11/29 Weekly Edition

Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

The Official News Source of Sam Houston State University FINALS SCHEDULE, P. 2 Students are preparing for Finals Week. Be sure to check out the exam schedule.

Volume 129 | Issue 12

ALIACE GRACE, P. 3 The Houstonian reviews Netflix’s adaptation of Atwood’s psychological and hypnotic novel.

SHSU CREATES, P. 4 Dylan Cartwright brings us through his artistic creativity in this new SHSU Creates.

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@HoustonianSHSU

Finals Preparation:

Free scantrons move to Bearkat One office

ELECTRIC SLIDE, P. 5 Opinion: Marina DeLeon expresses her opinion on the lack of electrical outlets in the library. @HoustonianSHSU

SENIOR LEGACY, P. 6 The football team is graduating a talented senior class. There will be a lot of holes to fill.

HoustonianOnline.com

Campus Culture Feature

History dates Tree of Light tradition to 1921

JORDAN LIKENS Copy Editor In recent years, the Sam Houston State University Student Legal and Mediation Services office has provided students with free scantrons.

Students could visit the Legal Services office and receive up to two free scantrons during their visit. This relieved student of stressfully waiting in line at the campus bookstore minutes before an exam to purchase a package of scantrons. As of Fall 2017, however, the Legal Services Office has decided to no longer provide this service to students due to budget issues.

“Student Legal & Mediation Services Scantrons continues on page 2

Rachael Varner | The Houstonian

Hannah Henry| The Houstonian

NEW SYSTEM. Lisa Wingo a student employee in the Bearkat OneCard office hands a student free scantrons.

2018 fee, tuition breakdown

“Traditions are kind of a weird thing, and it’s hard to say when something becomes a tradition and why that happens,” Assistant Director for Special Events and Traditions Steven Begnaud said. “But I think, for this one, it’s a culmination of celebrating the holidays.

I think a lot of people just come together around this time of year, and [the Tree of Light] is a great way to highlight that.”

RACHAEL VARNER Senior Reporter The air is warm as dusk filters out the last of the sun’s rays.

Students “chill” with cookies and wassail in their t-shirts and jeans as they gather in Bearkat Plaza, wishing the Texas temperature would drop a few degrees as they await a winter tradition.

A gentle hush falls over the crowd until, finally, the pleasant ring of a holiday carol rises as hundreds of pinpoint lights

flicker to life like stars across a darkened sky. There are few better ways to kick off the start of the holiday season than this. As Sam Houston State University‘s longest-standing and mostbeloved tradition, the lighting ceremony of the aptly-named Tree of Light has been an object of fascination for the last 97 of the 138 years since the school’s founding.

It was in 1921 that the Teacher’s Training School – of the Sam Houston Normal Institute

– first clustered around a large cedar tree in front of what is now the Evan’s Complex. Steven Begnaud, the Assistant Director for Special Events and Traditions, believes the root of the event stems from people’s natural desire for community.

“Traditions are kind of a weird thing, and it’s hard to say when something becomes a tradition and why that happens, but I think, for this one, it’s a culmination of celebrating the holidays,” Begnaud said. “I think a lot of

people just come together around this time of year, and [the Tree of Light] is a great way to highlight that.”

In this case, the word “tradition” is loosely based. While the ceremony’s lifespan is extensive, the trees themselves have seen drastic changes over the years.

Construction for the second half of the Evan’s Complex called for the demolition of the original cedar in 1959. That tree was never cut down History continues on page 3

Bearkats host Coyotes, begin playoff run GABRIEL MYERS Sports Reporter EMILY DAVIS Asst. Associate Editor Class registration for Spring 2018 has officially begun. The coming of a new semester brings new expenses, and it is important for students to be aware of what their tuition is going toward.

“For a resident, undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credit hours for Fall 2017, the tuition would be $4,945.25 [on average],” University Communications Manager Emily Schulze Binetti said.

Tuition and fee distribution for Fall 2017 consisted of a tuition Fees continues on page 2

The Sam Houston State Bearkat football team’s quest for a National Championship begins Saturday against on the South Dakota Coyotes and their highpowered offense on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bowers Stadium.

After finding out they were the sixth seed on Nov. 16 during the FCS Selection Show, the Kats awaited the winner of South Dakota and Nicholls State last weekend to see whom they would be facing.

Senior quarterback Chris Streveler who has thrown for 3,614 yards and 27 touchdowns this season while completing 66.3 percent of his passes leads the Coyotes’

potent attack. Streveler is also the team’s second leading rusher with 669 yards, and leads the team with 10 touchdown runs. Streveler does not seem to have one real favorite target, as no Coyote receiver has more than 50 catches or more than 700 yards this season. He spreads the ball around, which can make the offense even more difficult to stop because the defense cannot key in on one receiver. In their 38-31 win over Nicholls, Streveler threw for 378 yards and four touchdowns.

