THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2017 STUDENT MEDIA | @THEBATTONLINE
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The complaint, which was filed on Feb. 1, has roughly 60 days to be investigated by the Title IX office but can be extended if necessary.
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BASKETBALL CURTYCE KNOX BALANCES MOTHERHOOD, BASKETBALL CAREER PAGE 6
POSTER CURTYCE KNOX STATS STUDENT ELECTIONS
VOTING OPENS Texas A&M students will have the chance to decide who will fill the offices of Student Body President, Yell Leaders and many other representative positions after several days of campaigning. Voting for student body elections will open Thursday, Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. and close at noon Friday, Feb. 24. More information on student body elections is available at tamuelection. com/spring-2017 and once voting is open, students can visit vote.tamu.edu to cast their ballot. To find out where the candidates stand on key issues and what they envision for the future of A&M, students are encouraged to check out The Battalion’s 2017 election guide online.
Alexis Will — THE BATTALION
Walton Hall files Title IX complaint
Residents say 4 female dorms, no male dorms on campus is gender discrimination
By Josh McCormack @_joshmccormack
F
ollowing the Jan. 25 announcement of Walton Hall becoming a co-ed, freshmen-only dorm, current Walton residents are not happy with the change and have filed a Title IX complaint claiming gender discrimination. The complaint, which was filed on Feb. 1, is based on the fact that, starting in the fall of 2017, there will be four all-female dorms on campus in comparison to no all-male housing. The Title IX office has begun its investigation into the case, said Margaret Zapalac, associate vice president for University Risk and Compliance. “Once a civil rights complaint is filed, a review of the information is needed to determine how to proceed,” Zapalac said. “TAMU strives to complete investigations in a timely manner, e.g., approximately 60 days, however this may
vary depending on the severity and extent of the complaint and/or the complexity of the investigation.” Electrical engineering sophomore and Walton Hall Council president Nadir Pozegija said after the announcement, Walton Hall residents began to act quickly, trying to fight for their dorm to remain all-male and open to all years. “We announced [Walton going co-ed on Jan. 25] — Wednesday night. Thursday morning we all just started discussing possible actions we could take,” Pozegija said. “That was an idea ... [to file a Title IX complaint] is one that has been around for a while” The complaint was filed not only to preserve the community Walton residents have built, but also to continue to support all living preferences, Pozegija said. “So the dilemma is not just about Walton, it comes down to as a whole ... for fairness and equality there is no all-male housing left on WALTON ON PG. 5
— Staff Report
Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION
Freshman catcher Hunter Coleman is hitting .444 in the Aggies’ first four games.
CRIME
WARRANT AMNESTY CONTINUES The spring warrant amnesty period for College Station and Brazos County began Feb. 13 and will continue through March 3. Citizens with outstanding warrants can avoid paying a $50 per case warrant fee if the fine is paid in full. Warrant status can be checked at cstx.gov/ warrants if the warrant was issued by the College Station Police Department. During the warrant roundup March 4 through 12, city marshals, police officers, reserve police officers and constables will arrest those with outstanding warrants. — Staff Report
TEXAS A&M FRESHMEN HIT T H E G R O U N D Official designated meditation, R U N N I N G Tyler Snell — THE BATTALION
An all-inclusive worship area in Evans Library is set to open in two to three weeks.
