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World’s collide as concert offers total performance experience with music, art and dance.
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Sexual assault victim comes forward about attack to prevent future cases
Volume 123 / Issue 14
Going on a Spring Break roadtrip? Check out our tips for preparing
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
Regents approve fixed tuition plans MOLLY WADDELL News Editor The Texas State University System Board of Regents was approved to direct the system’s four year institutions to develop optional fixed-rate tuition plans on Mar. 4. This includes Sam Houston State University. According to a TSUS press release this decision requires that, “the Texas State University System’s senior institutions to develop four-year, fixed-rate tuition plans as an option for students who enroll beginning
in the fall of 2014. Institutions must submit their proposals to the Board of Regents for consideration during the board’s November 2013 meeting.” Vice President of Finance and Operations, Al Hooten, said he is not sure how this will affect the university. “It’s hard to say, we don’t know the specifics,” Hooten said. Hooten said the campus has to develop a tuition program by November 2013 to present to the board. The fixed-rate tuition will be implemented for the freshman class of fall 2014. TSUS Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs, Perry Moore, said the plans should include an academic progress requirement so students have incentive to finish their degrees on time. “These optional plans will assist students and their families in financial planning and will also encourage more timely graduation within the four years of fixed tuition,” Moore said. Not all students are required to participate in the fixed-rate tuition program. Students can continue to pay standard tuition which traditionally has been below the state average, according to the TSUS press release.
Some SHSU students are wary that this may increase their tuition to compensate for the people in the fixed-rate tuition program. “I’m afraid that our tuition will increase more to compensate for them,” Courtney Wagner, junior music education major said. Emily Eisterhold, junior music education major, thinks fixed tuition rates are a good idea she just wished they had happened sooner. “I support the fact that some people are getting the opportunity to have their fixed tuition.” Eisterhold said. “I feel that it is kind of unfair and unjust that
the rest of us are still having to pay increased tuition prices every year.” The University of Houston System and the University of Texas System have also opted to use fixed-rate tuition programs.
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Chavez’ death leaves uncertain future JAY R. JORDAN Senior Reporter Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez funeral will be on Friday. Chávez died on Tuesday after a nearly two-year long battle with cancer. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua said that Vice President Nicolás Maduro will act as interim president until a constitutionally mandated election chooses the official new president. According to Associated Press, Chavez said, if he should die, Maduro should be the socialist party candidate, and that he should oversee the convening of elections. Assistant professor Charles Heath, Ph.D., said that former presidential candidate Gov. Henrique Capriles will oppose Maduro in the upcoming election. “If Capriles would win, it might signal a change in some ways, away from this kind of hard-left anti-American position Chávez has held,” Heath said. Heath suggested that the U.S. is partially responsible for Chávez’s repeated terms as
president because of our nation’s addiction to oil and failure to throw him out of office. “They’re our third or fourth largest supplier of oil,” Heath said. “[Chávez] has made a lot of people like him because he stood up to the United States and criticized us and called us names. I don’t have a problem with that. It’s pretty clear that the CIA, the United States supported a coup to get him out of office and when that failed, it made Chávez stronger… The United States is as responsible for Chávez as Venezuela is.” Chávez came to power in 1998, just six years after he led a failed coup attempt against President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The 1992 uprising brought Chávez into the national spotlight as a political figure who stood against corruption in government. He was re-elected in 2000 and again in 2006. Although Chávez won the 2012 election, he was never sworn in due to his sickness. Venezuela’s constitution calls for an election no later than 30 days after the death of a president. Although Venezuela will comply with these rules, it is still unclear when the election will be held. Chávez body is being held in state at a military academy in Caracas until his funeral.
AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa
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MOURNING. Above: A woman holds a poster of Venezuela’s late President Hugo Chavez as she shouts during a rally outside the government palace in Quito, Ecuador. Left: Supporters of Chavez embrace as the coffin containing his body passes in the street as it is taken from the hospital, where he died on Tuesday, to a military academy where his body will lie in state until his funeral in Caracas, Venezuela. Seven days of mourning were declared, all schools were suspended for the week and friendly heads of state were expected for an elaborate funeral Friday.
SHSU community to help scouts earn badges HANNAH ZEDAKER Contributing Reporter Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will come to Huntsville from all around Texas to participate in a camping weekend and earn badges with the Scouts @ Sam program April 19-21. Hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Troop 114 of Huntsville and the Sam Houston State University Enrollment Management Department, Scouts @ Sam held its first merit badge ceremony in 2009.
