Vol 117— Issue 5
Huntsville, Texas
SPORTS
WINTER STORM WATCH
SHSU professor shares personal experience in starting the Super Bowl
At this time class is expected to continue as usual. President Dana Gibson said to check Sam Houston social media and your Sam e-mail before heading to campus on Friday morning.
SEE page 5
Thursday, February 3, 2011
INDEX
Entertainment............page 5
Viewpoints................page 2
Special...................page 6
Campus.................page 3
Sports....................page 7 Sports....................page 8
Special......................page 4
Two year prospects grim for TEXAS Grants
Higher education budget cuts calls for 37 percent program reduction By Kolby Flowers Senior Reporter
University President Dana Gibson, Ph.D., responded to a recently published state budget estimate which recommended a five percent cut to higher education. The recommendations, which come from the state legislature, would implement a 37 percent reduction to the Texas Higher Education
Board, which provides grant money to students. “It’s very important to emphasize that these are just recommendations,” Gibson said. “Its really very preliminary to say there are going to be large cuts [like these] to the Texas Grant Program.” The budget calls for a reduction in the number of students receiving grants to be reduced from approximately
86,000 to 50,000 students in 2012 and to 27,000 in 2013. The university currently awards about $3.4 million in Texas Grants, according to Gibson. “For us, if we were to look at those proportional amount of cuts we would lose approximately $2 million over the [next two years],” Gibson said. “About 500 to 600 students have this grant and if these
cuts happen, the number of students would go down to probably around 200 to 250 students.” Gibson says this would affect the students with the biggest financial needs. “Our needs-based students are important,” Gibson said. “Right now the university is looking at this and planning ways that we can handle this and minimize the impacts. If we were to lose some funds
that fund basic education we would have to look at programs that were not so productive.” Christina Smith, a senior, said she hopes budget cuts, if any, would be even across the board. “No one program should suffer more from something beyond their control,” Smith said. Gibson pointed out that state recommended cuts
usually start out very high, but typically become much lower than expected. “Recommendations at the first of any legislative session always seem to be more stringent than as the session progresses,” Gibson said. According to Gibson, this proposal would automatically eliminate new students and it would also impact some 300 to 350 current students.
Faces of the revolution
Social media and Egyptian youth play role in historical movement By Meagan Ellsworth Editor-in-Chief
Images of fear and rage flash across the across CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, on all evening news broadcasts, through Twitter and Huffington Post. These are not only the faces of elders worn with regret, but students the same age as the student body at SHSU risking everything for the future of Egypt. After 30 years of dictatorship, millions of young Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand the President’s removal from power. They used social media to organize, while Al Jazeera carried their voice and action across the globe in an event that has strategic implications for the United States. YOUTH AND REVOLT “College students are at the center of the uprising,” said Mohamad Elmasry, Ph.D, assistant professor of mass communication at Qatar University who researches the Egyptian media. “This has been termed the ‘Youth’s Revolt’ because the overwhelming majority of protesters and organizers are young people.” Elmasry, who is Egyptian American, told the Houstonian that elders
representing opposition parties, the Muslim Brotherhood and Mohamed El-Baradei, joined in after the youth had begun the protests. The protestors are demanding Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak step down for several reasons. “First, people believe that 30 years in power is more than enough, particularly given the socioeconomic conditions of the country, which are steadily worsening,” Esmasry said. “Second, people are fed up with what they see as widespread government corruption and repression of opposition voices.” The risks the youth and others are taking for change have amplified as the country falls deeper into turmoil and as pro-Mubarak demonstrators push back, littering the streets with Photo courtesy of Iman Mosaad | Flickr violence. Photo Illustration by Jared Wolf | The Houstonian “It is a life and death quite HISTORICAL UPRISING. After 30 years of dictatorship, millions of young Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand the President’s literally,” said Elmasry, removal from power.They used social media to organize, while Al Jazeera carried their voice and action across the globe. who frequently visits Egypt, where most of his been many casualties.” change,” Elmasry said. are rigged,” Elmasry said. freedom. So the only hope family lives. “We’ve seen Yet, as the world has seen In the United States, “Journalists and opposing for involvement is the type government security forces in the news coverage of the students can vote and get political voices are regularly of involvement you’re seeing use deadly force on dozens protests, the youth stands involved actively in politics, arrested and tortured, and now on your television of protesters. I don’t know if firm. but in Egypt it is a different some influential opposing screen.” we’ll get an accurate count of “Many of them have said story. political voices are exiled dead and injured, but videos they are willing to sacrifice “In Egypt, presidential and forbidden re-entry circulating on the internet their lives in order to see and parliamentary elections into Egypt. There is little — See EGYPT, page 3 show clearly that there have
Huntsville City Hall officially bans K2, Salvia within city limits By Jessica Priest
Web/ Multimedia Editor
Photo courtesy of DEA
“Despite warnings from both Lunsford and Fitch, Councilmember Dr. Tom Cole expressed concern with how little information the council was given about K2’s harmful effects both to individuals and the community. Last November’s ordinance to extend the sale of alcohol to 2 a.m. provided the council with much more concrete evidence of its potential effects, he said.”
