Monday, March 2, 2020
The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Students Dedicated to Professional Journalism Volume 132 | Issue 4
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Newton Gresham Library Gets $15 Million Update BY SHARON RAISSI Editor-in-Chief Newton Gresham Library’s first significant construction project since it’s opening in 1968 is set to begin this semester with a price tag of over $15 million. Construction on the library will start April 13 and continue until at least December, with plans to have everything completely done the following spring. The renovations will be contained to the existing structure, shaping it into a more accessible space, providing more areas for collaborative work, classroom spaces, individual study areas as well as full incorporation of the Academic Success Center into the second floor. The first floor will be transformed from hallways and offices into open study and collaboration zones. The second floor will be made into a patron-service and research centered floor with a full-service Starbucks. Executive Director of Library Services Eric Owen spoke about the changes students will experience in their usage of the building during construction. “The library is committed to maintaining regular hours and services during the renovation,” Owen said. “Unfortunately, some noise during construction is un-
Architectural rendering by Shepley Bulfinch OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEWTON. Renovations on the entrances and first two floors of Newton Gresham Library will include an incorporation of the Academic Success Center into the second floor, as well as updated entry points, open study areas and more.
avoidable. However, the library is working with the contractors to minimize disruption for students.” The construction will be split into four phases to lessen disruptions. Spaces will be available for students throughout renovations, likely on the third and fourth floors. Owen plans to pause construction during finals and continue throughout the year with substantial completion by December. The construction will impact only the entrances of the
building and the first and second floors. “While we would love to update the entire building, we also recognize the need to be good stewards of the available budget,” Owen said. “The current approach seeks to focus funding to maximize the positive impact for students by transforming the two entry floors of the library.” The total estimated project cost is $15.2 million, with $7 million of that money coming from the Texas State University System Revenue Bonds, $8
million coming from Higher Education Funds and $200,000 from auxiliary funds. “My hope is that the renovation will make the NGL a more accessible and useful academic environment for students, and as a result student usage of the facility will increase,” Owen said. The incorporation of the ASC into the building is a major feature of the renovations. The ASC provides supplemental instruction, writing and mathematics tutoring and hosts workshops throughout the year
to help students with things like time management, note-taking, reading comprehension, exam strategies and more. “Students who come seeking services from one unit will have more opportunity to discover services provided by ASC tutors, mentors, as well as the First Year Experience office and the EURECA center for undergraduate research, leading to greater visibility and benefit from these diverse campus services,” Owen said. Campus libraries all over have been working to keep up with the ever-evolving needs of college students. By incorporating more modern amenities, the library follows an evolutionary trend in universities expanding from just a repository for books and documents into an academic and scholarly hub. NGL intends to keep students updated throughout the renovation process. “Information concerning the phases of the renovation, including the areas which will be affected, and the duration of potential disruptions, will be shared and updated regularly on a renovation webpage on the NGL website, as well as signage in the library,” Owen said. For more information about NGL, visit their webpage at library.shsu.edu.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, March 2, 2020
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campus news
Sexual Misconduct Reports Prompt Notice from University BY SHARON RAISSI Editor-in-Chief On Feb. 27, Sam Houston State University’s emergency notification system, KatSafe, sent out an email labeled “Timely Notification.” The notification stated that over the past two weeks, the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Public Safety Services were provided with four reports of sexual misconduct that occurred on campus in residential units. The report stated that the incidents “do not represent an ongoing threat or immediate danger to the community,” but the number of reported incidents “prompted a notification in regards to safety on campus regarding sexual misconduct.”
