North Texas Daily 2-25-16

NORTH TEXAS CONDUCTING STUDY ON ATHLETES WHO HAVE TORN ACLS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

VOL. 106 No. 6

NTDAILY.COM CAMPUS HOUSING

Attorney: Cpl. Bean wrong to kill McMillan

UNT to decide whether to include genderinclusive housing

By Lisa Dreher Staff Writer @lisa_dreher97

Gina McMillan-Weese sits next to Ryan’s father Walter McMillan as she cover s her face and cries during the news conference held by their attor neys on Feb. 23.

Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

McMillan legal team says Texas Rangers overlooked key witnesses

By Tiffany Ditto Staff Writer @TiffanyDitto Rain fell from the sky Tuesday while tears fell from the eyes of Gina McMillan-Weese and Walter McMillan, just as they did months before, when their son, Ryan, was shot and killed by a UNT police officer.

The parents sat next to their attorney as she recounted the critical decision made by UNT police Cpl.

“We believe it was a senseless overreaction by an agent of the university,” Higginbotham-Brooks said. “Parents send their children to the University of North Texas to be educated and protected. In the case of Ryan McMillan, no protection was offered.”

The response Police released camera footage showing McMillan walking toward Bean holding what authorities are calling a hatchet, telling the officer

multiple times to shoot him. Bean, in the video, tells McMillan about six times to stop, but he doesn’t. Bean felt threatened and shot the 21-yearold.

But the problem, according to the family’s legal team, is Bean positioned himself too close to McMillan, which caused the officer to lose control of the situation.

What’s more, they said, is Bean moved too quickly to kill McMillan instead of subduing him with a nonlethal weapon, such as a Taser or

pepper spray.

“There is physical force, there is intermediate force, and there is deadly force,” criminologist Dexter Simpson said. “In this particular case, officer Stephen Bean of the UNT police jumped to the extreme end of the use of force continuum very quickly. If this officer had not rushed in, and had waited for backup, Ryan may still be alive.”

American associations like the Progressive Black Student Organization, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, African Student Organization and BSU challenged their black history knowledge in a Jeopardy-like trivia competition.

The overall winner of the event was BSU, whose contestants left the auditorium with small gold

medals and free UPC T-shirts.

“We are always instilled with the spirit of excellence,” contestant and BSU intern Isaiah Williams said. “So I kind of knew we were going to be here and humbled that we are.”

The audience of about 10 people grew as losing teams took their seats. Conversation and loud outbursts of support echoed

SEE INVESTIGATION ON PAGE 6

Whether the university should implement policy to allow gender-inclusive housing options is back on the table at UNT. The issue has been brought up before, in 2014, but university officials did not find a solution.

But a proposal from College of Arts and Sciences SGA senator Mia Murric has reopened those talks to allow students to live with whomever they want, regardless of biological sex or gender identity.

“I think that being in a safe space around other people who don’t identify with a gender would help them gain confidence,” Murric said.

The director of housing operations, James Fairchild, said if a student contacts his department, requesting accomodations, the situation will be handled “as best [they] can,” but said there are no procedures in place.

“We don’t really have that in a policy necessarily,” he said.

The possibility of genderinclusive housing has been brought to the Residence Hall Association’s attention before.

Four students in 2014 petitioned RHA for their Introduction to Women’s Studies course as a group project.

“When I was an RA and a

SEE CAMPUS HOUSING ON PAGE 2 FACILITIES

Students a Student organizations compete in trivia games at UPC’s Black History Bowl priority for new tech

By Kaylen Howard Staff Photographer @TheKaylenHoward officer TRIVIA

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Today H: 59°F L: 35°F 7-Day Forecast Friday H: 62°F L: 40°F Saturday Sunday

Stephen Bean to shoot and kill their son, and painted a grim picture of how UNT and police officials have shut the public out of the investigation.

The family suspects Bean lacked the proper training and lost control of the encounter the early morning of Dec. 13, 2015, when police responded to a criminal mischief call on the corner of Oak and Fry streets.

They’ve hired Renee HigginbothamBrooks to challenge the Texas Ranger investigation into Bean’s actions.

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Monday H: 76°F L: 57°F Tuesday H: 73°F L: 47°F Wednesday H: 63°F L: 42°F

Remains of scattered paper and the distinct aroma of fast food linger throughout the auditorium. After a three-hour Black History Month trivia competition, Black Student Union program director Jesse Anyalebechi walks alone toward the exit doors, both hands in his

@ntdaily @thedose_ntdaily @ntd_sports

#FreeKesha

Kesha’s appeal to work outside of her record label after claiming that her producer assaulted her was shot down by a New York judge. Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to help Kesha with her legal battles, and several producers offered to make music with her for free.

#DamnDaniel

Joshua Holz posted a compilation of Snapchat videos complimenting his friend Daniel’s outfits. After the post went viral, both Daniel and Josh were invited onto the Ellen Show.

#Likebutton

Facebook added 5 new emojis in addition to the like button.

EDITORIAL ON PAGE 10

SENATE ON SCALIA

SEE TRIVIA ON PAGE 5

MUSIC

Award-winning Denton rapper looks to the future

By Kayleigh Bywater Senior Staff Writer @kayleighbywater

TRENDING

pockets and a satisfied smile on his face.

Five teams of eight players went head-to-head Tuesday night in UPC’s first Black History Bowl, located in the University Union Lyceum.

“It was a lot of fun,” Anyalebechi said. “Everyone definitely knew what they were doing.”

From 6 to 8 p.m., African-

The names LL Cool J, Tupac and Jay Z are commonly synonymous with catchy songs and deep lyrics.

But when rapper and radio DJ Christopher Avant hears these names, he thinks of heroes.

Avant, a Denton local who goes

by A.V. The Great, said he has been rapping and singing for as long as he can remember and is ready to become a hip-hop household name.

“Crafting words together is unlike any experience,” Avant said. “Having the ability to create a meaningful, impactful song or set of words really brings a whole new level to the music.”

Avant said he was constantly surrounded by music as a child. His dad was a DJ, his grandma had a vast collection of CDs and his mom was always pushing him to take the leap into the music industry. He began creating R&B songs at a young age,

SEE MUSIC ON PAGE 4

Underground rapper Christopher Avant has won awards for his music and resides in Denton. Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

ATHLETICS

Finances delaying addition of Mean Green baseball and men’s soccer

By Alex Lessard and Courtney Anderson Associate Sports Editor and Staff Writer @alexjlessard @cpaigea23 Of the 14 schools in Conference USA, there are 12 baseball programs and nine men’s soccer programs.

Five Texas schools have made it as far as the Super Regionals of the College World Series in the past two years, and four C-USA teams made the NCAA men’s soccer

tournament last season.

Yet, North Texas doesn’t have the opportunity to compete with those Division I programs in either sport.

North Texas hasn’t always been without baseball and men’s soccer, however. In the mid-1980s, the baseball program accumulated a 54-234 record and was disbanded after just five seasons. Men’s soccer became a Division 1 program in 1976, but was disbanded in 1994 as a part of university budget cuts.

Although baseball and

men’s soccer are now sport clubs administered by the Pohl Recreation Center, athletic director Rick Villarreal is open to the possibility of resurrecting both North Texas programs.

“I think there’s a lot more talent out there,” Villarreal said. “The conference itself is very strong in soccer, so I think we can be successful there. And I truly believe we can be successful in baseball.”

As sport clubs, baseball and men’s soccer receive around $5,000 each year from the university, but

often have to pay the majority of equipment and travel expenses themselves. Despite this, they still compete against other top-tier schools in Texas, including Baylor University and Texas Christian University.

There are only four Division I men’s soccer programs in Texas, with Southern Methodist University being the closest to Denton.

The lack of programs creates an opportunity for North Texas to take advantage of the Dallas-Fort Worth

SEE ATHLETICS ON PAGE 7

By Alejandro Medellin Staff Writer @skinny_fats On the second floor of the Discovery Park campus, Kendra Ketchum sits in her office, making moves to modernize UNT’s databases.

Recently hired, she has come to be a part of the school’s information technology overhaul; an initiative UNT president Neal Smatresk said is a priority. Ketchum, the chief technology officer, arrived at UNT in December. Months later, her whiteboard is plastered with graffiti of flowcharts and plans for technological change. She navigates through her iPad Pro to review her notes. It is clear she’s not stopping any time soon.

“I’m in this business because of the students,” she said.

One of Ketchum’s primary duties is data warehousing, connecting all of UNT’s data banks from all departments in order for administrators to be aware of trends. The initiative, officials said, will allow leaders on campus to make more precise and data-driven decisions. One benefit of her work, Ketchum said, is administrators will be able to analyze data to determine things like which courses are effective.

“During her time here so far she has focused on executing the ITSS strategic plan along with the continued improvement of our converged infrastructure and architecture initiative,” said Ketchum’s boss, chief information officer Rama Dhuwaraha.

Essentially, Ketchum is making it simpler to use the vast data available to the university community.

SEE FACILITIES ON PAGE 3

NEWS Page 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

UNT to decide whether to include gender-inclusive housing CAMPUS HOUSING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a resident, it always felt kind of uncomfortable for me,” petitioner and communications senior Atarah Fields said. “I think there’s definitely things that would make me and other people feel better, so I think, from my own personal experiences, I think it’s necessary.”

The request was looked over

by RHA officials, but significant action was put on hold because RHA, university administration and petitioners needed to research the consequences and procedures. There is now a university committee devoted to the cause.

“It’s been a slow progress since then,” Fairchild said.

“We had a meeting or two back in 2014, and there wasn’t a really agreed upon or next step recommended from those discussions. Housing had the responsibility to reach out to other folks across campus.”

The only Texas university with gender-inclusive housing

is Rice University. Members of the LBGTQ group StandOut at the University of Texas at Austin petitioned for it in 2014, but nothing came of it there either.

Gender-friendly bathrooms The university has already explored gender-inclusive bathrooms.

Some were added last summer to the Language Building, Willis Library, Art Building, Music Annex, Goolsby Chapel, Murchison Performing Arts Center, Sycamore Hall, Gateway Center, Discovery Park and the Alumni Center, director of facilities planning and design construction Helen Bailey said.

In total, there are now 134 on campus to make them public and easily accessible. Those prior to the additional bathrooms were located on the edge of campus or were in areas students do not usually visit, such as the Alumni Center, Bailey said.

