by Will Chamblee | Sports Writer After deciding to move forward with the 2020 season, the Big 12 released a revised football schedule which will consist of nine conference games and one non-conference game for each of its teams. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement Wednesday morning that the board of directors feels confident in their decision to move forward with the season.“We are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes,” Bowlsby said. While…
Author: Baylor Lariat
By Will Chamblee | Sports Writer On the final day to withdraw from the 2020 NBA Draft, junior guard Jared Butler announced that he would be returning to Baylor for his junior year of collegiate basketball. Butler’s announcement followed senior guard Macio Teague’s decision to also return, meaning that Baylor men’s basketball would have its’ two leading scorers for another season. Butler spoke with the media following his announcement where he detailed why he chose to return, saying that there were “a lot of hypotheticals” and uncertainty surrounding the decision and that he had to rely on his faith. “We…
After the switch to online classes, Baylor announced its pass/fail option to students. While the switch has helped students, it can make many feel like they didn’t earn their GPAs by taking the pass.Accepting a pass instead of a letter grade does not mean that a student hasn’t succeeded. Whether or not grades have been sustained at the same level since before the shift to online classes is not a correct measurement of a student’s ability to learn the information.Each student has had their own experiences with online classes. Some classes have gotten easier with assignments due at the end…
By Baylor Lariat Sports StaffMale Athlete of the Year: James LynchThe Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year reigns high among the male athletes on campus. The recent fourth round pick by the Minnesota Vikings racked up awards during his junior season on campus including First-Team All American and Texas College Player of the Year.His production speaks for itself: 41 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. He was the most productive member of the defense that led Baylor to its most successful season in half a decade and the first BCS…
There have been times in history when xenophobia has been used as a scapegoat in times of trouble. Right now, we’re seeing that President Trump is deflecting blame for the spread of COVID-19 to China. Amid the fear and unrest of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important we not allow blame to become the peace our wandering minds are looking for.The ideology that blames foreign countries and entities for issues within a country lends itself to egocentrism, blinding itself from its own issues. It also leads to a culture of xenophobia.The policy changes during the Trump administration reflect this very…
We flattened the curve. Thanks to local government action and citizen activism, only around 50,000 people have died in the United States. That will all fall apart if we stop too early. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state would begin its reopening process Friday by allowing businesses such as malls, restaurants and movie theaters to get back to work at the end of the week. Stores will be allowed 25% capacity at first to test if cases go up, and venues like nail and hair salons, massage parlors and gyms will have to wait until mid-May.However, most…
By Lauren Gassel | ContributorOn April 20, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp held a press conference announcing his plans to open certain businesses starting Friday. Living in Atlanta myself, I honestly find this shocking and irresponsible.The statewide shelter in place started April 3 and was scheduled to end on April 30. However, Kemp has other plans, and allowed nail salons, hair salons, massage therapy, bowling alleys and gyms to open Friday. In-person church services are allowed to resume as well. On Monday, movie theaters and restaurants had the option to reopen. I’m sorry, but how important is a massage over decreasing…
Quarantine has taken a toll on almost everyone. Much of the country has been shut down for weeks or longer, and for some people tensions are running high. In states such as Michigan, California and Texas, protesters gathered to show their displeasure with lock downs and closures. Some believe the pandemic is a hoax aimed at stripping away personal freedoms or forcing President Trump out of office. Others either downplay the risks or claim they’re willing to accept them. The chance of death, it seems, is preferable to life without haircuts. The frustration (at least from the people that acknowledge…
During this time of self-isolation, students should take advantage of the opportunity to stay connected through virtual events and seminars.While Baylor has had to adapt to online classes, student organizations have also adjusted their events to allow students to continue to participate. By virtually attending these events, students will still feel connected to Baylor no matter where they are in the world.The Sundown Sessions went virtual last week and hosted a trivia night for students. Leave Your Mark provided a cultural humility training on Wednesday.Diadeloso 2020: Social Distancing Edition on Tuesday also made eddorts . Students have the option to…
When faced with a worldwide pandemic, everyone is scared. Finances, large-scale events, health and even just the normalcy of day-to-day life is all up in the air. While many people right now are either working from home, taking care of their children or even unfortunately have lost their jobs, there is still a large population that has no choice right now but to go to work. These people include but are not limited to those working in grocery stores, chefs and employees at restaurants doing to-go orders, those who work for the postal service, all types of healthcare workers, truck…