University Police Department Associate Director of Emergency Management Steve Jeter spoke about the scope of these reports. “Probably the best way to put this is that it is campus-wide,” Jeter said. “Two of them came from Sam Houston Village, I know that off the top of my head. But it’s not all one place, it’s not all one person, they’re different victims. It’s not like we have a boogeyman.” Jeter said that the main reasoning behind this email was to prompt people to make better decisions. “One of the things that seemed to be the common denominator of the ones we’ve worked the last couple of months is they’re meeting on social websites, and then when
they’re getting together, sometimes a sexual incident happens,” Jeter said. “More or less, we’re just trying to help people be smarter about who they’re inviting in their house, set boundaries, things like that so they can possibly help keep themselves out of harm’s way.” Even though these four reports prompted a campus-wide notification, Jeter was not certain that it signaled an actual increase in sexual misconduct. Since Texas Senate Bill 212 went into effect on Jan. 1, reporting these incidents has become mandatory for campus faculty and staff. “When the laws changed last year where if you talk to a professor or law enforcement or Title IX or whoever on campus now, they’re required by law
to tell somebody,” Jeter said. “Otherwise they could be held legally responsible. I think the reporting systems are better. This is something that everybody is taking seriously, so when somebody makes an allegation they’re being investigated and contacted, either through Title IX or law enforcement.” The KatSafe email included three tips to help reduce risk or mitigate sexual misconduct: clearly communicate your interests regarding sexual activity to prospective partners and give them a chance to communicate their intentions to you, respect personal boundaries and do not make assumptions about consent, someone’s sexual availability, whether they are attracted to you, how far you can go or about whether they are physically or
mentally able to consent. The email emphasized that if there are any questions or ambiguity in a situation, then you do not have consent. “If we can just reiterate those things, making good decisions, making sure you have boundaries, and no means no,” Jeter said. “If we can do something to encourage people—if something does happen, please contact us, contact Title IX so we can help them through the process.” Any type of sexual assault, sexual violence or any form of sex discrimination under Title IX may be reported to the Title IX office, or students can file a formal complaint with a Title IX coordinator. There is a link to report online at www.shsu.edu/ titleix/, and students can also contact UPD at 936-294-1800.
College Students are Now Primary Target for Scammers BY DANIELLE GARZA Contributing Reporter College students regularly fall victim to identity theft and scams on campuses across the nation. Students can be an easy target for scammers because of their age and lack of experience. Scammers target students typically through phone calls, emails and social media accounts. “Phone calls pretending to be from the admissions office or maybe from the IRS or student loan office and email solicitations,” Institutional Compliance Officer for Sam Houston State University and Certified Fraud Examiner Joseph Agins said. “But primarily through social engineering, phishing and
Photo courtesy of freecreditreport.com IDENTITY THEFT IS NOT A JOKE, JIM. Millions of families suffer every year. College students are especially in danger of falling victim to scammers.
spoofed emails.” Although there are several ways students are targeted, ac-
cording to Agins, there are preventive measures students can take to be safe from scammers.
“Be aware and informed that these scams exist and, always remember, if something seems too good to be true, it is,” Agins said. “Check your credit report regularly, the Student Legal Services Office will actually do this for you free of charge and they can also provide guidance if there is something on there that shouldn’t be.” Senior citizens were once the most likely to fall victim to fraud, but according to the Better Business Bureau, college students fall victim more than the elderly. “It used to be the elderly that were targeted and victimized the most and now it’s college students,” Agins said. “According to the Better Business Bureau, consumers ages 18 to 24 are three times as likely than senior
citizens to fall victim to scams and fraud.” Agins said that he is always willing to help campus community members with issues related to fraud. “My job is trying to ensure the university meets or remains in compliance with all of the regulations that guide our industry and activities,” Agins said. “Students or anyone else is always free to reach out to me with questions about fraud, student scams and white-collar crime.” For more information on how to protect themselves from identity theft, students are invited to the “Scams, Fraud, & Identity Theft” presentation that Agins is hosting on March 4 from 6-7 p.m. in Lowman Student Center room 230.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, March 2, 2020
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campus news
Students Voice Opinions for Next SHSU President BY ADRIANNE REECE Contributing Reporter Students gathered in the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom on Feb. 27 to be a part of the Presidential Search Forum after President Dana Hoyt announced her decision to step down in August earlier this month. This forum gave students an opportunity to express what qualifications and attributes they believe the next president should possess. Texas State University System Vice Chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs John Hayek encouraged feedback as he provided information concerning the process and how input plays a significant part in it. “One of the charges that we have in the system administra-
tion is when we have a vacancy or a retirement of our presidents at one of our institutions, we get the pleasure of trying to find a new president for the institution,” Hayek said. “It’s probably the most important job that our board in the system administration has is thinking with the leaders of our campuses. Part of that process is going out and reaching out to folks in the campus community.” Hayek expressed that the process was straight-forward and would take between five to six months to hire a new president. Throughout the process, an Advisory Search Committee will collaborate with the executive search firm Academic Search to recruit qualified candidates. The Advisory Search Committee will be composed of key community members, staff, faculty and student representatives.
