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Thursday, March 20, 2014

ELECTION APATHY CAMPUS

SGA void of full election commission less than one week from deadline JAY R. JORDAN Associate Editor Details for the 2014 student government elections are up in the air after Student Body President Ramiro Jaime, Jr. failed to have four of the six election commission seats filled by the start of campaign season. The Student Government Association Election Code states

the president must appoint each of the six commissioners “no later than the fourth general Senate meeting of the semester,” being Feb. 18. Jaime claims he had already appointed only two of the six commissioners on time, but they reportedly resigned soon after. He said due to the Senate’s busy agenda in the recent months, he was unable to appoint anyone else to the commission.

“Because we had a lot of stuff going on, it just fell by the wayside,” Jaime said. “No one really thought about it until the election was really upon us, and all of a sudden, bells went off.” However, Jaime’s statements conflict with Student Body Vice President Kolby Flowers’ statements, saying that the Senate reminded him every week of the coming campaign. He said he walked out of Tuesday’s meeting

in protest to Jaime’s “dictatorship.” Flowers’ full statement can be found in today’s Viewpoint section on page three. During Tuesday’s Senate meeting, Jaime appointed two individuals, Phi Delta Theta president John Pham, Jaime’s own fraternity’s president, and Lauren Stratton. The appointments failed to pass the Senate’s approval. After the Senate didn’t approve of Jaime’s two appointment, he advised that

without an election commission, there was no election, according to official SGA documents. According to Student Affairs Chief Alex Rangel, the Senate recommended making a list for appointees who Jaime could choose from for the commission, but Jaime shot the idea down. The Senate recessed to the SGA office after running out of time in —

SGA, page 6

Senior Bearkat dies in tragic fall CAMPUS

JAY R. JORDAN Associate Editor

It takes a certain kind of person to have the goals Andy Lada had. Lada, a senior Sam Houston State University kinesiology major who wanted to work in special education after graduating, died Tuesday after suffering a fall in his apartment off campus. Aubrie Cheatham, Lada’s fiancé and SHSU graduate, said she was texting him until around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. “He never responded,” Cheatham said. “I thought he was in class.” Lada’s roommates Jimmy Rodgers and Brittany Riemer, who is Rodgers’ fiancé, were the first to discover him in the apartment. Lada was supposed to pick Riemer up from campus and bring her back to his apartment, but he never made it. According to Huntsville Police Department records, a 911 call was made at 12:55 p.m. “I came home from school and found him,” Riemer said. “That’s when I called Jimmy, and we called 911.” According to Lada’s friends, he was a man of passion, pursuing the

Connor Hyde | The Houstonian

IN MEMORIAM. Andy Lada (left) and Jimmy Rodgers (right) enjoy a Sam Houston State University football game in 2012. Lada graduated from Cypress Woods High School in 2009 and was expected to graduate from SHSU in December 2014.

goal of teaching special education. Described as a “chill” individual, Riemer said Lada hoped to “give kids opportunities they never had.” Lada and Rodgers had been friends since high school at Cypress Woods in Cypress, Texas. Rodgers said they had plans for an even longer-lasting bond than baseball teammates. “Me and him have been roommates for three years now,”

Rodgers said. “We were going to be best men at each other’s wedding.” Cheatham said their wedding was still over a year away, set for Oct. 10, 2015. She said her last night speaking with Lada was spent talking about their future. “We talked about the wedding and the honeymoon the night before,” Cheatham said. “The next day, he’s gone.” Lada and Cheatham had known

each other since elementary school, and that she was always fond of her “baseball buddy.” “I always had the hugest crush on him,” she said. “But I never said anything. [He taught me to] not take life too seriously, have fun and enjoy what you have.” Upon the news of his death, Cheatham said a deluge of longlost, current and loving friends flooded both of their Facebook pages.

“Every time I open up my Facebook, I have 12 messages and 20 notifications,” Cheatham said. “People I haven’t talked to in years text me. The amount of people that have said something about him and have contact me is overwhelming.” Dozens of Lada’s friends pinned their condolences on his timeline since Tuesday’s news. As if writing their own eulogies for the late Bearkat, some friends offered prayers while others offered fond memories. “Andy Lada, you inspired me to be a better person,” Alisa Spellman posted. “I remember you always pointing to the sky after hitting a homerun. I remember back then I was stupid and thought it was silly. You told me that the reason you did that was because it was all the Big Guy upstairs, not you.” “I’m going to miss our lake days, poker nights, Galveston Spring break tips, random nights at Aubries, nights at the bar and so, so much more,” Lauren Johnson posted. “I love you so much Andy. God gained an amazing angel.” Lada is survived by his parents Sandra Lada and Henry Lada as well as his younger brother Chris Lada.