The City of Huntsville took a preemptive strike against the growing popularity of K2 by banning the psychedelicallypackaged substance on Monday by a vote of 7 to 2. K2 is a synthetic form of marijuana. Commonly sold in convenience stores, smoke shops and the internet, it is marketed as incense and labeled as “not for human consumption.” Regardless of this warning, many people are using the substance to get high, and a number of hospitalizations, as many as 16 states, have been reported, according to a database search of the nation’s newspapers. Huntsville Police Chief Kevin Lunsford said Huntsville is no different. “We have had some instances [of people ingesting K2 and being hospitalized because of it] here in Huntsville,” he said. City councilmember and
University Police Department Deputy Chief James Fitch, who originally proposed the ordinance, formerly known as Ordinance 2011-19, agreed. He called councilmembers to action. “Anytime you have people ingesting something that says blatantly on the bag ‘not for human consumption,’ and they are ingesting it, I think there is definitely a hazard,” Fitch said. “We have had people who are being hospitalized [because of ingesting K2] in Huntsville, and [K2] has caused deaths, not here – luckily. “Yes, at some point, the state is looking at banning it, the federal government is looking at banning it, and we can sit back and wait, but, like I said at our last meeting, it is my belief that, if we sit back and wait on state, anybody that dies here in Huntsville from this, it’s on us.” In November 2010, the DEA moved to temporarily control the chemicals found in
K2, according to the Federal Register. The temporary control would make possessing and selling K2 illegal for one year while the agency further studies the chemicals’ effects. Despite warnings from both Lunsford and Fitch, Councilmember Dr. Tom Cole expressed concern with how little information the council was given about K2’s harmful effects both to individuals and the community. Last November’s ordinance to extend the sale of alcohol to 2 a.m. provided the council with much more concrete evidence of its potential effects, he said. “I know that [Fitch] is up to his elbows with this on a day-by-day basis,” Cole said. “We’ve had two readings of this, which often is enough to get something passed, but I get the idea that we’re being rushed on this, and we don’t have the full picture.”
— See K2, page 3
FREE FOOD The first 100 Bearkat fans to Saturday’s men’s basketball game will receive a coupon for three free combo meals at Paw Print Dining Facility, courtesy of Aramark. During half-time, students can also compete to receive free meal plans for the rest of the semester.
AROUND THE WORLD
Yasi makes landfall
Tropical Cyclone Yasi hit the Northeastern of Australia’s Queensland coast late Wednesday night. No injuries have been reported, but the storm left nearly 17,000 without power. According to news.au website, the core of Yasi was large enough to cover most of the United States and Europe. Yasi is devastating following severe flooding in January that covered 75 percent of Queensland, destroying thousands of homes and killing 20 people. “As many as 3.1 million people were affected by the floods last month,” According to CNN. SHSU International Programs office said there are six Australian students, including Bearkat Athletes, who are studying abroad at Sam Houston State University.
Viewpoints
Page 2 Thursday, February 3, 2011
houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
Letter to the Student Body
I’m tired of all the bull
Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni:
Kendall Scudder argues that Republicans
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.
are pointing their finger to the wrong place I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. I’m tired of the spending. I’m tired of big government. I’m tired of the political elitism. I’m tired of the Republicans. (Double take? You heard me right.) A citizen on the sidelines, sitting at home watching and keeping up with the news the best he can between jobs, has talking points and misinformation spewed at him every day from the Republican powers that be. “The Democrats want to spend their way out of our deficit!” he’ll hear them say. They’ll tell him “the Democrats want to take away [his] individual freedoms.” It’s almost as if they don’t realize that we can see through all of their bull. My momma always told me that whenever I point a finger, there’s always three pointing right back at me, and it’s no different in this case. Texas, a state that has had no statewide elected Democrats for over a decade, is now facing a $27 billion (that’s nine zeros) budget
shortfall, and there’s just no way to spin it; it is because of the irresponsible, liberal spenders: the Republicans. But it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen irresponsible, liberal republican spending. The whole nation sat and watched as the national Republicans turned a budget surplus, which was created by President Bill Clinton and other Democrats, into the largest budget deficit in American history. In fact, this country hasn’t seen a balanced budget put forth by a Republican president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Quite to the opposite of the tone we hear in scary Republican commercials, the Democrats have always managed to one up the Republicans in a record of fiscal conservatism, only faltering on that when having to clean up Republican messes. The Conservative hostility shouldn’t just stop at the excessive Republican spending. Every day, Republicans suggest that the size of government shrink
Stephen Green Viewpoints Editor sgreen@houstonianonline.com
in the same breath that they argue for the government to reach into your personal life. Whether they’re snooping in your bedroom, fighting to keep you plugged in at the hospital, tapping your phone, groping you at an airport, or searching your couch cushions for pot, the Republicans try to control everything in your life that they don’t agree with. I’m just a southern, conservative Democrat trying to get all of my ducks in a row, but it’s hard to do that when every day, all I get
is mixed messaging from a party that spews one talking point, but does something completely different. When push comes to shove and it all comes down to the wire, the fact of the matter is that the Republican Party has failed when it comes to balancing a statewide or national budget and they don’t give a rip about your individual freedoms. - Kendall is a guest columnist for the Houstonian. He is also the president emeritus of the Bearkat Democrats.