Finalists will be invited to Sam Houston State University to visit stakeholders, interact with the growing campus and be interviewed by Chancellor Brian McCall. McCall will then choose the sole finalist, recommending them to the Texas State University System Board of Regents for approval. President and Senior Consultant of Academic Search, L. Jay Lemons, joined Hayek in strengthening encouragement for input. “The most critical and informative way that you can be participants in this process really starts this afternoon with our hearing your voices,” Lemons said. “We want to hear what those personal attributes are that you would think are important for us as we go out.” Within moments of giving students the floor to speak,
powerful testimonies concerning increased diversity, representation and campus accessibility filled the ballroom. Lemons and Hayek stood at their podiums, jotting down students’ input and acknowledging the source of pride and earnestness that reigned in their
convictions. For those who were unable to attend the student forum, an online survey is available to take on the Presidential Search Website, www.shsu.edu/presidential-search/. To nominate a candidate, email SHSUPresident@academicsearch.org.
Elizabeth Machuca
Tips for Having a Safe, Fun Spring Break BY TERESA STUREK Contributing Reporter
Spring break is around the corner, and for college students it is a time to celebrate finishing midterms and to get much-needed rest from studying. Each year approximately 1.5 million college students travel to celebrate spring break, according to the Travel Market Report. As the number of young people heading out on the road goes up, so does the risk for injuries and deaths. The weekly death toll in traffic accidents at popular spring break destinations spike up to 9.1% higher during the spring break season, according to Science Daily.
Associate Director of the Office of Health Promotion Megan Richardson said there are ways for students to stay safe during spring break. “One way to stay safe is to drink responsibly and know your limits,” Richardson said. Someone is killed every 31 minutes in a drunk driving accident during normal times, but during spring break, those numbers increase by as much as 23%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If students decide to drink it is important to have a designated driver. Richardson said that drinking responsibly also means students should never leave their drink unattended.
This is especially true for female students, who are more likely to be victims of sexual assault than male students. A 2007 study by the National Institute of Justice reported that 89% of undergraduate female sexual assault survivors said they were drinking before their assault. “Another tip for students to stay safe is to practice safe sex,” Richardson said. Couples need to set intimacy boundaries before leaving on spring break. Students who choose to have sex should take the necessary precautions by using condoms. Condoms can reduce the risk of getting STDs and unintended pregnancies. Richardson said it is important while traveling to research
local and state policies and to carry a limited amount of cash. For those planning to enjoy spring break on the beach, she suggests staying hydrated and using sunscreen that is at least SPF 30. For more information on ways to stay safe during spring break, the Office of Health Promotion is hosting an afternoon of interactive activities on March 5, from 1-3 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom. The event will provide students with information and strategies about alcohol awareness and prepare them for a safe spring break week.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, March 2, 2020
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community news
Healing After Harvey: Local Small Business Owners Apply for Grants DOMINIQUE STANFORD
Contributing Reporter Three years have passed since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area and other counties in the state. Texas Back in Business is a program designed to help small businesses that were affected get back on their feet, awarding grants to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The damages caused by Hurricane Harvey were estimated at $125 billion, causing many small businesses to struggle to reopen their doors following the storm’s aftermath. Dan Slane, CEO of Texas Back in Business, gave credit to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee as the inspiration behind starting the Texas Back in Business Program. The qualifications a business needs in order to be awarded a grant are that they must have been in business at the start of the storm, must be classified as
a small business by the Small Businesses Administration standards, suffered damages from Hurricane Harvey, not privately-owned utility and must be in one of the 49 impacted counties. On Feb. 18, the Huntsville City Council met and listened to the program’s proposal. Councilmember Paul Davidhizar explained the procedures of filling out paperwork and then being submitted into a pool for random selection. “I know the grant would be very helpful for any businesses in Walker County that might receive it,” Davidhizar said. “I would encourage any small business that was affected by Hurricane Harvey to apply for the grant.” Councilmember Blake Irving also shared his thoughts on the Texas Back in Business program. “This program is like any other, it’s not designed to put you back in business with more output than before, but depending on the amount the business
receives it will at least get you on your feet and give you breathing room,” Irving said. “I hope all small business owners take advantage of this opportunity to get back on track and exceed their expectations.” Councilmember Joe Rodriquez responded with a more tentative response to the program and it’s handling of money. “My prior law enforcement experience has shown that anytime there is a program advertising free money from the government, fraud and greed raise their heads,” Rodriquez said. To find out more about the Texas Back in Business program, visit their website texasbackinbusiness.com.
