The Baylor Lariat

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Baylor Lariat

SPECIAL

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Ready for Halloween? Check out the All Hallow’s Eve special section for the Lariat’s coverage.

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WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE

Friday | October 25, 2013

StuGov: Nix ‘homosexual’ from conduct code By Shelby Leonard Reporter

Student Senate passed the Sexual Misconduct Code NonDiscrimination Act, a proposal to reword Baylor’s Sexual Misconduct Code, in the Student Senate meeting Thursday. The act proposed to remove the phrase “homosexual acts” from the code and replace it with the phrase “non-marital consensual deviate sexual intercourse.” The most recent version of the Sexual Misconduct Code was established on Jan. 15, 2007. It reads, “In all disciplinary procedures, Baylor University will seek to be redemptive in the lives of the individuals involved and to witness to the high moral standards of the Christian faith. “Baylor will be guided by the understanding that sexuality is a gift from the creator God and that the purposes of this gift include (1) the procreation of human life and

(2) the uniting and strengthening of the marital bond in self-giving love. These purposed are to be achieved through heterosexual relationships within marriage. Missuses of God’s gift will be understood to include but not limit to, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, incest, adultery, fornication, and homosexual acts.” The vote followed an open forum debate with alternating for and against speakers. Major points expressed by those in favor of the bill were that the amendment was technical, not theological; the amendment would broaden to all sexual acts outside of marriage regardless of orientation; and the amendment would create a more caring, loving Christian environment. However, some students expressed their disagreement with the proposal by saying the amendment would alter Baylor’s reputation and moral standing as a Christian university and would not

affect the environment for homosexuals on campus. Schertz senior Kimani Mitchell said, in the favor of the bill, that the amendment clarifies the language already present in the code and removes discriminatory language. “We are simply clarifying language here,” Mitchell said. “In our world we don’t always take words semantically. They are taken with a pragmatic view, which is the connotation associated with the view. This word is discriminating. Discrimination contextually and culturally is a bad thing.” Sophomore Jailyn Parnell said the proposal does not claim students or Baylor agrees with the homosexual lifestyle. “It is not saying that Baylor is OK with homosexuality, or that students will all of a sudden be more welcoming,” Parnell said. “It is saying that we are not going to pinpoint homosexuals. It is saying SEE

GOVERNMENT, page 6

Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor

Senior Trenton Garza debates on an SR bill to reword Baylor’s misconduct code, removing the phrase “homosexual acts” with “non-marital consensual deviate sexual intercourse.” The proposal, which was authored by Garza, was passed by student government on Thursday in the Cashion Academic Center.

Truett Seminary enrollment in five-year decline By Paula Ann Solis Staff Writer

Though Baylor announced a record-breaking total enrollment in September with 15,616 students, those numbers do not reflect the five-year enrollment decline faced by George W. Truett Theological Seminary. According to Baylor’s Institutional Research and Testing database, there are 323 students enrolled either as nondegree seeking, masters David Garland or doctoral candidates. This is the lowest number recorded by Truett in the past 12 years. Since 2008, the seminary school has decreased enrollment an average of more than 16 students each year. “This is something happening nationwide,” said Dr. David E. Garland, dean of Truett Seminary. “The economic crisis hit about the same time as the start of our enrollment decline.” According to the Association of Theological Schools, there were 74,193 students enrolled at schools accredited by the association in 2011, a decline of 5,051 students from 2007. Garland said students’ financial concerns, especially those leaving undergraduate school with heavy debt, and the competition from nearby ministry master’s programs are two principal reasons Truett numbers are falling. To counter this, Truett offers one of the more affordable seminary options, Garland said. Truett Seminary’s basic tuition rate is $773 per hour before scholar-

