference USA with 5.1 assists per game and has the second best three-point field goal percentage in the conference at 44.7 percent.

“She’s very fun to play with,” junior shooting guard Candice Adams said.

“She’s very energetic, and she likes to push the tempo. I love her game, I love her energy and I love what she brings to the team.”

After transferring to North Texas

from New Mexico Junior College to be a part of Mitchell’s program, Criner almost immediately formed a bond with Adams in the backcourt.

Their chemistry has helped produce a one-two punch that has been pivotal to the success the Mean Green has found in Mitchell’s first season at the helm.

After winning just five games in 2014-2015, North Texas has already exceeded that total with seven wins this season and still has 13 games left in the regular season.

“It didn’t take long,” Adams said.

“It started in practice, but we were on the same team in the basketball madness. It was just like magic and it kind of formed there. Ever since then, things have been rolling with the onetwo punch, and everybody stuck with it.”

Despite this season being her first in a Mean Green uniform, Criner holds an important leadership position on the team. As the point guard, even the most seasoned players on the squad look to Criner for leadership on both the offensive and defensive side of the court.

The high energy Criner displays is contagious and causes her teammates to match her intensity.

“When she’s in the game, our spirits are up. Our energy is up,” senior forward Acheil Tac said. “Her energy out there trickles down through everybody, and it gets us going.”

The Mean Green are currently sitting at 10th place in the C-USA standings, but will have an opportunity to make up some ground with three straight home games, beginning tonight against Middle Tennessee State University at 7 p.m.

Criner is averaging almost 14 points per game at home this season, and her intensity could be crucial for the Mean Green to build momentum moving into the second half of conference play.

“I’m the point guard, and I’m a leader,” Criner said. “It’s an example that I set for my team, and it sets the tone of the game. If they see me hustling and D’ing up, then they want to do the same.”

Junior guard Kelsey Criner laughs after shooting a basket during practice.

Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

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Tennis team returns from fall campaign with fresh start in mind

Former SMU guard and Dallas Kimball standout Keith Frazier has committed to joining the Mean Green, per his former AAU Coach.

A source close to the Mean Green confirmed it’s just a matter of paperwork at this point, and that Frazier is in the process of enrolling.

Football picks up two transfers

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The Mean Green Club will host a meet and greet with head football coach Seth Littrell on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Apogee Stadium. Littrell is expected to review the recruits for the public and introduce his coaching staff. Appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

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Football Signing Day “Meet and Greet”

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Sarah Jaffe - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf Saturday STEM Workshops - 10:00 AM @ Elm Fork Education Cente El Trio Grande with Jesse Dauton, Mike Stinson, and Sunday, January 24, 2016 John Evans - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 = Madaline - 9:00 PM @ Rubber Gloves Denton Sarah Jaffe - 6:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf UNT College of Music Faculty Recital - 8:00 PM @ UNT

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The North Texas softball team was picked to finish 10th out of 12 teams in Conference USA by the league’s head coaches.

Additionally, no Mean Green players were tabbed to the C-USA Preseason team.

#1

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Neil Coburn - 9:00 PM @ Rubber Gloves Denton Graduate Information Session - 12:00 PM @ Webinar Learning 101 Workshop Series- Time Management 12:00 PM @ Sage 315 Thursday, January 28, 2016

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#1

#3

#3

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Learning 101 Workshop Series - Note Taking Tips 12:00 PM @ Sage 315 Wednesday, January 27, 2016

SAVE UP TO SAVE UP TO

Former North Texas goalkeeper Jackie Kerestine received an invitation to tryout for the Western New York Flash of the NWSL. However, Kerestine declined the invitation due to a job offer in a separate field. “I’m ready for the next chapter to start,” Kerestine told North Texas Daily.

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Paul Slavens and Friends - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf Spring 2016 8W1 First Day To Drop With Consent of Instructor Spring 2016 Last Day for 80% Refund UNT College of Music Faculty Recital - 8:00 PM @ College of Music, Voertman Hall Study Abroad 101 - 2:30 PM @ Sage Hall, Rm 237 Tuesday, January 26, 2016

++

Kerestine declines professional tryout

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Monday, January 25, 2016

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With the spring season underway, the Mean Green collected eight wins last weekend in Orlando, Florida at the UCF Invitational. The team comes home Saturday at noon to host Central Arkansas University at the Waranch Tennis Complex.

Thoma said every match matters as much as the next match, but the matches against rival schools within the D-FW region mean the most.

“We want to beat everybody we play against, but going against TCU and UTA will be very important matches,” Thoma said. “I personally know a few people on those teams.

But when we step on the court, we’re not friends at all and want to beat them as much as they want to beat us.”

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and 3-6 in doubles in the fall while winning the Flight B singles championship at the Wild West Shootout II tournament.

The Crimean native is the team’s reigning MVP and was selected as an all-conference second team singles player spring of 2015, when she went undefeated (3-0) in conference play.

“Our seniors are great leaders for our younger players to follow and compete with,” Lama said.

“They’ve helped them get used to the school and playing on this level of competition.”