Prison City Film Fest
Elizabeth Machuca /HoustonianNews @houstoniannews @HoustonianNews
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. The Prison City Film Festival included four days celebrating and showcasing independent creators with various screenings and discussions.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, March 2, 2020
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community news
Native American Tribes Seek City Council Support
House Resolution 759 aims to keep the doors of Naskila Gaming open, moving Texas in line with federal gaming laws. BY RAVEN JACOB
Contributing Reporter The Huntsville City Council voted Feb. 18 to show their support in the passage of House Resolution 759, a bill that would aid the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes. The tribes are limited by the Texas Restoration Act , which prohibits them from conducting gaming activities on their reservations if those activities are prohibited by Texas law. HR 759 amends that act to be in line with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allows
gaming on reservations under certain conditions. In 2016, the Alabama-Coushatta tribe opened Naskila Gaming on their reservation. The electronic gaming facility is one of the largest employers in Polk County, according to Polk County Economic Development. Huntsville Economic Development Director Tammy Gann said the city chose to support the tribe because of the economic impact it would have on our region. “I think the Alabama-Coushatta tribe of Texas, through their operation of the Naskila gaming facility, has proven themselves to
be a critical part of the economy within the region,” Gann said. The resolution stated the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas is fighting for the passage of this bill by the Senate to clarify that the tribe can enjoy the opportunity for tribal economic development on terms that are equal and fair with federal law. Executive Director of Community Development at Naskila Gaming, Tony Averitt, said it means everything to have support from Huntsville. “The tribe has long history with Walker County and specifically Huntsville,” Averitt said. “It goes all the way back to the
tribes’ relationship with Sam Houston.” Averitt says the most immediate impact of the bill not being passed would undermine the 400 plus families that depend on jobs
at the facility. “It’s a fairness issue,” Averitt said. “Why can one tribe do it and the others can’t?”
Photo courtesy of Naskila Gaming THE LUCK OF THE DRAW. Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes ask Huntsville City Council for support in House Resolution 759.
Community Traditions Celebrate Sam Houston’s Birthday, Legacy ANA DE LEÓN
Contributing Reporter
Gavin Guinther
In honor of Sam Houston’s birthday, the city recognizes his accomplishments, deeds, legacy and impact on the state of Texas. A leader in the Texas Revolution and the first and third elected president of Texas, Sam Houston secured Texas’ independence through the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. In celebration of his birthday and Texas Independence Day (both on March 2), there is a march that starts at Austin Hall on the Sam Houston State University campus and proceeds to Houston’s grave in Oakwood Cemetery. As part of the tradition of the ceremony, non-native
“Knowledge is the food of genius, and my son, let no opportunity escape you to treasure up knowledge.” - Sam Houston
Texans are “baptized” as Texans at Houston’s gravesite. Houston remains the most honored subject in the city of Huntsville. Houston’s home next to the SHSU campus offers a variety of activities and events to attend that tell the history of his life. SHSU’s campus houses statues and monuments in memory of Sam Houston, the namesake of the college.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, March 2, 2020
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Arts & entertainment
Recognizing Unsung Heroines for Women’s History Month BY RACHAEL VARNER Contributing Reporter Women’s History Month is a celebration that recognizes women’s contributions to American history and encourages all women to be trailblazers. This movement pushed for the creation of a single, week-long holiday beginning on March 7, 1982. President Ronald Reagan made this an immediate reality before turning it into an annual, monthlong tradition in 1987. Each year history courses briefly cover the same handful
of women: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Nellie Bly and Sally K. Ride. These women’s contributions to society were undeniably significant. Without Susan B. Anthony, 2020 wouldn’t mark the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. But this year, I’d like to celebrate by acknowledging some female trailblazers who aren’t typically mentioned in schools. The Freewoman: Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman (1744-1829) Freeman was a slave of John Ashley, in whose home
Photo courtesy of newyorker.com DEVICE CONNECTED Hedy Lamarr’s inventions led to technological advances today such as Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.
she learned of a new law stating all men were created equal. Though she respected Ashley, she sued him for her freedom and won with a case that challenged the legality of slavery itself. This marked the beginning of the end of slavery in Massachusetts. The Activist: Bina West (1867-1954) There was once a time when women were not able to obtain life insurance due to the high mortality risks of childbirth, so Bina West established what is now the Woman’s Life Insurance Society to grant financial support, education, social activities and volunteer opportunities for women. She became a highly respected businesswoman and philanthropist, and she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993. The Physicist: Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997) Wu developed the process for separating uranium metal into isotopes, confirmed theories on beta decay for which two men received the Nobel Prize in Physics and answered questions about blood and sickle cell anemia. She was the first female president of the American Physical Society and
Photo courtesy of biography.com NO FLUX GIVEN. Chien-Shiung Wu disproves hypothetical law of conservation of parity and is nicknamed “First Lady of Physics.”
