Wednesday, February 14, 2018
The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
The Official News Source of Sam Houston State University CASTING CALL, P. 2 The College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is looking for students and faculty for a new film. Volume 129 | Issue 16
SHSU funding has early success RYAN REYNOLDS Editor-in-Chief Sam Houston State University is closing in on its five-year campaign funding goal of $125 million just one year into the process. The university has currently raised $85 million for the “Honoring Traditions. Creating Futures” campaign. The “Honoring Traditions. Creating Futures” campaign launched in January 2017 and is scheduled for completion by 2020. According to Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristina Kaskel-Ruiz, the overarching goal for the campaign is to support the futures of SHSU students, which includes scholarships. “One of the most profound benefits of donor support is scholarships,” Ruiz said. “Thanks to many generous individuals and organizations, students are getting an educational opportunity that may not otherwise be available. Last year, SHSU students were awarded 3,731 scholarships for over $8.7 million dollars.” A recent study by the Student Loan Report analyzed data for 500 public colleges and universities. Each school was ranked from highest to lowest according to average scholarship financial aid per undergraduate, and the top 250 schools made the list. SHSU was ranked at 127; 16 Texas universities made the cut. The campaign is divided into four areas of focus including: academics and student enrichment, agricultural facilities, academic support for health sciences and athletic facility upgrades. Bearkat Athletics has already seen an improvement to locker rooms, and Johnson Coliseum received an extensive makeover in Fall 2016: a revamped training room, a media room for postgame interviews, upgraded bleachers, an additional concessions area and a redesigned maple hardwood court. “It’s pretty cool having the new locker room,” senior guard Cameron Delaney said. “It’s a huge upgrade from where we used to be. It’s more spacious and it makes us kind of look like a professional team. It just shows what direction this program is heading in.” The university has also seen tremendous growth to its infrastructure in the past decade. The Fred Pirkle Engineering Technology Center opened last year and is now providing a clean and modern space for the Department of Agriculture Sciences and Engineering faculty and students. SHSU also opened the Piney Woods Hall in 2017, which houses 684 Bearkats and cost $60 million. Along with new academic buildings and housing options, SHSU also added a dining hall in Spring 2017. Funding continues on page 2
FIFTY SHADES FREED, P. 3 Marina DeLeon reviews the final installment in the Fifty Shades of Grey series.
HUMANS AT SAM, P. 4 Lindsey Henry of Fox 26 takes this week’s spotlight for being an Emmynominated reporter.
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@HoustonianSHSU
SOCIAL MEDIA, P. 5 Find out how SHSU student-athletes avoid making costly mistakes on social media. @HoustonianSHSU
SOFTBALL SEASON, P. 5 Softball season is here and the Kats are preparing for their first home tournament since 2009. HoustonianOnline.com
Crowning Achievement: Learning about LSC Brianna Beigel, Miss Sam Houston 2018 renovation brings new ‘chill’ spot to SHSU with campus pub
NEW AMENITIES. The Lowman Student Center is undergoing a makeover that includes a wide-range of enhancements, one of which is an on-campus pub that will serve wine and beer,
EMILY DAVIS News/Viewpoints Editor Photo courtesy Brian Blalock
PASSING THE CROWN. Sophomore Pre-Nursing major Brianna Beigel being crowned Miss Sam Houston 2018 at the Miss Sam Houston pageant on Feb. 8 in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom. Every year 12 influential women of SHSU represent their organization and compete for the title “Miss Sam Houston.”
SHARON RAISSI Campus Culture Editor When sophomore pre-nursing student Brianna Beigel was crowned Miss Sam Houston, she received a $1,500 scholarship, a one-semester meal plan, $500 to an organization of her choice, and a one-way ticket to an experience unlike any she has ever had. During the annual Miss Sam Houston pageant on Feb. 8, Beigel’s life as she knew it changed drastically. After her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, asked her to represent them in the pageant, Beigel agreed; she never imagined where it would lead her.
“I did not know what I was getting myself into,” Beigel said. “My sorority nominated me to represent them, and of course I was happy to do that. I’m super grateful for the opportunity. It was definitely a whirlwind.” Prior to Miss Sam Houston, Beigel had no pageant experience of any kind. She soon discovered that the pageant life was not quite as glamorous as she had expected. “We had to get a swimsuit and a formal dress,” Beigel said. “I actually just used things I already had. I used my mom’s old bathing suit and my old prom dress. The night of the pageant, I was painting my toes backstage an hour before. It’s
not all glam as people assume, but it was a lot of fun.” Beigel grew up training to be a professional ballerina, so the stage is nothing new to her. A few portions of the competition, however, took some adjustment. “I was not comfortable at first, walking around in a bathing suit and heels in front of people such as my grandma and my grandpa,” Beigel recalled. “But, that was the beauty of it. It really promoted believing in yourself and being comfortable in your own skin. The other girls were super supportive. We all did it together, so it was a good learning experience.” Pageant continues on page 3
Changes to campus traffic flow coming after Spring Break, Bearkats bear mixed emotions
Map courtesy Sam Houston State University Facilities Management
LEISURE DRIVE. Sam Houston State University Facilities Management announced that campus will see a change to traffic flow following Spring Break. The map shows that certain streets will be converted to one-ways in order to improve safety for student and faculty. Story on page 2
An on-campus pub is in the plans as part of the Lowman Student Center renovation and expansion. The renovations will begin March 9, and the pub is expected to open Spring 2019. According to the Sam Houston State University Office of Communications, the Division of Student Affairs relied heavily on student input during the assessment phase of the LSC renovation and expansion. A pub was among a number of amenities that were proposed. “When time came to vote for the project, students overwhelmingly supported the pub concept as part of the renovation/expansion scope,” Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristina Kaskel-Ruiz said. Aramark, SHSU’s food vendor, will operate the pub. The drinks offered at the establishment will consist only of beer and wine. “The pub and the distribution and consumption of alcohol on campus will be subject to all laws and related university policies that are in place at the time of its opening,” Ruiz said. According to SHSU’s current Alcoholic Beverage Distribution Policy, the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on any property owned and/or controlled by the university are prohibited except where permitted explicitly by published policies. The policy also includes that the legal age for the purchase, consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages in the state of Texas is 21. Both current and former students are already enthusiastic toward the upcoming project. “It would have been amazing to have a drink with friends after finishing a final or an extremely hard test,” Aluma Hope Dibrel said. “I’m glad future and current Bearkats are going to have a place to socialize and drink, if they are of age on campus. It’s a great idea.” Pub continues on page 2