April 12, 2012

Vol 120 | Issue 23

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Publishing since 1913

Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Reporter perspective on shuttle system, pg.3

Like us on Facebook: “The Houstonian SHSU”

First Fine Arts Festival coming up this weekend, pg. 4

INDEX Viewpoints ....... pg. 2 A&E ................... pg.4 News .................. pg. 3 Sports................. pg.6

Agreement between Sloan, SHSU revealed

5-Day Forecast Information from Weather.com

Thursday, Apr. 12

STEPHEN GREEN Editor-In-Chief

HI: 82 LOW: 65

Friday, Apr. 13

And the Sammy goes to...

HI: 84 LOW: 69

Saturday, Apr. 14

Award ceremony honors service, committment

HI: 83 LOW: 72

Sunday, Apr. 15

MISTI JONES Senior Reporter

HI: 86 LOW: 69

Monday, Apr. 16 HI: 79 LOW: 60

Houston Aeros hosts SHSU night MOLLY WADDELL Associate News Editor Sam Houston State University students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend the Second Annual SHSU Night with the Houston Aeros on April 17 in the Toyota Center.

The game starts at 7:30 p.m., but there several events for attendees to enjoy that begin at 4:00 p.m.

The first event is a game of broomball which will start at 4 p.m. Students that would like to participate must wear fully toed shoes and bring a signed waiver available on the event’s website. There will be a dinner provided by Student Activities for the group that participates in broomball from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

There will be a V.I.P Meet and Greet held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is full at this time. According to Ryan Zapalac professor and one of the events coordinators, this event is targeted toward sponsors, faculty, staff, and SHSU affiliates.

The VIP’s in attendance will be President Dana Gibson, Ph.D., and Willie Fritz, head football coach.

“We will also be honoring David Brady (SHSU 88) for his contributions t the sport industry,” Zapalac said.

—

AEROS, page 3

Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

THE MEASURE OF A LIFE. Students, faculty and staff packed the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Theatre to see the awards process and watch performances by the theatre, dance and music departments.

The 18th annual Sammy Awards presented the campus’ finest student leaders, faculty members and organizations with prestigious awards for their outstanding service and dedication to Sam Houston State University and the Huntsville community.

All attendees were dressed with style and glam as they watched the honorable ceremony, hosted by emcees SuZanne Kelley and Risa Mitchell with announcer Tyler Finzel. The awards consisted of 22 categories, including a new category Outstanding Recreational Organization, and one unlisted award for Outstanding Overall Organization.

A total of 25 awards were bestowed upon students and faculty: 14 awards for individual students, two awards for individual faculty members, nine for individual student organizations, one for outstanding community service project and one for an SHSU First-Lady.

The Sammy Awards were presented to Tyler Eberhart and Christian Bionat and faculty member Stephanie Fors and former SHSU First-Lady, Nancy Gaertner.

“I’m kind of speechless, which is unusual for me,” Fors said. “It’s an honor and it really makes me feel like a part of the university to have my work recognized.”

Frank Parker, vice president of Student Services, presented the Creager Memorial Award to Joshua Harris, a senior biology major, first-generation college student and member of the National Panhellenic Council.

Mary Ellen Thorton, president of Alumni Association, presented the McDermett Memorial Award to Meagan Lee, a senior political science

Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

SERVICE. Jimmy Williams won the award for Outstanding Service to COBA. He is a graduate student.

major and Alpha Delta Pi member.

The award for Outstanding First-Year Student Leader went to Keith Sanders Jr., a double major in accounting and finance, first-year college student, member of Freshman Leadership Program, Student Alumni Association, Sam Houston’s Elite and National Association for Black Accountants.

“I’m really just shocked and amazed at the same time that I’m able to receive this award only being a freshman,” Sanders said.

The award for Outstanding Sophomore Student Leader went to Risa Mitchell, emcee for the Sammy’s and mass communications major who is a —

SAMMYS, page 3

SGA election protest filed, rejected by commissioners STEPHEN GREEN Editor-In-Chief A protest filed against the sole Student Government Association was rejected by the election commissioners Wednesday night.

Sen. Cristan Shamburger (CHSS) filed a formal protest against Sen. Shane Rankin (COBA) on the grounds that he violated the SGA election code Article VI, Section F, according to the protest.

Shamburger’s protest alleges Rankin did not file his campaign funding reports by the time campaigning ended.

