Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press
TODAY’S FORECAST
HI: 90o LOW: 60o
Chance of Rain:
Houstonian staff makes predictions on upcoming Emmy Award show.
0%
Art dept. clears confusion on future of photography degree
P2
One last Endeavor
Volume 122 / Issue 7
www.HoustonianOnline.com
Leonard: U.S. should focus on Obama ‘foreign policy failure’
P4 P3
Thursday, September 20, 2012
NATION & WORLD
Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth named in top dirty cities Houston isn’t just one of the fattest cities in the country. It’s also one of the dirtiest. Travel + Leisure magazine released it’s list of the top 10 dirtiest cities in the country. Houston ranked number 10. The Dallas/Forth Worth area took the number seven spot, while Austin was clean off the list. New York City was ranked the dirtiest. Houston has previously appeared in lists as being one of the top fattest cities in the nation. Follow us today! @TheHoustonian
The Galveston County Daily News, Kevin M. Cox/Associated Press
THE FINAL STOP Space Shuttle Endeavour riding atop NASA’s 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft does a low flyover escorted by a T-38 Talon at Ellington Field in Houston on Wednesday morning September 19, 2012. Endeavour will spend the night in Houston before continuing its journey from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the California Science Center in Los Angeles where it will be on permanent display.
Jobs/Economy
SHSU third in graduates getting jobs after college 2010 THECB numbers show 69.9 percent of students have employment after graduation
SOPHIE NELSON Staff Reporter The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has ranked Sam Houston State University third out of 38 public Texas four-year universities for graduates obtaining employment after recieving their baccalauraeate degree in the 2012 edition of The Texas Higher Education 2012 Almanac. SHSU President Dana L. Gibson, did not seem surprised by the report and commented that, “Sam Houston continues to educate the Texas workforce by providing a quality education.” Currently, almost 70 percent of those who receive their bachelor degree at Sam Houston find work within the next year, and another five percent have found work
while continuing their education at a Texas graduate or professional school. These numbers do not include those who have left Texas to work, but THECB has said that the out-of-state numbers will be added in the future. THECB also included in their report the employment rate for each major at Sam Houston. The baccalaureate majors that had a 100% employment rate were: Radio and Television; Public Relations/Image Management; Industrial Technology/ Technician; Operation Management and Supervision and Electrical; Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician. The baccalaureate majors that had an 85-99% employment rate were: General Agriculture; Agriculture Mechanization;
Students Entering the Workforce
69.9%
Foods, Nutritions, and Wellness Studies; Banking and Financial Support Studies; Human Resources Management/Personal Administration; and Fashion
63.3%
Merchandising. The baccalaureate majors that had an employment rate below 40% were: Philosophy and Applied Physics.
Campus Life
Residence Life close to ending dorm overcrowding issue
GEORGE MATTINGLY News Editor Sixteen students will need to wait about three more weeks before being permanently placed in residence halls after the Residence Life Department dealt with overcrowding of dorms at the opening of the Fall semester. According to Joellen Tipton, director of Residence Life, about 60 students were put in temporary rooms around campus at the beginning of the semester because of an influx of students who enrolled late and the demolition of King Hall. “With the freshman class growing, it’s harder to predict how many students we will have living on campus,” Tipton said. “Our biggest concern is the students who enroll at the last minute. It just hinders our ability to plan. Whenever they apply earlier, it makes it easier to control.” Tipton said the demolition of King Hall added to overcrowding.
To combat this, she said Residence Life made adjustments to offer several female rooms as male rooms in Sam Houston Village and in other small houses. With an average of 3,204 students living on campus over the last four years, overcrowding of residence halls is not uncommon at the beginning of the semester, especially with the number of students who apply or enroll late. Tipton outlined the alternatives Residence Life uses to help the problem. Tipton said Residence Life places students in premiumdouble rooms, which are rooms that housed three beds before, in halls like Belivn-Buchanan Hall and Estill Hall. Additionally, students are placed in Resident Adviser rooms, unused spaces in sorority houses and the University Hotel. “We move the hotel students first as soon as space is available,” Tipton said. “We begin by moving students into no-show rooms, where students originally
assigned never show up. Then, as more space becomes available, we move students in.” Usually, students are moved in by the second week of class, Tipton said. However, with one of the largest freshman classes enrolled at Sam Houston State University this fall semester, it has taken longer. “We have had one of the larger groups in the hotel [compared to previous years],” Tipton said. “Because of that, those students stay a little longer in temporary spaces and it takes longer for us to place them.” Of the 16 students awaiting placement, four are still in Resident Adviser rooms, four are in sorority houses and eight are in the University Hotel. Tipton predicts to have them moved in permanent rooms in about three weeks. As enrollment continues to rise, Tipton stressed the need for more living space on campus. “We’re excited about it,” she said. “We badly need new
The new dorm is currently planned to be built on Ave. J. buildings because it makes it harder to accommodate more students with some of our older buildings.” According to the University Master Plan, Raven Village will be used as a model to build additional dorms to accommodate a growing student population. There are currently 3,269 residential beds, and the plan anticipates needing 4,000 beds by 2020. President Dana Gibson touched on this addition to campus living in her “Sate of the University Address” earlier this month. In her address, Gibson said the university has acquired land to build a new residence hall on the south side of campus across from Raven Village. “[Planning groups] have been planning and building presentations over the next couple of months to finalize it pretty quickly,” Gibson said.