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When it began, it only hosted Boy Scouts and has since then evolved to hosting Girl Scouts as well. This will be the second year it will be a weekend-long event rather than just a day-long. A projected 500 scouts will attend to receive their badges. Some scouts may earn multiple badges over the weekend. Valerie Matthys, on-campus recruitment manager for enrollment management, said SHSU is unique in that it is one of the few campuses that allows both boys and girls to participate. “We bring them on campus to earn badges and to be taught by faculty and staff members in their respective fields of expertise,” Matthys said. “The students who help facilitate are able to gain leadership skills and the faculty members are able to build
relationships with prospective students—many whom end up coming to Sam.” The scouts that are a part of the program vary between the ages of seven and 17 and are striving to earn either their Eagle Award or their Gold Award. The student volunteers are all former scouts who had to fill out applications and be interviewed before placing them in their positions. Additionally, there are two college facilitators per course. Kay Angrove, director of the First-Year Experience program, said they try to match up everyone involved to the best of their abilities. “I just can’t tell you what a great match up it is between the faculty members, the student volunteers and the scouts; they all win,” Angrove said. “Everyone involves
benefits from this extraordinar y event. In a perfect world, everyone is matched up according to their interests; we aren’t always able to do that, but we try.” During the weekend the boys will stay at Huntsville’s historic Josey Boy Scout Lodge while the girls will stay at the Huntsville State Park. However students have the option to only participate in the merit badge day only program (Sat.). Angrove said merit badges offered this year include everything from first aid and public speaking, to cinematography and scuba diving. Registration is open on the website: www.shsu.edu/scoutsat
“Registration for the merit badges is quite similar to registering for actual college classes,” Angrove said. “The system is really sophisticated and allows us to know where everyone is at all times, allowing us to —
SCOUTS, page 6
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News
Thursday, March 7, 2013 houstonianonline.com/news
Travel
Preparing your car for spring break, road trip
MOLLY WADDELL News Editor
With Spring Break quickly approaching students are getting their plans together. A popular thing to do for spring break is to go on a road trip. According to Byron Chambers, store manager of the Jiffy Lube in Huntsville, these are the most important things students should do to get their car ready for a road trip. • Check Tires: air pressure, balancing and tire rotation • Check fuel levels: oil, break fluids, power steering and engine coolant • Make sure your wiper blades are functional • Check all of the lights on your car. “You don’t want to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere with any of these things not functioning,” Chambers said. There are also some things road-trippers should have with them in their car. Castrol.com suggests these items to be at hand in case of emergency. Fresh bottles of coolant, engine oil, and water (to mix with the
provided by gas2.org
ON THE ROAD AGAIN. With spring break around the corner, students should get their cars ready for any road trip they might be going on. Some things you can do yourselves while others you should go to the professionals.
coolant) • Jumper cables • A flashlight • Radiator hose clamp • A screwdriver, pliers, and a
roll of electrical tape • A jack and a lug wrench • Flares or reflective sticks • A towel to clean up with Prevent a minor problem from
ending your road trip early by ensuring that your car is running well and your emergency kit is prepared.
Sexual assault victim comes forward to prevent future crimes “I kept telling him no and to stop. He wouldn’t, and continued to touch me. I couldn’t do anything, and eventually, I left and got out of there as quickly as I could.” For most of the students at Sam Houston, sexual assault on campus seem like something from a horror movie. For one student, it became a reality, and now she is telling her story to make it known that sexual assaults do happen here. The student, a freshman at SHSU, was friends with the alleged assaulter before the attack, and had gone to visit him in his dorm late at night in the Fall 2012 semester. She said she was forced to stay after leaving her key in her dorm, which led to the beginning of her ordeal. “When I got there around 2 a.m., he was already drunk,” the student
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March 3, 2013
While conducting a traffic stop in the 700 block of Highway 190 (after assisting the Huntsville Police Department) at 12:02 a.m., the officer determined that the driver was in possession of contraband. The driver was arrested and charged with the Class C Misdemeanor offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
March 2, 2013
Campus
SOPHIE NELSON Senior Reporter
UPDATE
said. “I had already told him I wasn’t going to do anything, but he still kept trying to kiss me and do other things. I eventually fell asleep, but he woke me at 5 a.m., and this time he was completely sober. He started tugging at my hips, biting my neck and pulling at my hair very aggressively and abrasively. I felt scared, and like there was nothing I could do.” Over the next few days, the student said she felt numb and could not even think of what happened as an assault. “At first, I didn’t even realize he had sexually assaulted me, but I did know that what he did to me was wrong,” the student said. “My mom asked me the next day if a boy had hurt me when she saw a bite mark on my neck and I automatically answered no, because I didn’t register what he did. It was only two days after that I realized how sore my body was and I knew that I had been sexually assaulted.”