the first woman to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Princeton University. She is also believed to be the only Chinese-American to work on the Manhattan Project. The Paradox: Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) Lamarr was a highly successful Austrian-American actress and unappreciated inventor. She co-patented a “Secret Communications System” that changed radio frequencies to keep German Nazis from decoding American messages, a technology that was not understood
until years later but secured military communications and led to the development of cell phones and Wi-Fi. The Olympian: Pat McCormick (1930-) McCormick is a diver and the first woman in history to win a “double-double,” or two gold medals in two consecutive Olympic Games (1952 and 1956). Her success and numerous awards lent her fame that she used to found “Pat’s Champs,” a charity for the children labeled “high risk” by educators.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, March 2, 2020
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Arts & entertainment
Museum to Host Best Selling Author BY AMANDA RAASKA Community News Editor With Sam Houston’s birthday on March 2, Huntsville is celebrating his legacy with various activities throughout the week. The Sam Houston Memorial Museum will host Brian Kilmeade, author of New York Times Best-Seller “Sam Houston and The Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory That Changed American History” for a book talk and signing at the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center March 6 at 2 p.m. Kilmeade hosts Fox’s morning show “Fox & Friends” and a morning radio program called The Brian Kilmeade Show. He writes historical novels in his free time and after writing about Andrew Jackson, Kilmeade turned his attention to Houston’s history in Texas. “I thought if I was going to do another one, I’d love to do Texas,” Kilmeade said. “The more you research you realize it’s an American story, I used to think it was just your story in Texas.” The story follows the Texas Revolution and how Houston’s settlers defeated Santa Anna’s army. Houston stood up for his beliefs and fought for Texas to have their independence. Kilmeade also shared the interesting facts he learned about Houston during the research phase of his novel. Houston didn’t have the best reputation with his drunkenness and didn’t have the same privileged background as some other politicians of the time.
Kilmeade also included that Houston fought for the rights of American Indians. “I did not know how much the American Indian cause was a part of his cause,” Kilmeade said. “He was like the first major name to go to bat for American Indian rights.” Kilmeade also shared an interesting comparison between Houston and another famous historical figure. “He was also like Nostradamus, he predicted almost everything that was going to happen,” Kilmeade said. “He knew the Civil War was coming. He worried about how the country was divided and worried about political parties.” Kilmeade expressed his love for Texas and their support. “In terms of the book, I am in awe of the support Texas has shown for the book, especially from a guy who was born in New York and lives in New York,” Kilmeade said. “The fact people are open to me telling the story of Texas history is heartening, and that was a big worry of mine.” The book has two separate editions for sale at different retailers, a hardback copy and a paperback copy. “In the paperback, I’m going to include his decision not to sign on to the Confederacy and join the Civil War and then basically concluding or resigning his job rather than take part in it,” Kilmeade said. The event is open to the public and books will be available during the signing for those who wish to buy a copy.
What are your spring break plans?
Kyle Mendoza Senior Mass Communication
Rainey Riley Senior Health Care Administration
“I will be working on personal projects. I am recording an EP, working on some art and going home to see my family. I’m looking forward to having some downtime.”
“My last spring break is going to be filled with relaxing days with my family and friends in Dallas, Texas! I want to enjoy all of my ‘lasts’, and what better way to enjoy my last spring break than to be back home with my family?”
Favour Okperuvwe Sophomore Computer Software Engineering “I plan on going to Houston and hanging out with some of my friends and then coming back to school!”