White apologizes for behavior in Tennessee Olympic gold medalist Shaun White has come out to apologize for his actions in Nashville, Tennessee a couple of days ago. White, 26, was arrested for vandalism and public intoxication at a hotel he was staying at. He was trying to run out of the hotel to get into a cab and ended up kicking a guest who tried to stop him. “I want to apologize for the unwise choices I made over the weekend and for any inconvenience it caused my family, friends, business partners, the hotel and their guests,” White said. “I was celebrating a happy occasion with a ton of family and friends and got carried away. I’m truly sorry for my poor behavior.” White won gold medals in both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Since he is only 26, he will most likely win more gold medals for USA.
Visit our website! www.HoustonianOnline.com
Chick-Fil-A may stop donating to anti-LGBT groups Nearly two months after Chikfil-a’s president announced that the company is against samesex marriage, the company has pledged to stop giving money to anti-gay groups and also to stop participating in social and political debates. The advocacy group The Civil Rights Agenda posted a press release yesterday that said a conversation with ChilkFil-A representatives that the company’s charity, WinShape, will stop donating proceeds to anti-LGBT groups, or any groups with political agendas, including the National Organization for Marriage. It also included a letter sent to franchisees saying that customers cannot be discriminated against on the basis of several factors including sexual orientation. No official word has come from the corporate office.
Page 2
News
Thursday, September 20, 2012 houstonianonline.com/news
‘No Refusal’ policy deemed success
Graphic Courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation
CRACK DOWN: The Huntsville Police Department has been cutting down on DWIs and DUIs across the city with the success of its ‘No Refusal’ policy on Sept. 6. There were five DWIs arrests and one DUI citation.
Photography major still available for students MCKINZIE BROCAIL Senior Reporter In contrast to rumors that there is no longer a photography degree offered at Sam Houston State University, art department officials declared Wednesday there is still a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. The Department got rid of the B.A. in photography at the start of this semester, but it is still possible to get a B.A. with a concentration in photography by taking Studio Art classes with electives in photography. The B.A. in photography was under the Mass Communication Department and included a minor and foreign language classes. “I heard that they are taking away the [photography] program… from an advising counselor,” photography alumnus Jessica Gomez said. “Advisors were confused at the beginning of the semester.” Finley said. “It seems they thought there wasn’t a photography major.” About six years ago, the Art Department got rid of its Bachelor of Science in photography. “It didn’t really make sense to have a B.S. in photography,” Finley said. “Students were graduating and were having trouble getting anywhere with it.” The current B.F.A. in photography is more specialized than the B.S. or B.A. were. It became evident to the Art Department instructors that the B.F.A. students had better work, better composition and better developed skills because they were immersed in so many photography classes. “The B.A. in photography students were too watered down because they took so many other classes not photography related,” Finley said. If a student is already enrolled in a photography degree that they began prior to the Fall 2012 catalog year, they can still continue that degree; they do not need to start a new degree.
