By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterThe Big 12 Conference announced Wednesday that its Board of Directors voted unanimously to withhold 25 percent of future revenue distribution payments from Baylor. The decision is due to the outcome of a third-party review of changes to Baylor’s athletics procedures and to institutional governance of its intercollegiate athletics programs, among other matters, according to a statement released by the Big 12.“The Board is unified in establishing a process to verify that proper institutional controls are in place and sustainable,” said University of Oklahoma president and Big 12 Conference Board of Directors chairman David Boren.…

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Abdul Saadi, assistant professor of Arabic studies, lived in Aleppo, Syria, before coming to the United States in 1990 after receiving a full scholarship from the University of Chicago. He said even back then his chances of getting a visa were 50/50, and it is much harder now. Saadi said that for the past six or seven years, it has been nearly impossible for the average person in Syria to get a visa, and President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries, including Syria. Two years ago, Saadi’s sister…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterA former Baylor student filed a lawsuit against the school under the name Elizabeth Doe on Friday and is suing for Title IX violations and negligence. The plaintiff reports being gang raped by former football players Tre’Von Armstead and Shamycheal Chatman after a party on April 18, 2013.The lawsuit also alleges that 31 Baylor football players committed at least 52 acts of rape, including five gang rapes, between 2011 and 2014. In a Wall Street Journal article from October, Baylor regents said they were aware of 17 reports of sexual assault against 19 football players,…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterBaylor accepted a $2.5 million gift on Monday from Baylor Regent Bob Beauchamp and his wife Laura Beauchamp to create an addiction recovery center on campus. The Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center will be located in East Village Residential Community and will “dramatically enhance Baylor’s efforts to foster the holistic well-being of its students in a manner that reflects the university’s values as a Christian community where wholeness, spiritual growth and academic success are priorities,” according to a statement from Baylor. Baylor’s statement noted that college students are disproportionately affected by addiction, citing that alcohol and…

Baylor’s Office of Career and Professional Development will hold a career fair for all students from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Waco Convention Center.According to the Office of Career and Professional Development website, about 125 companies are expected to attend, all seeking students in a variety of academic fields to fill entry-level positions and internships.“Students can expect to see a wide variety of employers both in terms of industries and majors on which they focus their hiring,” Director of Employer Relations at Baylor Adam Kaye said. “Many employers at the Internship and Career Fair have communicated to…

Kalyn Story | Staff Writer President Donald Trump signed executive orders mandating the construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday, increasing border patrol forces and taking away federal grant funding from sanctuary cities. “A nation without borders is not a nation,” Trump said in an address to the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday. “Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders.” Mission sophomore Stacy De Leon lives about 10 minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border and lived in Mexico from age 1 to 7. De Leon does not think a wall is…

Kalyn Story | Staff Writer More than 3.3 million people attended women’s marches in more than 550 cities across America on Saturday, according to data collected by the University of Denver and University of Connecticut. San Antonio freshman Lawson Sadler drove to Austin on Saturday with some friends to march and support women’s rights. “Marches are incredibly inclusive and representative of what democracy is,” Sadler said. “Marching makes a statement. It mobilizes people and encourages them to stand for what they believe in.” Sadler said the march encouraged her to get in touch with women’s rights organizations such as Planned…

Kalyn Story | Staff WriterDays after the Bears for Leadership Reform group proposed a plan to change the governance practices of the Board of Regents, the Governance Committee of the Board of Regents released their recommendations to the Board of Regents.In November, Baylor interim President David Garland announced the the formation of a task force to review the Board of Regents’ current operation methods. According to the statement released Saturday, the task force tailored its recommendations specifically to improve the transparency and accountability of the Board. The statement also said the task force believes its recommendations regarding input for regent…

I have covered protests before. As a member of the media I tend to feel isolated and distant from the cause and the protesters. The Women’s March in Washington was different. Although I was not a participant in the march, I could see and feel the compassion these marchers had for one another in ways I never have before. I saw people insisting that someone else take their seat on the crowded metro train, I watched women hand out free hats, I saw people with bags full of water bottles offering them to marchers and police officers working at the…

Broadcast by Jessica Babb | Broadcast Managing Editor, Story by Kalyn Story The Women’s March in Washington was one of over 600 demonstrations around the world on Saturday. The Washington Post estimates that over 1 million people showed up to women’s marches across the country the day after President Trump’s inauguration. Jennifer Anderson flew from Charlotte, North Carolina to march. This was not her first time marching for what she said are “basic human rights.” In 1960, when Anderson was 12 years old, she marched with her parents advocating for civil rights for African Americans. “Marching with the civil rights…

