CMYK

By Taylor Raglin

Editor-in-Chief

The $1.4 million project to widen the portion of Starr

Avenue between North and Raguet Streets is sched-

uled to be completed by the end of March, according to

Nacogdoches Main Street and Communications Director

Amy Mehaffey.

This timeline is in line with a Texas Department of

Transportation news release from late last year that pro-

jected a March completion date. The release stated the

goals of the project as the “widening of the roadway from

two to four lanes” and the inclusion of “concrete curb and

gutter and widened sidewalks.”

In addition, the traffic signals at the avenue’s intersec-

tions with North and Mound streets will be replaced.

Temporary signals were installed at the North Street inter-

section Tuesday in preparation for the eventual replace-

ments that will accommodate the wider road. The signals

at Mound Street, while new, will not change function.

Smaller tasks, such as the completion of the updated

sidewalks, may still be underway when the road is opened

to drivers.

Once completed, the outer lanes of the four-lane road

will be slightly wider than normal to better accommodate

bike traffic.

“The outer lanes will be a few feet wider than normal,”

Mehaffey said. “There will not be a striped bike lane due to

the fact that TxDOT will only build striped bike lanes that lead into other

bike lanes. We currently do not have this, so more space to accommodate

students and other bike traffic was necessary.”

Mehaffey said that “no grotesque changes have been made that would

increase [the $1.4 million cost] by a significant amount.”

Nacogdoches-based Drewery Construction is overseeing the comple-

tion of the project. According to its website, the firm has completed sev-

eral jobs on SFA’s campus in addition to projects in the East Texas and

Louisiana region. The company also engages in disaster relief efforts.

According to the TxDOT release, the department has “accelerated the

project with hopes of lessening the impact on the traveling public.”

“They have accelerated the project from its inception by shutting down

the entire section of the road, which allowed both the city’s utility con-

tractor and TxDOT’s road contractor to move more efficiently,” Mehaffey

said. “The city also allowed TxDOT to use local city streets for detours,

which helped in expediting the start of the project. Typically, with a

TxDOT project, detours must take vehicles between other TxDOT roads.

However, in this case, this would have [taken the detour] to Austin Street.

Therefore, we allowed Bailey [Avenue] to serve as the detour to assist driv-

ers with their routes.”

The widening of the road will not impact the mural located on the

western-facing wall of the CVS parking lot, Mehaffey said.

“TxDOT is only permitted to take the space needed to widen the street,”

Mehaffey said. “What has been affected at this point is the [full] extent.

The mural should be untouched when the project is complete, as it is out

of the designated space needed to widen the road.”

The Independent Voice of Stephen F. Austin State University

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Volume 98

Issue 17

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Correction to the Wednesday, Feb. 3 IssueIn last Wednesday’s issue, The Pine Log incorrectly reported Feb. 19 as the last date to drop an individual full-semester class

by visiting the Registrar’s office. That date is the deadline to drop an individual half-semester course.The deadline to drop an individual full-semester class at the Registrar’s office is March 23.

Starr Avenue construction on pace to open road to drivers, bikers by end of March

Library faculty seeks 3rd-loor reno, 24-hour area Regents approve 2.1- percent tuition in-crease for Fall 2016

Photos by Derek Hall/ The Pine Log

Students urged to make voices heard if they desire proposed changes to building

By Joanna ArmstrongNews Editor

The SFA Board of Regents has approved a 2.1 percent tuition increase for the 2016 fall semester. Tuition for a 15-hour load of classes would in-crease approximately $100 a semester, according to Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Danny Gallant.

The increase, Gallant said, will help fund a merit pool for faculty and staff, which would offer incen-tives for quality professors to come to Nacogdoches.

“Salaries for faculty and staff have always been one of the university’s highest priorities, and what we hope to do is to be able to have a 2-percent merit pool for faculty and staff,” Gallant said.

Gallant said the increase is typical for universi-ties of SFA’s size, and that the regents often turn to “sister institutions” to ensure SFA isn’t an outlier.

“We always track our sister institutions to see what they’re doing,” Gallant said. “That percent-age increase, on a 15 semester credit hour model or structure, is 2.1 percent. [Texas A&M], I think, went up 2.2 percent, and [The University of Texas at Austin went up] 3.1. Some schools went up a lot more, but their tuition was a lot less.”

Before the tuition recommendation was taken to the regents, a student hearing was held to give students the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns regarding the possible increase.

“It’s really an open forum for students to have an opportunity to ask questions, to express concerns, that sort of thing,” Gallant said.

TUITION, PAGE 5

By Parastoo NikraveshStaff Writer

Weighed down by books, backpacks and the stress of col-lege coursework, students exit and enter the sliding doors at the front of the building. Once inside, they begin to seek out help, sources or information. However, once the clock strikes midnight, many students are left in the dark, forced to face the locked doors and return to distracting dorm rooms. A university library can be the central hub of information and technology on campus at all hours, and that is what some Steen Library faculty members hope to achieve.

Library faculty members are in the process of requesting that a 24-hour facility with swipe-in access be added and that renovations to the building’s third floor be undertaken to en-

hance the library experience for SFA students. “We believe that there is a sense of urgency [about] ren-

ovating this beautiful building,” Library Director Shirley Dickerson said. “It is still has good structure, but it’s the inte-rior that needs to be redone so that we can show our students that we care about their work and their environment. It’s just going to take funding and the voices of the students to get it done.”

The faculty members hope that the 24-hour access facil-ity could be located where the “Ask a Librarian” desk is. According to some library faculty, the modification would simply require a bathroom facility and a back door to be put into place that would allow students to swipe in using the same method that residence halls require.

“Over the years, we have had both anecdotal stories and survey requests for a 24-hour facility,” said David Justus, as-sociate director for library technology. “In the past, we have attempted to open the entire building during dead week and finals. It just wasn’t feasible ... this place would require mini-mal supervision and maybe not even anyone here except for surveillance cameras.”

The faculty would also like to have a four-part renovation done to the third floor to create more AARC space, offices for graduate students, a computer lab and a creative, collabora-tive space for students to use for their various needs.