Comedy Center
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) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press.
CORRECTION In the column titled, “Arab world in crisis, now what?” the attribution should have read. “Karmen is the president of the Middle East Studies Student Support Group.”
Tech talk:
The best is yet to come
Kolby Flowers urges Verizon customers to wait for the iPhone
All cartoons courtesy of creators.com.
Today, Verizon begins pre-orders for the Apple iPhone 4G for its current customers only. Noncustomers will be able to purchase the phone on February 10. It will be sold at $199 for the 16 GB model with a new, two-year contract. Many people speculate the large numbers of people are going to drop AT&T and switch to Verizon. That may be the case, but I suggest you wait. The current model of the Verizon iPhone is set to run on Verizon’s CDMA network. This means that it will not run on Verizon’s 4G network and only their 3G network. It also means that, unlike AT&T’s iPhone, you will not be able to talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time.
Apple said making the iPhone on Verizon’s 4G network would “force them to do some design changes” they were not comfortable with making at the time. Also available on the current Verizon iPhone is the “Hotspot” feature. This allows you to connect up to five WiFi devices for an additional fee. AT&T’s iPhone does not currently allow you to do that. The real reason why you should wait, however, is because of the rumored launch of the iPhone 5G this summer. Apple hasn’t officially said anything about a fifth generation iPhone but since the release of the original iPhone, Apple has released a new phone every summer. This phone is likely to run on Verizon’s 4G network
- Kolby is the Senior Reporter for the Houstonian. He is also a Senator for the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication.
Yutaka Tsutano | Flickr.com
Quick Thoughts By Stephen Green Viewpoints Editor
Reporters in Egypt: Today I saw Anderson Cooper (among other Western journalists) come under fire while trying to report the news. As an American, I’m appalled. As a journalist, it makes me angry. First, attacking Western journalists will definitely make Americans, among others, side with the pro-Mubarak forces. If they want the American populous to support their effort to resolve this, the way is not to kill Anderson Cooper and Katie Couric. That being said, reporters need to get far away from the violence. I understand that the story is inside the mosh pit, but being killed, or kidnapped, would spark an international war and civil unrest. So reporters, as ballsy and awesome as you are, get out.
and AT&T’s 4G network. There are hundreds of rumors of what might be available on a fifth generation iPhone. One of the more popular rumors is that the new iPhone would support near field communication (NFC). This means the iPhone would turn into a “mobile wallet”. You would be able to simply wave your iPhone at a cash register and pay for your items. Now, I am a hardcore Verizon fan as well as a dedicated Apple user. I am the proud owner of a Macbook Pro, iPod 4G, iPad, and an Apple developer and a soon-to-be iPhone owner. So I feel like it is my civic duty to persuade you to get an iPhone on Verizon regardless if you can wait or not. If you cant wait and must have an iPhone now then the current 4G model will suffice for anyone switching from AT&T or is a first time iPhone user. But if you want the best iPhone experience then you should wait till the summer for the iPhone 5G on the Verizon Wireless network.
