TODAY’S FORECAST
HI: 81o LOW: 59o
AP Photo/Sony Pictures Entertainment, Alan Markfield
Adamcik: “Looper” best action movie of the Fall by far. Easy to follow timetravel movie sure to set the bar for the future movie lineup.
Chance of Rain:
20%
Former “Sammys” are among finalists for Astros mascot job.
Volume 122 / Issue 10
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Waddell: Oleanna strikes heart of controversial higher ed issues.
www.HoustonianOnline.com
Roberson, employee of 41 years, dies STEPHEN GREEN Editor-in-Chief
Courtesy SHSU website.
SERVICE. Dorothy Roberson, second from left, recieved her 40 year service award in 2011. She worked for the university since 1971 shortly after graduating from Huntsville High School. Also pictured are (from left: music professor Henry Howey, philosophy professor Frank Fair, and math professor Max Coleman).
heart attack on Sept. 21 and underwent triple bypass surgery on Sept. 24 at Conroe Regional Hospital. Her son Jake Roberson, 27, said his mom cared greatly about the
students at SHSU. “Every one of my friends here at Sam Houston State University considered her as a mom while they were away from their own,” Jake Roberson said. “She was
always willing to feed them, hem their pants for them the night of a concert, or just listen to their —
ROBERSON, page 6
Hazlewood Act leaves SHSU with fiscal burden Military veterans and their families seeking higher education at lower rates can find it at Sam Houston State University, but as the legislation becomes more popular, accommodating it becomes increasingly expensive. That’s the situation SHSU is dealing with three years after “Hazlewood students” arrived on campus. Associate Vice-President of Enrollment Management Scot Mertz said even with an increase in enrollment of nearly five percent this semester, the gains in that can almost be eaten up by the $2.69 million in tuition exemption in the fall. “So what we have to do is service more students with less money because of the cost of the program,” Mertz said. “I think what you’ll find in this next legislative session is the schools are asking the legislature to address this and see if they can find an equitable way to distribute some
Campus Life
Act One to perform “Marry Me” BRANDON SCOTT Staff Reporter
Campus News
BRANDON SCOTT Staff Reporter
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Tuesday, October 1, 2012
Campus News
Dorothy Roberson, 59, died from complications after a triple bypass surgery Monday. Faculty and staff called her a staple of the university community. Students that knew her loved her, although most knew her as “that lady that always sent me emails.” Roberson, assistant to the provost and vice-president for academic affairs for administration, worked at Sam Houston State University for 41 years leaving a campus in mourning. Provost Jaimie Hebert, who worked closely with Roberson, was in shock according to a statement. “She was a kind lady, always eager and ready to assist with any task; she had a quick wit and a great sense of humor, and she will surely be missed at Sam Houston State University,” Hebert said. “Roberson had been with SHSU for over 30 years, serving several provosts (including former President Bobby Marks, Drs. James Gilmore, R.A. Reiner, David Payne, and, of course, Hebert).” According to those close to Roberson, she suffered a major
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relief money to the school, based upon the cost of the schools.” Veterans who may have thought they couldn’t afford to go to college themselves, or send their children, were given new hope with the Hazlewood Act – a tuition exemption put in place for discharged or separated Texas veterans and eligible dependent children and spouses of Texas veterans. In the 2009 fiscal year, there were 137 Hazlewood students at SHSU, which resulted in $437,000 in tuition exemptions. But that was before “legacy” students were added to the equation last year, which meant the benefits extended from veterans to their eligible children and spouses. Just this fall alone, there are 243 Texas veterans at SHSU benefiting from this legislation, resulting in close to $570,000 in tuition exemption. That’s just veterans. Legacy students are nearly double in numbers at 466 which means four times the tuition exemption ($2.1 million) from 2009, according to figures provided by
the Texas State University System. Those figures don’t even speak to the upcoming spring enrollment, but university officials expect the numbers to jump even higher. “A lot of people didn’t know about it at first, but the younger people veterans are finding out about Hazlewood,” veteran resource manager Fernando Chavez said. “We had one student last spring who was able to have his tuition exemption backdated two semesters.” It’s a sensitive subject for some, because while Hazlewood is providing new opportunities for veterans, the university is in a bind. Last spring, Vice President of Finance Al Hooten said that the university would have to pull from other areas to pay for Hazlewood. It is unclear exactly where the university has adjusted its funds for Hazlewood. Attempts to reach Hooten for this article were unsuccessful. SHSU isn’t the only university hit hard by the Hazlewood effect.
Other Texas institutions such as Texas A&M, University of TexasSan Antonio and Texas State are also dealing with the changes. In the 2012 fiscal year, Texas State had more than double the amount of tuition exemption dollars of Hazlewood students than the next most in the Texas State University System at $8.3 million. Sam Houston was No. 2 with roughly $3.6 million and Lamar around $1.46 million.