A week passed before the student decided to report the alleged attack to the police, which she said happened after she talked to her RA and the dorm supervisor, who advised her to report it to the University Police Department. SHSU criminal justice major Ryan Jones was charged with sexual assault on Oct. 14, 2012, according to UPD Chief Kevin Morris. During the week between the alleged assault and her report, the student said she was afraid to report it in case she had been mistaken in thinking it was assault. “What made me decide to press charges was knowing that he could do this to other girls, and he needed to be stopped,” she said. More than half of sexual assaults are never reported, and 38 percent are committed by friends or acquaintances, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
The student said she has been frustrated with both SHSU and with how long the court process takes. She said that SHSU did nothing to help her keep away from Jones after she reported the incident. The student says she was forced to move out of her dorm, which she says is unfair. She said that although she filed her report with UPD in October, she is frustrated that the case just went to the Walker County district attorney two weeks ago. “I feel as though I’ve been kept out of the loop the entire time,” the student said. “And I am so frustrated that nothing has been done in all these months to at least keep him away from me. I see him on campus all the time, and —
Officer conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of State Highway 30 East at 9:31 p.m. During the traffic stop, the officer determined that the male driver and female passenger were in possession of contraband. The driver and passenger were arrested. Both were arrested and charged with the State Jail Felony offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Additionally, the passenger was also charged with Possession of a Dangerous Drug after finding additional contraband in her purse.
February 28, 2013
Officer responded to the University Police Department at 4:00 p.m. where they met with the complainant who reported that she was being harassed and stalked by a former boyfriend. Officer obtained information from the complainant and an offense report was completed. An investigation into this matter in ongoing.
February 27, 2013
Officer observed a male in the Estill Hall parking lot (1000 block 15th Street) at 3:22 p.m. whom he recognized as having a criminal trespass warning for all SHSU property. Officer mad contact with the male and confirmed his identity and criminal trespass warning. The male was then arrested and charged with the Class B Misdemeanor offense of Criminal Trespass.
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CHSS Wall of Honor winners announced HANNAH BEACH Contributing Reporter The Sam Houston State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences is holding the official ceremony for the wall of honor recipients, Mar. 7, at 4 p.m. A dinner honoring the recipients will follow. The recipients are distinguished alumni, Roy Hazelwood and Gen. Cecil N. Neely, and distinguished faculty, Richard Cording and Mattie Bea Medford. The wall of honor was established by the CHSS Alumni Advisory Board to recognize faculty and alums who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers through personal and professional achievements. “We are proud of all that they have accomplished, the honor that they have brought upon the college and university, and their outstanding contributions to the education of our students,” John de Castro, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said. “We are pleased to be able to recognize and honor these extraordinary
individuals and present them as role models for future generations.” Hazelwood and Neely both attended SHSU and joined the armed forces. Hazelwood served in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioral Science Unit of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. He has received over 100 certificates and/ or awards from police departments, and has addressed more than 100,000 professionals representing the disciplines of law enforcement, mental health, corrections and medicine in the world. Neely completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska and earned the Master of Arts degree in history from SHSU in 1971. He also served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and as Nation’s Duty Officer for the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense. Cording and Medford both were outstanding faculty members of SHSU. Cording developed and initiated the —
CHSS, page 6
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Viewpoints
Thursday, March 7, 2013 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
Preparation is key to staying disease-free over spring break Colin Harris offers students ways to be safe from STDs during the break
COLIN HARRIS Staff Reporter You know what’s a real downer? Getting an STD over spring break. You’re just minding your own business, having drunken, unprotected sex with a couple of random strangers in some seedy nightclub bathroom and BAM! You’ve got HPV. Didn’t even see it coming. According to the Center for Disease Control, of the nearly 20 million new STD diagnoses made each year, half are people aged 15-24. These same people will be on the prowl at your spring break destination, trying to spread their disgusting plague among anyone unlucky enough to sleep with them. Contrary to what you may have heard, it’s possible to have a fantastic spring break without getting an STD, so I stopped by the Student Health Center and grabbed a couple of brochures looking for answers. The creatively named “Syphilis,” “Genital Warts & HPV” and “What you should know about Gonorrhea” all cite one surefire way to not get an STD: don’t have sex. Since that’s neither fun nor reasonable for spring break, another good suggestion was to avoid having sex with someone who might have an STD.