“He plays angry,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “The more competitive the game, the more hits he takes, the angrier he plays, and to Photo courtesy Brian Blalock | SHSU Athletics go along with that he’s fast.”

ROAD TO FRISCO. The sixth-seeded Sam Houston State University BearContaining Streveler is going football team welcomes the South Dakota Coyotes for the second round Football continues on page 6 kats of the FCS Playoffs.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

Page 2

Fall commencement speakers announced EMILY BINETTI Today@SAM James Lopez, Earl C. “Duke” Austin, Jr. and Congressman Joaquin Castro are the confirmed speakers for Sam Houston State University’s 2017 Fall Commencements taking place on Dec. 8 and 9 in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

On Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m., Lopez will address graduating students from the College of Education and the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. At 2:30 p.m., he will address students from the College of Criminal Justice and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

As producer and head of motion pictures at Will Packer Productions, Lopez is responsible

Scantrons continued, page 1 — spent approximately $6,000.00 last year in scantron purchases,” Director of SHSU Student Legal and Mediation Services Gene Roberts Jr. said. “With this cost savings, our office has explored the possibility of providing a beneficial service for students that is otherwise generally inaccessible to them, but can help them with issues relating to identity theft and incorrect information in their personal history.”

Legal Services is in the process of finalizing the details of this service and an announcement will be made in the spring semester, Roberts said.

When the BearkatOne Card office found out the free scantron service would be no more, however, they decided to step in and pick up the task.

“SHSU Legal Services were considering reducing or eliminating the program in order to allocate funds to other programs and services,” SHSU Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kristy Vienne said. “When we heard this, we reached out and asked if we could take over the program instead of it becoming obsolete.”

Roberts believes this free scantron service is better suited for the BearkatOne Card office, as it aligns more with the services provided there than at Legal Services.

“It made better sense for Scantrons to be distributed through the BearkatOne Card office because every student has a BearkatOne card and every student

for developing and overseeing production on all film projects.

Most recently, he served as executive producer on Almost Christmas, the comedy Girls Trip and producer on the upcoming films Breaking In, City of Saints and Thieves. Additional films include Think Like A Man, About Last Night, The Wedding Ringer, The Perfect Guy and When The Bough Breaks. Lopez has been included on Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 List and Imagen Foundation’s Most Powerful & Influen-

tial Latinos in Entertainment.

On Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m., Austin will address graduates from the College of Business Administration.

Before serving as chief executive officer for Quanta Services, Austin earned a Bachelor of Business Management with an emphasis in accounting from SHSU. Austin has served as chief operating officer and as president of Quanta’s Electric Power and Natural Gas and Pipeline Divisions before assuming the chief

executive officer role. During his time as president of North Houston Pole Line, LP, a Quanta operating unit, he was instrumental in the strategic growth of the Texas-based unit. Austin serves on the board of the Southwest Line Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Junior Achievement board of Southeast Texas and the Greater Houston Partnership board.

On Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m., Castro will address graduates from the College of Health Sciences and

James Lopez

Earl C. “Duke” Austin, Jr.

Congressman Joaquin Castro

has a greater degree of contact with the BearkatOne Card office,” Roberts said. “The BearkatOne Office also has a need to make sure that cards are active and functioning. Having the BearkatOne Card office provide Scantrons means that more students will have ready access to Scantrons.”

With the introduction of this new service at the BearkatOne Card office, students can receive up to five free scantrons a week with an active BearkatOne card.

This new stricter scantron limitation, Dr. Vienne feels, is practical and provides students with the resources they need.

“With five we keep down any potential waste and help be mindful of budgets related to student programming,” Vienne said. “Ensuring students have what they need but we limit potential waste or loss of scantrons.”

Sophomore and Interdisciplinary Agriculture major Michaela Yost says that picking up a scantron is no longer an inconvenience for her.

“With the BearkatOne Card office offering free scantrons this semester, I have found that the hassle of remembering to get them is nonexistent,” Yost said.

“Being able to get them whenever needed is such a great thing that the campus offers. It is also in a very convenient location for me, being that most of my classes are in the Pirkle building.”

Vienne said the BearkatOne Card office plans on continuing this program for future semesters.

For more information on this

service or to obtain free scantrons, visit the BearkatOne Card office in the Estill Building, Suite 230.

increase in tuition and fees for SHSU at their regular quarterly meeting in Huntsville on Nov. 17. The approved mandatory tuition and fee changes will be effective Fall 2018, and include a six dollar increase to Designated Undergraduate Tuition, a $8.25 increase to Designated Graduate Tuition, a $3.50 increase to the library fee and a 25 cent increase to the Intercollegiate Athletic Program fee.