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, March 2, 2020
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Opinions
First Pixar LGBTQ Character a Cautious Step ‘Onward’ BY KRISTEN SCHULTHEIS Contributing Writer
Disney and Pixar’s magic of animation has taken on a quest in a fantasy world with a present-day twist. Wizards, unicorns, centaurs, dragons and more are introduced as new characters for the upcoming enchanting film. “Onward” is the newest film from Disney that will be introducing a world of magic that has been lost under technology in the present day. In one of their recent announcements, they presented the first official mention of an openly LGBTQ character, a horned cyclops police officer named Officer
Specter. With Disney announcing the news before the film, it is an indication of plans to go forward with LGBTQ representation. Disney has alluded to samesex relationships in other projects. For example, in the movie “Zootopia,” Bucky and Pronk Oryx-Antlerson, two male characters, had the same last name. These two characters lived together, fought and were portrayed as a couple. However, it was not stated outright in the film or promotional material. With the context that is given, it could also be assumed that they are brothers. As a studio, Disney strives to design characters that reflect the norms of society. However,
most comparisons that were made of characters in the past to a complex feature of society were quickly brushed off as the imagination of the individual watching the movie. Announcing the arrival of this character was an interesting move on the studio’s part, but perhaps a possible warning to parents or others who may not feel comfortable with this character. By publishing the character as openly gay, the potential audience is "warned." Going to a movie and seeing a character for the first time is the norm. However, having an announcement about the character beforehand shows that the company is not fully comfortable presenting the
character in fear of potential backlash. The new film and LGBTQ unicorn cyclops are a step forward in being progressive as a studio. Nevertheless, it's not a clear step forward due to the need to announce it beforehand. It's an indication of how there is a lack of confidence and a cautionary move by Disney. The plot and animation of the film “Onward” look exciting, and, as someone who loves Disney films, this author would have gone to see the movie with or without the announcement. If we normalize something that wasn't in the past, the positive will influence the audience to move beyond the negativity.
The Secret Behind Making Friends in College BY ARIOLE JONES
Arts & Entertainment Editor I just want to let you know that there is actually no right way to make friends, but it is a possible outcome of the environments you put yourself in. When I transferred from community college to university, my first concern was finding people I click with. Since I was a junior and most people make friends in their freshman year, I felt like this would be impossible. On top of that, I was 21 -years-old when I transferred and everyone I met was 18. The very first thing I did was check the school’s calendar for events and went to the first one that interested me. I met some awesome people that night and fortunately two of them are still friends of mine today. I was really happy to finally have people to impulsively text and ask to go
Photo courtesy of rhodescollege.ca WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS? It can be difficult for college students to make friends. Arts & Entertainment Editor Ariole Jones weighs in on her personal experiences. to events with me, but I wanted more friends. I became a ‘friends addict,’ so to speak. So, I would go to more events and as I collected friends, I would add them in my ‘invite list’ to other events where the cycle would continue.
Now, I had all of these friends and I still was not content. Granted, they are all so amazing and talented, but there was still someone missing: a best friend. So, my mission was to find someone to call my best friend,
which is not something you pop up to an event and find. It had to be in someone I already knew. I stopped going to events to find friends, but started enjoying the friends I finally made. Along the way, more friends appeared and I didn’t have to look for them this time. What I realized is that I didn’t have to look for friends if I was just myself. I became the person that I would want to be friends with instead of searching for people to be my friend. So, here is the secret sauce: be yourself. No matter where you go, no matter how old you are, you will always have to interact with people. The first step is being the person that you would want to be around, and people will make their own assessments. Be patient with yourself, finding friends is actually very easy. We just overwhelm ourselves, so relax and enjoy the journey. The right people will come.
Photo courtesy of Disney
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, March 2, 2020
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Opinions
New York Times Op-Ed Shows How Violence Taints Speech BY JACOB COURTNEY Opinions Editor
On Feb. 20, The New York Times published an opinion piece by Sirajuddin Haqqani, addressed in the article as the deputy leader of the Taliban. Many criticized his platforming, because of his reputation as a terrorist who caused the deaths of many civilians. The piece serves as propaganda for what the Taliban want, stating they seek a country where “all Afghans have equal rights.” Even if Haqqani was sincere about his motivations, the article becomes untrustworthy due to the actions that the terrorist leader has committed to achieve that goal. The person or organization that commits such acts against a civilian populace does not act in accordance to other peoples’ will, but forces through violence and terror the way they want the country or world to run. Then the difficult question: how did United States generals differ in bringing about their
Photo courtesy of nytimes.com FREEDOM OF SPEECH. This photo of a man waving an Afghan flag was featured with the deputy leader of the Taliban’s original article in The New York Times. ideology through violence, leading to the deaths of many civilians? The idea of bringing democracy, that the people of Afghanistan should have an equal say in government, is a good idea to aspire to. However, the means that the government of the United States’ generals have taken to promote that ideology has ultimately tainted it.
