Volume 126 | Issue 18

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

What’s happening at Sam EBOLA, P.2

YANKEE TAVERN, P.3

DANGER, P.4

SOCCER, P.5

MENINGITIS, P.6

The university released a statement on the Ebola outbreak

The department of theatre and musical theatre have a new show out

Apparently, walking and texting is not the best thing to do

The Bearkats are now second in SLC standings after Sunday’s win

A student was confirmed to have viral meningitis Friday

Volume 126 | Issue 18

THE HEA DL I N E S in br i e f

/HoustonianSHSU

@HoustonianSHSU

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HoustonianOnline.com

BOWERS’ TRACK BOWS OUT

Compiled by

Manny Jawa web editor

WASHINGTON SHOOTING

Providence Medical Center in Washington state said Sunday that 14-year-old Gia Soriano died due to injuries sustained from the Oct. 24 shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Another victim, 14-year-old Zoe Galasso, was identified along with the shooter Monday. The hospital reports two other injured students are in critical condition and another in satisfactory condition.

UNLIMITED CLOUD STORAGE

Microsoft announced that its Office 365 subscribers would now be given unlimited cloud storage.

In June, OneDrive Cloud storage limits stood at 1TB, up from the previous 20GB.

Chris Winfield | The Houstonian

Sam Houston State began its resurfacing on Bowers Stadium track Monday. The track will be upgraded to a new BBS100 system, which will turn the track to a black mat and structural spray of 13 mm in thickness. The track should be finished by the track team’s January practices.

ROADTRIP READY

Average U.S. gas prices fell to $3.0759 on Friday, the lowest since Dec. 2010, due to an increase in U.S. crude oil production. The average gas price in Texas is $2.819 with prices in Huntsville being on average 10 cents cheaper, according to GasBuddy.com

RECORD-SETTING DIVE

Alan Eustace, a 57-year-old Google Senior Vice President, broke the record set by Felix Baumgartner in 2012. Eustace set a new freefall record when he jumped 135,890 feet on Friday.

Eustace is the second person to break the sound barrier unassisted.

WINDING DOWN WAR

Coalition forces handed over control of Camp Leatherneck (U.S.) and Camp Bastion (UK) to Afghan forces Sunday. The handover formally ends the missions of both the Marines and British Combat Troops. As flags of the NATO forces were lowered, 4,500 personnel remained on the bases which once held over 40,000.

HUNTSVILLE READINESS CENTER

Mayor Mac Woodward joined Gen. Brigadier General Lester “Les” Simpson on Saturday in opening the new Huntsville Readiness Center on 2702 Sam Houston Ave. The center serves as the new home for paratroopers of Able Company 1st Battalion Airborne, 143rd Infantry Regiment.

GOVERNOR QUITS

Guerrero Gov. Angel Aguirre took a leave of absence from his post Thursday after protesters demanded his removal after the disappearance of 43 students.

Firefest unaffected by burn ban CONNOR HYDE Senior Reporter While the entirety of Walker County is under a burn ban as of yesterday, Thursday’s Firefest will be unaffected.

Brandon Cooper, associate director for student activities, said they works closely with the fire department to ensure a safe event.

“As of right now, everything is still a go,” Cooper said. “We usually have Huntsville Fire Department on site, and we have the necessary permits. We’re just waiting on official word from the

fire chief.”

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, excluding burning activities related to public health and safety and authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Some areas in Walker County fall between 433 and 655 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index.

The KBDI is a 0-800 point index used to determine forest fire potential.

For reference, in the height of the Texas drought in 2011, the index in Walker County peaked at 792 in August that year. Walker

County suffered from two major wildfires, burning at least four square miles in 2011.

Walker County Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Davis said the recent low humidity conditions can lead to large fires.

“When the humidity gets lower, it really allows fires to get out of hand,” Davis said.

Violation of the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable up to a $500 fine. The ban is up for review in January.

Sean Smith contributed to this report.

Bearkat Democrats host “rock the vote” rally today SHAWN MCFARLAND Senior Reporter Democratic attorney general candidate Sam Houston is among the guests who will speak at the Bearkat Democrats’ “Rock the Vote” event today.

Located at the Old Main Pit be-

tween 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., the event is a final push to rally voters to the polls before Election Day on Tuesday. Voters will then march together to the Walker County Annex to cast their vote.