“[The AARC doesn’t] have enough classroom space to con-duct all the SI sessions and tutoring sessions,” Justus said. “[New rooms would] be available to the AARC on a priority basis and, when the AARC isn’t using them, students will be able to reserve them to do things and collaborate or create.”

According to Dickerson and Justus, the potential graduate student offices would become a first come, first serve area for students of any major to do research and work. The final idea, a creative, collaborative space termed a “sandbox,” would be able to accommodate various student needs.

LIBRARY, PAGE 5

Photo by Audra Bridges/ The Pine Log

Drivers are expected to be able to access the newly

widened portion of Starr Avenue by the end of March.

CMYK

Page 2

News @thepinelogThe Pine Log 2016

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By Taylor AntwineContributing Writer

The upcoming presidential election was discussed a great deal in 2015, and people all across the nation have been preparing by researching candidates, watching de-bates and holding caucuses.

A caucus is “like a big straw poll,” as SFA student George Lane puts it, where regis-tered Republicans and Democrats vote for the candidate that they want to represent their party in the general election.

On Feb. 1, the state of Iowa held a Republican caucus. Lane was invited to speak on behalf of Jeb Bush, Republican presidential candidate. As a 23-year-old se-nior political science major from Houston, Lane said that he’s always been interested in politics.

“I’ve always had an interest in interna-tional affairs, foreign policy [and] kind of understanding how the world works: the important issues people care about [and] understanding those issues,” Lane said. “I think that I got into politics to really under-stand those issues.”

When Lane was presented with the op-portunity to speak at the Iowa Republican caucus, he knew that it was a big deal.

“The Iowa caucuses are really the start-ing point of the presidential season,” Lane said.

“A lot of people believe that you’ve got to do well in Iowa to really have a chance in getting the nomination … [Iowa] has be-come this big deal because, over the last 30

years, every election season started off in Iowa.” Lane cites the learning experience and the chance to see politics up-close as reasons why he took part in the caucus.

“I was asked by the Bush campaign to come down there and help Jeb Bush. [It was a] good learning experience … [and a] good opportunity to see democracy in action,” Lane said. “Every presidential candidate comes to Iowa. You’re able to meet them, talk to them [and] really ask them the tough questions.” Lane currently serves as president of the SFA College Republicans, an organization dedicated to “conservative values, civil liberties, fiscal responsibility and America’s greatness,” according to the group’s Facebook page.

The group has an event coming up in March called The First Annual Homeless Veterans Awareness Banquet, which helps recruit members and give back to the com-munity. “We think it’s important to raise not only money, but awareness for home-less veterans,” Lane said.

All proceeds will go to the Christian Restoration Community Center in Tyler. The center houses homeless veterans and helps them in other ways, such as making sure they have healthcare services and en-suring that they are getting equal employ-ment opportunities.

The banquet will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 6 and will feature U.S. Rep. Louis Gohmert as keynote speaker. State Rep. Travis Clardy will also be in attendance. For more information and tickets, contact Lane at (713) 591-6468.

By Josh CliffeContributing Writer

SFA students and residents of Nacogdoches came together Saturday for an organizing rally for presidential candi-date Bernie Sanders at the Nacogdoches Courthouse Annex.

The rally was used as an opportunity to inform Sanders supporters of the can-didate’s progress in national polls and to share how those present for the rally can get involved in promoting his campaign.

The crowd of over 80 people was asked by Barbara Fentonte, volunteer and speaker for the rally, if they had interest in hosting phone-banking parties. These parties, ac-cording to go.berniesanders.com, allow vol-unteers to call potential voters and identify Sanders supporters.

“We don’t want a political debate at this time” Fentonte said. “We are just identifying [support-ers]. If they are voting for someone other than [Sanders], [the volunteers] move on.”

Fentonte said that phone banks are also used to identify undecided voters, whom the campaign will later try to persuade to vote for Sanders. The rally was organized by a combination of volunteers from Lufkin and Nacogdoches.

One of the key organizers involved in get-ting the rally started and raising awareness was student Brigette Kozash, an SFA history major with a minor in Latin American stud-ies who also volunteers with Nacogdoches Democrats. Kozash secured the location for the event and also raised awareness for the rally.

“I called the Courthouse Annex and se-cured the keys,” Kozash said. “I created a Facebook page about two weeks in ad-vance. [I also] created flyers that I distrib-

uted around campus” While many consider themselves to be in

the political minority in the area, students came out to show their support for the can-didate. For some students, the rally was an excellent opportunity to participate in the 2016 election.

“I’ve never done anything with a political campaign before,” student Jacob Carr said. “So I came to this rally to see how I could help with [Sanders’] campaign … I plan on going to many phone-banking parties.”

Eric Nambo, an SFA general business major, committed to hosting one of the parties. Nambo said that it is not enough to just talk about politics—supporters must be actively involved.

“Everyone talks about how they are going to vote, but most of them don’t end up voting or getting organized,” Nambo said. “It’s not just important for me to vote, but for every-one to, and this is a way I can rally support.”

For other students, it was an opportunity to meet fellow Sanders supporters, which they said helped them realize there is more support for the Democratic candidate than they previously thought.

“I’m really excited to see there is actual support for [Sanders] in Nacogdoches,” said Eliezer Dobrin, a graduate student in or-chestral conducting. “Seeing other people here fills me with hope.”

Kozash said that Democrats in Nacogdoches, like Dobrin, feel as if they have to hide their political affiliation, and that events like this rally help show people that others share their beliefs.

“When I was a part of the Young Democrats and we tabled at the BPSC, people were afraid to talk with us,” Kozash said. “I’m very glad we can do [rallies] and show people there are Democrats here in East Texas.”

Student backs Bush at GOP Caucus in Iowa

By Haley PogueStaff Writer

Walking alone at night is scary anywhere, but there seems to be a par-ticular chill associated with college campuses. Every rumor, statistic and “Dateline” investi-gation ever encountered seems relevant and relat-able while trekking along. Every “crack,” “crunch” or “swoosh” sounds like dan-ger, and every shadow looks threatening.

However, the SFA Un iver sit y Pol ic e Department offers comfort through resources, features and precautions taken for the safety of everyone on campus.