STATE

Jasper executed for brutal slaying KASSIDY TURNPAUGH Assistant News Editor

Former small-time rapper Ray Jasper, 33, of San Antonio was executed Wednesday at approximately 6:35 p.m. for the 1998 murder of a David Alejandro. Jasper was convicted of capital murder pursuant to Texas penal code § 19.03(a) in the 1998 case of Alejandro’s murder. Alejandro, 33, was a recording artist, local musician and owner of his own recording studio in San Antonio. He was found murdered in his studio in an apparent robbery attempt. Police arrested Jasper near the crime scene after he began acting strangely, according to KTRK-

TV ABC 13. He was later found to have stolen between $10,000 and $30,000 in equipment from Alejandro’s studio. During the trial, Jasper’s former girlfriend testified that he had planned the robbery of Alejandro’s recording studio and the possibility of murdering Alejandro as well. He recruited two others to assist in the attack, according to the 1998-1999 police investigation. With the aid of Steve Russell and Doug Williams, Jasper slit Alejandro’s throat before one of the trio stabbed the man to death. Russell and Williams received life sentences for their parts in the crime. During the 2000 trial, the prosecution presented both

DNA and fingerprint evidence of Jasper’s involvement. The jury handed down a guilty verdict after 15 minutes of deliberation, according to the trial logs. Jasper was 18 at the time the crime was committed, according to the Associated Press. He spent his subsequent 14 years on death row unsuccessfully attempting to appeal the court’s decision. Jasper gained some notoriety with the publication of sevenpage letter he wrote to Gawker’s Hamilton Nolan in February. In the letter Jasper calls the prison system a slave industry and calls into question the sentences placed on some of his fellow inmates. “I know a man who was 24 years old and received 160 years

in prison for two aggravated robberies where less [than] $500 was stole and no violence took place,” Jasper said. “There are guys walking around with 200 year sentences and they’re not even 30 years old. It’s outrageous.” In response to the letter, Alejandro’s brother, Steven Alejandro, noted Jasper’s inability to accept his fault in the crime and showed no sympathy toward the convicted. “He has never accepted culpability or expressed remorse.” Alejandro said. Members of the Texas Death Penalty Abolitionist Movement read poetry from Jasper’s recent book outside Huntsville’s Walls Unit just moments before he was executed as a form of protest

against the death penalty. Despite a personal aversion for the death penalty Alejandro told the 1.7 million readers on Gawker that Jasper wasn’t worthy of the cause. Alejandro said he would not attend the execution, according to a statement he provided in his letter. Jasper was executed by way of lethal injection, a practice recently called into question due to a nation-wide shortage of pentobarbital, a lethal drug delivered to death row inmates. Yet, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice recently purchased enough of the drug to carry out the executions of five inmates, including Jasper, according to NBC News.

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Page 2

News

Thursday, March 20, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

LOCAL

City to buy new fire, police vehicles HANNAH ZEDAKER Senior Reporter

Huntsville police and fire departments will be getting new vehicles after the Huntsville city council voted to authorize the purchases during its meeting Tuesday. Over the last several months, Fire Chief Tom Grisham, Huntsville Police Chief Kevin Lunsford and Fleet Manager Mike Clouds, who works with both departments, have lobbied extensively to convince councilmembers that both of their respective departments are in need of new vehicles. The departments are looking to acquire one Pierce Impel 75foot Custom Cab Ladder Truck for the fire department and five 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe police patrol vehicles and the necessary accessories for them. During a March 4 meeting, city council had its first reading of the fire truck purchase during which there was some discussion. Likewise, during

Tuesday’s meeting, although councilmembers voted unanimously in favor of both departments, it was not without deliberations. “It’s nothing personal, I have nothing against the police department,” Councilmember Tish Humphrey said. “I’m very concerned with the long-term effects this is going to have on the city as we phase in bigger, newer cars.” One of the main concerns of Humphrey was how the gasmileage of the larger vehicles would compare to the traditional Ford Crown Victoria cars the majority of the department drives. “Those Crown Vics we are driving get horrible gas mileage,” Lunsford said. “When you’re in town driving and there are a lot of starts and stops and you have to slow down and speed up quickly. You are just not going to get good fuel mileage.” Lunsford assured the council that having only expanded their fuel budget this year to keep up with the increasing price, they are well within their budget.

The estimated cost of the five Tahoes is $137,135 and an additional $91,485.75 for their accessories. Councilmember Keith Olson, who said he recently visited several police departments in several other cities, said that almost all of the departments had Tahoes and had nothing but positive things to say about them. “These are the guys out there keeping us safe,” Olson said. “These guys are out there doing something a lot of us don’t want to do so we need to take care of them.” The council members also voted unanimously to: • Award bid for the East Moseley Lane Reconstruction and adopt Ordinance 2014-24 for the associated budget amendment • Authorize the mayor to sign the second amendment to the city manager’s contract • Approve the purchase of a generator to be placed at the Elkins Lake Dam Lift Station and adopt Ordinance 2014-26 for associated budget amendment • Approve the inclusion

Connor Hyde | The Houstonian

PURCHASE. Mayor Mac Woodward speaks at Tuesday’s city council meeting. The council voted to purchase new fire trucks and police SUV’s.

of Dually Certified Area in the Proposed Riverside Specialty District Boundary • Approve the renewal of

a blanket purchase order for new and tetread tires.