Along with Houston, three other candidates will speak at the event, including Huntsville city council at-large position 4 candidate Kendall Scudder, Walker

County Pct. 4 justice of the peace candidate Cade Reece and Texas railroad commissioner candidate Steve Brown.

“We are really looking forward to the candidates coming,” Bearkat Democrats treasurer Heather Robbins said.

Visit HoustonianOnline.com for more.

Theta Chi appeals DOSO sanction STAFF REPORT

Theta Chi appealed an undisclosed sanction delivered by the dean of students’ office Monday.

While Sam Houston State University’s Dean of Students John Yarabeck could not provide many details about the sanctions, he said his office now has ten class days whether or not to accept the appeal.

The Theta Eta chapter of Theta Chi at SHSU was under investigation after claims that militarystyle hazing took place at 12:09 a.m. on Sept. 29 at the Theta Chi house. One of its own members approached university police to create a report that was then forwarded to the dean of students’ office.

Multiple attempts to contact Theta Chi International Headquarters were unsuccessful.

Follow the Houstonian as more information is available.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Page 2

Associated Press

(TOP LEFT) A motorist refuels at a gas station where prices have dipped below $3 per gallon, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Pittsfield, Mass. A national survey of gas prices reports that the average cost of U.S. regular grade gas dropped 18 cents per gallon in the last two weeks. (TOP RIGHT) Alan Eustace is shown before a test flight for his Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 leap from the edge of space that broke the sound barrier and set several skydiving records. (MIDDLE LEFT) Rogelio Martínez Ortega takes office as the new Acting Governor of the State of Guerrero, in the city of Chilpancingo, Mexico, Sunday Oct. 26, 2014. Martínez Ortega took office as the new Acting Governor after the resignation of Governor Angel Aguirre. (MIDDLE RIGHT) Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft on the Camp Bastion, Afghanistan flightline, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014. (BOTTOM RIGHT) A group of Registered Nurses observe a moment of silence with their fellow Providence caregivers at 10:39 a.m. Monday morning at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash., Oct. 27, 2014. (BOTTOM RIGHT) Nurse Kaci Hickox in an isolation tent at University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where she was quarantined after flight from West Africa.

SHSU not “alarmed” by Ebola cases CONNOR HYDE Senior Reporter As news continues to surface regarding the Ebola virus in the United States, Sam Houston State University issued a statement telling students and faculty “we do not feel there’s any reason for the SHSU community to be alarmed.”

In the statement issued Oct. 6, SHSU reaffirms there have been no report of Ebola-like illnesses at the Student Health and Counseling Center and is currently following protocols detailed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Julia May, SHSU associate di-

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rector of communications, said the university felt a need to comment on the situation and give students and faculty references for general information about the virus.

“In light of things that were happening in the Dallas area where [Thomas Eric] Duncan was diagnosed with Ebola, we felt there was a need to comment on the fact we were monitoring the situation and let people know again where to refer for any advice or questions they may have,” May said.

May said the Student Health and Counseling Center did receive calls for general information and questions about the Ebola virus.

Other universities including Texas State University have released similar statements about Ebola and detail university protocol if a student or faculty member showed signs of the virus.

“At the time, a lot of the univer-

sities were coming out with statements especially with those who had students traveling to those countries,” May said. “What we are doing now we would call 911 and work with the Walker County Emergency Medical Service and turn the individual over to their care.”

SHSU’s statement can be viewed at the Student Health and Counseling Center’s web page.

NATIONAL Kaci Hickox, the nurse quarantined in New Jersey, was released Monday after testing negative for Ebola Saturday morning. Hickox has been “held against her will in a tent outside a New Jersey Medical center,” since Friday, according to NBC News. Hickox has hired a lawyer after being taken off her flight and held in quarantine.

“Since testing negative for Ebola

on early Saturday morning, the patient being monitored in isolation at University Hospital in Newark has thankfully been symptom free for the last 24 hours,” New Jersey health officials said via NBC News.

“As a result, and after being evaluated in coordination with the CDC and the treating clinicians at University Hospital, the patient is being discharged.”

Nina Pham, the first person in the United States to contract Ebola, was released Friday to return to Dallas after testing virus free.

Pham is a nurse at Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and is one of two nurses who contracted the virus while caring for Duncan.

