Author: Baylor Lariat

This week, students will have to say farewell to the friendly trash monster next to the bridge over Waco Creek that greeted passers-by. The sculpture was a collaboration between Baylor’s Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry and the Baylor Sustainability Student Advisory Board. A graduate student who is a member of the society suggested the group build a sculpture out of trash similar to the one constructed at her alma mater. Every year, the society participates in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. In the event, groups from around the world pick up trash from marine bodies or their tributaries…

The student senate of the University of Kansas, a fellow member in the Big 12 Conference, voted last week to delete all instances of “his/her” and other gender-specific pronouns from the official Student Senate Rules and Regulations document and replace these words with gender-neutral pronouns. “This is a key first step in making our campus more inclusive,” said student senator Harrison Baker, the bill’s main author. “Hopefully this will be a catalyst to create discussions on campus and cause change to happen elsewhere.” KU claims this move to eliminate “his/her” from its government documents was also passed to “increase the…

It seems every week I read a conversation-changing, health-world-shattering article on unhealthy foods to avoid. Often contradicting and jammed with jargon on obscure nutrients that I’ve somehow miraculously survived 22 years without counting — these fads and their cycles exhaust readers. I’m instantly skeptical of any new information, especially if it has to do with weight loss. Yet there’s one myth that’s lasted entirely too long: If a food is low-fat or fat-free, it’s automatically a healthy choice. I see this mentality among my friends and in casual conversations on campus. Nonfat vanilla latte, please. Low-fat yogurt for lunch. Bagel…

Canned episodes of “Whose Line is it Anyway” isn’t cutting it for comedy fans in Waco. That’s why the Brazos Theatre Group is hosting an improv comedy night at 9 p.m. Friday.

The balloons are filled and gold flamingos settled for the Buttoned Pop-Up Shop today at LL Sams Historic Lofts.

Some of the most valuable lessons learned in college aren’t taught in a classroom. Here’s one of those lessons.

Dear Baylor Nation, By now, most have heard about Seth Russell’s season-ending neck injury and taking time off the football field to heal and rehabilitate. We were all deeply saddened to hear about your injury and our prayers go out to you and we hope you know you will be missed greatly throughout the remainder of the season. We are all happy surgery was a success and you are now up and moving. We are all praying for quick healing. With this catastrophic news about Russell, we can all relate to the fact that our first thoughts might have been…

Youth Connection is serving up Down on the Bayou, a Cajun-zydeco festival, to raise funds for the nonprofit’s efforts to encourage positive life choices for all youth in McLennan County. The event will be from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday in the Phoenix Ballroom in downtown Waco. Down on the Bayou will feature authentic Cajun food, zydeco music from Classie Ballou and the Family Band and a silent auction with items that have been donated. “Our funding goes to help the kids right here in our own community,” said Carolyn Nichols, Youth Connection executive director. “Many of the kids we work…

Urban Missions twice yearly holds a dance event for members of the special needs community.

By Katie Grovatt, Reporter Waco group Friends of Peace has been taking huge steps to advance the local environment into a more sustainable atmosphere. They have recently taken large strides in educating future generations of the importance of caring for our environment. Most recently the organization participated in a “Climate Change Kills” Die-In demonstration. On Oct. 17, the group gathered on the corner of Valley Mills drive and held signs aiming to make a powerful statement urging citizens to be more concerned about climate change. The group’s efforts were in honor of The People’s Climate Movement’s national day of action,…

Students have the opportunity to hear from business professionals in various fields.

The NFL trade deadline came and went with little news to report, as usual. One non-trade did raise some eyebrows though: RG3 is still with the Washington Redskins, as the third string QB.

The Dallas Cowboys’ season hasn’t gone spectacularly, and now, the team is under fire for a high-profile player’s stupidity. What’s more, the higher-ups seem to be turning a blind eye. Defensive end Greg Hardy entered this season on the team, bringing a dense history of violence on his report card. These problems came to a head during only his second game of the 2015 season. After a big Dallas touchdown with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game, the Giants scored a 100-yard touchdown on a kickoff return to win 27-20. After the play, Hardy was seen…

By Katie Grovatt, ReporterOn a cold December day, our nation gave up 26 treasured souls essential to the fabric of our country. That winter day in Newtown, Conn., a thief robbed America of a large stash of jewels, and hearts mourned for their riches. Following the second deadliest mass shooting in the United States history on Dec. 14, 2012, leaders, politicians and citizens rushed to propose solutions. “I hope and trust that in the next session of Congress there will be sustained and thoughtful debate about America’s gun culture and our responsibility to prevent more loss of life,” California Sen.…

Looking for a taste of culture this week? Learn about the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos while enjoying local art at the Art Forum.