CAMPUS

Class project to yield community garden CONNOR HYDE Editor-in-Chief The seeds have been planted and are blossoming as two Sam Houston State University classes are collaborating to develop a community garden in Huntsville. As a part of the SHSU Academic Community Engagement (ACE) program, Jeff Wozniak, Ph.D., and Jeremy Bellah, Ph.D., have combined a class in biological sciences and a business class to establish a sustainable and flourishing community garden. Wozniak, who teaches environmental sciences, said the vision of the project is to benefit the community and teach students how humans affect the environment. He said the goal of the project is to provide a sustainable food source with fresh produce that could benefit Huntsville and the university. “I told my students the definition of environmental sciences is identifying and understanding how humans impact the environment but then how to fix it and make it better,” he said. “When I learned about the ACE designation, I thought environmental science would be perfect because it’s not just learning the science, it’s applying it.” In the past, projects in the environmental science class were comprised of individual projects that ranged from compost research and assessing energy consumption from local businesses. According to Wozniak, the idea of constructing a community garden

arose during the fall 2013 semester. As the relationship between Wozniak and Bellah strengthened throughout 2013, the collaboration between the two classes started to take shape. ACE Director Joyce McCauley, Ph.D., said the partnership between Wozniak and Bellah epitomizes the community engagement program. “Their project is just the perfect match of two professors working together to make a difference in the community,” she said. McCauley said due to “isolated places in Huntsville for people to go and get food,” the community garden will benefit on a twofold level. “Together, their energy will create this incredible benefit, not only for the local community, but for the university as well,” she said. Alongside Bellah’s operation management class, the project takes two approaches: business and science. Where Wozniak’s students conduct initial research, Bellah’s students handle the business side. Senior general business major Thomas Rush, a student in Bellah’s class, said their goal from a business perspective is to maintain efficiency during the research-gathering process. “We’re really focusing on getting everything planned, finding a site and investing in the site to make sure that it’s sustainable for gardening,” Rush said. “The plan right now for the project as a whole is to complete the planning process for the class in

the fall semester to take it and implement it and break ground.” Rush said due to the difference in ages between the two classes, communication is difficult. “It’s been a little different just because we’re an upper level business class,” he said. “They’re a sophomore level. We’re a little further along in the process of college some of them need a little more prodding than most of our class.” During the planning and research process, the various types of community gardens will be considered while costs and finding investors in the community are

determined. Wozniak said the cost of the project could range between $1,000 and $50,000. However, he is uncertain. Although there is no concrete date to break ground, Wozniak said the ideal situation would be to start construction in fall 2014. “If the stars would align and we find a piece of property that is usable, there’s no reason we couldn’t do something sooner or later,” Wozniak said. “A lot of different people in the community are excited about it.”

LOCAL

Local bakery moves CONNOR HYDE Editor-in-Chief

Local cottage-style bakery Sugar Skull Sweets packed up shop and moved to a new location Wednesday in an effort to increase visibility. The family-owned bakery was originally located at 1410 13th St., and now sits three blocks east at 904 Avenue J. The store’s owner Charlie Oliver announced the move on the bakery’s Facebook page Monday and said the new location is ideal. “We were looking to move anyways from [our] location, and we got a really good deal [on the new location,]” Oliver said. Oliver said he wanted to keep with the organic feel that Sugar Skull Sweets has built a reputation. He and his family set up shop in a treehouse that was featured on HGTV’s “Home Strange Home” in 2012. Since opening in September 2011, the cottage bakery has developed a strong customer base, including one Sam Houston State University professor. “Cupcakes are the new thing, and shops that sell cupcakes are fairly ubiquitous in larger cities,” philosophy lecturer Thomas Brommage, Ph.D., said. “Using bacon – because bacon makes everything better – various liqueurs and other non-traditional ingredients is really what sets Sugar Skull apart from other specialty bakeries.”

Sugar Skull Sweet’s new building is composed of recycled building materials, similar to its original location. Although the new location isn’t bigger, according to Oliver, it will provide a street front site. Oliver said that it will clear up confusion he’s experienced at the treehouse location. “The treehouse is a great location, but it’s kind of tucked away and the building is a little confusing,” he said. “This simplified that. You’re not going to drive by it five times to figure out this is where it’s at.” Brommage said he did have a little difficulty finding the original location of the bakery during his first trip, because it seemingly blended in with the residential stretch of houses in the surrounding area. Although Brommage hasn’t seen the new location, he said the commercial area will serve the bakery well. “It goes without saying that it sure beats buying the very generic baked goods from Walmart,” he said. Sugar Skull Sweets’ menu features various cupcake flavors including black strap rum, roasted red pepper chipotle, caramel whiskey and Hefewiezen beer mixed with pineapple and coconut banana butter cream. Classic flavors are available as well. The bakery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about Sugar Skull Sweets, visit www.sugarskullsweets. com.

