June 12, 2012

Volume 121 / Issue 1

p.3 p.2

| Th eH oust onian

Jackson gets drafted into the Miami Marlins after pitching for Sam Houston

Tuesday, June 12 HI: LOW:

SGA sets goals on freshman recruitment, senate expansion GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor Freshmen recruitment and increasing senate membership were the focus as the new executive board of the Student Government Association met for the first time last Tuesday and geared up for freshmen orientation.

Student Body President Shane Rankin began the meeting by stressing the importance of recruitment during the summer.

He hopes to diversify student leadership within the senate, which he said is important for representing the student body.

Currently, there are no senators representing the College of Education and the College of Sciences in SGA. “I would like a wide range of views and ideas coming into the Senate,” Rankin said. “I also want students of different cultural backgrounds. I don’t want the same ideas all the time.”

With the start of freshman orientation last week, members of the executive board discussed getting more freshmen involved in SGA by using different promotional items to get the word out about SGA. In addition, the executive board discussed revamping the Freshman Council within SGA. According to SS11-02 (Senate Act) passed in Fall 2011 semester, the purpose of the Freshman Council is to represent the freshman class in each college and to serve as the voice of the freshman class to SGA including writing legislation and publicizing to increase freshman participation.

Rankin said although the freshmen are not allowed to vote in the Senate, it is important to hear their concerns and opinions as new students to SHSU. “If we can hear their concerns, not only will [SGA] be able to help them, but also future students when they get here,” he said.

During the first week of orientation, Rankin said SGA Vice President Kolby Flowers and Treasurer Jimmy Williams helped to sign up about 40 future students sign up interested in SGA. Once orientations are done, Rankin said the executive board plans to send out emails to inform freshmen students of the happenings in SGA and encouraging them to participate.

Rankin said his plans for summer Senate include more recruiting and getting the name of Student Government Association out to future students.

“I love recruiting and I hope to continue it throughout the summer,” he said. “Students don’t get a voice unless they express it to us, so I hope to get more student s involved.”

In other business, Williams proposed to sponsor a new spirit banner which is now in place at King Hall across from the Student Health Center.

Plans for the next meeting include modifying plans for orientation and working on future plans for the summer.

The next meeting will be held today at 6:30 p.m. in LSC 326.

facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU

95 73

Snuffed

p.3

Students, faculty react to new TSUS, SHSU policy banning smoking, chewing tobacco use on campus MCKINZIE BROCAIL M a n y Senior Reporter s t u d e n t s commented A new campus-wide about how tobacco policy has many smoke is been put into effect what bothers that prohibits the use them, rather of all tobacco products than smokeless on Sam Houston State tobacco.

University grounds.

“I think it’s The policy went r i d i c u l o u s ,” into effect June 1 and s e n i o r bans all products, and management applies to everyone on major Kevin campus.

Shaver said.

According to an “I don’t think email sent by President s m o k i n g Dana Gibson, “the outside is policy has been going to hurt implemented to be in anybody.” compliance with The Others have Texas State University a more positive System Board of George Mattingly | The Houstonian Regents Rules and KICKING THE HABIT. SHSU enacts tobacco ban after all other outlook towards the tobacco-free Regulations[.]“ TSUS schools follow the new Board of Regents policy. policy.

Some students think “I love it,” to use a tobacco product the the consequences for Jordan Bunch, senior mass result is similar. the policy seem rather lax.

Some members of the Faculty communication major said. “You “Violators will be asked to stop,” Deputy Chief James Senate are bothered by their role don’t have smoke blowing in Fitch of the University Police of inclusion in reprimanding your face, but I’m more excited about the nonsmoking side than Department said. “It’s not a law, offenders.

“I’m incredibly annoyed that tobacco-free.” it’s a policy NATIONAL COLLEGE STUDENTS There are a few times when violation. the policy states that professors using tobacco is allowed: when will be one of the groups of They’re not going to people “policing” the campus,” used in an artistic performance, receive a commented Sheryl Murphy- research, or at the Raven’s Nest citation or Manley, Ph. D, on Facebook. Golf Course and Gibbs Ranch.

SHSU is the last of the eight “The Faculty Senate explicitly go to jail.”

If a asked the upper administration schools in the Texas State v i o l a t o r to take this out of the policy, and University System, and the last to Use tobacco implement a tobacco policy.

Don’t use tobacco continues they didn’t.”