Additionally, authorization of a College of Science and Engineering Technology program fee of 50 dollars per semester is effective as of Fall 2019. This fee will apply only to students enrolled in specific degree programs with in COSET. “Addressing paying for services you don’t use, if we think beyond ourselves it’s beneficial for everyone who is a Bearkat,” SHSU Student Government President

Fees continued, page 1 — payment of 50 dollars per semester credit hours (SCH) for residents and 465 dollars per SCH for non-residents. Mandatory fees are also included for all students, such as: a 16 dollars per SCH student services fee, 100 dollars per semester student center fee, 34 dollars per SCH technology fee, 100 dollars per semester Recreational Sports fee, two dollars per semester international education fee, seven dollars per SCH library fee, 75 dollars per semester medical fee, 66 dollars per semester advisement fee, 12 dollars per semester records fee, 19 dollars per semester BearkatOne Card service fee and a $19.75 per SCH Intercollegiate Athletic Program fee. All mandatory fees and tuition for an undergraduate student who resides on campus comes out to an average of $4,945.25 per semester.

Other course specific fees may be included, such as an audit fee, Distance Learning fee, lab fee, music fee, international study fee, “Three Peat” tuition, excessive hours tuition, payment plan enrollment fee, late installment payment penalty, The Woodlands Center fee and a multi-institution teaching center fee.

“For the 2017 fiscal year, the university generated $119.2 million in tuition,” Binetti said.

Texas State University System Board of Regents approved an

the College of Science & Engineering Technology.

Castro represents Texas’ 20th Congressional District and serves on both the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. First elected to Congress in 2012, Castro was the 2013 co-president for the House freshman Democrats and now serves in House Democratic Leadership as Chief Deputy Whip and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Castro is also a founding co-chair of the Congressional Pre-K Caucus, the U.S.-Japan Caucus, and the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He has been called “a rising star in his party” by The Texas Tribune and one of the top 50 politicos to watch by POLITICO. Briauna Augustus said. “I also believe that a lot of students don’t know what their fees entail and they claim they’re not using certain services when in fact they are. We have one of the lowest tuition amounts in this state, and not only that, but the amount of resources this university has to offer us outdoes many universities around Texas. It may seem excessive on the surface but you really don’t know how low our numbers are until you compare it to what are friends close by have to pay, and with less service geared towards the students.”

Students can find more in-depth information on tuition and fee distribution by category, dollar amount, and percentage at http://www.shsu.edu/dept/ bursar/fy2017/tuition-fees-infofall17.html.

Complete Fall 2017 Final Exam schedule

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

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Ethan Horn | The Houstonian

History continued, page 1 — – it still stands there today – but the tradition migrated. From Evan’s, it moved to a different home-grown cedar outside Old Main, to a fresh-cut tree where the Bell Tower now resides, to the garden in front of the Sam Houston statue on campus, to its current home in Bearkat Plaza.

It was a matter of preservation that organizers sought to use an artificial tree in 2005, but the alteration took the tradition to new heights. The first artificial tree was a basic 12-footer, which was brought to a full 26 feet, then 40, then 47, and if the star atop today’s giant is included, the tree’s height reaches a complete 52 feet. There are plans to make

it even taller.

Set-up begins Thanksgiving week, and take-down begins the first week of January, but the tree lights up from 6:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. every night in between. This starts with the Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28.

The ceremony is a 45-minute program – emceed by the homecoming king and queen – that consists of a performance by the Orange Pride Dance Team, a selection of holiday favorites sung by the SHSU Chorale, a word from the university president, and the collecting of canned goods to donate to The Good Shepherd Mission.

“We hand out candles to all the attendees, and the Freshman Leader Program from the Dean

of Students Office...goes out and helps them light all the candles... during the ‘Silent Night’ song, so that’s like the big tradition we have every year,” he said. “’Jingle Bells’ is always the most popular holiday song of all time, so of course that one’s always played, but we kind of leave [the song selection] up to [the Chorale].”

One special portion of the ceremony is dedicated to “trimming the tree,” during which students, organizations, and departments decorate the tree with ornaments they designed. Many such decorations grow more extravagant by the year.

“A lot of them do the big foam ornament balls, we’ve had UPD glue handcuffs on there, student [organizations] will usually

make them with their letters if they’re Greek, or put pictures or just different creative stuff,” he stated. “We really leave the creativity up to them: they all vary, and they’re all very unique to their organizations.”

Attendance has been around a steady two or three thousand students over the last five years, with donations to the Good Shepherd Mission averaging about 3,500 cans. The Student Activities Center is looking to augment those numbers by expanding what the Tree of Light truly celebrates. The Tree of Light is pushing itself to represent a multitude of December and January holidays celebrated by other religions and ethnicities from here in the United States

and worldwide.

“I think when you look at the purpose of the event and what it celebrates – the coming together of the student body, of different cultures – I don’t think that’s changed much over the last one hundred years,” Begnaud said.