shsu.edu/recsports

Page 3

Viewpoints

Thursday, March 20, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

TENURE OF TERROR KOLBY FLOWERS Contributing Reporter SGA Vice President Kolby Flowers walked out of a recent student government meeting due to alleged derelictions of duty by SGA President Ramiro Jaime. For more information read the story on Page One. Dear Editor, I walked out, because I was fed up with President Jaime’s ongoing attempts to hijack our

government and throw out our rules. Time and time again, the Senate, myself included, has stood by and let this tyrant destroy our way of governance. The president likes to attack me, by saying that I’m not advertising the election because I don’t want people to run. Every meeting I’ve spoken up about the election and even brought the applications to the meeting for people to get them before they forgot. It’s not my job to advertise. That’s the PR committee. President Jaime has no reason to be upset about the election process. We’ve followed the rules explicitly. It’s he who has violated election procedure by not choosing election commissioners for the election by the specified time. Thanks to President Jaime’s dictatorship, SGA has been more focused on how to govern with

a leader who can’t lead than providing for the student body. This president has, time and time again, chosen to increase his own power rather than campaign on behalf of the students he was elected to represent. The Office of the President is empowered to enable the Senate to pursue its mission and achieve its goals, but this president has instead chosen to be a hindrance to excellence, a roadblock to progress and a distraction from fighting actual student concerns. If the president had any real honor or any true concern for the well-being of the student body, he would resign his office and allow the Senate to return to issues of true importance.

Word on the Street: What do you think happened to Malaysian Airlines Flight 370?

“All I heard that there was these two guys who used false passports people say they had something to do with it. That or they were just running from something” -Daniel Brian, Mass Communication Senior

Kolby Flowers is a junior political science major and vice president of the Student Government Association.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Aramark extension fishy After securing approval from the Board of Regents during its February quarterly meeting, Sam Houston State University extended its contract with Aramark to provide dining options on campus through 2025. Over the course of the contract, Aramark will give more than $11 million to the university to fund various capital improvement projects. By neither opening the food service contract up to a competitive bidding process, nor consulting with either the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate or student body at large, we believe the university acted in haste and not in the best interest of the primary consumers of food on campus: students. Further complicating the issue is Aramark’s commitment to fund projects as part of the campus Master Plan. These arrangements are not unusual for corporations that contract with universities, but without a competitive bidding process, the donation seems less benevolent and simply quid pro quo. SHSU has set a goal for itself to use “competitive purchasing whenever possible to obtain items or services using any source of funds,” according to their General Purchasing Policy. This is done, in part, to “conduct purchasing without favoritism and without arbitrariness or caprice.” By amending the current contract with Aramark, rather than drafting a new contract to be signed when the former agreement expired, the university avoided the competitive bidding policy that they imposed on themselves. Even though it seems the university is legally able to

“

Even though it seems the university is legally able to extend the contract, they should have gone out for competitive bids.

extend the contract, they should have gone out for competitive bids. The effect of this end-run around was a student body kept largely in the dark while decisions on their nutrition were being made. According to Section 51.945 of the Texas Education Code, “the governing board of an institution of higher education shall develop and implement policies that provide the students at the institution with a reasonable opportunity to appear before any committee or other entity that is determining whether a food service provider should be selected or retained by the institution.” Because the law is sufficiently vague, it’s unlikely the administration can be held liable for its actions. However, by renewing the food service contract without consultation with bodies representing the students or actively soliciting the opinions of students, SHSU failed to act within the spirit of the law. This is deeply troubling. The Houstonian has spoken with members of SGA - the chief representative of SHSU students – and other members of the university faculty and staff, they contend that the administration made no effort to include their body in the decision to renew with Aramark.

There exists a Dining Services Review Committee made of students, faculty and administration. Unfortunately, we haven’t found a student, faculty or staff representative yet who has either heard of the committee or knows of anyone on it. The committee’s website, which hasn’t been updated since 2009, also lists no one but Aramark representatives as a named member of the committee. This oversight, while probably not malicious, smacks of an aloof administration more concerned with a Master Plan for future students than the dining options of those students currently enrolled in the university. Fortunately, the contract with Aramark includes an annual opt-out, which would get the university out of the pact with no financial recourse. Aramark may very well be the best option to serve the needs of SHSU students. A professional organization - or network of small groups - of some sort is needed to run such a large operation, but that doesn’t mean it has to be Aramark. Some students have no problem with the dining system on campus, but there are many that do. They both need the chance to speak. It would behoove the university to actively engage the student body when making decisions about on campus dining in the future. This non-inclusive decision will leave SHSU students with a bad taste in their mouth for 10 more years. The Aramark contract is available in the Feb. 27-28 Texas State University System Board of Regents Board Book.

“I really think that the pilots are on some resort laughing at everyone right now… When in doubt it’s that Obama fault. Who voted for him?” -David Jones, Junior, Political Science

“I feel like its all conspiracy. Its’ probably floating around somewhere; it didn’t crash. The passengers are probably being held by terrorists… That’s life” -Chi Onyia, Freshman PreNursing

“It really makes me think about Amelia Earnhardt and how she disappeared. A part of me thinks it crashed somewhere, and they just haven’t found it.” -Megan Willmore Junior English

To see more responses visit us online at www.HoustonianOnline.com

The Houstonian Editorial

The Houstonian was named in the top 100 college newspapers for journalism students by JournalismDegree.org. Members of Associated Collegiate Press and Texas Intercolligiate Press Association.