LEIGHA LEWIS Staff Reporter Five DWI arrests and one DUI citation and an increased number of designated drivers have HPD deeming its Sept. 6 no refusal initiative, where a drunk driving suspect cannot refuse a breath or blood sample, a success. The purpose of the initiative was to reduce the number of drunk drivers out on the road, and that was accomplished, though
mostly by public awareness of the initiative and utilization of designated drivers rather than arrests. According to HPD Lt. Curt Landrum, the number of people arrested that night was only slightly higher than normal, but many people that were stopped had a designated driver specifically because of the press release advertising it. “We were very pleased to find that there were a number of
people that had designated drivers because we had put out the press release of the no refusal, so we look at it a success…the streets were safer because we actually had a ‘no refusal’ night,” said Landrum. Landrum also said that the force tries to do these initiatives “periodically,” with the last account of a no refusal night in the Huntsville Item being Independence Day of 2011. One of the main reasons they don’t do them more often, even though they’d love to, is because of how difficult it is to coordinate all the people it takes to make a no refusal night possible. Normally, if you get pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving and fail a field sobriety test, you will be taken into custody and a breath or blood sample will be taken. You can refuse to give a sample, in which case a search warrant will need to be obtained (not to mention your license will be suspended for at least 180 days). For that to happen, according to Lt. Landrum, somebody from the district attorney’s office needs to come from home to write the warrant, the municipal judge has to come from home to sign the warrant, a nurse has to come to take blood samples, and so on. Sometimes, by the time these steps are finished, the person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has already dropped, so
the charge turns into a refused specimen case. On a no refusal night, the people needed to execute a warrant are already prepared to do so, and the process goes much faster. As part of the press release, Chief Kevin Lunsford encouraged citizens to use one of Huntsville’s two taxi services or the use of designated drivers. He also informed them that many places around town give free soda to designated drivers and that some of the apartment complexes offer late night shuttles. The release ended with a quote from Lunsford: “Our local law enforcement community wants all citizens on the roadways to be safe. We hope this initiative contributes to that goal.” As of 2010, there were nine states that were actively conducting no refusal initiatives, including Texas. Before these tests began in Texas in 2005, the refusal rate was about 50 percent. When these initiatives began in Montgomery County, for instance, the rate dropped from around 50 percent to as low as 10 percent in 2010. Additionally, among those who refused the test and went through the warrant process, all were above the legal limit and the average BAC was more than double the limit at .19.
Students learn effects, ways to combat bullying GEORGE MATTINGLY Associate News Editor Education students learned about the effects of bullying in schools and how to combat it on Wednesday in a speech by an education professor. Chad A. Rose, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of language, literacy and special populations, who specializes in researching bullying, highlighted the effects of bullying on K-12 students and several ways for educators to counter bullying. Rose identified key ways in which teachers can fight bullying when they see it including empowering bystanders to influence minority to stop bullying, establish anti-bullying alliances, and incorporate social skills into their curriculum. “All of these students are pre-service teachers and will be in the classroom soon,” Rose said. “They need to be equipped with this information to be prepared for the classroom.” For education students in attendance, the information was beneficial to apply in the classroom. “It’s good to reinforce this information [about bullying] because academics are pushed
so much in schools and teachers are expected to teach so many things,” Stevie Mellado, senior education major, said. “Sometimes bullying is overlooked because of it.” However, Rose said the effects of bullying and how to stop it is important, not just for education students, but for everyone to know due to growing cases of bullying in other places. “[Bullying] is impacting every community,” Rose said. “There are cases where it happens at work, and even to adults. These things about stopping it are important for parents, schools and communities to know.” According to Rose, three kids committed suicide in Texas in 2010, including one near Huntsville. He added that with such recent cases, it’s important to establish self-worth, belonging to provide more options to not hurt themselves, a view shared by some students in attendance. “This message goes outside education majors because it happens in schools and gets passed down to our kids,” senior education major Casey Bayless said. “The video we saw today showed that if more people stood up about it, it would help students.”
George Mattingly | The Houstonian
SPEAKING OUT: Chad A. Rose, Ph.D., speaks to education majors about the effects of bullying and how to help their future students overcome it.
The seminar was a part of a monthly meeting of the Sam Houston Council for Exceptional Children, an organization that provides professional development opportunities for education students and keeps them updated on research and service in the field. For more information, visit the SCEC online at www.shsu.edu/~org_shcec/.
facebook.com/TheHoustonianSHSU
Shop local Eat local Spend local Enjoy local
It takes YOU to start the trend.
Fincher Fantasies
An
e tiqu G
ifts
“We can make anything out of fabric” Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
1102A 11th St. Huntsville, TX 77340 936.661.8891
hwcpo@att.net www.fincherfantasies.com
Huntsville Antique Show at out Walker County Fair Grounds iqu & Highway 30 West! e
B Gi
fts
September 15th & 16th
November 17th
Dowtown Huntsville fun Dog Show!
Page 3
Viewpoints
Thursday, September 20, 2012 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
PAWS UP
PAWS UP to the SHSU ‘Call Me Maybe’ parody video. It was amazing!
PAWS UP to Chick-Fil-A no longer donating funds to anti-gay promoters.
PAWS UP to the Houstonian for staying ahead of the curve.
PAWS DOWN
PAWS DOWN to the volleyball team losing the series to SFA.
PAWS DOWN to being dropped from all of your classes even after paying for 4/5 of them.
PAWS DOWN to Paw Print/ Starbucks being out of EVERYTHING. The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is temporarily published weekly 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 936-294-1495. The Houstonian is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Associated Collegiate Press.
