Wednesday, April 25, 2018
The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
The Official News Source of Sam Houston State University Volume 129 | Issue 25
/HoustonianSHSU
@HoustonianSHSU
@HoustonianSHSU
HoustonianOnline.com
RECONSTRUCTING HISTORY
San Jacinto Project: New faces, untold stories “This is probably the most unique and personal look we’re going to get at the soldiers who fought under Santa Anna,” Danning said. “It’s very difficult to get information out of Mexico about something that happened so long ago, but the skulls have stories to tell of their own. Some of them tell us how they died; they tell us whether or not they fought in battles previously, and some of them show both.” Danning sees this project as
a way to get a completely new look into not only into the Battle of San Jacinto, but a closer look at the individuals that helped orchestrate history. “Most of us have learned history through a series of dates and by the names of people who were in power at the time, but there were millions and millions of people living during our history that were just like you and I,” Danning said. Project continues on page 2
Zeta Tau SHSU Starbucks stores will stay open Alpha raises $26,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness
Graphic design seniors finish strong
BY SHARON RAISSI Campus Culture Editor Coming face-to-face with history can be challenging when the history is almost 200 years old. Forensic science, art and the skulls of six dead Mexican soldiers are helping one artist uncover the past one piece of clay at Photo courtesy SHSU a time. Forensic artist Amanda DanSKULLS. Forensic artist Amanda Danning is putting a face on history. ning spoke at the Sam Houston
Memorial Museum last week as part of her continuing efforts to bring history back to life—starting on the battlegrounds of San Jacinto. The San Jacinto Project is a quest to reconstruct the faces of fallen Mexican soldiers whose skulls were found on the San Jacinto battleground. Danning’s history in sculpture and her work in the Smithsonian helped prepare her to take on such a large undertaking.
BY KRISTA KISTLER Contributing Reporter
BY BECCA JONES Contributing Reporter On April 15, Sam Houston State University’s Zeta Tau Alpha’s raised $26,000 at its 18th annual Crown Classic golf tournament for breast cancer awareness and education month. The tournament was held at Panorama Golf Course in Conroe. The funds were raised from the tournament proceeds, silent auction, raffle and a pro golf player who split their proceeds. The Zetas also raised funds outside the tournament by going around their communities and hometowns to help spread awareness and education. Former Zeta and Vice President Coordinator of Philanthropy events Emily Lepley helped guarantee this tournament came together. “This shows that Zeta and other sororities do not fit the other stereotype, and we do so much more,” Lepley said. “We put so much hard work into raising awareness and education for our philanthropy, and to say we achieved $26,000 Zeta continues on page 2
Jordan Likens | The Houstonian
VENTI FRAPPUCINO FOR SAMMY! Despite the one-day closing of thousands of stores for racial-bias education training, the two Sam Houston State University Starbucks locations plan to remain open May 29.
BY MICHAEL FLORES Contributing Reporter
HOLE-IN-ONE. Zeta Tau Alpha hosted its 18th annual charity golf tournament and surpassed their initial goal as they raised $26,000 for breast cancer awareness.
Starbucks has recently been surrounded by controversy after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks. According to CNN, the manager called the police after the two men were sitting in the store without ordering. The men were arrested for trespassing, and they told police that they were waiting for someone else to arrive, and the person did arrive as they were being arrested. After national outcry on social media, Starbucks decided to release a statement on their Facebook that they would close down all company-owned stores for a racial-bias education training on May 29. According to the Starbucks website, they will be closing down over 8,000 stores across the United States for the training. “On May 29, we will close our company-owned stores in the U.S. to conduct racial-bias training in order to address implicit bias, promote conscious inclusion, and prevent discrimination so everyone feels safe and welcome at Starbucks,” Starbucks’ Facebook post said. “The training will impact nearly 175,000 partners (employees) across the country, and will become core to the orientation process for new partners. These experts will hold us accountable by monitoring
POLICE BLOTTER, P. 2 Find out the latest buzz surrounding the Sam Houston State University Police Department.