Entry standards raised to improve SHSU retention, graduation rates GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor More students may be able to gain admission into Sam Houston State University after the Texas State University System Board of Regents authorized the university to change admission standards for incoming freshmen during the Fall 2013 semester.

The new standards were among items voted on by the regents during their quarterly meeting in May. SHSU’s current admission standards allow automatic admission for high school students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class.

Under the new standards, automatic admission is given to high school students graduating in the top 25 percent of their class. ACT and SAT scores for admission were raised for the remaining 75 percent of high school graduates.

Director of Admissions Trevor Thorn sent a proposal to expand automatic admission to the SHSU Faculty Senate, which voted unanimously in support of the new standards during a meeting in April.

“The proposed changes will provide a higher rate of retention and graduation rates. A lot of the time, the success of institutions are measured by retention

78.2

Retention rates for 4-year public school students

72 National

Courtesy GoBearkats.com

Key: New smoking policy is just an illusion

a M rge G eo

tti ng ly

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

SHSU

and graduation rates,” Julia May, Associate Director of Communications, said. “[The University] felt this was a good way to help our retention and graduation rates.”

According to the data released by the SHSU Office of Institutional Research and Analysis, an average of 72.9 percent of full-time degree-seeking beginning freshmen who enrolled in the Fall 2010 semester returned in the Fall 2011 semester. The data also indicated an average of 50 percent of firsttime, full-time freshmen who entered in Fall 2005 graduated in 2011.

According to May, the new standards will help retention and graduation rates because incoming students will be better prepared for a college education.

“When [students] stay and complete their education, we’ve helped them achieve their academic goal,” she said. “When they drop out, it holds back their learning capabilities in the workforce and they are less skilled. As a state institution, we are tasked with educating our workforce.”

With the new standards, some members of the Faculty Senate voiced concern over the effect on enrollment. However, May remained positive about the effects of the new admission standards.

“I don’t think it’s going to reduce our enrollment, she said. “Students come to school to get a quality education. When they see we are taking their education seriously, they will want to come here.”

Admission standards vary with each of the eight universities in the Texas State University System.

At Texas State University, automatic admission is granted to the top 10 percent of high school students and students graduating in the first quartile need an ACT score of 20 or an SAT I score of 920. Lamar University grants automatic admission to students in the top 10 percent. Students graduating between 11 and 25 percent of their class need an ACT score of 18 or an SAT I score of 850.

The Office of Admissions and the Office of Enrollment Management declined to comment for this story.

ENTER THE HOUSTONIAN SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST TODAY! Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and be entered to win one of five grand prizes!

NATION & WORLD

Commerce Sec. to take medical leave The White House announced Monday that Commerce Secretary John Bryson will take medical leave.

He will be undergoing tests and evaluations after suffering a seizure that was connected with two traffic accidents in the Los Angeles area.

The Commerce Department said Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank will be taking over Bryson’s duties temporarily.

Follow us today! @TheHoustonian

Calif. mother faces abuse charges for alcoholic formula A California mother faces child abuse charges after giving her 5-month-old daughter was given formula accidentally made with alcohol.

The child’s babysitter made the formula Saturday using what she thought was water in a bottle out of the refrigerator. After the baby refused the bottle several times the mother opened the bottle and smelled the alcohol.

The baby was immediately rushed to the hospital. The mother is due in court Tuesday and the baby is expected to make a full recovery.

Buddhists, Muslims in Burma cause high tensions, riots The president of Burma declared a state of emergency on a Rhakine State Sunday night.

This is due to tensions between Buddhists and Muslims that have caused deadly violence.

A riot occurred on Friday that killed seven people, 17 wounded and hundreds of houses burned.

The state of emergency allows the military to take over administrative functions.

Visit our website! www.HoustonianOnline.com

First witness testifies against Sandusky at trial The first of eight alleged victims testified at Jerry Sandusky’s trial Monday. He claimed that he went through five years of over 50 encounters of sexual assault by Sandusky.

The witness met Sandusky when he was 12 and that the interactions started with friendly trips and soap battles in the locker room and then veered to inappropriate touching and oral sex.

Sandusky is standing trial on 52 charges of abusing 10 children over 15 years.

THE HOUSTONIAN

p.1

News

p.2

Viewpoints

p.3

A&E/ Sports

p.4

Ads

Page 2

Viewpoints

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

houstonianonline.com/news

Word on Key Words: Smoke and Mirrors the Street: Adam Key speaks out on new SHSU ban on tobacco products Tobacco Policy

“

I think it’s a pretty good thing cause some people can get sick just by being around smoking.