Editorial Staff
Robin Johnson Faculty Adviser 936-294-1499
Stephen Green Editor-in-Chief
A bad week for America Today’s generation fails Ryan Leonard discusses President Obama’s foreign policy failures during a crucial time to live up to predecessors I continue to hear that last week was bad for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. People say he committed multiple gaffes that may have cost him the election. President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has managed to avoid the spotlight despite a multitude of foreign policy failures. On the 11th anniversary of 9/11, our embassy in Egypt posted a message on Twitter condemning a video that a growing mob appeared to be protesting. Romney blasted the administration for condemning an American citizen’s free speech. In a statement issued Sept. 12, Romney said, “I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt, instead of condemning their actions. It’s never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.” The Obama administration claims that the attack was an outpouring of anger over the YouTube video Innocence of Muslims. Their condemnation of the attack was cloaked in apology. “The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. “But let me be clear; there is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.” A statement like that would be like a judge sentencing a rapist to prison by saying, “While I agree that she shouldn’t have worn a skirt that short in such a scary part of town, I am bound by the law to send you to prison.” Shameful. The administration claims
Hi Bearkats! My name is Allyson Wiley and I have I have struggled with finances, and making the a knack for stumbling across advice. ends meet. “Should I collect all the pennies in my I love to give out advice that I have accumulated house for the electric bill?” over the years through different life experiences. I do I feel I can offer a new way of looking at college age this because I have struggled with issues but I could problems. I plan to offer a new fresh perspective on never find anyone that understood me without these problems. I will not regurgitate something that passing judgment. we have all heard a many times and wish everyone I hope to offer a point of view would stop repeating. completely based on college problems College students face a unique set and the issues we face. I feel I’m well of problems and sometimes need equipped to answer questions dealing someone to offer another viewpoint with the problems we face as college they hadn’t thought about. The students. I have been through some problem with asking people you know issues that I feel help me see the big is that they tend to know whom you picture problems. are talking about and could be biased. I have been through whether or not I will never know who you are and to confront your roommate about the I will offer you an outside viewpoint dishes and other issues dealing with on the issue. roommates. I’ve lived on and off campus Many students here at SHSU suffer and struggled with the limitations of both with their issues because they don’t ALLYSON WILEY such as “How do I make my shoebox know who to go to. Well, I am here Staff Reporter sized dorm room feel like home?” I’ve to do my best to offer a place where also been through problems with friends everyone can and ask the questions that have left me wondering, “What just happened? they are afraid to ask. What do I do now?” If you, or someone you know, is suffering from I have loved, and lost and struggled with being a problem and need advice, you can email me “good enough” for my significant other. I’ve also anonymously at awiley@houstonianonline.com. If experienced the joys and pitfalls of long-term your question is chosen, you can expect to see my relationships. response in the Viewpoints section of the newspaper.
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. Misti Jones, Viewpoints Editor, mjones@houstonianonline.com
Staff
Molly Waddell
A&E Editor mwaddell@houstonianonline.com
Matt Frazier
936-294-1505
George Mattingly
McKinzie Brocail
Misti Jones
Connor Hyde
News Editor gmattingly@houstonianonline.com
Viewpoints Editor mjones@houstonianonline.com
Cody Lewis
Sports Editor clewis@houstonianonline.com
that this is an isolated incident that sprung to life spontaneously and had nothing to do with the anniversary of 9/11; however, this is not the first attack on the United States or other western nations and organizations since the United States helped overthrow Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi last year. In April, a bomb was thrown at a UN convoy. In May, a rocketpropelled grenade was fired at a Red Cross building in Benghazi, Libya. In June, there were two attacks: one where a bomb was thrown at the front gate of the Libyan embassy that was attacked on 9/11 and a second where the British ambassador’s vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. All of these attacks show growing unrest in the region and contempt for our Western ideals. The video that the Obama administration blames for the attack was not posted to YouTube until July. In an attempt to cave to the will of the mob, the White House asked YouTube to review the video to see if it violated its terms of use. YouTube complied but determined that the video did not violate its rules; therefore, the video can still be viewed as of the writing of this article. Undeterred, the FBI has since conducted a voluntary interview
Getting to know ‘Ask Ally’
Web & Multimedia Editor mfrazier@houstonianonline.com
sgreen@houstonianonline.com
RYAN LEONARD Contributor
with filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. This is disgusting. Our right to free speech is in jeopardy because this administration will not admit that its Middle East foreign policy has been a failure. Instead they blame the filmmaker. The administration was warned by the Libyan government three days in advance of the attack, but did nothing. No additional security. No evacuation of the embassy. Just blame the filmmaker. Meanwhile, Israel just doesn’t fit into Obama’s schedule right now. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked last week to meet with Obama but was told there was no time. There is time for David Letterman, time for fundraisers and time for speeches, but there is no time for our strongest ally in an area of the world that is rife with violence. The White House has bragged that Obama is so smart he doesn’t need to attend intelligence briefings. Critics say he just takes a written report every morning and reads it himself. Given the utter failure of his administration to act on such vital intelligence that could have spared the lives of ambassador Christopher Stevens and his security, I would suggest that whoever is sworn in next January should probably attend the briefings and pay attention. What a novel idea. So, who had a bad week? Not Romney. Not Obama. We, the people of the United States, had a bad week. We lost four citizens to senseless violence. We saw our president apologize to terrorists and snub Israel. We witnessed a private citizen lose his first amendment freedom so the president could save face. Not a good week for us at all.