The Houstonian Editorial
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meagan Ellsworth...............................................................936-294-1505 SECTION EDITORS Mike Silva.............................................................................Senior Editor Jessica Priest.......................................................Multimedia/Web Editor Erin Peterson..................................................................Associate Editor Stephen Green..............................................................Viewpoints Editor Brandon Scott.........................................................................Sports Editor Thomas Merka........................................................Entertainment Editor Jared Wolf.......................................................................Graphic Designer STAFF Kolby Flowers................................................................. Senior Reporter Lotis Butchko.................................................................Sports Reporter Jessica Gomez......................................................................Photographer
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Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
News
Page 3 Thursday, February 3, 2011
houstonianonline.com/news
Study links cigarettes to breast cancer New study out of Harvard University analyzes over 111,000 women, cautions that smoking may increase risk for breast cancer
the study was limited in the fact that passive smoking can be difficult to assess and quantify. Light and moderate smoking did not seem to raise breast cancer either, the researchers stated. In short, “heavy smokers who started smoking early in life, smoked for a long duration and smoked a high
quantity were at highest risk of [breast cancer], supporting an independent and additive effect from various smoking measures on breast carcinogenesis,” said Xue and colleagues. While the researchers have not discovered why smoking increases risk of breast cancer, it is believed that it is possible that the toxins
produced by tobacco may be stored in breast tissue. Amanda Sandford of Action on Smoking and Health, an anti-smoking charity, said, “As this is such a big study, it does seem that we can now say with some degree of confidence that breast cancer can be added to the ever-growing list of serious diseases that can be
caused by smoking.” Tobacco has already been linked as a cause of several other cancers, particularly lung cancer, as well as heart disease. “No organ in the human body is immune to the effects of tobacco smoke, and so it is plausible that cancer could strike anywhere,” said Sandford. Many contest the results of the study. “Smokers tend to drink more alcohol than nonsmokers. The risk of breast cancer is clearly related to alcohol consumption, and the analysis of the association between breast cancer and smoking among women who drink are inextricably cofounded by the effect of alcohol,” said Professor Valerie Beral of Cancer Research UK. Delyth Morgan of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a breast cancer charity, agrees. “A number of studies have investigated the potential link between smoking and breast cancer with conflicting results, and more research is needed to clarify a direct association between the two,” she said. Regardless of their conflicting opinions about the new study, all parties agree on one thing: “Irrespective of any potential breast cancer risk, smoking is associated with lung cancer and other cancers, as well as heart disease, and we would strongly advise all women and men not to smoke,” said Morgan. In a separate study from Taipei Medical University, researchers studied the effects of nicotine with both normal cells and breast cancer cells. Headed by Dr. YuanSoon Ho, the team found that normal cells treated with nicotine developed cancer characteristics. Ho found that human breast cancer cells consistently produced the alpha-9 subunit of the nicotine acetylcholine receptor (a9-nAChr). The production was higher in
MEDIA Technology -- particularly mobile phones and social networking sites -- was crucial to organizing protest efforts. “Mubarak recognized the central role of technology which is why he took the unprecedented steps of shutting down Egypt’s internet connection and mobile phone network,” Elmasry said. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have facilitated the large-scale collaboration of opposition voices. “I don’t think so many millions of people, living in diverse regions of the country and representing a diversity of political voices, would have been able to organize and coordinate these protests as quickly and effectively as they did without the use of technology,” Elmasry said. King said while the role of social media was significant, it is not as vast as many think. “The majority of protesters in Egypt, and in Tunisia, are very poor, so they really didn’t have access to things like Facebook and Twitter,” she said. “When we see protests in
Algeria and Yemen later this week there will be even less of a social media presence.” King downplayed the impact of Mubarak’s decision to shut down the internet. “The shutdown of the internet, while horrifying to Western minds, was only a mere annoyance as many in Egypt who did have internet were still on dial-up connections, which is how many Europeans were able to redirect internet traffic out of Egypt.” Lissa Willason, former SHSU student said she was unaware that the internet could be shut down. “I think it’s insanity that they actually shut down the internet to stop the protesting,” Willason said. “I understand that cell phone usage and the internet help a lot with the planning of the protesting, but to turn it off all together? That’s way extreme.” The Egyptian government’s decision to shut down the internet has lawmakers in Washington advocating for a similar ability to be given to the president. “[I’m] definitely a little bit
concerned since [Congress] revived [Sen. Joseph] Lieberman’s bill,” Willason said. “I’m not a fan of Obama or any president having the option to decide to turn off the internet or certain pages/ components of the internet for ’cyber terrorism.’” AL JAZEERA AND THE EGYPTIAN PRESS International news service provider, Al-Jazeera has been providing nonstop reporting from the scenes of the protests, even sharing some coverage under creative commons for other news organizations. “Their strategy has been to allow the protesters and organizers to speak, and do little of their own analysis,” Elmasry said. “As expected, the Egyptian state media has done nothing except deliver a stream of pro-Mubarak messages and denigrate the protesters. If ratings figures ever come out, they’ll show that nearly all Arabs, including Egyptians, were watching AlJazeera and that almost no one was watching the state-run news channels.” THE IMPACT While some students may
not realize the impact of the long-distance events in the Middle East and Africa at this time, Esmasry said Egypt is a strategically important country, and stability in Egypt is important to the United States and other western countries. “Unfortunately, successive U.S. administrations have propped up Mubarak as they have done with other dictators because they have seen him as better serving American strategic interests,” Elmasry said. “I hope this uprising serves as a wake up call to the American government, that they should support democracy with their actions and policies as often as they support it with their words.” He said all lovers of freedom and democracy should support the popular, democratic protests in Egypt. “We’re witnessing an historical event of monumental importance,” he said. “A nation of 80 million, ruled by a dictator for 30 years, is finally standing up, in the face of massive obstacles against them.”