EDITOR’S NOTE Articles, letters and cartoons by Houstonian staff members or others in this paper are their own and not the opinion of the Houstonian, unless it is noted as such. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcome. Please send submissions to viewpoints@houstonianonline.com. Articles may be edited for grammar and spelling at discretion of editor. Unsolicited oppinions should be 150 words or under. Please contact us if you wish to submit anything longer. Deadline for submission is by 5 p.m. on Mondays or Wednesdays.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Connor Hyde ........................................................................................................................................936-294-1505 FACULTY ADVISER Robin Johnson..................................................................................................................................936-294-1499 STAFF Jay R. Jordan .................................................................................................................................Associate Editor Colin Harris...................................................................................................................................Viewpoints Editor Jeremy Villanueva..................................................................................................................................Sports Editor Kizzie Frank.............................................................................................................................Entertainment Editor Stephen Green...........................................................................................................................................Web Editor Kassidy Turnpaugh.............................................................................................................. Assistant News Editor Dharmesh Patel.........................................................................................................Assistant Entertainment Editor Marissa Hill........................................................................................................................................Sports Reporter Hannah Zedeker.................................................................................................................................Senior Reporter Steven Snook.............................................................................................................................Multimedia Reporter Samantha Zambrano.............................................................................................................................Layout Editor Lillie Muyskens..............................................................................................................................Graphic Designer Staff Reporter(s)..................................................................................................... Kaleigh Treiber, Alex Broussard

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Arts&Entertainment

Thursday, March 20, 2014 houstonianonline.com/a-e

MUSIC

Houston Symphony orchestra shines at SHSU SEAN SMITH Contributing Reporter Huntsville citizens and Sam Houston State University students were in awe of the virtuous performance of concertmaster and soloist Frank Huang. As a part of the Houston Symphony Orchestra as they continued its 100th year anniversary, Huang led an ensemble of 20 members in a community concert at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center Tuesday for an intimate ensemble of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” The nearly 300-year old Italian composition consists of four concertos with each representing a different season. Each concerto is divided into three movements, written in fast-slow-fast order. “The Four Seasons” was one of the original ideas for pieces written in concerto style, a solo

instrument and a supporting ensemble. Vivaldi’s piece calls for a solo violin and a chamber orchestra, a group consisting of 50 or less performers. According to Huang, the concertos have had such an impact on the music community, it has been transposed into numerous film scores, jazz interpretations, and other adaptations. Beginning with the concerto representing spring, “La primavera,” the orchestra promptly began showcasing its technical ability. Huang took over the piece with multiple solos with support from various members of the orchestra. A constant push and pull of tempo, dynamics and style combined with the punctuation of lower tones from the cellos and bass welcomed the listener into spring time. However, as the “L’estate,” the summer concerto began, the entire dynamic of the piece changed. Aggressive and ominous

harmonies contrasted with delicate melodies resembling the sounds of summertime storms. The second concerto ends with a movement dominated by a trio of solo violin, cello and harpsichord. As “L’autunno” followed, the familiar springtime melody returned, but was adapted to produce a warmer sound to represent fall. The movement returned to a lighter, joyous tune, followed by a slow movement dominated by harpsichord. Then, the third concerto returned in upbeat fashion with Huang repeating the familiar melody established in spring with alterations to wrap the listener in a blanket of autumnal sound. “L’inverno” instantly changed the mood set by the past concerto with sounds coming from multiple sections of the orchestra in an almost cinematic tone. The melody from spring and fall stretched into the shrill upper register of the violin, presenting the arrival of

winter in an unwelcome light. The second movement of the final concerto took on a cheerful and upbeat tone that celebrates the festive times of winter. However, the final movement of the winter concerto revisits the aggressive passion from the summer concerto as the ensemble ended the piece in a fast and furious run of complex runs and a grand finish. Junior music education major Kayla Reeves said she enjoyed seeing a performance from the perspective of the audience. “We never really get to hear strings on stage because we are string players and so it’s a great experience,” she said. Tuesday was the first time Anthony Andrade, junior music education major, had experienced “The Four Seasons” live. “I’ve heard it in previews and on the internet, but this is my first time hearing it live,” he said. “I’ve studied this before in music literature back a couple years ago

and it’s really intense live.” The smaller ensemble required to play this piece provided a great opportunity to hear a professional chamber orchestra as opposed to a full scale symphonic orchestra, a feat that impressed Andrade. “It’s still a pretty big sound as a small group, I’m surprised,” Andrade said. “It could be the concert hall, but I could imagine how they would sound as a full orchestra but this is just their concerto thing.” Following a brief intermission, the orchestra concluded the concert with “Serenade in C major for Strings” by Pytotr Tchaikovsky. This piece was a noticeable change from the previous concertos, consisting of a constant contrast between slow, romantic passages and faster staccato interjections. The serenade also included a waltz movement, recognizable from its beat falling in series of threes.

FASHION

Student fashion to walk runway at Coliseum KIZZIE FRANK A&E Editor In an effort to encourage students pursuing a career in fashion designing, the Sam Houston State University chapter of NAACP is striving to give students a chance to showcase original designs. The 2014 NAACP Fashion show entitled “The Fashion Show” will take place tonight in the Johnson Coliseum tonight at 6:30 p.m. The show will consist of seven clothing brands, four of which originated from SHSU students.