SHSU Hazlewood Tuition Exemptions
$2,670,000
$437,000
2009
2012
For Sam Houston State students looking for comic relief and entertainment tonight, the latest production by Act One production delivers with “Marry Me So I Know It’s Real”. “Marry Me” is a spinoff of last year’s plays, “Is My Love In the Wrong Place” from last fall and its sequel in the spring. Main characters Joe and Jennifer have been engaged for some time and at this point seem to have overcome Jennifer’s frivolous spending habits that drive Joe crazy. Joe, partner at a prestigious accounting firm, makes lots of money but he’s stingy with his money. In “Marry Me” one of the issues of planning the wedding is the cost of the event. While Jennifer is hoping for an elaborate, expensive wedding, Joe just wants to keep it simple. Way simple. But that’s just what couples with the rest of their problems. Once both of their families arrive, the really controversy awaits them all. There’s temperament, personality clashes, and it wouldn’t be an Act One production without a bombshell in the mix. Jennifer’s mother and sister don’t like Joe at all, which plays out through the entire show. There’s also Mike and Char, who were introduced by the matchmakers themselves, Joe and Jennifer. Mike and Char adjust to being a live-in couple, while still supporting their friends as the wedding approaches. “Marry Me” was written and directed by Domenique Smith, who also stars at Mike in the play. Smith said content for the play came from observing other relationships, but there’s also an important message that comes with the saga. “I think the play resonates with everybody really, because we all go through different relationships looking for something real,” Smith said. “This is just Joe and Jennifer taking their relationship to that next level. We’re also showing the strength of a relationship and that you can stay with someone through really hard times.” The play is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom, but dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Both the dinner and the play are free to the public.
Campus News
SHSU receives lowest in state funding in 2012 SOPHIE NELSON Staff Reporter
Sam Houston State University will receive the lowest amount of funding from the state this year compared to other public fouryear universities. This reduction in funding has not caused any immediate concern, but the situation is going to be closely monitored by the university and adjustments will be made to cover the cost. Alvin Hooten, the vicepresident for finance and operations, has confirmed that
SHSU will account for the loss with an $8 increase in tuition in Spring 2013, and with another $9 increase in Fall 2015. Hooten said this increase was just on behalf of the school and students can expect to pay more to the student referendum requirements. Only 76 percent of every dollar students pay goes to the school, and the other 24 percent are “mandatory set-asides that are required by statutes,” Hooten said. He also said SHSU employees are efficient enough to make a difference in trying to cover the
cost. “We’re [the employees] very dedicated to the institution,” Hooten said. “We all have great pride in this campus, everyone works hard ... and everyone is always looking for opportunities to operate more efficiently and to garner a better bang for the buck.” Dana Gibson, president of SHSU, said the employees are coping with the lack of public funds and are still producing quality students. “Although SHSU receives less funding from the state than all other Texas four-year public
institutions, we continue to operate very efficiently,” Gibson said. “Our employee-to-student ration is below the state average, yet we are maintaining excellence in academics and graduating students who are qualified for jobs in the Texas workforce. We are meeting our goals and creating a great educational experience for a large number of individuals.” Gibson then said the reason SHSU received the least funding is because of a formula used by the state to calculate the amount given to each university. Hooten detailed that formula,
saying that different weights are placed on academic programs, and the most popular programs at SHSU, including criminal justice and education, are not weighted highly. The result ends up with low funding for SHSU. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board, in 2011 SHSU received $193 dollars per student totaling more than $2.7 million. This placed SHSU second to last on the list. The exact 2012 numbers on public funding are not yet available.
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News
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Deans of Students look to promote school spirit in rival football game GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor Two Deans of Students look to up the ante for this year’s Battle of the Piney Woods with a unique wager to help promote school spirit. Dean of Students at Sam Houston State University John Yarabeck and Dean of Student Affairs at Stephen F. Austin University Adam Peck both agreed to wear the winning team’s colors at their university next Monday after the results of Saturday’s game. If SFA wins, Yarabeck will sport a purple tie on Monday. If SHSU wins, Peck will wear an orange tie. In addition the losing dean will send a picture of himself to be published in the school newspaper. According to Yarabeck, the bet started out as a casual conversation that grew into a way to promote school spirit on both campuses. “We had the idea cause a lot of places where there is a big game, mayors of cities make
wagers like this,” Yarabeck said. “I think a game like this one is something of that magnitude and we wanted to up the ante a little bit.” Peck agrees, noting the bet will be a fun way to get students involved in the game to promote spirit behind each team. “I think these things prompt our school spirit,” Peck said. “We both know we need to win. But as we look something to occupy our interests this weekend, this makes for a good way to talk about it.” This will be a first time both universities will participate in this type of wager, a tradition Yarabeck hopes to begin with this year’s game. “Well if people want to get involved in something like this, I think it’s great for both deans since we’re student advocates and we’re both very spirit conscious,” he said. “If others want to do something, it will make to the tradition that much better.” As the football game draws near, the anticipation grows for both deans who will be