Senior Reporter mbrocail@houstonianonline.com Sports Reporter chyde@houstonianonline.com
Eric Fite
Graphic Designer efite@houstonianonline.com
Megan Laurie Multimedia Reporter
Samantha Villarreal
Multimedia Reporter
Samantha McCarl
Copy Editor
Brandon K. Scott Sophie Nelson Karmen King Cheyenne Simpson Jasmine Brown Morgan Mears Allyson Wiley Taylor Likens Leigha Lewis Joselynn Taylor Cody Cobb Cristina Baumann Caitlin Adamcik
CASSIE SOCHA Contributor It’s been said that those who grew up in the Great Depression are considered the “Greatest Generation” because they overcame great odds to get America working again. The US stock market collapsed and the unemployment rate had reached an all-time high at 25 percent. The depression and its generation are relevant today despite an almost 100-year gap. The economy still hasn’t recovered from the 2008 global recession, and considering everything that has occurred in the past 20 some odd years, our generation has a great potential to leave behind an incredible story about how we overcame great odds and surpassed our predecessor’s legacy. If you’re questioning the similarities, take a moment to consider everything that we have experienced in our lifetime: the sex scandal of President Bill Clinton, the breakup of the Soviet Union, 9/11, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 2008 economic collapse, and much more. We saw all of these events unfold before our eyes and how previous generations handled them, but with our generation coming of age, the future is not nearly as clear as before. Don’t get me wrong. As a member of this generation, I want nothing more than for us to surpass the legacy left by those before us. After all, we have more access to technology and education than any other generation in the history of mankind. But is that access really helping us in reality? E-mail has replaced the art of letter writing. Interpersonal communication skills have dropped severely since the birth of social media and the internet, and we’re becoming lazier as each year passes because of our access to the latest and greatest technology. As individuals we’re becoming more detached from each other, and this is making our generation less cohesive and less focused on solving global issues. If you don’t believe that we’re lazier than our predecessors, take the music industry as an example. Queen produced “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1975—a song that is still widely popular to this day. It was written by one man, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury. Compare it to the top hit from today’s charts, say will.i.am’s “This is Love” featuring Eva Simmons. It is written by six writers and will eventually be lost to time like so many before it. This one example is a clear indicator that this generation is not living up to its full potential or making the changes that need to be made. So why are we wasting such potential and talent just to come up short? As future leaders it is our job to continue an incredible legacy. If we just coast by, will we truly be able to become the next “Greatest Generation,” or will we just be those who accepted the world the way it was and didn’t care to change the world for the better? To make a change and be satisfied the answer is simple, surpass our predecessors, become the true “Greatest Generation,” and leave a world worth living in.
Business Staff Paty Mason
Business Manager 936-294-1500
pmason@houstonianonline.com
Stacy Hood
Advertising Manager shood@houstonianonline.com
Brianna Smith
Production Manager bsmith@houstonianonline.com
Brianna Drisdale
Promotions Director bdrisdale@houstonianonline.com
Account Executives
Steve Sears
ssears@houstonianonline.com
Keelani Cabrera
kcabrera@houstonianonline.com
Daniel Brown
Ad Executive dbrown@houstonianonline.com
Christina Molina
Delivery Manager cmolina@houstonianonline.com
Ad Deadlines Tuesday’s Issue Friday at 5 p.m. Thursday’s Issue Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Page 4
Arts&Entertainment
Thursday, September 20, 2012 houstonianonline.com/a-e
Play’s controversial plot sure to get SHSU audience talking
‘The Boys Next Door’ to showcase comedy JASMINE BROWN Staff Reporter
Eric Fite | The Houstonian
DISTORTED RELATIONSHIP. SHSU Theatre Department’s first play of the year, “Oleanna”, brings about a controversial topic: a professor and a student’s relationship that includes violence and allegations of sexual harrassment. The director hopes the performance will provoke intellectual discussions.