Fitch responded to Cole’s concerns by saying the absence of those businesses in question spoke volumes. “I think if this was going to close down someone’s business, we would have heard from them, and that has not occurred at either meeting. They sell plenty of other things besides K2 and Salvia,” Fitch said. Overall, he said, that Huntsville’s ban of K2, or approval of Ordinance 2011-19, which would amend the Huntsville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 “Health and Sanitation,” by adding a new Article IV to be entitled “Illegal Smoking Products and Illegal Smoking
Paraphernalia,” would not be a ground-breaking event. “We’re not the first city in the state of Texas that has banned this. There are numerous, numerous cities that have done this same thing, before us,” he said. Willis banned the sale of K2 in December, and the city of Conroe approved an ordinance prohibiting the use and sale of Salvia divinorum, a plant that becomes a hallucinogen when smoked. Salvia is not the same as K2. It is a plant that becomes a hallucinogen when smoked, according to the Conroe Courier. Seven councilmembers voted in favor of Huntsville’s
proposed ordinance and two opposed it. Councilmember Jack Wagamon was in favor. “I don’t think people ought to be smoking things they can’t spell. This has got to be bad for you,” Wagamon said. The university community, especially students, has had varied reactions to the ban of K2. “I’ve no doubt [smoking K2] is a stupid thing to do, but it seems to be a cop-out to what is a much larger problem: college kids doing stupid things,” Adam Robinson, a history major, said. “There is no such legislation banning alcohol, nor should there be, yet that particular vice manages to kill thousands.”
In addition to the ban of K2, the amended ordinance will also make the possession of paraphernalia used to smoke K2 illegal if police can prove an individual intended to use the item to smoke the now illegal substance. It is not currently known when this ban will go into effect, if the ban is effective now or how long the grace period for local vendors who sell the substance may be. Senior Reporter Kolby Flowers and Senior Editor Mike Silva contributed to this report.
By Erin Peterson Associate News Editor Researchers have found a potential link between breast cancer and smoking, according to a Harvard University study released on Jan. 24. In the first part of the study, Dr. Fei Xue of Harvard University and colleagues examined data from the Nurses’ Health Study, which spanned the years between 1982 and 1996. In this study, there were 3,140 cases of invasive breast cancer, or breast cancer that has spread outside of the breast tissue and into the lymph nodes of the armpit or beyond into the brain, bones, liver or lungs. After this first study, the researchers extended their analysis to include all cases of invasive breast cancer identified between 1976 and 2006. This allowed Xue and colleagues to examine the records of 111,140 women who responded to biennial questionnaires about health, history and lifestyle. Of these women, there were 8,772 new cases of breast cancer. Through this study, they found that the rate among women who were current smokers was 30 percent higher than the risk for women who had never smoked. Women who start smoking before age 20 and those who start at least five years before their first pregnancy seemed to be most at risk, according to the study. The increased risk for breast cancer was seen in both current smokers and past smokers. For those who quit smoking, there was no evidence found of significantly higher risk. However, there is no indiciation of what point smoking ceased Passive smoking, otherwise known as second-hand smoke, did not seem to increase the risk of breast cancer, but researchers suggested that it may accentuate the risk in active smokers. However,
From EGYPT page 1
Elmasry said among the factors that led to the current revolt were the murder of an unarmed teenager by police, a fraudulent parliamentary election, Mubarak’s choice to have his son assume power, and the recent revolution in Tunisia that gave Egyptians hope, motivation and a blue print for change. An unequal distribution of wealth also sparked the protests. While there are no Sam Houston State students studying abroad in Egypt, one group on campus said that high unemployment amongst the youth makes them feel that they must protest. “There is no other option for them,” Karmen King, president of the SHSU Middle East Student Support group, said. “Things have been so bad for so long for them, most of them were born after Mubarak took power. Can Americans even imagine living under one repressive ruler their entire lives?” TECHNOLOGY AND
From K2 page 1
Cole also worried that the ban of K2 might drive some local vendors out of business. “In this situation, where you’re worried about what they can sell and what they can’t sell in their shop, you’re interfering with their business, and this was a consideration we had with the bars [during the discussion the council had for the ordinance that proposed extending of the sale of alcohol hours to 2 a.m. last November]…My problem is I don’t know exactly who we are dealing with or we are fixing to put out of business,” Cole said.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian THE LONG, SLOW DRAG. The latest study out of Harvard University has traced a link between smoking and breast cancer in women. Featured: Marissa Nunez, freshman mass communication major.
advanced-stage breast cancer compared with early-stage cancer, suggesting that nicotine binding to the receptor may not only contribute to smoking addiction, but also may directly promote the development of breast cancer, according to the study. Sam Houston State’s policy on smoking, updated in Sept. 2009, reads as follows: “Smoking is not permitted in any University-owned or leased buildings or vehicles. This includes hallways, classrooms, offices, restrooms, meeting rooms, indoor or open-air athletic facilities (including Bowers Stadium, Baseball/Softball Stadiums and Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum), performance halls, and all other spaces in university-owned or leased buildings or vehicles. “Smoking areas are permitted outside university facilities provided that these areas are located far enough away from doorways, windows, and ventilation systems to prevent smoke from entering buildings and facilities. In general, this is at least 25 feet from any gate, entryway, arch, doorway, and common path of travel, air intake or open window. (Smokers are reminded that improper disposal of smoking materials is a fire hazard and considered litter.) Some students disagree with this policy. “I personally think that smoking shouldn’t be allowed on campus anywhere. But that’s probably not going to happen,” Amber Jean, a language studies major at SHSU, said on the Houstonian Facebook page. “So my solution is that maybe having a designated smoking area would be better. I hate having to walk through all the smokers, who are gathered right in front of the doors of the buildings.” Sarah Hagler, freshman psychology major, said, “If you smoke, you are at a risk for [cancer.] Everyone knows it, and those who ignore that fact and keep smoking are going to pay the price.”