“Of course, the glitz and glam have definitely changed, and the scale of it has grown exponentially over the last 97 years, but I think the original intent of the program is still there.”

/HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU

From novel to Netflix: Review of “Alias Grace”

LINDSEY JONES TV/ Film Reviewer “He likes to picture the sufferings I’ve endured. He listens to all of it, like a child listening to a fairy tale.” — Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) Netflix’s latest period piece hacks to bits expectations of a tiresome period piece, locking its audience in an intriguing six hours of solitary confinement.

“Alias Grace” leaves old and new fans of Margaret Atwood’s classic with an addictive, bingeworthy tale of psychological contemplation, screwing minds and expectations with a masterful elegance not replicated or respected by supposed mind-bending programs today.

The mastermind of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and writer-

producer Sarah Polley and director Mary Harron together create a slice of unmatched ambiguity drenched in such psychological seduction that viewers will, without a doubt, willfully binge their mental states away for the show’s skillful direction of doubt and quotable conversations made by compelling characters — Sarah Gadon’s dazzling performance inarguably is one of best embodiments of mystery.

Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name — and of actual 19th century events — “Alias Grace” tells the story of Grace Marks, who, after being accused and convicted of the 1843 murder of her employer and his housekeeper, is sentenced to life in prison and is bestowed the title “murderess” — an object of curiosity in her Cana-

dian society. Fifteen years after her conviction, a psychiatrist by the name Simon Jordan (played

by Edward Holcroft) is brought in to dissect the so-called murderess’ mental state and weigh whether she is truly insane, or a pathological devil in disguise.

What “Alias Grace” lacks in simplicity and conventionality it shines in its contagiously stimulating use of language, carrying with it a potency that will be remembered, referenced — and definitely quoted —for decades to come. From startling thoughts like “I’d rather be a murderess than a murderer” to biting truths like “If we were all on trial for our thoughts, we would all be hanged,” “Alias Grace” voices a thorough, sometimes hard to imagine autopsy of ourselves and humanity as a whole. Rather

than force-feed these thoughts presumptuously, this show partakes in hypnotism, with us giving it express permission to mess with our moral compass and analyze the hypocrisies we give into ourselves.

This period piece stands, surrounded by hundreds of works made before it, with a dignity that cannot possibly be denied notice because each conversation flows from lips with an impact in mind that evokes pauses, rewinds and social commentary between audience members before moving onto the next.

Polley and Harron’s collaboration resulted in a show that effortlessly toys with society’s truth bias. The deeper one delves into the mind of Grace Marks, the deeper the seed of doubt. Never is there a moment in which audience expectation is proven true. “Alias Grace” is a master manipulator of uncertainty, an aspect that some who expect a “problem-solved” conclusion will find troublesome.

Rather than being a pointless several hours of frustration, the show’s brutally blatant avoidance of truth is why “Alias Grace” is a superior addition to the tiresome period piece lineup and a worthy addition to Netflix’s growing successful adaptations.

While the performances painted a beautifully entertaining picture of an ugly time in history — along with all of the melancholic implications — Gadon completely embraced the life of an enigma with a grace that left all who watch her spellbound, inducing within them temporary moments

of amnesia, making them forget the sometimes not very obvious fact that Grace Marks and those who she associated with were, for the most part, fictional characters. Gadon brought all of her hats as faithful and charming, yet possibly sinister Grace Marks, her subtle moments of incrimination and uneasy silences tainting her more honest, God-fearing personality — enhancing the show’s refreshing lack of viewer brown-nosing and, thus, making “Alias Grace” all the more enjoyable.

While I do implore those who are interested in watching “Alias Grace” to pay attention to every bit of dialogue, do not sit down expecting a snore fest of mindless conversation. “Alias Grace” is a character story — the entertainingly idiosyncratic character dynamics and interactions overshadowing any nitpick noticed by extreme fans of the novel. What Netflix’s miniseries lacks in typical period piece action — overemphasized sexual moments, duels for honor, and petty quarrels — it more than entertains with Gadon’s hypnotic performance, surprising moments of unpredictability, and the show’s lack of punches pulled during moments of social commentary.

“Alias Grace” is a well-executed and put-together puzzle, leaving its audience with an aftertaste of nothing less than a desire for more.

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

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SHSU Creates: Cartwright expresses limitless creativity SHARON RAISSI Staff Reporter It is true that a picture says a thousand words, but for junior Studio Art major Dylan Cartwright, those thousand words are up for interpretation. For Cartwright, that is what makes the picture worth making to begin with.

Coming to Sam Houston State University as a Psychology major, Cartwright soon found that, wherever he went, his art would accompany him. To satisfy his creative energies, he switched his major to Graphic Design, but again found insufficient opportunities for self-expression. The third time proved to be a charm as he switched to Studio Art, where he finds himself now, temporarily satiated and brimming with potential.