MOLLY WADDELL A&E Editor The Sam Houston State University will be putting on Oleanna, a controversial play about a relationship between a student and professor. “Oleanna” by David Mamet is about a professor, John, and his student, Carol. Carol comes to John asking for help with class, so he helps her. Soon the lines between student and teacher become blurred. Carol eventually accuses John of sexual harassment. Unfortunately John is in the process of getting tenure and buying a house. Carol ruins this for him. Michelle Ritter, senior theatre major and director of “Oleanna”, proposed the play, along with others, to the theatre department. They then picked the play “Oleanna” and Ritter to direct. Ritter liked the controversy of the play. “At first I was really attracted to the relationship between the two characters in the show,” Ritter said. “The way that David Mamet writes it really reveals how they feel about each other and what they are doing in this place. As I read it a couple of more times I thought it was appropriate for the political climate we are in right now.”
According to Ritter, the play is the rest of it relevant. written in a way that the audience Another reason the play is can’t really tell who’s good and interesting is because it all takes who’s bad. Both characters are place in John’s office. both human, they are both wrong “It actually gives you interesting and right at the same time. This dynamics between the two is like in any teacher-student characters because they can’t get relationship. out of the space, there is nowhere “We are in a college setting and else to go,” Ritter said. “It’s basically the play is about like a interesting because the author college professor puts them in this As I read it a couple space for a reason. and college student and I feel like a lot of more times I thought He kind of traps of people can relate it was appropriate for them and that’s what to the situation the political climate we creates the conflict.” whether you’re on are in right now. Since it is about - Michelle Ritter the professor side or normal everyday student side,” Ritter people, there are no said. “I feel like it could start a lot major clothing changes. of discussion around here.” Ritter is excited about this Ritter wants the audience to play in more ways than one. The have an experience that makes whole play is put together, acted, them think. It is not that kind of and designed by students. play that is laid out with a clear “We have our faculty advisors explanation. and they have helped us out a lot, “It’s not black and white. It’s but I feel like it’s really impressive not written out for you, nobody that Sam Houston can do this explains it to you,” Ritter said. kind of thing and allow students “You kind of have to make up to push the bounds and get hands your own mind about these two on experience,” Ritter said. “I people and the situation.” think it’s a great opportunity The play to her is like a “catalyst” for all of us who are involved as for people to sit down and talk to students.” each other about an intelligent Ritter took a lot away from theatre experience. having the opportunity to direct Ritter did not have to this play. modernize the play too much “I learned to trust myself and because it was written in the my instincts I think that’s going 1990’s. The only thing she had to to be important in the field of add was a laptop and a cell phone; theatre as I continue directing
“
“
The Huntsville Community Theatre will be debuting a production called “The Boys Next Door” on Friday at 7:30 p. m. The play, written by Tom Griffin, is a comedy that gives the audience access to the lives of four disabled men. It aims to entertain in a way that, though comedic, is non-mocking. “The Boys Next Door” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. “This is one of the sweetest plays I’ve ever read,” play director, Rebecca Cobo, said. “Although it is a story of four handicapped men who are just trying to get by in a confusing world -- like we all are in some ways -- we meet all kinds of characters who are also handicapped in some way – like we all are. It’s funny, actually hilarious, as we follow the men through their everyday lives, but it is tender and real and touching. I don’t think you’ll find a theatrical performance with more heart!” President of the Huntsville Community Theatre Board of Directors, CEC Barton-Murrah is pleased that the theatre will be putting on such a production. “HCT is excited to produce ‘The Boys Next Door,’ it isn’t often that a theatrical company has the opportunity to produce a play that not only entertains, but educates and informs as well,” Barton-Murrah said, “ ‘The Boys Next Door’ does just that!” The Huntsville Community Theatre aims to be a significant theatrical resource for the citizens of Huntsville and surrounding areas. A large part of its mission is to provide the Huntsville community the opportunity for personal growth and achievement in an atmosphere of mutual respect, support and enjoyment while promoting theatrical arts in the community. Since its founding in 1988, the theatre has performed over 100 theatrical productions. Located on 10th street, the J. Philip Gibbs, Jr. Centre for the Performing Arts is the theatre’s home. The theatre plans to have at least two more productions this year; ‘Drac’s Back’ and ‘Trip to Bountiful’. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for military/seniors and $5 for children/students. For more information on the theatre, future productions, and show dates and times, contact the theatre at 936-291-7933 or visit their website at http://www. huntsvillecommunitytheatre. org/.