“The campaigning period ended as of 8 a.m. this morning

and therefore, Mr. Rankin is in violation of the code,” Shamburger said in her protest.

The section in question reads: “Each candidate is responsible for keeping accurate records as to how much money they have spent on their campaign, and for turning in a financial disclosure report at the conclusion of the campaigning period.”

The election commissioners, led by Tilton, said their ruling was based on two reasons. “[A] The candidate [Rankin] had no election expenses, therefore we as the Election Commission, do not believe the candidate maliciously violated Article VI. Section F, of the

Election Code,” the decision said. “[And B] the SGA Office hours (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) did not coincide with the deadline set in the Election Code under Article VI, Section B (8:00 AM on April 11, 2012).”

The SGA office did not open until 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, vice-president Jason Tilton told the election commission.

Shamburger said Rankin must be held accountable for his timing.

“As senator and as candidates we have the obligation to the students to withhold the election code and Mr. Rankin did not —

SGA, page 3

An agreement between a former dean and Sam Houston State University shows that Roberta Sloan, Ph.D. will no longer be employed by the university as of Sept. 1.

In the agreement, Sloan was given $165,000, an iPad and continued state benefits throughout the rest of her employment. “[SHSU] announced today that [Sloan] is stepping down from her position due to health concerns,” Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jaimie Hebert said.

“Dr. Sloan will continue to serve as Senior Special Assistant to the Provost.”

Part of the agreement University photo. restricts to Roberta Sloan officials say only the information presented in the original announcement when asked about Sloan, or “continued only with information as to acting dean, replacement, and related matters.”

Sloan also gave up her ability to sue the university under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) and several other claims.

Sloan suddenly resigned from her position as dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication on Mar. 8, according to Hebert. The agreement had been reached weeks prior on Feb. 14.

In an article from Mar. 8, one source said Sloan was told her sixmonth review would be negative and would be made official if she remained in her position as dean.

Sloan put in her resignation soon after that citing health reasons.

Sloan said her reasons for her resignation are purely medical.

“While my personal health is a private matter, I can confirm that I do have health issues and am, quite frankly, the person with the most reliable information about this topic,” Sloan said. “Speculative comments aside, I would request privacy as it related to my own personal medical condition.”

In addition, one faculty member questioned her previous employment history.

“When I read her resume, I could think of a lot of questions that needed to be asked,” the faculty member said. “For example, just look at the amount of time she stayed at each university.

Sometimes it’s not a bad thing, but it still should have signaled the search committee to look further.”

Sloan worked at Temple University in Pennsylvania from 2006 until she was hired by SHSU in 2011.

Prior to that, Sloan worked at the University of Central Florida for three years (2004 – 2006); the University of Central Oklahoma for four years (2001-2004); taught —

SLOAN, page 3

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Viewpoints

Page 2 Thursday, April 12, 2012

houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

Watch your mouth

Today in history:

Cody Lewis defends Ozzie Guillen’s right to say whatever he pleases

To softball for their s w e e p of Texas Southern on Tuesday.

school!

Hooray!

3 weeks until the end of

To Garrett Driver w h o won the individual medalist championship at the 54-hole LouisianaMonroe Wallace Jones Invitational.

school!

O M G !

3 weeks until the end of

To Monster C of fe e drinks that make our production manager even crazier than usual!

To the lack of vending machines that take credit cards.

Other universities implemented this type of technology years ago. Think of the profits generated by this improvement.

Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni: The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body.

We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian.

Karmen C. King, Viewpoints Editor, kking@ houstonianonline.com

A

re Americans not allowed to speak their minds anymore? Due to a recent event in Major League Baseball, it appears that they are not.

First year manager Ozzie Guillen has been suspended by the Miami Marlins for five games for speaking highly of Fidel Castro. Personally, I would never praise the guy, but who are we to tell Guillen that he can’t?

“I respect Fidel Castro,” Guillen said to a reporter from Time Magazine. “You know why? A lot of people wanted to kill [him] for the last 60 years but that son of a bitch is still there.”

I know Guillen has always been known as a loose canon. And yes, these comments are pretty crazy, but I don’t think anyone would have suspected that, after only five games into his tenure as the manager of the Marlins, Guillen would already be suspended.

This just sounds like classic Ozzie to me. He is known for his outspoken style, and Miami should have known when they offered him the job as manager that they would be getting a lot of attention from the press.