prayer space to come to Evans By Tyler Snell @Tyler_Snell2 Religious and nonreligious students will soon have a prayer and meditation room in Evans Library. The room on the fifth floor overlooks the Annex and Central Campus Garage and is set to open in the next two to three weeks. The room was created after University Libraries administration noticed students creating prayer areas in the library, such as Muslim students worshiping under the stairwell. However, Dean of University Libraries David Carlson said this room will be open to all faiths. “It was mostly driven by student demand in the
sense that we have discovered there were Muslim students, primarily, who created a space of their own in a stairwell in Evans,” Carlson said. “It’s for anybody of any faith as well as people of no faith who simply want to go up there and meditate.” Pixey Mosley, Associate Dean for Administrative and Faculty Services said the room will allow the spaces currently used by students for prayer and meditation to be used to better enhance a student’s experience at the library. “We want to be able to provide these spaces but also utilize all the areas of our library,” Mosley said. “I think students will get great use out of this room and will really help improve the culture of EVANS ON PG. 4
By Heath Clary @Heath_Clary Oftentimes it takes freshmen a little bit of time to adjust to college baseball. After all, they were high schoolers just a year earlier. The routine of college is different, the competition is stiffer and early struggles are seen as simply a cost of doing business. That, however, is not the case for the current crop of Texas A&M fish. In the first four games, the first-year players have stolen the show from their older teammates. Of the eight Aggies hitting over .300 to this point, six are freshman. Jorge Gutierrez has been outstanding, hitting an otherworldly .714 with three home runs while BASEBALL ON PG. 2
Senior Boot Bag Senior Boot Bag
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Freshman utility player Jorge Gutierrez boasts an incredible 2.286 slugging percentage through his first four collegiate games.
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“We know that this year a lot of young guys have to play big roles, and I think we stepped up.” Hunter Coleman, freshman catcher
BASEBALL CONTINUED second baseman Braden Shewmake, last week’s SEC Freshman of the Week, is hitting at a .421 clip with eight RBI and five runs scored. “It was cool seeing all the hard work pay off,” said freshman catcher Hunter Coleman, who is hitting .444. “We know that this year a lot of young guys have to play big roles and I think we stepped up.” And while some fans might be shocked at the freshmen’s instant success, the players are not. They expect it. Part of those expectations stem from the fact that they have been working for this moment since they got to campus in early June of last year, as well as the coaches making it clear that the freshmen would get a chance to play if they earned it. “We had a pretty good feeling going into the year,” said freshman outfielder Cam Blake. “We lost a ton of great players [from last year] and the coaches told us from day one that every single freshman we have is going to have an opportunity and it’s going to be who makes the most of that opportunity. We worked the whole fall knowing that we had a chance and the older guys really helped us out. We knew and we were ready for it.” Blake split designated hitter duties with fellow freshman Logan Foster over the weekend. Both played extremely well, but Gutierrez’s brilliance earned him the start at DH in Tuesday’s midweek game against Stephen F. Austin. All the production out of the freshman class — expected or not — has created a logjam at some positions that the coaching staff is going to have to sort out. There are only nine spots in the lineup to fill, and the Aggies have significantly more position players who have proven capable of filling those spots. “There’s a bunch of guys that can all play DH and they can all swing the bat really well,” Shewmake said. “That’s what’s tough — it’s a good, tough decision for the coaches to make knowing that they’re going to put someone in there that’s going to be able to swing the bat. Great problem to have.” If any team can handle a “problem” like this, it’s A&M. The players have all known
each other for a long time, they have great chemistry and they truly want the team to succeed in whatever way possible. A perfect example of this attitude is the relationship between Blake and Foster. Blake started the Aggies’ season opener against Bowling Green at DH, but Foster pinch hit for him late in the game and the two have traded playing time since then. While they will continue to compete for at-bats, they each want the other to succeed as well. “We’ll compete with each other the whole time,” Blake said. “I love the kid and he loves me. When he does good I’m really happy for him and when I do good he’s happy for me. There’s absolutely competition, but there’s no bad blood in there — we love it.” While the entire freshman class has shined, Gutierrez has stolen the show. The freshman switch-hitter from Sugar Land hit home runs in each of his first two college at-bats, then slugged a game-tying homer against SFA that ultimately sent the game into extra innings. “He was not human this weekend — he’s unreal,” Shewmake said of Gutierrez. “He’s always been able to swing it. I knew he was going to be good coming in.” As the season progresses, the competition is going to get tougher, the pitching is going to get better and the freshmen might run into some slumps. Or they might not. Blake and Coleman said it will be important for them to have short memories — if they have a bad weekend, forget about it and focus on the next one. Shewmake is confident the freshmen can continue to play at a high level. “I really do. We have a bunch of hard workers who are never content with where we’re at,” Shewmake said. “Our thing is ‘Win the Day’ and as a freshman class our mindset is that if we’re not getting better we’re getting worse. So we have to get better every day and I don’t think there’s too many classes that are going to be able to pass us if we do that.” The Aggies will return to the diamond this weekend with a three-game series against Pepperdine at Blue Bell Park. Friday’s matchup will open the series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE 2017 AGGIELAND YEARBOOK! Specialties Photography will be set up to have your FREE portrait taken for Texas A&M University’s 2017 Aggieland yearbook.
