Vol 120 | Issue 1
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Publishing since 1913
Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
KAT Links
Judge: TX ‘sonogram
For additional content and news updates, visit houstonianonline.com.
law’ can now go into effect, pg. 4
PAC price changes, pg. 5
Rejuvenation renovation
Historical Texas landmark goes under $2 million recontruction MISTI JONES Senior Reporter
Austin Hall is currently undergoing renovation after its 160-year-old structure has deteriorated from years of outdoor exposure. The project was designed by Ford Powell & Carson Architects & Planners, Inc., of San Antonio and contracted to The WhitingTurner Contracting Company of Houston. “Bricks were falling off and
there were interior issues. It needed a bunch of work, but we had to be careful because it’s such a historical building,” Maggie Collum, Director of University Events, said. Higher Education Assistance Funds has provided a substantial amount of the $2.27 million budget for the rejuvenation project. The remainder of the funds have been furnished from gifts and grants given to the university. “Austin Hall is being restored to preserve a historical landmark for future generations to appreciate. Without the current restoration project Austin Hall would continue to deteriorate and possibly cause irreparable damage and threaten its functional usage,” Denise Neu, Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, said. Austin Hall’s estimated date
of completion is this May, and it will continue to host many events including the annual Ring Ceremony. Director of University Events, Maggie Collum, ensured that the historical building would hold events just as it had before. “Austin Hall will have luncheons, dinners, banquets and ceremonies, at a max capacity of 80 people and a rental fee,” Collum said. Built in 1851, Austin Hall is one of the oldest state-owned collegiate facilities still in operation in the state of Texas. What this architectural symbol has endured is overlooked by many students. Austin Hall has survived the Civil War, Reconstruction, many hurricanes and even a devastating fire in 1982, but like many buildings, it has simply weathered overtime.
INDEX Viewpoints ....... pg. 2 Sports................. pg. 5 News .................. pg. 3 Advertisement... pg. 6 A&E ................... pg. 4
Megan Laurie | The Houstonian
AUSTIN ADJUSTMENTS. Austin Hall was damaged in 1982 by the same fire that destroyed the Old Main building. The fire was contained mostly to the roof where the fire department put out the fire before major damage was done.
Players proud, confident after title loss ZACHARY BIRDSONG Sports Editor
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
FALL AT THE FINISH. Senior Travis Watson (73) walks off the field after the FCS National Title game. Watson and the offense struggled to get anything going and fell to North Dakota State, 17-6.
tempo as they outgained the Bearkats in yards 108-52. But, the Bearkat defense stepped up when it mattered, including a third down stop from the1-yard line. The Bison would settle for an 18-yard field goal that was made by kicker Ryan Jastram. In the second quarter, it was the Bearkat offense that was dominant. But, they couldn’t punch it in the endzone, settling for two field goals that were made by kicker Craig Alaniz. They would take that 6-3 lead into the break. With the Bearkats carrying momentum out of halftime, the defense stepped up and held North Dakota to what looked like a three-and-out. However on fourth down, the Bison called a fake punt that was rushed for 27 yards. “They caught us off guard,” SHSU safety Robert Shaw said. “I’m not sure what happened because I was man to man with my player. But I wish it would have been a different outcome of that play. And I gave North Dakota State a good job for that.” On the next play, Bison quarterback
It just wasn’t meant to be for the Bearkat football team as they fell to North Dakota State in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship game, 17-6. With big plays and a relentless defense, North Dakota State (14-1) gave the Kats their lone loss of the season. It wasn’t all bad for the Bearkats as their defense also stepped up and allowed the Bison to pick up only 235 yards and created two turnovers. The Sam Houston offense seemingly mirrored that of their rivals. The Bearkat rushing attack that was previously ranked number 5 in the subdivision, was limited to just 94 yards and the offense as a whole was held to 210 yards. SHSU running back Tim Flanders led both teams with 84 yards carrying on 21 carries. While both teams played equal, it was key turnovers late in the ball game that made the difference as the Bison captured their first FCS title. Early in the game, the Bison set the —
CHAMPIONSHIP, page 5
SOPA instigates Green selected online blackouts new Houstonian MOLLY WADDELL Associate News Editor
Wikipedia shut down their sight Wednesday for 24 hours. due to anti-pirating bills going through Congress. The site black out began 12 a.m. Wednesday and ended 12 a.m. today. Co-founder, Jimmy Wales, made the decision based on the new legislation going through the House and Senate. Visitors to the site, yesterday, were greeted with a black page and in bold white print, “Imagine the world without free knowledge.” They were also given options on how to contact their representatives and information on the two acts. Twitter blew up with hashtags including: #StopSOPA&PIPA, #factswithoutwikipedia, and #stoppiracynotliteracy. The Protect IP Act (PIPA) was introduced to the Senate in May of 2011. According to opencongress.org the bill allows the Justice Department
to take down sites that dedicate themselves to infringement defined as: distribution of illegal copies, counterfeit goods, or anti-digital rights management technology. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was introduced to the House in October of 2011. This bill also allows the Justice Department to shut down websites for infringement, and will make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a crime, according to opencongress.org. Wales told BBC’s, Martha Kearney, that this legislation would make, “something like Wikipedia essentially impossible.” Other sites, such as Reddit, WordPress, Craigslist, and Boing Boing, are also shutting down with Wikipedia because they don’t agree with the censorship. “I wouldn’t want Wikipedia to shut down. It is my paper writer.” Ryan Rowland, —
BLACKOUT, page 3
Editor-in-Chief HOUSTONIAN STAFF
The Houstonian, the independent student newspaper of Sam Houston State University, announced that Stephen Green will be the new Editor In Chief beginning January 2012. Green worked his way up to Editor-in-Chief in less than two years, beginning as a contributing writer in August 2010, which led to his first position as Senior Reporter. Prior to taking over the lead role for the student paper, Green held the Viewpoints Editor and Associate News Editor positions. Robin Johnson, Ph.D., faculty advisor for the Houstonian, said Green’s drive, professionalism and commitment to journalism’s core principles made him the ideal candidate for the position. “Stephen practically moved in
to the Houstonian offices since he first set foot on campus as a freshman,” Johnson said. “His hard work ever since and his desire to make the paper a vital part of the community will serve him well during his tenure.” As Editor in Chief, Green said he is ready to continue the Houstonian tradition of excellence in writing and reporting in his new leadership role. “To lead the staff, who are also my friends, is a great honor,” Green said. “I can’t wait to see this newspaper become known as one of the premiere university media outlets.” During Green’s previous two years at the paper, he has covered events such as the SHSU social media policy and subsequent protests, the “Nerf gunman” incident, and a campus bomb scare.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
STEPHEN GREEN. In addition to his journalism studies, Green is also an active member of the Elliot T. Bowers Honors College.
Green is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Art in Broadcast Journalism. He has also served as the weather anchor for KSHU Channel 7 News and will cohost a one-hour radio show on 90.5 The Kat during the Spring semester.