President Trump announced states could begin reopening to each governor’s discretion on Thursday. While the administration provided federal guidelines for reopening, its lack of clarity and mandates fails to create a united front against the pandemic.The guidelines, outlined in a plan called “Opening Up America Again,” suggests a three-part reopening in two-week increments: first with public places with enforced physical distancing, next reopening schools and allowing social gatherings less than 50, and lastly reopening of work sites and other venues.While the guidelines recommend waiting for a “downward trajectory” or reported cases within a 14-day period, this is not a requirement.…
Bloomberg News’ decision to kill a 2013 investigation into China’s richest man was back in the news this week. Parent company Bloomberg LP is a juggernaut in the world of financial software owned by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. When its news network’s reporters probed too deep into Chinese political circles, the company feared the Chinese government would target its business ventures as punishment and quashed the investigation. Profit trumped the pursuit of truth.Bloomberg LP’s interference in the story violated one of the core tenets of journalism. The wall between journalism and business in a media company –…
After the cancellation of in-person classes last month, Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone urged grace and understanding. The sudden transition to online classes halfway through a semester is, after all, unprecedented, and it promised to be a learning experience for student and instructor alike.Everyone has had to find ways to adapt to this strange new normal — which is why one online teaching method seems so unusual. Some professors still require assignments be completed in narrow windows during what would be normal class time, even when not requiring students to meet as a class. Strict assignment times put an undue…
Student Body President: Sutton HouserThe Lariat endorses Boerne junior Sutton Houser for the position of student body president. Houser has extensive experience in student government as former sophomore class president and the current director of affordability. While all of the candidates have advocated for more student government diversity and communication, Houser uniquely prioritizes student care.His vision, called Bear Care, seeks to promote student wellness through privatizing student information on the Baylor directory, creating a Mental Health Day in the fall, and creating a Student Care & Wellness Fund to assist with pay unexpected expenditures during difficult times. He also wants…
It’s the government. The actual United States federal government, not China or Russia or some other despotism. And whether it’s incompetence or general malpractice, something needs to change. The government’s current relationship with the independent media is harmful to the American public. People turn to the president in times of crisis; think of JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis or FDR during World War II. The office is trusted, and people tend to believe elected officials.But Donald Trump actively degrades the media and alienates them, restraining them from doing their job of informing the people. When he is actively saying…
By following social-distancing guidelines, students stuck indoors have also increased the amount of time spent on screen and away from others. Instead of focusing on what can be done online, students should refocus their time into healthy habits outside of their computer screens.Distancing can lead to loneliness, a health threat on its own that can be damaging to those who don’t receive enough social interaction. While we want to follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing, it should not mean cutting off human contact.Students should keep in contact with their friends who may currently be in another state. In that…
While the first day of the semester is dedicated going over syllabi and establishing a common understanding of classroom expectations, no such thing was ever done in the transition to online classes.Here are a few recommendations for in-class conduct at “Zoom University.”Use the mute function.While you may be able to get away with whispering snide comments to your friends in class, no such mischief is possible in online classes. Your audio is equally accessible to everyone in the call. The clanging of your family cooking in the kitchen or even the sound of your own typing may be ambient noise…
With states across the country ordering Americans to shelter-in-place, many people are cooking from home, or using what they have left in their pantries. We are all being urged to stay inside, so choosing to stay home and cook with what we have is typically the best option. When we do choose to go out to eat, however, chains are often seen as the simplest option. Few restaurants are still allowing customers to sit and dine inside—none in Waco—but many are offering takeout options and deliveries. Since we have the choice of which restaurants to order from, it’s important that…
Although we are isolated from one another physically, we can still make an effort to be there for each other.When campus switched to online instruction, roommates, students, professors and staff were all torn from the schedules and campus that held them together. Everyone was forced to accept a new reality. Yet while these new circumstances look different for each person, every experience is challenging in its own way. In a time like this, it’s important to extend grace and understanding to the people in your life; everyone has their own struggles and ways of coping.A popular way of coping with…