Video by Jessica Babb | Broadcast Managing Editor and story by Kalyn Story | Staff Writer and Didi Martinez | Digital Managing Editor WASHINGTON — Well before dawn, Washington became a hotbed for thousands of Americans on Thursday who came to witness the 58th Presidential Inauguration. The streets of the nation’s capital filled up with Trump supporters and protesters as early as 6 a.m. and kept growing as President Donald Trump’s inauguration drew closer. Dallas junior Madeleine Morren, who traveled to Washington to witness the ceremony, said the event was overwhelming. “I came here just for the experience,” Morren said.…

Video by Jessica Babb | Broadcast Managing Editor and story by Kalyn Story | Staff Writer WASHINGTON – Sandra Holsenbeck traveled to Washington from Jacksonville, Fla., because she believes President-elect Donald Trump is the chosen man of God to lead not only America, but also the world. Holsenbeck and seven of her friends campaigned together for Trump and traveled together in matching American flag beanies for the “Make America Great Again” Welcome Celebration and Concert and to witness the inauguration. According to The New York Times, Trump and his family also attended the event. While she does agree with many…

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Baylor police have increased patrols and staffing since a robbery was reported on campus Saturday night, according to Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for Baylor media communications . Baylor has alerted students to two robberies reported on or near campus in the past several days. The first robbery occurred on campus in parking lot 51 around 11 p.m. on Saturday. “The victim told police he was robbed by a male who displayed a handgun,” an alert sent to students and staff via email on Sunday morning reported. The email also stated that the victim…

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Baylor Parking Services opened the Ferrell Center Lot to all students with or without a parking permit this semester. In the fall semester, about 200 students purchased Ferrell Center Parking Passes for $50, said Matt Penney, director of parking and transportation services. Penney said he hopes students will take advantage of the 23,000 parking spaces in the Ferrell Lot. “By opening the Ferrell Center Lot, our goal is to make parking for students less of a hassle,” Penney said. “Even if a student goes to campus, is having trouble finding parking, they can just…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterFollowing some skepticism regarding the thoroughness of the Pepper Hamilton investigation coming from a wide range of sources, specifically the Bears for Leadership Reform group, the Baylor Board of Regents met in early December and voted against hiring another firm to review the investigation, which was conducted in regards to the sexual assault scandal in May 2016.In October, the regents appointed a special committee to review the methodology, scope of work and findings of the Pepper Hamilton investigation, according to a press release posted on Baylor’s “The Facts” page. “Our review found no reasonable grounds…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterBaylor announced in a statement on Nov. 22 settlements with two former students who reported in 2015 being gang-raped by members of the Baylor football team in 2012. One of the women also reported being assaulted by a football player in 2013 in a separate incident.Details of the settlement were not included in the statement. “Baylor acknowledges shortcomings in the handling of the students’ reports and believes the settlement is another step in addressing harm that has occurred,” the statement said. The statement came from Baylor University, interim President David Garland and the women’s attorneys,…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterThe Mayborn Museum will host Christmas at the Mayborn from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. today.The event will bring together staff, students and community members in a special Christmas-themed event at the Mayborn Museum Complex. The event will feature holiday-themed activities. Activities will include a visit from Santa, a special model train display from the Central Texas Area Model Railroaders, a nativity-themed photo-op and holiday decoration crafting station. There will be Christmas cookies and refreshments as well. “It is a big kickoff party for the holiday season at the museum,” said Rebecca Nall, assistant director of…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterA mass stabbing at Ohio State University Monday morning was the third violent attack at an American post-secondary institution in 2016, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.Monday morning, an OSU student was shot dead by police after driving his car into several pedestrians on campus and then stabbing 11 people. The incident was originally reported as an active shooter situation by OSU’s emergency alert system “Buckeye Alert.” The Columbus campus was locked down during the incident, and classes were canceled for the rest of the day. Baylor is involved in a national program…

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Monday morning, a banner hung above Waco Hall calling out former head football coach Art Briles and the current Board of Regents for their handling of sexual assault cases at Baylor. “Bro. Martin LuthNoZe has made an appearance. Go to Waco Hall to find the NoZe 9.5 Theses,” the NoZe Brothers posted on their Facebook page Monday morning. When read vertically, the poster spelled “Briles Knew.” With points like, “Look the other way when crossing a road, not when running a university,” “Everyone wearing black doesn’t change that Briles knew,” and “Secrets are meant…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterThe Baylor Board of Regents announced on Monday night that they will be releasing minutes for future meetings, but clarified that this will not include past meetings, causing some frustration among the Baylor community.Ron Murff, Board of Regents chair, said that while they do have a record of past minutes in their business records, they do not at this time plan to release minutes from previous meetings. “We just think it is reasonable as we go forward to release minutes,” Murff said in a phone interview with the Lariat. “We are trying to make sure…