“Everything that I do, I delve into a deeper emotion within myself,” Cartwright said. “Every art piece I do helps me discover myself a little more. I don’t want to just follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. I want to focus on what’s going to make me stand out in the future.”

In a world filled with artist after artist claiming to have the answers, Cartwright believes in the ambiguity of artwork. Instead of a clear meaning, he is aiming for the indescribable complexity of human feeling.

“I really want to get a core emotion, something that can be felt by anybody that is looking

at it,” Cartwright said. “I want to include everybody in what I’m trying to create. I don’t want to portray just one message, I want to evoke an emotion in somebody, however they want to interpret it.”

An artist trying to invoke an emotion is subject to intense vulnerability. One of Cartwright’s most recent pieces, a portrait of a lost loved one, is in development now.

“I’m working on a giant painting, one that is personal to me,” Cartwright said. “It’s a painting of my sister, who passed away a couple of years ago. It’s a way for me to cope with those emotions.

It’s really nice that I get to paint her in the light that I see fit.”

During his time so far at SHSU, Cartwright found one thing abundantly true: his creativity has no time to be limited or restricted by someone else’s vision. His time as a Graphic Design major revealed just how much creative window he needed.

“In graphic design, you’re working for somebody else,” Cartwright said. “A logo, whatever, it’s always for something else.

It felt like I was collecting all this information and just kind of regurgitating it. I wanted to be able to create my own art. To actually get my hands in something and create something for myself.”

Cartwright explained the creativity he sees in others, and why he feels everyone can make art, regardless of skill level.

“A lot of people have creative

Cassandra Soto | The Houstonian

ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. Graphic Art student Dylan Cartwright poses with his biggest project to date. Dylan believes all art students struggle with finding the message they want to send with their art.

ideas, but whether or not they focus and work on them is another thing,” Cartwright said. “A lot of people, when they see art, their response is, ‘Well I wish I could draw’, and my response is, you can do it. It really takes some focusing on what you want to achieve. Instead of just getting caught up in everything else, just take time out of the day and work towards your intended end goal.”

Cartwright’s end goal is to be a teacher, to ignite creativity in younger generations, but still create his own works on the side.

“There’s talent in kids that should be nurtured,” Cartwright said. “If I was the one to spark something great in their artistic ability, I would feel very grateful.

I also want to freelance, maybe have a website where people can buy my work. I don’t just want to teach art, I want to continue to

make it as well.”

Keep a steady eye out for this artist as he navigates his way through his career, one picture— or a thousand words— at a time.

“In Studio Art, I get to delve into some deeper stuff that I’m dealing with or want to display,” Cartwright said. “I’m a lot happier now than I was then.”

Punishment beings on Netflix with new Marvel series MASON GONZALES TV/Film Reviewer Jon Bernthal as “The Punisher” debuted on Netflix initially in season two of “Daredevil”, but has since returned to Netflix with his own series that debuted on Nov. 17.

The series stars Bernthal as the titular character, along with Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Devah, Ebon- Ross Bachrach, Jaime Ray

Newman and Deborah Ann Woll.

The season tells the story of Frank Castle after the events of “Daredevil”, attempting to bring vengeance for his family against the men who were responsible.

One thing I should add is that there will be moments that will shock you in terms of the violence; there are not a lot, but they are still there. “The Punisher” might not be for those who are faint of heart.

Bernthal was born to play this role. He puts himself into the role of Frank Castle perfectly, bringing that anger and pain that carry him throughout the season. I honestly never got tired of hearing him scream while gunning down bad guys. Both Bernthal and Bachrach as Micro have great chemistry and their banter Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.

Do men feel “uncomfortable” at SHSU? EMILY DAVIS Asst. Associate Editor The Houston Chronicle recently published an article stating that male students have reported feeling “uncomfortable” on Texas campuses, due to completion rate disparities between gender.

“Outnumbered male college students have created a sharp gender gap in statewide completion rates, and according to the State’s Higher Education Commissioner, a campus cultural problem for men,” Houston Chronicle Reporter Lindsay Ellis said. “Male students in Texas earned 62,211 degrees and certificates from public four-year universities in 2016, far behind female students, who received 82,700, according to the coordinating board’s data. That gap has

persisted since at least 2014.”

At Sam Houston State University, female students make up 62.4 percent of the student body (including graduate and undergraduate students). According to the College Factual website, the female to male ratio at SHSU is said to be better than the national average. Out of 20,477 students enrolled in 2016, the gender demographics at SHSU comprised of 12,792 female students and 7,685 male students. The fact that male student are 37.6 percent of the student body directly correlates with the completion rate for males being lower than that of females. However, why are less male students attending colleges than females?

“I wouldn’t say I am uncomfortable with school,” sophomore Business Finance major Ricky

Perez said. “[However], coming out of High School there are jobs that make decent money such as welding, truck drivers, construction, or mechanic work that doesn’t require an [college] education. I feel like a lot of the male population is money hungry and is always looking for a quick buck so instead of going to school and spend money, they just work and make money.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of all U.S. jobs were in occupations that typically require a high school diploma or less for entry.