“[We monitor cam-pus] 24/7, 365 days a year,” UPD Sgt. Amanda Kennedy said. “There are always of-ficers patrolling the cam-pus, and we always have our front doors open. We do not lock our building. You can walk directly into the front lobby, and there will be a dispatcher to as-sist you.”

Emergency call boxes are located near each res-idence hall, as well as in other locations throughout campus. Call boxes have a non-emergency button and a 911 button. Bike officers can often respond to calls in less than two minutes.

“The non-emergency button is for if a student is locked out of a residence hall, if you need an escort or [if you] just have a gener-al question,” Kennedy said. “You can push that button at any time, and it comes directly to our dispatch of-fice. A live dispatcher an-swers it, and they can talk to that dispatcher over the

intercom. The emergency button is for if you have an emergency. Once again, it goes right to our dispatch-er and comes up with the number of the call box [so] they can look up that call box and see exactly where they’re at.”

Students always have the option to not walk any-where alone, as well. The Jack Track bus service runs Sunday through Thursday until 2:30 a.m., and a po-lice officer can provide stu-dents with an escort after that time.

“It’s usually a bicycle of-ficer who will walk with you,” Kennedy said.

The Jack Alerts system notifies students of any campus dangers through phone call, text or email. If there is an extreme emer-gency, students will also be notified by the siren on the Steen Library.

“In the event that there is something bad happen-ing, if we have a general location, we’re going to tell you to stay clear of this area so that nobody walks into something that they could have prevented,” Kennedy said. “It also will notify you if school has closed or [about anything else] we believe the students are going to need to know. Everybody has a cell phone, so that’s the way you com-municate, by sending out a text message so they know what’s going on.”

In addition, the Lumberjack Guardian app allows students to enter any information about their identity, vehicle and health, as well as emergen-cy contacts, so that authori-ties can be notified in the event of an emergency.

According to sfasu.edu,

“faculty, staff, and stu-dents can download the Lumberjack Guardian mo-bile phone app for either iPhone or Android phones by selecting the Rave Guardian app in the appro-priate app store.”

Students can create their personal profile by enter-ing their SFA email address when setting up their profile.

“It has a timer on it, and if you do not turn your timer off —say you set it for an hour—it is going to notify you to turn off your timer. If you do not, then it starts to notify your guard-ians, and your guardians can notify us,” Kennedy said. “It tells your guard-ians the area you are in so they can know. It also has an emergency button on it that, if [activated], will come directly to our police department, and it will tell us your location. It will go to whatever police depart-ment you are close to.”

UPD also offers Rape Aggression Defense classes as well as other personal safety awareness programs for students seeking further precautions.

“I don’t ever feel un-safe or anything,” student Lauren Fitzgerald said. “I do sometimes go to the gym at night, and it would be nice if it was more lit up. Other than that, I’d say it’s pretty safe.”

Students who want to stay more up-to-date on campus safety may visit the UPD Facebook page at facebook.com/SFAPolice or follow them on twitter at @SFAPoliceDept.

“I see a lot of bike cops around all the time,” com-munity assistant Daniel Theobold said. “I think our campus is pretty safe.”

Photo courtesy of George Lane

Safety not sacrificed at SFA

Invited by Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, political science major and College Republicans president George Lane got the opportunity to speak at the Iowa Republican Caucus.

Sanders supporters rally at courthouse

Photo by Hannah Russell/ The Pine Log

Senior interior design students at SFA will show-case their talents during the “Essence of Design” exhibit on display Feb. 6 through March 4 on the second floor of the Ralph W. Steen Library.

The exhibit is open to the public and will kick off with an opening reception from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 6. Each of the 13 students designed, fabricated and installed a freestanding structure on which to display his or her

work. The structures are 8 feet wide, 8 feet long and 7 feet tall and reflect each student’s design philosophy and personality, as well as provide a backdrop for each display.

The exhibit achieves multiple objectives in the interior design curriculum, including readying student portfolios for the job-search process; encouraging stu-dent self-assessment; al-lowing students to experi-ence the complete design process, including concep-

tualization, design develop-ment, fabrication, installa-tion and evaluation; com-municating the scope of interior design education to the public; and providing a recruitment tool for the program.

To schedule a guided tour of the exhibit or for ad-ditional information, con-tact Sally Ann Swearingen, associate professor of in-terior design, at (936) 468-2048 or send an email to her at sswearingen@sfasu.edu.

SFA interior design program to host

senior showcase ‘Essence of Design’

CMYK

Page 3Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Entertainment@thepinelog

WILLIAM CLARK GREEN • SAM RIGGSCODY JOHNSON & THE ROCKIN' CJB JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS

MICKY & THE MOTORCARS AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

By Andrea NelsonStaff Writer

Through March 12, the Ed and Gwen

Cole Art Center will house “East Texas Impressions,” a display of work by Charles D. Jones, SFA faculty member and director of LaNana Creek Press. The exhibited will be guest-curated by David Lewis.

The exhibit contains multiple series of Jones’ work, ranging from his Vietnam and Reunion Suites from the 1970s to work from the 2000s. The exhibit has an impressive range of works, from acrylic to mixed media and woodcuttings, which were particularly eye-catching. One of the first pieces that caught my attention in the exhibit was “Watcher,” a curled human figure placed on a bright blue background that stood out amongst what seemed to be a lot of monochromatic works. However, I found that there is a huge amount of color in other works all around the exhibit, and many of those became favorites of mine.

In the series titled “Uppity,” located near the back of the gallery, a pair of portraits entitled “Adam” and “Eve” really got my at-

tention. They aren’t the usual portrayal of the biblical couple in the slightest, and the bright oranges and reds in the pieces had me staring for a while.

My favorites, however, turned out to be the artist’s woodcuttings. The display contains one of Jones’ series of winged fig-ure carvings and etchings, which required creating a lot of feathers. The idea that an artist could take something like a feath-er, something generally considered to be weightless, and carve it into a medium as solid as wood or masonite is a concept that I was mildly obsessed with. The exhibit also sports a series of portraits Jones cre-ated in the likeness of his influences and other creative people that have affected this world.

From series to series, Jones’ work is evoc-ative in a multitude of ways. I think there is something for everyone to connect with somewhere in this exhibit, whether it be sketches made to look like old photographs or a screen of figures carved from wood.