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The Battalion | 2.23.17
CURTYCE KNOX BALANCES MOTHERHOOD, BASKETBALL CAREER
Part-time athlete, full-time mother By Angel Franco @angelmadison_
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n the court, Curtyce Knox is known as a teammate, competitor and leader. Off the court, she is known as Mom. In the season before her junior season, Knox received the life-changing news that she was expecting her first child. As Knox dealt with the early parts of her pregnancy, she turned to an unlikely person for advice and guidance — Jennifer Jones. Jones, the women’s basketball strength and conditioning coach, was the first person to know about Knox’s pregnancy.
“When I found out, I actually told our strength and conditioning coach first,” Knox said. “She really helped me a lot, like going to the doctor and getting checkups.” Jones said she felt Knox came to her for advice from the start because Jones had been so open with telling Knox and the team her experience of being a student athlete in college while having a baby. “I had my oldest son when I was in college and was playing sports,” Jones said. “I think she was looking for someone to give her unbiased guidance on how to proceed through. I was a listening ear for her, helped her make decisions on going to go see the doctor, when were we going to tell her mom, both of us went to go talk to Coach Blair together. I was kind of someone that she could lean on and she knew wasn’t going to judge.” When Knox and Jones began preparing to tell the team, the one thing Knox feared the most was in the eyes of her teammates she would be a disappointment. However, the reaction she got from them was the complete opposite. “The first thing that went through my head was like, ‘I’m letting them down, I’m not going to be able to play next season. Jordan [Jones] is not going to have a backup point guard.’ But they have always supported me and it made it so much easier,” Knox said. After getting over the challenge of telling her teammates the news, Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair was next on Knox’s list of people who needed to know. “He handled it so well, he made me feel comfortable, which was a big thing for me,” Knox said. “He told me I’d always have a support system here at Texas A&M from the coaches and my teammates as well — that meant a lot to me.” Now Knox has had her daughter, Haven, in her life for almost a year and a half while playing her fifth season with the Aggies after redshirting her freshman year. Knox has earned her degree in recreation, parks and tourism science and is currently in graduate school. All while parenting a 17-month-old toddler. On the hardwood, Knox is having the best season of her career. As the Aggies’ starting point guard, Knox is averaging a nation-leading 9.4 assists per game, nearly two more assists than the next player in Division-I women’s basketball. Knox said for the first time since she’s donned the maroon and white, she is in the best physical state. “I feel that I am in the best condition that I’ve ever been in since I’ve been at Texas A&M,” Knox said. “I just have more confidence knowing that I’m the only point guard on the team. It’s my job to get things done on the court, they’re looking to me for leadership on this team this year.” Knox said the reason she is having the best season was due to the confidence that Blair has instilled in her by trusting her to lead the team. “My confidence is off the charts,” Knox said. “Coach Blair has a lot to do with it. He really shows me he believes in my game, my leadership and my role on this team. That has helped me during the game to know that he believes in me.” Blair said Knox is one of the most productive fifth-year players he has ever coached in the span of his 31-year career. Blair said Knox having a child has not only helped her grow mentally and physically strong off the court but it has inadvertently affected her performance on the court. “She is delivering like no other fifth-year senior has ever delivered for me at any of my stops along the way,” Blair said. “She is a quiet leader, she likes to lead by example … When she came into her senior year, she knew we had no backup at the point so mentally, health wise, strength wise, she had to be at her best. She hasn’t missed one practice, one possession because of injury — knock on wood.” The maturity exuded from Knox on the court has been beneficial for A&M on the court in crunch time situations. Texas A&M guard Danni Williams said Knox’s confidence is something which she is thankful for when the game is on the line. “She’s just so calm that makes you feel calm on the court,” Williams said. “We could be down by two with 30 seconds left and she just has this sense of, ‘Everything is going to be okay’ even when we’re up like that and its close. She’s just so calm and mellow, you always know what you’re going to get from her. That always helps us and our other teammates because you can count on her to be positive and just keep going.” As the Aggies come to the tail end of the regular season and begin preparing for the postseason, Knox said her success both on and off the court is because she has a strong support system in the stands and beside her on the court. “I have so much help here it’s crazy,” Knox said. “I’m just so blessed to be around so many people who care about me and my child. I really don’t think that I’ve experienced the hard times of having a child because I’ve always had someone who will call me and tell me ‘I will watch Haven if you need a nap after practice.’ I just really appreciate all the help I’ve gotten since she was born.”