“

-Claudia Graciano Junior Education major

“

For years, smoking bans have been the trademark of “do nothing” politicians. The economy can be in the toilet, the crime rate can be up, and main street can be full of potholes, but all across the country, congresses, city councils, and other government boards will take aim at smokers. Can you blame them? Smokers are an easy target.

We no longer live in the Mad Men era where Don Draper slyly puffs away on a Lucky Strike while hard at work. No, from childhood, our teachers, DARE officers, and parents have hammered into us that smoking is disgusting and gross, usually before ducking out back to light a cigarette.

Smokers are regularly vilified by government funded ad campaigns that flood our televisions, all the while laws prevent tobacco manufacturers from airing ads to advertise their product or even respond to these ridiculous allegations. And in the end, what politicians are really saying when they pass a smoking ban is “I realize that I have done an awful job, but hey, I saved you from the evil smokers!”

Fellow Bearkats, today our university and the Texas State Board of Regents join the ranks of the “do nothing” politicians. By the time you read this, Sam Houston, along with the other schools in our system, will have implemented a campus-wide ban on the use of tobacco. According to the policy, the “purpose is to promote a safe, healthy, and pleasant environment for the benefit of the members of our university family, guests, and visitors.”

Let’s be clear about something.

This policy has absolutely nothing to do with safety. We already ban smoking inside buildings and within any normal range of entrances. Not a single person on this campus is exposed to direct secondhand smoke unless they want to be. But the real indicator that this policy has zero to

ADAM KEY

Recurring Columnist do with safety is that it bans not only smoking, but chewing tobacco as well.

Last I checked, there was no such thing as secondhand chew. Unless people chewing tobacco are going around spitting on passersby, there is no health risk to anyone but the user.

So now that we know it’s not about safety, it must be about creating a healthy and pleasant environment, right? Since we know that the old policy kept people safe from unwanted secondhand smoke, this must mean the university is concerned for the health of the tobacco users. The policy statement goes on to talk about this policy creating “greater awareness about the serious risks associated with the use of tobacco.” Congratulations Bearkats, the Board of Regents of is so concerned about your health that they want to eliminate the possibility of you using the #2 killer of Americans on its campuses.

But what about the #1 killer?

Cholesterol and heart disease. Not only do they not want to protect you from this, they actually encourage you to use the products that cause it.

Sam Houston has a Pizza Hut, Burger King, Einstein’s Bagels, and ChickFil-A just in the LSC to sell you all the greasy artery-clogging fast food they can cram down your soon-to-be obese throats. If the university and the Regents were truly concerned about your health, they would ban fast food on campus too, or at least stop selling it.

Of course, that not’s going to happen.

Aramark, who runs all these campus eateries, provides a major source of revenue for the university. I’m not privy to the details of their contract, but I would venture to guess the university might lose a considerable chunk of Aramark’s change if we didn’t let them serve their greasy pizza and burgers. Perhaps if Philip Morris paid the university too, they would leave smokers alone. And while we’re on the subject of money, why isn’t smoking banned on the golf course? Does the university value the health of its golfers so much less than “the members of our university family, guests, and visitors” that they would willingly expose them to “the serious risks associated with the use of tobacco?” Or is the university concerned that if rich golfers cannot light up a cigar during their 18 rounds that they make take their business and their money elsewhere?

In the end, the smoking ban is nothing more than a smoke screen.

I’ve often said that good politicians are like Houdini. He would be trapped against insurmountable odds and just when you thought all was lost, TA-DA, he escaped. The economy is down, yet the tuition rate is going up. Congress is investigating shady dealings between universities and Higher One, who issue our Bearkat Onecards. And just when things are looking their worst, TA-DA, the Board of Regents saves us from smokers and ourselves. But just like magic, it’s just an illusion.

“

I feel it’s taking it a little bit too far. The rules that were in place were adequate.

As long as you’re outside away from the doors, I think it’s ok.

-William Phillips Graduate Accounting major

“

I’m glad they enacted it. I always know that I don’t like walking through a cloud of smoke when I’m going to class. I think smoking isn’t good for your health anyway.

“

-Madison Biehl Senior Mass Communication major

The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is temporarily published biweekly on Tuesdays during the summer. 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.

