Volume 126 | Issue 2 by The Houstonian

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

What’s happening at Sam FOOTBALL HEAT, P.2

BLACKBOARD, P.4

VOLLEYBALL, P.5

INTERNSHIP, P.6

FERGUSON, P.4

University officials remind students of ways to stay cool at home games

OPINION: Students and professors alike should utilize the software

The team won the tournament at home for the 12th time in 26 tourneys

One Bearkat’s journey to D.C. proved to be beneficial and enticing

OPINION: Militarization of police ruining spirit of protecting and serving

Volume 126 | Issue 2

/HoustonianSHSU

@HoustonianSHSU

BOARD OF REGENTS WRAP-UP

New state laws now in effect The legislation below was produced by the 83rd Legislature Regular Session of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. All of the bills went into effect Monday. For more information regarding the legislation, go to www.capitol.state.tx.us.

Senate Bill 966

consolidates the Court Reporters Certification Board, the Guardianship Certification Board, and the process server review board to create the Judicial Branch Certification Commission, which will have the power of oversight over the licensed court interpreter advisory board.

Senate Bill 1158

amends the Education Code in regards to tuition and fee exemptions for certain military personnel and their families.

Senate Bill 1458

seeks to revise the current Teacher Retirement System of Texas law relating to contributions to, benefits from, and the administration of systems and programs by the system.

Senate Bill 1459

seeks to revise applicable laws relating to the operation and administration of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

HoustonianOnline.com

JAY R. JORDAN Editor-in-Chief

Nabil Valenzuela | The Houstonian

CRY FOR PI. Members of Alpha Omicron Pi cheer for their sorority during the festivities commemorating the fall 2014 bid week for Panhellenic groups on campus. While recruitment has ended, initiation has yet to begin.

Fall Panhellenic recruitment ends Sororities give bids, choose new sisters for class of 2018

SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor Sam Houston State University’s five Panhellenic sororities welcomed many prospective new members to their organizations as recruitment wrapped up Sunday. Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Chi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma and SHSU’s newest sorority Alpha Omicron Pi kicked off the fall semester by inviting female students to several events during their five-day recruitment period. Recruitment began Wednesday with “Brag Night,” where sorority members show prospective students what their sisterhood has to offer. Junior education major and Alpha Omicron Pi member Nabil

Valenzuela said “Brag Night” lets sororities show off their group to those who are interested. “You’re supposed to brag about what you did over the past year, what you’ve done and what you want to do,” she said. “What you want to get across to the potential new members is what your sorority means to you and what it actually is.” After “Brag Night” was “Theme,” where sisters help potential new members feel more comfortable around their prospective sorority. Members often find cute and easy ways for a prospective student to feel comfortable with their future sisters or in their house, according to Valenzuela. The next day, softer sides of Greek life were shown at “Preference Night,” where prospective new members get a glimpse into the more intimate side of a sorority. The goal of “Preference Night” is for the new members to find where

they feel most at home. While every sorority does it differently, Valenzuela said “Preference Night” lets potential new members see a calmer side of the sorority while active members get to know their future sisters. “[Preference Night] is not as perky, it’s not as peppy, it’s something that is more serious where [future members] can actually get to know what the sorority stands for,” she said. “It’s not facts being spit at you or you being interviewed. It’s honestly just you seeing what we’re actually like.” Recruitment culminated in its final event, “Bid Day,” where sororities selected who they would extend bids to and prospective members then accepted and joined that group or dropped and quit recruitment altogether. New members typically chose two sororities that they hope to receive a bid —