Curtyce Knox and her daughter Haven Short wait for her name to be called in senior recognition.
Curtyce Knox celebrated her Senior Day alongside her brother Tristan Tims, his fiancée Claudia, her fiancé Kevin Short, younger brother Jordan Knox, mother Deneyce Knox, daughter Haven Short and head coach Gary Blair.
Head coach Gary Blair and Curtyce Knox have a unique bond which was strengthened through the adversity she has faced both on and off the court.
Senior point guard Curtyce Knox leads the nation, NCAA, in assists at 9.4 a game.
Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION
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The Battalion | 2.23.17
Jersey rock n’ roll comes to Rudder MSC OPAS to host award-winning musical in Aggieland this weekend By Lauren McCaskill @lemoct21 Seven trucks rolled into Aggieland this week containing the 196 costumes and 142 lights that make up just a fraction of the Broadway hit musical, “Jersey Boys.” The show tells the story of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and their journey to forming the iconic 1960s rock ‘n roll group, “The Four Seasons.” The 2005 production, originally created by band member Bob Gaudio, depicts the ragsto-riches story of “The Four Seasons” and includes some of their hit songs like “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Sherry” and details of their not-so-glamorous past. The production, brought to Texas A&M by MSC OPAS, is made up of 49 cast members, features five number-one hits and has received four Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2006. On Tuesday, OPAS hosted a meet-andgreet with the cast of the musical where they expressed their excitement for their upcoming performances. “Texans love this show and always show a strong appreciation of the music,” said Keith Hines, who plays Nick Massi. Cory Jeacoma, who plays Bob Gaudio, echoed his cast mate’s sentiments. “Texas always gives us a warm welcome,” Jeacoma said. Jeacoma, who has only been on the tour for six months, said his favorite part of this show is the people he works with. “The guys and group are just like family — the camaraderie here is special,” Jeacoma said. Others at the event shared that they loved the musical and “The Four Seasons” because they produced feel-good music that they listened to with their parents. “[I like] when people come to us after a show and older generations tell us about older times and get sentimental about the music,” Hines said. The cast as a whole said they were excited to be in Aggieland and they were definitely excited to experience the Aggie Spirit. “Jersey Boys” will run Feb. 22 to 26 in Rudder Auditorium. Rush tickets are available to students for $25 with a valid Texas A&M ID, limit two per person.
Tyler Snell — THE BATTALION
Evans Library currently houses a meditation and prayer space under the stairs (left). This space will be relocated to a corner room of Evans (above).
Laura Haslam — THE BATTALION
EVANS CONTINUED the library.” Architecture professor Anat Geva specializes in sacred architecture and was approached by the library to find the perfect spot to create the prayer and meditation room. Geva said the new room will be a great location for people of all faiths. “Even though we have an All Faiths Chapel, it’s far away,” Geva said. “If you are studying at Evans for several hours, you have this function and don’t have to drag your stuff to the other side of the campus.” Muslim students have used the stairwell at
Evans to pray in between classes for several years, but graduate student and Class of 2015 Nimrah Riaz said this new room will be a great way for people of all faiths to practice their religions and start a dialogue. “I’m excited for the conversations that will happen especially at a time when we should get to know each other more,” Riaz said. “We can start those conversations and those friendships.” The room is lined with windows and Geva said this is something prayer and meditation rooms need in order to rejuvenate those practicing their faith. “It’s important to have light to lift your spirit,” Geva said. “We found the corner was
the southeast corner, and it’s in a secluded area away from the day-to-day life of the library.” One corner of the room also has a column that will be painted with the word “peace” in 25 languages. Riaz said she is glad the library tackled this initiative and looks forward to using the room in between classes. “Muslim students have to pray throughout the day and that usually cuts into our classes during the day,” Riaz said. “It’s a great way to show inclusiveness on campus. I’m glad [administration] took the initiative. We didn’t even have to say anything to them. I’m very happy about that.”