Summer Editorial Staff Stephen Green Editor-in-Chief 936-294-1505

Molly Waddell

A&E/Sports Editor

George Mattingly Matt Frazier News/Viewpoints Editor Web Editor

Summer Business Staff Karen Lee

Faculty Adviser

McKinzie Brocail Senior Reporter

Paty Mason

Business Manager 936-294-1500

Chelsea Boyd

Advertising Manager

Arts&Entertainment/Sports

Page 3

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

houstonianonline.com/news

Baseball falls to Arkansas at NCAA tournament

MOLLY WADDELL Assocaite News Editor

The Sam Houston State University baseball team walked away this season as Southland Conference champions with a record of 40-20 (20-9 SLC).

Although they are the SLC champions they lost in the postseason Houston Regional’s to Arkansas who 5-1.

The team lost to Arkansas 5-4 then beat Prairie View 4-2 and Rice 4-1 before going to their final round against Arkansas.

Coach David Pierce expressed his feelings towards his team to a postgame press conference.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the team than I am right now…

We are very proud of what we have done,” Pierce said.

Two seniors, Jake Arrington and John Hale were also present at the press conference.

“I hate that it’s over but we played with no regrets and we went out that way,” Jake Arrington, senior said. “Overall it was a great season that we had.”

Pierce went on to say that even though they have five graduating seniors that the “program is in great hands right now.”

According to Pierce the team has three starting freshman and two sophomores.

“Everything is moving in the right direction for us,” Pierce said.

Four team members were named Regional AllTournament, John Hale, Jessie Plumlee, Colt Atwood and Jake Arrington. According to gobearkats.com the 11-player all-tournament team was selected by media members covering the regional tournament.

Anthony Azar, SHSU designated hitter, was named American Baseball Coaches Association AllSouth Central Region Team as a first team selection, according to gobearkats.com.

In the Houston Regional Arrington broke a 51-year-old school record. Arrington had 10 triples which beat the nine triple’s record set in 1961, set

by Hootie Murray, according to gobearkats.com.

Another victory the team celebrates this year is senior pitcher Justin Jackson getting drafted to the Miami Marlins.

According to gobearkats. com this year was only the third time that the baseball team has had 40 wins in their 26 years at Division I level.

The team also broke another SHSU record by going through a 13 game winning streak.

This is the baseball team’s first SLC victory since 1989, and their seventh NCAA Division I Baseball Championships appearance, according to gobearkats.com

Courtesy GoBearkats.com

ROUGH ROAD GAME. Anthony

Azar, SHSU designated hitter, was named American Baseball Coaches Association All- South Central Region Team as a first team selection, according to gobearkats. com. He was a member of the Southland Conference Champions team that lost to Univ. of Arkansas.

facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU

Marlins make major catch SHSU pitcher Jackson picked in 27th round of MLB to play for Miami franchise

“I had Tommy John surgery in April of last year,” This year’s Major he said, “and I League Baseball knew it would draft has offered take a lot of one Bearkat the hard work to chance of a lifetime: get to where I To pitch in the big wanted to go. leagues.

I’ve learned Sam Houston through that, State University that if you truly senior pitcher Justin want something Jackson was drafted you are going by the Miami to have to work Marlins during the hard at it and be 27th round (827th relentless.” overall) on June 6.

T o m m y Jackson ended John surgery his collegiate season is commonly 9-4, which included performed on the win over the Rice athletes’ elbows Owls in the NCAA that have been Courtesy GoBearkats.com badly damaged tournament during the postseason to ON TO MIAMI. Justin Jackson pitched for the Bearkats where he led after years of keep the Bearkats in the team in wins before being drafted by the Miami Marlins. great stress from the tournament. the repetitive This season motions of the right-hander baseball. from Magnolia, G r e a t Texas led the b a s e b a l l team in wins and memories are was second in the sure to be made lineup with a 2.69 in the future for ERA. He pitched Jackson, but his two complete past memories games and tallied with SHSU’s up 65 strikeouts. team aren’t to scenery,” Jackson said. “I got Over his college be forgotten. career Jackson managed a 15-6 drafted on Wednesday, and went “I definitely enjoyed my time record and struck out 152 batters back up to Huntsville and moved at SHSU,” Jackson said. “I met (17th best in SHSU history) and all my stuff out, and was on a some good people and was a part plane on Sunday [to Jupiter, FL].” of three championship teams: totaled a 3.95 ERA. Jackson went on to explain 2008 and 2009 Conference Last season Jackson was what he would do in Jupiter. designated an All-Southland Tournament Champions and “Jupiter is where all the new 2012 Southland Conference honorable mention selection.