BID, page 2

While students, faculty and staff prepared for the upcoming 201415 school year, university administration and elected student officials took to Austin to prepare the school for the years to come. Sam Houston State University had multiple requests approved by the Texas State University System Board of Regents on Aug. 28-29, including new degree programs, contracts and audit plans. A Master of Arts in kinesiology will soon be offered within the College of Health. The new program will focus on sports and human performance and will be offered through distance learning. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing will also be available via distance learning through the College of Health Sciences’ School of Nursing. Both new degrees will be offered starting spring 2015. Two nursing courses, NURS 3620 and NURS 4030, will also be offered abroad in Thailand. Each course is worth six credit hours and will be instructed by the School of Nursing Chair Anne Stiles, Ph.D. Inside the College of Education, the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling was approved to be divided into the Department of Educational Leadership and the Department of Counseling. The split was justified due to the “rather different disciplines” the educational leadership and counseling departments have, according to the TSUS Board Book for the meeting. In addition, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences moved from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to the College of Health Sciences. In an effort to accommodate a —

BOARD, page 2

House Bill 5

amends current graduation requirements for Texas public school systems relating to and including accountability, assessment and curriculum requirements, as well as providing a criminal penalty.

House Bill 1245

allocates money in the judicial and court personnel training fund for continuing legal education, technical assistance, and other support programs for the personnel of criminal defense attorneys.

House Bill 1318

seeks to clarify the criteria related to the appointment of counsel to represent certain youths and indigent defendants.

House Bill 2305

changes the collection method for certain fees pertaining to motor vehicle inspections as well as creating an offense.

House Bill 3153

imposes a fee relating to the operation, administration and practice in courts in the judicial branch of state government and the composition of certain juvenile boards.

House Bill 3896

authorizes the imposition of a tax relating to the Jack County Hospital District.

Brynn Castro | The Houstonian

Grounds crew wins national award TEDDI CLIETT Contributing Reporter

A quietness exists within the blooming azaleas and green forestry on the Sam Houston State University campus. The groundskeepers who maintain them every day were recently recognized by the Professional Grounds Management Society. SHSU was first presented with the Green Star Award, which brings recognition to facilities such as college campuses, athletic fields and amusement parks that are

maintained to the highest standard possible, in 2011. This summer, the groundskeepers were once again rewarded for their work on campus. Grounds Services at SHSU provides complete landscape maintenance services to the roughly 320 acre main campus as well as an additional combined 30 acres of offsite facilities tied to the university. Over the last few years, the crew has worked hard to utilize “green” resources in disposing their landscape debris. Approximately 25% of was has been incorporated into an on-site composting operation,

another 25% is used as a native mulch in select campus locations and the remaining 50% is taken to a local processor for use in bagged soil amendment products. Through new recycling efforts in the last two years the crew has collected over 27,000 lbs. of single stream recyclables from daily litter clean-up and outdoor trash receptacles. In addition to the aesthetics, the application also included pictures and descriptions of the problems that the custodial and grounds services were faced with around campus, such as utility and foot traffic,

and the solutions that they found in response. Custodial and Grounds Service Manager Scott Dolezal submitted a detailed PowerPoint presentation that contained several pictures displaying the beauty around campus as an application for the award. “I love the campus,” SHSU alumna Patrice Emerson said. “It’s pretty with nice trees and walkways, and it has big areas where people can hang out, eat or study. There are a lot of peaceful spots with pretty scenery.”

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014

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TH E JUMPS BID, page 1 —

from. However, it is not uncommon for a prospective student to not receive a bid from any their chosen sororities. Following “Bid Day,” new members go through a period of educational meetings to learn more about the sorority and their new sisters. Lasting roughly two to three months, this period ends at “Initiation” where new members are officially sworn in to their sorority. Valenzuela said that the initiation process is a secret ritual and every sorority does it differently. Following initiation, members spend time getting to know their new sisters. “Whichever sorority you choose, you’ll have new sisters that you can really connect with and become more involved with,” she said. Before the semester begins, sorority members host “Work Week” where they prepare for their events during recruitment. The Panhellenic Council, a board of representatives from all Panhellenic sororities, sets a standard of rules that govern what members can and cannot do during the recruitment process. The council, along with Assistant Dean of Students Janine Bias, also selects a group of sorority members to the Rho Gamma program, which helps aid new members during the recruitment process. Rho Gammas must disaffiliate from their sororities during recruitment in order to not show favoritism towards their own chapters. The Rho Gammas are in charge of organizing groups of prospective members during recruitment and assist them in the various events that occur throughout the week. While this semester’s recruitment has passed, spring is right around the corner and a new cy-

cle of recruitment will begin. For more information on Panhellenic Greek life, visit shsu.edu/greeklife.

