Volume 126 | Issue 31

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Volume 126 | Issue 31

Lambda Chi suspended till 2019

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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University acting on ADA complaints Greeks in

search of new recruits

HANNAH ZEDAKER Associate Editor

SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor

Lambda Chi Alpha has been suspended from campus until 2019 due to alcohol-related violations.

Both Sam Houston State University and the national Lambda Chi Alpha organization issued suspensions.

According to Dean of Students John Yarabeck, Lambda Chi Alpha violated the Risk Management Guidelines found in the SHSU student handbook on more than one occasion last semester.

“They didn’t follow the risk management guidelines, specifically for parties with respect to alcohol and unfortunately there was a consequence with that where somebody had to go to the hospital for alcohol poisoning,” Yarabeck said. “It was a couple of those in about a one month period where they didn’t follow proper risk management guidelines last semester.”

According to Yarabeck, the student who suffered from alcohol poisoning is now well and back in school.

According to the Risk Management Guidelines, “all social events where alcohol is involved must be served by a licensed third party vendor” and have “appropriate security on the premises.” In addition, the guidelines also prohibit the purchasing of bulk quantity sources of alcoholic beverages, the co-sponsorship of an event with an alcohol distributer and the encouragement or toleration of drinking games involving alcoholic beverages.

The fraternity was suspended

by SHSU until 2016 and by their national headquarters until 2019.

“That means they’re not recognized as an organization, they can’t meet on campus, they can’t promote themselves as an organization that’s recognized by the university, they can’t represent themselves on campus and in essence, they don’t exist anymore in the eyes of the university,” Yarabeck said. “Now, if they showed up in a shirt with their letters or something, we probably wouldn’t say anything but that would be a violation of their national policy and they actually could be sued for that if in fact their national organization wanted to do that and that is effective now.”

In addition to the suspension of Lambda Chi Alpha, the Delta Tau Delta and Theta Chi chapters at SHSU were also suspended from campus last semester.

“I just hope that people learn from this, I mean we had a very unfortunate semester with Greek life in terms of three fraternities losing their recognition for various reasons,” Yarabeck said. “We have these things in place for a reason and this is a good example of why because if you’re following proper risk management policies, it’s less likely that someone is going to be drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning and end up leaving your event and finding themselves in a bad way and have to go to the hospital.”

According to the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity national headquarters, the board of directors voted to suspend operations of the

A new semester means new members for Greek organizations on campus.

Fraternities and sororities from various Greek councils have accepted or are looking to recruit new members to their local chapters in the coming weeks.

Recruitment, often called “Rush Week,” in the spring semester is often considered less formal than fall recruitment, according to Brooke Hutson, vice president of membership recruitment for Alpha Omicron Pi. “Spring recruitment is much more casual than fall,” Hutson said. “Where there are several rules and infractions we have to worry about during the fall recruitment process, we can stress less on maintaining strict guidelines and focus on bettering our chapter with women who have a true passion for joining an organization that will better themselves.”

The National Pan-helleninc council held their Greek Assembly last night, a required meeting for students interested in joining that council.

On Thursday, the Multicultural Greek Council organizations will host their MGC Showcase where fraternities and sororities from that council meet prospective new members.

Interfraternal Council fraternities will hold their recruitment period next week. Phi Gamma Delta member Ryan Caycoya said spring recruitment is scaled down in comparison to fall.

“Spring is a little more laid back than fall,” Caycoya said. “Fall [has] a lot more of future members coming through than spring.

It’s exactly as the same thing as fall rush just not as big of pledge classes will be taken.”

Panhellenic Association sororities Zeta Tau Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Omicron Pi wrapped up their recruitment process this past week.

Alpha Chi Omega will recruit later in the semester, according to member Blair McDougal.

Often times, recruitment week ends with “Bid Day,” where new members are officially welcomed to a Greek organization. Alpha Omicron Pi held their “Bid Day” on Saturday, according to member Nabil Valenzuela.

“Bid day is a great bonding experience between current members and those we are welcoming,” Valenzuela said. “We had seven new members join and we’re super excited to have them as our sisters.”