The Cole Art Center, open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, is located at 329 E. Main St.

Column: Art exhibit featuring Jones’ work impresses with multiple mediums

By James BurnsStaff Writer

Dr. Mario Ajero, associate professor of piano pedagogy, along with his children Antonio, 11, and Olivia, 7, will take the stage in the Cole Concert Hall to perform a faculty re-cital of piano pieces at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“[I’ve been] playing concerts in this Cole Concert Series for a few years,since I arrived here in 2006,” Ajero said.

He and his son Antonio took the stage about two years ago to perform a concert entitled “One and a Half Pianists.”

“We jokingly labeled him as the ‘one’ and me as the half-pianist,” Ajero said.

“[The series] features more than 25 SFA music fac-ulty members and guest artists in recitals,” said Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information. “We’ve had mul-tiple guest artists throughout the fall. There will be more this spring, and Dr. Ajero’s is just one of these. He’s an example of the talent that we have here at SFA.”

As for the choice to have Ajero perform alongside his children, Goodrich said that it was an easy one.

“Dr. Ajero really enjoys performing with his children,” Goodrich said. “He’s performed several times here on campus and at community venues with his son, who’s an award-winning pianist in his own right, but this concert will also feature Olivia. Audiences at SFA really enjoy see-ing this father/son, father/daughter trio perform.”

Pieces from composers such as Schumann, Beethoven and Debussy will be performed, but according to Ajero, it’s the finale that will be the most interesting.

“[The big finale] is a piece for one piano, but [with] six hands,” Ajero said. “That’s three people sitting at one piano, and that will be performed by myself, my son Antionio and my daughter Olivia … Not a lot of people know that she’s made some strides at the piano as well … she’s kind of ex-cited, because this is her first ‘big person’ concert, and she’s going get to play.”

The three will perform “Romance” by Rachmaninov, which was written for a family of three sisters.

“I thought it was fitting to end the program with this piece that was written for a family and performed by a family,” Ajero said.

Ajero also talked about some of the other concerts going on this semester in the Cole Concert Series.

“Dr. Andrew Parr is giving a solo piano re-cital, [with] music of the German composer Johannes Brahms,” Ajero said.

Parr’s wife will accompany him on a second piano.

“We [in the school of music] like to keep it in the family, as concerts are concerned,” Ajero said. “We enjoy making music together.”

When Ajero is not performing pieces of clas-sical music, he’s passing on his knowledge to the next generation of piano players.

“He’s a really nice guy,” senior Zachary Newman said. “He teaches all the classical piano courses, and he’s an excellent concert pianist. I’ve seen him play several times … all

his kids are great performers. He’s always posting videos of them online and stuff, and they’re very talented. You can just tell he’s a hard worker, and he loves what he does.”

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for stu-dents and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Professor’s recital to feature his two children as piano accompanists

By Evie SweetenEntertainment Editor

Improv Strikes Back, the SFA School of Theatre’s improvisational theatre troupe, will perform a Valentine’s Day-themed show at 10:30 p.m. Thursday in the Recital Hall.

The show will be based on the holiday, complete with scenes meant to make au-diences laugh no matter how they plan to spend their Valentine’s Day.

“It’ll be a Valentine’s Day show, with ‘The Bachelor’ and other lovey-dovey jokes,” troupe member Danika Pettyjohn said. “It’ll appeal to all, despite what their love situa-tion may be.”

For those who have never been before, improv shows are unlike any other theatre

experience. The performers interact with the audience, often asking for scene sugges-tions the troupe can act out on the spot.

“Improv is about trusting other people you work with and letting your imagination run wild,” treasurer Travis Brasher said.

Since the format for improv is signifi-cantly different than classic theatre, it can interest different people who may not usu-ally go to the theatre.

“I would go to see this, because I think it’s more interesting than normal theatre, and it’s usually funnier,” SFA student Michael Valdez said. “It’s impressive that they come up with all of it on the spot.”

Admission is free. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Brasher

said.

By Timothy WatsonContributing Writer

Duolingo is a mobile application that allows you to learn multiple lan-guages for free. Created to give people free access to language-learning tools, the app currently offers 203 languages.

Available on iOS, Android, Windows 8 and Windows 10, the app cur-rently has 100 million reg-istered users.

Duolingo also has a web component at duolingo.com. If you create an ac-count with Duolingo, you can sync your progress across the website and the mobile app so you can learn your language on whichever platform you prefer. Duolingo also has a crowd sourced text-trans-lation platform and a pro-ficiency assessment center to ensure that everything you are learning is as ac-curate as possible. All the courses are available for free with no hidden fees, so it’s very easily accessible to the average broke college student.

The app is very well-de-

signed, and signing up is quick and easy. It has a very clean and simple look that makes it easy to navigate and use. Duolingo does a good job of easing you into a new language.

The app will start you off at the absolute basics and ease you into the more advanced concepts at your own pace. After each com-pleted lesson, you are re-warded with experience points and “lingots,” the app’s fictional cur-rency. The experience points serve as a way to track how much train-ing you’re doing each day. Duolingo also uses a line graph to show you the amount of ex-perience points you’ve earned over the past week.

Lingots can be used to purchase power-ups from the Duolingo store that can help you with your lessons. You can set daily goals for yourself, and each les-son is worth 10 experi-ence points. If you want to learn at a casual rate, you can set your daily goal to be 10 experience

points, but if you want to learn at a more accelerated rate, you can set your daily goal to be 50 experience points per day.

While the app is espe-cially useful for students who are trying to major in a foreign language, as it acts as a very convenient supplement to coursework, Duolingo is a great invest-ment for any student will-ing to put some time into learning a new language.

Column: Duolingo simplifies language learning

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Photo courtesy of SFA Fine Arts

Dr. Mario Ajero has performed with his son, Antonio, before, but for this performance he will perform with his daughter, Olivia, as well. This will be her first performance at SFA.