BOARD, page 1 —

growing campus, SHSU was also authorized to purchase a piece of real estate at 1627 Sam Houston Ave. (Shipley Do-nuts’ former location at the corner of 17th Street and Sam Houston Avenue) where the university’s post office will be relocated. The system Student Advisory Board also submitted multiple points of concern, acting as the voice of each component school’s student body to the Board. During the end of the meeting, SAB submitted a report detailing their issues with fees, and how they’re reviewed and assessed, system growth and community outreach. They also touched on the implementation of a mandated guaranteed price plan. “The choice in tuition price selection is an incredibly important decision and students need clear and concise information about the benefits, and potential consequences, of making this choice,” the SAB said in a letter to the Board of Regents. “We understand that many other university systems have decided to adopt this Guaranteed Price Plan and we extend true appreciation at our System’s decision to make this program an option for those students who find it in their best interest. We look forward to our System’s decision to continue this optional route and wish to help in planning informational seminars for incoming students wishing to make this choice.” SHSU’s budget and audit agenda for Fiscal Year 2015 were also approved. Follow the Houstonian and our continuing coverage of the quarter’s Board of Regents meeting.

Alex Broussard | The Houstonian

IT’S HOT. Sophomore interdisciplinary studies major Kelsie Smith, senior marketing major Bryna Corner and sophomore psychology Kenny Pickett cheer and sweat during Saturday’s Bearkat football game against Alabama State.

Heat at games still issue CONNOR HYDE Senior Reporter Fighting early-evening temperatures at Sam Houston State University football has been a forefront of concern for fans, city officials and university officials for the past couple of years. After multiple cases of fans passing out from heat exhaustion occurred during the last two seasons, SHSU football has pushed back kickoff times for evening home games from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in an effort to reduce heat exhaustion among fans. However, the same procedures are still in place in case any emer-

gencies arise, according to Greg Hinze, associate director of athletics for compliance and operations. Two first aid stations are available, one on each concourse, which feature first aid supplies as well as water for anyone in need, as determined by the onsite EMT personnel. Fans also have access to a cooling area which features a misting station on the east concourse, as well as the various tents handing out water bottles during tailgating. The 2014 SHSU football season features five home games, two of which are at 6:30 p.m., with the remaining home games kicking off at 3 p.m. “We cannot ensure fans won’t pass out from the heat or from any

other reason,” Hinze said. “Most of the responsibility lies with the individuals to properly hydrate themselves, with water or similar beverages, and have adequate nutrition prior to attending the game.” University Police Chief Kevin Morris agrees with Hinze. “The key is not to fill up on beer or soda – they dehydrate you,” Morris said. “Drink plenty of water…My opinion is the responsibility falls to the individual, not the stadium staff.” Hinze said he wants fans to tailgate and be included in the pregame activities but also encourages fans to be “responsible and smart while doing so.”

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014

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Welcome Week ends as classes begin SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor From picnics to sporting events to karaoke, the first week of the fall semester wrapped up as students were invited to attend the final events of “Welcome Week 2014.” The annual series of university-sponsored activities, which began Aug. 23, gave new and returning students the opportunity to connect with classmates and make new friends. The week began with events such as new student move-in, the Recreational Sports Center Pool Party and New Student Convocation where Bearkats could familiarize themselves with the campus and those attending it before classes started Wednesday. Wednesday’s events included the Student Money Management Center’s “So You’re On Your Own: Now What?” and the Department of Student Activities’ Casino Night. Freshman English major Lauren Brandon said “Welcome Week’s” assortment of events helped her begin connecting with other students. “[Welcome Week] is fun, you meet a lot of new people,” she said. “[So You’re On Your Own: Now What]” accommodates to a different group than Party in the Pit did, so there is a variety of students that come.” Wednesday also began the five-day period of recruit-