C.J. HONORS, P. 2 SHSU’s annual event recognizes leadership and honors those fallen in the line of duty.
Photo courtesy Kristy Murphy
and reviewing the effectiveness of the measures we undertake. We’re ashamed and recognize that racial bias is a problem we need to–and will–address.” Sam Houston State University has two Starbucks locations on campus—located in the Newton Gresham Library and South Paw. Now, people are wondering if the on-campus Starbucks stores will also be closing on May 29 to participate in the racial-bias education training.
“Our on-site locations are not planning on closing down that day,” Aramark Marketing Manager Logan Hickle said. “I am not sure if any of our food services will be open that day because of the campus schedule. Starbucks corporate will send the training information down to us and we may implement it into our training, but nothing has been set as of yet.” The SHSU Starbucks locations are not company-owned locations, so they do not fall under the same requirements as many of the oth-
What’s happening at SHSU? PARKING TICKET, P. 3 Opinion: Tyler Josefsen reflects on the on-street parking situation after receiving a parking ticket.
er Starbucks across the nation. “I think if they did close it would be a poor decision from a business standpoint,” senior Criminal Justice major Hope Baker said. “I haven’t ever seen an issue with the way they treat customers, regardless of race, so I don’t think they have a reason for additional training.” Starbucks has stated on its website that the curriculum they are developing is being created with guidance from several national and local experts confronting racial bias. The training will also be available to other companies and will be sent out to all locations regardless of ownership. While some students are understanding of SHSU’s choice to not implement the training, other students would like to see the training take place. “It would be a great way to implement the training on campus, only because the situation could happen anywhere,” junior English major Zavier Fields said. “Just because it happened in a companyowned location does not mean it won’t happen on campus. People are allowed to publicly enter and exit the university. The difference would be the students are the workers and how would they help if the don’t know how to handle the situation. It would just make a statement for other races that they are supported, and they are free to come in and purchase Starbucks like everyone else.”
ROB HUBBARD, P. 4 Head coach Rob Hubbard shared the secrets to his success about turning around the tennis program.
The Department of Art at Sam Houston State University is presenting the Graphic Design Senior Show in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery, and a ceremony will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. when awards are announced and given to the designers.
According to the SHSU website, “The Senior Show marks the end of a journey for students completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Each student will present design work that represents hours of hard work and dedication.” The Graphic Design Senior Show lasts until April 27. “The Senior Graphic Design Senior Show is a great chance for viewers to see work by students just as they are about to venture into the design field,” Art Gallery Coordinator Max Manning said. “It is exciting to see work by creatives in that stage of their career.” There are 14 students in the show, all of whom will have work on display. “Each of them have a portion of the gallery,” Manning said. “In each student’s section of the gallery, they are displaying various projects they have made Design continues on page 2
MAKING WAVES , P. 4 The SHSU fishing team is about to compete in the Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Page 2
Honors day to recognize fallen Jordan Likens | The Houstonian SHOWING OFF. The Graphic Design Senior Show will be on display until Friday in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery to showcase the hard work of graduating graphic design majors.