The Taliban’s actions have led to more civilian deaths. However, the United States generals’ use of indiscriminate airstrikes seem to indicate that separating civilians from soldiers is not a high priority on their list. An argument that differentiates United States generals from terrorist leaders is that the generals do not order their soldiers to hide among the civilian
population. However, one fact remains, whether it was a Taliban bomb strapped to a vest or a United States bomb dropped from the sky, the dead will remain dead. The generals who formulate the actions know there will be a mass amount of people dead by the end. These actions place them in the same moral category as those who organize
such attacks through terroristic organizations. If a person who plans an idea that results in mass casualties is not given a chance to explain their side of the story, then the same should apply to everyone who does the same. By that same logic, just as Haqqani was denied his right to be heard, it shouldn’t matter whether generals work inside our system to inflict suffering on foreign people; it should be considered morally wrong for them to speak. The reasons that determine not giving someone a platform to speak should be chosen carefully. Ultimately, with this argument in mind, there is a tough choice to be made. Either we allow speakers with a history of violence to promote their ideas and justify themselves without criticism. Or, we look at the actions carried out in the name of our country’s ideas and make sure that our military does not similarly use violence to promote ideas we agree with.
Letters to Lou: Making the Most of Your Time, Getting Involved BY LOUVENIA FOSTER
Contributing Columnist
Question: How do I keep the balance between school life and party life? Answer: A planner! Plan out your week. A neat trick is to not put the deadlines in your planner. Only put the dates you intend to complete the assignments. That way, you are less likely to procrastinate. You won’t be able to afford to miss the days
of studying you planned for. You also will probably not go through the trouble of checking to see when all your assignments are due. If you plan accordingly, the weekend can be yours. A little discipline will have you feeling accomplished at the end of the week and free during the weekend. Keep in mind, some things you’ll have to miss for the sake of your priorities, but fun will always be there. Question: How do I get active in school? Where do I start? I’m super scared.
Answer: Determine your interests. What are you passionate about? What can you add to an organization? Then network: look on your school website, ask friends and ask around the school. Jump in! It will never appear easy peasy, but if you’d like to be active, you’ll regret you didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to do so. There is nothing to be afraid of. Start off with one, see how things go. Build from there. I’m sure you’ll do great, this time next year you’ll be a connoisseur of organizations.
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Have a question for Lou? Send questions to @HoustonianNews on Twitter or drop by our office in DRB 210.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, March 2, 2020
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SPORTS
Bearkats Hoops Looking Forward to Conference Tournament
Hannah Trojan BY SCOTT MORRIS Asst. Sports Editor Sam Houston State University men’s and women’s basketball
will both be competing in the Southland Conference Tournament at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy March 11-15, and the Bearkats have their eye on an NCAA berth. Men’s Took a Step Back After arguably the best regular season in school history last year, the men’s team has been up and down this season. They are in fourth place with an 11-7 conference record (18-11 overall) and are in position to receive a first round by. Despite losing Cameron and Josh Delaney from last year, the Kats have been able to find other ways to succeed this year. After starting only one game last season, sophomore guard Zach Nutall has become the everyday starting point guard.
He is currently averaging 15.5 points per game with a season high 28 against Nicholls State University. Senior center Kai Mitchell was last season’s SLC Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Hutchinson Community College. He is currently averaging 14.5 PPG with six rebounds per game and has been a force on defense. For SHSU to win the SLC Tournament, Nutall and Mitchell will need to be consistently solid and the Kats’ bench will have to impact the game offensively. Justice on the Court The women’s basketball team has continued to build on its surprising 2018-19 campaign. After finishing fifth last season, the
team is currently half a game behind first with a top-four spot locked up. They control their own destiny; if they win the last two games they clinch the first overall seed for the second time in school history. Senior guard Jaylonn Walker is averaging 13.5 PPG with 56 total assists on the season. She also set a new school record with 41 points in a game against Abilene Christian University. She has been a staple for the team in their recent success alongside sophomore guard Amber Leggett. Leggett is currently averaging 15.6 PPG, but her biggest impact has been on defense creating a strong force inside the paint alongside senior center Kiera McKinney.
Head coach Ravon Justice is at the forefront of the Kats consistency and has been the focal point of the team’s success. After their first SLC Tournament bid since 2015-16 last season, she gave SHSU its best start in school history this year (9-0). When Justice arrived, she implemented a new style of defensive play that will be able to win games down the stretch because of this defensive mentality and the team’s ability to outpace opponents. The women will be competing for the number one seed while the men have an outside shot of winning the second seed but will most likely grab the third or fourth spot.