and acting,” Ritter said. Ritter also took away the idea of team work. “I learned there is a lot of team work going on you have to trust each other a lot,” Ritter said. “Actors trust directors, directors trust designers, designers trust themselves and each other.” Ritter realized the work couldn’t just be for her. “Putting on a show like this has taught me that other people are important in the creative work,” Ritter said. “You have to make sure that you include everyone else. If it is just you…if it’s just for you then what’s the point. It should be for other people and other people should contribute.” Ritter gave one insight into a surprise at the end of the show. “We are doing something really interesting with lights, the concept that sometimes even in really real life situations, reality kind of breaks for you sometimes,” Ritter said. “So at the very end there is something really cool that we are doing with the lights, but everyone will have to come see it to see what I’m talking about.” “Oleanna” will be running from Sept. 26- 29 at 8 p.m. in the Performance Theatre, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on the 29. Tickets are $10. To preorder tickets, call 936-294-1339.
Outstanding Comedy Series Big Bang Outstanding Drama Series Breaking Bad Outstanding Reality Program So You Think You Can Dance Outstanding Miniseries or Movie American Horror Story
Provided by Huntsville Community Theatre
Outstanding Variety Series
TRIP TO PARIS: Actors Kent David Reed and Rosie L. Angus perform a scene from the play “The Boys Next Door.” The play opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Colbert Report
ASIAN STAR CHINESE CUISINE
NOW OPEN!!
LOCATED AT 1523 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340 Behind First Victoria Bank! Open Sun. - Thurs. 11:00am - 9:30pm Fri. and Sat. 11:00am - 10:30pm
COOKING BEFORE YOUR EYES BENIHANA STYLE!
• Hibachi Grill
• Super Fresh Sushi
• FREE SAKE FOR 21+ • B.Y.O.B.
Phone: (936) 295-3383 Fax: (936) 295-3503
Page 5
Sports
Thursday, September 20, 2012 houstonianonline.com/sports
MLB post-season predictions: Texas Rangers take all in 2012
Volleyball falls in five sets to SFA CODY LEWIS Sports Editor
Eric Fite| The Houstonian
STRIKE OUT. Sports Reporter Connor Hyde believes that after losing two consecutive World Series, the Texas Rangers will be crowned champions in 2012.
CONNOR HYDE Sports Reporter The old coach’s sermon “defense wins championships” can surely apply in late inning play, but as the race for October nears in the MLB, pitching depth will determine how deep teams will advance into the post-season. Familiar faces will return to the post-season this year, including the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. But with the emphasis on the pitching rotation, NL east division leader Washington Nationals will have their presence heard in the playoffs with four top 40 pitchers in their arsenal. Although the wins were low scoring games, (3-2 against the Rays, 3-1 against the Orioles), strong pitching performances from starters such as Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez allowed the Nationals’ offense to produce. Overall, Washington has a record of 89-57 with a five-and-a-half game lead on NL Wild Card contender Atlanta Braves. This season the Nationals are 10-8 against AL opponents. With the late season decision by Nationals Manager Davey Johnson to shut down Strasburg (15-6) to preserve his arm after his Tommy John surgery in 2010, Washington’s pitching rotation will rely on the arms of Gonzalez, Zimmermann and Detwiler to carry them deep into the post-season brackets. Although Strasburg ranks as one of the top pitchers in the league, his absence will not hinder the Nationals’ pitching success in the post season. Gonzalez (19-8) will assume the role
Strasburg left behind as the bullpen leader. With an ERA of 2.95, Gonzalez has tamed opponents by throwing a career high of 196 strikeouts and only allowing nine homeruns this season. Gonzalez has yet to make an appearance in the post-season in his six years in the majors, but with the season numbers he has posted, Gonzalez will carry Washington’s pitching rotation deep into the post-season. In the American League, the Rangers will mow their way through their bracket to make their third World Series appearance in the past three years. This year the Rangers had eight players make it to the AL All-Star team including AL homerun leader Josh Hamilton, rookie phenom pitcher Yu Darvish, Mike Napoli, Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison and Joe Nathan. With such a veteran lineup, which has experienced two World Series appearances in the past two years together, the Rangers third appearance should be the charm after losing the previous series. However, the Rangers pitching is their weakest link. After having three blown saves in game six of the 2011 World Series against the Cardinals, the Rangers handed the Cardinals the title in game seven. This year, injuries have plagued Texas’ bullpen. Pitchers Mike Adams, Roy Oswalt, Tanner Scheppers, Colby Lewis, and Neftali Feliz are listed on the disabled list, with Feliz and Lewis out for the season. If the Rangers can control the amount of injuries within their lineup the
NHL owners lockout players
Mark Humphrey | Associated Press
LOCKED OUT. The National Hockey League’s owners are choosing a lockout until the players accept their latest offer.