Last but not least, Valenzuela had a 7-5 singles and 3-6 doubles record in fall play. The Chilean native was No. 1 in U-18 Chilean rankings in 2010 and won the Chile Junior Open in 2011 before playing the last three years for the Mean Green. The senior enters this season after winning her last three matches last spring.

Former Alabama quarterback Alec Morris and Kansas State defensive tackle Bryce English have officially committed to North Texas. Morris, an Allen graduate, won two national championships with the Crimson Tide as a backup and saw action in seven games while in Alabama. English, a DeSoto graduate and redshirt freshman, was highly touted coming out of high school, recording 14 tackles for loss and six sacks his senior year of high school.

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Senior Kamilla Galieva works on her groundstroke during practice Wednesday afternoon.

Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor

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Entertainment Listings Thursday, January 21, 2016 Guy Forsyth - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf The Wee- Beasties -9:00 PM @ Rubber Gloves Denton Learning 101 Workshop Series- Time Management 1:00 PM @ Sage 315 Spring Soar Program: Vulnerability & Leadership - 2:00 PM @ BLB 170 Friday, January 22, 2016 Pageantry Ft. Bosque Brown and Tallows - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf WonderB*tch - 9:00 PM @ Rubber Gloves Denton Spring 2016 Payment Deadline Spring 2016 Schedule Change Deadline Learning 101 Workshop Series- Test Taking Tips - 12:00 PM @ Sage 315 Project Naptural Art Gallery Exhibit - 7:00 PM @ UNT Union Art Gallery Saturday, January 23, 2016

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Entertainment Listings Entertainment Listings

NOWTWO TWO NOW LOCATIONS ! !

LOCATIONS 3969TEASLEY TEASLEY LN. LN. & & 3969

Men’s basketball lands high profile transfer recruit

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Junior Alexis Thoma practices baseline drills during practice Wednesday afternoon. Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor

THE THE

Thursday •M Basketball: @ Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, TN) – 6:30 p.m.

•W Basketball: vs. Middle Tennessee State (Super Pit) – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday •Tennis: vs. Central Arkansas (Denton, TX) – 12:00 p.m.

•M Basketball: @ UAB (Birmingham, AL) – 7:00 p.m.

•Track and Field: Kansas State Indoor Invite (Manhattan, KS) – All day

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The North Texas spring 2016 tennis season has begun, and the Mean Green return from last season as a fresh team with an international recruiting class taking up half of the eight roster spots.

Freshmen Laura Arciniegas (Colombia), Maria Kononova (Russia), Tamuna Kutubidze (Georgia) and Minying Liang (China) all return from the fall season in preparation for the official spring dual schedule from January to May. Arciniegas finished with a 6-6 singles record and 1-2 doubles record in fall play. The Colombian reached a personal best World Tennis Association ranking of 723 in her home country and ranked No. 1 in the Colombia U-16 rankings.

She also holds the No. 1 U-18 Colombia ranking.

“Our freshmen have been really impressive since arriving here and getting used to the school and program,” head coach Sujay Lama said. “They still make little mistakes that younger players make, but they’ve worked on cutting those mistakes down during the fall workouts and matches.”

UPCOMING GAMES

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To cap off the recruiting class, Liang ranked No. 203 in the International Tennis Federation.

She ranked No. 2 in the China U-16 rankings and is currently No. 12 in China U-18 rankings.

Junior Alexis Thoma, the team’s only American player, was 7-5 in singles and 6-4 in doubles matches in fall play. Thoma won the Red Doubles draw at the Oklahoma Invitational alongside senior partner Kamilla Galieva.

Thoma said she has enjoyed working with the freshmen as they prepare for their first spring season together, and she feels excited about the Mean Green’s chances in Conference USA. “The freshmen have had tremendous progress since they joined the team,” Thoma said. “It’s been a night-and-day difference in their game. They don’t even act like freshmen anymore, on or off the court.”

Filling out the rest of the roster spots are the Mean Green’s three senior players: Kamilla Galieva (Russia), Anastasiya Shestakova (Crimea) and Agustina Valenzuela (Chile).

Thoma’s partner, Galieva, had a 9-3 singles record and 7-2 in doubles in the fall. The senior won the Flight B final at the Midland Collegiate Invitational in September and ranked No. 113 nationally in singles last year.

Shestakova went 7-4 in singles

Kononova compiled a 7-6 singles record and 8-4 doubles mark in fall play. At 5’10, the Russian native is the tallest player on the squad and is one of the best doubles players for the Mean Green. Kononova often teams up with Kutubidze, winning the doubles draw with Kutubidze at the Wild West Open Shootout II tournament in November.

Kononova has won five Russian National titles in her pre-collegiate career and has already proven herself as one of North Texas tennis’ biggest threats on the court.

“Maria is a special player,” Lama said. “She has the ability to make every play from any part of the court and continues to improve her game. She’s going to be a great one.”

Kononova said she feels great about her previous accomplishments but knows she needs to keep focusing on improvement.

“I’ve learned a lot the last couple years, especially [at North Texas],” Kononova said. “We have a really good team capable of playing against anyone in the conference.”

Kutubidze recorded an 8-5 singles record and 8-4 doubles mark in the fall. The Georgia native is currently the No. 1 U-18 ranked player in her Eastern European country.

By Torie Mosley Staff Writer @toriemosley

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