I understand that the city of Miami is inhabited by a lot of people who fled from Cuba when it was under Castro’s control, but the Marlins are overreacting. Not only are the Marlins overreacting, but many people are also.

Faculty Adviser 936-294-1499

Stephen Green E dito r-in-Chie f 936 -294-1505

Viewpoints Editor Karmen C. King thinks that America needs to improve relations with the world power

R

elations with China can be turned into a “win-win” situation if both sides will commit to stronger ties with another and follow through on promises. The United States and China are currently in a symbiotic relationship and neither can survive without the other unless there are major changes to the way both nations conduct internal business.

China needs the American consumer just as much as the American businesses need the Chinese labor.

This will not be changed in the near future; therefore, the relationship between the two countries should be encouraged and strengthened.

The United States benefits from stronger ties with China firstly because the American consumer wants to buy cheap products. As long as China is able to produce, Americans will buy.

Secondly, although this desire for cheap goods drives companies to manufacture in China, it is a myth that it is taking away from American manufacturing jobs. The era of the American factory worker is on the decline as workers demand higher

in such a short time is creating more opportunity for skilled laborers to stay employed.

Another symbiotic advantage for China is that as they flood American markets with cheap products, potentially creating more tax revenue for the United States government, the US will be able to pay more of the loans from the Chinese.

When two countries, such as the United States and China, engage in positive economic relations there is little to no reason to worry about war between the two. One nation will not wish to destroy its own economy in order to gain power by violence that it may more easily gain with money.

Suggestions to the contrary may be seen as purely political moves designed to create fear amongst the uninformed masses.

Much like yin yang, the United States and China are so economically dependent upon each other that one may not truly exist without the other without the system falling into chaos. Therefore, a continued and strengthened relation with China is the only way forward for the United States.

1861 – American Civil War: The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.

1945 – U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies while in office; vice-president Harry Truman is sworn in as the 33rd President.

1981 – The first launch of a Space Shuttle (Columbia) launches on the STS-1 mission.

1990 – Jim Gary’s “Twentieth Century Dinosaurs” exhibition opens at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. 1999 – US President Bill Clinton is cited for contempt of court for giving “intentionally false statements” in a sexual harassment civil lawsuit.

April 13 1953 – CIA director Allen Dulles launches the mind-control program MKULTRA. 1964 – At the Academy Awards, Sidney Poitier becomes the first African-American male to win the Best Actor award for the 1963 film Lilies of the Field.

1970 – An oxygen tank aboard Apollo 13 explodes, putting the crew in great danger and causing major damage to the spacecraft while en route to the Moon.

1974 – Western Union (in cooperation with NASA and Hughes Aircraft) launches the United States’ first commercial geosynchronous communications satellite, Westar 1.

1997 – Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament.

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and higher wages. It’s not a matter of taking away the jobs, it’s that the American consumer demanded corporations give the jobs away.

Third, if the tax code were reformed to hold corporations accountable, the relationship with China would actually generate more tax revenue for the United States. The more cheap products China makes, the more American consumers will purchase. The more American consumers purchase, the more responsible corporations will pay in taxes. Also, the more corporations make off these cheap goods the more American workers they will need to hire for their stateside operations. All of this could create more unskilled labor in shipping and retail sales.

It would also create more jobs for educated workers in mid to upper level management positions.

For China, this strengthening of ties will help their economy as well. China is faced with an everexpanding crisis of a nation growing exponentially without sufficient infrastructure to take care of so many people. However, their ability to build the infrastructure needed

1633 – The formal inquest of Galileo Galilei by the Inquisition begins.

1976 – The United States Treasury Department reintroduced the two-dollar bill as a Federal Reserve Note on Thomas Jefferson’s 233rd birthday as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration.

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Protestors are holding up signs that say “NO APOLOGIES FIRE HIM NOW.” These signs show how immature and ignorant people can be. And at least two officials said Guillen should be fired.

Did they forget when Guillen called a sports columnist a “maricon,” which is a derogatory term for a gay person in Spanish? Or do they ever read his Tweets? These Fidel Castro comments are nothing compared to what he has said in the past. That is why he is such a respected and

recognized figure in the MLB. Guillen has apologized. Too many times, if you ask me.

“I’m here on my knees to apologize,” Guillen said at a press conference. “I’m very sorry about the problem, what happened. I will do everything in my power to make it better...When you make a mistake like this, you can’t sleep.’’