Giving Back Donate Blood Thursday, Feb. 3 1900 Avenue I 10a.m. to 5p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8 2 Financial Plaza 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 1800 19th Street 9a.m. to 4p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 555 Bowers Blvd. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Campus Calendar Thursday, Feb. 3: - 12th class day: Last day to drop with 100% refund with- out a “Q.” Schedule deletions for non-payment due at 10:00 pm. - Deadline to submit an Application for Degree and fee payment - Biology Lecture: Tracing Dinosaur-Bird Lineage at 4 p.m. in Lee Drain Building, Room 214 Monday, Feb 7 - PC Rip! A Remix Revolution at 7 p.m. in the LSC Theater
Arts & Entertainment Professors collaborate for annual art show Page 5
Thursday, February 3, 2011
houstonianonline.com/entertainment
Spotlight: Valerie Powell By Rachelle Sadler
Contributing Reporter
Without knowing, a casual observer would think 10 pairs of hands had created Valerie Powell’s artwork instead of one. Most certainly, one look is definitely not enough to see all of the detail that goes into molding, shaping, layering and arranging of hundreds of colorful pieces of plastic that are Powell’s media. The fascination displays make you want to gaze even longer. Powell is one of 20 professors whose artwork is currently on display for SHSU’s 51st Annual Art Faculty Exhibit. Each of the selected professors is a part of the university’s art department, and each has unique artwork to offer to the campus’ showcase this semester- Powell in particular. “If I wasn’t a professor, I would probably be a full time artist,” said Powell, who is an art instructor at SHSU and a Harlingen, Texas, native. “Yes, being a full time
professor and full time artist at the same time is a challenge, but it is definitely worth it.” “Shrinky Dinks” is the fun name of the material that makes up Powell’s latest pieces of art on exhibit. Shrink Dinks is a children’s activity kit consisting of shrinkable sheets of plastic dating back to the 1970s. The material comes in several cut-out pieces, which are then induced with heat to shape, form and create Powell’s various works of art now exhibiting here at SHSU. “I started working on Shrinky Dinks in 2003,” Powell said, and she has been continuing her craft to this day. Powell is also contributing her instruction towards the university’s Workshop in Art Studio and History (W.A.S.H.) program. Debra Harper, the art department’s audio/visual librarian, calls the program a boot camp for art majors. Of course there’s no intense sweating or physical strain going on, but there is definitely extensive training and experimentation being
done within the realm of students and faculty who make up the program’s growing community. Powell has been invited to attend numerous artists’ residency
programs, including the Can Serrat International Art Center in El Bruc, Spain, this summer. “It feels good when you have an audience receives [your work],”
Powell said. “That’s always a great feeling.” To view more of Powell’s artwork, visit her online website at www.valeriepowell.com.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
SHSU’s 51st Annual Art Faculty Exhibit features art pieces from 20 professors. Above is a photo taken by Jack Barnosky. To the left is an art installation by Kathy Kelley titled “Even in my unmoaring, in the unraveling, I repeat myself, still seeking into the unwelcomes, I get lost in my own missedunderstanding.” The installation was created using remnant tubes, wood, and baling wire.
Music
Billboard Hot 100 Radio Songs
Hip-Hop/R&B
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Grenade,” Bruno Mars “Firework,” Katy Perry “Black and Yellow,” Wiz Khalifa “Tonight,” Enrique Iglesias “What’s my name?,” Rhianna
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Apartments for Rent: 1/1, CA/CH, Small Complex,
1 1/2 Blks SHSU 936-291-1102
Pets
By Thomas Merka
2 Adult declawed, spayed/neutered housecats need a good home. Prefer they stay together.
WHEN: February 5 – 18, 2011 Opening Reception on Saturday, February 5, 2011, 6 – 9 p.m.
Arts and Entertainment Editor
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“Can’t Be Friends,” Trey Songz “What’s My Name?,” Rhianna “No BS,” Chris Brown “Aston Martin Music,” Rick Ross “Fall For Your Type,” Jamie Foxx
“The Candy Shop” Art Show
Houstonian Classifieds Real estate
“What’s My Name?,” Rhianna “Firework,” Katy Perry “Grenade,” Bruno Mars “We R Who We R,” Ke$ha “Raise Your Glass,” P!nk
at
The Spacetaker ARC Gallery will host “The Candy Shop” beginning Saturday and lasting through Feb. 18. “The Candy Shop” is a group exhibition put together by members of the Montrose Art Society and the Spacetaker ARC Gallery. The art exhibit will explore the dynamic effects of Latin and South American culture in the U.S. by focusing on candy from these cultures. Artists Andre Amaral (Brazil), Edu Portillo (El Salvador) and Raul Gonzalez (Mexico) will show their artwork featuring different candies and will be
Photo courtesy of Chef Adan M. Medrano
accompanied by Chef Adan M. Medrano who will have samples of these candies for visitors to enjoy, not as refreshments, but as an art piece itself. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. at the Spacetaker ARC Gallery.