Although the Coliseum is known for its sporting events and graduation, senior public relations major and executive producer for the show, Corey Chenier, said that’s what makes the venue ideal. “I wanted to turn a venue that has nothing to do with art and transform it into something that people would not expect,” he said. “Is this really where they play basketball at?” “The Fashion Show” will take on the theme of street lights, countdowns, motorbikes, and concrete elements, Chenier said. Student brands in the show will include the works of Chenier

– Cashe – J. Cann – High Hopes – Adeola Mosanya – Adeola Designs – Victor Ihezukwu – Chose Life – and Courtney Hernandez – Courtney’s Closet. As for store brands, Chenier has chosen from Urban Outfitter’s and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Hernandez generated buzz from the audience last year with an all-girl set, a designs catered to “every woman.” “I wanted to create clothing for every woman, height, weight, and ethnicity or whatever,” she said. “I want women to feel sexy and confident in my designs and let them know that they are

DANCE

extraordinary.” Hernandez said she hopes the women in the audience will see themselves in her clothing. Chenier said he hopes the amount of promotion prior to the show will attract a full house. Those who attend the show will take away “the open-mindedness behind all the artistic elements,” he said. He said due to the designs featured in this year’s show, he hopes to encourage designers “to take their craft a step further.” In light of last year’s show,

Chenier said a dance performance choreographed by senior dance major Angelic Ortiz will be incorporated to promote the diversity and artistic value of the show. Last year’s theme was continuation and forward of a people. It was dedicated to the recognition of NAACP and African American artists. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 pre-sale with tickets at the door listed at $7.

ROCK ’N THE ARTS

Courtesy of Lynn Lane | Dance Department

REACH. SHSU Department of Dance put on another program in honor of majors and non-majors. Dances @ 8 is a program dedicated to allowing dance majors and those simply interested in dance to showcase their talents. This year, the main theme across the board revolved around spotlights and unity. Many music tracks were thought provoking, while others would make people want to get out of their seats. (UPPER) original pieces by guest artists Amy Cain and Dawn Dippel. (LOWER) Faculty member, Erin Reck’s original piece is performed in the Dance Theater.

Page 5

Sports

Thursday, March 20, 2014 houstonianonline.com/sports

NFL runs rule over SHSU stars FOOTBALL

KYLE KELLY Staff Reporter Seniors Timothy Flanders, Torrance Williams and Tanner Brock ended their time at Bowers Stadium in the Sam Houston State jersey with a 22-14 victory over Southern Utah in the first round of FCS playoffs Nov. 30. However, it wouldn’t be their last time competing on the turf at SHSU. The Bearkats, and former SHSU players including Darnell Taylor, Darius Taylor and Bookie Sneed practiced in front of scouts from 17 different NFL teams Tuesday for pro day at Bowers Stadium. Defensive back Johntel Franklin and defensive ends Jarrett Brown and Andrew Weaver also competed Tuesday afternoon. Teams in attendance were the Houston Texans, San Francisco ‘49ers, New York Jets, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills. For Timothy Flanders, who attended the 2014 NFL combine, this pro day was more or less a fine tuning of all his skills after a tough time in Indianapolis. Flanders recorded the third slowest time for the running backs group at

the NFL combine with a 4.7 in the 40-yard-dash. “I think I did really well,” Flanders said. “I got the chance to do a lot of drills over I didn’t get to do at the combine such as the L drill and different shuttles.” Flanders told the media he will take his first official, private workout with the New Orleans Saints April 9-10. “Growing up a Saints fan, that phone call was huge for me,” Flanders said. “When my agent told me they wanted to fly me down there for a private workout, it was a great feeling. I saw they recently traded [Darren Sproles] to Philly for a 5th round pick. I kind of thought ‘that could be me.’” Several scouts, including representatives from the Texans and the ‘49ers, spoke with Flanders after he completed his pro day, offering words of encouragement for the Southland Conference alltime leading rusher. Williams and Richard Sincere had excellent showings at the pro day both in the weight room and on the field activities such as the 40-yard-dash. Williams and Sincere established themselves as strong offensive threats for SHSU including the Bearkats’ patented wildkat formation. Williams said he feels he has stereotype against him as a FCS player, but he doesn’t think that

Alex Broussard | The Houstonian

PRO STYLE. Torrance Williams led the team in receiving this past season, catching 55 passes for 964 yards and averaging 17.5 yards per catch. Williams finished the season with 12 touchdowns for the Bearkats. Williams was one of eight senior Bearkats that showcased his skills at Sam Houston State University’s Pro Day Wednesday afternoon.

should hinder his future in the NFL. “I had to combine film and stats with a good pro day and I feel like I did that,” Williams said. “This takes so much energy out of you, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, spending day-in

and day-out preparing.” According to Go Bearkats, the rest of the Bearkats that competed are “long shots as draft prospects,” including standout linebacker Tanner Brock. Brock said it is likely for him to be drafted in the seventh round, if

at all. “I wouldn’t mind going the free agent route one bit,” he said to Go Bearkats. “It’s just going to be great to get paid to play a game.” The NFL Draft begins May 8 and wraps up May 10.