Project continued, page 1 — “They weren’t in power, they didn’t care about the politics, they didn’t care where the borders were. Here, you get to come face to face with history.” Danning has worked on this project since 2010, when the skulls of the fallen Mexican soldiers were recovered from the Samuel George Morton Cranial Collection at Penn State Museum of Archaeology. “The battle of San Jacinto was incredibly decisive,” Danning said. “The Texas army of about 800 overwhelmed an army of about 14-1,500. They killed 700 Mexican soldiers and left them lying out on the dirt. Some of the skulls were picked up by John James Audubon the following year, and they ended up in the Morton collection.” Danning gave a series of presentations where she explained what she found while giving history a face. She explained how the skulls were able to sometimes show intimate details of the soldier’s life, how they died, and in some cases, how they lived. She explained some challenges she faced while performing these constructions. “How do you represent—in a sculpture—that moment of death?” Danning asked. “Do you represent them as dying and in agony? Dead? Or do you just ignore it? It’s a big question. It’s very hard to make a decision on how that effects the viewer, and how to get across the point that, one, that this all happened, but
two, that these were individuals, and this is the most personal look we’re going to get.” Keeping the individual identities of each soldier is something she focuses on, even throughout the scientific process. Mixing science with art can be a challenge, but she tackles it the best way she knew how. Danning explained how she uses both Russian and American methods while performing a facial reconstruction. She first recreates the facial muscles, then uses science to create soft tissue depth markers in in hopes of getting the most accurate look into the past she can. “Just beneath the top layer of soil, it’s all there,” Danning said. “There have been very few archaeological digs out there. And now we’re doing more of it. We could really learn a lot more. This is a nice way of reminding that there is a lot of history in the San Jacinto battleground.” Danning tours multiple times every year, and plans to return to Huntsville again next April. Zeta continued, page 1 — is crazy. It is such a rewarding experience and I am honored to be doing it for one of eight women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. So proud of the hard work of my chapter, because without them it would not have been possible.” According to Lepley, she felt a personal connection to the cause. “Personally it hits home because my grandmother passed
away from breast cancer when I was younger so being able to raise money, education and awareness for it means so much to me and my family,” Lepley said. The Zetas’ primary goal for the annual tournament was to reach $24,000, but the Zeta chapter exceeded their goal by $2,000 with a grand total of $26,000 raised. Design continued, page 1 — while in the graphic design program.” Students have said great things about attending and being a part of this senior show. Manning shared some of what students have said about the show. “It is rewarding for the students to have a moment to step back and look at the progress they have made during their time in the program, and they have the chance to see what they have achieved as a group as well as individuals,” Manning said. “Along similar lines, graphic designers do not always display their work in an art gallery setting, so it is a unique opportunity for the students to see their work in this context.” The Gaddis Geeslin Gallery is located at 1028 21st Street and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. A visitor parking permit may be obtained at the Sam South Complex at 2424 Sam Houston Avenue. For more information contact Max Manning at mpm031@ shsu.edu or 936-294-3102.
BY AMY PORTILLO Contributing Reporter The Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice will be celebrating its annual Honors Day to recognize service, leadership and superior scholarship as well as honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. Honors Day will take place on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center. The event will start off with a Leadership Luncheon for those who received an invitation. The luncheon will recognize student leaders, alumni, faculty and friends. The Outstanding Dissertation Award will be awarded to Lindsey Glicksberg, the first in the nation to graduate with a Ph.D. in Forensic Science. The Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Mary Lentschke, who achieved national recognition for directing research and reform to address the problem of sexual assault kits that were not submitted. The Defensor Pacem Medal will be presented to Dr. Rolando del Carmen for his contributions to the field of criminal justice. A tribute will also be paid to several of the col-
lege’s student organizations. The Sundial Ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the south entrance to the Criminal Justice Center. The ceremony will honor Criminal Justice alumni and other law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The public is invited to attend. Following the Sundial Ceremony will be a room dedication to Dr. Rolando del Carmen for his over 45 years of commitment to students and colleagues. This dedication will be held at 3 p.m., and the public is welcomed. The college invites the public to the Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. at the Killinger Auditorium. The ceremony will recognize some of the most academically gifted students, presenting scholarships to more than 80 students. An additional 130 students will be recognized for their academic achievements. “Honors Day is the highlight of the academic year in that it provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and faculty and to remember those who perished in the line of duty,” Assistant to the Dean Debra McCall said. Visit HoustonianOnline.com for entire article.
Jordan Likens | The Houstonian
Police Blotter: SHSU’s Finest Keep the Campus Safe April 20th: Possession of Marijuana (12:30 a.m.)