watching intently with the hope of a winning team and a right to share school spirit with the rival university. However both remain confident in their team. “This is a big game for us,” Yarabeck said. “SFA always comes with a good team and loud people. We need to get behind our team and give them support.” For Peck, the wager and the game is more about the fun and spirit behind it although he too is confident in his team. “More than anything else….in many ways, our two institutions are sister schools and I would encourage [students] to watch the game respectfully. However, on our side, no one thinks I will wear an orange tie. They’re expecting Dean Yarabeck to wear a purple tie.” The Battle of the Piney Woods will be this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Controversial questions arise in speaker seminar
MCKINZIE BROCAIL Senior Reporter Audience members posed several controversial questions to religious activist Frank Turek, Ph.D, during a seminar Thursday. Topics brought up by the audience were more controversial than those of the seminar including abortion, same-sex marriage, capital punishment and why God does not stop all evil. The 220-seat Olson Auditorium in Academic building IV almost hit full capacity as eager ears packed the room. “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist, it takes more faith to not believe,” Turek, said during his seminar. The two-hour religious seminar covered the topics of “does truth exist?” and “does God exist?” and attracted members of the Secular Student Alliance (SSA), Gamma Sigma Kappa (Gay Straight Kats), the Baptist Student Ministry, the Democratic Socialists and the Catholic Student Center and sponsoring organization Ratio Christi at SHSU. While members of GSK were apprehensive that the activist would potentially speak against their community, the subject was never brought up by Turek. The seminar discussed areas such as the Law of NonContradiction, the origin of the universe “believe that” versus “believe in,” and morality. Following the presentation was a question and answer session with the audience that lasted for more than 50 minutes, during which, visitors with both opposing and
similar views to Turek asked him questions. “It was all about cognitive dissonance,” Brian Petersen, SHSU alumnus and former SSA president, said. “He is so invested in his beliefs. He makes a game of convincing those who already believe in his points, it’s just sad.” Some people joined the Q&A, citing their Bible or bringing up queries about their own beliefs that are similar to Turek’s. “Thanks for coming to the Frank Turek event,” the Ratio Christi of Sam Houston State University’s Facebook said. “I thought that the Q&A went well. Thank you (especially to those who disagree with Dr. Turek) for showing [him] such respect in your dialog. You make me proud to be a Bearkat!” Turek travels; speaking at conventions and colleges, and presenting “I Have Too Much faith to be an Atheist.” The college version of the seminar was broken down into two, two-hour parts. Each part answers two questions. The second session of the “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” seminar will take place in February or March 2013. The last half will cover the topics of “are miracles possible?” and “is the New Testament true?” Members of many Sam Houston State University organizations attended Christian activist Frank Turek’s seminar “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” on Thursday. Turek has a radio show that broadcasts on KAFR 88.3 FM in Huntsville at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. He is also the founder and president of CrossExamined.org
McKinzie Brocail | The Houstonian
SPEAKING OUT Members of several student organizations attended the seminar and posed several controversial questions for speaker Frank Turek.
and has a weekly TV program. The seminar was also sponsored by the Fellowship of Huntsville Church and the Faith Lutheran Church of Huntsville. Ratio Christi, an apologetics club, meets every Monday in room 123 of the Chemistry and Forensic
Science building at 7 p.m. For more information about Ratio Christi contact the chapter’s director and faculty advisor Darren Williams, Ph.D., at SHSU@RatioChristi. org.
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Food pantry to benefit students in need JAY JORDAN Staff Reporter A group of professors, project directors, and students here at Sam Houston State University are attempting to create a food pantry for the benefit of students with an uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. Its goal is to provide nonperishable food items so that students can eat some measure of a balanced diet. Dr. Bernice Strauss, Director of Academic Support Programs and one of the pantry’s project managers, performed research concerning the number of students experiencing economic troubles in surrounding counties. “For a lot of our students, the recession, the unemployment rate, and the numbers on food uncertainty with the children in the counties that feed Sam Houston suggested that we should look at this problem more realistically,” says Strauss. The number of free or reduced student lunches in public school has risen by almost 15 percent in Walker County and nearly 21 percent in Montgomery County since the Great Recession of 2008, according to research performed at the Annie E. Casey Kids Count data center. Strauss said that this research along with first hand accounts of students burdened by economic downturns fueled the tenacity it takes to start the food pantry program. “We wouldn’t be the only university in the state with a food pantry,” Strauss states. The School Faculty Senate alongside Project CONNECT, Bearkat Learning Community, McNair Scholars, and SH Elite has shown full support for the food pantry. Although the program is in its infant stages, the project managers are brainstorming on how students can become involved once it becomes an organization. “I would suggest students interested in volunteering contact [Candice Wilson, Program Coordinator for FYE],” says Strauss. However, the program isn’t quite there yet. “We couldn’t say that, ‘this is how a student can become involved’ specifically,” says Wilson. “Once we get past the next step, though, we can.” Strauss stated that the best way to volunteer at this point is for organizations to voice their support for the food pantry program and to start planning food drives. The food pantry’s advisory board members will hold a meeting with VP of Student Services Frank Parker who will determine its legitimacy on October 26th. Individuals and organizations can contact Candice Wilson at cbw019@shsu. edu to show support.