The second nurse, Amber Vinson, tested free of the virus as well, according to the Dallas Morning News.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Page 3

Theories thrive in “Yankee Tavern” SEAN SMITH Campus Culture Editor

Catherine Stallard | The Houstonian

CONSPIRACY. Senior musical theatre majors Brandon Whitley and Kathryn Porterfield embrace in a scene during “Yankee Tavern.” The play deals with conspiracies surrounding the 9/11 terror attacks and the complications regarding love, death, government and politics. For more photos, look on page six.

Conspiracy theories, mysteries and mind-bending questions will be presented in “Yankee Tavern,” the next play in the Sam Houston State University department of theatre and musical theatre’s fall performance lineup.

The play takes place entirely inside Yankee Tavern, set a few blocks away from the site of the 9/11 terror attacks. A young couple becomes entangled in a conspiracy theory dealing with terrorism, government accountability and the “official” reasoning behind the 9/11 attacks.

The production features tavern owner Adam and his fiancé Janet, played by senior musical theatre majors Brandon Whitley and Kathryn Porterfield. The couple encounters two barflies: Ray (senior musical theatre major Andrew Carson), a conspiracy buff and long time patron of the tavern, and Palmer (sophomore theatre major Stephen Harris), a mysterious character who seems to know more than he should about

the events that unfolded that infamous morning.

The story presents parallel themes dealing with conspiracies in love, death, politics and government, which SHSU theatre manager and “Yankee Tavern” director Katie Stefaniak said goes back to the play’s writer, Stephen Dietz.

“Stephen Dietz is really genius when it comes to human nature,” Stefaniak said. “The way his writing is, everybody is talking at the same time and it’s very real. He writes very conversationally and doesn’t shy away from the ugly stuff that is real life.”

The play will be in the University Theatre Center’s Showcase Theatre, one of the department’s smaller theatres. Stefaniak said the smaller stage along with a cast of only four actors provides an intimate setting that draws the audience into the scene.

“We very much wanted to feel like the audience was members of the tavern,” Stefaniak said. “Being this close to the actors and to the action, it is very intimate. It is very much live theatre, but that’s what makes it so raw and so real.”

According to Stefaniak, “Yankee Tavern” touches on sensitive ma-

terial in regards to the 9/11 terror attacks, and the controversial themes expressed are part of the story.

“I know it’s touchy subject matter, because it’s still very fresh and people are going to be affected by it,” Stefaniak said. “We just want to be storytellers. If people leave happy, that’s one thing. If people leave upset, we’ve invoked some kind of human emotion.”

While all audience members may not agree with the themes presented, Stefaniak hopes viewers come with an open mind and leave enlightened.

“Basically, always question and don’t believe everything [the media] spoon feeds you,” Stefaniak said. “Also, try and keep the relationships you have with people going on. Because, at the heart of it, it’s about the characters and the journey they have through their relationships.”

“Yankee Tavern” shows Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m., with house open at 7:30 p.m. A Saturday matinee will show at 2 p.m., with house open at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased by phone at 936-294-1339.

PR students visit Washington, D.C. SAVANNAH WOODWORTH Staff Reporter

One of the most exciting parts of being in an organization on campus is the opportunity to take trips with your group. Organizations on campus have gone to Louisiana, Florida and even Myrtle Beach, S.C. This past week, the Sam Houston State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America went to Washington, D.C. for the Public Relations Society of America Na-

tional Conference.

To fund trips like these, PRSSA hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Currently, they are holding their “Oh Snaps!” fundraisers. For $10 attendees are given three professional headshots taken by PRSSA members and photographer Logan Hickle.

The fundraiser began yesterday, and continues today from 4 to 6 p.m. and tomorrow from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Dan Rather Communications Building Studio B. This is the first time in several years the SHSU chapter of the organization has been able to go to the conference, with help from the

Public Relations Society of America in Houston and SHSU Student Services who funded their hotel stay during the trip.

The conference provides networking opportunities and workshops for the public relations field.

It is a place for students to develop professional skills and meet other students from across the nation.

“I expected to learn more about public relations firsthand from PR professionals at the sessions, meet students from other PRSSA chapters across the nation and explore Washington, D.C. with our chapter,” chapter President Misti Jones said. “Most of all, we were all

Food Pantry to leave no Bearkat hungry PHILLIP GARCIA Staff Reporter Organizations at Sam Houston State University are taking on an often over looked problem on its campus and at other universities nationwide.

Food insecurity is an issue which many students face themselves or experience through their peers. Students have come together to fight student hunger through the SHSU Food Pantry.

