Author: Phoebe Suy

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterIt was the night before finals and all through the campus … everyone was stressed and dreaming about Christmas break. While some students will go home to Christmas trees and lights, others will light a menorah or simply enjoy time with family until the next holiday. For one Baylor family, the 12 Days of Christmas is more than just a song. Taylor sophomore Dayton Volek said as long as he could remember, his family has always gone “all-out” for Christmas. “We have 12 Christmas trees, which is one in every room pretty much, and growing…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaylor’s sexual assault scandal began to unfold approximately two years ago and the university, including survivors, are still paying the price. Baylor remains in five active lawsuits and multiple investigations–here’s how much it could cost. For Baylor students who could be paying as much as $60,908 for the 2017-2018 academic year, some students may be concerned about how Baylor finances unexpected costs associated with the Title IX scandal. Some students joke about owning the flowers on campus, so it’s natural they feel as though they have a few stakes in what is happening in the…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterI’ve never died before, but in my limited life experience, I’ve come to learn of some truths concerning what to do before I get there. A conversation I had with a stranger over the summer opened my eyes to a sad fact –– most of my friends are my age. This is not in itself a bad thing; it is good to have friends to walk alongside you who empathize with the depths of your grief and the height of your joys. But what about a friend to offer a challenging, fresh perspective you never…

Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterIf the new GOP tax plan is approved by the Senate and makes its way to President Donald Trump’s desk, graduate students across the nation will feel the strain — even Baylor’s tier one research institutions aspirations could be impeded. A number of elements in the tax plan could put additional financial burden on universities, Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone said. Livingstone said Baylor is monitoring the tax plan closely. “We’re working closely with our legislatures in Washington, D.C., to help them understand the university perspective on that and hoping that we can actually get some…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaylor moved to dismiss claims in a lawsuit filed by former Title IX investigator Gabrielle Lyons, saying Lyons failed to corroborate her claims in an attempt to “cash in” on publicity surrounding the university’s sexual assault scandal, according to the motion Baylor filed Monday. Lyons filed a lawsuit against Baylor on Aug. 28, accusing Baylor of “intentional retaliation” against her for working to bring the university into compliance with Title IX. Lyons asked for $750,000 for damages, according to the lawsuit. “This is not about money. This is about protecting women and Baylor trots out…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterSome statistics at Baylor are easily seen. For instance, it doesn’t take long walking around campus to realize there are a disproportionate number of female students. Baylor’s Office of Institutional Research and Testing reports there are 2,361 more female than male students. However, what is not readily seen, is how many students are sexually assaulted and the weight some students carry as a result of sexual harassment or violence.Several Title IX lawsuits hit Baylor in the aftermath of its sexual assault scandal in 2016, some of which have resulted in settlements, while others continue in…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterHouses are not always homes, and family can be more than simply sharing a last name. Adoption challenges some of society’s conceptions of love and family–perhaps family trees aren’t as significant as the soil in which they’re planted. Two Baylor families, the Dickeys and the Youngers, recently opened up their hearts, lives and homes to infant and embryo adoption. While they said they look forward to the possibility of pursuing future adoptions, right now both are enjoying life with their chosen children, Zoe Dickey and Owen Younger. The Dickey Family As a couple who married…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterFor some students, Baylor’s Board of Regents is an aloof governing body that meets once in a while to decide things for everyone else. While this is mostly true­ — the regents meets quarterly to make important decisions — the regents are not as detached, and in fact are taking steps to understand students, according to student regents Houston senior Hannah Vecseri and Keller junior Will Cassara. For the last five years, at least one student representative has served on Baylor’s Board of Regents. Throughout the 2017-2018 school year, Vecseri and Cassara have worked to…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer Panel members spoke about how Baylor can reform the stigma and the mentality surrounding sexual and interpersonal violence at Monday’s THIS Matters forum, which focused on the #MeToo campaign that recently swept social media. “You don’t have to be a liberal feminist to care about this issue. You don’t have to be a liberal and you don’t even have to be a feminist,” Sarah Ritter, full-time lecturer and Master of Social Work program director said. “I think there’s something really special about incorporating people who have really different beliefs and different backgrounds and maybe…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaptists across Texas gathered in Waco to share in fellowship, worship and attend workshops at the Texas Baptists Annual Meeting from Sunday to today. The three-day meeting held at the Waco Convention Center was a time for Texas Baptists to learn effective ways of ministering and reaching people with the gospel. “Compelled is the theme of this year’s gathering. The two primary points of focus are the Great Commandment of Matthew 22 and the Great Commission of Matthew 28,” David Hardage, executive director of Texas Baptists said in a welcome statement. “As Christ followers, we…

Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer While 73 percent of Baylor students are aware of campus resources for instances of sexual misconduct, according to Baylor’s Social Climate Survey only 53 percent said they believed Baylor would support the individual making the report.Results from the 2017 Social Climate Survey were released last week, offering insight into students’ perceptions and experiences regarding sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence or sexual violence. “The focus of the social climate survey was to establish a baseline of Baylor’s campus culture in the areas of interpersonal violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jason Cook, vice president for…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaylor lost its fight to prevent the disclosure of certain confidential medical and counseling records on Monday when U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman ordered the university to disclose information under limited conditions.“The issues at stake in this action are indisputably important, and data regarding reports of sexual assault will play an important role in resolving Plaintiffs’ heightened-risk claims,” Pitman wrote in the order. Pitman further stated it would be “virtually impossible” for the plaintiffs, 10 women who allege the university mishandled their sexual assault reports, to access the data otherwise.Plaintiffs’ attorneys Jim Dunnam and…

By Phoebe Say | Staff WriterI wish I could begin my undergraduate years again and be the person I am today. But maybe that’s the point; if we don’t leave changed, perhaps we didn’t do it right. Get outside of yourself. Every day we do things and the sole beneficiary of those actions is ourselves. I do my homework, I prepare meals, I go to the gym, I go to church. The common thread is “I” and that needs to change if I (there it is again) desire to live a life marked by the life and love of Christ.…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterIt’s not expected that the world’s largest Baptist university would be reexamining communism, but that’s what happened when members of the Baylor community organized “Revisiting Red October,” an event commemorating the the centennial of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.“Revisiting Red October” was sponsored in part by Baylor’s Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society which exists “to preserve the resources and promote research on religion under Communism and totalitarian societies,” associate professor and Keston Center director Kathy Hillman said.The idea of commemorating the Bolshevik Revolution –– the dismantling of the Russian Imperial rule which gave rise…

By Phoebe Say | Staff WriterSome students proudly wear their “I know where I’m going” T-shirts, but the truth of the matter is, when they arrive on campus, not everyone does. Choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions a student will make early (or late) in their college career and for some, it might feel overwhelming, but the Find Your Major Fair can help. Factors such as personal preferences and talents all play a part in finding the right major, and when compounded upon by external factors such as family or finances, it’s no wonder students feel the…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterCurrent and former Baylor administrators and regents will answer under oath regarding how the university handled sexual assault allegations, according to a Wednesday motion filed by 10 alleged sexual assault victims suing Baylor in a Title IX lawsuit.Deposition notices were sent to a variety of top administrators, including President’s Council members Dr. Reagan Ramsower, senior vice president and chief operating officer, and Dr. Kevin Jackson, vice president for student life.Deposition, or testifying under oath, is a part of the discovery or information-gathering process and is as evidence at the time of trial. This trial is…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterWhen someone hears an unexplained noise or sights an ominous shadow, some people might ignore it, but others would think twice. According to Becky Nagel, lead investigator for the Central Texas Paranormal Society, spirits still reside in Waco.The Central Texas Paranormal Society is a Christian group of paranormal investigators based in Waco. The group investigates claims throughout the region from Dallas/Fort Worth to San Antonio using lights, electronic gadgets and equipment, ghost boxes and dowsing rods.“Our main goal is homes, to get people to feel comfortable in their own homes,” Nagel said. “To help people…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterIn a world where some institutions of higher learning are trading religion for scholarship, four of Baylor’s most prolific researchers gathered to discuss the importance of upholding both, not only for Baylor, but for an impact that resounds beyond the parameters of campus. Faith and academia are not mutually exclusive, as Wednesday’s panelists emphasized at “Cultivating Human Flourishing: An Academic Symposium.” President Dr. Linda A. Livingstone and Interim Provost Michael McLendon hosted the symposium at Waco Hall, one of the final events before Livingstone’s inauguration ceremony on Thursday. The four faculty scholars included: Dr. Dawn…

Story by Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer, Video by Christina Soto | Broadcast Reporter Dr. Linda A. Livingstone made history as she was officially inaugurated as Baylor’s first female president on Thursday. Livingstone is the 15th president in Baylor’s 172-year history as an institution. The inauguration ceremony held at the Ferrell Center was not only a time for the Baylor family to celebrate the university’s heritage, but also to reflect upon the future of Baylor as a significant Christian research university under Livingstone’s leadership. Several members of the community were also present at the inauguration ceremony, including Sen. Brian Birdwell,…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer The Allbritton House is no longer a forlorn building on Baylor campus that students circumvent to and from classes. For some students, it is now a place where they broke bread with their Baylor family and hoped for the new chapter to come under President Linda Livingstone’s administration. Dr. Livingstone and First Gent Brad Livingstone hosted a family dinner for students on the lawn of the Allbritton House Tuesday evening, much to the excitement of many students. The event included complimentary food from popular food trucks like Milo Biscuit Company, Vitek’s BBQ and Pokey…