Facilities is working on a map that would show all of the

gender-inclusive bathrooms.

Kinesiology freshman Faye Bernard who lives in Bruce Hall, which has community bathrooms, said it can be difficult to dress more masculine one day and enter a women’s bathroom.

“It’s like, a stressful situation each time,” Bernard said. “It’s like, ‘Do they think I’m in their personal space?’ and so definitely bathrooms are a huge thing in gender accommodations. I didn’t know if it was going to be accepted or ridiculed when going through housing. So I just took it upon myself to talk to my roommate.

Thankfully, it went 100 percent great for me, but it could’ve been so much of a problem.”

Those who do not identify with either gender may be uncomfortable sharing a bathroom with those of the opposite gender identity, and may face harassment and violence.

“Say biologically, in terms of physique, [there is] someone

UNT student Faye Bernard poses for a photo. Bernard identifies as non-binary. Trevor Lloyd | Staff Photographer who looks more male but does not identify with men and has a different orientation,” women’s and gender studies lecturer Özlem Altiok said. “It puts them in a really uncomfortable

situation if they enter a space that is assigned to men who look like men and identify as men.”

But Fairchild said students at UNT shouldn’t be worried.

Again, he said, there are options and housing accommodations for students who need help, and that they should reach out to people in his department.

As McMillan investigation continues, family and roommate reflect INVESTIGATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Higginbotham-Brooks said the case might go to the grand jury by the end of the month.

She also said she has testimony from four eyewitnesses the Texas Rangers have not spoken to, or

asked to speak to. She could not detail why the Rangers are not interested in speaking to these individuals, but contends those witnesses prove officer Bean reacted quickly in killing McMillan.

She said the family

acknowledges the fact McMillan may have been drunk that night, but they said the officer still acted fast. The family questioned the officer’s actions after witnesses told them he approached the scene with his gun drawn. Simpson asked why

Parents Walter McMillan, right, and Gina McMillan-Weese, middle right, sit during the news conference held by their attorneys on Feb. 23.

the officer got so close to an axewielding student as quickly as he did.

Higginbotham-Brooks said the university refused to answer their questions despite filing for numerous open records requests.

She added the toxicology is being withheld by the Texas Rangers pending the investigation. At this point, not even the family knows if McMillan was under the influence of something other than alcohol.

“I want to call on the University of North Texas police department to share the information about Stephen Bean, “ Higginbotham-Brooks said. “UNT owes the public, their students, these parents -all parents, information about what kind of police force they have on this campus.”

Simpson, who has more than 35 years of use-of-force experience, called on UNT president Neal Smatresk to take responsibility for the university police department’s actions and its use-of-force policies.

“We believe that it is high time that the university president get control of his

CAMPUS GOVERNMENT

SGA changed GPA requirement

By Lisa Dreher Staff Writer @lisa_dreher97 The Student Government Association lowered Wednesday the grade-point average requirement for people running for student body president.

SGA president Adam Alattry said the current GPA requirement of 2.75 shuts out potential candidates who would otherwise make significant change for the student body.

He and SGA vice president Chris Lee said a student’s GPA has nothing to do with their leadership skills.

“We were looking at the bylaws and realized there was kind of a gap between the vice president and the president,” Adam Alattry said. “I don’t think your GPA is indicative of your leadership skills.”

SGA’s bylaws require that the president must have at least a 2.75 GPA when they are elected, but it changes to a 2.5 minimum requirement for the length of their term.

“I’ve seen people who have made 4.0s that don’t have the leadership skills required to run for president or vice president,” Alattry said. “By making it higher, we’re excluding a lot of people who want to run.”

The vice president, freshman interns and executives must

have a 2.5 when elected and throughout their term. Alattry said the change would simplify the election process so that the standard is the same for all members.

The bylaw passed the SGA Senate vote, 15-6.

“The idea behind it is to have it not be so confusing and just have everyone required to have a 2.5 GPA to run,” Alattry said.

College of arts and sciences senator Sam DeLeon was confused why the minimum for the president was lowered

police department,” said Tuesday.

Simpson

The apartment McMillan’s U-Center roommate, Cory Doolittle, said he was on vacation when Ryan was shot and killed. He returned home the week of Christmas to find his apartment still splattered with blood, gashes in the walls, and the items in the common areas of the apartment smashed.

“Something I will continue to say, even though it doesn’t help Ryan’s case in regards to the lawyers talking to me about it, I know he was cognizant of what he was doing,” Doolittle said. “He smashed every vehicle, including his, except for mine -- and they’re all surrounding mine. Every vehicle surrounding mine was smashed.”

Doolittle thinks this was because of their friendship.

“It was definitely out of respect to not smash my stuff,” Doolittle said.

He said McMillan’s friends took him home after he became belligerent during his Fry Street bar crawl. Doolittle believes leaving McMillan alone caused a

change in his behavior.

Doolittle said he and his roommates all disliked the people that lived directly above them. At some point during the night, he believes McMillan went upstairs to speak to them.

“He went up to their place and at least knocked on their door, because he left bloody handprints on their door,” Doolittle said. “I don’t know if it was to confront them, or harm them, but I’m glad they weren’t home or just didn’t answer the door.”

Doolittle also said he had to ask the apartment complex multiple times to come and clean the blood off of the door handle and walls before McMillan’s parents came.

The property manager at U-Centre declined to comment.

“It was completely out of character for him,” Doolittle said. “As cliché as it sounds, I would never have imagined Ryan doing anything like this. He was such a laid back guy, it is highly surprising that anything like this would come from him.”

News editor Dalton LaFerney contributed to this story.

COALITION

rather than raising the vice president’s GPA to the president’s level.

“The ideal leader knows how to do responsibilities,” DeLeon said. “Like a 2.5, I wouldn’t even think that’s the GPA of a president or vice president.”

College of education senator Myles Alexander said the minimum should be raised higher, to a 3.0 “You’re a leader of this campus,” Alexander said. “You can’t have your presidential GPA dropping below 2.5.”

Alexander and DeLeon voted against the bylaw.

SGA vice president Chris Lee rebutted by reminding the senators that president and vice

presidents are typically juniors and seniors, and for them it is harder to improve grades considering the 60 credit hours they must take.

Other senators felt the time and effort a vice president or president put into their position would outweigh a low GPA. “Say they’re stressing super hard because they have to get an A in a certain class but can’t get a B because that would lower their GPA,” college of music senator Chelsea Perry said. “But say they were putting extra time in their organization, even with a 2.5 they’re still above what all other student organizations require them to be at.”

SGA vice president Christopher Lee leads a meeting earlier in the semseter. Ryan Vance | File Photo

Coalition Against Police Brutality starts up again

By Laura Cortez Staff Writer @laura_cortez94 The Denton Coalition Against Police Brutality wants to be a more active group and is making an effort to be more prominent in helping students and locals fight back against perceived acts of overzealous police work.

Formed in 2014, the group consists of leaders from UNT’s Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and the UNT NAACP chapter. It was created in response to the death of Eric Garner, who was filmed as he was suffocated to death by a police officer.

More recently, the coalition has had its gaze on the UNT police, since Cpl. Stephen Bean shot and killed Ryan McMillan, 21, over winter break. Members reached out to McMillan’s family to support them.

“Twenty-one-year-olds acting dumb don’t deserve to be shot in the street,” group administrator Kelsy Fryman said. “That was obviously a big problem for us and something that we wanted to see how to take this and in what way would be more respectful for his family and the people around him.”

Group administrator Ian Campbell received information through the Freedom of Information Act that showed the amount of “less-lethal

weapon inventory” campus police posses. These weapons include tasers with and without cameras and rubber bullets.

“I do not know if the officer was equipped with any of these at the time and, if not, I think that is problematic,” Campbell said.

Speaking on his own behalf, though this was a fast-moving situation warranting immediate action, Campbell believes this fatal outcome could have been avoided.

“I hope this shooting starts an inward reflection on part of the department and the administration,” Campbell said. “And I would like to see a training much more rigorously focused on de-escalation come out of this.”

The website Killed By Police lists every death by police for 2015. The total count for the year was 1,205, with 127 in July as the highest number of killings and 83 in June as the fewest.

The Denton Coalition Against Police Brutality encourages students to be activists in response to police-involved violence.

To continue its pursuits to promote activism, the coalition will attend the Dallas Action’s Nonviolent Disobedience training from noon to 3 p.m.

Saturday at the Dallas Peace Center.

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 3

CITY COUNCIL

Denton City Council grants Joe Rivas ownership of home

By Julia Falcon Staff Writer @falconpunch_

A man who was displaced by the Hickory Street substation project was granted ownership of a newly renovated home Tuesday by the Denton City Council, paid for by Denton Municipal Electric, the company that forced him to move in the first place.

The hashtag, #SaveJoesHome, was created as Denton residents rallied behind Jose “Joe” Rivas. Rivas was one of five tenants living on Bonnie Brae Street asked to move out and relocate so DME could add a substation on the corner of Bonnie Brae and Hickory streets.

“I was angry when I got the letter in the mail, I almost threw it away,” Rivas said. “I did a lot of work on this house with my own money and I wanted to live here forever. I emailed the city

and I was told not to worry and I would get help.”

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Rivas needed help finding another house to suit his needs. He reached out to City Council in 2014. Because DME is a city-owned utility and the remodel would cost $175,000, the Council had to approve the sale to Rivas. The Tuesday decision was whether to revisit a previous vote to approve the sale.

“We knew he would be displaced by that project, and it is the federal and state law that we help relocate him,” DME spokesman Brian Daskam said. “We already owned that property he is moving into, so it made sense for the community and it made sense for him. We talked to Habitat for Humanity, local housing authorities and looked at a lot of rental properties around town. With the direction of City Council, we moved him in.”

DME officials worked closely with Rivas to make sure it was compatible for him according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. “At first, I was sad, depressed, angry and nervous about moving,” Revas said.

“I am happy it’s over with and now I can move forward with everything. The city did a wonderful job and handled everything really well.”

At the end of the council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Chris Watts thanked everyone involved.

“This is a day of celebration, as far as I’m concerned. This is one bright shiny moment in this city’s history,” Watts said.

“I wanted to be the first to welcome you to your new home and wish you many years of happiness.”

Councilwoman Kathleen Wazny said despite accusations she has seen on social media about how she isn’t sensitive

A map shows the location where Joe Rivas will live. to those with disabilities, she worked with Rivas through the process and analyzed the policy, procedure and costs.