BASKETBALL

Bearkats take CIT opener 71-49

JEREMY VILLANUEVA Sports Editor

Sam Houston State’s men’s basketball advanced to the next round of the College Insider Tournament after a 71-49 victory

over Alabama State Tuesday night at Johnson Coliseum. The win was the Bearkats’ first postseason victory in school history after losses against Florida in 2003 and Baylor in 2010 during the NCAA Tournament. “This is important for our seniors,” head coach Jason Hooten said. “It’s going to be really hard when it’s that last game and the season is over. I really hope it’s at the championship game and these guys can hang a banner.” One of Hooten’s biggest worries heading into the CIT opener was the quick turnaround from Saturday’s loss to Stephen F. Austin State in the Southland Conference Championship. After taking Sunday off, the Bearkats went into practice Monday sluggish and Hooten said he had to blow the whistle and bring the team in. “I thought it was going to be hard to get these guys out,” Hooten said. “We just talked about only a certain amount of teams in the country have this opportunity and it was really good because our practice really picked up.” The Bearkats exposed early holes in the Hornets’ defense with strong ball movement around the perimeter. However, SHSU struggled to find the hoop, shooting 10-28 from the field in the opening half. Nonetheless, the Bearkats eventually found their rhythm. “We started the first half with cold feet thinking about the last game [and] feeling sorry for ourselves,” redshirt

freshman guard Dakari Henderson said. “We came into halftime thinking we really need to do something to play another home game.” SHSU spread the wealth on offense, yet it was Henderson that led the charge with 14 points followed by senior forward James Thomas with 13 points. Sophomore guard Paul Baxter continued his assertion Tuesday as one of the leaders on the team with 10 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks on the night. “[Baxter] is the only guy that never gets tired,” Hooten said. “He played great defense on their best player.” Lithuanian freshman Aurimas Majauskas saw some good minutes on the court finishing the night with 11 points and five rebounds in his 29 minutes on the floor as junior center Michael Holyfield found himself in early foul trouble. The Hornets were never able to sting their way to a streak as the Bearkats’ defense locked it down in the second half, fixing problems SHSU had against SFA when the Lumberjacks took off on a 21-5 run to seal the Bearkats’ fate. “I was really happy with our defense,” Hooten said. “We played great defense on their best player.” The opponent, date and time of the Bearkats next matchup in the CIT has yet to be determined.

SOFTBALL

SHSU drops two to ULL MARISSA HILL Sports Reporter Sam Houston State’s picked up another pair of losses against the University of Louisiana Lafayette Wednesday after losing momentum from Tuesday’s win against Texas Southern University. The Bearkats dropped both matches in Wednesday’s doubleheader, 6-0 and 4-2. SHSU struggled to get their bats going against ULL as the Cajuns’ bullpen held the team to five hits in the 14 innings combined. The Bearkats opened up the first inning with a quick three-up and threedown. Junior Tayler Gray grounded out to the Cajuns’ shortstop, senior Alyssa Coggins hit a pop fly that was caught, and freshman Tori Koerselman struck out looking. The offensive struggle at the plate continued for the Bearkats deep into the contest. SHSU showed some signs of life in the sixth when junior Sarah Allison singled down the right field line,

advancing sophomore Jennie Kieval to third base. SHSU couldn’t finish up at the plate, leaving two runners on base. The Bearkats managed to gain the first advantage in the second game from Koerselman’s homer in the fourth inning for a 1-0 lead. Despite the spark, SHSU couldn’t overcome the Cajuns. “We could have had a bigger presence at the beginning of the game,” infielder Hillary Adams said. “Not after Texas Southern put a couple of runs on the board.” As the Bearkats get deeper into the season, Gray said she sees the need for consistency, especially heading into another conference matchup this weekend against Nicholls State. “I think as a team, we have to stop being soft,” she said. “We have to compete every single pitch for all seven innings.” A doubleheader is set for Saturday starting at 1 p.m. with the third match in the series starting Sunday at noon.

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News

Thursday, March 20, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

WORLD

Russia takes Crimea, West outraged CONNOR HYDE Editor-in-Chief Treaties between Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Crimea and the mayor of Sevastopol has put Ukraine’s Crimea region back into the hands of Russia. Tuesday’s signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow comes two days after a country-wide referendum in which 97 percent of Crimean residents voted to rejoin Russia. According to CNN, Putin used the voting results as a pillar in his address to a joint session of Parliament on Tuesday, citing the results as “an extremely convincing figure.” Although the treaties between the leaders have yet to be ratified by Russian parliament and the Constitutional Court, Russian officials applauded Putin, according to the Los Angeles Times. “In our hearts, we know Crimea has always been an inalienable part of Russia,” Putin said. During Putin’s one-hour speech Tuesday, the Russian president blamed Ukraine’s “nationalists, Russophobes and anti-Semites.” According to CNN, Putin denied that Russian troops invaded the Crimea region in February to blockade Ukrainian military personnel. Yet, in an interview with CNN, Ukraine Defense Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said at least one Ukrainian officer has been injured during an assault by “armed people in masks” near Simferopol. In response to United States and Western Europe criticism, Putin

claimed the U.S. and supporters “acted roughly, irresponsibly and unprofessionally.” “They knew quite well millions of Russians live in Ukraine and Crimea,” Putin said. “How deeply should they have lost their political instincts and the sense of measure not to foresee all the consequences of their actions?” President Barack Obama has persistently condemned Putin with a series of sanctions to “exact a greater toll on the Russian economy.” “If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions,” Obama said in a statement Monday. “We’ll continue to make clear to Russia that further provocations will achieve nothing except to further isolate Russia and diminish its place in the world. The international community will continue to stand together to oppose any violations of Ukrainian sovereignty.” Yet, Putin hasn’t faltered, claiming that the U.S. and Western Europe have encouraged the coup d’etat collaborators. However, despite the lingering Cold War sentiments, Putin vowed the interests of all of Crimea’s ethnic groups would be respected. “Crimea will remain Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar but it will never be fascist,” Putin said. “Crimea is our commonwealth but under the strong and stable sovereignty which today in fact can be only Russian.” Nonetheless, Putin isn’t receiving sympathy. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday Russia is “choosing the route of isolation.”