ships are applied and before membership in a Baptist church is confirmed. Affiliation with a Baptist church can lower hourly costs anywhere between $100 and $301. Garland said all Truett students receive some form of financial assistance and 266 endowment scholarships allows the seminary to provide further support. All of this, Garland said, is an effort by the school to combat the national trend of declining numbers of seminary students that are searching for affordable and flexible options. One way Garland said Truett has sought a more flexible option is by looking into adding online courses to its programs. However, there were not online courses available to offer due to accreditation problems. The Association of Theological Schools Commission on Accrediting previously denied accreditation to master’s of divinity programs that were completely online, according to a report by the association. In August 2012, the commission made fully online degree programs accredited at six member schools. One such school is Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Nearby is also Dallas Theological Seminary which reported 2,007 students in the fall of 2012. According to its website, 411 of those are online students and 321 are extension students. “We offer residential, long programs while other schools offer something online,” Garland said. “People are looking for something more convenient.” That growing need for convenience is something the school is working toward with a new extension campus in Austin that is scheduled to open January 2014, SEE

TRUETT, page 6

Halloween not just for humans By Rebecca Jung Reporter

Courtesy Art

Darth Wylee, a rat terrier and beagle mix won the Lariat’s Best Pet Costume contest. This 2.5 year old winner is owned by Jared Payton, director of University Parks.

Trick or treat. Halloween is neat. Don’t give Fido something bad to eat. It’s Halloween time again. With all the festivities, there are many dangers for pets. Candy is a common danger, but there are many more than most pet owners even considered. Outside pets need special consideration on Halloween, as it presents traffic, temptations for aggression and outdoor decorations. “Outside pets need to be brought in where they are safe and comfortable,” said Carrie Kuehl, Animal Birth Control Clinic director. “Cats really like to be in dark small places, so even just putting them into the bathroom for a

night would be ideal.” Outside pets are also in danger because of possible Halloween tricks and pranks, PetMD online states; black or dark cats are one of the most targeted animals for pranks on Halloween. Increased traffic also presents a danger for outside pets. These pets in their excitement or out of nervousness could easily dodge into a busy street and be run over, said Dr. Kristen Dodson, a veterinarian at Hewitt Veterinary Hospital. The Pet Safety Lady Christina Selter writes in the Bark Buckle Up , an online pet safety site, “Reflective gear or costume with reflection or blinking lights will help to insure you and your SEE

PETS, page 6

Switchfoot hits the waves with documentary, new music By Taylor Griffin A&E Editor

Just as the pattern of tides swell and retreat in the ocean, so does the rhythm and course in the life of a rock band. For countless bands, change is the upset that ruins the integrity of its sound and core. Not so for Switchfoot. As San Diego natives, surfing runs thick in the band’s blood, and for its members, the pure joy of getting out on the board keeps them rooted in the past

and eager to explore their potential. But it’s more than simply garnering and fostering their own sound throughout the years. It’s a lifestyle of spontaneous transition and going with the flow. In fact, the surfer’s term “switchfoot” implies a change of footing on the board for a different perspective in the midst of the perfect wave. With surfing deep at the core, the band hit the waves to rediscover what keeps them afloat: their personal sound. To fully

Courtesy Art

Switchfoot comes out in January with a new album and documentary called “Fading West.” They will be at Baylor on Monday.

find it out, the guys traveled the world seeking new inspiration from the waters and cultures beyond the united states. “I think as an artist you have to keep looking for inspiration,” drummer Chad Butler said. “You can’t just sing the same songs. You have to be pushing yourself. This project was exactly that: getting out of our

comfort zone and into a new environment with new cultures and situations influence the art.” From down under in Australia and New Zealand to the colorful beaches of Bali and South Africa, Switchfoot emerged from its adventure across cultures with a documentary and SEE

CONCERT, page 4

Inside WEB

A&E

World Hunger farm brings kids and gardens to Baylor. Read about it on baylorlariat.com.

Waco entertains crowds with the horror movie film festival on Friday.

Vol.116 No. 31

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First copy free. Additional copies 50 cents each.

SPORTS

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No. 8 Baylor returns to Kansas to take on the Jayhawks on Saturday. © 2013, Baylor University


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