By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterTrump administration is set to move forward on a trade deal with Mexico excluding Canada. There is a growing urgency to reach a final deal before Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto leaves office on Sept. 30.Baylor professors have advised against a bilateral trade agreement without Canada.The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trilateral trade negotiation between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, went into effect in 1994. In January 2017, Trump signed an executive order to renegotiate NAFTA. The U.S. made a preliminary deal with Mexico in August.The U.S. would like Canada to lower its…
Author: Rewon Shimray
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterPrograms to help Christian students navigate the balance between faith and politics will be led by Dr. Elizabeth Corey, associate professor of political science and director of the Honors Program, this academic year.As the chosen Values & Capitalism Visiting Professor for this academic year, Corey will be “instructing a week-long course during the 2019 American Enterprise Institute Summer Honors Program in Washington D.C., speaking on several Christian college campuses, participating in major Values & Capitalism conferences and writing a published essay on Christian engagement in contemporary culture and public life,” according to the Value &…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterBaylor addresses the national phenomena of the gender wage gap through new research on Baylor students and training workshops.Women earn 77.9 cents for every dollar earned by men in the U.S. labor market, according to PayScale, a website providing salary and benefits information. This means a woman would have to work to April 10 into the next year to finally earn the same pay a man earned the previous year. The date is recognized as Equal Pay Day and falls on different days each year based on updated U.S. Census data.The wage gap has two…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterThe Baylor and Waco community felt the loss of Waco’s Chicano community newspaper Tiempo, which stopped publication this summer.Publisher Ernesto Fraga had a heart attack followed by several strokes, “leaving him unable to continue publication,” according to the Tiempo Newspaper Facebook page.Both Tiempo and Ernesto Fraga gave voice to the local Hispanic community that Wacoans are now having to do without.Robert Aguilar, a community activist and decades-long friend of Fraga, said Fraga and his wife, Linda Fraga, walk three times a week at Richland Mall to aid his recovery. “I don’t think Ernesto is finished,”…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterThe Graduate Undergraduate Mentorship Program (GUMP) is now accepting applicants.The online application is available until Sept. 16 for any undergraduate students seeking graduate school advising from a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a graduate student. Applicants are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. Elizabeth Lund, a political science Ph.D student and the service committee chair for the Graduate Student Association, said juniors and seniors are GUMP’s primary focus group.Lund said juniors receive insight on internships, research opportunities and conferences to build their resume, while seniors are guided through the graduate school application process.There are currently 78…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterMatt Burchett, Baylor’s director of Student Activities since 2008, was recently accused by anonymous sources in at least two national publications of being a “mole” at sexual assault vigils on campus in 2016.Those unnamed told PR Week that Burchett tried to shape the group’s public statements, pretended to help plan vigils about sexual assault, and shared insight to school officials.Burchett spoke to The Lariat Thursday and denied doing anything improper at those vigils, in February and June of 2016, that were held at the time of Baylor sexual assault cases undergoing investigation by the Pepper…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterBaylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing renovated Academic Building was dedicated at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at 333 N. Washington Ave. in Dallas.The Academic Building is on the grounds of the former Baptist General Convention of Texas headquarters, 0.2 miles from the original School of Nursing campus. The renovation added 100,000 square feet and doubled the original building’s space. While the Academic Building will be used for holding large classes, events and community areas, the older campus will be used for research and laboratories.President Dr. Linda Livingstone said in a press release that Louise Herrington School…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterFormer Phi Delta Theta president Jacob Walter Anderson, who was indicted with four counts of sexual assault, has agreed to a plea bargain with the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald.Waco Tribune-Herald reported that court records have not disclosed any further details on the plea bargain. Jim Dunnam, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, said he was unable to give a comment because of a lack of information at this time. Prosecuting attorneys Hillary LaBorde and Gabrielle Masset were not able to be reached for a comment by the time of publication.Brian…