“This began before I was a part of the city council, but

now Joe has a house, and I am happy for him,” Wazny said. “I have had great conversations with him and my husband and I are very supportive of him. We really studied the details and

Students a priority for new tech officer

FACILITIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Those types of quick glimpses help a decision maker to say ‘Oh, we’re okay there, we don’t need to worry about that,’” Ketchum said. “We have our own private cloud here, too, and so that’s essentially what we’re doing is providing that storage and that platform for them to use the computing and the network to get to it.”

But long before Ketchum had a staff and her own office, she was a U.S. Navy corpsman for 11 years.

“I was more interested with the technology than I was the nursing, and so I slowly shifted in the early ‘90s to IT,”

Ketchum said.

After the Navy she moved to Ohio and started teaching at the University of Northwestern Ohio. After six years, she moved to Bowling Green State University in 2008. Ketchum left the classroom to become the associate director for technology and assessment.

While at BGSU she considered moving back to Texas because her parents were still there. She found an opening as a director for infrastructure and operations at Texas Wesleyan University.

Ketchum considers herself a leader. Her bookshelves are stacked with time management and productivity books.

“I’m a servant-leader for my staff,” Ketchum said. “I support them in everything they do. At the end of the day, I have my staff turn the org-chart upsidedown and I’m actually at the bottom of the org chart. I’m holding up everyone at the top, and I’m providing them with all the tools they need to their job, and that’s what a servant-leader does.”

With that work ethic, Ketchum brought Texas Wesleyan University into the 21st century, she said.

Before she got there in 2008, Ketchum said the school only had about 10 percent wireless connectivity on campus.

Within a year, she got it up to

100 percent, she said.

“We are here for our students,” Ketchum said. “And the things that we can do to help them with their programs and their learning initiatives is to provide the cutting-edge technology for them to be able to do the things they need to do, so when they actually exit the university and go out to the workforce, they’re prepared.”

Ketchum is a tech-geek, and as she opened the Photoshop app on her iPad Pro, she couldn’t stop smiling. The app, which ran remotely, could change the way students study and learn.

“This is a game-changer for students,” Ketchum said.

Kendra Ketchum Sarah Bradbury | Staff Photographer

Denton Together Coalition works to improve the community The Denton Together Coalition is still in the early stages of organizing, but the group has continued to meet and explore solutions to community issues since its inception last year.

The DTC, comprised of diverse Denton organizations, was formed last year by Denton Mayor Chris Watts to find and solve issues affecting residents.

“In town, if there is an issue that occurs the group can help listen to the concerns and to help create more understanding for the concerns,”

Watts said. “My role initially was to bring the group together, as the mayor [and] we solicited input from community members.”

Results of this group effort include the new bleachers at Fred Moore Park for junior high students, and more recently, a counseling center for families in Denton. The coalition is currently working on initiatives dealing with hunger, human trafficking, housing for the chronic homeless and financial literacy.

“I’ve worked on homelessness for a few years, mainly what I do is identify a problem and look around for working models that are successful and see how we

Denton Police Department officer Malcolm McGuire says Denton PD officers would like to be invited to more town hall meetings and hear people out on their concerns and issues. Paulina De Alva | Staff Photographer

GRADUATE SCHOOL

UNT graduate school seeking vice provost

By Brittany Lloyd Staff Writer

DENTON

By Julia Falcon Staff Writer @falconpunch_

the council has worked very hard and things ended up going well.”

Staff writer Jynn Schubert contributed to this report.

The Toulouse Graduate School at UNT is looking to hire someone to become the vice provost, a recently created position.

UNT’s graduate school is in the infantile stages of the search process and have yet to reveal who they’re looking to hire.

“The search committee in charge of appointing someone for the position has not even met yet,” said Joanna Hussey, assistant to associate vice provost for academic affairs.

One of the problems the new hire will have to solve is that some graduate students find their assistantships prevent them from having outside jobs. Whomever the committee decides on will already have duties awaiting them.

The committee must find candidates and define the new position’s responsibilities as well as the intended salary.

ADMINISTRATION

Denton Police Department deputy chief Roger White speaks to the audience about the small town feel of Denton at the town hall meeting held in the TWU Student Union. Paulina De Alva | Staff Photographer can adapt to them in Denton,” coalition vice chairman Smith said.

“I created the Wheeler House for women and children, now I am taking on chronic homeless folks, veterans and non-veterans, and looking at building a village that we can provide services and tiny homes to get people off of the street.”

The goal, Smith said, was to form a coalition of people, develop a strategy, plan to address the problem and try to build a balanced solution.

“The process for solving an issue is very complex,” Smith said.

“Essentially, it comes down to identifying a problem, developing and casting a vision, sharing that vision with a lot of people, building support, both emotional and financial, developing a design

and begining construction once the resources are in place. That’s the easy part. Once it is opened, operations begin.”

The coalition holds town hall meetings at UNT, Texas Woman’s University and other places around the community. Coalition chairwoman Sheryl English said the meetings are hosted at universities to reach out to students because their opinions are as equally important as others. She added, however, that not many UNT students showed up to the town hall hosted on campus last month.

“Everyone’s number one issue right now is traffic,” English said.

“We put the issues down and see what the highest issues are, then go back to the committee and tell them what they are. Then, we meet with

the mayor and decide how to handle things.”

They created the town hall meetings to let the community know who they are and more importantly to hear what their issues and concerns are.

“Current issues have been education and community,” English said. “There are good and bad experiences on campus, but there are more that are good. A lot of people want to be active in the community and don’t know where to go. We want more community and togetherness right now.”

For more information about the Denton Together Coalition, or to stay updated about upcoming town hall meetings, visit http://www. cityofdenton.com/departmentsservices/denton-together-coalition.

Chair of Denton Together Coalition Sheryl English listens to the audience express their concerns and issues with Denton and TWU in the town hall meeting. Paulina De Alva | Staff Photographer

Board of Regents to meet today for first meeting of the year Staff Reports North Texas Daily The UNT Board of Regents will deliberate on the implementation of campus carry in August, among other issues, in its first meetings of the year this week.

The meetings will take place on the UNT Dallas campus today and the UNT System building Friday. Today, the board will attend four committees throughout the day, ending with a final executive session.

The following committees will meet today: academic affairs and student success committee, strategic and operational excellence committee, audit committee and the finance and facilities committee. Friday, the board will attend second committee sessions.

Today, the board will also approve minutes of the previous meeting from Nov. 20, 2015. At the executive meeting, the board will consult counsel on litigation, research, responsibilities of the board and furthering medical education through the UNT Health Science Center. Friday, the full board will convene and review the findings of the different committees.

They will dive into these issues during their two-day meeting, and adjourn at 2:35 p.m. Friday.

ARTS & LIFE Page 4

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

Award-winning Denton rapper looks to the future MUSIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

reworking songs like LL Cool J’s “Rock the Bells” to make them his own and writing poetry in order to turn a small dream into reality.

The rapper said his first real performance was in ninth grade.

What started out as free-styling with his friends on the streets of West End Dallas turned into an unforgettable experience.

Christopher Avant sits on the steps of his front porch wearing his Denton hat.

Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer

“There was this group that was playing in front of a crowd of 500 or 600 people, and they just called us up,” Avant said.

“We basically just started freestyling on the spot in front of that massive crowd. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, but I was nervous as hell.”

He never expected those performances and freestyle raps to pave the way to becoming an award-winning rap artist.

Avant was nominated for Most Dynamic Solo Artist and Best Underground Southern Rapper, the second of which he won, at the 2015 Underground Music Awards in Manhattan.

The award show is a platform to celebrate the best artists in the underground hip-hop and R&B music scenes.

The first artist in DallasFort Worth to be nominated for these awards, Avant said some people were shocked when they found out.

“Currently, I’m the reigning champ,” Avant said. “When I heard my name, the one thing that ran through my mind was, ‘Finally.’ I’ve worked so hard for this moment.”

Chad Reynolds, a close friend of Avant’s, has known the music artist since the two were kids.

Having grown up alongside Avant and his career, Reynolds said finding out about the award was an exciting moment.

“It’s surreal and a blessing to me to know that Chris has made it this far,” Reynolds said.

“If you gave him a guitar with someone snapping toothpicks in the back, he would make a hit out of it. He may not always get handclaps, but he just pushes forward and continues to love

Denton underground rapper Christopher Avant said he feels most inspired to rap when he is out of the house or driving around in his car. Hannah Ridings | Senior Staff Photographer what he does. That’s talent right there.”

Music promotion company owner Louie Maldonado has been working with Avant for five years. The two have known each other since the early stages of Avant’s career and have helped each other put on shows and get in touch with various people in the industry.

Maldonado said he thinks this award will only add to Avant’s advancement as he continues to establish his rap footprint in the music industry.

“He isn’t going to stop working hard just because he won this award,” Maldonado

said. “He’s the type to only use this as fuel to work harder. He has the drive of anyone else who’s ever made it big in their respected industry.”

Avant said winning the award was one of his biggest accomplishments to date. Some of the greatest names in hip-hop and R&B have both attended and won awards at the show. He said he is motivated by a desire to one day be considered “one of the greats.”

“There’s nothing like performing. There’s that jittery feeling I get, but no matter what, I’m always ready,” Avant said. “The stage is like my

playground. I still feel that rush each time I get up there to perform.”

But no matter how famous he gets, he said he would always be grounded in his Denton roots. His motto, “no fake handshakes,” means fulfilling all the promises, deals and obligations he makes.

“There’s no blueprint for getting it done [in the industry]—you just have to get off your ass and go for it,” Avant said. “Denton is home, and I know I am going to be one of the pioneers to breakdown walls for this area. I’ll shake on that.”

REVIEW

The Dose: New Bloc Party album a decent letdown

By John Hoang Staff Writer @jhoang95 Retaining only half of its original members, Bloc Party has reinvented itself on its newest album to change with the times.

But whether these changes were for the better is debatable—the album was met with mixed reviews from both critics and fans.

With “Hymns,” Bloc Party moved away from guitar-driven rock to focus on rhythm and blues, gospel and electronic music. If you tune in with the expectation of revisiting Bloc Party’s raw and passionate debut “Silent Alarm,” you’ll be disappointed.