He is keeping the Bearkat streak [Marlin] draftees come to get a Champions. The relationships of draftees alive by being drafted; physical, and we have a three-day with the friends I have played as this is the seventh consecutive camp, and then they assign us to with here, I will forever cherish.” season that SHSU has had at least a team.”

Jackson is humble and knows The draftees, including he didn’t get to Jupiter on his one player drafted. Jackson is the 41st Bearkat selected in the MLB Jackson, will be assigned to either own. the Marlin’s National League draft.

“If I didn’t have the coaches The 23-year-old kinesiology team, or a triple-A, double-A or that I have had, to help me major has been playing ball since single-A team. become a better person, and a Jackson knows hard work is better ballplayer, I wouldn’t be he was 8 years old.

“It is definitely a change of the key that got him to Jupiter. here,” he said.

MCKINZIE BROCAIL Editor-in-Chief

Track and field ends season at NCAA semis MOLLY WADDELL A&E/Sports Editor

Six Sam Houston State University track and field members competed in the NCAA Division I Semifinals 4x400 relay and the triple jump, Wednesday through Saturday.

According to gobearkats.com Courtesy GoBearkats.com the five members of the 4X400 JUMPING ALL IN. Charles White qualified for the tournament with a relay team were: Trey Jones, record 51’ 10.5’ in the triple jump category in the West Preliminary.

Brian Helaire, Jesse Martinez, D. J. Hayes and Matthew Viverette the Semifinals. jump, 43’ 10” on his second and (alternate). They earned their The Bearkats finished ahead 51’ and one quarter inch on his spot in the Semifinals with a of Houston, Texas Southern, third jump. school record performance of Notre Dame and Texas Tech in The last time the team made 3:06.51 in the West Preliminary.

Thursday night’s race. Other it to the preliminaries was 2010.

Charles White, who qualified teams moving into the finals Chris Gilchrist came within six with a record jump of 51’ 10.5” at were LSU, Mississippi State, inches of qualifying for the finals. the West Preliminary round, was Texas A&M, Florida, George The SHSU Track and Field’s sent for the triple jump.

Mason, Arkansas and Southern cumulative scores did not qualify The relay team posted a time of California, according to them to move on to the next 3:07.10, which put them in 20th gobearkats.com round. place, only the top eight moved White placed 17th in the triple Florida won the Division I on. They are the first 4X400 relay jump with 49’ 11.24” on his first track and field championships. team from SHSU to make it to

NATION & WORLD

Kings defeat Devils for first Stanley Cup The Los Angeles Kings hockey team won their first Stanley Cup by beating the New Jersey Devils.

The points started piling up after a boarding call ejected Devils player, Steve Bernier.

The Kings scored three times in less than four minutes. The Kings won 4-1.

Follow us today! @HoustonianSport

Ochocinco joins Miami Dolphins after bad season Miami has confirmed that Chad Ochocinco will be joining the Miami Dolphins football team.

Ochocinco has made the Pro Bowl six times, but had a bad season with the New England Patriots.

He posted a career low of 15 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown. Ochocinco has also competed on dancing with the starts. With joining the Dolphins, Ochocinco will be on HBO’s Hard Knocks series which will cover the Dolphins training camp through four one-hour shows.

Heat beat Celtics in Game 7 of NBA Eastern Conf. finals The Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics 101-88 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday.

James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh scored Miami’s final 31 points, including all 28 in the fourth quarter. James made a 30 foot three-pointer making it 91-84 with 5:44 left which was too much for the Celtics to overcome.

Miami will play Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA finals today.

Visit our website! www.HoustonianOnline.com

14-year-old earns spot at PGA Tour U.S. Open Champ.

A 14 –year-old from China gets into U.S. Open after Paul Casey withdrew. China officials believe Andy Zhang to be the youngest player in championship history. Zhang lost in a section qualifier playoff in Florida.

Casey pulled out due to a recurring shoulder injury.

Zhang has been part of the IMG Leadbetter Academy in Fla.

Logano breaks losing streak at Sprint Cup

Joey Logano broke his winless streak when he won the Pocono 400. Logano bumped Mark Martin out of the way for the lead with three laps to go. This is his second career Sprint Cup Victory.

join the neighborhood

pay $475 with zero down or

pay $489 with zero down & receive a $150 gift card ask about our summer specials

scan & like

2-story townhomes. private bedrooms & huge walk-in closets. resort-style amenities. individual leases. pet friendly.

apply online @ villasonsycamore.com 936.439.5234 • 1615 Sycamore Ave Rates, fees, deadlines and utilities included are subject to change / see office for details / limited time only