Flawless advice, but how exactly do you identify someone with an STD? Obvious signs are cold sores, missing underwear and other clothes, trading sexual favors for drugs or money, rashes around the genital area, and a look of alcoholfueled desperation as the night draws to a close. If you suspect that perfect person you brought back to your hotel room might have an STD, it’s never too late to back out. Make up a lie about having to go to work early the next day or attending an aunt’s funeral and you can avoid the awkward tension of the truth. Some STDs, like HIV and Syphilis, have dormant periods with no noticeable signs. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to use protection. Guys and gals alike should keep a stash of condoms handy during any spring break trip for whenever the need arises. According to a study in the International Journal of AIDS and STDs, 26 percent of males and nearly 36 percent of females failed to use a condom during sex with someone they met on spring break. Don’t fall into this trap. Protect yourself. One handy tip in “What you should know about Gonorrhea” suggested sticking to one partner who only has sex with you. That’s
why it’s a good idea to always get the phone number of anyone you sleep with. Maybe you two had a really fun time and can do it again and again and again throughout the week. You’d end up getting just as much action as your slutty friend with a fraction of the risk. Perhaps a week of fauxmonogamy isn’t your thing. If that’s the case, follow this advice from the syphilis and HPV pamphlets: “Don’t use drugs or alcohol when you might have sex. If you’re high, you may forget to protect yourself.” Unless you’re doing magic mushrooms, copious amounts of drugs and alcohol only fill you with irresistible urges to have mindblowing, unprotected sex you won’t remember the next day. According to that same study mentioned earlier, 49 percent of men and 38 percent of women reported having sex as a direct result of drinking. Of those who had sex after a night of inebriation, 48 percent later regretted the experience. T The best way to avoid making a poor sexual decision is to always stick with a group of friends when going out at night. Not only are you safer that way, but your friends can also whisk you away to the sanctuary of your beach house when you’ve had one too many tequila body shots
Spring Break STD Stats * 75% of all students reported never or rarely using a condom on spring break * 49% of men and 38%of women reported having sex as a direct result of drinking * About 48% of men and women who had sex under the influence regretted the experience * 74% of males and nearly 88% of females reported never or rarely worrying about STDs/HIV, even though they were at risk * Nearly 50% of the males and 41% of the females reported having consumed alcohol just prior to sex All stats from Internationl Journal of AIDS & STDs
off of the bronzed abs of a surfer. There’s absolutely no reason to not have an unforgettable time this spring break. The specter of incurable infections passed from person to person through sexual contact shouldn’t cloud your horizon. However, STDs are a reality
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we all must live with. An understanding of situations and behaviors that might put you at risk will go a long way towards making sure that the only ailments you suffer after spring break are a sunburn and four-day hangover.
On the road again
What to know before a road trip
PAWS UP
TAYLOR LIKENS Contributing Reporter Those of you who are currently contemplating suicide will be relieved to know that spring break is within arm’s reach. If that’s your sort of thing then consider it a breath of fresh air. If not then you can be certain everyone else will enjoy themselves immensely in memory of you. Among the festivities are sure to be more than a few road trips. However, one must tread lightly when organizing a proper road trip, whether it is a trip to Galveston, New Orleans or that great unknown afterlife. Before hitting the open road, bear in mind that any journey requires the proper preparation; a process that can be a little trickier than it may seem. Packing right requires the perfect balance of practicality, ingenuity and foresight.
PAWS UP to spring break being today. We get to leave on Thursday, right?
PAWS UP to baseball kicking off a home series against UCONN.
When venturing off the usual path, where you will be sure to encounter any number of hooligans, ruffians and insurgents, self-defense is a must. For this I would recommend the P90 submachine gun (equipped with sound suppressor and full metal jacket rounds) and your personal preference in ground-to-air missile launchers. This will ensure that you are well equipped both in the inevitable close quarter confrontations and guarded from the possibility of attack by any hostile aircraft. Also, I find that the P90 balances quite well on bags of chips and wobbly coolers. Chips and coolers being the perfect segue into the next most important aspect of a road trip, sustenance. On that note--under absolutely no circumstances are you to actually bring chips and coolers (the one exception being Fritos and Doritos, which are flammable and can serve as emergency kindling).
PAWS DOWN to midterms, exams, quizzes, class and work all scheduled on the same week.
Vegetarians are not rabbits. We don’t just nibble on lettuce all the time. This seems to be a common misconception; one which Sam Houston Dining Services took seriously. I spoke with SH Dining Services Marketing Coordinator Jimmy Williams to see just what Sam was doing to help out those trying to live with a vegetarian lifestyle, and I learned a great deal. To begin, I would like to note the shift between the late Belvin dining facility and Old Main Market. For those that are unaware, Belvin once housed a cafeteria underneath the dorm. Belvin used to just offer a salad bar as virtually the only approach for vegetarian options. This, of course, did not suffice for those who attempt this lifestyle. That’s why SH Dining Services began implementing a vegetarian option into the new cafeteria, Old Main Market. Through focus groups, they found that vegetarian
doesn’t mean “salad up by eating beans or bar,” but simply rice, which are “half“meatless.” It became proteins” which together evident that something would make a full protein. had to change. However, after doing a bit Along with the of research, SH Dining improvement of Services now makes a few quality of food offered dishes with quinoa. This is at cafeteria, SH Diving a magical little bean that, Services decided to when planted, sprouts offer a vegetarian into a beanstalk! Okay, station – not just a not quite that magic, but dish or two. There is RICHARD MCKINNEY quinoa does offer a full something vegetarian protein all by itself. This Staff Reporter all the time at Old thought propelled them Main. That is wonderful news for into creating new dishes featuring people who are vegetarian or just the magic little grain. want to see what the food might Furthermore, you can find a taste like – which brings me to the vegetarian option at any facility best part. offered by SH Dining Services. That SH Dining Services looked into is a tremendous victory for all the not only eating vegetarian, but vegetarians on campus, I personally eating healthy vegetarian. Many thank them for moving toward a “vegetarian” foods don’t offer all of more inclusive menu. the proteins necessary for a balanced You can go to Burger King in diet. On large part, these are made Pawprint and ask for a veggie burger
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it and have every intent on simply being honest with readers for a moment. That honesty is this: Most importantly, be prepared to never reach your destination. In the event of sudden, unexpected death the wisest of us would have no worries as to what we leave behind, having already put forth the proper precautions. Before departing on your road trip, make certain that you have written a legally binding last will and testament. Make sure to leave any pets with at least two weeks’ worth of food and water and seek out computer programs that will delete your internet history upon your death. You can never be safe enough. Second most important- have fun and don’t underestimate the dangers ahead. Knowing is half the battle but preparation is half of the victory.