By Rewon Shimray | CartoonistThe summer before my junior year, I decided I no longer wanted to pursue a career in the field of my major. While this may sound like the onset of a nightmare to some, for me, it was a catalyst for my greatest dream.A lot of emphasis is put on college degrees. If you are in college, you are inevitably asked what your major is, followed by what you plan to do with that.I am majoring in journalism news-editorial with minors in studio art and religion…and I plan to go into vocational ministry with that.A higher…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff WriterLeaders in the Division of Student Life will receive cultural humility training in fall 2018. The new program “Leave Your Mark” launches an initiative to help leaders of student organizations grow a better understanding of themselves and their peers through the lens of culture, according to Dr. Elizabeth D. Palacios, dean for student development.The module was piloted in March 2018 to different groups, which was further developed over the summer with the goal of presenting it this fall to 580 Student Life leaders — such as those in Living-Learning Centers and those involved in Line…
Rewon Shimray | ReporterBaylor Parents Network provides opportunities for students’ parents to be better engaged in campus life and resources. Director Gail Offringa said Parents Network seeks to be the “on-campus liaison” for parents. The organization operates across 80 chapters across the U.S., including two in China.Some of the biggest events Parents Network organizes are send-off parties for incoming freshmen from July 7 to Aug. 12. Offringa describes the send-off parties as an “initial launching into what can help them help their students.”Kristi Coleman, mother of Oak Cliff senior Corrie Coleman, said she began hosting send-off parties six to seven…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterHomeowner and brain tumor survivor Florentina Gaston was selected to have her home repaired by NeighborWorks Waco, a nonprofit organization with a mission “to strengthen communities through home ownership and quality housing,” according to chief financial officer Karen Saucedo. Saucedo said the home was chosen out of 20 nominations “as one that could be done in a day that was in very desperate need.”Gaston has lived in her home since Oct. 1, 2000, where she raised her three daughters who now have their own families. The repairs done by volunteers were the first major exterior repairs…
By Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist Dr. Rosalie Beck was the first female professor in the religion department. She started teaching in the fall of 1984, and there was not another woman in the department for 17 years. As she plans to retire in May of next year, colleagues and students reflect on her legacy and impact. Being the First “I got tired of hearing ‘gentlemen … and lady,’” Beck said. While she was often aware of the fact that she was the only woman in the department, Beck said she received “active support” from the majority of her colleagues and…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterWithin the next decade, half of the universities in the U.S. will close, according to Dr. Mary Landon Darden, specialist in higher education administration. Inside Higher Ed, an online publication focusing on collegiate topics, attributes financial pressures for academic institutions being on “the verge of a major collapse.”“We are living in a time of crisis for higher education,” Darden said. “Our leadership is absolutely critical. It will be literally life or death for these institutions. It makes total sense that we look at the complete pool of talent out there to make sure that we are…
By Rewon Shimray | Staff Writer The rhetoric behind the social movement #MeToo began with survivors of sexual violence stepping out and talking about their experiences. Dr. Christopher Pieper, Baylor senior lecturer of sociology, has a study focus on social movements. Pieper said movements such as #MeToo and Time’s Up, which is “thought of as a solution-based, action-oriented next step in the #Metoo movement,” according to Time, would not have risen to their current level of visibility had it not been for the sexual assault scandals seen at universities. “One of the things we’ve been noticing from the #MeToo movement…
Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist When her roommate left after two weeks because of feelings of isolation and discomfort as a Muslim, Giddings sophomore Diana Lee O’Quinn said she “felt an urge to create a safe space for like-minded people on campus.” From this aspiration, O’Quinn started the American Association of University Women (AAUW) chapter at Baylor. “AAUW is all about women’s empowerment. It’s all about healing the gender wage gap and bringing awareness to women’s rights issues in the U.S. and empowering women through research and education,” O’Quinn said. Entering Baylor as a transfer student in fall 2017, O’Quinn said…
Story by Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist, Video by Rylee Seavers | Broadcast Reporter Kate Ross, known as the first lady of Waco, is thought to have been the first to cross the Waco Suspension Bridge at its opening in 1870, according to Texas State Historical Association. Ross, among other female contributors to Waco’s history, will be featured in the Waco’s Women’s History Walk on Thursday.Lake Forest, Ill., sophomore Sarah Trammell and director of women’s and gender studies Dr. Lisa Shaver conducted research for and will be presenting at the Waco Women’s History Walk.The mile-long walk will begin at 5:30 p.m.…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterBaylor’s women’s and gender studies minor has existed since 1996, according to Dr. Lisa Shaver, women’s and gender studies director. Since Shaver stepped into the director position in fall 2015, she said the curriculum has been updated to attract more minors. While there were two minors in 2015, there are now more than 20.“Women’s and gender studies is a rising discipline for a lot of schools,” said Lake Forest, Ill., sophomore Sarah Trammell, a women’s and gender studies minor. “I think people have realized that it’s more than people getting angry about the world and protesting…