The record explores themes of suffering in dysfunctional relationships, revisiting spirituality and moving on from the past. Upon listening to “The Love Within,” the first song on the album, I cringed— something I never expected to feel when listening to Bloc Party.

The song starts off on a decent note, but once the synthetic drops about 40 seconds in, it becomes atrocious. Thankfully, the album gets better.

“Different Drugs” and “Only He Can Heal Me” were my two favorite songs on the album. The first captures the melancholy of a failing relationship, with lead singer Kele Okereke’s vocals striking an emotional chord. “Only He Can Heal Me,” a catchy, gospelinfluenced track, shows Okereke’s vulnerability and lets the listener relate.

In “Fortress,” Okereke sings in passionate falsetto of a sexual experience with a lover. The lyrics were a little cheesy, but his voice was of enough quality to carry the song.

The final track, “Living Lux,” is a goodbye and homage to former drummer Matt Tong and bassist Gordon Moakes, which was a nice way to pay tribute to the band’s line-up.

Bloc Party recorded “Hymns” with a session drummer, and many were disappointed, saying the percussion tracks felt basic and unfulfilling. There’s hardly any guitar on this album.

It’s difficult to pinpoint any highlights, but at least the performance from lead guitarist Russell Lisack is solid. The vocals

are also vigorous and energetic, even with the cheesiness of some lyrics.

Old fans may feel alienated from the changes in the band’s musical style, as almost no elements of their first album are apparent.

Even with repeated listens, the songs aren’t particularly memorable and the album didn’t grow on me as I hoped it would. When compared to other contemporary artists, it just falls short. I’m not against bands changing, but the direction Bloc Party took with this record produced lackluster music.

“Hymns” isn’t a horrible album.

It attempts to reach out on a more spiritual and personal level, which is something fans (and myself) can appreciate. The album lacks the energy and force of previous works and as a whole feels bland and uneven.

Besides a few standout tracks, “Hymns” leaves a lot to be desired.

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Student organizations compete in trivia games at UPC’s Black History Bowl TRIVIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

throughout the auditorium.

The Jeopardy competition resembled more of a friendly gathering, with the area fully lit and audience members constantly engaging with team players.

“At first I didn’t know what it was, but then I was so encouraged to know that I was going to learn more about my culture,” public health alumni Janata Montgomery said.

Despite the slightly disorganized preparation of the questions in each round

and frequent pauses to clarify information, each team looked over the setbacks, relaxing with laughter, victory dances and cheerful discussion.

“It’s a lot less of a competition compared to when I was in Quiz Bowl,” ASO contestant Carol Scott said. “I enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Tension grew when teams fought for points, but throughout the event contestants focused on the benefit of learning more about Black History Month than competing to win.

“It benefits, being an African

The Black Student Union team huddles together for a group photo after their vistory at UPC’s Black History Bowl. Kaylen Howard | Staff Photographer

American and learning about my history and things I didn’t learn in school,” NAACP contestant Sarah Britton said. “There may be people who are not black who can benefit from this experience as well.”

Contestant and ASO member Jahanara Hoque said she was brought up in an AfricanAmerican environment as a child and saw this event as an opportunity to broaden her knowledge of black history.

“Because I grew up in Detroit around black people, I feel like I am a part of the black culture,” Hoque said. “I already feel included.”

Prior to the event, each team was given a blueprint of what they should study.

“We split sections and kind of divided and conquered,” PBSO president Jazreal Alexander said.

“There was a lot, but you know if we master one section, then we are going to be good.”

Participants sat at a circular table on a stage in front of a fullscreen monitor that displayed the trivia questions. Five teams participated in the games, but only two or three teams competed in each round.

Kade Hall, right, Brittany Weatherspoon, and Maddison Meehen, left, call out trivia questions to the competing teams during UPC’s Black History Bowl. Kaylen Howard | Staff Photographer To the right of the teams stood a podium, from which a group of UPC members called out questions and answers.

“It’s great to see such a large turn out and the teams be so competitive and into who is winning, who’s not,” UPC member Keda Hall said. “There was a lot of refuting answers. I

thought it was great.”

Categories included: African-American inventions, architecture, culture, science, art, entertainment, sports, movements and more. Each team chose how many points they would receive for each category.

Groups that didn’t get a question correct sat in silence as

two competing teams raced to hit their buzzer for a chance to answer the question first.

“Black history is really important for all of our black student organizations on campus,” Anyalebechi said.

“Knowing our black history and being able to use it to inspire us to do great things is important.”

DALLAS

Dallas Festival of Ideas ignites imaginations both young and old

By Matt Payne Copy Editor @MattePaper Heavy gusts of wind whistled through the lots of Fair Park Music Hall the evening of Feb. 19 as homeless men, women and children wandered outside on the cracked, congested roads in the heart of DallasFort Worth.

More than 1,000 people spent the first night of their weekend in an auditorium, listening to the likes of activists from near and far for the Dallas Festival of Ideas. Several people outside braced for a cold Friday night in the wild city notorious for poverty, pollution and a stark contrast between the sparkling Dallas skyline and those living underneath the interstates.

But this is the inextinguishable pride of diversity the Dallas citizens cling to, seeking to bridge the gap through a community collaboration to harvest new ideas.

“It’s a full moon above a mystical skyline made up of broken promises and neon and night,” slam poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo said in “A City is a Poem,” his introductory piece written for the Festival of Ideas.

“It’s a place where your future and everything you left behind have coffee in a late-night diner.”

Big ideas Speakers gathered by The Dallas Morning News, advocating for their respective causes and setting the foundation for what they wanted the 2016 Festival of Ideas to be.

Words from journalists Alma Guillermoprieto and Nikil Saval, as well as American business magnate Russell Simmons, provided a basis for what they, local government and citizens wanted the city of Dallas to be.

“We need to build libraries so welcoming, so inviting and so gorgeous that students are irresistibly hungry to read,” Guillermoprieto said.

Guilermoprieto also described her time in Mexico visiting the Benjamin Franklin Library, spending hour upon hour learning more

about her local society. She mentioned the need for primary students to be taught non-fiction reporting from “an utterly clueless perspective” so they could immerse themselves into their respective societies and thoroughly learn about them.

Striving to make Dallas more literate and establishing a more sound infrastructure, Nikil Saval and Russell Simmons both underscored Guillermoprieto’s vision to build not only an impressively ever-expanding city, but also to build up the residing citizens.

Specifically, Simmons advocated for personal health with anecdotes of his transition to veganism, dishing out harsh words toward city lobbyists and those with sway in entrepreneurship.

He implored a call for awareness of the increasing prevalence of carcinogens and toxins in food, referencing his own book published in 2014, “The Happy Vegan.”

“We have people who should be living to 100 dying because of lobbyists exchanging billions of dollars,” Simmons said. “Facts aren’t being given to you because people with god complexes are being paid.”

Big action Booths from several non-profits decorated The Women’s Museum for the engagement phase of the festival. There were areas for patrons to express themselves through a wall

of chalk art, new ideas for the city of Dallas hanging from balloons and several places for adults and children alike to make crafts, share ideas and be open-minded to discussion.

South Dallas T-shirt producing company 9 Happy People donated half of their earnings from the event to local non-profits focused on creating jobs in Dallas County. Nine is a number of gratitude and giving in many cultures, representative Amrit Kirpalama said.

“If one of us has a conversation with nine individuals, they will in turn share their idea with another nine,” Kirpalama said. “Literally, the power of nine has symbolic significance behind it, but that sort of pro-activism is what we’re after.”

Among the company’s donations, 9 Happy People has also donated $2,500 to a group called the THR!VE Leadership and Intern Program, designed to close the economic gap for young black men by “exposing them to meaningful career-related experiences.”

Kirpalama called reaching out to the youth of Dallas as critical to igniting change in the community. He said he noticed one question pervading throughout the entire event. “‘What are you most passionate about?’” he said. “Having child and adult alike engage in such a simple exchange of ideas will ignite the change we need to see in this city.”

Dena Othman wrote local’s names in Arabic at the Dallas Festival of Ideas. Haley Yates | Staff Photographer

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NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 6 ART

Second monthly 940’s Pop-Up art exhibit features local artist for a single night

By Haley Yates Staff Writer @haleysocoollike Local artist and UNT alumna Bailey Chapman spends most of her time teaching drawing and printmaking at Texas Woman’s University and drumming for local bands Pearl Earl and Abacaba.

She also participates in Pop-Up art exhibits in Dallas and Fort Worth.

The idea behind PopUp shows is to create an exclusive event where people can view art that is only shown on one night. Exhibits are held in nontraditional spaces that don’t normally display art to create a more exclusive environment.

“If it were up all month, it would be a more lackadaisical kind of thing,” Chapman said.

When 940’s Kitchen & Cocktails opened last

year, it quickly gained a reputation as a classy, upscale restaurant and bar.

Last month, 940’s founder Mckenzie Smith decided to embrace the idea of a monthly Pop-Up exhibit, using the space to feature local artists.

Chapman said the opportunity to showcase her work in her hometown came as a coincidence.

Smith originally offered a spot to artist Elizabeth McDonald as the restaurant’s second featured exhibit, but when she couldn’t make it, she referred him to Chapman.

Chapman said when she heard there was an opportunity to showcase her work right down the road from her house she hopped on it immediately.

“Denton needs more

art shows,” Chapman said.

“We don’t have that many galleries, so I definitely wanted to participate not

“

behind the bar, which was kept after the first Pop-Up exhibit, every painting in the restaurant was Chapman’s creation. A raffle for one of her paintings took place at a big table near the entrance, where prints were being sold.

“I really like [Chapman’s] art in this space,” elementary education alumna Shelley McClain said.

“It goes nicely with the décor in here.”

The bar even offered a specialty cocktail for Chapman’s show, called the Zodiac Black Cherry Basil Mule.

“The bartender hasn’t been able to stop for a second, so that’s a good

In that moment we are bringing artists and the community together to socialize and talk about the art.”

only because it’s a great space, but I also really support McKenzie’s new project and I thought it’d be a fun thing to do.“ Except for the painting

Denton artist Bailey Chapman speaks about her Pop-Up art exhibition at 940’s Kitchen & Cocktails Tuesday night.

Erica Wieting | Features Editor sign,” Chapman said.

Smith said he started the monthly shows with high standards for the artists featured at 940’s. Because there are so many local aspiring artists pursuing a career with their art, he said he wants to help them gain

recognition.