Veggie Tales: What SHSU can do for you
PAWS DOWN
Robin Johnson
Instead, I would recommend homemade hardtack, traps to catch small game, several gallons of water and one luxury food item. Luxury foods items may be any of the following: a salt shaker, sugar cubes or additional hardtack. Understand that although you may have completely prepared for all foreseeable obstacles, adversity comes in many unexpected forms, all of which are best countered with even more preparation. A road atlas, social security card, additional phone batteries, tire chains, lubricated condoms (“His Pleasure” only - don’t be a hero), a flare gun, fire axe, suicide pills and an unsigned presidential letter of pardon are all invaluable weapons against the hidden dangers of American highway system. Now, the realists among you may have taken issue with some of what has been said thus far. Rest assured, I would not give such public advice had I not put much thought into
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(from my understanding). Here’s a tip for all those that feel some of these places need to offer more; if you want to see a larger selection, talk to dining services. Now, they can’t offer it unless the main chain offers the food, but they could try to get the food you want here! What needs to be understood, though, is that SH Dining Services doesn’t necessarily think like vegetarians. I don’t say this to demean any person or entity because, quite simply, if you’re not vegetarian, the issues aren’t as salient to you. That being said, if you have suggestions for SH Dining Services (vegetarian or otherwise) feel free to email them to shdining@shsu.edu. They always accept suggestions, comments, and grievances. SH Dining Services take what the students say seriously because, after all, they are working in tandem with the student body.
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Arts&Entertainment
Thursday, March 7, 2013 houstonianonline.com/a-e
Concert combines art, music, dance
SHSU students headed to South by SouthWest
AUBRIE WALKER Contributing Reporter
GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainmend Editor
Sam Houston State University School of Music, SHSU dance department and the community came together Wednesday night to celebrate the Latino culture and influence. The night of performances started with a concert by the SHSU orchestra with the Texas Guitar Quartet and faculty opera singers. The “Allegretto” was a talk/ answer series between the orchestra and quartet. Their fingers glided across the guitar strings to create the light, cheerful mood of a dance. However, the stand out moment of the night was when the Huntsville Youth Orchestra joined guest pianist Mac McClure and SHSU professor of piano Sergio Ruiz to perform the famous music of the Carnival of the Animals. The unique concert combined music, art and dance on one stage to create a total performance experience for the audience. During each of the music pieces various animals with bright, colorful costumes danced and acted out the sounds of the music. In addition, drawings and paintings of the different animals by local elementary students were displayed behind the stage to add a visual element to the concert. The first piece of music was called the “Lion’s Royal March”,
George Mattingly | The Houstonian
THE CUCKOOS: Two dancers performed en point ballet dressed as cuckoos as part of the movement “The Cuckoo in the Deep Woods” in a concert performance by the Huntsville Youth Orchestra on Tuesday night.
followed by “Hens and Roosters”, “Swift Animals”, “Tortoises”, “The Elephant”, “Kangaroos”, “Aquarium”, “Personages with Long Ears”, “The Cuckoo in the Deep Woods”, “Aviary”, “Pianists”, “Fossils”, “The Swan” and “Finale”. Each piece offered a new mood and reaction from the audience. In “Personages with Long Ears”, the music was light and bouncy as the trio of animal dancers charmed the audience with their movement and body language as
they crawled and posed on stage. In “Fossils”, three dinosaur skeletons ran to the front of the auditorium and interacted with audience members. They kicked, jumped and shook their bodies to convey the clumsy, playful mood of the music behind them. For members of the audience, the combination of the arts was a refreshing experience. Sam Hendricks, a dance major said, “I think that dance and music meshed well together and it was nice to see both arts in one place.”