ment for Sam Houston State University’s five Panhellenic sororities. On the second day of class, Student Activities hosted Unityfest, where students learned how to get involved at the university through many cultural and diverse activities. That night, Bearkats shared their musical talents at Kats Meow Karaoke in the Lowman Student Center Kat Klub. Friday, Student Activities organized the Bearkat Picnic at Austin Hall where students and faculty alike were treated to a free lunch courtesy of Aramark and SHSU Dining Services. That night, Student Activities and Program Council hosted “Dinner and a Movie” in the LSC which featured “Neighbors,” starring Zac Efron and Seth Rogan, while Campus Outreach organized the “Friday Night Lights Flag Football Game” as well. The weekend was full of sporting events for Bearkat Athletics fans to attend. Saturday brought the first home football game of the season, as well as the first tailgate at Bearkat Alley. Several organizations, such as the Department of Student Activities, the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communications and the College of Education were present with giveaways available for students. Football fans poured into Bowers Stadium to cheer on the Bearkats as they took on Alabama State Univer-

sity. Spirit groups such as the Orange Pride Dance Team, Cheer and the Bearkat Marching Band made their first appearances as the Bearkats toppled Alabama State 51-20. Sunday marked the end of “Welcome Week” with women’s soccer winning 2-1 over Prairie View A&M. Regardless of which events students attended, “Welcome Week’s” main goal was to help students become more involved in different groups and extracurricular activities that will enhance their college experience, according to associate director of Student Activities Brandon Cooper. Freshman business major Haylee Worley attended multiple “Welcome Week” events and said the activities helped her connect with other students living on campus. “I’ve met a lot of people, and it’s been really fun,” she said. “I’ve met almost everyone on the floor of my dorm.” Worley was assisted by Kats for Christ Student Ministries, and she and other freshman became more involved with the group. “We ended up going to a party that they had and then we ended up hanging out a couple nights in a row,” she said. While “Welcome Week” has come and gone, the semester has just begun. It is never too late to get out and become involved in a club, meet other students or attend a university-sponsored event.

Sean Smith | The Houstonian

EAT ‘EM UP. in. Students enjoy a plethora of free food, including BBQ, burgers, cookies, fruit, chips and lemonade during a free picnic hosted by Student Activities.

Phi Mu Alpha to Couple shares guest exhibition perform tonight SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor

SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor The Zeta Mu chapter of music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha will start their fall recruitment process at a recital Tonight. The recital will be held today at 7:30 p.m. in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Admission is free. While the recital occurs early in the semester, Phi Mu Alpha will use this performance to promote their fraternity to prospective new members and advertise what their brotherhood is like. Senior music education major and Phi Mu Alpha President John Maldonado said they will perform songs that every new member of the fraternity will have to learn. “Most of the songs we are singing are songs we’re familiar with out of what we call our ‘Red Book,’” he said. “We have our own songs, so a lot of us are already familiar with them.” “Hail Sinfonia,” “Sinfonian Anthem” and “Red and Black” are among several songs the brotherhood will perform. While the fraternity will perform vocally as a whole, individual members who are instrumentalists

may perform a solo piece if they choose, Maldonado said. Phi Mu Alpha members are not exclusively music majors, but all share a common mission. “We’re men of music, so something we stand for is advancing music in America,” Maldonado said. “Not all of our brothers are actually music majors, but they are affiliated with music in some shape, way or form.” Tuesday’s recital begins the recruitment process where prospective members meet with current members to become educated in what Phi Mu Alpha is and the traditions that surround it. Phi Mu Alpha is one of the oldest and largest music fraternities with origins reaching as far back as the late 1800’s. The organization became a national music fraternity in 1900, and the Zeta Mu chapter was established at SHSU in the 1950’s. Notable members of the national society include John Phillip Sousa, Duke Ellington and Andy Griffith. For more information, visit the chapter’s website at www. pmazetamu.org.