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Page 3
Viewpoints
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
Letter to the Editor:
Art professor says dept. requirement encourages progress I was disappointed by the viewpoint article that discussed the Art Department’s laptop requirements. Contrary to the authors suggestions, the department’s Mac laptop requirement was not instituted to hinder the progress of our students, but to encourage it. We feel strongly that if students have 24/7 access to their own digital tools, their work will benefit. In addition, Our shift away from traditional computer labs will afford us the opportunity to provide other equipment and technology for our students; equipment that students would not have access to otherwise. In regard to the author’s concern that financial aid “may” or may not be available to help with the purchase of our required equipment, the answer is simple. Not everyone qualifies for financial aid. For those that do, financial aid has worked with our department to increase the amount of money available for our art students. We realize that the hardware and software used by artists and designers is frequently more expensive than that of other majors, and financial aid has worked with us in that area. While I’m sorry that the author chose to refer to users of Apple technology as pretentious, in my professional experience as a designer, the Mac is the computer of choice in the visual arts, photography, and design. While many of the internal components of Apple computers are the same as those found in other brands, the software interface is not. Users engage with the software, not the hardware, so the experience is not the same. If the author were to attend the design conferences we do, or visit the studios and agencies we visit, this would be clear. We want our students to have the skill and experience necessary to be as competitive and prepared as possible when they complete our program, and our computer requirements provide an important part of this experience. The author also mentions software not being available for the Mac, or being more expensive. No specifics were given, and honestly, I don’t know what software necessary to our program the author is referring to. Our Mac requirement is also not unique to our Art Department, as other programs in Texas and beyond have similar standards. We have made significant effort to make students considering our program aware of our expectations, including the laptop initiative. While we understand that some may wish our requirements were different, we feel an academic environment utilizing the Mac will best prepare our students for the future.
*W. Anthony Watkins is an SHSU Asst. Prof. of Graphic Design
Editorial Staff
Robin Johnson
9/11, Nashville destroyed country music I’ve always wondered what it must feel like to have a loved one brutally murdered. Although I’ve never experienced such a thing, I imagine it would be infinitely worse to have their final, piercing screams broadcasted over radio stations for years thereafter, catching you off-guard every now and again as you browse innocently through the channels. Of course, I need not just imagine that because I’ve seen it done before. This brings us to today’s country music, specifically about how 9/11 killed it. Maybe it wasn’t so foreseeable in the 90s. Jeff Foxworthy had only recently reclaimed the word “redneck” for positive use, Toby Keith was still making respectable music and Garth Brooks was rocking “The Thunder Rolls,” unaware of his impending thunder-thighs. With the 21st century came 9/11, and with that, an onslaught of ‘merica-themed country music. At the head of the pack, the “Angry American” could be considered the poster child for this movement. Like most I enjoyed it but then again, I also enjoy bubble wrap and dirty words. Despite how fun it is, I acknowledge it is an incredibly stupid, comically nationalistic song. Despite a sudden and enormous decline in the quality of further albums, Keith’s career was bigger than ever, riding the wave into a new, untapped demographic. Whereas country had once been the music culturally relevant to rural areas, it quickly transformed into a flamboyant exaggeration of what it represented. As with all cultures, not every stereotype in the rural community a flattering one-only a fool would swallow such uninspired trash. Unfortunately, people played along and came in numbers to enjoy the exploitation. As it turns out, people actually
There are many schools across the SHSU is a great school that provides nation that conduct random drug its students with a chance to earn testing on students who compete or join a great education and a chance at a extracurricular activities. However, there better future, so why would a student are not many groups that do this for college who claims to love this school and organizations, with the exception of sports are so school spirited want to tarnish and the major extracurricular activities SHSU’s name by drinking underage such as football. and doing drugs? According to an article posted by To stop this from happening, SHSU Opposing Views a 12-year-old girl in should have groups that associate Milford, Penn. was told that in order to themselves with the school to do MORGAN MEARS join a “scrapbooking club” at her middle random drug testing. Not only would Staff Reporter school, she would have to pass a drug test. it stop students from using drugs or While many people would argue that asking the girl drinking underage, but it would also help to boost to take a drug test in order to join an extracurricular university’s image and would prepare our students activity was a bit ridiculous, others see it as a safety for the real world because many jobs/careers require net for not only the school but the young girl. employees to pass random drug tests. The purpose of these random drug tests are not to According to an article from the American Civil punish those that are found using drugs, or drinking Liberties Union, Linn State, a school in Missouri, under the legal age, but it is to prevent the use of implemented mandatory drug testing of all of its drugs and underage drinking. But how is it that this students. While many people claimed that this was 12-year-old in middle school was asked to take a in violation of the student’s rights, Linn State argued drug test, yet many groups at Sam Houston seem to that they were just looking out for their students, not to care if a member is underage and drinking? trying to protect them and prepare them for the real There are not enough groups on the SHSU campus world. that test their members but they should. Living close to campus and working on campus, Recently, I overheard a couple of students I’ve had to deal with my fair share of students under talking about their upcoming ‘Bid Day’ and one the influence of drugs and alcohol. While many of the students made the remark that “a good bid people may try to argue that SHSU is perfect and that day is one that you can’t remember.” While not all underage drinking and drug using does not occur fraternity or sorority members think this way, there here in Huntsville, they are sorely mistaken. are many who do. This is the reason I believe that According to the fall semester UPD Crime Log, we should have random drug testing for all groups there have been 10 drug arrests and 17 alcohol arrests associated with SHSU. from Aug. 3 to Sept. 18. Personally, I did not come to SHSU to party all As a campus, SHSU needs to take a stand and the time or to drink or do drugs; I came here to say no more to this. SHSU needs to implement further my education and it just peeves me to see random drug testing for all of its students involved in groups that are associated with SHSU running extracurricular activities or those who are involved around drinking and doing other things of the sort. in groups who associate themselves with SHSU.