Story by Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer, Video by Jessica Babb | Broadcast Managing Editor Rare 19th century documents belonging to Baylor’s namesake and co-founder Judge Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor were officially presented to the university over homecoming weekend as a gift from Brazos County. Brazos County district clerk Marc Hamlin oversaw the preservation of the historic law documents, which was made possible through a grant from the State Bar of Texas. Board of Regents member and U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judge the Hon. Jennifer Elrod and retired judge of the 11th District Court in Harris County the…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaylor faces several investigations and lawsuits stemming from the Pepper Hamilton report, one of which will soon be resolved. After Friday’s Board of Regents meeting, President Linda Livingstone announced that the university feels good about the recent review stating Baylor was in compliance with accreditation standards.In Fall 2015, Pepper Hamilton law firm conducted an independent review of Baylor’s institutional response to Title IX. The report in turn raised additional questions concerning Baylor’s compliance with accreditation principles, as Baylor’s accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), reported. SACSCOC placed a…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer From the massive bonfire on Fountain Mall to the roaring fans at McLane Stadium, Baylor homecoming is an incredible outpouring of Baylor spirit from students, alumni, faculty and anyone who has come to call Baylor home. Being a part of the Baylor family means something different to everyone — from faculty and staff, who consider Baylor a component of their calling; to past and present students, whose life paths were shaped by their time at the university; to President Linda Livingstone, who is leading the university, at a formative time. Homecoming is about finding…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterOne in three adult Texans have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence. Waco’s Family Abuse Center gathered to honor victims of domestic violence Tuesday evening at their annual Day of Remembrance.“In our community so many of us are affected by domestic violence,” Executive Director of Family Abuse Center Kathy Reid said. “The victims are our sisters, our mothers, our daughters, our neighbors, our friends, our colleagues. We mourn the lives lost and support the families who have lost loved ones.” Day of Remembrance honored victims by…

Phoebe Suy | Staff Writer When Dolores Lozano filed a Title IX lawsuit against Baylor in the fall of 2016, she probably didn’t expect to be in a legal battle one year later, this time amending her complaints to accuse Baylor of fostering a culture of discrimination against women. On Sept. 28, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman issued an order dismissing Lozano’s Title IX negligence and gross negligence claims, but allowing her to amend her complaints for negligent hiring, retention and supervision. The amended lawsuit was submitted Oct. 14, one day later than the court ordered. The amended complaint…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterMembers of the Baylor community aren’t the only ones who appreciate Baylor’s small class sizes and welcoming environment; the Wall Street Journal noticed it when it ranked Baylor No. 6 nationally for student engagement at the end of September.The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education college rankings were designed to survey areas of importance to students and families when considering colleges and universities, according to the survey authors. The engagement category specifically considered whether or not students recommended their university, the level of interaction among teachers and students and the number of accredited programs.“Decades…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterWhat does it mean for Baylor to be a Christian institution? It’s not just Scriptures carved into the concrete or hymns sung in Chapel. For vice president for university mission Dr. Darin Davis, the mission of a Christian university is lived out in word and deed.Created in June 2016, the Spiritual Life and Character Formation Task Force is working to reinvigorate Baylor’s Christian mission by seeking to strengthen spiritual and character formation within and outside the classroom.The task force was formed in response to Pepper Hamilton’s investigation of Baylor’s institutional compliance with and response to…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterBaylor reported 11 on-campus rapes in 2016, according to the 2017 Annual Fire Safety and Security Report, which was released October 1. This is a significant shift from the 23 sexual assaults reported in 2015.Clery compliance manager Shelley Deats said nine of the reports from 2015 were cases from a few years prior that were just now being brought to the surface.In late 2014, Baylor hired their first full-time Title IX coordinator, and in early 2015 Deats was hired as the first Clery compliance manager.“Over the past two years, Baylor’s Title IX Office has made…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterNot all women are homemakers, teachers or nurses — sometimes men are. Some men are crossing stereotypical boundaries in the workforce and entering traditionally female dominated fields. What they don’t expect to find are closed communities and double standards.Michael LoSasso began his education at Baylor knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but was unsure of what direction to take. Originally a pre-medical biology major, LoSasso said he was hesitant about the timeline and costs associated with medical school. His stepmom, a nurse practitioner, suggested he keep an open mind and…

By Phoebe Suy | Staff WriterWomen face unique challenges in the world of academia, particularly when it comes to the path of becoming a full tenured professor. On Wednesday a panel of Baylor professors shared their journeys of being a spouse, mother, administrator, professor and scholar at “Women’s Paths to Full Professor: Promotion Successes.”“Nationally and at Baylor we have many women moving through the process of tenure track and promotion at all different levels and there are unique issues or challenges that sometimes are presented to the women population that might not impact the men in the same way,” said…