Bruni sophomore Robert Christopher Marshall died Thursday in a plane crash in Laredo. Baylor University sent a campus-wide email statement Monday announcing Marshall’s death. According to the email, Marshall transferred to Baylor this spring semester and studied aviation sciences. The statement said the Office of Spiritual Life, Counseling Center and aviation sciences faculty will assist Marshall’s classmates and friends this week. The email said services are not scheduled at this time, but urged in the meantime to “please continue to keep Robert’s parents, family, friends and his fellow aviation sciences students, faculty and staff in your thoughts and prayers during…
By Rewon Shimray | Reporter“You go out there, and you tell the truth,” Kiami Davael said to herself in the mirror before heading into the Cashion Academic Center 5th floor banquet hall.Kiami Davael, screenwriter, executive producer andactress, spoke at the 31st Annual Black Heritage Banquet hosted by the Association of Black Students and the Department of Multicultural Affairs Feb. 22.Davael is best known for her role as “Lavender” in the movie Matilda. She shared her challenges in continuing to work in the media industry after her acting debut at 10-years-old.After working on “Matilda,” Davael said she continued auditioning for parts.…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterWhile black history is emphasized in the month of February, historians call for the inclusion of African-American stories into the broader American dialogue.Although few students would voluntarily do extra school work than is required, Round Rock senior Nuri Hubbard said she is glad her mom assigned her book reports growing up.“I used to hate it then, I really did. My mom used to have me do a report once a month on a prominent African-American figure,” Hubbard said. “Looking back, it’s like, wow, she was really trying to teach me about our history and where we…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterWhen registering for classes, students often reference and cross-reference the professors listed. When the professor’s name doesn’t come up on BUbooks or Rate My Professors, students proceed with caution.More likely than not, the people teaching the class are what Baylor calls “adjunct lecturers,” also known as contingent faculty. Adjunct lecturers are part-time workers selected by the department and approved by the administration.These part-time positions can be filled by many different types of people, such as graduate students, business professionals with a full time job on the side, a Baylor employee working full-time in another department, etc.In…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterWhile student housing on the other side of I-35 and La Salle offers more engagement with “the broader landscape of Waco,” Dr. Stephen Sloan, Baylor Institute for Oral History director, said few students have interacted with the history of Waco. Sloan said this may be due to the “transient nature” of college, as a “waiting time between where you used to live and where you want to live.” Sloan said the popular understanding of Waco’s history is “very narrow.” “I think oftentimes, because our society can be present-obsessed and future-focused, we don’t think as much about…
By Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist“You thought this was chapel. It’s actually an intervention.”Bob Goff, New York Times best-selling author and diplomat in the honorary consul for Uganda challenged students to express their faith by loving others in Chapel Monday morning in Waco Hall.Burt Burleson, University Chaplain, introduced Goff as “One of those children of God who fight against injustice brought against children.””Love Does” is the title of Goff’s best-selling book and nonprofit organization. His organization works to provide education and employment in post conflict zones around the world, including Iraq, Nepal, Uganda, Somalia and India.Goff referenced Galatians 5:6, which states…
By Rewon Shimray | ReporterAs a part of the ongoing Lights Shine Bright campaign, this week’s Dr Pepper Hour was decorated with green lights with Dr Pepper floats served in glowing LED cups on Tuesday in the Barfield Drawing Room in the Student Union Building.Dr Pepper Hour, a tradition since 1953, was incorporated into a new spring 2018 campaign to encourage students to be a light in the world.“Light means so many things to us at Baylor. We are called scripturally to be lights into the world,” said Lori Fogleman, Assistant Vice President for Media Communications. “It’s part of our…
By Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist Internet fanfiction archives and the National Parasite Collection both use a common practice: Oral history. The “Getting Started with Oral History” workshop is open for registration until Jan. 31. For a fee of $100, the course includes two three-hour classes on consecutive Wednesday’s, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Feb. 7 and 14. Each class contains three microsessions, focusing on a different skill for oral history. Participants complete assigned readings, a design project and ultimately their own interview. Upon completing the course, students are given a certificate of completion. In addition to the certificate,…