I feel sorry for him. He is basically being forced to apologize for being himself, which is a World Serieswinning manager who is one of the most animated ones in the history of the game. Miami needs to calm down and move on.

Two years ago, when the Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positively for cocaine use, many things could have been done. He could have been fired or suspended, but instead he, team president Nolan Ryan and General Manager Jon Daniels worked it out “as a family,” according to Ryan.

I don’t understand why the Marlins don’t do something similar.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria should be smart enough to know that without Guillen for the next five games, his sub-par Marlins have an even lower chance of winning.

Guillen will be back on April 17 when his team hosts Chicago, a city where fans learned to shake their heads and smile when he made bizarre comments.

Our friend China

Editorial Staff Robin Johnson

Cody Lewis

Sports Reporter

April 12

S e n i o r R e p o rt e r

S p o rt s R e p o rt e r

Jessica Gomez

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The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers.

Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call 936-2941495. The Houstonian is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

News

Page 3

Thursday, April 12, 2012

houstonianonline.com/news

SGA supports LSC, SHC expansions

involvement with SGA for the past two years. Senate Resolution S1212, The Raven’s Call Memorial Resolution, passed unanimously in support of the Raven’s Call memorial service that will honor all of the students, faculty and staff that have passed away this year. The inaugural ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on April 20 in front of the Blatchley Bell Tower.

Eberhart appointed Cristan Shamburger, current external affairs chief, the new BAPI chief for next year.

“I really wanted this appointment,” Shamburger told the Senate. “I worked a lot with the committee they had this past year.

I think Kendall and his committee did an amazing job. I saw the mistakes were made and I think I can fix them. There weren’t that many, obviously, but I just want to make it as amazing as possible.”

Kevin Madden, freshman criminal justice major, was appointed election commissioner by the members of SGA. Shane Rankin, university affairs chief, announced the success of the Kat Chat that was held on Apr. 5. Attendance was not as high as they had hoped for due to the holiday. Rankin thanked the Senators for their involvement in the Kat Chat and said he hopes it can become one of SGA’s signature

events.

Shamburger regularly attends Huntsville City Council meetings, and she alerted the Senate that there will be a traffic schedule change on Sycamore Avenue possibly by next week. Signs will be posted regarding no parking zones in this area.

Eberhart thanked the Senate for all of their success from this academic year.

“I’m proud to look back at this past year and see how far we have come,” Eberhart said. “The organization has really come out of the shadows and asserted a position of responsibility and hard work with the university.”

The organization passed several legislations this year. Some of the many pieces of legislation regarded topics such as the tobacco ban, fallen students and alumni, fee and budget increases, increases in infrastructure and more. SGA helped with the alcohol petition to make all parts of Huntsville ‘wet’ in order to increase places to hangout and eat in Huntsville.

SGA collected over 16,000 items for the fire relief initiative in the fall with the help of Chelsia Standiford, senior psychology major, and local firefighter. The organization signed up more than 850 students to participate in BAPI, a day of giving back to the community.

“We are proud to look back on a year of service for our peers and community,” Eberhart said.

Eberhart announced that his presidency was a unique position that was difficult at times; however, he told the Senate that he is honored to stand in front of them and believes they did a wonderful job this year with all that they have accomplished.

“I’ll miss the students in SGA who I have come to feel are like my family,” Eberhart said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for everyone in SGA and it’s bittersweet to be leaving.”

SGA elections began Wednesday, via email, at 8 a.m. and will end today at 5 p.m. The new SGA positions will not be finalized until sometime next week.

hustle back and forth to campus continuously throughout the day.

Trips start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. Pick up times are in 15-minute intervals but can vary depending on traffic.

The shuttle system provides residents with easy access to campus without battling thousands of other students for a parking spot. According to Gateway, between 80-90 percent of apartment residents’ ride the shuttles.

Nikki Rogers, a senior mass communication major, said, “I live at The Forum and the shuttle bus has saved my life. Especially from frustration since there’s no parking on campus.”

I spent the afternoon hitching rides with various apartment complex shuttles and chatting with drivers. My three roundtrip shuttle journeys were smooth and safe.

I didn’t tell drivers I was a reporter until we arrived on campus. This gave me the chance to see drivers uninhibited and in their ordinary routine.

Some of the bus drivers spoke of some danger coming from pedestrians.