The performance also struck close to the heart for several dancers who said they were honored to dance the choreography of the late Jonathan Charles Smith, who died two weeks ago. One of his students Traci Lee said, “you can put on make up and costumes but doing this for someone was the best part.” The rest of Festival Inspiración continues through the rest of the week, the next event will be a vocal and piano recital Thursday night at 7:30pm.
A group of Sam Houston State University students is looking to gain real-world experience as they volunteer at the South by Southwest festival in Austin. About eight students from across campus will be heading to the festival, held from March 8 – 17, to serve as volunteers for various jobs from ushering films, selling tickets and promoting films. SXSW features independent films, original, music and interactive media. “I’m excited but a little scared,” Destini Ogbonna, junior broadcast production major said. “It will be a lot of work and we’ll be around lots of professionals. But it’s an awesome chance to network with filmmakers and get work experience.” According to professor of film, Tom Garrett, a film student organized the group to head to this year’s festival, an experience he hopes will translate into a course offered by SHSU in the future. “We’re hoping to make it a formal class next spring” Garrett said. “I previously taught a course about advertising and promotion of cinema where students get to do campaigns and cover the festival. It’s like a fieldexperience course.”
Top five things to do, not to do during Spring Break CARI PARKER Contributing Reporter Students around the country are crossing off days on their calendars and counting down the seconds until spring break! Some say this annual recess from school is even more-anticipated than Christmas or Thanksgiving break. While many may already have a
fabulous trip planned to Panama City Beach, others may be unsure about what to do during spring break. Before anyone packs their bags they should check out this list of the top five best and worst things to do during spring break. Several students might want to plan a big trip to some place tropical; however, those who are working with a budget this may
not be the most practical choice. If you are not planning an over the top spring break, here is a list of the best alternative things to do: 1. Road Trip: If you can’t plan a big fancy trip, you can plan a small road trip with your friends. Get some snacks and a full tank of gas and just drive. “I think out of that list the road trip would be the best. There are
Staff picks “Best of Huntsville” Best Burger Humphrey’s Great price and minimal grease equals lean meat and wallet.
Best Happy Hour Drinks Humphrey’s
j
Red Rockets. Need we say
Best French Fries Humphrey’s
j
Best Asian Restaurant
Whatever they put on those fries makes them addicting.
more?
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Yummy, Yummy The laid-back atmosphere and great
Best Date-Night Restaurant
value make it a fun place to eat
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Yummy, Yummy Who doesn’t like a sushi train on a date?
Best Coffee
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Starbucks The convenience and great flavors are
Best Desserts
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perfect for sleepy college students.
Farmhouse
Best Sandwich
Those cakes and pies are our homemade food away from home.
Best Bar
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Five Loaves
This place has something to offer for everyone, even the picky eaters.
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Stardust Room The outside patio offers the best place to have delicious drinks to destress
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Best Nap Spot Houstonian Couch Our personal place to pass out on those late deadlines.
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so many places that I would like to see, but they are too far to get to while I am in school,” junior, Zak Carroll said. 2. Finish what you started: If you put down a book halfway through or only watched half of a movie, now is your chance to finish what you started. 3. De-Stress: A trip to the spa or taking up yoga is a
great way to de-stress from your midterms. 4. Catch up with other college friends: All of your friends are home from their schools. This is a chance to plan something with all of your friends you never get to see. 5. Try something new: Here is your chance to try —BREAK,
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Sports
Thursday, March 7, 2013 houstonianonline.com/sports
SHSU bullpen could hinder success CONNOR HYDE Sports Reporter Former Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver claimed “the key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals and three -run homers.” Sam Houston baseball has developed the fundamentals, blasts the homers but seems to lack the bullpen help. The Bearkats have clenched two home series, upsetting former top 25 ranked University of Texas and taking two of three games from the always-talented Arkansas State, and are narrowing their focus to square off against University of Connecticut this weekend. Beyond piecing together rallies at the plate, the Bearkats’ pitching rotation continues to shake in their spikes early. Against Arkansas State, of the 11 runs that crossed the plate, SHSU’s relief pitching allowed eight of those runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings-enough to drop game one-and stressed the batting lineup to rekindle momentum late in the eighth and ninth innings to edge out a win. From the bats of Ryan O’Hearn, Spence Rahm and Carter Burgess, the Bearkats’ lineup has established a venomous bite with the power of their five, six and seven spots. “We [are] really aggressive offensively, and I think the turning
Alex Broussard | The Houstonian
WHAT’S THE DEAL: SHSU’s starting pitching is often excellent early is games, but when the game is handed to the bullpen, the fact that there are seven freshmen in the Berakats’ pitching staff is exposed by opponents.