Improv theatre troupe to perform holiday-themed show at no cost

Time: 7:30 p.m. Date: Thursday, Feb. 11 Place: Cole Concert Hall Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth

Date: Through March 12 Place: Ed and Gwen Cole Art Center

Cost: Free

Photos by Hannah Russell/ The Pine Log

The SFA Wind Ensemble performed its “Welcome

Home” program Feb. 2. This concert ended the

ensemble’s winter season. Pieces played included

“Lux Aurumque,” “Sonoran Desert Holiday” and

“Rolling Thunder.” The pieces were written in the

19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

SFA Wind Ensemble finishes winter season with ‘Welcome Home’ program including variety of pieces

CMYK

Page 4

Opinions@thepinelog

COLUMN

By Devin HOGUE

OPINIONS EDITORANNA CLARKE

SPORTS EDITORDEVIN BROOKS

ADVERTISING MANAGERNNAMDI NWANKWO

WEBMASTER/SOCIAL MEDIAKATHRYN GARDNER

NEWS EDITOR JOANNA ARMSTRONG

PHOTO EDITORJACKIE CONDE

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOREVIE SWEETEN

COPY EDITORMICHAEL HERRINGTON

VIDEO EDITORSTEVEN CERKIEWICZ

ASSOCIATE EDITORNADIA OULAHNA

Spring 2016 Editorial BoardOpinions

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Letters should be typed and should include the student’s hometown, classification, campus identification number and phone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit letters for space, spelling, grammar and potentially libelous material. Letters should not be longer than 300 words. Any letter that does not follow this criteria will not be published.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFTAYLOR RAGLIN

In nine months, the citizens of the United States will be electing a new president. After Barack Obama’s two-term run, many citizens are awaiting the arrival of someone who will do their country more justice. Usually, in the years preceding another elec-tion, we are given a good number of reliable candidates to choose from. The regular debates ensue, and our opinions are formed. This year, how-ever, it seems our opinions have been based on what the candidates have been able to say about each other, most of which isn’t positive.

A recent New York Times article, titled “Vulgar, Mean, Classified and Zany: The 2016 Campaign So Far,” says it all. It mentions how candi-dates have used their social media accounts to undermine their com-petitors and bash their policies. It seems that the 2016 election has be-come more of an entertainment show than a presidential election, and that should raise concerns.

When watching a candidate preach about what he or she can do better than someone else, not much is done for the viewer who is actually curi-ous about what might be done for the country. A president is supposed to lead the U.S. in the right direction, but how are we supposed to believe in someone who can’t speak about what they know? Donald Trump is only one example of a candidate who tears down the competition for personal gain, and it reveals his true character.

If you look back on the presidents who are considered great, you’ll notice a large difference from the candidates who are running now. It all comes down to the greater good. Those presidents, such as Roosevelt and Lincoln, brought great justice to the future and the generations that would change the course of history. Their policies stand out because they changed the U.S., and they caused movement in the right direction.

Today, in a world so insanely differ-

ent, good character still stands out. We shouldn’t be watching the de-bates hoping to hear Donald Trump say something outlandish and mildly funny. We should be watching be-cause we want a better understand-ing of where our country stands. The minute this presidential run turned funny is when we lost the politics and started watching a late-night roast. How are we going to “make this coun-try great again” if we are laughing at the people trying to run it?

We have to stop putting these can-didates in the spotlight and start re-ally researching what they are going to do for us. Watching anyone find humor in the sensitivity of others does nothing but prove weakness, and we don’t need a weak president. If we voters can reward good action and policies, we might have a chance at finding the right option for presi-dent. If we continue to praise the hilarity in it, we will just be left with a joke.

Marriage between entertainment and politics finalCartoon by Olivia Boan/ The Pine Log

By Zach PitreGuest Contributor

My recent experience studying abroad took place north of the Arctic Circle. In northern Sweden, where the mountain ranges begin, is a region called Lapland, a word often used to refer to great-er northern Scandinavia. Through a connection with the assistant dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, I found out about Tjuonajokk and Fish Your Dream.

The travel bug was in-stilled in me in 2011 when I backpacked for about 200 miles through the Indian state of Uttarakhand with 14 other students. The trip was organized by the National Outdoor Leadership School, the leading outfitter in ex-tended outdoor expeditions. The Himalayas affected me in ways for which words cannot do justice. I slept in a four-person tent for over a month, had food packed up into the mountains by Sherpas, cooked over a white-gas stove, pooped in holes and embarked upon the long journey of finding myself. Unfortunately, my expedi-tion to India left a dark stain on my memory: the loss of a friend. Thomas Plotkin took one misstep on the old silk trading routes we backpacked and fell several hundred feet to his death. Helicopters f ly-ing in pairs searched for his body throughout the fol-lowing two days, with a foot search ensuing afterwards. Nothing was recovered other than a rain jacket. The river beneath the trail buried Tom.

Four years later, I found myself near Kiruna, Sweden, in another one of Earth’s most pristine and un-

touched environments. To get to the Tjuonajokk fish-ing resort during the long, harsh winters, one must take a 20-minute helicopter ride from Kiruna or arrive by snowmobile. The pre-dominantly European guests enjoyed some of the great-est f ly fishing in the world. After breakfast, they would leave for the giant alpine lake that the camp is built on, decked out in chest waders and equipped with hundreds of f lies. Around dinnertime, the guests would slowly make their way back across the lake to the camp and eat meals you might expect to come out of the kitchen of a four-star restaurant. I was fortunate to get the chance to do much of the preparation for the 20-year-old head chef, Filip.

The way of life was rus-tic, clean and simple. The 150-square-foot cabins con-tained bunk beds, a gas space heater, a bowl of water, some shelves and a coffee table. But, like college students and a dorm room, the guests had so many distractions they were hardly ever found in the wood cabins. On the generous num-ber of days I had off from my work, I would sharpen my fly fishing skills, honing my cast-ing rhythm. On other days, I would take day hikes up to some of the nearby mountain peaks, usually alone. I built a small fire atop one and ate almonds. A fog bank rolled in and the temperature dropped and as sure as I’ve ever been about anything, I knew I was home.

I truly encourage young people to get up and get out. I know too many big-city Texans who fear leaving the Lone Star State. Break the bubble that is your comfort zone and see the world.