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HELP WANTED SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE! CAMP WAYNE FOR GIRLS, Summer camp, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania (6/17-8/13/17). If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need Counselors, Instructors and other staff. Interviews on campus Feb.28! Select The Camp That Selects The Best Staff! Call 1-215-944-3069 or apply www.campwaynegirls.com
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The Battalion | 2.23.17
“We want to remain as close as possible to our source, to our roots, and our roots are Walton Hall the building, the dorm on campus.” Nadir Pozegija, electrical engineering sophomore and Walton Hall Council president
Alexis Will — THE BATTALION
Despite residents feelings that the changes coming to Walton stem from previous incidents, Residence Life has made it clear that it is a business directive.
WALTON CONTINUED campus anymore but there are four all female dorms” Pozegija said. “I know, myself included, there a lot of people that, given the choice of all-male or co-ed they would prefer all-male, they just prefer that environment and that atmosphere.” While residents of Walton have expressed they feel the decision to make Walton coed is a punishment for incidences that have taken place over the past year, Carol Binzer, Director of Sustainability, Development in Residence Life, said the actual reason for going co-ed and freshmen-only is an initiative from the Provost’s office and one that long predates recent problems with Walton Hall. “Every year we do the assessment of supply and demand and over the last — I think it’s been three or four years now — there’s been an emphasis, a push, from the Provost’s office to do some freshmen priority,” Binzer said. “We know the research — the national research and Texas A&M research — supports that living on campus, preferably for your first year … gives you a slight edge in GPR and retention and in time to graduation in the four years and not the six years. The data says you’ll be more likely to go to graduate or professional school.” While Walton Hall has filed the Title IX complaint claiming discrimination, TAMU Residence Life said the decision to make the hall co-ed does not stem from removing allmale dorms, rather a business directive. “Occupancy is our driver. We are an auxiliary enterprise, so no money from the state, no money from the university. In fact, we pay an auxiliary tax. We are dependent
on students’ rents. So keeping our occupancy as high as possible is the driving goal,” Binzer said. While there statistically are not enough males wanting to live in an all-male dorm, the trend shows the opposite for women. “When I have single-gender male dorms, they don’t fill up. If I don’t have enough students rooms go empty. So we’ve been moving toward more co-ed for more flexibility,” Binzer said. “Over the last few years the trend has been we have a few more women seeking on campus housing.” Brian Okosun, poultry science senior and resident of Walton Hall since the fall of 2012, said while he feels there are negative stereotypes surrounding his dorm he is hopeful that Walton can be saved so that residents can work to change that perception. “I’m not going to pretend to be ignorant of the way people see Walton Hall. I understand that there a lot of people who don’t understand our community and why it is the way it is and don’t want to get to know our community,” Okosun said. “But there’s that old phrase, ‘From the outside looking in you can’t understand it, from the inside looking out you can’t explain it,’ so that’s pretty much the way it is with Walton.” Ultimately, for Walton residents, the fight to stay on campus is one that stems from a hope to stay true to the tradition they have come to love, Pozegija said. “We want to remain as close as possible to our source, to our roots, and our roots are Walton Hall the building, the dorm on campus,” Pozegija said. Editor’s note: Brian Okosun is a current photographer who works for The Battalion.
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9.4 10.9 82.8 ASSISTS PER GAME
POINTS PER GAME
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Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION STATS VIA 12THMAN.COM
1741 University Dr. East College Station, TX 77840 979-846-3600
1740 Rock Prairie Rd. College Station, TX 77845 979-680-0508