“In that moment we are bringing artists and the community together to socialize and talk about the art,” Smith said.

940’s typically maintains a clean aesthetic that fits nicely with its

upscale reputation. Smith said the big, beautiful walls cater nicely to big art pieces, but they will remain bare unless a Pop-Up show is happening.

Exhibit nights will continue to grow as Smith tries to get as many artists

involved as possible. He said these nights provide a great atmosphere and feel like an event, rather than another night at the restaurant.

“This is the perfect way to bring awareness to the artists,” Smith said.

STUDENTS

Opera student soon to compete as semi-finalist in Dallas Opera competition

By Victoria Monteros Staff Writer @ToriLaSuper

Mastering the art of opera is difficult, challenging and at times exhausting, but UNT graduate artist certificate student Martin

Clark is taking the bull by the horns.

“He’s been a hard worker, and he’s achieved a lot,” Division of Vocal Studies chair Stephen Austin said. “He’s really put in the time and effort to make this happen.”

Clark was awarded the Bill and Margot Winspear Opera Scholarship Competition during his junior year at UNT. He currently works with the Dallas Opera and is a semi-finalist for the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. He will

Graduate artist certificate student Martin Clark brings “Pace Non Trovo” by Franz Liszt to an impactful ending.

Tristan Miller | Staff Photographer

be traveling to Italy to perform in the summer.

Passionate about music and opera, Clark said he gives his all every day.

Unexpected beginnings Clark has been singing since he was little and said he has always loved music. He sang in choir throughout high school and took piano lessons for four years.

When Clark graduated high school in 2011 and entered college, he originally wanted to major in music education, with intentions of becoming a choir teacher. But by recommendation of his vocal teacher, he auditioned to be a vocal performance major as well.

Clark was rejected from the music education program but accepted into vocal performance.

“I used to make fun of opera singers,” Clark said with a laugh.

“Like, ‘Why would anyone want to sing opera? It looks silly and stupid.

That’s not music.’ I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

Though Clark had classical vocal training prior to coming to the university, he wasn’t as oriented with opera. When he started studying with his voice teacher at

UNT, he trained specifically with the genre. He said he attributes this to the start of a deeper appreciation for opera as a form of singing.

“Now I call opera real music, and everything else, I’m like, ‘No, that’s not real music,’” he said with a laugh.

Bigger opportunities During the junior year of his undergraduate studies, Clark’s vocal teacher approached him about the Dallas Opera’s need for a tenor for a performance of Donizetti’s comic opera “L’elisir d’Amore” and educated him about the program.

“It’s a blast to work with Martin,” said Kristian Roberts, Dallas Opera Education Program senior manager. “Not only does he have a wonderful vocal talent, but he’s just a pleasure to work with because of the kind of person he is.”

Clark auditioned for the program and began working with the Dallas Opera upon his acceptance. He became the first junior accepted into the Education Outreach program, which condenses full operas into about 45 minutes and translates them into English for students to understand.

“It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but that was a great opportunity to build more stage presence and get more comfortable onstage,” Clark said.

Clark started by performing for children in the mornings. This helped prepare him to perform in front of adult audiences, he said, given the fact that children tend to be far more forgiving than more mature listeners. He said he was also able to experiment with different ways of singing and acting.

As a semifinalist for the Dallas Opera Vocal Guild Competition in late April, Clark is the youngest competitor by two years.

“I’ve just been freaking out with excitement ever since [finding out],” Martin said.

Clark said he’s learned valuable life lessons on flexibility, working out conflicts and knowing the right times to rest. He said he has also gained a deeper understanding of the music he sings.

“When it comes to being a musician, there’s really no peak,” Martin said. “You’ll always be learning, you’ll always be gaining experience, you’ll always be singing for someone new.”

REVIEW

The Dose: ‘The Life of Pablo’ strikes a solid chord but seems unfinished

By Kyle Martin Staff Writer @Kyle_Martin35

Finally.

Finally we have “The Life of Pablo,” no thanks to Chance the Rapper or vilified pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli, who tried to purchase the album so that only he could have it (you’re wrong for trying to hold the hip-hop community hostage, you dirtbag).

But no more complaining— we’ve got it, and here’s the result.

The record is Kanye

comparing himself to the likes of artist Pablo Picasso and drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Beginning with “Ultralight Beam,” the album opens on a strong note. Though I don’t particularly like Kanye’s singing (personal preference— sue me), the powerful gospel backing vocals are insane.

Featured on this first track are Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige and a mighty gospel choir. I have a soft spot for soulful choirs, and Mary J. Blige, laying it down in the middle of the song, really took me to church on this opening track.

Chance’s verse had signature classic style and flow. Rapping about his newly-born daughter, the making of his song “Sunday Candy” and meeting Kanye, among other things, he didn’t disappoint. The track was a great start to the record.

Next up: “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” and “Pt. 2,” featuring Kid Cudi and Future.

(Really pay attention to that first verse on Pt. 1 for some explicit details about how to do laundry). Pt. 1 is succinct, hooking right into Pt. 2.

The two tracks seem to be a message for Kanye’s father, but lyrically, if you were to ask

me what he’s trying to say with these tracks, I wouldn’t have an answer.

Following a short interlude at the end of Pt. 2, Rihanna’s voice rings out in “Famous,” a track about Kanye’s rise to fame—and how he helped a few people out along the way.

He also speaks about having sex with Taylor Swift, which is odd, but it’s Kanye. Everything about the dude is odd.

The rapper and his ego do a little wordsmithing here, and if you know Kanye’s music, listen for some allusions to older songs (“Wake up, Mr. West!”), which lead into the following track.

The next few songs— “Feedback,” “Low Lights,” “Highlights”—are whatever. In “Feedback,” Kanye compares himself to the Pablos he relates with. “Low Lights” is a polite interlude with a good beat and a lot of potential, but it didn’t

really build to anywhere. In “Highlights” he raps about a certain male appendage.

And “Freestyle” just sucks.

Then there’s “I Love Kanye,” a song by Kanye, about how much Kanye loves Kanye, directed at Kanye, for Kanye.

In the song, Kanye says Kanye 25 times (play it at work to annoy your friends. It’s great).

The next track is the reason for the huge delay of the album and the song Chance fought for. He’s not even featured on it, but he loved it so much that it must have been a pretty big deal. Titled “Waves,” the track would do well on the radio, as it features Chris Brown. But it wasn’t anything to brag about.

One of my favorite tracks on the record because of its intense beat, “FML,” featured The Weeknd. It was followed by the relatable lyrics of “Real Friends” as Kanye raps about loyalty and just that, “real”

The Life of Pablo album cover Courtesy | Kanye West

friends.

“Wolves” is excellent, “Silver Surfer Intermission” is a phone call I didn’t pay attention to, and “30 Hours” grooves, reminding me of the old Kanye feel. I thoroughly enjoyed “30 Hours,” and Kanye actually raps for a while on this track, which doesn’t seem to be a theme on the first half of this album.

“No More Parties In L.A.” takes the cake, simply because Kendrick Lamar is the feature and Kendrick is king. He was the best rapper on the entire record. His featured verse was solid, and Kanye rocked a 94.5 classic hip-hop feel. For me, this was definitely the sharpest track of the project.

“Facts” felt like Drake’s and Future’s “Jumpman” (not a bad thing), and “Fade” wrapped up the record well enough.

Ultimately, the whole project was just all right. I think most will find that the record seems unfinished, especially considering Kanye himself has said he needs to “fix” some songs.

With Kanye dropping another album this summer, (brought to us by a Twitter rampage) running his fashion merchandising endeavors and living with someone like Kim (all on top of having a new kid), Yeezus may be biting off more than he can chew.

The record could be better, but it could definitely be worse. It’s worth a listen, nonetheless.

SPORTS Page 7

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

NTDAILY.COM

SOFTBALL

TOP OF THE ORDER

Junior infielder Kelli Schkade has a batting average of .444 with 4 home runs already in the season.

Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

Junior infielder Schkade thriving as softball’s leadoff hitter

By Clay Massey Staff Writer @Clay_FC

When North Texas approached the batter’s box for the first time this season against University of Arizona, it was junior infielder Kelli Schkade who faced the first pitch since last spring.

The kinesiology major and biology minor stepped in, shook off the dust leftover from last season and started to read the hand the opposing pitcher was dealing.

The first card dealt was a ball.

“I try to see a lot of pitches for the whole team,” Schkade said.

“The more pitches I see, the more they see. I just get in there and try to be as confident as I can and try to be aggressive. I try not to think too much in the box. If the first pitch is there, I’m going to take a hack at it.”

The first pitch wasn’t there on opening night, but the second pitch was. Schkade teed off to left

field for a solo home run, which is quite the contrast from a leadoff hitter’s role of feeling out a pitcher by watching a lot of pitches.

Though it’s impossible to improve on her average after the first at-bat, the junior has continued to prove her value as the Mean Green’s lead-off hitter. She has started the season with a .444 average with 11 RBIs and four homeruns, earning ConferenceUSA Co-Player of the Week honors after week one. The blazing start has also played an instrumental role in the team’s 6-4, which has led to the team receiving national votes for the first time in program history.

With such a young group surrounding Schkade and the other very few upperclassmen players, head coach Tracey Kee welcomes the spark she brings to the table.

“She’s the catalyst which gets our offense going,” Kee said.

“With our young group, she goes and so do they. It’s nice to see her setting a tempo and tone right out of the gate.”

A native of Albany, Texas, Schkade was named the consistent leadoff hitter last season in her first season at North Texas after transferring from the University of Missouri. She decided to transfer prior to her sophomore season to play next to her sister, Jami.

Softball has always been a family affair for the Schkades.

All three Schkade sisters played softball, and the oldest of the three, Staci, was coached by their father.

“Me and my sister Jami just grew up with it,” Schkade said.

“We just followed in her footsteps.

It was always what we wanted to do.”

When Kelli came to North Texas, she had not hit lead off since her sophomore season of high school. Schkade slowly got back

into the rhythm of hitting in the one spot, posting a .250 average with a .328 on base percentage in 2015.

But because of the work ethic instilled in her by growing up in a softball-oriented family, she was determined to put in work this off-season on balancing her stance and holding her hands back to be more patient at the plate – a quality required of successful lead-off hitters.

“I always had leaders growing up,” Schkade said. “I think that just the hard-work ethic I’ve seen from people, that’s what I try to model myself after. Not particularly any one aspect of the game, just hard workers and leaders as a whole.”