Chris Metz, bus driver for The Forum, says, “The main hazard is people on campus. Kids have their Ipods in their ears or are looking down and texting.”

One day a student wasn’t paying attention and walked into Metz’s bus door when he was parked at a stop sign. Several students have stepped in front of shuttles because they were distracted.

Drivers are usually trained SHSU students who have gotten a Class B Commercial Drivers License.

They contend with other drivers’ speeding, driving aggressively, or illegally texting.

Most have over three years of

experience.

Branson Watson, a former SHSU student and Brooke Place chauffeur, said, “I completed a safety program and was trained by the former driver. He showed me where to go, where to stop at, and what to look for.”

Watson has experienced challenges while driving.

“Students walk out and think they have the right away. The passenger van is a larger vehicle than a car so you have to drive differently,” Watson says.

Watson drove an older, passenger van. The seats had wellworn craters in them and the air conditioner vent looked like it had been ripped out, but Watson made complete stops at stop signs and was a safe lane changer.

Not all students are fans of the free ride.

“I dislike the shuttle because of how it looks on the inside,” Jessica

MacKenzie-Williams, senior mass communication major, said. “The seats are all sunk in, and I don’t feel safe riding it. It’s not very big either.”

The size and type of bus depends on each complex. Gateway and The Forum have large 15 plus passenger buses.

“Riding a shuttle is cheaper than driving to campus,” Dakota Alexander, senior math major and bus driver, said. “Enrollment’s increasing and we need more parking.”

The shaded bus stops on each apartment complex are usually filled with students patiently waiting for the next shuttle. The mood is relaxed and feels almost like waiting for the elementary school bus.

If you live in an apartment complex that offers a shuttle service, take the leap and ride the bus.

MISTI JONES Senior Reporter Student Government Association was buzzing with excitement at its last meeting with the current administration; the Senate managed to pass five pieces of legislation and appointed a new Bearkat All Paws In Chief and Election Commissioner.

After previous presentations from both the Sam Houston State University Lowman Student Center and Student Health Center & Counseling Center, the Senate voted on legislation to support these facilities’ expansions. The Senate Resolution S12-08, A Resolution in Support of The Health Center & Counseling Center Expansion, passed. Senate Resolution S12-09, The Lowman Student Center Expansion, also passed.

“What these pieces of legislation are for is to represent the students’ voice in support of these expansions,” Tyler Eberhart, SGA president, said. “It has no monetary value to it. They can’t even start it without a student referendum which goes into a general body election and every student at Sam gets to vote.”

Senate Resolution S12-10, The SHSU Speech and Debate Congratulations Resolution, passed to praise these teams on their success. Senate Resolution S12-11, The Leslie Sinclair Resolution, passed to give thanks to the senior theater major for her

Misti Jones | The Houstonian

VOTE. Voting for Student Government Association ends today at 5 p.m. Students can vote online through email.

Riding in style: reporter shows what it’s like taking the apartment shuttles Nicole Gabler| The Houstonian

ROUND AND ROUND. Reporter, Nicole Gabler spent a day seeing what students go through riding shuttles to and from school.

NICOLE GABLER Contributing Reporter The blue and green passenger van maneuvers its way past parked cars and pedestrians to reach the heart of campus by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building. Students jump out and are gone within seconds.

The apartment complex shuttles

SAMMYS,

page 1

of Student Alumni Association, was on the Homecoming Committee, was Miss Sam Houston 2011 and was one of the founders of Royalty.

The award for Outstanding Junior Student Leader went to Erik Baine Johnson, a finance major and Delta Tau Delta director of recruitment who improved GPAs in the Interfraternity Council.

The award for Outstanding NonTraditional Student Leader was given to Cynthia “Cindi” Hoffzimmer, an accounting graduate student.

Hoffzimmer traveled to Germany after high school and received a BBA in accounting with a minor in German from SHSU. Mitchell Muehsam, Ph.D, College of Business Administration dean, presented the Excellence

in Service award to Jimmy Williams. Williams is a finance graduate student, SGA Treasurer, Chairman of Texas State Board of Regents, member of Orange Keys and works for SHSU Dining Services.

Vincent Webb, Ph.D, College of Criminal Justice dean, presented the Excellence in Service award to Megan Konarik, a forensic chemistry and criminal justice major.

Rosanne Keathley, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Health in the College of Education, presented the Excellence in Service award to Dayna Hargrove.