Lumberjacks

ab

road

3 JUL 2015

The Lumberjacks Abroad series will highlight SFA students who have traveled abroad and come back to Nacogdoches with meaningful experiences. If you would like to share your experience studying abroad, get in touch with us on Facebook or on Twitter @thepinelog. We might choose you as our next guest contributor!

SWEDEN

Photo courtesy of Zach Pitre

Being single on Valentine’s Day can suck! You’re forced to watch all the couples embracing each other and kissing everywhere, and everything on television is either a chick f lick or some romantic sitcom. It can make someone who is newly single or has had a love dry spell for many years become a little bitter.

Some people don’t let Valentine’s Day get to them. They do not care about the heart-shaped chocolates, bouquets of f lowers or big, f luffy bears that people post everywhere on social media. However, for the people who do care, here are some ways to survive the Valentine’s Day blues.

Something that single people can do is to get out! There is no reason to be cooped up in the house just because you do not

have a significant other to spend the day with. Go to the movies! There are other movies besides the romantic ones that come out that weekend. Children’s movies are always a safe bet. No couple is going to see them unless they have kids. Horror movies are an-other option. Spoilers alert—the couples never survive. There is absolutely nothing romantic about people struggling to stay alive. If you are terrified of seeing a scary movie alone, bring a friend with you. Just make sure you bring a blanket and find a quiet game on your phone to distract yourself from the terrifying parts.

If movies are not your thing, go out dancing. There are a lot of single people who are also out try-ing to have a good time, and you can go out and make fun of the couples who cannot dance. There

is always someone at a party that has no rhythm. You can even join him or her, if you want to. There could be a potential love interest that happens to be there, and you can wear that outfit that has been sitting in the back of your closet. You can also do something that you have wanted to do for a while, like start a new book, go to the zoo or embrace your inner kid and go skating.

If going out is not your thing or you do not have the funds to go somewhere, there are still ways to have fun on Valentine’s Day while single. A go-to channel is Lifetime. I know some guys might think Lifetime is just for girls, but it is not. The movies they show are not always romantic. The mysteries and dramas are really intriguing. Also, those movies do not always end well for the couples. It can

make single people feel good to know they do not have to deal with that drama. Just watch all the couples’ love fall apart. Plus, Netflix is always available. Netflix and chill by yourself. Pop some popcorn and relax in your bed!

Last but not least, you can al-ways catch up on homework. School is important, and many people probably do not want to do schoolwork on the weekend, but if you are bored, you might as well do it anyway. Valentine’s Day is not a bad holiday. Maybe this Valentine’s Day you do not have a significant other, but who is to say you won’t have one next year? Do not let it get you down because there is someone else that is also single on Valentine’s Day. You are not alone. Plus, the candy will be on sale the next day, and you can splurge!

Being single shouldn’t stop the fun this SundayDancing, Lifetime and movies: Valentine’s Day alternatives for single SFA students

“There is no rea-son to be cooped up in the house just because you do not have a sig-

niicant other to spend the day

with.”

The Pine Log 2016

CMYK

Page 5Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Tuition: Board of Regents approves creation of ‘SFA 301’ course to help transfer students acclimate to SFA, get most out of Lumberjack experience

Library: Students largely on board with potential updates, propose other ideas for change

From Page 1

While the hearing was advertised on the mySFA homepage, Gallant said that only two students were in attendance. “The last few years, [we’ve had] as many as six or eight, but we just don’t have much of a turnout,” Gallant said. “One of the guys that was there said 50 or 60 of his friends had talked about it, and they didn’t show up.”

Though attendance at the hearings is typically low, Gallant encouraged students to come and hear the reasoning behind tuition increases.

“I would say that it’s important to them as students because it effects their finances, and we can explain the reason why we’re asking for the tuition increase,” Gallant said. “It just gives them some background.”

Even with the student hearing, student Helen Vo said she feels students aren’t aware of the opportunities they have to voice their opinions.

“I know there are organizations like [SGA] on campus, but I guess students aren’t aware of it, so they don’t actively try to go out and get the attention needed,” Vo said.

Also presented to the Board of Regents for approval was a recommendation for a com-munity college transition course. Similar to the course SFA 101 for incoming freshman, the tuition and fee-free course would give incoming transfer students the chance to learn skills important to college success.

“Many of our students are first generation, and whether you’re first generation or not, we need to provide connections. If you haven’t been to a campus like SFA, it can be kind of an intimidating place,” Interim Provost Dr. Steve Bullard said. “If you run into something

you’re unsure about, sometimes students, especially if they don’t have friends yet and they’re new to campus, don’t know who to ask. It’s a means of really helping students ac-climate to a new environment.”

Though the course is still being developed, Bullard said it would cover a variety of topics necessary to college success.

“If you think about any course, it includes knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors,” Bullard said. “It’ll be a mix of those areas that will increase success at a four year institu-tion.”

Bullard reiterated the importance of making connections while attending college. “We all use this phrase, ‘It’s not what you know, but who you know.’ I like to ask students

to turn that around,” Bullard said. “It’s who knows you, and by participating in a course like SFA 301 or SFA 101, other people will get to know them.”

While the university is still seeking approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Bullard hopes to see the course implemented by the fall.

The focus of these initiatives, Bullard said, continues to be student success. He cited the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s 60x30 plan.

“[By 2030, they want] 60 percent of Texans between the ages of 25 and 34 to have a col-lege degree or certificate. The other three goals kind of build on that, but they cover things like marketable skills and also things like the amount of debt that students have and how many students are completing degrees,” Bullard said. “It’s important that we not just re-cruit students and take their tuition money. We want to make sure that we’re doing every-thing we can to promote success.”

#OscarsSoWhite aims for diversityBy ToColla Holley

Contributing Writer

On Jan. 14, 2016, for the second year in a row, an all-white pool of Academy Award nominees in act-ing was announced. This has re-vived the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite on social media. The hashtag, created by former attorney April Reign, aims to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in the groups of actors nominated for this year’s honors.

Last year, this use of “hashtiv-ism” contributed to the addi-tion of 322 new members to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, added with the hope of making the Academy more di-verse.