“The academic lives of our students do not exist inside a vacuum,” Candice Hanner, Food Pantry planning committee member, said in a statement. “This is a really great way to begin thinking about the whole student.”

The Food Pantry services students who are in need of food by distributing donations twice a month, according to Hanner. The next distribution day falls this Thursday.

“Distribution days will be on the second Thursday and the fourth Monday of every month,” Hanner said. “We’ve tried to plan these days so students will pick up food shortly before they get paid, when money tends to be the most scarce.”

Any student experiencing food insecurity can sign up for access to the Food Pantry through an anonymous and unbiased application process.

“We decided early on not to make any sort of criteria by which we would determine need,” Hanner said. “Just because a student isn’t on financial aid doesn’t mean that they will be able to pay for all of their academic and nonacademic needs. It was already difficult enough for us to determine the percentage of the student population who would need this service; we aren’t interested in trying to determine who does and does not qualify.”

Students can log on to MySam account and click on the “students” tab, where a link will be available for students to sign up to receive items at the next distribution date.

The Episcopal Student Center is in charge of the Food Pantry and the collection of goods. There will also be an opportunity for students to directly donate canned goods and other non-perishable food items through a campus-wide gathering The campus-wide gathering will involve individual donations to the Food Pantry in the Lowman Student Center Nov. 11-13 through the Freshman Leadership

Program’s “Clash of the Cans,” a competitive can drive held by the Freshman Leadership Program.

Organizations who choose to enter the completion will be in the running for differing prizes such as certificate from the Dean of Students Office, and the winners will receive 2 hours of community service for each member in their organization.

Individuals will be able to donate three non-perishable goods in exchange for a raffle ticket and a chance to win a gift basket and other prizes.

Donations can be dropped off at several locations around campus, including the Student Health and Counseling Center, Teacher Education Center, Financial Aid Office, Estill Building, First-Year Experience Office, Academic Building IV, the math department, Lee Drain Building and the Residence Life Office.

For organizations that are interested, contact the Dean of Students Office for more information The next pantry distribution days fall on Nov. 13 and 24. For more information about the Food Pantry, contact them at foodpantry@shsu.edu.

hoping to gain knowledge about how to expand our chapter’s reach and increase engagement with our members.”

The experience itself turned out to be more than expected in terms of bonding the chapter members together and learning about their chosen field, according to Jones.

“I don’t even think we could have anticipated just how much of an impact this trip would have on us,” Jones said. “We all learned so much at the informational sessions and we had a great time bonding with each other. As our PRSSA Vice President Chris Young put it, ‘I went to D.C. with some people I knew and I came back with my best friends.’”

Students visited different agencies in D.C. to experience what it is like working in a real life firm. The institutions included Allison+Partners, APCO Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller and many others.

“I was fortunate enough to visit the Pentagon with a small group

of people,” Jones said of her own experience. “We had the opportunity to talk to the Navy’s social media specialists and hear about the strategies and tactics they use for posting social media content.

The conference helped students to better understand different specializations in their field such as entertainment, sports, healthcare and crisis management among others. Students also had the opportunity to learn about marketing tools and building relationships with the media from keynote speakers.

Along with gaining real world experience, students went to chapter development sessions where they learned how to better run their chapter of the organization.

PRSSA attends many professional luncheons, agency tours, seminars and conferences in various cities to help their members to network and gain knowledge in their chosen field.

Ballerina to speak STAFF REPORT

Martha Butler Long, a former acclaimed Houston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre Ballerina, will visit Sam Houston State University tomorrow from 1 to 2 p.m. Long will discuss her career at the event which is free to the public.

The department of dance and the chair of the department Jennifer Pontius along with Priority One will host the event. The event will be held in the Dance Theatre at the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.

At age 17 in 1984, Long joined

the corps de ballet, Houston Ballet, and later went on to become a soloist and ultimately a principal dancer. It was then from 1994 to 1998 that Long was featured as a soloist with American Ballet theatre which is located in New York City.

Her other lead roles include Giselle, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Manon and Rodeo among other varied performances.

Long now lives with her husband and two children. She is an administrative assistant for First Steps Montessori School in Houston.

For more information contact the Department of Dance at 936294-1875.

HELP WANTED Tutors wanted for all subjects taught at SHSU. Pay starts at $10/hour.