Staff
Molly Waddell
Stephen Green
Matt Frazier
936-294-1505
Web & Multimedia Editor mfrazier@houstonianonline.com
George Mattingly
McKinzie Brocail
Misti Jones
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News Editor gmattingly@houstonianonline.com
Viewpoints Editor mjones@houstonianonline.com
Cody Lewis
Sports Editor clewis@houstonianonline.com
PAWS UP to the Bearkats beating TSU 50-6 on Thursday! Eat ‘Em Up!
PAWS UP to the cool weather granting us the liberty to wear scarves again! We missed you, Fall!
PAWS UP to the return of the Texas State Fair and the Texas Renaissance Festival!
PAWS DOWN
Morgan Mears suggests random drug tests for student safety
A&E Editor mwaddell@houstonianonline.com
Editor-in-Chief
really like to be categorized. It’s scientifically proven that people generally have an inherent desire to be sorted into cliques. There’s a reason virtually every modern country single starts with some variation of the words “where I come from…” By definition, an industry can only have a targeted audience by stereotyping their listeners into distinct groups. Today, all a country artist needs to have a chart-topping single is a proper checklist of stereotypically redneck trademarks. Vague mention of ‘freedom’? Check. Clarifying what temperature you like your beer? Check. A “sweet/pretty thang” preferably in cutoff jeans? Check. Referencing a musician 30 years your senior? Check. Overemphasis on truck tires? Check. “My baby in the seat next to me?” Check. Congratulations. You have single handedly created a song so densely patronizing that light cannot escape its surface. Expect your platinum record in the mail. It’s a strictly followed formula. Artists go into Nashville with hope in their eyes and come out in the dozens looking like the body snatchers raided a Baskins store. The phenomenon is so overwhelmingly creepy that I find myself waiting for Rod Serling to step out from behind a tree soon and provide an elaborate monologue about aliens or brainwashing (an encounter I can only hope would be punctuated with a firm, un-awkward handshake).
PAWS UP
Should SHSU have mandatory drug tests?
Faculty Adviser 936-294-1499
TAYLOR LIKENS Staff Reporter
But maybe I’m being too harsh on modern country. The lyrics have certainly evolved. How could one forget such gems as Luke Bryan’s observation that “Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey/ Whiskey makes my baby feel a little frisky?” Rhymes are hard to come by and sometimes you just absolutely have to finish that song so you can get back to what ever it is you do. It is quite possible that modern country is simply the most misunderstood poetry of our time. Out with the old, in with the mediocrity. With the end of George Strait’s touring career on the horizon, I can’t help but to feel that this is the beginning of the end for what was once country music. With increasingly less differences from pop and rock and overwhelmed by the untalented fan boys of previous talents, the few newer, redeeming artists that call back to better times can’t compete with the flood of fad pleasing clones. Country music was once the embodiment of what music aspires to be--at the forefront of touching the human soul. What it lacked in dapperness it made up for in sincerity and individuality. They were songs about love and loss, pride and failure. Joyful decrees of time well spent and gentle reassurances that you’re not the only one out there that’s suffering. Now it has deteriorated into a sad, child’s idea of the genre it once was. Abandonment of what is good for what is obvious. Laughably poor imitation, under the guise of homage. Country music has gone the way of rap; it is a once culturally distinctive and bold genre that has been betrayed by its own marketability. Stereotyped, tweaked to fit the times, and injected into a hundred identical avatars to spread the virus further. I can now say without the slightest hint of irony or selfawareness: Damn you, Al Qaeda!
Senior Reporter mbrocail@houstonianonline.com Sports Reporter chyde@houstonianonline.com
Eric Fite
Graphic Designer efite@houstonianonline.com
Megan Laurie Multimedia Reporter
Samantha Villarreal
Multimedia Reporter
Samantha McCarl
Copy Editor
Brandon K. Scott Sophie Nelson Karmen King Cheyenne Simpson Jasmine Brown Morgan Mears Allyson Wiley Taylor Likens Leigha Lewis Joselynn Taylor Cody Cobb Cristina Baumann Caitlin Adamcik Jeremy Kleiber Jay Jordan
PAWS DOWN to all the crazy injuries sustained by members of the Houstonian staff. Did someone break a mirror?
PAWS DOWN to not getting paid and the payroll system that outsmarts some people.
PAWS DOWN to the less than minimal coverage by the Houstonian of the Clock Tower rumble on Friday.
Correction In a Paws Down on Thursday, in theSept. 27 issue, the Houstonian was not clear on which Subway dropped the ball. It was the off-campus Subway on Sam Houston Avenue.