An officer observed a vehicle travelling the wrong way westbound in an eastbound only section of the 1000 block of Bearkat Boulevard. The officer initiated a traffic stop and detected the odor of marijuana. He found marijuana on the passenger and in the vehicle. The passenger had numerous active arrest warrants through the Huntsville Municipal Court. The officer transported both subjects to the Walker County Jail.
April 20th: Possession of Marijuana (2:30 p.m.)
An officer was dispatched to Lone Star Hall, 910 Bearkat Boulevard, in reference to a student locating marijuana in the residence hall laundry room. A resident found a clear plastic baggie marijuana inside a washer.
April 20th: Criminal Trespass (7:59 p.m.)
A known individual was arrested for violating a criminal trespass warning at 530 Bowers Blvd. The officer transported the subject to the Walker County Jail and issued another criminal trespass warning for all of SHSU property.
April 23rd: Assist Outside Agency (2:17 a.m.)
An officer overheard the Walker County Communication Center broadcast an attempt to locate of a wrong way driver on IH45 and responded to the area to assist the Huntsville Police Department with attempting to stop the vehicle with spike strips. The officer then assisted with a foot pursuit of the suspect. The officer departed once the subject was in custody of the HPD. Information taken from Daily Police Activity at shsu.edu/dept/public-saftey/upd/dailypolice.html
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Page 3
Parking on Campus: App-solute confusion Breaking: Parkmobile and Mobile Now are two very different apps.
BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Associate Editor I am a senior double-major at Sam Houston State University taking 24 credit hours this semester in addition to having a job on campus. I spent $180 at the beginning of last semester to have a Zone 2 parking permit not knowing that my regular lot across from Raven Village would change to resident parking, the lot next to that by the old Potato Shack would be closed down, the lot by Lonestar Hall is consistently more than half-filled with cars even at 2 a.m. and the largest of any Zone 2 lots (Z207) would be completely closed off because of construction. My name is Tyler Josefsen. I recently got a parking ticket, and I’m upset. On April 4, I needed to make a quick trip to a building on campus and the parking lots were full. I recalled a quote from SHSU parking director Matt McDaniel about on-street parking. “The [on-street] spaces are a hybrid,” McDaniel said. “If you have Zone 2 or Zone 1 ePermit, you can park in those spaces. If you do not have one of the two permits, you may use the Parkmobile app to pay by the hour up to the daily maximum rate.” Well, a little bit of information is a dangerous thing. With that tidbit of information combined with my previously unexperienced pain of not being able to find a single parking after circling around lots for the better part of a half hour, I decided to park on the street. That decision was incorrect. This article is partly in response
to my frustration, but I want to assure readers that motive is not as petty as it first sounds. My frustration stems from the lack of promoting—by both the city and the university—the fact that there are two different types of on-street parking spots. For those of you who don’t know, there are on-street parking spots owned by the university; these are the ones referred to by McDaniel and use the Parkmobile app. Other parking spots, like the one I parked in on that unfortunate Wednesday afternoon, use a very similar app called Mobile Now. These spots are city-owned, and parking permits are not adequate enough to allow students to park in them—despite the fact that students pay hundreds of dollars for the ability to park on-campus, and those spots are on-campus. Before this experience, when I heard people complain about parking issues, I took the laissezfaire attitude that people should just arrive earlier for class and leave time to find parking. It’s not a big deal. Since then, my attitude has changed. Sometimes finding a parking actually is impossible. I am not trying to place this blame on university officials or the Huntsville Police Department. The fault was my own, and I do not contest that. However, I will argue—and implore others to do the same— that the parking situation is unfair to students, especially ones that spend a significant amount of time on a campus dominated by commuters. Parking permits feel like bait-and-switch. Construction clutters up most lots and closes down entire other ones. On-street parking is deceptive, and the signs are misleading. The situation is more than troublesome. It is a $35 entrapment for hardworking, rule-abiding students that are trying to go to class. It’s horrific.
/HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU @HoustonianSHSU
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Page 4
Racquet-ing up victories Photos courtesy Dillon Harrell
Hook, line and sinker BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Associate Editor
Photos courtesy Tim O’Sullivan
Right in-line BY HIVAN MORENO Asst. Sports Editor
The Sam Houston State University inline hockey team has been One of the lesser-known nationally recognized as one of the teams at Sam Houston State UniTop-16 inline hockey programs in versity is making a splash. The the nation. The team finished their fishing team—yes, fishing—reregular season with a 7-9 overall Photo courtesy SHSU Athletics record, with one of the losses becently competed at the Carhartt College Bassmaster Southern ing from an overtime defeat, and a THE HUBBARD METHOD. Sam Houston State University tennis has had a remarkable season capped off by a trip to the Southland Conference Tournament in Beaumont beginning Friday. Tour. 4-6 record in the playoffs. Junior Team President Dillon SHSU Inline hockey has seen ference for the first time in quite the reasons for our strengths BY JORDAN SMITH Harrell and Senior teammate a significant amount of growth some time.” this season was our culture and Sports Reporter Colby Bryant placed 12th out of within the past year. The club Before Hubbard took over, how we approach practice every266 teams. went from starting from scratch to SHSU was coming off five day and how we approach our Sam Houston State University Senior Collin Bode and Junior be a nationally ranked club. straight seasons with at least 12 studies as well.” Joshua Perrin had a nice showing tennis is heading to the South“We had to start from scratch losses on the season. The last Hubbard was impressed with land Conference Tournament as well, finishing 36th as they and from there it was finding a time a Bearkat tennis squad had the way that the Bearkats ended starting this Friday in Beaumont all qualified for the Bassmaster team,” said Sophomore goaltendouble-digit wins heading into the season—winning five of the College Series National Champi- with hopes of continuing their der Tim O’Sullivan. “We started the season was in 2011- 2012 last six matches in which four success from the regular season. onship. when SHSU went 12-9 on the of those victories ended in a 6-1 out as a group chat just wanting The Bearkats finished 13-5 Harrell has been fishing practito play hockey as most of us have season under then head coach tally. cally his entire life. When he got tied third place with Northwest- Jim Giachino. a large history in hockey at high “It does a lot,” Hubbard said. ern State at a record of 8-3 in to SHSU, he worked hard to get levels and our current president, Freshman Sahaja Yamalapalli “We also recognize that, of all conference play. This is coming the fishing team to where they Brad Duggan, went way above and went 11-2 in singles matches the teams, we probably had the needed to be in order to compete off a 9-13 overall season with a beyond any leader, president or and 6-4 in doubles matches this roughest first half. We had all 6-5 conference record in Bearin collegiate tournaments. captain I have ever worked with.” season. of the top teams pretty early kats head coach Rob Hubbard’s Hubbard had some high praise and we went head-to- head with Visit HoustonianOnline.com for first season at the helm for Visit HoustonianOnline.com for for Yamalapalli, as she has been them and stayed pretty close. We SHSU. entire article. entire article. one of the main highlights for were trying to make sure that Hubbard talked about his surthe Bearkats this season. we didn’t relax knowing we were prise with how quickly his squad “She came in and we had a playing some of the teams we was able to turn things around pretty good feeling that she was knew weren’t going to be in the in just two seasons. going to play pretty high,” Hubtop of the standings. They were “The biggest turnaround was bard said. very well prepared, they the first year,” Hubbard said. “I “It’s always difficult as a freshdidn’t take anybody for came in believing that this was man, you never know how they granted, they played exceptiona three- year project to turn respond. She’s responded really ally well.” around. But, the ladies proved well, and she’s been a great fit The Bearkats head to the me a liar in the first year, and for the culture that the women Southland Conference tournathey had a big turnaround and put in place here. That’s one of ment Friday in Beaumont. had a winning record in the con-
Save money & time with our fast and affordable summer sessions
Five Sessions available Don’t delay and register today! 713.718.2000
hccs.edu/summer
Classes begin May 14, June 4 & July 9