Wouldn’t it be nice sometimes to shut someone up by clicking the mute button, like how Adam Sandler does in the movie Click? It’s hard to have a conversation when two people have opposing values, but it’s near impossible when they’re trying to grab for each other’s throats at the same time. We see it all the time. A discussion turns into an argument, and a debate turns into a fight. Instead of laying out thoughts for the sake of understanding, it becomes “my way or the highway.” Sometimes, you may find yourself amongst a group with the same values,…

When choosing a recipe for Cookbook Confessions, I have two qualifications. One, it must be strange. Certainly I cannot choose a title because it sounds appetizing. Two, it must require some experimenting—whether with substitutions or uncommon cooking techniques.

Ever been in a pageant? 21 fraternity men can now say “yes!”.

By Rolando Rodriguez Soto, Reporter Baylor’s Campus Kitchen is hosting a canned food drive until Nov. 20 to help feed the hungry this Thanksgiving. Turkeypalooza is Campus Kitchen’s annual school-wide event to provide meals for individuals and families in the Waco area. All donations will support the Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry. Canned food items can be dropped off at the Martin House or at other donation boxes around campus. “Our mission with Turkeypalooza is to get Baylor’s community involved in providing a special meal for Thanksgiving to those that might not have it,” said Kountze senior…

Baylor Outdoor Adventure will give students the opportunity to explore nature during fall break. In previous years, the department has taken trips to Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Things are a little different this year. “This is our first time doing five trips. We are trying to get more opportunities with students to get them to do something for fall break,” said Cody Schrank, assistant director for outdoor adventure education. “And for spring break, we are hoping to have four to five trips.” The trips will range from backpacking to rock climbing in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. There are only…

The United States’ oldest institution of higher learning, Harvard University, was founded in 1636 with Congregationalist and Unitarian influences. Yale University was established as a school to train ministers in language and theology. Throughout its history, Duke University held strong ties to the Methodist church. Aside from these schools’ historical religious affiliations, they also share one other common thread: They’ve all lost their ties to the church. In his New York Times op-ed column, “The Big University” published earlier this month, David Brooks examines the trend of this secularization in formerly religious institutions that were “explicitly designed to cultivate their…

Many majors are looked down upon by the general population. Theater, English, history, journalism, philosophy and art majors are scorned for not pursuing something more practical such as a science — or math — oriented major, or even a more general business major. I can’t count the number of times a curious adult asked my major and responded with skepticism when I told them I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.“What do you want to do with that?” they would ask. “You know newspapers are dying, don’t you?” Then they proceed to suggest a more “practical” major that…

In an editorial, “Gimme a break: Fall break not long enough to enjoy” [published Oct. 15] the writer talks about extending Fall Break; students are not getting their fair share of time off. Now being out of the military, I may have a different perspective regarding school. It is my belief that the purpose of going to college is to get the appropriate education to get a job to earn money to make a living. So under that assumption, students should make a lifestyle transition that will prepare them for the workforce. Coming out of the workforce I can tell…

A horrifying Halloween experience awaits those who choose to see the showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” complete with a shadow cast this weekend.

This Halloween, the first ever Stadium SPOOKtacular presented by Lowe’s of Waco will take place from 5-9 p.m. on October 31 at McLane Stadium.

Several local artists take the opportunity to show off their art work at the Waco Central Texas Artist Collective. Two artists in particular are brothers, Genaro and Daniel Barron.

Tired, stretched thin and worn out, any student with a job will tell you how difficult it is to work at the same time they’re going to school. Willing to bet they’ll also tell you how much they’ve learned from the situation as well. In the simplest explanation, there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a hard day’s work. Biblically, we can point to texts like Colossians 3:23 and Genesis 2:15 and know that work was something we were designed for. While there are days when we want nothing more than to sleep off the week, too much…

By Rachel Toalson, Assistant Web EditorMusic is a powerful thing. It is a force that drives us, that motivates us, that encourages and relates to us. It allows us to find a connection with the artist and with others. Music manages to break through the noise of everyday life and help us find an escape and through that, we find clarity.With each unique individual person, in turn they have a unique taste in music. No one’s taste is the same and no one has the same opinion on it because music is such a versatile thing. It is open for…

By Rolando Rodriguez Soto, ReporterBaylor students are starting the first student led nonprofit organization in the Baylor Journalism, Public Relations and New Media Department. Inite collects funds to provide an education, supplies and other basic needs to children in underdeveloped countries.The word “Inite” is Creole for unity. Creole is the main language in Haiti, which is Inite’s current primary focus.Inite partners with the Sisters of San Juan Evangelista in Wanament, Haiti. The Juanistas provide the children with necessary supplies and resources, but the nuns aren’t able to help every child. Inite is raising money for these children, so they can…

By Katie Grovatt, Reporter Texans will be given the chance to vote on a proposed amendment that would give citizens the official right to hunt and fish. If gained a majority support by voters on Nov. 3, the legislation will amend Section One, Article I of the Texas Constitution. The proposed amendment reads: “The people have the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to laws or regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing.” This amendment would ensure for future generations the claimed fundamental…