WHERE: Spacetaker ARC Gallery | 2101 Winter Street, B11, Houston, TX 77007 MORE INFO: http://www. spacetaker.org, email info@ spacetaker.org, or call 713-8681839
Private bathrooms Gigantic walk-in closets Privately-keyed super sized bedroom suites Internet/Computer lounge 24-hour fitness center/tanning booths Resort style pool with lots of outdoor amenities Full-Size washers and dryers in each suite Brand new-fully furnished apartments
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Gated community Prices consistent for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd floor
gogrove.com | 1.888.grove4u
No community towels or deodorant. Lots of space to hang clothes, or pile them. You don’t have to go hiking for some alone time. Online anytime. Get a minor in anatomy. Get the college version of recess. Mom washes clothes when she comes to visit you. No more futons. Mama’s little baby is safe and sound. Great rooms. Great prices.
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Private fourplex for students 1 BR/1BA $500/month - $200 deposit for more info
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Sports houstonianonline.com/sports
The 2011 SHSU Recruiting class Football Signings Keshawn Hill, RB, 5-10, 185, Klein HS Collin Callahan, LB, 6-1, 225, Houston (Cy-Ridge) Stephen Williams, WR, 5-9, 178, Round Rock (Stony Point) Beau Smith, TE, 6-6, 218, Cedar Park HS Chris Grett, QB, 6-1, 200, Conroe (Oak Ridge) Dylan Johnson, OL, 6-4, 250, Houston (Cy-Creek) Tristan Eche, S, 5-10, 200, Waco HS Emmanuel Omoegbele, DL, 6-1, 235, Houston (Alief Taylor) Ishmael Thorns, DL, 6-3, 245, Dallas (Woodrow Wilson) Joey White, OL, 6-5, 295, Wimberly Andre Mosley, DB, 5-10, 180, Wylie Greg Johnson, WR, 5-10, 170, Del City, Okla. Drew Smith, CB, 6-3, 180, Del City, Okla. Gavareon Marshall, DL,.6-3, 245, Freeport (Brazosport) Antonio Chimney, OL, 6-3, 290, Crockett Brandon Wilkerson, WR, 6-1, 185, LaGrange Desmond Fite, DB, 6-0, 182, Tatum Casey DeVries, DE, 6-4, 240, Dalhart
Page 7 Thursday, February 3, 2011 twitter.com/HoustonianSport
Engineering an empire After a storied career at the Houston Post, SHSU professor Mickey Herskowitz was an architect of the Super Bowl.
By Lotis Butchko Sports Reporter
HUNTSVILLE -- Tucked away in a corner of the Mass Communication building in an office the size of a large closet, sits Mickey Herskowitz. Spread throughout his office is an assortment of books, most of which he wrote, awards, that any sportswriter would kill for, and movies - which he is a guest commentator in. But one item you won’t find in his office is a press pass to the first Super Bowl. That’s because Mickey Herskowitz was too busy organizing it for both leagues. It was the spring of 1966, and the two leagues had been battling the past couple of years for the top college talent. Herskowitz had left the Houston Post, where he was the youngest sports editor in the country at 26, and had taken a job with Al Davis, then the commissioner for the American Football League. After months of a rumor of a merger between the leagues, the idea of the Super Bowl came about. The idea had to be approved by congress, because of an Anti-Trust situation with the league getting so big. The Super Bowl originally started as the AFL-NFL Championship game, the commissioners didn’t like the name Super Bowl because they felt it was too corny, but after a while it just caught on. When it came time to start organizing the game, then Commissioner of the NFL, Pete Rozelle sent the word out that he needed someone from the AFL to help organize the game. That was when Herskowitz got word from Jim Kensil to set up the game.