point is when we were able to answer back and it was all us offensively,” Coach David Pierce said after game three against ASU. With the expectation of clenching the Southland Conference last season and receiving NCAA top 40 votes early in February, Pierce and his pitching staff must establish confidence in their young bullpen. Having seven freshmen mixed within the pitchers, high school tendencies are exposed against Division I opponents. “I don’t want to get to a point
where we’re compensating. We’ve got to throw strikes. That’s the bottom line,” Pierce said. Trust in secondary pitches troubles the young arms resulting in lackadaisical approaches to batters and forcing fastballs into the zone that eventually lead to an offensive rally for opposing teams. Forcing pitches in the strike zone only syncs the batter’s timing. The role of the pitcher is not to succumb to the batter’s approach, merely to upset and cripple his rhythm at the plate. “Pitching is 80 percent of the
game and the other half is hitting and fielding,” New York Yankee Mickey Rivers once said. As for the other 20 percent, SHSU continues to roll through opposing pitchers like batting practice. In game three against Arkansas State, 11 runs and 15 hits from the sticks of the Bearkats elevated SHSU above the Red Wolves despite an eighth and ninth inning rally by Arkansas State. Rahm continues to assume the role of the Bearkats’ biggest power hitter, swinging in the five
spot, but his recent hot streak has cooled. Rahm has connected for two homeruns early this season, but his ability to execute extra base hits into the power allies has slowly trickled as pitchers are finding ways to pitch around the freshman. Rahm’s approach to the plate has shifted from aggressive, swinging at first pitch fastball, to rolling over and pulling low-andoutside fastballs to groundout to third and shortstop. Burgess and O’Hearn have maintained plate discipline, setting up Hayden Simerly who is SHSU’s RBI leader. The middle of the lineup assumed the stronghold of the Bearkat offense and has recently gained support from the top three and bottom three batters. SHSU’s offense, post UH, has developed into an efficient attack with situational hitting and small ball to move runners. SHSU approaches their conference season after a home series against UCONN and traveling to Dallas Baptist. Facing off against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the Bearkats need to establish strong support on the mound in late innings and continue to use the entire field at the plate to drive in continuous runs. For SHSU to make another run for Omaha, tweaking their pitching will solidify another appearance in June.
No safe bets on this year’s March Madness RYAN BOWERS Staff Reporter The Sunday before students return from spring break the NCAA selection committee will pick 68 teams to represent their respective conferences in the NCAA tournament. This special tournament is often referred to as March Madness by fans, namely because anything that could happen in the college basketball world usually does. In fact, the only upset that hasn’t happened yet is a 16 seed beating a one seed (they are 0-204 so far). Everything else is up for grabs and most people consider themselves lucky if their brackets have not been destroyed in upsets by the time the sweet sixteen comes around. There are multiple contenders and
possible upsets to consider for this year’s tournament. Usually there is a surefire overall number 1 seed by this time of year, a team that only needs to put up a strong performance in their conference tournaments in order to claim their spot. This is not the case this year. Kansas, Indiana, Gonzaga, Michigan State, Duke, Georgetown and Miami all can have a legitimate claim to the overall number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But they all have their weaknesses. Kansas has a three loss stretch that still haunts them, especially a middle loss to TCU, one of the worst teams in America. They might have to win the conference tournament to even be considered as the number one seed.
Indiana has five losses, although all to quality teams. They might have to win the conference tournament to even be considered as the number one seed. Gonzaga has the best overall record of any team in the country, but they don’t play top teams in conference like the other teams vying for the top seed. This might hurt them if it comes down to a decision between them and another team. Miami and Duke both look good, but one is going to knock out the other and Miami has two bad losses early in the season that
might hurt them. Each of these teams will need to win their conference tournament in order to have a shot at claiming the top seed in the NCAA tournament. I expect Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas and Miami to take the one seeds, with Kansas taking the overall one seed. March Madness would not be the same without the prospect of some big upsets. And this year there are quite a few teams that have to ability to string together one or —
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ensure everyone’s safety.” Tickets for tickets for just the day cost $15 per Girl Scout and $20 per Boy Scout, while tickets for the entire weekend costs $30 per Girl Scout with no additional charge for the Boy Scouts ($20). Although Matthys said that at this time, there is no scholarship or financial aid SHSU offers for Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts, there may be one in the future. “We have a new ‘friends of scouts’ account which we are hoping to build up and one day, be able to use for scouts attending SHSU who are economically disadvantaged.” Matthys said that because SHSU is centrally located and offers programs opened to both girls and boys, it is an ideal location for scouts to earn their badges. She also said that, not only do the kids acquire valuable skills from the program, but SHSU as well as the Huntsville community benefits as well. “It’s a great way to bring new people into our community who haven’t visited before and also helps our economy because parents tend to shop in the stores while their kids are in workshops all day,” Matthys said. “It’s a great opportunity for use to make connections and show kids what we’re all about.”