Rush events take place every semester for most active chapters.

For more information on Greek life at Sam Houston State University, visit shsu.edu/greeklife.

—

LAMBDA, page 2

Brynn Castro | The Houstonian

ACCESSIBLE. Freshman psychology major Brier Bond uses a new curb ramp at the corner of Avenue I and 16th Street. The ramp was installed as part of several ongoing projects making campus more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

LOGAN SELF Multimedia Reporter Over winter break, Sam Houston State University worked to make the campus more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Two years ago, Student Body President Spencer Copeland conducted a safety walk with others around campus and found many buildings and areas that did not meet ADA requirements.

“We saw that there were a lot of concerns with ADA compliance in general across campus,” Copeland said. “That includes the bathrooms, sidewalks, elevators, staircases and fire codes—comprehensive things we saw issues with.”

Copeland and his team took these violations to the university and worked to get them fixed.

“We took a stand and we talked to this university administration

and said ‘hey look, we have problems with this this and this’,” Copeland said.

Completed ADA compliance projects include widening of a sidewalk on the Gaertner Performing Arts Center’s west side and upgrades to bathrooms in the Dan Rather Communications Building. The restrooms now have automated doors and bigger stalls.

Aside from the main projects on campus, other renovations have occurred. According to Facilities Management Manager Douglas Greening, work was done to different sidewalks and street corners throughout the break.

“During November to January… [We] installed a curb ramp at the southeast corner of Avenue I and 16th…and installed curb cuts at [the] music building loading dock entrance,” Greening said.

Greening said more projects are lined up to take place. The Health and Kinesiology Center is set to be the next building to be renovated with ADA improvements to its re-

strooms.

This past fall, Copeland and the Student Government Association completed another walk through campus to see what improvements had been done and to see what projects still need to be completed. For this walk, they were able to get more help and more people involved.

“We have expanded it this year to include city officials,” Copeland said. “City officials, university officials and students got together and toured campus and checked things out that have been fixed and things that have not been fixed. And, most of what we had identified as of last year has been taken care of or is in the process.”

SGA hopes by adding the city officials in on the walk that more places around Huntsville will be worked on.

“Now, hopefully city officials will get involved with things that are citywide with things the university doesn’t have influence over,” Copeland said.

Catherine Stallard | The Houstonian

Players of the Week

RODNEY JONES, SPRINTER

Sprinter Rodney Jones won the 400-meter event Saturday at the University of New Mexico Indoor meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jones took gold with a season best 47.08 in the 400 meter and finished sixth in the 200-meter dash with another season best of 21.46. The senior from DeSoto was the only Bearkat to win an event this weekend.

BRIANA McCALL, MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER Middle distance runner Briana McCall won the 800-meter event Saturday at the University of New Mexico Indoor Meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Running a season best 2:15.81 in the event, McCall was the only Bearkat to win an event this weekend.

The sophomore local product of Huntsville competed in 11 events in 2014, including a runner-up finish at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships in the 800-meter event.

NEWSIE. Two-time Lone Star Emmy winning reporter and Univision National Correspondant Pedro Rojas visited mass communication students Monday during an event sponsored by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Rojas spoke of his life as a journalist and hosted a workshop for students following his talk, where students could practice newscasting techniques. For the full story, visit HoustonianOnline.com

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Page 2

Annual faculty exhibit presents 55th installment LAUREN LAYFIELD Staff Reporter

Courtesy Department of Art

ART. Various artistic media will be presented at the 55th annual Faculty Art Exhibit in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery. The exhibition, comprised entirely of art faculty pieces, is open now through March 4.

The Department of Art will open their 55th Annual Faculty Exhibit this week.

This exhibition differs from those in the past by displaying new works from twelve artists.

Each artist teaches in the art department of at Sam Houston State University and has put in effort outside the classroom to develop their own work.

This year, the works presented in the gallery covers a wide array of media and areas of the artistry field. The works include animation, sculpture, video, painting, photography, drawing and graphic design.

Annie Strader, assistant professor of art, will be collaborating with art lecturer Matthew Weedman to showcase a series of videos navigating the relationships and understandings they have with the architecture of the home. Strader believes the exhibition benefits students of the university as well as the faculty being showcased.