Business Staff Paty Mason
Business Manager 936-294-1500
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Ad Deadlines Tuesday’s Issue Friday at 5 p.m. Thursday’s Issue Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Page 4
Arts&Entertainment
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 houstonianonline.com/a-e
“Looper” Video gallery to keep viewers’ attention sets bar for New art exhibit to feature performance video works fall movies MOLLY WADDELL Arts & Entertainment Editor
CAITLIN ADAMCIK Staff Reporter
When students enter the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery in Art Building F, they will be bombarded with images and noises from all corners of the room. Art exhibit Body and Screen: Performative Video Works has come to Sam Houston State University and will be here until Oct. 25. The exhibit consists of 10 video pieces by several different artists. There are four big screens with videos playing on them and the sound blasting into the room. There are also six small screens with headphones. The videos range from funny to serious. One video by Alan De La Garza called “Methods of Composing Random Composition” was solely a man doing different things to make noise. At one point he is wrapped in bubble wrap and rolling around the floor. An example of a serious video is one by Wura Natasha Oguni called “My father and I dance in outer space.”
“Looper” is the best action movie of the fall. This film is darn near perfect. Throughout the whole movie, the audience was on the edge of their seats. Surprisingly, for a time travel movie, it was easy to follow. Joe works for the mafia as a “Looper”, and his job is to kill people sent in 2042 to 30 years in the past. Closing the loop occurs when the “Looper’s” future self is sent to them to be killed. When Joe fails to kill his future self and he escapes, Joe goes after himself to close the loop. The story flows exceptionally well. Joe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character narrates throughout the movie. The dialogue and the story-telling touches on all the questions the audience might have. Time travel movies can be very difficult to follow, but “Looper” is good at keeping the audience with the pace. The movie has everything an action movie should have. It has more violence than expected. The movie opens with a killing, so right at the beginning, they mean business. The action in the movie was constant. “Looper” has no dull moments. There is always something happening that keeps the audience on edge, whether it is a fight scene or important dialogue. The graphics throughout the movie are great. An interesting fact is that Gordon-Levitt wears a prosthetic to look to play a younger version of Bruce Willis The two of them looked exactly like each other. It was extremely convincing. One particular aspect that is interesting is that when the present self is harmed the future self has the same effects, or vice versa. “Looper” uses this element to great advantage.The acting is flawless. Gordon-Levitt convinces the audience that he really is Willis’ character in the past. Everyone in the film gives an excellent performance; even the smallest actor or actress really sticks with the viewers. “Looper” is an extraordinary movie. It tells an intriguing story. We rate it at four and three-fourths out of five paws.
Lynn Lane| NobleMotion
CAPTION: “Craft Talk” by Leslie Hall is another example of a funny video in ‘Body and Screen: Performative Video Works’. It is a music video about the biggest bejeweled sweater ever made.
Oguni said in the description of the work that the purpose of doing this was to see what it would be like to dance with her father who was dead by the time she created the piece.
The artists whose works are present in the exhibit are: Kate Gilmore, Adan De La Garza, Case McGuire, Wura Natasha Oguni, Linda Post, Tatiana Svrckova, Leslie Hall, Tobias Fike and Matt
Harris. The Gaddis Geeslin Gallery is open Monday through Friday 12-5 p.m. There will be an Art Reception for the exhibit on Thursday 6-7 p.m.
Carol and her abuse of the power. He throws her to the ground and holds a chair over her head as if to hit her. He stops before he hits realizing that he too is abusing the power. This incident also led Carol to see her abuse of the power. “I forgot how brutal Mamet’s plays are,” Dr. West Gurley, SHSU philosophy professor said. “Things like people brutalizing each other with words. I mean actually not words but understandings, misunderstandings, lacks of understanding. People brutalize each other like that. I mean it’s rough.” The actors did a fabulous job portraying these two dynamic characters. Porterfield had the difficult task of portraying a college student that represents all minorities. “She is the voice of the LGBT alliance, the Secular Student group on campus, the NAACP she is the voice of all of the
groups,” Theatre major Amanda Parker said. “I mean we all face adversity, but she is that counter balance voice that you don’t get to hear that much, that was beaten down.” Oleanna was a play that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Carol and John’s relationship was so tense that the audience couldn’t sit still during the performance. “They did an absolutely fantastic job,” Shaylor Tillman, political science major, said. “Heart wrenching the entire time, just the dialogue and how it was written and how it was performed. Definitely an emotional roller coaster.” People had different views on who was to blame, some sympathized with Carol while others just hated her. Porterfield and Martin did a fantastic job on creating these conflicting emotions. “I want to congratulate Katy
Porterfield on her performance,” John Forgy, a theatre major, said. “Because she took a character that is so easily able to be hated and you made you not hate her. She represented any subordinate group against a dominate group and she did a phenomenal job.” “Obviously the way that it was written you were made to compare them because they used some of the same dialogue at each other,” Tillman said. “I would agree with him because his position as a teacher gave him the ability to teach whatever he wanted to teach. As far as sexual harassment as far as some lines that he crossed. She over exaggerated that in a way that was malignant and slandered.” This play has already accomplished what director Michelle Ritter wanted, which was to be a conversational piece. It will be something that will be discussed on this campus for a while.