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nothing can be done until the case goes to court.” Julia May, associate director of communications for SHSU, responded to the student’s frustration by explaining that nothing can be done unless the student files a report. “There is no documentation
that a currently enrolled female student has filed any report with either Residence Life saying she felt she had to move out of a residence hall to avoid seeing another student on campus or with UPD saying she was anxious or fearful about seeing another student on campus,” May said. Dean of Students John Yarabeck said there are options to students who are victims of sexual assault or a similar situation. “We are most concerned with an alleged victim’s safety,” Yarabeck said. “We have options such as the counseling center on campus and even have several safe houses for those who find it necessary.”
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program in philosophy and became acting dean of the College of Humanities. He was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as the first president of the Texas Deans of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Cording is currently a professor emeritus of philosophy and serves students as an adviser in the Student Advising and Mentoring Center. Medford earned her M.E.D. in home economics at SHSU in 1963, and in 1970 she completed her doctorate from Texas Woman’s University. She was a faculty member in SHSU’s home economics department and became chair of the department in 1975. Medford applied for an SHSU chapter of Kappa Omicron Phi so that students with an outstanding academic record could receive well-deserved recognition, as well as her many endowed scholarships she either established or helped to establish at SHSU for those students in programs in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
“We are pleased and excited to honor those who are outstanding examples of service and dedication from Sam Houston State University’s CHSS alumni and faculty,” said Paula Lenz, chair of the CHSS Advisory Board. “These recipients of our Wall of Honor award will serve as an inspiration to all who view their plaques on display in the Humanities Building.”
BREAK,
something you never thought you would try. Whether it’s a new hobby, food, meeting new people, or just an activity you always wanted to try, this is a great way to spend your break. Here is a list of the worst things to do during spring break, so please pay attention and you will save yourself from a painful spring break experience. We have listed the best, now it’s time for the worst: 1. One night stand: I think this speaks for itself. Don’t have a one night stand. You could come back to school with an STD. Period. 2. Getting a tattoo: Even though it’s something new, getting a tattoo over spring break is not the best idea. A tattoo is permanent, and you’ll want to take time to think about it instead of just getting a tattoo randomly over the break. “I would absolutely not want to get a tattoo during spring break because I wouldn’t want a single night of inebriation to turn into a life explaining that weird rose tattoo on my arm,” said Carroll. 3. Break the law: There is a difference between living on the edge and just being flat out crazy. Don’t try and live to dangerously because you could be spending
L L A F R O SIG N F &
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SAVE $100
your spring break in jail. 4. Start a protest or activist movement: Come on, this is not the time to start protesting or trying to change the world in one week. Every student is on break and wants to relax after their midterms. Don’t bombard them with a protest. 5. Babysitting or Housesitting: This is your last chance for a real break until the summer so make the most of it. It might sound selfish, but do something that benefits you and only you. “Babysitting or housesitting would be the worst, I might like it the first couple of days, but it would get tiring fast, and that’s not the way I would want to spend my spring break,” freshman, Sally Mendoza said. Whether you choose to listen to the best or worst list, you need to make sure to have a memorable spring break. Spring break is an exciting time, but that time is limited so make the most of it now.
compete with everyone. They’ve proven they can beat the best teams plus college basketball fans know you can never underestimate a Bo Ryan coached team. Minnesota is a team that might be peaking at the right time. They were 3-8 in their last 11 games before beating then number one Indiana and are currently on a three game winning streak. The backcourt of Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams is one of the best in the country. Every year there is the prospect that someone will come out of nowhere to make it far into the tournament. So who are the prospective teams that could surprise everyone? Creighton University is a team with a solid resume but due to some late season losses might need to perform well in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament to feel comfortable come selection Sunday. But Creighton still has Doug Mcdermitt on the team. Earlier in the year he was the hot choice for player of the year. Though he has cooled off in recent weeks he still has the potential to , page 5 turn it on during the tournament. The University of Detroit is two wins and bust brackets. another team that might sneak in a Saint Louis is a team from a few wins depending on who they mid major conference that has end up playing in the tournament. a great shot at making it to the The hot choice to win the Horizon sweet sixteen depending on who League has a player just as they face in the tournament. talented as any other point guard They have wins against Virginia in the nation in Ray Mcallum Jr. Commonwealth and Butler, two Detroit will go as far as he goes teams that are all but guaranteed and if he plays well, they will have to make the tournament, plus a shot at pulling off what could be they rank in the top 50 in most the upset of the tournament. defensive categories, something Selection Sunday is March 17 that tends to come in handy come and the NCAA Tournament will tournament time. begin on March 19 and conclude Wisconsin is another team with a National Championship on that could stir trouble for higher April 8. ranked teams. A strong defense and above average three point TheHoustonianSHSU shooting gives them the chance to
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