@HoustonianSport
BEARKAT ATHLETICS UPCOMING EVENTS SOFTBALL VS LOUISIANA TECH
BASEBALL VS HOUSTON BAPTIST
MARCH 1 AT 11:30 AM | BEARKAT SOFTBALL COMPLEX
MARCH 7 AT 3:00 PM |DON SANDERS STADIUM
BASEBALL VS LOUISIANA TECH
BASEBALL VS HOUSTON BAPTIST
MARCH 3 AT 6:30 PM | DON SANDERS STADIUM
MARCH 8 AT 1 PM |DON SANDERS STADIUM
BASEBALL VS LOUISIANA TECH
WOMEN’S TENNIS VS INCARNATE WORD
MARCH 4 AT 3:00 PM | DON SANDERS STADIUM
MARCH 8 AT 1 PM | MCADAMS TENNIS CENTER
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS TEXAS A&M-CC
MARCH 4 AT 6:30 PM | JOHNSON COLISEUM SOFTBALL VS TEXAS SOUTHERN
MARCH 4 AT 6:30 PM | BEARKAT SOFTBALL COMPLEX BASEBALL VS HOUSTON BAPTIST
MARCH 6 AT 6:30 PM | DON SANDERS STADIUM WOMEN’S TENNIS VS ABILENE CHRISTIAN
MARCH 6 AT 1 PM |MCADAMS TENNIS CENTER
SOTBALL VS TEXAS A&M-CC
MARCH 13 AT 4 & 6 PM | BEARKAT SOFTBALL COMPLEX SOTBALL VS TEXAS A&M-CC
MARCH 14 AT 12 PM | BEARKAT SOFTBALL COMPLEX
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, March 2, 2020
Page 11
SPORTS
Sn pshots: SHSU’S Recent Matchups, Upcoming Events
Hannah Trojan
BASEBALL
Baseball wraps up its non-conference schedule with a midweek, two-game series against Louisiana Tech University Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Kats dropped two of three on the road at Louisiana to the Ragin’ Cajuns to fall to 6-4 in their first 10 games of the 2020 campaign. March 6 marks the start of Southland Conference play when the Houston Baptist University Huskies come to Huntsville for a three game series.
Bryan Henderson
TENNIS
Tennis began conference play 2-0 with a pair of road wins including a sweep at Nicholls State University and a 4-3 win at the University of New Orleans. The Kats went 5-4 during their non-conference schedule this season with all four of their losses coming against ranked opponents. SHSU’s next two SLC matchups are at home versus Abilene Christian University on March 6 at 1 p.m. and the University of the Incarnate Word March 8 at 11 a.m.
Hannah Trojan
SOFTBALL
Softball went 2-2 in the Bearkat Invitational, splitting a pair of two game series with North Dakota State University and Louisiana Tech University. The Kats beat the NDSU Bison Friday 2-1 but dropped the Saturday morning contest 4-1. SHSU made easy work of the LA Tech Bulldogs Saturday evening with an 11-4 win but dropped the Sunday finale 4-3 in nine innings. The Kats face Texas Southern University March 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Huntsville and open SLC play March 6 at Northwestern State at 4 p.m.
Erik Williams
TRACK & FIELD Men and women’s track competed at the Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship in Alabama. Athletes that qualify for the NCAA Championships will compete March 14-15 in New Mexico. Sophomore Jo’Vaughn Martin finished the men’s 60-meter dash preliminaries with the best mark of 6.74. The Kats also notched top-five finishes the first day in the men’s 5,000-meter run, women’s distance medley, men’s long jump and men’s pole vault.
SHSU Athletics
BOWLING
Bowling picked up yet another top-five finish coming in second place at the Hawk Invite in New Jersey. SHSU went 10-3 and continued its streak of finishing in the top-five in every tournament this season. The team has just one more competition on its regular season schedule. They will head to Tennessee March 6-8 for the Music City Classic before the Southland Bowling League Conference Championship March 2022 at Time to Spare Entertainment in Conroe.
GOLF
SHSU Athletics
Men’s golf had an unbelievably strong start to the spring season by winning the All-American Intercollegiate. The Bearkats followed up that performance with a third place finish at the Border Olympics in Laredo where senior Noah Steele claimed his second individual title of the season. The women have started their campaign with back-to-back victories at the Texas State Invitational and Islander Classic. Both teams will be in action March 9 and 10.
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