Mary Robbins, Ed.D., College of Fine Arts & Mass Communications interim dean, presented the Excellence in Service award to Bethany Hargrove.

John de Castro, Ph.D, College of Humanities & Social Sciences dean, gave the Excellence in Service award to Melva Gomez.

Gomez is a Resident Advisor, member of Chi Alpha, former Freshman Leadership Program member, former Bearkat Learning Community participant and has been involved with Kat Krazies.

Marcus Gillespie, Ph.D, College of Sciences associate dean, presented the Excellence in Service award to Curtis Balusek.

Balusek is a physics major who tutors students on campus in mathematics and is a physics lab assistant.

The 18th annual Sammys were sponsored by the Department of Student Activities and Division of Student Services.

The full story and winners can be found on HoustonianOnline.com

AEROS,

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The game will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Houston Aeros will be playing the San

Antonio Rampage. During the second intermission there will be an interview with Gibson and Fritz.

The event is executed by students in the SHSU Sports Management program and is a part of a collaborative project between SHSU’s sport finance and sales course, our event and facility management course and the Houston Aeros.

“The experience has assisted them with jobs and internships in the industry,” Zapalac said.

Tickets can be purchased online at http:// sportmanagement.shsu.edu with the promotional codes “SHSU,” “KATS,” “SAM” or “HOUSTON” or by phone at 713-361-7947.

SLOAN

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two semester-at-sea programs; Marymount University for one year (1986-1987); Huntingdon

College (1985-1986); and University of Oklahoma for four years (1972 – 1975).

“It sickens me that more questions weren’t brought up about that,” the faculty member said. “It’s weird to me that she just jumped from one place to another every two or three year.”

Dean of the College of Business Administration Mitchell Muesham served as head of the dean search committee said there was “no way of seeing any complaints from Sloan’s past,” in the Mar. 8 article.

Sloan served as dean from Aug. 1 to Feb. 14.

SGA

page 1

withhold the election code. We should follow the rules no matter what,” Shamburger said at the hearing.

Rankin questioned why he was the only subject of a protest.

“I’m happy that SGA is

a transparent organization, and that everything is written down,” Rankin said.

“But I would like to point out the fact none, other than two, of the candidates for any of the positions in the campaign actually filed their reports on time, all of the other ones were filled this afternoon after I filed mine and yet I am the only one being petitioned.”

Shamburger has the ability to file a petition with the Student Supreme Court now that the election commission has made their decision.

If the Supreme Court sides with Shamburger, there would be no presidential candidate and the position would either go to a write in candidate or the winner of the vicepresident seat.

Voting for elections end Apr. 12 at 5 p.m. Ballots are distributed through the official university email system.

INFORMATION Tomorrow is the last day to drop courses online without recieving an “F”.

Students will have until noon to drop their courses.

Arts & Entertainment

Page 4 Thursday, April 12, 2012

houstonianonline.com/a-e

Festival to showcase film, art, music Students to expose SHSU community to fine arts with original work GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor Art, music and film will all come together in a two-day showcase on campus as Raven Films presents the first ever Fine Arts Music Festival on April 13 and 14.

Held in the Lowman Student Center, the festival will serve a dual purpose to celebrate the new Film Major offered at Sam Houston State University in the Fall and to bring together the arts in one event to showcase to the SHSU community.

The event started off as a film festival to be put on by Raven Films, a student organization on campus that works to make hands-on, independent films.

However, President Samuel Sanchez Jr. decided to incorporate other groups into the festival to showcase all different forms of art media.

“People will be able to see the

Eric Fite| The Houstonian

ARTISTIC PARTNERSHIP: The Fine Arts Festival is being put on by Raven Films in conjunction with art students and Ars Perpetua, a percussion group on campus. The two groups often work together on differnt projects, including creating visual effects for Ars Perpetua and composing music for Raven Films.

scope of filmmaking at SHSU,” Sanchez said. “A lot of people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes and it’s a chance for students to get cultured in all art mediums.”

The night will kick off with photography and art pieces by students in the LSC art gallery followed by screenings of six films by Raven Films in the LSC Theater, with different films showing each night.

Next, there will be script readings by theater students and a mini-recital by Ars Perpetua, a

percussion group at Sam Houston that works regularly with Raven Films to compose music for films and incorporate video into their music performances.