“Oleanna” explores struggle for power MOLLY WADDELL Arts & Entertainment Editor Oleanna, by David Mamet, was a play about the struggle for power between professor and student. The Sam Houston State University Theatre Department put on the play between Wednesday and Saturday in the University Theatre. On the surface, Oleanna was about the possible relationship between a professor and a student. The student, Carol, played by Kathryn Porterfield, goes to the professor, John, played by Tyler Isaac Martin, for help in his class. He agrees to help her. When Carol eventually joins a “group” of people charging him with sexual assault, John, who is is up for tenure, loses everything. This is when the struggle for power comes about. The image that best represents the play is when John is finally fed up with
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Sports
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 houstonianonline.com/sports
Bearkats roll through Tigers in 50-6 victory in Houston
CONNOR HYDE Sports Reporter
The Sam Houston State Bearkats reclaimed their position as a competitive football team with a 50-6 victory over the Texas Southern Tigers in Houston Thursday night. “I saw a lot more energy [and] saw a lot more guys into the game,” Coach Willie Fritz said. “We were disappointed in the game against Central Arkansas. We needed to get back on the winning track.” SHSU’s offense, headed by quarterback Brian Bell, drove a total of 558-yards against TSU’s defense with three passing touchdowns from Bell. Wide receiver Chance Nelson scored twice from Bell’s passes and had a total of 127 yards Thursday evening. “We needed a chance to redeem ourselves,” defensive lineman Gary Lorance said. “We got this win [and] I think it will help us propel through the season.” On SHSU’s second offensive play of the game Bell found Nelson for a 61-yard touchdown pass that set the tone for the match. “The linemen did a great job blocking and Bell just found me a couple of times in the back of the end zone,” Nelson said. “[TSU had] a good secondary, we got into them to go big in open holes.” The offense showed an improved attack plan against TSU after their disappointing loss against Central Arkansas the week before. Bell threw 10-15 and was only held to one turnover, an interception in the second quarter; compared to his 16-24 completions and an interception
in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory for UCA. Keshawn Hill led the Bearkats rushing attack with 74 total yards including a 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. SHSU’s rushing game was distributed between nine players including starter Tim Flanders, Ridgeway Frank, and wide receivers Trey Diller and Richard Sincere, for a total 346-yards. SHSU’s second-string offense, led by red shirt freshman Chris Grett, made an appearance in the second half and drove down the field to add to the Bearkats lead with a four-yard rushing touchdown from Frank. “There are a bunch of guys that showed marked improvement in this ballgame,” Fritz said. The Bearkat offense posted 36 unanswered points Thursday night. Defensively, senior linebacker Darius Taylor halted the TSU running game with six tackles and three assists, including three sacks for a total loss of 28-yards. SHSU’s defense held TSU’s offense to a mere 165-yards in Thursday’s match and only allowed one touchdown in the start of the second quarter. “Once we make a team onedimensional, we can start having fun getting into the pass rush and make big plays happen,” Lorance said. In the middle of the first quarter, defensive back Dax Swanson picked off a TSU pass for SHSU’s only interception. The defensive turnover set up a Bearkat offensive attack that pushed down the field for 61-yards that ultimately ended the second touchdown of the first quarter for SHSU.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
RUNNING THEM DOWN. Ridgeway Frank came off the bench and made quite an impact against TSU, taking most of the carries in the fourth quarter and recording a touchdown.
According to Lorance the practice week preceding TSU’s game, the SHSU coaching staff analyzed and set up a defensive plan that guaranteed the Bearkats to contain the Tigers’ offense. “We break down a lot of film during the week,” Lorance said. “They have us prepared, they have a game plan ready and I think we executed almost as well as we could of [Thursday].” TSU’s only touchdown came in the start of the second quarter with a 16-yard pass to the lower right corner of the end zone. This week the Bearkats will prepare for the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks for the Battle of the Piney Woods in Houston. The Lumberjacks
Megan Laurie I The Houstonian
SWEET SWEEP. Tayler Gray gets ready to block a bump as Haley Neisler is ready to support her. The Bearkats now have an 8-9 season record after sweeping Nicholls State.