“I happened to know him better than anybody in the AFL office,” said Herskowitz. “There wasn’t any question about it, he just said we would like you to go out to the Super Bowl and set up the arrangements. I was there really to see that the AFL had a presence in the management of the game.” Within a day Herskowitz was starting his mission. He was given a 22-page To-Do list from Commissioner Rozelle along with $250,000 to spend on the game. First Herskowitz had to set up cars. This brought an interesting dynamic to the game since Ford was the sponsor of the NFL, and Chrysler was the sponsor of the AFL. Each side would require sixty cars to cover team owners, general managers, and coaches, along with media from all over the country. But when he got to Ford they simply said no. “I went to see the executive who managed the NFL account for the Ford,” said Herskowitz. “He was kind of arrogant, I told him what I needed, and he basically said, ‘I can’t give you a damn thing.’ I really didn’t understand him. So I asked him again and he said I can’t give you anything, not a single car… He said, “Our big game is the Rose Bowl, and we use our cars for the Rose Bowl” After that Herskowitz, who dared not call Rozelle, headed to Detroit to talk with Chrysler. Jack Barlow, then the account for the AFL, heard the story, and when he was offered the sole sponsorship of the Super Bowl. Barlow jumped out of his chair with excitement and when people started showing up to Los Angeles, including the Ford executives they were barraged
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McNeese escapes comeback
Kats rally in the second half before falling By Brandon Scott Sports Editor
HUNTSVILLE -- The women’s basketball team fought to the wire against McNeese State on Wednesday night before losing 71-66. After a frustrating first half, where the Kats trailed by as many as 22 and shot only 29 percent from the floor, SHSU made things interesting with a second half surge. Still, it was not enough to fight off McNeese (15-6, 7-1 SLC), led by twin guards Ashyln and Caitlyn Baggett. The sisters combined for 37 points and recorded 16 of the team’s 19 assists. SHSU won the turnover battle and dominated in second chance points. The effort was there for the ladies, but focus was lacking for much of the game. “We got a little frustrated, we had some early fouls and our kids kind of thought that if they played really hard defense they were going to end up fouled out of the game,” Coach Brenda Nichols said. “They kind of relaxed a little bit and they didn’t stay in the game plan. We’ve got to stay in the game plan.” The second half was a much different story. Through a 12 minute span, SHSU went on a 24-6 run, capped with a Britni Martin steal and outlet to Chanice Smith for a left-handed layup. On that play, Martin recorded her game-high four steals and brought the Kats
within two. On the next couple of possessions, the teams traded baskets before the score was eventually tied at 55 with a 3-pointer from Khamra Echols. The Kats finally took the lead when freshman post Nyha Carter scored on a fourth opportunity with 5:57 left to play. Then Caitlyn Baggett knocked down a 3 which ultimately shut things down for SHSU. The Kats never led from there. Chanice Smith attempted a 3 of her own, but missed. McNeese answered with another long ball. “It all came in the second half, a little too late, a little too
Jessica Gomez File photo
short,” Nichols said. Martin was noticeably disappointed after the game, mainly because she was being hand-checked the entire night. One of the common frustrations were the perceived unbalanced calls. But the Kats usually decide their own fate - Wednesday night they gave the game away in the first half. “We needed that blackout,” Nichols joked. If we get out of that blackout when we went up, we would have been alright.” True. SHSU visits Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at 3 p.m.
with a storm of Chrysler Lebarons. Along with his 22-page guide to the Super Bowl, Herskowitz found three pages of instructions about how to get the tickets printed, and another section to set up the halftime show. For that he went to the halftime entertainment director from UCLA, along with flying the Grambling marching band to Los Angeles for a band show too. But the one problem Herskowitz kept running into was the money. He had it ordered from the commissioner himself to spend every dollar of the $250,000, and he couldn’t spend the money fast enough. “I wired a lot of candy and flowers to my friends in Houston,” Herskowitz said. Finally in the weeks leading up to the game the promotion started to build up, and the heat started to come on for the price of admission. The price for a seat at the game was 12 dollars a ticket. Compared to a ticket to the Rose Bowl, which sat at about six dollars a ticket it was a significant jump. “I was on a radio show defending the price of tickets,” said Herskowitz. “ I had a guy call me and tell me he couldn’t afford to go to the game. So when I talked to Pete, I told him, ‘These people are complaining about the price of the tickets and I agree.’ He told me to tell them if they came to the New York, he couldn’t afford to take them to a broad way play either.” When the game finally happened, it didn’t go over very well. Only 67,000 people showed up to a Los Angeles Coliseum that was built to hold over 100,000. Leaving about a
third of the stadium baron. And since the Coliseum had been originally built for the 1932 Olympics, people who were sitting in an end zone were so far from the field that they were using binoculars for a goal line stand. But there was more pressure in the Luxury boxes than anywhere else. Herskowitz still recalls the pressure for the NFL to win the game because they had bragged so much on their dominance; some even wondered if the Kansas City Chiefs could get a point against the legendary Green Bay Packers. At half, the Packers only lead by four and Herskowitz still remembers some reporters hyperventilating. But Coach Vince Lombard did lead his team to a victory and the day was saved. After it was all over, Herskowitz was leaving the league, he picked up his things at the Hilton, and was ready to drive back to Houston to take a new spot at the newspaper. But when he got to the checkout desk he was handed a parking stub. When he told the person at the front desk he didn’t have a car, the man said, that’s all I know. When Herskowitz finally found out it was Barlow who left the stub, he called him. “I asked him about it he said, ’That is just a little thank you Mickey, I appreciate everything you did for us, there is a brand new Chrysler Lebaron in the garage for you to drive back to Texas, keep it for a year, you put the gas in it and we will take care of everything else…At the end of the year if you want to keep it after a year you can buy it for less than the factory cost.’” Mickey kept the car.