According to Sanchez, the festival is important to showcase the network among Raven Films and all the other departments they work with like music and theater to create their films.

“We work with a lot of people in different departments to create our films,” he said. “[The festival] will offer the network to students and future students

and show them what is available here.”

The festival will also benefit all students who are presenting their work because it will allow them to gain insight about their work from the public’s perspective, Sanchez said. “[The festival] allows people to see [the students’] work”, he said. “If no one sees it, no one would know about it and artists are always looking to improve their work.”

With the festival being a first time event, Sanchez said

he hopes to see it “thrive” and “continue to showcase at Sam Houston”.

The Fine Arts Film Festival will be a semi-formal “orange carpet event” and is free to everyone.

The events of each night will begin at 5 p.m. in the LSC Art Gallery with screenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the LSC Theater slong with a short intermission and refreshments.

For more information about Raven Films, visit their website at www.ravenfilmsshsu.org.

‘Fun with Friends’ to help underprivileged children

Student volunteers to provide fun, raise awareness of CASA Students from the Optimist Club at SHSU, Bilingual Education Student Organization and several sororities and Students will serve as advocates fraternities will volunteer to for neglected and abused children provide games, arts and crafts as they and provide arts, crafts and food booths for attendees and fun for those children in the of the fair and help raise money second annual Fun with Friends for CASA in a raffle for two Fair this Saturday. mountain bikes.

The fair will be held at Henderson said the fair will Eastham-Thomason Park, and is not only be a big help for CASA, the brainchild of Miki Henderson but also a learning Ed.D., assistant experience for future professor of Lots of students who are teachers. early childhood affluent will be able to gain “Lots of students education at Sam empathy for children who who are affluent Houston State have not had the same will be able to gain University. opportunities they have had. empathy for children She decided to who have not had the bring the fair to -Miki Henderson, Ed.D., same opportunities Huntsville last assistant professor of early they have had,” year as a way to childhood education Henderson said. raise awareness “It’s important for about Court them, as future teachers to be Appointed Special Advocates in understanding and empathetic of Walker County. these children in schools.”

It is an organization of Last year, the Fun with Friends volunteers that provides help and Fair was held at the Johnson support for abandoned, abused Coliseum.

Although it was and neglected children and works successful, Henderson said it was with social workers and the court expensive to pay for and took system to find a better home for away a lot of the profit that could them. have gone to CASA. “In CASA, we get the worst This year, with the fair being of the worst cases of children held at the park, Henderson said who have been abused physically more of the profit will go to help or sexually,” Henderson said.

CASA. “[Volunteers] become guardians, Also new this year, instead of advocates, and get to know the an entry fee, attendees can buy children in order to help them.” individual tickets to participate GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor

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in the games and activities.

Henderson said that although the fair serves to raise awareness for CASA, it is important for students to gain volunteer experience.

“My hope is that students get a great feeling for volunteering in the future and become fabulous citizens who volunteer after leaving here,” she said.

The Fun with Friends fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for games and activities are 25 cents and raffle tickets are $1. All proceeds will go to benefit CASA. For more information about CASA visit their website at http://casaofwalkercounty.org/.

Photo provided by Miki Henderson

FUN FOR A CAUSE: Last year, the first Fun with Friends Fair was held in the Johsnon Coliseum by education professor Miki Henderson. She was inspired by her work with CASA to provide opportunites for children in Walker county.

UPCOMING EVENTS Upcoming Events: April 16-20

April 16-20

April 17 Senior Graphic Design Exhibit

April 18-21 Spectrum Dance Concert “Whimsy”

For more information, visit www.shsu.edu/events/

International Week

Page 5 Thursday, April 12, 2012

Special

houstonianonline.com

All photos by Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

Honored. (Above) CHSS Dean John de Castro and Melva Gomes walk off stage after Gomes received her award.(Below) Josh Harris seen with VP Frank Parker and Mary Ellen Thortan, wins the Creager Memorial Award. (Left) Cortnie Crayton receives an award on behalf of NAACP.

Sports

Page 6 Thursday, April 12, 2012

twitter.com/HoustonianSport

Softball sweeps Tigers

Bearkats defeat Texas Southern twice in double header

Hall-of-Fame pitcher Ryan set to visit campus ZACH BIRDSONG Sports Editor

CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter With a sweep in a nonconference double-header series with Texas Southern University on Tuesday, the Sam Houston State softball team put head coach Bob Brock two wins away from his 1,000th career victory.