The work has paid off so far this season, as Schkade has already upped her home-run total from last season by one and has Kee wanting to move her to the coveted three-hole spot, which is normally reserved for a team’s best average

Junior infielder Kelli Schkade is in a softball family with her sisters who played softball and her dad coaching it in the past. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer hitter.

The success has even started to instill fear in opponents. Schkade has been intentionally walked three times this season.

“Teams are pitching around her, of sorts,” Kee said. “Teams try to avoid Kelli and put her on, and it ends up backfiring on them.

Whenever that can happen, it’s always a good thing.”

The player immediately reaping the awards of Schkade’s knack to get on base is junior outfielder Danielle Gregory, who currently boasts a .394 average with 7 RBIs as the team’s two-spot hitter.

“I see her get a base hit, and that helps that drive to move her along the bases,” Gregory said. “It

Finances delaying addition of Mean Green baseball and men’s soccer ATHLETICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Metroplex, which is a hotbed for talent. According to soccerwire.com, 27 Major League Soccer players are Texas natives, trailing only California as the most of any state in the country.

“There are a lot of soccer players here in the D-FW area that would really want to play here,” professional sales junior and men’s soccer forward Bryan Jacinto said.

Meanwhile, the baseball club has improved in each of its last three seasons, increasing from 2-13 in 2013 to 11-7 last year as a member of the Gulf Coast North conference in the National Club Baseball Association. The conference includes SMU, Baylor and Texas Tech University.

“It’s great that they give club sports like this the

opportunity to still play here and make it as official as they can,” criminal justice junior and baseball club president Ben Salter said.

But when recruiting future talent, Salter said some players are discouraged that the club is not an official Division I sport and choose to attend a different university.

“They’d pay to come play here. That’s how big of a market it is,” Salter said. “But I get it. There’s some budgets you got to meet, and there’s a lot that goes into starting up a program, especially when we’re trying to rebuild a football program.”

Villarreal said the school has been looking to add baseball to the fold for at least three years, but other expenses have delayed the process. Apogee Stadium, which opened in 2011, cost $78

million to build, and newly hired football head coach Seth Littrell signed a five-year contract worth $3.625 million in December.

Due to the size of its roster compared to other sports, football requires the most funding while also generating the most revenue for the university. Football has 85 student athletes on scholarship each season, compelling North Texas to add additional women’s sports to meet the NCAA’s Title IX requirements. Title IX doesn’t necessarily mean each men’s sport needs a women’s equivalent, but only that each gender gets equal athletic opportunities.

As a result, there are seven women’s teams, three men’s and two co-ed teams at North Texas. Adding baseball to that list is a top priority, but

Villarreal said he wouldn’t want to take away from any already established programs.

“We have continued to raise more and more money, and we have continued to send more corporate sponsorships,” Villarreal said. “But in order to put a baseball team and soccer team into place, and then add the equivalent number of women’s sports, it would be a pretty big financial undertaking.”

Right now, Villarreal’s focus is to improve on what the school already has. Further renovations of the Super Pit and Mean Green Village are in the works, and the process of getting enough funding to begin building a baseball

stadium is still unfolding.

With upsets over the University of Oklahoma this season by women’s basketball and tennis, and two victories over Baylor by the softball team last weekend, Villarreal believes accomplishing the goal of being competitive on a national level in all Mean Green sports is possible.

However, getting a baseball program restarted will continue to be at the top of Villarreal’s to-do list.

“It’ll be a continuing discussion,” Villarreal said.

“Hopefully, at some point, it will become one that is something that happens here, because I think it can be great.”

sets a standard for all of us.”

Despite her recent string of success, Schkade has dreams of being a surgical nurse after her collegiate career is over. It’s a fitting aspiration for a lead-off hitter, considering both require the patience and precision Schkade has shown on the field all season.

In the meantime, the junior still sees room to perfect her craft and help the Mean Green continue receiving national votes.

“It’s exciting to have a good start, but it doesn’t make me feel I need to work any less,” Schkade said. “I know I need to work just as hard to carry this throughout the season. I hope I can do that for the team.”

UPCOMING GAMES Thursday •W Basketball: vs. Louisiana Tech (Super Pit) – 7 p.m.

•M Basketball: @ Louisiana Tech (Ruston, LA) – 8 p.m.

•Swimming & Diving: C-USA Championships (Birmingham, AL) – All day Friday •Tennis: @ Tulsa (Tulsa, OK) – 4 p.m.

•M Golf: John Hayt Classic (Ponte Vedra, FL) – All day •Swimming & Diving: C-USA Championships (Birmingham, AL) – All day Saturday •Tennis: vs. USF (Tulsa, OK) – 12 p.m.

• Softball: vs. Sam Houston State (Lovelace Stadium) – 1 p.m.

•Softball: vs. Creighton (Lovelace Stadium) – 3:30 p.m.

•W Basketball: vs. Southern Miss (Super Pit) – 2 p.m.

• M Basketball: @ Southern Miss (Hattiesburg, MS) – 7 p.m.

• M Golf: John Hayt Classic (Ponte Vedra, FL) – All day • Swimming & Diving: C-USA Championships (Birmingham, AL) – All day Sunday •Softball: vs. Creighton (Lovelace Stadium) – 11 a.m.

•Softball: vs. Sam Houston State (Lovelace Stadium) – 1 p.m.

• M Golf: John Hayt Classic (Ponte Vedra, FL) – All day

Don’t Get Stuck In Your Career #15 Online MBA

Join us for our Dallas info session Saturday, February 27th.

Parking provided. http://bit.ly/1L6tHKm Senior midfielder Aaron Cavanagh, left, attempts to take the ball away from a UTD player during a match last fall.

Colin Mitchell | Staff Photographer

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP STARTS HERE

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 8 RESEARCH

UNT conducting psychological study of athletes who have torn ACL

By Reece Waddell Senior Staff Writer @ReeceWaddell15

UNT is conducting a study on three different psychological interventions and how they could improve the lives and duration of recovery among athletes with a torn ACL. Doctoral candidate Shelly Sheinbein is the lead researcher for the study. and upon its completion, will earn her Ph.D. in counseling psychology.

A former lacrosse player in college, Sheinbein is passionate about aiding athletes in their recovery from ACL injuries.

“I want to help make a difference and impact athletes’ lives,” Sheinbein said. “I’m an athlete myself, so I think this stuff matters and can really have a positive impact.”

To be eligible for the study, interested candidates must schedule a consultation with the UNT Center for Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence before having reconstructive surgery to repair their damaged ACL. Participants then attend eight 30-minute sessions during which some sort of psychological intervention will be performed. According to Sheinbein, the study defines an athlete as anyone who participates in approximately six hours of sport per week and wants to return to exercising at that level following surgery.

Free for those who qualify, participants will be randomly delegated to one of three

psychological interventions and will be asked to adhere to each respective intervention’s protocols. Due to the study’s scientific nature, no specifics were given to avoid tainting results.

“The interventions themselves, all of them have been heavily researched,” Sheinbein said.

“They will be learning skills that help them not only handle what they are dealing with in the moment with their sport injury, but also help them in the long run of being able to, once they return to sport, achieve some of their higher goals.”

Recovering from an ACL tear is typically a long process, taking anywhere from six to nine months to fully recuperate.

Also, tearing the ACL almost always requires reconstructive surgery.

To reconstruct the knee, surgeons will drill two holes, one in the femur and one in the tibia, to act as anchor points for the new ACL graft.

The surgeon will then harvest a tendon from the patient, usually from the hamstring or patellar, to serve as the new ACL ligament. In smaller cases, patients or doctors often opt to use a cadaver for the new ligament instead.

The physician will then thread the ACL graft through the two holes drilled in the femur and tibia, insert dissolvable screws to hold the new ligament in place and sew the wound shut.

No matter which option is chosen, the surgery is a major

procedure that requires time, finesse and proper guidance in order to heal properly.

“The social norm right now is - because you hear so much about it on ESPN and social media - that it’s almost like going and having a tooth pulled,” Dustin Hill, North Texas director of sports medicine, said of ACL tears.

“But it’s still a very significant surgery because there is a

reconstruction of the knee. The rehab is very tough.”

But with how often the injury occurs in athletics, it’s easy to see why it is becoming increasingly prevalent in the news. Approximately 300,000 people involved in sports or recreational activity suffer an ACL injury each year, according to the flyer for Sheinbein’s study, Men’s basketball head

Illustration of a torn ACL. Jake Bowerman | Staff Illustrator

coach Tony Benford has one explanation as to why the injury has become so prevalent.

“One thing it could be is kids now are playing yearround,” Benford said. “They play so many games. They’ll play three, sometimes even four games a day. The wear and tear is eventually going to catch up with you.”

The impact of an ACL tear is felt not only physically, but mentally as well. Many people experience a progression of emotions after their injury, from dejection and despondence to displeasure and vexation.

“They go through all the stages,” Hill said. “It’s the anger and frustration of it happening.

It’s the sadness. The sadness kicks in really quick because they know their season is done.

Then they get into the whole deal of getting mad and ‘why me?’ Every single person goes through almost the same type of phases of that psychological stage. It’s pretty similar across the board.”

The North Texas women’s basketball team has two players on its current roster who have experienced ACL tears. Junior guard Candice Adams suffered her season-ending injury in the middle of the 2013 campaign and to this day wears a bulky brace to support her surgically repaired knee. “[Recovery time] was long,” Adams said. “It was hard. Just trying to get my leg back straight and walk again, it was a tough process. The

six months of rehab was my biggest challenge.”

ACL studies have even advanced so much that experts are now trying to gauge how prone athletes are to tearing it before an injury occurs. Adams remembers attending a Nike camp as a middle schooler, where they administered a test that showed Adams she had an 80 percent chance of tearing her ACL. “They put sensors on our legs and body. We did a jump test and a landing test, and my knees were going in,” Adams said. “It said I had a high percentage of tearing my ACL. But I was just like, ‘Oh, this is a new study,’ and I never really paid attention to it. And sure enough, I tore my ACL.” For Sheinbein, her mission is to give athletes confidence during their rehabilitation and upon their return to sports. Currently, she has 10 participants in the study, but hopes to have 75 by the time she finishes at the end of 2016.

Although she is unsure what the results of her study will reveal, there is one thing she is adamant about.

“This can help,” Sheinbein said.