“I think [the hashtag] gets the point across,” said James Burns, president of the SFA Hip Hop Council and member of the NAACP, ASO and Alpha Phi Alpha. “If a movement is going to have any force, it’s going to start with the youth. Hashtags usually take to so-cial media, and once the hashtag is on social media, it tends to expand. I definitely feel like that hashtag

has helped a lot.” The lack of diversity caused

prominent figures such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Spike Lee to boycott the Oscars, while Chris Rock is hosting and Kevin Hart and Whoopi Goldberg will be presenters at the ceremony. However, several individuals from the African-American communi-ty do not approve of the uproar. Actress Stacey Dash even called for an end to the BET Awards.

“Stacey Dash is irrelevant. There [should] be BET Awards,” said Kendra Richardson, president of SFA’s chapter of the NAACP. “There wouldn’t have been a need for the BET Awards had we never had an Oscars that [does not] us to go in there.”

Burns believes that the addition of 322 new Academy voters does not automatically solve the diver-sity issue.

“When it came to African-American movies this year, we had a lot great ones,” Burns said. “I feel like they kind of discriminated against certain films, maybe with-out even knowing. If you had a basketball ref [that learned] to ref

a certain way, bringing in 300 new refs is not going to change how they ref. You have to change how the referees are taught.”

In the history of the Awards, black actors have been awarded only five Oscars for leading roles and 10 for supporting roles.

“It’s been enough representation to pacify us throughout the years,” Richardson said. “It hasn’t been every year. These are the same people that wouldn’t let us sit down at the tables with table covers with water and champagne. We couldn’t sit with the other actors and ac-tresses.”

The lack of diversity affects not only the African American com-munity, but other minorities as well.

“As Hispanics and people of color, [I feel we] are not being represented well,” said Theresa Mendoza, president of the Organization for Latin Americans. “I feel like, if you put two people side-by-side and you have a Latin-American person and a white per-son [with] the same qualities, the white person will be chosen over the Hispanic.”

From Page 1

“We want to make our space have all the cool technology and all the cool information where learning takes place,” Dickerson said. “It’s all about learning, but also making learning fun. It’s kind of a borrowed term, ‘sandbox,’ that we have seen other universities use.”

Some students have voiced a positive opinion of these renovations and have other requests, as well.

“A 24-hour area would be good, but a 24-hour printer would be really nice,” SFA student Alexis Jackson said. “I know a lot of peo-ple who remember they forgot to print something, [but] it’s midnight and they can’t get to one.”

Other students see a need for only some aspects of the reno-vations.

“I think that it would be good, since [the third floor] is sort of an unused space,” SFA student Hayley Breshears said. “That would definitely be nice, especially since the AARC is so packed sometimes … As for the computer lab, it already seems like they have a lot of computers.”

Library faculty has submitted a capital budget request and, according to Dickerson, any renovations are based on the availability of the funding and campus-wide priorities.

“The reason behind some of these ideas to make these spaces more collaborative and inviting is to make learning visible,” Dickerson said. “I think when something is visible and attractive, more people want to do it.”

CA and DA applications due Feb. 24By Parastoo Nikravesh

Staff Writer

Online applications are now available for students with at least 30 credit hours to apply for positions as community assistants or desk assistants in SFA’s residence halls. Applications are due Feb. 24.

“It’s a leadership role, but it’s also more of a mentor,” said Erica Smith, Steen East hall director. “They’re there because, No. 1, they’re also students. They have been through freshman year, and they kind of know the ropes. It’s a mentor position where, if they see one of the residents having a hard time or struggling, they can pull them aside to make sure everything is okay.”

Online applications for CA and DA are available in three parts: the application for the position, the campus human resources application and the recommendation form. Students can apply online to Area Coordinator Nechele McClinton or directly to the hall directors. Students must sign up for an interview time after applying.

“Ultimately, it depends on the hall they’re trying to apply for, because each per-sonality is going to be different. We strongly encourage that, if you’re not hired the first time around, you come back and reapply,” Smith said.

In order to become a CA, students must be enrolled full-time, be in good aca-demic standing and be in good standing with SFA, the Residence Life Department and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities prior to and throughout the period of employment. Students interested in becoming a DA must meet the same requirements and live in the residence hall. Leadership experience is preferred.

“Showing that you can handle your coursework gives applicants an edge,” said Jackie Higgins, a CA in Steen West. “They want to see that you can handle the adjustment of being a CA, and they might use your adjustment to college as an example. If you were able to keep your grades up, that’s a good sign. They also want involvement. All clubs are great, but if you’re in something with leadership, it helps.”

After the interview process and evaluations, a collective group of residence hall leaders decide which positions will be filled and which applicants will make the cut.

“The responsibilities of a DA are to make sure paperwork is filled out properly, keys are always accounted for, information is always accounted for and there is always someone at the desk to answer questions for the students,” said Brittany Meservey, Steen West hall director. “Customer service is another. They do a lot of things like handing out packages and getting people to sign up for things.”

DAs receive an hourly wage for their time and, according to Meservey, it is a good step becoming a CA. A CA is on call at all times to be available to help residents or with any other issues that may arise. They are paid through scholarships that cover the cost of room and board, plus $7.25 per month when the halls are open. A CA is responsible for specific deadlines and for putting on programs for residents that build a sense of com-munity and encourage positive college experiences.

“You’re supposed to be the advocate for the resident and make sure they’re safe, first of all. The first priority is safety, mentally and physically,” Higgins said. “We have to make sure everyone is enjoying the college experience, because there are some people who just sit in their rooms and don’t do anything. That’s why programming is so impor-tant. The programs get people to do something, they’re beneficial, and people can learn something.”

Many students may carry a misconception about the amount of time it takes to be a CA or DA, according to Meservey.

“[A misconception of being a CA or DA] is that it’s not work,” Meservey said. “[People think] that it’s an easy job, but it’s not. You’re on call 24/7. That’s very tiring, but very rewarding. It is important that they’re organized. It’s a real job, even though we are all going to school. It’s not something that should be taken lightly … [If you have a prob-lem], come talk to us. It doesn’t hurt to ask. The more prepared [students] are, the better chance they have.”