The Associated Press

PUSHING BOUNDARIES. Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Federal Assembly in the Kremlin in Moscow Tuesday. Putin reclaimed Crimea as a part of Russia in response to Western interference with Russian interest.

“[Putin is] denying the citizens of his own country and of Crimea partnership with the international community,” Hague said. TENSIONS STRENGTHEN Following Putin’s announcement of the annexation of Crimea Tuesday, tensions between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces have heightened into a bloody conflict. According to CNN, close to 300 pro-Russian supporters seized the Ukrainian Navy headquarters

in the Crimea port of Sevastopol Wednesday morning. Marina Kanalyuk, assistant to the commander of Ukraine’s Navy fleet, told CNN she felt Russian security forces were involved with the seizure. “They are every here, they surround us, they threaten us,” she said. She said approximately 70 Ukrainian naval officers attempted to halt the armed supporters from entering and negotiated with

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Live

‘Rocky’ director to speak at SHSU The Academy Award-winning director of iconic films such as “Rocky” and “The Karate Kid” will wax on about his experience in filmmaking and stick and move through his time in Hollywood Tuesday when he visits Sam Houston State University. John Avildsen’s visit is part of the spring President’s Speaker Series that will focus on several aspects of his career, showing excerpts from some of his most notable films above and others such as “Save the Tiger.” In 1976 Avildsen won the Academy Award for Best Director for “Rocky,” and the Academy nominated him for a Best Documentary Film award in 1983 for “Traveling Hopefully.” “Rocky” and the “The Karate Kid” are among the all-time highest grossing films in U.S. box office history. During his career of almost 50 years, Avildsen has worked with a number of well-known actors and actress, including Sylvester Stallone, Marlon Brando, Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman and Jack Lemmon. SHSU President Dana Gibson and Peter Roussel, the Warner Endowed Chair of Journalism, will join the director onstage for the discussion. Roussel said it will be an engaging

experience. “What’s going to be interesting is that during the course of the discussion, we’ll be showing clips from Avildsen’s films,” Roussel said. “It will have an additional dimension to the talk. We get to hear a director talk about his film and then watch the film.” Before the presentation, Avildsen will be signing copies of the book, “The Films of John Avildsen,” which was co-written by SHSU associate film professor Tom Garrett. The book signing will be taking place from 9:30-10:15 a.m. in the atrium of the LSC next to the University Bookstore, where copies of the book will be available for purchase. Garrett’s book has spawned a documentary about Avildsen being produced by Derek Wayne Johnson, who visited SHSU last year. The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communications will also be hosting a showcase of several of Avildsen’s films at the Old Town Theater this Friday and Saturday. Faculty and students from the university’s film program will introduce each of the six films that will be featured during the event. The showcase will begin at 2 p.m. with “Lean on Me.” The President’s Speaker Series will begin at 11 a.m. in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Admission to the event is free and is open to the public.

JUMPS

SGA,

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their normal chambers inside the Lowman Student Center. Jaime then appointed former presidential candidate Mike Apt, who was ousted for breaking election rules during 2013’s elections, and senior kinesiology major Brandon Pete. Apt said he and Pete’s appointments were last-minute decisions because there was nobody else present to be appointed and wasn’t expecting the appointment at all. However, despite his past with SGA, he said he would be acting as a fair and unbiased commissioner. “If they really need me to be there, [I’m staying on],” Apt said. “Last year really sucked, because me and my ticket got treated really unfairly. [I want to] be there to make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Associate Dean of Students and SGA faculty advisor Jeanine Bias said Wednesday the organization “by any means necessary” appoint and approve the remaining four spots on the commission before campaigning starts March 25. “Make sure that everybody in a, for lack of a better term, bipartisan way get the work that they need to do done,” Bias said. “Everybody needs to come together, sacrifice time and make sure there’s an election commission appointed before next Tuesday.” Bias also said Jaime had consulted with her and fellow faculty advisor Dean of Students John Yarabeck about pushing the deadline for election forms from this Friday, March 21, to Tuesday, March 25. Jaime called for a special session Wednesday. It will be held today at 5 p.m. inside the SGA office, room 326 in the LSC.

HeRe

universityhouse.com

JENNIFER JACKSON Contributing Reporter

them. Wednesday’s conflict comes a day after the Ukrainian military faced two casualties and the capture of military personnel when a military based was seized by masked gunmen Tuesday, following Putin’s address. According to CNN, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry authorized its military to open fire in selfdefense.

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