“As with professors in all areas of the university, being professionally active and producing and exhibiting work that is critically engaged with the current dialogue in the art world supports classroom instruction,” Strader said.

Associate professor of art Rebecca Finley’s pieces will showcase photographic work that explores ideas of masculinity as well as the roles culturally placed upon

men in society. Finley has been working on this series over the past year and has chosen images from it to display for the faculty art gallery.

“In preparation for the show, I had to choose between the images from a project I’ve been working on this past year, edit the images and print them,” Finley said. “Photography from my series, ‘Men in Texas,’ deals with masculine identity.”

Finely said many methods, media and ideas the art department offers will be on display for the SHSU community and the general public.

“Viewers can expect to see a wide variety of work highlighting practices of our talented faculty in the art department,” Finley said. “It’s a great opportunity to see the work of the professors. I always tell my students it is a good chance to see what your professors do and ask them questions about their practice.”

Although the Faculty Art Exhibit takes place every year, Finley said many members of the university’s body do not take advantage of the opportunity to come view the gallery.

“There are many people on campus who don’t realize what a great resource our gallery is,” Finley said. “It is a great exhibition.”

Strader also agrees with the opportunistic elements a faculty art exhibit gives back to the public and university.

“The fifty-fifth annual faculty exhibit provides and excellent opportunity for students, faculty

and staff from across the university and the broader community to experience the work of our very talented faculty and provides a perk into the current state of the art world without leaving Huntsville,” Strader said.

Faculty artists to be exhibited include Jack Barnosky, Kate Borcherding, Chuck Drumm, Rebecca Finley, Michael Henderson, Taehee Kim, Annie Strader, Anthony Watkins, Tony Shipp, Matthew Weedman and Willie Williams.

The 55th Annual Faculty Exhibition started Monday through March 4 in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery in Art Building F. A panel discussion featuring exhibited artists Barnosky, Borcherding, Finley, Shipp and William will be held Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. in Art Building E, room 109.

The moderator of the discussion will be assistant professor of art history Melissa Mednicov, Ph.D. She will ask artists questions ranging from how they define an artist, influences on their work and how they chose what pieces to include in the exhibit.

A reception will be held immediately following the discussion The exhibition will also host an event titled “Gallery Talk with Artists” at 5 p.m. on Feb. 19in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery featuring Finley, Henderson and Williams.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

THE J U M P

LAMBDA, page 1 —

Sigma-Mu chapter at the SHSU pursuant to Article 8, Section 2 of the Fraternity’s Constitution effective Nov. 17, 2014. According to their fraternity’s constitution, under the terms of the suspension, the chapter members may not represent Lambda Chi Alpha, display any of the Fraternity’s emblems or symbols, or gather in the name of Lambda Chi Alpha.

“The Board of Directors took this action in response to several incidents that have taken place,” Nick Zuniga, director of Chapter Services, said. “The chapter had been given sufficient time to cor-

rect their actions and failed to do so. The chapter did not reflect the core values of Lambda Chi Alpha, and there was no evidence that the chapter officers could influence a change within the chapter and maintain the minimum operating standards of the fraternity.”

Despite last semester’s track record, Yarabeck said that the majority of Greek life at SHSU does well when it comes to following Risk Management Guidelines.

“It’s very specific,” Yarabeck said. “For the most part they do a good job with [following the guidelines] but people decide to take shortcuts and it might be more expensive to do in the short term but like I said if something bad happens, it ends up being a lot more expensive and bad press for your group. You might lose your recognition and you might have your wages garnished for the next few years and I don’t think any of us want that.”

Yarabeck said he hopes that the four-year-long suspension may serve as a reminder for other or-

ganizations to continue adhering to the rules.

“We’re hoping people will cooperate and look at this as a wakeup call and realize that we’re not just trying to put unnecessary regulations on them to make life difficult, there’s a reason for it and we’re trying to protect them,” Yarabeck said.

Attempts to conduct an interview with members of Lambda Chi Alpha were unsuccessful.