Brock, who has been coaching for 27 years, owns a career record of 998-206-1 and has coached at Sam Houston, Baylor and Texas A&M. This series also put the team one game over .500 for the first time this season after a 1-13 start. They are now 17-16, meaning they have won 16 of their last 19 games.

“It means a whole lot,” Brock said. “The team never got down so it really means a lot and it really builds our confidence. I don’t think anyone’s too worried about the record. We’re really taking it one game at a time and that’s really helped us.”

The Bearkats won the opener 5-0 and rallied back from a threerun deficit in the late game to win 8-3.

With the losses, Texas Southern fell to 17-12 “I think we played pretty steady,” Brock said. “We’re really hitting the ball well this year.

We’re playing some really good softball right now.”

The Bearkats started the scoring in the first game in the bottom of the second with a two-run double

houstonianonline.com/sports

photo courtesy of gobearkats.com

ON THE RIGHT TRACK. Junior outfielder Tori Benavidez plays the ball in a game earlier this season. Tuesday, the Bearkats defeated Texas Southern twice in a double header, 5-0 and 8-3, giving them a winning record for the first time this season.

by third baseman Shelbi Tucker.

First baseman Kim Damian then hit a two-run homerun to give Damian her seventh homer of the year and to make the score 4-0.

Catcher Hillary Adams then knocked one out in the fifth inning to make the score 5-0.

Tucker and Damian led the Bearkats with two hits apiece.

Sam Houston saw a solid outing from freshman pitcher Meme Quinn (4-2), who only allowed one hit in five shutout innings while striking out five. Haley Baros pitched the last two innings.

The Tigers could only gather three hits off of Sam Houston pitching.

“We got off to a good start with our freshman pitcher,” Brock said. “[Meme] pitched a really good game.”

Joann Herrera got the start and took the loss for the Tigers

pitching six innings and giving up all five of Sam Houston’s runs, three earned.

The Bearkats got off to a slower start in the second game of the double-header. Texas Southern’s designated hitter Brianna Parker’s homerun and a triple by right fielder Jessica Miller put the Tigers up 3-0 in the top of the third inning.

Sam Houston was able to score one run in the bottom of the third when Damian doubled and then was driven in by a double from shortstop Sarah Allison to make the score 3-1.

The Bearkats responded in the fourth inning with a single by Damian and a two-run triple by center fielder Tori Benavidez to give the Kats a 4-3 lead. A tworun home run by catcher Ashley Isbell extended Sam Houston’s

save $130

lead in the fifth.

Damian led the team with four hits and three runs scored.

Benavidez had two hits and four RBIs. “We’re real excited about the team,” Brock said. “Everybody in our line-up seems to be picking up some slack, and that’s when you have a good team. It’s just helping us our a whole lot.”

Pitcher Cecilia Castillo got the start for the Bearkats and lasted three innings, giving up three runs off of three hits. Shelby Lancaster (7-5) got the win in relief, lasting four innings giving up only one hit.

The Bearkats will be back in action this weekend as they kick off a two-game series with conference-leading McNeese State on the road. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Friday.

Former Major League Baseball player and Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan is scheduled to visit Sam Houston State University on April 30.

Ryan will be appearing as part of the “Mingling with a Major Leaguer” which is sponsored by President Speaker Series and is in conjunction with students of Priority One, a class within the mass communication department of the university.

In his 27-year career, Ryan compiled a 324-292 record and a 3.14 earned run average. He also has owned or tied 53 major league records including the most strikeouts in MLB History (5,714) and the most no-hitters (7).

The former pitcher played for four teams including the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, who he finished his career with.

Since his retirement in 1993, the Hall-of-Famer has not strayed far from the game and is currently the chief executive officer and president of the Rangers organization.

Students and faculty alike are excited for Ryan to visit campus.

Senior Michael Oros, a current pitcher on the SHSU baseball team, shares that excitement.

“He is arguably the best pitcher to ever play the game and to have him come to Sam Houston is a huge honor,” Oros said.

Sophomore Luke Plucheck, and current outfielder for the Bearkats was unaware that Ryan was visiting campus, but after learning, shared Oros sentiment.

“Honestly I had no idea he was coming, but he is a huge face in baseball and it’s an honor to have him on campus,” Plucheck said.

The event will take place in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall and begins at 6:30 p.m. No autographs will be allowed.

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