“Everyone recovers from things differently. By participating in this study, you will likely benefit both physically and mentally and have a much higher likelihood of returning to sport. Fifty percent of athletes who have ACL surgery never return to sport. This study is intended to fill that gap.”

BASKETBALL

Basketball transfers making strides in preparation for next season

By Alex Lessard Associate Sports Editor @alexjlessard Deciding which university to attend can be a stressful and risky process for prospective student athletes. Whether it’s too far from home, a lack of playing time or simply a bad fit with the coaching staff and teammates, there are countless things that could go wrong at a player’s first choice.

Luckily, if things don’t work out, athletes can transfer somewhere else however many times they want as long as they are still students. But once a player enrolls in classes at a new school, the NCAA requires them to sit out one full year before becoming eligible to play.

For junior guard J-Mychal Reese, the wait was even more daunting. He announced his decision to transfer in June of 2014, but his eligibility clock didn’t start until classes began in August.

“It was really frustrating, especially cutting on the TV, seeing all the college games.

Basketball [in general], period,” Reese said. “I just missed being a part of it, actually suiting up to play on game day instead of watching.”

Until the 2015-16 season began, Reese could do everything except travel and play in games, including full participation in team practices and workouts. Keeping a hardworking mentality and looking to improve every day helped the time pass, but Reese said the wait to get back on the court felt like it lasted five years.

This season, there are two men’s basketball players experiencing Reese’s exact situation: junior guard Keith Frazier (Southern Methodist University) and freshman guard Ryan Woolridge (University of San Diego). Since arriving, each has watched Reese closely to get a feel for how he plays and manages the game, all while actively listening to any advice he may have for how to get through the year without eligibility.

“Before you know it, you’ll be putting on your jersey to play,” Reese said. “You got to be ready when the time comes.

You can sit out a year or a year and a half for no reason, so you got to make it count.”

Head coach Tony Benford said bringing in a mixture of high school recruits and transfers each season has provided a good balance of youth and experience to the

Mean Green during his tenure.

In Reese’s case, Benford made sure to encourage him and give him prominent responsibilities in practice, allowing him to become a floor general this season.

After Reese took advantage of his opportunities in practice for a calendar year, Benford even named Reese a team captain before playing a single game for North Texas.

“I always tell my guys when they sit out, you approach every practice like it’s a game,” Benford said. “So every day is a game day for you. That’s the mindset that you’ve got to have to be prepared mentally when you are ready to play the following year.”

On the women’s side, junior guard Stabresa McDaniel (University of Minnesota) as well as sophomore guards Terriell Bradley (University of Kansas) and Tyara Warren (West Virginia University) have all watched the season unfold as ineligible players this season. And with three seniors departing, there will be plenty of playing time for the transfers next year.

Warren, who also sat out her senior year of high school after tearing her ACL, said she’s enjoyed the family-oriented

Red-shirted sophomore guards Tyara Warren (1) from West Virgina University and Terriell Bradley (13) from the Univeristy of Kansas are two of the three women’s basketball transfers. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer culture and team chemistry at North Texas, but still experiences the downsides of only being allowed to practice against her teammates.

“It’s helpful, but you’re not going to be playing against them in conference next year,” Warren said. “You can’t really judge yourself based upon them, so I can’t really tell how much better I’m getting.”

According to Bradley, transitioning from seeing nearly 20 minutes a game as a Jayhawk to becoming a full-time scout team player has been tough, but getting to sit back and watch the Mean Green’s games

without having to worry about her own performance has been beneficial.

“Sitting on the bench, you can see maybe what they don’t see. It’s a different perspective,” Bradley said. “You get a better feel for your teammates and see where you would fit in to the whole team next year.”

The attention and motivation Benford and women’s head coach Jalie Mitchell give to each transfer is imperative for growth and improvement, but each player’s fate ultimately lies in their own hands. Benford said most of the transfers he’s been around and coached in his

career have made good decisions and finished their careers on a high note, but staying positive is key, especially when it comes to former top recruits.

“It’s a chance to write a new chapter,” Benford said. “There’s always going to be bumps in the road in life, in your personal life, professional life. You got to keep working hard, stay positive, and you will overcome it. But you’ve got to believe you will.”

MEAN GREEN QUICK HITS Softball receives national poll votes for first time in school history After pulling off two comeback wins against No. 21 Baylor last weekend at the Getterman Classic, North Texas received two votes in the USA Today/ NFCA Division I softball coaches’ poll Tuesday morning. If teams receiving votes counted in the rankings, the Mean Green would rank No. 33 in the nation.

Swimming and Diving C-USA Tournament underway in Atlanta Mean Green swimming and diving began the Conference USA tournament yesterday with a fifth place finish in the 200m medley relay. The team’s 1:41:70 time in the event was also the second best finish in school history.

The tournament continues through Saturday.

Maria Kononova earns C-USA Player of the Week honors Tennis freshman Maria Kononova won her first career Conference USA Player of the Week honor after going undefeated in both her singles contests last weekend and holding an advantage in two doubles contests that did not finish. She took down the No. 83-ranked singles player in the country in the process and has been a key contributor in the team’s four-match win streak.

WILLIAM CLARK GREEN • SAM RIGGS CODY JOHNSON & THE ROCKIN' CJB JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS MICKY & THE MOTORCARS AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

North Texas junior guard J-Mychal Reese (52) is one of the basketball transfers, last at Texas A&M University. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer

Men’s basketball takes twogame win streak to La. Tech, Southern Miss After losing back-to-back road games two weeks ago, North Texas men’s basketball swept its home stand last weekend with wins over FIU and FAU. The Mean Green now sits in a threeway tie for 7th place in Conference USA with only two games separating North Texas from 13th place out of 14 teams.

OPINION Page 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

NTDAILY.COM SLEEP

BLACK HISTORY

Black History: Personal accounts on inspiring figures It’s time to make up for all Reflections on those missed naps from Pre-K black leader James Baldwin

By Sidney Johnson Staff Writer @Sidjohn87

I chose to highlight James Baldwin for Black History Month because of his unparalleled ability to embody the black experience in this country. His prose remains both somber and witty, detailing the struggle of blacks in the ghettos of America, while offering a sense of hope in the midst of the struggle.

He endured some of the greatest hardships I’ve ever read of, yet rose to be revered as one of the greatest writers in American history.

Born Aug. 2, 1924 in New York City to single mother Emma Jones, his stepfather, David Baldwin, was a Baptist minister and was often hard on James, festering a deep resentment within the young boy. Despite their relationship, James went on to become a youth minister in a Harlem Pentecostal church. This period of his life is detailed in the essay “The Fire Next Time.”

Set sometime in the 1940’s, the essay dove into the writer’s past, showing how the overt racism and discrimination he faced in the urban ghetto shaped his view of the world. He delves into his disdain for white supremacy, his bisexuality – a taboo subject at the time – as well as his friends and classmates who were destined for destruction on the corner he vividly describes.

With time, Baldwin left the church to pursue writing full-time

and moved to Greenwich Village, a haven for writers and artists alike. Soon after, he began writing essays and short stories that were later published in national publications.

In 1947, James decided to move to Paris on a fellowship. This was a pivotal moment in Baldwin’s life as he began to analyze the stark difference between his oppression in America and his life outside the states.

He then published a slew of novels such as “Giovanni’s Room, “ “Just Above My Head,” “Another Country” and many other pieces of literary mastery.

James Baldwin died an author, playwright and poet in Saint-Paul de Vence in France on December 1, 1987, just 20 days before I was born.

Above all, Baldwin was an outspoken activist for the rectification of the plight of the black body in America. His words have influenced my perspective on life more than any other writer.

He was infinitely honest in his assertion of black subordination at the time.

He is quoted as having said, “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”

The legacy of Tupac Shakur

By Preston Mitchell Staff Writer @Presto_Mitch

Since I was 6-years-old, I grew up in a single-mother household until college. My father passed

away from cancer and it was up to my mom to raise me independently.

Considering the dilemma sprung so early, that way of life became second-nature to me.

The real abnormalities, however, were from looking at the families of everyone I was raised around.

Moms, dads, sisters and brothers at every school event. Free from divorce or estrangement.

Fortunately, I found a few of my passions during my youth, and one of them was the music of Tupac Shakur.

Widely considered the greatest rapper of all time, Shakur struck many chords that set him apart from other musicians. By the time I was 12 or 13, I had already heard some of his classics like “California Love” or “How Do U Want It.” Because of their upbeat, festive nature, they were in heavy rotation at the Boys and Girls Club I attended every summer.

It wasn’t until stumbling upon “Dear Mama,” my favorite song of his, that I felt any personal connection to his balladry.

Beautifully describing his relationship with his mother, it perfectly explicated the initial anger, the development and the eventual appreciation that males in

our situation harbor for the maternal.

As a preteen finally enticed to seek out more Tupac music, it proved to be key in finding out who Tupac was a man. By uncovering his adorations for Shakespeare, philosophy and the arts, he heavily influenced me to look beyond my own narrow-minded upbringing and not let the lack of a father at home hold back my progress.

The beauty of music is that those artists can live forever, which is especially the case here. Tupac Shakur continues to touch listeners, and he did so in his lifetime because he helped transform hip-hop into a poetic art form. Thankfully, his social consciousness aided me to love myself, my potential and, of course, my own mother.

Illustration by Samuel Wiggins | Senior Staff Illustrator

By Sidney Johnson Staff Writer @Sidjohn87 We students at UNT are hard-working and punctual.

We consistently meet all assignment deadlines no matter the circumstances. We don’t drink, we don’t smoke and we definitely get our full eighthours each night after rereading our syllabi to ensure we are on top of our game each day. Pinky promise.

JK. I’m sure I speak for the majority of students when I say I am overworked, underpaid and scrape by one eight-minute midday nap at a time. When that cup ‘o Joe from Big Mike’s is fading and those words on your laptop screen begin to swirl into each other, you know what time it is.

A balanced sleep schedule is difficult to maintain after procrastinating all week before your overzealous project partners release the hounds for your portion of the project, but this sleep thing is important, for school’s sake.

The Illinois State Center for Health Promotion and Wellness gives us six great reasons to reject that Fry St. crawl on a Saturday night: 1.

Improves learning and memory.

2. Gives positive impacts on metabolism and weight.

3.

Increases safety and performance.

4.

Better mood.

5.

Strengthens immune system.