The Gaddis Geeslin Gallery will start its fall 2014 exhibition season with the opening of “Anything That Has A Front” on Tuesday. Married couple Christopher and Ariel Lavery will bring their talent in sculpting to Sam Houston State University through their exploration of consumerism and the human footprint, assistant art professor and Gaddis Geeslin Gallery committee chair Annie Strader said in a statement. “The Laverys’ work intersects with regard to their mutual interests in the human experience as it relates to both consumerism and irony that leads to an overall sense of entrapment,” she said. “Their works are extraordinary sculptural investigations sharing the spirit of appropriation.” While the couple has mutual interest in the concept of the exhibition, their methods diverge in the creation of each piece. Ariel Lavery uses domestic objects, such as lamps and sinks, and creates a body of work in surreal and awkward positions to comment on obstinacy against good consumerism. On the other hand, Christopher Lavery’s work deals with the wonderment and horror of the destruction of Earth by its own inhabitants. Ariel Lavery wants her work to

start a conversation and have viewers question what surrounds them in their daily lives. “I like to talk about my work more as investigations or reflections on certain ideas and phenomena,” she said. “I am really interested in dissecting the aesthetic and utilitarian choices we make in outfitting our domestic lives.” This is the first opportunity the couple has had to exhibit together and the inspiration for their show came from their time together, according to Ariel Lavery. “We wanted to see how our work would come together in this space and where the overlaps might be,” she said. While the couple has assembled this show together, the two do not live together. In fact, they live in two separate states, Kentucky and Tennessee. Ariel Lavery said that despite their separation geographically, the couple often works together. “I think some of the most satisfying moments I have in my life are when Chris and I can be in the studio together both working and focusing on our individual work but being together in the space,” she said. “It’s nice to have a partner there you can trust to give you very honest and clear feedback if, for example, you need help seeing work from a different point of view. “ Ariel Lavery will give an artist

talk at the exhibit’s opening today at 5 p.m. in Art Building E Room 108 with a reception at 6 p.m. in the gallery itself. Christopher Lavery will give a talk at the exhibit’s closing on Oct. 9, in Art Building E Room 108 at 5 p.m. Ariel Lavery, who recently received the Artist Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She uses images and objects from domestic “Middle America” to create mutated versions of the home vision. Ariel Lavery has also recently exhibited solo shows at the Zephyr Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky and the Herter Gallery at The University of Massachusetts Amherst. Christopher Lavery was the recipient of the Emerging Public Artist Project Grant in 2008 from the Colorado Percent for the Arts at Denver International Airport. He has exhibited internationally and held residency at the Vermont Studio Center, the largest international artists and writers’ Residency Program in the United States. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Annie Strader at srs033@ shsu.edu.

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014

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Blackboard works when you use it. Duh.

PAWS UP

Blackboard allows professors to connect with all of their students at once by relaying all of the needed materials and giving students access to information at any time that it may be convenient for them. The only problem is that not all professors and students participate.

BRYNN CASTRO Senior Photographer Being a college student is much like a full-time job. We are expected to show up on time, do our work and turn it in on someone else’s schedule. Most importantly, we risk the loss of that job by failing our classes if we don’t conform to the pre-set rules. Unlike elementary school and even high school, in college, the responsibility of succeeding is no longer on our parents’ or teachers’ shoulders. Blackboard is a great system used in universities all over the country to bridge communication between instructor and student. Because classes only meet a limited number of times per week, students do not get a constant re-

minder to do an assignment, read a chapter or study for an upcoming exam. Blackboard allows professors to connect with all of their students at once relaying all of the needed materials and giving students access to information at any time that it may be conven-ient for them. For example, during the first week of school, one of my classes which is inconveniently located on the farthest corner of campus was cancelled. The professor could have easily utilized Blackboard or email to inform us of this cancellation but instead choose to post a note on the door and send us back out into the hot sun for the trek up and down hills. If Blackboard is meant to be helpful, why didn’t my professor use it? Shockingly, this is not the first time that I have had mishaps with the online platform. Several times in my college career, I have logged on to Blackboard looking for a grade on a pre-vious exam or quiz but was disappointed to see that it looks exactly the same as before classes started. This proves to be especially dif-