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Page 3

Immigrants: Mahindranath Maharaj PAWS

A story of immigration through the eyes of a man who fought to keep his culture and traditions alive after moving to a new country.

MAHINDRANATH MAHARAJ Guest Columnist My name is Mahindranath Maharaj, and I am an immigrant. I was born in Trinidad in 1962, the same year this country won its independence from Great Britain. Growing up in this particular time period had some struggles, especially with my family being so large, but it taught me a lot.

Though it was difficult, the lessons I learned throughout that time are the things that I now come to appreciate and value more than ever.

It was 1979 when one of my older sisters came to visit for my eldest brother’s wedding. I was probably 16 or 17 around that time. Among the festivities, she asked if I would like to come to America to see what the county was like. Being so young, I said yes, not really thinking anything of it. She explained in order to do that she needed to file papers for me, and that it would take some time to process through the government. Because the process took so long, I forgot about having this conversation with my sister.

One day, papers came to the house from the embassy, and it was then that I remembered what we discussed. From that point on, I went forward with plans to make the move.

To be honest, I never really gave much thought to leaving my home, but because I heard other people’s firsthand experiences about the opportunities offered in America, I wanted to see if I could make something for myself in this new land. I wanted to give it a go and see if I liked it.

I knew that things would be different than what I was accustomed to, but I did not realize just how different it would be. I grew up in Trinidad. I knew the place well, and I had all my friends there. When I first came here I was nearly isolated. I did not know anything about my surroundings so it was a whole new experience.

In the process of moving forward, I figured that I had nothing to lose so I decided to make a living for myself here.

Growing up in a family of 12 was difficult. We did not have running water in our home, so we would have to walk about half a mile one way to the water pipe in order to obtain water for the entire family to be able to bathe, cook, complete chores, etc. before leaving for school. I knew already that I did not have to worry about those kinds of struggles when I moved here because of the books that I read and documentaries I saw previous to my move. Plus, my sister already had all of these

luxuries available in her home.

When people come here they have the opportunity to change their name. I think if they seize that opportunity they lose their identity within their family and within their culture. I understand that coming to a new county is a new beginning, but that does not mean you lose your roots in the process. I also think that there is a loss of culture between myself and my children who are first generation American.

Where I grew up everyone practiced the same religion and traditions. I consider myself a very religious and spiritual person, and there is a big difference in the way my culture is celebrated in the two countries. When my wife and I decided to start a family, we agreed that one of the most important things we could teach our children is to value their religion and culture.

In Trinidad, majority of the people are Hindus and partake in all the spiritual holidays and traditions. Even those who do no practice Hinduism participate in the religious activities. In America, the Hindu religion is few in number, or at least there is not a great number in one place like there is in Trinidad, therefore, there is not a wide celebration like what I am accustomed too. For my children,

up

I think it is much harder because there are different constrains that do not allow them to practice the religion, culture and traditions as freely as I did. We have to make an extra effort to really teach our children about spirituality and religion because they did not grow up in the same environment that we did. For example, I had a temple in my backyard which I attended every day. My children do not have access to that kind of thing.

We have to put in effort and take the time to teach them about our culture. In this sense, they are the ones losing out on the luxury.

Despite all the differences, I think that making the decision to move here was beneficial and a great experience. I was young, and ready for anything. I knew that I had something to fall back on if things did not work out. I really did not give much thought to it, I just kind of picked up and left.

I was 19 when I finally made it to Chicago, and though it was difficult at first, and sometimes still is, I do not regret making the journey here.

It made all the difference, not just for me, but for my children as well.

Editor’s Note: This article was written on behalf of Mahindranath Maharaj by his daughter Parbattee Maharaj.

The Octogenarian: Open letter to an instructor KENNETH LEVIN Columnist This is an open letter to a professor at my school. Only the teacher and I know for sure who that instructor may be.

I attended your class for only one day, but in that 50 minutes, I gained some knowledge about you as an instructor. I found you to be very knowledgeable about the subject you are teaching, and your delivery is great. The subject matter is of great interest to me, and I am determined that I could enjoy and get a great deal out of a semester in your classroom.