6.

Reduces stress.

Boom — science has told us it would be in our best interest, academically speaking, to lie down instead of turn up.

I often look back to those days of pre-school, when we unknowingly had it made - all we had to do was cut shapes, eat our snack-pack and give a reprieve to those brave souls who volunteered to watch us through nap time.

Now I’m a borderline insomniac, eat whatever I can find and if I cut anything, I’ll probably go to jail.

Being a working college student can be rough, but neglecting to count the adequate amount of sheep isn’t in our best interest. After all, it ensures you’re not dragging your sleepless body into that 8:00 a.m. class like one of the undead.

Based on the evidence presented here, and the highstress load experienced by most college students, it would seem fitting to take advantage of that little spare time between classes and catch up on some Z’s.

Your health is directly tied to it, and with the brain still developing, you need all the help you can get. Funny how now that it isn’t mandatory, it’s something you’d give anything to do again.

So, in the spirit of better moods and a higher capacity for thinking, take a nap.

ELECTION

Three things you should consider before voting, but probably haven’t

By Harrison Long Opinion Editor @HarrisonGLong

1. Tensions with Russia

Whether the current state of diplomacy between the United States and Russia could be determined a “Cold War” is irrelevant - the fact of the matter is the two states with the highest proliferation of nuclear arms in the world have had a drastic increase in tension the last few years, with the situation actively getting worse.

Russia, in addition to the seizure of Crimea in Ukraine, has begun to back the Assad regime in Syria. Our new commander-in-chief will be directly responsible for taking charge in curbing these realities, and their strategy for dealing with such will be a large factor in the overall outcome.

The potential disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis was avoided directly because clearer heads prevailed - if the United States were to find itself in a situation of a similar nature, whose finger would you want on the trigger?

2. The Middle East

If you looked up the definition of the word “quagmire” in Webster’s dictionary, you’d find a perfect description of the current fight for stability in the Middle East.

Currently, the public support for armed theatres of war against the Islamic State is rising, but as these things normally go, the ability of the United States citizens to remain committed once fighting begins is the real question. There is also the matter of reducing the increasing number of refugees fleeing the area, but this is nearly impossible as long the “rock and hard place” that is the Assad regime and the Islamic State’s de facto caliphate remain in place.

Maintaining relations with Turkey while also asking the Kurds to assist in the fight against Islamic State will prove difficult as the two are sworn rivals. There is also the consideration of not engaging Russian troops ¬— whether of proxy relation or with direct ties to the Kremlin — and not further escalating the conflict beyond the border of the region. The next president should understand the risks associated with taking on any of these endeavors and be willing to see it through

so the United States doesn’t just plunge itself into Iraq: Round 3.

3. Immigration

It is economically and logistically impossible, as well as morally reprehensible, to deport 11 million people from the United States. It would devastate the economy, and create far more problems than it could ever (even in theory) fix.

Overall, the greatest impact of an influx of new waves of immigrants into the United States is on those who have emigrated previously. Newer immigrants tend to possess many of the same skills of those who preceded them, and are often drawn to work in the same jobs and live in the same areas as their predecessors.

Temporary foreign workers don’t have the legal right to change employers, so their bargaining power as an employee is greatly diminished, as is the case with undocumented workers. They often find themselves in the position to be forced to accept less-than-ideal work environments, minimized wages or lack of benefits - all stemming from the threat of deportation.

Since this is unequivocally not the case for those born here, the presence

of immigrants has little economic impact on U.S. citizens.

The only way an immigrant can receive aid from the federal government in the form of welfare, unemployment insurance and food stamps would be through a permanent resident or natural born citizen. They disqualify for these benefits and thus, by and large, do not receive them. The truth is that immigrants contribute far more to the economy through the purchase of goods and services than they receive, despite claims to the contrary.

This is important to remember, as the rhetoric against those entering our country will no doubt be riled up again in the coming months. Real immigration reform is needed, and there has never been a better time than the next four years to get this done.

Of course, there are far more issues to take into account, yet these three matters are far too often overlooked. Hopefully, as the campaign season progresses, many of the problems we face that are lesser-spoken of will come to light, and he or she who is up to the task of leading us will swear into office next January.

North Texas Daily Editorial Board

Editor-In-Chief...................Nicholas Friedman nicholas.friedman1@gmail.com....@NMFreed

News Editor...............................Dalton LaFerney laferneyd@gmail.com.............@daltonlaferney

Arts & Life Editor..........................Erica Wieting ericawieting@gmail.com........@ericawootang

Sports Editor......................................Scott Sidway s.sidway@gmail.com.....................@ScottyWK

Visuals Editor..............................Kristen Watson kristenwatson2@my.unt.edu............@kbwatts

Visuals Editor............................Meagan Sullivan meagansullivanphotography@gmail.com....@meagansullivan_

Opinion Editor.............................Harrison Long harrisonlong@my.unt.edu..............@HarrisonGLong

Production

Design Editor........................Hannah Lauritzen Copy Editor......................................Linda Kessler Copy Editor..........................................Matt Payne For Advertising, please call 940-565-3989 or email adsales@unt.edu

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 10 SUPREME COURT

Senate evades common ground in picking Scalia’s replacement

By The Editorial Board North Texas Daily @ntdaily

Article II Section II of the United States Constitution gives the President the power to nominate a Supreme Court justice should a seat become vacant. While it also describes the power of Congress to vet these appointments as necessary, it does not - at any point - say he or she must wait to nominate should the end of their term loom.

This seems to be a point of debate following the untimely death of Justice Antonin Scalia, who was appointed in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. In the short time since Scalia’s passing, there has been no shortage of speculation regarding who his replacement will be and contentions between the two parties remain fierce.

It is understandable that Republicans in Congress would have their reservations about who President Obama, a Democrat, would nominate for the lifetime appointment at the highest court in our nation. But the level of schoolyard bullying

taking place is completely uncalled for.

Telling, not asking, but telling, the President that he should forego even recommending a replacement is beyond ridiculous, and officially marks the end of moderate politics as we know it.

One potential candidate for the seat who Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell flatout refused: Governor of Nevada and fellow Republican Brian Sandoval. Understand that President Obama is under no legal obligation to nominate someone from his own party, or even someone who currently holds office, and though he has not yet made any official nominations, even the rumor is enough to start a conversation on a potential candidate.

That a Republican is even being considered speaks volumes of Obama’s willingness to negotiate with Congress on this appointment and beyond.

That those in Congress are stubborn enough to refuse someone from their own party says even more about their commitment to obstructionism

and stopping the president at the gate.

At what point did we refuse to work together? Ronald Reagan, the poster boy for modern day conservatism, was more than willing to negotiate with his democratic counterparts on a variety of issues. He passed legislation that strayed from his conservative views, not because he was weak and folded from the pressure of the legislative branch, but because he saw beyond his own seat in the Oval Office and realized true progress comes through compromise.

The President said he believes the Senate will “evolve” on the situation once the public realizes the qualifications of his nominee, and while the Senate does have the right not to appoint the president’s choice for associate justice under the guise of the same section of Article II, it does beg the question as to why their commitments are so skewed.

The purpose of our legislative branch is to work together and find common ground in order to best serve the interests of U.S.

citizens. It’s unclear why this has become so difficult, but frustrated citizens should take heed in the potential that comes

from this election, and know that their votes truly do count in choosing those who represents them.

As the saying (sort of) goes: “Remember, remember, this November.”

“PRIORITIES”

Cartoon by Samuel Wiggins | Senior Staff Illustrator COMICS

Comic by Jake Bowerman | Staff Illustrator. More of his work can be found at grombohouse.smackjeeves.com.

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Entertainment Listings Thursday, February 25, 2016

Suit and Tie Jazz Night - 10:00 PM @ Paschall Bar

Beth Marie’s Fundraising Event - 11:00 AM @ Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Monday, February 29, 2016

Love and Happiness: The Nightowls Present A Tribute to Al Green - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf

Open Mic Night - 7:00 PM @ LSA Burger Texas Blues Crew - 7:00 PM @ Sweetwater Grill and Tavern

Trivia Night - 8:00 PM @ Mulberry St. Cantina

Denton’s 1st Liquor Store 1010 W. University (next to Movie Tavern)

3969 Teasley Lane @Robinson Road

Friday, February 26, 2016

Paul Slavens and Friends - 9:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf

Wonders of the Night Hike 6:00 PM @ Lake Ray Roberts

The Toasters - 9:00 PM @ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio

State Park Isle du Bois Live Music - 7:00 PM @ LSA Burger

Open Mic Night - 10:00 PM @ Andy’s Bar

Tuesday, February 30, 2016

Friday Night Dart Tournament - 7:45 PM @ The LABB

Real Texas Radio Live Broadcast - 7:00 PM @ LSA Burger

Ghosts of Denton Tour - 8:00 PM @ Downtown Denton (meet at Jupiter House)

LZ129 Led Zepplin Tribute - 8:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf

Wednesday, February 31, 2016

Matt Roberts & the Stay at Home Gypsiez - 9:00 PM @ Rockin’ Rodeo

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Meditation Class - 11:30 PM @ Seven Mile Cafe

Jazz Brunch - 10:00 AM @ The Chestnut Tree

Live Music - 7:00 PM @ LSA Burger Wednesday Night Social Run - 7:00 PM @ Oak St. Drafthouse

Lost Pines Guided Hike - 10:00 AM @ Lake Ray Roberts

Locally Owned and Operated

&

Movie Night - 10:30 PM @ II Charlie’s Bar and Grill

State Park Isle du Bois Afternoons at Audacity (Cold beer and Live music) - 4:00 PM @ Audacity Brew House

Thursday, March 1, 2016 Open Mic Night - 7:00 PM @ Audacity Brew House

Glass Cutting Workshop - 4:00 PM @ SCRAP Denton Live Music - 7:00 PM @ LSA Burger

Thursday Night Music Series - 7:00 PM @ UNT on the Square

Ghosts of Denton Tour - 8:00 PM @ Downtown Denton (meet at Jupiter House)

Trivia Night - 8:00 PM @ Mulberry St Cantina

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Free Roll Texas Hold Em Tournament - 6:00 PM @ Jack’s Tavern

Ray Wiley Hubbard - 8:00 PM @ Dan’s Silverleaf

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Open Mic with Bone Doggie - 9:00 PM @ The Abbey Underground Mention this ad for $5 off any repair!

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