These are mostly labor-intensive jobs (such as construction workers, truck drivers, welders, etc.) and are all male-dominated fields.

“Especially in biology I have noticed the difference between male students in upper level

classes versus female [students]; most of my classes have a female dominant ratio,” senior Biology major Savanah Hamilton said.

“However, the professors represent a male dominant population, showing possibly a different statistic of genders at different age groups or level of graduate education. Men are often encouraged to go the quick cash route such as trade school or the oil field, while females are not often encouraged to pursue these labor intensive fields. This may be why there is the gap in today’s universities.”

The term “pink-collar” jobs was popularized in the late 1970’s to denote female-dominated career paths (such as nurses, teachers, public affairs, etc.), which are not considered “white-collar” jobs, but neither are they “bluecollar” manual labor jobs. Many

of these jobs require some form of college degrees in today’s society. SHSU’s Education and Nursing Programs are both very large and well-known, and graduates from these programs are 92 percent female.

“I don’t like the headline, but it brings up an interesting point on socioeconomic statues and race as an indicator of success in higher education,” Clayton Bradshaw, Instructional Assistant at Texas State University and SHSU alumnus, said. “This reinforces the need to eliminate student loans and to reduce the reliance on low paid jobs that many college students are forced into just to eat and pay rent.”

SHSU Undergraduate Gender Diversity Breakdown

The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

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Ryan Reynolds | The Houstonian

Morgan Phillips | The Houstonian

Has Newton Gresham Library lost its spark? mornings is comparable to what it feels like trying to find outlets in the library during peak times.

Seating itself is not the issue.

Seating that supports studying with electronic devices is. The wastefulness of outlet placement in the library is, for the lack of better word, annoying. Going to the library is serious business if you are there to actually study, but to impede a student’s time studying almost defeats the purpose of a university library if students are stuck looking for an electrical outlet instead of maximizing their time to study.

From the outside, NGL appears to be a spacious, fourfloor structure. Not everywhere in the library is designed to be a study area, though. The first floor consists of different departments and services. The second floor is the more social floor. It embodies Starbucks, an IT@Sam computer lab, library computers and printers, group study tables, and even reserved tables for tutoring, but really does not support independent studying. The third and fourth floors, the “Quiet Areas,” are similar in structure. Book shelves take up the majority of the space, while cubicles and tables make up the perimeter of each floor.

Like any building, NGL has an abundance of windows. These windows pose the issue that

MARINA DELEON Contributing Writer “Where can I find the textbook I’m looking for? Do you have a certain book in stock? How long can I check this out for?” These are the typical questions you should be hearing around the library during the buzz of finals week. Instead, one of the most common inquisitions muttered throughout the Newton Gresham Library (NGL) is “Hey, is there a plug over there?”

Any library regular knows the struggle of endlessly wandering the acres of bookshelves searching for a table with an electrical outlet. One can spend nearly half an hour walking from floor to floor in search of plugs for their laptops. In other words, picture SHSU’s parking situation. The problem that everyone faces trying to find a parking spot at 8 a.m. on Monday

plugs cannot line them, hence the wasted space. NGL attempted to tackle this issue with floor outlets between tables, many of which do not usually work. The fourth floor also has the majority of the outlets, while the second and third floors have outlets more sparingly. Those coveted fourth floor outlets bring a migration of students every day, however, limiting the space that is left for newly-arriving students each afternoon.

Students can avoid the expedition for plugs by sitting at the small cubicles that are more regularly populated with outlets. Space becomes an issue again, though, as they can hardly accommodate a laptop and a large textbook with their fortress-like structure. These cubicles give library goers no space to stretch out or be comfortable during their multi-hour visits.

If students decide that the cubicles are not for them, they can always go down to the first floor and check out one of the 10 private study rooms. The rooms can only be reserved for two hours at a time, and quite frankly have such aesthetic shortcomings that they almost provide more of a prison-like environment than a library.

SHSU will experience another tuition increase in 2018. A portion of this increase involves

the Library Fee swelling by $3.50. This fee could potentially be put to good use seeing as SHSU has a student population of over 20,000, which could generate more than $70,000 for the library. The fee could be used to provide the library with more plugs at the tables or perhaps even just a restoration of the current plugs that are questionable in their reliance on a day-to-day basis. The main goal of this fee increase, however, does not appear to be library renovation.

“We have a lot of the staff right now that work in the library that are not on the library staff itself,” University President Dana G. Hoyt said during an open talk to students. “They’re being paid for by other sources.

What we’re doing is we’re trying to clean it up a little bit more so we can pay the library staff with the library fee.”