Students with leadership experience, desire to help others encouraged to apply

Photo courtesy of Jazzmine Junigan

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Page 6 The Pine Log 2016

SFA ScoreboardWOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Ladyjacks win 64-50 at HBU

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Walkup nets 30, SFA wins 82-73 vs. NSU

TENNIS: Ladyjacks lose to 37th ranked Oklahoma, 6-1

MEN’S TRACK: Cole Stallcup secures 5th place in 800m runPhoto by Hannah Russell/ The Pine

Log

In case you missed it:- Senior pole vaulter Demi Payne became just the third woman in history to clear a 16-foot or higher bar indoors with her 16-foot

jump at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

- In Lumberjack basketball’s win over Northwestern State Monday, senior Thomas Walkup moved into first place in total field goals made by a Lumberjack in the program’s NCAA Division I history.

- Men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood currently sits in fifth place in the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. His finish in the competition will determine how much money he will win for the Nacogdoches Area United Way, his chosen charity. Voting for round

two ends this Sunday. Fans wishing to vote can do so online once per day.

Looking AheadMEN’S BASKETBALL(17-5, 9-0 SLC)

The SFA Lumberjacks re-mained atop the SLC stand-ings after two wins last week that pushed them to 9-0 in conference play. SFA will look to extend their 2016 SLC win-ning streak to double digits when the Jacks host the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL(11-10, 5-5 SLC)

Thanks to a 64-50 victory over Houston Baptist University last Saturday, the SFA Ladyjacks pushed their winning streak to four games. They look to keep their winning streak alive when they battle with the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders on Saturday Feb. 13 inside William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tip is set for 3:30 p.m.

Other upcoming events:

The SFA track and field teams will be traveling to compete in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships, which are slated to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, Feb. 15 and 16. SFA won the Southland Conference Indoor Championships last year and will look to bring an-other conference championship back home to Nacogdoches.

Tennis, women’s golf, bowling and softball are also all competing this weekend as the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks look ahead to an action-packed schedule.

Photo by Hannah Russell/ The Pine Log

Photo by Derek Hall/ The Pine Log

2016 Signing Day Additions

By Juwan LeeStaff Writer

Lumberjack head football coach Clint Conque intro-duced 19 new players to the 2016 Lumberjack football roster on last Wednesday’s NCAA National Signing Day, which will usher in a new era of SFA football.

Seventeen of those 19 signees are from the state of Texas. SFA also brought in a junior college transfer and a preferred non-scholarship athlete to conclude the Signing Day additions.

“Certainly, in college football circles, this is our Christmas in February,” Conque said. “I’m very excited about this class we have coming in and for the young men that will be joining our program. I would be remiss for not thanking our coaching staff. It’s been a sprint the last few weeks with a lot of miles and a lot of visits. I am very pleased with this class. We are bringing some ballers to Nacogdoches.”

The 2016 SFA signing class defines how important re-cruiting within the state of Texas is. But before the coach-ing staff shops around the state, they focus on those who are close to home. Five of the signees are from the East Texas area. Conque has constantly relied on the talent that comes out of Texas, but that does not mean signing Texas players is an easy task.

“We want to recruit East Texas [players] first, and we think we made quite a haul starting right here in Nacogdoches,” Conque said. “We faced a lot of challenges pulling this class together. Texas is over-recruited. We are

becoming a saturated, over-recruited state, so we must be able and willing to look outside of our typical footprint to make sure we can identify a quality pool.”

Conque shined light on the fact that many of the re-cruits are multi-sport athletes. Twelve of the signees have lettered in at least one other sport, and all of those ath-letes have been all-district and all-state competitors. This year, a key emphasis was adding length and speed. A good portion of the signees ran track and field, and Conque is excited to see that speed translate to the football field.

“One of the things that has become more prevalent is young men who play multiple sports,” Conque said. “We have a large portion of our signees that are multi-sport athletes—guys that are achieving high levels of success in multiple sports. This is a fast class. It’s one of the fastest classes I have ever been a part of. You are going to see that in this class.”

In addition to football, the SFA women’s soccer team added five new Ladyjacks on National Signing Day.

All five new players hail from Texas, and head coach Wally Crittenden hopes that they can add to the success of a program that has won five consecutive Southland Conference regular-season titles.

“We’re very excited about this class of players coming in, and we feel that the depth and the competitive character of athleticism will continue to refine our athletic profile as a program. It’s something that we made a commitment to doing when I got here,” Crittenden said. “So, piece by piece, these classes will come together … We’ve got some pretty good pieces to compete for our sixth consecutive

league championship, which is one of the benchmarks we will continue to install for next fall.”

For Crittenden, the opportunity to mold players who are already familiar with the Ladyjack program is extremely exciting.

“They are players that have gotten to know our process—the way that we do things and kind of our style of play,” Crittenden said. “From a coaching staff standpoint, we are very excited about the characteristics these players showcase at a young age and where they are right now de-velopmentally. Then we get really excited about where we think they can be once they get into this environment and have our standards and expectations applied to them on a daily basis.”

Football inks 19, soccer locks down five during last week’s National Signing DayHead coaches of both programs express optimism regarding depth of 2016 recruiting classes

It’s been a sprint the last few weeks with a lot of miles and a lot of visits. I am very pleased with this class. We are bringing some ballers to Nacogdoches.” - Head Coach Clint Conque

“

Football

Soccer

- Carli Arthurs / D / Lewisville, Texas

- Mari Gillespie / D / Kingwood, Texas

- Ravyn Hoelscher / F / The Colony, Texas

- Katie Jennings / F / Austin, Texas

- Brooke Shirley / D / College Station, Texas

Offensive Linemen: Deion Bennett, Zach Mack, Matthew Mora, Cooper Williams

Quarterbacks: Paten Snell, Tyler Ferre’

Running Backs: Josh McGowen, Jamall Shaw

Wide Receivers: Khalil Lacy, Thomas Nolley, Tamrick Pace, Cody Williams

Tight End: Nick Jones

Defensive Linemen: Jerry Blanks, Malik George,Larron Cox

Defensive Backs: Alex Gregory, Trey Ramos

Athlete: Zach Hall

PLWED-0210-A-A@1PLWED-0210-A-A@2PLWED-0210-A-A@3PLWED-0210-A-A@4PLWED-0210-A-A@5PLWED-0210-A-A@6