ficult when your grade is split up 5 different ways including at-tendance, participation, quizzes, exams and finals. The worst part is at the end of the semester when you aren’t sure if you passed or need to pack up your things and go home. I’m sure that I can’t be the only one who depends on an organized system to stay on top of my classes as far as assignments and grades are concerned. I understand that every professor is required to create and issue a syllabus to help us keep up with dates and general guidelines, but I don’t think I have ever taken a course where a due date or exam date hasn’t been altered. In fact, I received a syllabus that was outdated by two semesters, and while I understand that we are now adults and success is up to us, the money we pay to take our classes entitle us to a little helping hand here and there. With that being said, I must now acknowledge the instructors who do use Blackboard. I love logging on and seeing some extra reading material or a grade that has just been posted. It is beyond helpful to be able to see

my grades and class materials at my own convenience. Unfortunately, I cannot say that for all of my peers. Too many times have I taken a course with an amazing professor who uses Blackboard religiously and goes above and beyond to post help-ful slides, notes and study guides, but there is still that one student. The student that has absolutely no idea what in the hell is going on and is the first to tap you on your shoulder and ask for a Scantron because he had no idea there was an exam that day. It’s frustrating when they stop the professor mid lecture to ask where they can get the notes for that day. I’m not asking that every professor go out of their way to constantly make postings or that students check Blackboard every five minutes, but we all have to do at least just enough to make sure we are understanding each other and taking advantage of the tools given to us to pass our classes and make better grades. We haven’t been in school long enough this semester to know the habits of our professors and peers, but I am hoping for the best.

PAWS UP to Labor Day Monday: It was a tough three days and a three-day weekend was definitely needed.

PAWS UP to SHSU beating Alabama State 51-20 on Saturday: A great start to the season.

PAWS UP to Leann Munns: She opened the newspaper office so we could work on Labor Day. Thanks?

Police use military weaponry only with public’s approval COLIN HARRIS Guest Colimnist The spectral fog of tear gas no longer looms menacingly in a waste-high cloud over West Florissant Avenue. The Missouri State Highway Patrol silenced their long range acoustical device, halting the ear-splitting wail the non-lethal weapon broadcast over northern St. Louis as a crowd control measure. Life in Ferguson, Mo. has by no means returned to normal, yet it is a far cry from the past three weeks, when an ostensible citizen police force took on the role of an occupying army in the wake of the Michael Brown killing Aug. 9. The brute force displayed by authorities in Missouri should serve as a wake up call to all Americans that the federal government has enabled local police and sheriff ’s departments to turn Mayberry into Mosul at the slightest sign of civil unrest. Unfortunately the events leading up to the protests are all too common in America in 2014. Less than a month prior to the Brown killing, Eric Garner, asthmatic, unarmed and African-American, suffered a fatal chokehold at the hands of an NYPD officer in Staten Island. In some ways, the response to the two events was strikingly similar. Al Sharpton led street demonstrations attended by thousands in both locales. Chants derived from each victim’s alleged lasts words (“Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” in Ferguson and “I Can’t Breathe” in Staten Island) filled the air with

an indignant cacophony during the protests. Attorney General Eric Holder indicated each tragedy would be fully investigated by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The critical distinction is the way in which local authorities in Ferguson took up arms against the very citizens they are tasked to protect. Nobody will argue that securing order during periods of high public tension is outside the bounds of normal police duty, but doing so using surplus military equipment is a heavy-handed tactic that does nothing to assuage growing public distrust in their local police force. From long range acoustical devices (LRADs) to tear gas to long guns to desert camouflage uniforms and body armor, local police utilized whatever means necessary to quell any potential violence. Unfortunately, for an already cynical populace, this may have had the opposite effect. In an interview with Vox, former Seattle Police Chief Norman Stamper said, “I would have to characterize the police response as an overreaction. Had you set out to make matters worse, you couldn’t have done a better job.” Having the streets people call home turned over to what appears to be a standing army does little in the way of relationship building between the St. Louis County Police and the citizens they are supposed to protect. You may be asking yourself how local police units procure military grade equipment. In the early 90s, Congress created a program whereby municipal law enforcement agencies could acquire excess military equipment from the Pentagon at little to no cost. The federal government established the process as part of its greater war on drugs and then expanded the program shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Just because the equipment was

