STAY CONNECTED >> Follow us on Twitter at @BULARIAT for breaking news updates and more Baylor LariatWE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE March Common Grounds preview: pg. 5 MARCH 3, 2017 FRIDAY BAYLORLARIAT.COM Briles Lettuce Turnip the Beet denies role in scandal cover-up KALYN STORY Staff Writer Jancy Briles, daughter of former head football coach Art Briles, emailed the Lariat a letter signed by Briles on Thursday morning denying he had any role in a sexual assault cover-up, expressing his love for the Baylor family and calling for more transparency from Baylor’s leadership. “Let me be clear: I did not cover-up any sexual violence,” Briles wrote in his letter. “I had no contact with anyone that claimed to be a victim of sexual or domestic assault. Anyone well-versed in my work as a coach knows that I strove to promote excellence, but never at the sacrifice of safety for anyone. I did not obstruct justice on campus or off.” Briles’ letter begins by explaining that he can no longer remain silent about allegations Liesje Powers | Photo Editor against him although there are some details OLIVE FREE FOOD! McAllen junior David Marchese stocks up on free fresh fruits and vegetables on Thursday at the Baylor Mobile he cannot disclose due to a confidentiality Food Pantry in the Seventh and James Baptist Church parking lot. The Baylor Mobile Food Pantry is hosted a few times throughout agreement with the university related to his the school year to help fight food insecurity among college students. departure. A Baylor spokesperson said the university declined to comment on Briles’ letter. Briles’ letter comes a day after the Department of Public Safety announced that the Texas Rangers will be conducting an investigation into Baylor’s handling of Shameless Students sexual assault cases to see if further actions need to be taken. A spokesperson for the New student organization tackles porn addiction university said they will cooperate fully with any and all investigations. JOY MOTON Arterburn, addictive behavior specialist for the In February, in response to a libel case Staff Writer wellness department at Baylor, as a group. filed by a former athletic department Out of conversations with Arterburn, employee, a document was filed by regents A Baylor student and an alumnus have Eggen has learned that one reason this topic “We are breaking Cary Gray, Ron Murff and David Harper that created a group designed to confront the is not openly talked about is because of the quoted alleged text messages between Briles struggle of pornography. Shameless is an embarrassment involved. One of the biggest this addiction by and other athletic department employees. anti-pornography movement that consists of contributors to addiction is shame because The document says in one instance that anonymous accountability groups that meet to people try to hide their addiction and feel alone talking about it. “an assistant coach notified Coach Briles discuss pornography addiction. in their efforts to fight it, Eggen said. of a claim by a female student-athlete that The group was created by Houston senior “When you don’t talk about it, when it’s We are going to be a football player brandished a gun at her. Nathan Eggen and Baylor alumnus Mason under the radar, when it’s in the darkness and Coach Briles responded: ‘what a fool – she Everett out of a desire to help people discuss when you don’t share it with anyone, it does shameless about reporting to authorities.’ The assistant coach a harmful struggle they dealt with themselves. its work, and it eats away at you, and it’s texted back: ‘She’s acting traumatized … “The idea came from our own struggles destructive,” Eggen said. talking about it Trying to talk her calm now…Doesn’t seem with pornography and the fact that it’s a topic Eggen said shame keeps people from to want to report though.’ Coach Briles that’s not really discussed at all,” Eggen said. bringing the truth to light because they with everybody.” texted: ‘U gonna talk to [the player].’ The The name of the organization comes believe nobody wants to hear them talk about assistant coach concluded: ‘Yes sir, just did. from the very reason porn addiction is such pornography or that they will be the only one Nathan Eggen | Caught him on the way to class… Squeezed a struggle for people to fight, Eggen said. who struggles with this. The accountability Houston senior and him pretty good.’ The matter was never Since the leaders are not psychologists or co-creator of Shameless BRILES >> Page 4 psychiatrists, they converse with Dr. Don SHAMELESS >> Page 4 Local businesses support Waco schools >>WHAT’S INSIDE MEGAN RULE or providing Christmas gifts opinion Staff Writer to children. District partners such as Bahama Bucks and Spring break: Stay safe, Waco businesses and Peter Piper Pizza will provide have fun, make memories communities come together coupons that teachers and staff and enjoy the moments. to support Waco Independent can hand out as an incentive for pg. 2 School District students with good behavior or good grades. the Adopt a School program, “I’ve been involved with which fosters students’ success Adopt a School for so many through volunteers. years,” said Leah Jackson “In the beginning, there was Teague, professor and associate a need in the schools for extra dean at Baylor Law School. arts & life support, and the community “It’s an incredible program. This weekend in Waco, wanted to get involved, and I’m amazed with the time improv comedy, acting they slowly figured out where students give. But there’s so and free admission to the they could best utilize their many great partners that spend Mayborn Museum. talents and resources,” said a tremendous amount of time, pg. 5 Stephanie Hines, community effort and resources doing what partnership specialist with we’re doing. It’s an incredible Waco ISD. program.” There is are 160 partners The community groups that across the district, Hines volunteer with students are sports said, where some are district strictly volunteers, and before partners and some are school anyone steps in to interact with Baylor ballpark: An specific. Many partners do the children, a background inside look at the crew Dayday Wynn | Lariat Photographer reading programs, which is one check is done. Information that maintains the fields. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS Waco businesses and organizations, including Baylor Law of the most popular, in addition about volunteering with Adopt pg. 6 School have taken advantage of the opportunity to support Waco Independent School to programs such as tutoring, District with the Adopt a School program. providing lunch for teachers SCHOOL >> Page 4 Vol.117 No. 78 © 2017 Baylor University Friday, March 3, 2017 2 The Baylor Lariat opinionbaylorlariat.com GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? We want to hear it. Send us your thoughts: [email protected] EDITORIAL Be safe during your spring break Starting tomorrow, campus will be nearly empty as students take a week off for spring break. At the risk of sounding like parents, we want to point out that these days off aren't why many people are concerned for college students, but the dangers that present themselves during this time that do. Car accidents, substance abuse and travel complications are just some of the issues that are predictably present in spring break experiences year after year. Because driving is a popular traveling method during the break, we should be aware of the additional hazards presented by this time of year. The Texas Department of Transportation calls spring break a "particularly dangerous and deadly time" on state roads as DUI-alcohol crashes involving young drivers tend to spike. To put it in numbers, the department reported 459 crashes involving young adults under the influence during the 2015 spring break period. This figure is not an exception, but a well-known trend in driver behavior. Traffic fatalities see a general increase as well because car accidents can happen to anyone regardless of whether or not they are under the influence. The best way to decrease the likelihood of getting in a car accident is to be vigilant. While drinking and driving is never OK, driver exhaustion puts lives at risk as well. Sleep deprivation is a common factor among drivers who underestimate how tired they are or want to continue driving to avoid hotel costs, but this can be a big mistake to make when it comes to passenger Joshua Kim | Cartoonist safety. And while a vacation should Department of State because its own set of customs and Like those traveling abroad, take to temporarily unwind Travel complications be enjoyed, students should of activities carried out by rules, and the best way to avoid one should make it a point from school. can also make our break be aware of the differences several criminal organizations trouble is to grow familiar with to research, plan and never Every year, there is at least memorable for all the wrong between the U.S. and the in the area. them before traveling. wander alone to unknown one report of a college student reasons. Every year, thousands country they are visiting. Nevertheless, Mexico Domestic travelers should areas. While much of this whose life was cut short during of American students flood Mexico, for example, is frequently a place where still take certain necessary advice may sound redundant, the break, and we ask that Mexico's hotels and beaches has been put under a young Americans assume U.S. precautions when going to if not repetitive, it is good to everyone take the necessary in search of a good time.