Apply online at 99tutors.com or call 979-268-8867

ReC-o-WeEn

OcToBeR 27-31 | sHsU.eDu/rEc-o-wEeN

Thriller Night

Tuesday, October 28 5:30pm-7pm | MP1

Wall-O-Ween Costume Climb

Wednesday, October 29 6pm-8pm | RSC Rock Wall

INTRAMURAL (42) DOMINOES TOURNAMENT

JUMP IN. PLAY HARD.

Pumpkin Decorating Thursday, October 30 4pm-6pm | RSC Lobby co-sponsored by ARAMARK

10.29.2014 6pm HKC 247

for more events and information go to shsu.edu/recsports

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Page 4

What not to wear on Halloween

DHARMESH PATEL Viewpoints Editor Halloween is the one day of the year that you can put on anything you want and everyone will have an opinion after it is posted to Facebook and Instagram. But the only difference between October 31 and any other day is that wearing your furries costumes out in public is completely and irrevocably acceptable.

That is right folks. Comb out that neon orange mullet wig and make sure your pasties have been dry cleaned because it is time to let your freak flag fly. Dressing up in costume is a time-honored Halloween tradition and should not be taken lightly. However, many people miss the memo year after year and fail to impress at one of the hottest parties of the year.

Costuming is not an easy task and takes lots of research, planning and skill. Not everyone is blessed with the ability to creatively conceptualize and execute an original costume idea, and this is perfectly okay. Thankfully, this guide was written to help the costume challenged individuals be different, original and one of a kind.

Let me take the time to recap some of the costumes you should

not consider as they have all been deemed so last year and should be retired to the costume vault until they become popular again in 5 years and give you better alternatives.

Under no circumstance should you dress up as any character from the movie “Frozen.” I repeat, cross off any “Frozen”-based costumes off of your list. Do not even put it on your long list. Disney has conspired with the media to oversaturate our brains with “Frozen,” and any party you go to is guaranteed to have at least three risqué versions of either Elsa or Anna.

If you want to dress up like a real pop culture princess or international icon, consider the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton or Princess Beatrice of York. You could probably find your entire costume in your granny’s closet for free.

Speaking of international icons, Miley Cyrus started a revolution after her infamous 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance and the ensuing twerk gate that followed. She basically destroyed Robin Thicke’s career while jump starting her own and made it socially acceptable for people of all shapes, sizes and colors to proudly twerk in the open.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it),

THE GOOD

Miley herself has declared that she is retiring the dance once known as “le twerk” and consequently made all those who planned on wearing her stage costume consisting of latex panties and hair twists social pariahs. Instead, put on your sexiest bikini and wear a sash with the words “Miss North Korea” scribbled in magic marker and no one will be questioning your originality and you still get to show off and shake your goodies.

“Mean Girls” defined an entire generation, but it sadly gave girls everywhere false hope that Halloween costumes only consist of pasties, string and some form of animal ears. This is not fact and should not be treated like one.

Your costume should be original and unique. Besides, you will probably lose your animal ears at some point in the night and then where would you be costume-wise? How about actually dressing up as an animal and going all out by painting your body in tiger stripes or giraffe spots?

Tired costumes are not limited to females. Fellas, do not think that you are free and clear to choose whatever you want because you all will be judged harder that the fairer sex. That being said, let me give you some tips on how not to be a mega-douche and repel potential Halloween hook-ups.

PAWS

up

Please, I beg of you and pray to all the Halloween gods that you do not throw on your sunglasses after dark and tape a largely exaggerated box over your crotch. You are not fooling anyone and hopefully your dick is not actually in the box.

You might as well wear a nametag saying “Hi, my name is I have gonorrhea,” because you are most definitely going home by yourself at the end of the night.

Many guys out there feel that dressing up in costume will project them in a less masculine light and opt not to wear a costume at all. Let me assure you that this is in fact more douche-like than strapping a box over your package.

You are not excused from dressing up on Halloween, so you better get to work and figure something out.

Halloween is supposed to be fun and a time when you can be someone else for a night. You do not need to drink to lose your inhibitions and let loose. You can hide behind your costume and get freak nasty on the dance floor without anyone ever knowing who you are, so put on those thinking caps and get to work. And remember, if you have to ask yourself what Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, a washed up celebrity or any of the characters from “Frozen” would do, then you need to check yourself before society does.

THE BAD

PAWS UP to the pillowcases full of free candy: Everyone knows that the special Halloween edition of your favorite candies are better than their larger counterparts.

PAWS UP to Halloween: You can finally be who or what you want and no one will judge you for wearing that Rainbow Bright outfit you have been hiding in the back of your closet.