TOM KENYON Contributor Hockey fans from all around are wondering why must there be a stoppage of play—especially after the 2011-12 NHL season. Since the last time this scenario presented itself, the NHL has become an exciting spectator sport. The assurance that if you go to a game, a fight breaks out is enough to reel any sports fan in. They also promised higher scoring games. In the
end, you are guaranteed a very entertaining game. That is until the big executives break out the books. Why must good things come to an end? The last NHL lockout occurred seven years ago. At that time, history was made when the entire 200405 season was cancelled. But with the addition of the shootout and stricter rule enforcement, as well as elimination of the “2 line pass” rule and sizing down goaltenders’ pads helped to
bring hockey to an all-time high in fan support. In order to keep the support from their fans, the Players Association has to agree on a salary cut or be locked out. There’s not much to look forward to by going deeper into the lockout. Both parties are still far apart on a 50/50 split of the $3 billion revenue, so they are still quite a way from reaching a compromise. Honestly, it doesn’t appear that the 2012-13 season will begin on the scheduled date of Oct. 11, much like last year’s NBA lockout. But when the players’ salaries cease, however, players will begin to feel the pressure to get back on the ice so checkwriting can continue. If, on the other hand, the players feel strongly about losing income, they may just end up seeking to play in other leagues or countries and let the lockout continue. After all the players do want to get out on the ice, even if it’s in a different area of the world. With that said, until an agreement hits the table, the only fight we have to look forward to is between the NHLPA and the team owners.
next three weeks, they, without a doubt, will make their third appearance in the World Series. The MLB regular season ends Oct. 3 and although the Yankees will once again make another appearance in the post-season, Derek Jeter can only do so much. Alex Rodriguez’s seemingly permanent spot on the disabled list, and the absence of veteran closer Mariano Rivera will keep the Yankees out of the second round. Although the Yankees were the first team in the MLB to achieve 60 wins this season, the New York franchise is barely holding onto the AL East as they are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for first place. In the end, Texas will be crowned as champions this year but the 2012 post-season will be a pitcher’s battle ground. With the Washington Nationals making their first appearance in the playoffs, and the veteran Ranger’s squad, the World Series will hinge on the depth of the pitching rotation of each team.
The Sam Houston State volleyball team fell in five sets to Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin Tuesday night in Nacogdoches, despite the Bearkats’ valiant efforts to get in the win column against their arch rivals. The last time the Bearkats traveled to Nacogdoches, they won in five sets. The Lumberjacks really had to earn the victory as they snuck past the Bearkats 25-20, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-6. SHSU is now 5-9 for the year, and 1-2 in conference action. SFA has a season record of 11-3, and are 2-0 in Southland Conference play. There were a total of 26 ties and 10 lead changes in the first four sets, but in the fifth set, SFA jumped to a 5-1 lead that the Kats simply could not bounce back from. SFA’s Jill Ivy scored the winning attack on match point. Deveney Wells-Gibson led the Kats with 22 kills and Haley Neisler followed with 14. Neisler also had five blocks in the game, and Tayler Gray assisted 39 of the 50 total kills for Sam Houston. Both Gray and Wells-Gibson had 15 digs. Kendall Cleveland also contributed with eight kills in the game. The Bearkats will be back in action this Saturday against conference rivals Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The last two times these two teams met up, both games went to five sets and each team won on their home court. Action will start at 1 p.m. in Corpus Christi. For more information on the Sam Houston Volleyball team, including schedule and statistics, visit gobearkats.com.
Eric Church s r e n n i W Contest
Julie Dahlberg “At your next party, don’t have me fetch and then pass out! I been holdin’ this all night!”
Ryan Leonard “My stupid underaged master drank himself to death. Can I live here?”
Page 6 Thursday, September 20, 2012 houstonianonline.com
touri hin 48 hours of it w se a le & k o lo
n g & ge t
R E B M E SEPT RENT FREE
plus, get zero down
2-story townhomes + private bedrooms huge walk-in closets + resort-style amenities
APPLY ONLINE TODAY @ VILLASONSYCAMORE.COM 936.439.5234 • 1615 Sycamore Ave Premier Sponsor of SHSU Athletics limited time only. rates, fees, deadlines and utilities included are subject to change.
Sam Houston State University
2012 Career Expo & Graduate School Fair Wednesday, September 26, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bernard Johnson Coliseum Professional Dress Attire - Bring Copies of Your Resume!
Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors:
For more information contact: SHSU Career Services ABIV, Suite 210 936-294-1713 www.shsu.edu/careerservices