I, on the other hand, could add to your classroom as I am a student who participates, and I like and am interested in the subject matter that you are teaching.

Then, why would I drop your class after only one day? To un-

derstand this, I have to explain why I am attending college as an undergraduate at age 84. Truth be told, I lied by about 42 days and I am still a kid of 83. I don’t want this known, so please keep it to yourself, but for me, school is fun.

In fact, it is a blast. Every 50-minute class or lecture that I attend in which I do not leave with a new or corrected piece of knowledge gained from an instructor or a fellow student is, to me, a wasted hour, and I do not have that many left to waste.

Fortunately, at this institution, this has not been a problem, except for one online course and it has soured me on those for my entertainment. Excuse me, that word should be “edification”. I differentiate between teacher, an endeavor I love and respect and educator, a teaching description which I try to find in the classroom I attend.

The designation of educator is one I truly believe that you will at-

tain someday. But to do so, you will have to give up some of the sophomoric chicken-puckey you are using. I know that the classroom is your domain to use as you see fit under the institutional restrictions to which you are subjected, but it also is a temporary home to your students.

There is a very wise older professor at this university who has told me many times of the things that he did as a young professor that he no longer does because they were more work and aggravation for him and mostly added nothing to the education of his students.

Look, I do not care about my grades. I am going to get all A’s and B’s, and those grades are for bragging rights only and will not affect my future.

I commute 69 miles one-way to campus three days a week. Last semester, I missed four days, one a recurrence of problems from

my recent stroke and three for weather. I have a team of five outstanding doctors keeping me alive, and there is no way that I would ever impose upon their busy lifepreserving existences to secure a note for a teacher to excuse my absence. Also, if driving 140 miles round trip due to weather is lifethreatening, then, even though she lets me believe that I am king of my domain, my wife won’t let me do it.

In your method of classroom control, last semester’s activity would cost me points off of my final grade. Deal breaker professor.

When your classroom has grown up, I would like to take advantage of what you have to offer. I did feel that I owed you this explanation for leaving your class.

My very best wishes to the professor, and I will see you readers here next week.

The Market: Falling gas prices and the lure of the pump MICHAEL GORBATY Contributing Columnist A lot of interesting events have occurred in the last week since last Tuesday’s introduction article on crude future’s major decline over the last three months. Crude future prices are nestling right in between $45 and $50 per barrel, short term. This means that for the time being, gasoline prices should stay about where they are until major drillers reduce supplies of crude in the United States and in the Middle East. The gasoline you fill up in your car is a refined product derived from drilled crude. Crude prices and gasoline prices are related, and in turn, as the price of crude falls, so do gaso-

line prices.

If you open or watch any financial news lately, you will find countless people worrying about where crude prices are heading.

There is major pressure coming from overseas in the Middle East, casting dark spells over the entire world. Reporters look like they need high blood pressure medication and are beyond their tolerance for volatility in today’s crazy market swings. They have good reason to look like a sweaty red pig on television. Countless institutions and companies are relying on crude prices to shoot back up to sustain profitability. The major problem is the news that came from the Middle East. This past month the Organization of the

Editorial

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jay R. Jordan ........................... 936-294-1505 STAFF Hannah Zedaker .................... Associate Editor Dharmesh Patel .................. Viewpoints Editor Jeremy Villanueva ...................... Sports Editor Sean Smith ................... Campus Culture Editor Manjot Jawa .................................. Web Editor

STAFF, cont.

Brynn Castro ................................ Photo Editor Parbattee Maharaj ..... Asst. Viewpoints Editor Ryan Reynolds ........................... Layout Editor Jasmine Rangel ......................... Layout Editor Shawn McFarland ................ Senior Reporter Lillie Muyskens .................. Graphic Designer

Petroleum Exporting Countries announced they were not going to reduce supplies, stabbing crude prices in its heart. OPEC is comprised of the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. One day crude prices are up 5 percent and the other they are down 12 percent. Just this past week gas prices hit rock bottom as I filled up my car’s gas tank at Kroger for $1.59 per gallon. These major price declines in crude are forcing companies to cut jobs because at the current price, profits are either soon turning into losses or already are.