PAWS UP to Halloween falling on a Friday this year: Party on Thursday!

Party on Friday! Party on Saturday! Recover on Sunday.

PAWS

down

Courtesy Wiki Commons

ACCEPTABLE. If you are going to be an animal, BEE original.

NOT ACCEPTABLE. Animals do not wear lingerie.

Walk, talk, text and DIE BRYNN CASTRO Photo Editor When I walk around campus I see beautiful things. I see the trees and how they drape across the beautiful quad near Austin Hall allowing tiny bits of the sun to kiss the thick green grass below. I see the flowers in the mall area providing life and adventure to butterflies and bees. There are people laughing, squirrels scurrying, birds tweeting, clouds floating, the clock tower singing, sororities dancing, intellects reading, I am walking and BOOM. You ran into me because you were not paying attention.

I will be the first to admit that I love my cell phone. I look forward

to hearing back from my friends while texting or liking that selfie on Instagram of my sister and niece at Starbucks. But I save that stuff for when I am not walking.

Many times I have been rushing to a class across campus and there is that person who is walking slower than Christmas in front of me. As I start to shift my path to either side, a crowd of people block my opportunity to go around so I end up slowing down and angrily waiting for them to pass so I can speed back up and carry on with my day. All of this because someone is more concerned about their Yik Yak feed or whatever the hell they are looking at that’s more important than walking.

I am guilty of this, too. I have pulled out my phone to see 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 Connor Hyde .......................... Senior Reporter Shawn McFarland ................ Senior Reporter Lillie Muyskens .................. Graphic Designer

time or to get a quick glance at a text that just came in. Unfortunately, my clumsiness won’t allow for me to divert my eyes away from the moving world around me for too long or I’ll eat dirt and cry.

Some people, on the other hand are, incredibly oblivious to everything other than that small screen in the palm of their hands.

It is absolutely frustrating when you are walking and someone is approaching you but they haven’t seen you until it is almost too late.

They look up in just enough time to swiftly move to the side and then shift their glazed over eyes back to their Facebook feed.

This zombie-like culture is especially dangerous on a college campus. It is one thing to walk around from building to building or hall-

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

way to class with no idea as to what is going on but, it is dangerous to try and cross the street with your eyes glued to your phone. Uh hello, just because you are walking does not mean you have the right of way. There are too many people driving around this campus for you to not pay attention to them. It is inconvenient when I am trying to drive through a cross walk but am unsure as to whether I should go or not because someone is too busy connecting fruits on their phone instead of crossing the street.

So, unless you want to become road kill and just another head on Uncle Dixie’s mantle, look up and pay attention.

PAWS DOWN to the massive hangover after an entire weekend of Halloween parties: Come Monday, you will be wearing your final Halloween costume: zombie student.

PAWS DOWN to finding a last minute costume at CVS Pharmacy: You waited until the last minute and now all you have to pick from is a children’s “Frozen” ensemble or a Power Rangers onesie.

PAWS DOWN to having the same costume as your frenemy: Do not forget to carry an emergency pair of scissors just in case you need to edit your costume and transform it into something more fabulous (and more slutty).

Advertising BUSINESS MANAGER Paty Mason ........................... 936-294-1500 ADVERTISING MANAGER Stacy Hood ............................ 936-294-1495

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ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Executives ....................... TBD Joey Peters ....................... Delivery Manager

Tuesday’s issue ................. Friday at 2 p.m.

Thursday’s issue ............. Tuesday at 2 p.m.

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Page 5

Johnson scores again, Bearkat soccer second in SLC JEREMY VILLANUEVA Sports Editor

Chris Winfield | The Houstonian

STANDING SECOND. Sam Houston State heads into the final two Southland Conference games with a chance at tying Stephen F. Austin State for SLC regular season champions.

Sophomore forward Allie Johnson continued on her breakout season for Sam Houston State soccer in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana in Hammonds, La. Johnson provided the Bearkats with the lone goal of the match in the opening minute of the second half. Johnson struck one from distance in the 46th minute off a feed from sophomore forward Maddy Panozzo that landed in the upper corner of the goal.

“It was a simple goal that was built up from the defense through the midfield and a ball played through to me, which is what we practice almost every day,” Johnson said. “Coach just said at halftime how ‘this team has already made history, so why not make more while we’re at it?’”