While we all adjust to a new “normal,” daily life has changed dramatically for almost all of us. As college students, we are used to a fairly structured schedule—whether that be with class, organizations, sports or jobs. Without any physical class for the remainder of the semester, we find ourselves on our own with a lot of free time on our hands. However, this does not mean that your daily life has to change completely. With a schedule, you can retain some sense of normalcy.It’s easy to fall into a spiral of laziness—with no places to go or other obligations…
Winter student-athletes started their season, then it was taken from them without a warning. Stability is important, and closure is important. Give the kids another chance.Imagine you were working on a project for work or for school, and it had taken years. Years of your life were put into making this project perfect, and then you found out whoever you were turning it into had no use for it anymore. It wasn’t necessary.Now, think about the seniors who have been working toward this spring for over a decade. They’ve fought through injuries and both bad and good seasons. They’ve fought…
Some people have been taking the quarantine well. Some people have used it to catch up on passion projects or take advantage of valuable family time. Others, not so much. It’s time to hunker down for the good of society, no matter how much money or influence a person has.“High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens made news with her complaints on the COVID-19 shutdown during an Instagram Live on March 16.“It’s a virus ― I get it,” Hudgens said. “I respect it, but, at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are gonna die. Which…
It’s easy to forget the world has only been at a standstill for a couple of weeks. But before life as we knew it ground to a halt, 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon was on a whirlwind media tour. The inventor of the “Renegade” dance which took TikTok by storm made appearances on Ellen and at the NBA All-Star Game. Harmon is a rare case. Creators of these viral dances rarely receive national acclaim for their creations. In TikTok’s own list of 2019’s top dance trends, the featured video of its top viral dance, “The Woah,” uses a video making light of…
After Baylor announced its decision to move all classes online, teachers across campus were tasked to find out how to make their entire course load fit into the new platform and some departments held technology training days to help students best make the transition. However, some professors will be forced to get creative. Classes such as lifetime fitness, photography, labs, etc. are harder to transfer because of the physical presence required for course learning.Students should respond to these unusual circumstances by looking for ways to build each other up instead of tear each other down, and that courtesy extends to…
It is no new news that the COVID-19 is more dangerous to people over the age of 50— and while young people are much more likely to completely recover from the virus, there are still many complications that could occur. Social distancing, a term now commonly known, is one of the most effective and important measures to eliminating this virus. Staying at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding mass groups of people will limit the transmission of the virus as it is transferred from person-to-person. Not only will this protect you, but those around you. With this information,…
Coronavirus seems to be everywhere. It feels as if in a matter of days, the pandemic has gone from being something people were aware of to something that impacts all aspects of daily life. Along with school being moved online for the rest of the semester, nearly all social events for the next few months are cancelled. In some areas, restaurants and bars are also closed off to the public besides opportunities for pick up or takeout. The CDC recommends that gatherings of more than 10 that may include at-risk members be cancelled, and its been encouraged to increase social…
Spring break is the last time college seniors are allowed to be kids before they graduate and brave the new world. Most students travel, go on a mission trip or find other ways to enjoy the time-honored holiday. However, many students decide to return to their hometowns or stay in Waco for what has become known as a ‘staycation’ where students spend most of the break sitting on a couch. Instead of opting to lounge at home for spring break, students should go out and explore different opportunities before they lose their chance.Staycations have many benefits because they allow students…
This may come off a bit preachy, but maybe it should. I mean, come on, virginity as a plot device? Chris Harrison, you’re better than this.Madison Prewett is the latest victim on the newest season of ABC’s “The Bachelor.” Before heading into fantasy suite-week, Madison let the bachelor, Peter Weber, know that if he slept with either of the other two women, she may not be able to continue because of her beliefs.Victoria F. and Hannah Ann went into full attack mode, saying Madison was giving Peter an “ultimatum,” and that it wasn’t fair for her beliefs to get in…
From a young age, we are taught to respect our elders. Sayings like “this is grown-up talk” and “you’ll understand when you get older” instilled a concept of a bar of entry to adulthood. There is an invisible yet very salient relational distance between those who are adults and those who are not.For college students, who have always grown-up with this reverence and even fear of adults, it is time to knock those walls down.The gap between us and the adult world is quickly closing. The reality is that we are adults now, too. Once we hit that 18-year mark,…
waiting on the cartoon