There are a lot of economic situations that could play out, and

Editor’s Note Subject matter in this newspaper and on www.HoustonianOnline.com does not reflect the opinion of The Houstonian unless otherwise noted. Staff editorials are subject to the approval of listed Houstonian staff members. For more information, call 936-294-1505.

Faculty Advisor Marcus Funk ......................... 936- 294-3553

many of them do not look good for major companies, jobs and sustainability.

This past week, the king of Saudi Arabia passed away, creating optimism and doubt for the crude industry. No one is sure if Saudi Arabia’s new king will implement different legislation to remove supplies to drive prices back up.

Based on their sentiment and past behavior, it is not looking quite good for prices to reverse and head back up.

So as you fill up your gas tank don’t forget that tthis is a expertly crafted entity of an ever changing-economy.

Paws Up to this beautiful Texas weather complete with full sunshine and crisp temperatures. But do not get too comfy, folks.

Winter Storm Juno should be arriving later this week.

Brrrr.

Paws Up to the cast of “Birdman” winning the Screen Actors Guild best cast award. The Oscars called and said get ready, because you are on the fast track for another big win

Paws Up to iPhones. A new study has concluded that the owners of iPhones are more educated than Android owners. With much offense to all you Android users out there, I knew there was something off about you.

PAWS

down

Paws Down to radio deviant Howard Stern referring to singer Sam Smith as “ugly, fat and effeminate.” You are a washed-up radio host trying to find relevance in an industry that is evolving beyond your backwards and bigoted thoughts.

Paws Down to men who take selfies. A new study suggest that men who indulge in the selfobsessive act of taking pictures of themselves may be psychopaths. But first, let me take a selfie.

Paws Down to the Patriots for “deflategate.” If you wanted to win, cheating is never the answer.

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Page 4

Kats rain threes in win over ACU, 80-63 CANAAN CADWELL Staff Reporter Good things come in threes.

For Sam Houston State men’s basketball, that was clear.

The Bearkats had a trick up their sleeves behind the arc against Abilene Christian on Monday, going 1226 from behind the threepoint line to get the 80-63 Southland Conference win.

Six players dropped shots from downtown. Senior guard Kaheem Ransom led the charge, shooting 3-7 from long range.

Senior guards Jabari Peters, Marquel McKinney and Demarcus Gatlin and junior guard Dakari Hender-

son each added two threes.

Sophomore forward Aurimus Majauskas got in on the party with one of his own.

The Kats totaled 26-52 from the field by the end of the night.

Bouncing back after a tough loss to SFA over the weekend, the Bearkats set the tempo early and carried the lead the entire game.

The Wildcats rank 12th in the SLC in total rebounds, and the Bearkats took full advantage of a smaller team. The battle of the boards were completely dominated by SHSU with 34 rebounds to the Wildcats’ 22. ACU only had four total offensive rebounds to the Bearkats’ 10.

With rebounding comes second chance points. Four-

teen of SHSU’s points came from having another opportunity to score.

SHSU beat the Wildcats at their own game, which was winning behind the three-point line and making free-throws. Although the Wildcats are eighth in the league in scoring, ACU leads the SLC in free-throw percentage, three-point percentage and has made 156 threes for the season.

The story was different Monday night as the Wildcats shot 43 percent from the free-throw line, and SHSU shot 76 percent at the line.

The Kats are now 7-1 in the SLC and will return home to host Houston Baptist on Saturday at Johnson’s Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.

A new year. A new you. A new career!

JOB FAIR

FROM 2-7PM

JANUARY 27

JEREMY VILLANUEVA Sports Editor Sam Houston State tennis dropped its season opener to Texas Pan-American on Sunday at the McAdams Tennis Center.

The Kats fell 4-3 to UTPA, with juniors Karen Martinez and Maddie Mortimore getting the only wins in singles competition.

“It was exciting being back out on the court competing again,” Mortimore said. “As a team we did well for our first match of the season and will take what we learnt from this weekend’s dual match to the practice court.”

Last year, the Kats were able to sweep their season opener 7-0 over North Central Texas College.