The goal gave Johnson her eighth of the season after only scoring one last season. Sunday’s

score also extended Johnson’s trend of finding the back of the net early in the halves. In her eight goals, five of them have come in the first 10 minutes of a half.

“The first 10-15 minutes are all about keeping possession and building up to get those opportunities,” Johnson said. “The reason I get those goals in the opening minutes is because my team possesses the ball and give me those multiple opportunities to get those goals.”

Johnson now finds herself only three goals shy of tying the SHSU record for most goals in a season.

The record is currently shared between former SHSU players Kim Brown (2003), Raquel Bueno (2008) and Tricia Mallory (2010).

“It is a goal of mine to break a record during my four years here and having the opportunity to come close to that is such a blessing,” Johnson said. “I’ll try not to let it distract me too much during the games, but I’m expecting myself to beat that record.”

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Bearkats best Wildcats 38-21 CANAAN CADWELL Staff Reporter

Courtesy GoBearkats

LIGHTS OUT. Redshirt freshman P.J. Hall had another outstanding game for Sam Houston State on Saturday against Abilene Christian. Hall finished with four total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

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Sam Houston State football’s rush defense was lights out against Abilene Christian in Saturday’s 38-21 victory at Bowers Stadium.

The Wildcats averaged a total of 31 rushing yards on 22 attempts, averaging only 1.4 yards per carry against the Bearkats’ defense.

SHSU forced four turnovers in the win. Two of those takeaways led to two touchdowns for the Bearkats. In the second quarter, junior safety Eric Agbaroji had a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown. Redshirt freshman A.J. Davis filled in for sophomore linebacker Myke Chatman and returned a fumble for 27 yards and a score in the third quarter.

“Defense was outstanding,” Keeler said. “With [Chatman] out with a slight knee injury – he’ll be back [Saturday] – A.J. got his opportunity.”

Davis had not seen the field as much as others but was able to finish the game with not only the touchdown but leading the Bearkat defense with 6.5 total tackles and one sack.

“Anything I can do to help us win is all I care about,” Davis said.

Although the Bearkats’ defense was able to make big plays, SHSU still gave up 445 yards to the Wildcats. ACU’s sophomore quar-

terback Parker McKenzie finished the game with 385 yards passing and two touchdowns. Parker ranks fifth in FCS passing yards with 2,195, an average of 274.4 per game.

On the offensive of the ball, SHSU was able to find their attack in the rushing game with a total of 175 yards on 44 attempts. Relying on the ground game was the key to their success on offense.

Sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson ran for 86 yards on 15 rushing attempts. Senior running back Keshawn Hill contributed with 47 yards and two touchdowns averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

Johnson went 26-34 for 277 yards passing with one touchdown and no interceptions. Johnson’s number one target, freshman slot receiver Yedidiah Louis, had eight catches for 82 yards, averaging over 10 yards per catch.

The Bearkats’ offense totaled 452 yards and won the time of possession against the Wildcats with 30:55.

SHSU will look at a chance in controlling its own destiny in a close Southland Conference race for first, Keeler said. The Kats will take on rival Stephen F. Austin State on Saturday, who heads to Houston coming off a 27-17 defeat over Southeastern Louisiana.

The Battle of the Piney Woods will kickoff at 3 p.m. in Houston at NRG stadium.

Players of the Week

A.J. DAVIS, LINEBACKER

Linebacker A.J. Davis scored one of two defensive touchdowns in SHSU’s 38-21 win over Abilene Christian. Late in the third quarter, redshirt freshman P.J. Hall sacked ACU quarterback Parker McKenzie and forced a fumble, which Davis would return for a 27-yard touchdown. The redshirt freshman from Kilgore also led the Bearkats with 6.5 total tackles and had one sack for six yards.

DEVENEY WELLS-GIBSON, OUTSIDE HITTER

Outside hitter Deveney Wells-Gibson had a game-high in kills in Sam Houston State’s dramatic five set victory over Northwestern State. Although Wells-Gibson received a yellow card in the fifth set, she was still able to lead the Bearkats with 22 kills and added 12 digs. The senior from San Antonio leads all Bearkats with 398 kills in the season, averaging 4.68 kills per set.

BY THE N UM B ERS. . .

TREY OURSLER Contributing Reporter

5

Sacks the Bearkat defense had in the win against Abilene Christian on Saturday. Redshirt freshman P.J. Hall led with two.