Growing up, I listened to some of the greatest musicians and songwriters of all time, and I hated it. Now, as somewhat of an adult, I get a lot of my artistic taste from my father, but as an 8-year-old, listening to Bob Dylan, Randy Newman or Leonard Cohen was the worst punishment I could think of. Car rides were terrible — I just wanted to listen to Disney Radio, but in my family the rule is and always has been that the driver gets to pick the music, so 8-year-old me knew all the words to “Like a Rolling…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterProfessors in the department of religion wrote a statement of support and solidarity at Baylor standing with marginalized groups on campus.The statement has been made into a Google Doc and put on Facebook so additional faculty and staff members beyond the department of religion can sign it.One of the authors, department of religion professor Dr. Beverly Gaventa, said student’s reactions to the elections prompted her and her colleagues to write a statement of support to students.“Immediately after the election, we heard from and about students on our campus who feared for their safety, and we…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterBaylor released information on Friday about how former head football coach Art Briles and former athletic director Ian McCaw mishandled reports of an alleged 2012 gang rape of a student-athlete by five football players. Baylor said the student-athlete told her head coach in 2013 that she had been sexually assaulted by five Baylor football players in 2012. Baylor says her coach took this information to Briles, McCaw and to the sports administrator for the female student-athlete’s team. Baylor says none of those people took the allegation to Baylor’s Judicial Affairs or to anyone else outside…

Video by Katie Mahaffey | Broadcast Reporter and story by Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Baylor students took to Fountain Mall on Thursday evening to protest Donald Trump being elected president and to stand or sit in solidarity with those negatively affected by the election results. “TONIGHT @ 5 students are occupying FOUNTAIN MALL,” Sierra Smith, an admin of the Baylor Feminists Facebook page, posted Thursday around noon. “This is not a group or organization affiliated event. This is in support of all those affected by Trump’s rhetoric and those who fear what’s to come. I have received support from…

Baylor interim President David Garland sent an email to Baylor faculty and staff Wednesday announcing the formation of a task force to review the Board of Regents’ current operation methods.“Today the Board announced a new Governance Review Task Force that will review and recommend improvements in the Board’s practices, procedures and selection process,” Garland said. “This Task Force will work alongside the Board’s Governance and Compensation committee that has already led the implementation of substantial changes.”He also announced the creation of an Executive Committee and the intention of drawing distinct lines of reporting between the Board of Regents and university…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterBaylor will engage the newly formed group, Bears for Leadership Reform, in the coming days and weeks, according to school officials.Baylor sent a statement to the Lariat regarding the group and a meeting it has scheduled Thursday to address a lack of accountability and transparency within Baylor leadership. “The Bears for Leadership Reform Group has announced that its mission is ‘not about football’ and ‘is about women who have been sexually assaulted on this campus’ and the need ‘to be transparent and accountable,’” said Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for Baylor Media Communications. “The Baylor…

By Kalyn Story | Staff WriterA new Title IX training course launched yesterday and is available to all Baylor students. Previous courses were only available to incoming freshman and transfer students. “This course is a comprehensive, engaging and interactive online training opportunity for all students,” said Sarah McPherson, Title IX training and prevention specialist. The course is not currently required to register for classes, but McPherson said the Title IX office is working to establish incentives for students to complete training with the goal of eventually having all students take mandatory training. “Successful completion of the Title IX online course…

“Baylor Nation Please Join us Thursday, November 10 at 10:00 am at Texas Ranger Museum at Knox Hall.” This message started being shared on social media Wednesday but included no additional information.KWTX reported Friday that a nonprofit called “Bears for Leadership Reform” has been recently created with the goal of restructuring the Baylor Board of Regents.The group has been meeting for months and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the effort of changing the governance at Baylor, according to KWTX.“Bears for Leadership Reform” is made up of, “not only alumni, but also students, faculty, members of the Baptist…

Baylor student government will be providing a shuttle from the Bill Daniel Student Center to the Waco Convention Center for students to vote Tuesday. The bus will run every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. External Vice President Amye Dickerson said she hopes students will take advantage of the free transportation and that every registered student will vote. “It is so important for students to exercise their right to vote,” Dickerson said. “I don’t want a student to not be heard just because they don’t have the resources to get to the polling place.” Student government will be…

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18- to 24-year-olds have the worst voter turnout of any demographic. The Census Bureau reported in 2014 that 42 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were registered to vote, the lowest voter registration for that demographic in more than 40 years. The Center for Information on Civic Learning and Engagement reported that only 26 percent of eligible millennial voters voted in the 2012 election and only 21.3 percent in the 2014 midterm elections. The TCU360 published an article last month titled “Political involvement remains low at TCU.” In the…