given to locals as armaments for the wars on drugs and terror, that doesn’t necessarily mean its use will be restricted to these missions. The absence of al-Qaeda sleeper cells and MS-13 capos in Ferguson shows that some local police forces are ready and willing to use these weapons against much smaller threats. One way to curtail the militarization of America’s local law enforcement is to demand accountability. Although few police outside of chiefs and county sheriffs are elected, those responsible for their oversight are. In California, the Davis City Council recently passed a resolution to attempt to ditch their city police’s mine-resistant, ambush

protected vehicle. Closer to home, it appears neither the Huntsville Police Department not the Walker County Sheriff ’s Department have taken any of the military’s surplus wares since the establishment of the transfer program. According to a report in The Huntsville Item, both forces cited a lack of need as their rationale for eschewing the Department of Defense program. This restraint is critical in maintaining a citizen police force and should be lauded. When municipal law enforcement, like that in Ferguson, determines that it needs military grade equipment to police its community can you really blame them for using it?

Dear Darla,

PAWS DOWN

PAWS DOWN to not having another holiday until Thanksgiving: What’s up with that?

PAWS DOWN to the next football game being 294 miles away: Getting to Louisiana isn’t cheap.

is a newly added advice column coming to the Houstonian.

Ask us anything We want to know what’s on your mind. Do you have life questions you are dying to ask? You have a chance to be heard! You can remain anonymous or let the whole student body know who you are. It’s your choice.

PAWS DOWN to no more syllabus days: Professors are done handing them out and are now giving real notes.

Submit your questions at advice@Houstonianonline.com on Twitter @HoustonianSHSU#DearDarla on Facebook.com/HoustonianSHSU

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Editorial

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014

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Volleyball takes Bearkat Tournament

AMSHI STEPHENSON Staff Reporter

Sam Houston State went undefeated in their annual volleyball invitational tournament this weekend to capture the tournament championship. The Bearkats managed to pull off the wins after substitutes were made early in the tournament due to anxious and sluggish play. SHSU saw its freshman step up when needed to overcome early defeats. “Our freshman class this year has been the most game ready of any class in recent years,” assistant coach Kim Black said. “All three freshmen are key contributors to

the team and are a reason for our strong start this weekend.” Freshman outside hitter Brooke White was in the starting lineup against California State University – Bakersfield, picking up three kills early in the first set. “Brooke has most definitely added more offensive power to our team that we did not have last year,” volunteer assistant Tayler Gray said. CSUB senior outside hitters Molly O’Hagan and Danika Youngblood were the leading scorers for the Roadrunners. Both players attacked the ball from both the front and back row making it difficult for SHSU to stop them. CSUB gave SHSU a run for their

money as they rallied point for point taking their first lead 20-19. With the score tied 24-24, the Roadrunners’ senior libero Eryn Riley missed a critical serve that gave SHSU a one point advantage. Sophomore setter Michelle Griffith fed All-Southland Conference senior outside hitter Deveney WellsGibson the ball, a set that ended in SHSU taking the first set 26-24. Wells-Gibson led the Bearkats to an exciting victory over CSUB with 18 kills. White finished second with 11 kills but led the team in service aces with three. “I think she has a huge impact,” sophomore setter Michelle Griffith said. “We are always looking to get

better, so with Brooke coming in, it will be huge for us because not only can she put a ball away, but she can play defense all the way around and is very confident for a freshman.” The Bearkats opened the tournament facing University of Louisiana at Monroe with a 3-0 victory. Although impressions from the scoreboard seem as if SHSU swept ULM, first game jitters caused uncharacteristic errors. Miscommunication and service mistakes were SHSU’s main faults in the first set. Freshman defensive specialist Sarah Craneck came in the game and totaled six digs and was the spark the Bearkats needed to come back from their 12-4 deficit in the second set.