SHAWN McFARLAND Senior Reporter For more information call

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UTPA serves season-opening loss “Coming into today’s match, we knew UTPA was a much improved team over last year,” head coach Jim Giachino said. “With our freshmen playing their first collegiate match ever, nerves were a factor. We’re going to be okay once we get some more match experience.”

In doubles, Martinez and senior Olivia Battye paired for a 7-5 win over UTPA’s Reegan Greenwood and Katia Stavroulaki playing in the one spot. In the two spot, Mortimore and freshman Mila Milanovic dominated the Broncs’ Christel Amsallem and Lison Le Biavant 6-1 to earn SHSU the point in doubles. Freshman Fabienne Gettwart and junior Bailey VanDyke lost their match 6-4.

Mortimore played in the sixth spot in singles and was able to pull off the win in

three sets 6-1, 6-7, 6-1.

“Sunday’s match highlighted individual improvements that must be made in each team member’s game as flaws in one’s game become clear while performing under pressure,” Mortimore said. “This we’ll be mostly focusing on that. As a team we need to practice more pressurized situations in training so we become more familiar with dealing with emotions that come with competition.”

Martinez easily got the point in singles in the fifth spot against UTPA’s Natacha Minc 6-1, 6-2.

Milanovic had a three-set finish in the fourth spot, but the ball would not serve in her favor as she fell 2-6, 7-6, 5-7.

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Robertson takes the reigns

TUESDAY LONE STAR CONVENTION CENTER 9055 AIRPORT RD. | CONROE 77303

Sean Smith | The Houstonian

PUSHING BACK. After dropping Saturday’s rivalry match to Stephen F. Austin State, Sam Houston State bounced back to defeat Abilene Christian 80-63 in Abilene on Monday.

Nine of the last 11 Sam Houston State women’s basketball games ended with Shernise Robertson recording a team-high in points, including the last five straight.

The Southland Conference named Robertson the SLC Women’s Player of the Week on Monday after she recorded 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes of playing time Saturday.

The junior from Cypress is in her first season at SHSU after transferring from Tyler Junior College. Over half way through the 2014 season, Robertson leads all SLC players with 22.1 points per game. Robertson also leads the Kats in three-point field goal percentage, shooting .455 in SLC play.

Robertson is one of two Bearkats to have accumulated more than 100 points in the eight SLC games and is the only Bearkat to reach 300 points this season so far.

She also is the only Bearkat to have shot over 100 free throws. Robertson’s shoot-

ing .830 from the line, sinking 112 of her 135 attempts.

Robertson’s offensive work has helped the Bearkats to a .500 record in SLC play after starting the season 1-9 in their 10 nonconference games. In the Bearkats’ last five games, where Robertson recorded a team-high in points, she also had to play more than 35 minutes every time.

Injuries have depleted the Bearkats this season to the point that only eight Bearkats were dressed out to play in some games. With only three bench players, starters such as Robertson had to play more than 35 minutes while opponents had a full bench of reinforcements for their starters. Robertson shined in these circumstances against Nicholls State and McNeese State, yet SHSU lost 67-64 and 79-74. Robertson recorded game highs in both losses, scoring over 31 against the Colonels and 30 against the Cowgirls.

Even though Robertson put on an offensive show in both games, SHSU head coach Brenda Nicholls would much rather prefer the win.

“It has to be a total team

effort,” Nicholls said following the loss to McNeese.

In Saturday’s win over rival Stephen F. Austin State, Robertson was double teamed by the Jacks to prevent her from another high scoring affair. Robertson still recorded a game-high 21 points but also distributed the ball to her teammates to break the SFA defense.

After winning the Battle of the Piney Woods, Nicholls was excited with the victory and Robertson play. “[SFA] started doubling teaming Shernise, and Shernise went into another role,” Nicholls said. “She started making other people get open.”

In 13 of SHSU’s 18 games this season, Robertson is atop all other Kats in scoring. She has also played a key factor on the other side of the court, leading all Kats in steals.

The Kats are currently seventh place in SLC with a 4-4 record. Robertson and her Bearkat teammates host Lamar on Thursday at Johnson Coliseum, their second of five straight home games.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.