Bump, Set, Sweep Volleyball wins over Colonels in three sets JEREMY KLEIBER Staff Reporter Sam Houston’s Volleyball squad met little resistance in Thibodaux, La., notching their third consecutive conference victory against Nicholls State Saturday. The Bearkats improved their overall record to 8-9, sweeping the Colonels in three straight sets 25-6, 25-19, and 25-16. The Kats have steamrolled their competition as of late, winning five of their last seven matches and climbing to 4-2 in Southland Conference play. “I think we’re starting to come together as a team in terms of knowing everybody’s role on the court,” Bearkats coach Brenda Gray said. “This group works hard, and their mentality is so tough.” Kendall Cleveland totaled 10 kills in 28 attempts and Deveney Wells-Gibson added nine kills. Both totaled 11 digs. Setter Tayler Gray assisted on 28 of Sam Houston’s 41
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kills and led the Kat defense with 13 digs. Libero Camille Alfaro was credited with seven digs. Kim Black had eight kills, five aces and three blocks. Those three blocks by Black brought her career total to 445, upping her rank to second all time in SHSU history. Karen Zoch, a dominant Lady Kat in the 80’s, holds the school record with 536 blocks. Sam Houston maintained the lead the entire first set, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage and winning 17 of the final 21 points. Nicholls State held a 14-11 lead in the second set, but the Kats rallied to take the second frame with a 14-5 run. The Colonels led the closing set 3-1 , however, between Black’s service and Cleveland’s spikes, the Lady Kats went on runs of 5-0 and 6-0 to complete the sweep. The Bearkats return to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Thursday to host Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Sam Houston also will face Northwestern State at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Follow @HoustonianSports for play by play updates
defeated UCA this past weekend 42-37 making them 1-0 in conference. According to Fritz the Bearkats’ defense will develop a passing protection to contain SFA’s aggressive passing game. “This upcoming week we’re going to go against a very potent passing attack with SFA. They’re going to throw it probably between 60 and 70 times when we play them,” Fritz said. “We got to a great job improving in that area.” Against UCA, SFA threw the ball 43 times for a total of 296-yards. “We’re going to do a really good job focusing on SFA [this week],” Fritz said. “Any time you
win obviously you feel like you got momentum coming into the next week.” At last year’s Battle of the Piney Woods SHSU won in a landslide victory 45-10 against SFA. But with the battle for the Southland Conference title, this year’s matchup at Reliant Stadium could determine who takes the conference title. “There will be two very fine teams playing down in Reliant,” Fritz said. The Battle of the Piney Woods will be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Kickoff will be underway at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.gobearkats.com.
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Sports
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Two SHSU alumni in top pick for next Astros mascot GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor Two alumni of Sam Houston State University have made the list of the top 10 mascots who have a unique opportunity to serve as the next mascot for the Houston Astros. Trent Cootz, 2009 graduate, and Zane Thrift, 2012 graduate, both made the cut after rigorous, fastpaced audition process that started with 50 mascot hopefuls from all over the country in late Sept. According to Cootz, the journey to the top 10 began with a formal interview at Minute Maid Park with all 50 contestants. From there, the judges selected 10 for an interaction round where participants dressed in a polar bear costume, come up with a one minute skit to present and interact with an audience. For Cootz, the nature of the audition was different from anything he’d experienced before after mascot auditions in Tampa Bay Rays and the Dallas Cowboys. “I’m used to formal auditions with a long interview, but at this audition we had such a short time to put the skits together,” Cootz said. “I was very nerve-racking because it was so public with a lot of fan involvement. It was difficult to adjust.” However, Cootz said his time as Sammy the Bearkat from 2004 to 2009 helped prepare well for the process. As a theater major, Cootz said he had an affinity of interacting with audiences early on, but the role of mascot offered
RARE CHANCE: SHSU alumni Trent Cootz and Zane Thrift have made the top 10 pick to be the next Astros mascot to be decided by votes online.
something more. “Being a mascot allows me to get up close and personal with the audience,” he said. “I can see the laughter on kids’ and adults’ faces as they enjoy my performance and it’s just much more intimate to see their reactions.” Although they are competitor for the same position, Cootz said that being able to work with Thrift, another former Sammy, is not only a rare chance for them, but also for the SHSU community. “It’s been awesome to have two alumni in a national contest among so many people from all over,” Cootz said. “I want [Thrift] to do well and we’ve stuck together through [the entire process.]” Cootz noted the importance of
Bearkat spirit and support for both of, especially now in the last string of the long audition process “We worked so hard to bring joy and entertainment to SHSU and now we need [SHSU community’s] help to continue to do what we love,” Cootz said. “We need people to vote early and vote often.” People can now cast their vote for Cootz and Thrift to be the next Astros mascot by visiting www. Astros.com, clicking on mascot talent contest. Voting will close on Thursday, after which, the top 4 participants will meet back at Minute Maid park, according to Cootz. You can also find a video of Cootz one minute skit on Youtube.
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Long time employee remembered for dedication, service ROBERSON,
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problems. She is amazing!” C.N. “Kooter” Roberson, Dorothy’s husband and longserving DJ on KSAM radio, thanked all of the support he has received since his wife’s passing. “Thank you everyone for the outpouring of support, prayers and condolences,” Kooter Roberson said. “Our sweet Dorothy was called home today shortly after noon when the Heavenly Father opened wide his arms and said ‘Welcome Home you good & faithful servant. I was blessed to have spent her last two hours alone with her.....but still we are in shock.” He also said Dorothy Roberson was dedicated to the university community and Huntsville. “She loved her Lord, her family, her church and Sam Houston State University,” Kooter Roberson said. “She leaves a big, empty [hole] in our community and in our lives.” Dorothy Roberson was a Huntsville native and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1971 before beginning her academic studies at SHSU. From 1971 to 1979, she worked and attended the university to receive her Bachelors of Business Administration. She didn’t complete her degree, but attempted getting her degree again in 1996. She was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Huntsville for many years where she has played the organ and keyboard since she was 12. In addition, she directed the children’s choir and “enjoyed it immensely,” according to her university webpage. “My mom was the director of our children’s choir at church for [more than] 30 years and every kid that came through that choir meant the world to her!” Jake Roberson said. She is survived by Kooter Roberson, her husband of 33 years, and son Jake Roberson, both of Huntsville. Funeral services are currently pending. Kooter Roberson ended his post with his wife’s favorite quotation. “100 years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.”