4

Wins in a row the Bearkat soccer team has in the Southland Conference, the most in SHSU history heading into the HBU game Friday at Pritchett Field

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Matchups between rivals SHSU and SFA in the “Battle of the Piney Woods” heading into this weekend at NRG Stadium in Houston

FO O T BA L L GA M E GRA DES DAVID GIBSON Contributing Reporter Offense: B+ Sam Houston State’s offense exploded against ACU on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson had an excellent performance with 86 rushing yards and 277 passing yards. Johnson was able to find junior receiver Gerald Thomas for a 34-yard touchdown toward the end of the fourth quarter.

Defense: AThe Kats’ defense had another great outing in conference play.

The Bearkat defense forced four turnovers and came across with two defensive touchdowns. Redshirt freshman linebacker A.J. Davis stepped in for a missing sophomore linebacker Myke Chatman while senior safety Michael Wade had another good game with five tackles. However, SHSU gave up 385 yards in the air, including a 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Special Teams: B The Kats special teams held ACU to 75 return yards. Junior punter Lachlan Edwards had a game-high 56-yard punt. Sophomore kicker Luc Swimberghe improved to 10-10 on field goals with a 20-yarder in the second quarter. The Kats did see a holding penalty bring back a touchdown on a punt return in the third quarter.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Page 6

Officials confirm student viral meningitis case HANNAH ZEDAKER Associate Editor A student case of viral meningitis was confirmed by Sam Houston State University officials Oct. 23, after the potential carrier visited the Student Health Center the morning before.

Although much less severe than bacterial meningitis, an infection all students are required to receive vaccinations for prior to attending Texas universities, according to university spokesperson Julia May, it can become serious if left unattended.

“Viral meningitis is much more common, it is much less severe and it is not unusual for people to come down with it the way it is with bac-

terial meningitis,” May said. “Now left untreated, of course, you can develop complications from it, whereas bacterial meningitis you would know right away that it’s a bad situation. Bacterial meningitis is very serious, can be fatal, really, really makes a person sick—very, very ill. Viral meningitis is more common, not nearly as serious as bacterial meningitis.”

The student who first visited the Student Health Center on the morning of Oct. 22, was advised to seek medical attention elsewhere to ensure a proper diagnosis after staff suspected the viral meningitis case.

“In case the student needed to be admitted and of course, it was not confirmed from the health center, it was suspected,” May said. “So obviously at a hospital

or a doctor’s office they are better prepared as far as diagnostic testing and things like that to check and get an accurate read on what’s actually wrong with a student when it’s that serious.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of Viral Meningitis include the sudden onset of fever, headache and a stiff neck often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and an altered mental status. “[Viral Meningitis and Bacterial Meningitis] are totally separate and to my knowledge, there is not a vaccination for viral meningitis,” May said. “Obviously with bacterial type diseases there are antibiotics available for them. Viral meningitis, it’s my understanding that it’s treated just like any other virus

as far as plenty of fluids, monitoring the fever, things like that and it just runs its course.”

Due to privacy laws, May was unable to disclose any personal information regarding the student with viral meningitis. However, she was able to confirm the student’s current state of health.

“All that I can tell you is what we are hearing which is that the student is doing well,” she said.

“The student was released from the medical facility and is in good condition.”

May added that although she does not know when the student will be returning to classes, the student is healthy enough to resume everyday activities at the appropriate, doctor-mandated time.

Age and immune systemstrength are both risk factors

which can increase one’s susceptibility to contracting the virus.

Transmission of the disease usually occurs thorough enteroviruses, the mumps, herpes, the measles and influenza. In addition, rodents and insects can also serve as carriers of the disease.

“It is [contagious] like any virus as far as the flu and things like that,” May said. “The best advice we give our students as with any contagious disease: wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands and cover your mouth.”

For more information about Viral Meningitis, go to http://www. cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html

Catherine Stallard | The Houstonian

Associated Press

(TOP LEFT) Houston’s Patrick Beverley (2) pushes against San Antonio’s Tony Parker (9) during a basketball game. The Rockets begin their regular season tonight against the Lakers. (TOP RIGHT) San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval lays down after arriving at Kauffman Stadium for a workout Monday in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants and Kansas City Royals are scheduled to play Game 6 of baseball’s World Series tonight.

(BOTTOM LEFT) Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pretends to take a selfie after sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7). (BOTTOM RIGHT) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Washington Redskins inside linebacker Keenan Robinson (52) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday in Arlington. Romo suffered an injury during the play.