Students face a multitude of dilemmas when navigating college life. Sacrifices must be made sometimes, such as giving up sleep to finish a project or staying home on the night before an early class. It seems to me that with all the time and money students dedicate to their university; foregoing study time to look for an electrical outlet at a spacious table in a four-story library should not be on that list.

Pa ws UP

Paws up to the end of the semester.

The Houstonian hopes graduates have jobs lined up and good credit scores.

Paws down to the end of Net Neutrality.

In a month, you will have to pay for the privilege to clear your internet history.

Why Evangelicals support sexual predators

TRACE HARRIS Senior Viewpoints Writer On Nov. 9, it was revealed that Alabama Senate Candidate Roy Moore brought 14 year-old Leigh Corfman to his home on two occasions, kissing, groping and partially undressing her and guided her hand to his genitals.

Moore was 32 at the time and working as assistant district attorney. The allegations against Moore have grown to nine girls. Still, Moore’s support has only grown with Evangelical Christians. The same group also supported Trump despite his vulgar comments about sexual assault on the Access Hollywood tape. 13 women have accused Trump of sexual assault, including a 13-year-old girl.

Moore has vehemently denied the allegations. He was asked

by Fox News Commentator Sean Hannity whether he dated underage girls. Moore responded, “Not generally, no.” He also said he did not, “remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her

mother.” Moore’s defense is in conflict with a former colleague, Deputy District Attorney Teresa Jones who said it was “general knowledge” that he dated young girls, adding that it was weird.

Jones added, “We wondered why someone his age would hang out at high school football games and the mall. But you really wouldn’t say anything to someone like that.”

Newsweek reported that 38 percent of Evangelical Christians said they were “more likely” to vote for Moore after the allegations. Only 28 percent said they were less likely to vote for him, while 34% said it made no difference. 80 percent of Evangelicals voted for Trump despite his allegations of sexual assault. It is suggested the Evangelical support is due to Moore being removed as Alabama Supreme Court Justice twice. Moore was first removed for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from the State Judicial building. He was recently removed for telling Justices to defy the Supreme Court’s decision to federally recognize Same-Sex marriage.

Sean Hannity and others have been criticized for their excuses of Moore, citing the Bible.

Hannity commented, “Look at Mary and Joseph. She was a Teenager when with Joseph.”

This comment and defense of the sexual predator has led to companies such as Keurig, Realtor.com, 23 and Me, Eloquii and Nature’s Bounty. This has

led to the far-right destroying their Keurig machines. This action is nonsensical as they had already paid for the machines and are only hurting themselves.

The “Mary and Joseph” comments by Hannity are so out of left field. Hannity is no stranger to ridiculous comments and controversy. For example, he was fired from his first radio job for saying, “gay people are prone to disease because they consume each other’s feces during sex.”

Another Hannity comment was suggesting that Colin Kaepernick protested the national anthem because “he might have converted to Islam.” Fox News has become synonymous with lies and an alternative reality for the white, religious right who believe they are being discriminated and persecuted.

Many conservatives have come out against Moore following the allegations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “I believe the Women.” Former Presidential Candidate and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney echoed McConnell’s comment. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) have also rescinded their support for Moore.

What looks even worse for the Christian Right in Alabama is the clear choice opposing Moore. Doug Jones is a former federal Prosecutor for Northern Alabama, nominated by President Clinton in 1997. He prosecuted two Klu Klux Klansmen who killed four little girls the 1963

bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. This should be a clear choice for anyone, a man who prosecuted the KKK or a sexual predator, but it’s not.

Again, this is Alabama, and what is more important to Southern, Christian, Whites is race and the “R” in front of one’s name. The religious right has become synonymous with racism, White Supremacy, and hate. The fact that Jones prosecuted the KKK in Alabama is probably a strike against him for whites, but is supposed to be a motivation for Black voters.

Jones is getting nationwide support from mainline Democrats and every faction of the party.

This election will be crucial for the Republicans to retain control of the Senate going into 2018. The 2017 elections saw major wins for Democrats and progressives, even historical wins. In North Carolina, a Transgender woman beat a man who wrote the “Bathroom Bill.”

In New Jersey, a Sikh man became Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey.

Finally, two Socialist candidates were elected to office. These elections typically top out at 25 percent voter turnout, favoring Republicans, but Progressives turned out. The Progressive movement is growing, in spite of Trump and the Far-right movement. The Movement will do all it can to ensure Jones beats the sexual predator Moore in Alabama.

Moore has continued to vehemently deny the allegations,

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and his Evangelical supporters believe it. His denials and threats towards the victims’ mirrors Trump’s reactions.

More and more sexual assault allegations continue to come out against actors and politicians. A picture was recently released of Democratic Senator Al Franken groping an unconscious Army soldier.

Franken quickly apologized, but was attacked on Twitter by Trump. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement saying, “the difference between the accusations against Trump and Franken are that Franken admitted to it.” The pattern between Republicans and Democrats who have been accused of this conduct is noted.