“Number nine Craneck has a voice, so she brings the communication part to the team,” WellsGibson said. “She especially did her part.” Bearkats also won matches against Mississippi State and University of Texas-Pan American. Returning sophomores middle blocker Shelby Genung, outside hitter Breanna Homer and setter Michelle Griffith played their roles and did not go unnoticed. Genung and Griffith were named to the All-Tournament Team, and Wells-Gibson was named the Most Valuable Player. The Bearkats will take the court again Friday at the Denver Invitational.

SHSU stings Hornets in home opener CANAAN CALDWELL Staff Reporter Sam Houston State football was able to extend their home winning streak to 23 games and improve their record to 1-1 on the season after defeating Alabama State on Saturday. The Bearkats looked sharp on the offensive side of the ball all night and seemed to be a more confident team jumping out of the gates against the Hornets. Sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson finished off with 386 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions against an Alabama State defense that was ranked at the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference last season. SHSU used a variety of their running backs in the non-conference game to finish with 289 rushing yards as a team. Running backs senior Keshawn Hill, junior transfer Donavon Williams, and sophomore transfer Jalen Overstreet all contributed big to lead the Bearkats to head coach K.C. Keeler’s first victory at SHSU. Williams and Overstreet both

rushed for 83 yards. diminished the Along with WilBearkats’ lead to liams, Hill also had a 38-17. rushing touchdown As the Hornets against Hornets’ fought to make linebacker Torey a comeback, the Davis and his AlaBearkats answered bama State defense. with a 68-yard pass Hill led the team from Johnson to in receiving yards Hill that increased with 126. Junior the lead by 28. transfer LaDarius The time of posBrown and senior session played a Rickey Smith led huge key in the Alex Broussard | The Houstonian all receivers in reBearkats’ victory, ceptions with six which was a comagainst the Hornets plete turnaround OFFENSE: A defense. from Eastern Bearkats’ offense stepped up big in the win against Alabama State on Johnson’s 48-yard The Washington in the Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson threw for 386 yards and long ball to Jeffrey first meeting of the three touchdowns while senior running back Keshawn Hill rushed for two Thomas for a touchseason. touchdowns. down gave Sam The Bearkats had DEFENSE: B Houston the lead control of the ball Although the defense did better than last week, the Bearkats are still looking against Alabama for improvements on covering deep ball and finishing their tackles. Senior for 40:08 minutes State 35-7 just becompared to the Michael Wade stepped up with a key interception early in the game. fore halftime. Hornets’ 19:52. SPECIAL TEAMS: A Thomas also “We don’t mind The special teams did an excellent job limiting big yard returns. They made contributed in the some if we don’t win the great hits. On top of that, sophomore kicker Luc Swimberghe had three win with snagged time of possession,” field goals from 30, 32 and 38 yards out. four more recepKeeler said. “We tions along with his want to win the around in the second half. Hornets’ touchdown earlier in the game. number of plays, but not the time quarterback Daniel Duhart threw a The Hornets tried to turn things 69-yard pass to Demario Bell that of possession.”

GAME GRADES

The defensive side of the ball for the Bearkats was much improved from the first week’s contest against Eastern Washington. SHSU limited ASU to just 141 rushing yards compared to the Hornets’ 235 rushing yards a game last season. Just before the second quarter, Duhart threw a pass that was intercepted by senior safety Michael Wade. Despite a much-improved defensive performance, the Bearkats still managed to give up 261 passing yards and found their secondary getting beat deep on different occasions. The Bearkats looks to have a good rush defense but getting better on pass defense seems to be a concern for Coach Keeler. “I think we’re going to be salty against the run,” Keeler said. “But it’s giving up the big chunks in the passing game. With how explosive this offense can be, we want to get the ball back as quickly as possible but just don’t let people beat us deep.” Now SHSU will have to change focus to FBS powerhouse Louisiana State this Saturday. Kickoff is tabbed for 6:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge, La.

Late PK gives soccer first win JEREMY VILLANUEVA Sports Editor