Many more Republicans are accused of this conduct, and most deny it.

Many are “devout” Christians who should know lying and sexual misconduct is a sin. The behavior of these politicians is unacceptable, no matter what Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.

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The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Wednesday, November 29 - December 9, 2017

Page 6

T A L E N T E D

Graduating talent

Tyler Josefsen | The Houstonian LEGACY. Fans will see different names on SHSU FOOTBALL jerseys next season, but many of these names live on in the record books.

GABRIEL MYERS Sports Reporter

S E N I O R S

Football continued, page 1 — to be the key for SHSU, but it will be a difficult task as many teams were unable to find a way to stop him this year.

“He’s a very accurate passer,” Keeler said. “When he pulls the ball down, he runs with an attitude.”

While the Bearkat defense will have their hands full, the offense should be able to navigate the Coyote defense, which gave up 476 yards and 31 points to Nicholls last weekend. The one thing the Bearkats must avoid is turnovers, which ultimately cost Nicholls the game as they turned the ball over four times.

“They are a group that is very aggressive,” Keeler said. “They are a long, physical team that will bang you up. That last play of that Nicholls game, they caused a fumble to win that ball game, and that was a very physical play.”

The Bearkats’ spread offense, which averages 45.9 points per game and features the Southland Conference’s offensive player of

the year in junior wide receiver Davion Davis, could give the Coyotes problems similar to the way Nicholls did last week. Fatigue set in for the Coyotes defense near the end of the game in which Nicholls ran 84 plays.

That is something that the Bearkats may be able to exploit as their fast-paced offense averages 76 plays per game.

Viewers should be prepared for a contest that will likely turn in to an offensive shootout. With Streveler leading the Coyotes charge and last year’s Walter Payton award winning senior quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe at the Bearkats helm, this game could very well be won by the first team to score 50 points.

The game will take place Saturday at Bowers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game will be televised live on ESPN3.

@HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU

When this season is over the Sam Houston State University Bearkats football team will have a lot of players to replace.

When this senior class walked onto the field for the first time a little more than four years ago, head coach K.C. Keeler could not have dreamed of what this group would accomplish both individually and collectively.

T h e individuals themselves are special; quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, defensive lineman PJ Hall, wide receiver Yedidiah Louis, and running back Corey Avery are not only some of the best players in the history of Bearkat football, but their legends will live on in Southland and FCS lore for years to come. Collectively this senior class has 44 victories to its name, the most of any senior class in SHSU football history.

The combination of Briscoe and Louis may be the best in the history of the conference. On Nov. 15 Briscoe became just the third player in Southland conference history and the first Bearkat ever to eclipse 10,000 yards passing. It is worth noting that he did so while starting for just two and a half seasons at SHSU. Briscoe owns several single season records as well. In what was perhaps the best season by an FCS quarterback ever, Briscoe threw for a school record 4,602 yards in 2016 while setting a new NCAA Division One record with 57 touchdown passes in his Walter Peyton award winning campaign.

Nov. 15 was also a special day for Louis, who tied fellow Bearkat receiver Matt Dominguez for the Photo courtesy Brian Blalock most receiving touchdowns in his career with 27. Louis also holds Southland conference records in CAMERON DELANEY career receptions (271) and reContributing Reporter ceiving yards (3,659).

The Sam Houston State University men’s basketball team competed in the fortieth and final Great Alaska Shootout tournament.

This tournament has a history of championship caliber teams competing, such as Kansas

Northern hoops

Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.

“[Louis] is the best receiver in the history of the conference,” Keeler said, and it is hard to disagree.

With such a prolific passing attack the running game can get overlooked, but Avery is among the Bearkat elite, as well. On Nov. 15 Avery joined Timothy Flanders as the only Bearkats to ever rush for 3,000 yards in their careers, doing so in just three seasons after transferring from Kansas University. Avery’s 36 career touchdown runs are also good for second all-time among Bearkat running backs.

On the defensive side, Hall has been the force that drives the Bearkats for four years. Like Briscoe, Hall does not only hold Sam Houston records, but national ones as well. On Nov. 8 Hall became the FCS’ all-time leader in career tackles for loss with 82, breaking the previous record of 80. Hall also holds the SHSU career record for sacks with 42, and is just half a sack shy of breaking the career FCS record. Hall has also made a name for himself on special teams, blocking 14 kicks in his career, the most in Bearkat history.

Simply put, this senior class has been outstanding for the Bearkat football program. As these four enter their final playoff run as Bearkats, it is time to take a look at what they have done and realize that SHSU will likely never have four players of this caliber on campus at the same time again, making now the time for the Bearkats to commandeer a national championship. This is a special group that will be talked about for years to come here at Sam Houston State University.

Tyler Josefsen | The Houstonian