March2

THE CAMPUS

March 2, 2016 – Volume 110 Issue 19

Money talks: Housing prices to increase Some students will pay more for housing in the fall, but they may not see the improvements their money will pay for.

Officials plan to increase housing prices by 5 percent for rooms in certain campus dorms. The revenue from the increase will be put into a “rollover” or savings account and used for future dorm renovations and upgrades.

“The small amount that we get from that increase will go to this account which will continue to grow every semester,” said Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

The rooms affected by the fee will be: – doubles and triples in Walker Hall by $205 per student, – traditional doubles in Banning and Smith halls by $255 per student, – doubles in Oklahoma United Methodist Hall by $164 per student, – quads in Oklahoma United Methodist Hall by $265 per student, and – quads in Cokesbury Court Apartments by $135 per student.

Currently, when students pay their housing fees, most of the money goes into the university’s general fund. The contribution to the general fund will not change under the new structure.

“The university will get the normal amount that they usually get that goes toward the university’s general fund, but we will get whatever comes from this increase,” Ayres said.

The budget committee approved the plan in December. It will begin in Fall 2016.

“We have some money, but we realized that we require more money than we have to fix the things that really need to be done,” Ayres said.

Officials think the fee will generate $45,000 to $50,000 a semester, Ayres said. This will allow them to address deferred maintenance items like plumbing, heating and air, and lighting, and look toward renovating campus housing.

Deferred maintenance is the repair of items that can be expensive to fix but is necessary, Ayres said.

“It’s things that aren’t as sexy as new flooring or freshly painted walls,” she said. “This is certainly not going to be enough to do everything we need to do, but, over time, we need to be creative and keep a larger portion of housing revenue.”

Some of the money housing keeps goes toward maintenance, but officials require more money to keep up with the needed work, Ayres said.

“We can’t take more from the general fund because that goes to university for their expenses,” Ayres said.

Sarah Cason, psychology junior, said she understands the need for a plan.

“We all know housing and dorms are a mess,” Cason said. “A new plan can be good, but charging students more to live in these dorms is a little much. We are paying for renova-

“

Sto�� by Emily Wiley, editor-in-chie�

tions we might not get to see.”

Officials will develop a long-term plan for deferred maintenance and renovations once they see for sure how much revenue the increase will bring.

While the renovation plans have not yet been decided, Ayres said she would choose Walker Hall for a complete renovation.

“It is almost the face of the university,” she said. “For freshmen, it is their first experience for university housing, and for recruiting purposes, I would choose that one. But, we aren’t that far yet.”

Three scholarships drop apartment coverage Maleyia Vaughn WEB EDITOR

Athletic, Clara Luper and American Indian scholars no longer will be able to apply their scholarships to Cokesbury Court Apartments.

The Clara Luper and American Indian scholarships provide a private college education to students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds who demonstrate financial need, according to OCU’s website, okcu.edu. The scholarships provide tuition, housing and meals, but do not cover fees.

Athletic scholarships offer tuition, housing, meals, and university fees, but don’t cover other fees such as departmental or lab fees. The university fees are $115 per credit hour.

There are 98 Clara Luper and American Indian scholars on campus. Athletic Director Jim Abbott said there are 360 student athletes, but not all of them are on scholarship. He was unable to provide numbers for how many are on scholarship when asked Monday at presstime.

It is unclear how many of these scholarship recipients live or planned to live next academic year in Cokesbury.

Financial aid officials were unavailable Monday at presstime.

The scholarships will no longer be applied to Cokesbury, start-

M MEDIAOCU.com

When we are giving scholarships out there that are discount, then we fall short on the amount that we pay Campus Living Villages.

Kevin Windholz vice president enrollment management

ing in Summer 2016 because the scholarships are discount by the university, meaning there is no money to back them.

“If you choose to live in Cokesbury Apartments, you will be responsible for the full housing charge and you forfeit the room portion of your scholarship,” according to an email to Clara Luper and American Indian scholars from Suzan Flipping, financial aid regulation manager.

Cokesbury is not owned by OCU. The apartments are owned by Campus Living Villages, a global company that provides communities where students can learn and grow, according to the website, campuslivingvillages.com.

Officials make annual payments to CLV, based on the number of students living there. The payment comes from housing charges

collected from Cokesbury residents.

“When we are giving scholarships out there that are discount, then we fall short on the amount that we pay Campus Living Villages,” said Kevin Windholz, vice president for enrollment management.

“Since we are having to pay hard money to Campus Living Villages, we can’t afford people to be living there on discount.”

Dr. Liz Donnelly, former interim vice president for student affairs, recommended the change. Donnelly later became senior director of university housing before retiring Oct. 9. Visit MediaOCU.com for more on Donnelly’s retirement.

Dr. Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said, although the decision was made before she took over the role, she supports it.

“When revenue is minimized due to scholarships being applied, it is critical that room rates are backed by real dollars,” Ayres said.

One student said she did not understand the change.

“I don’t fully understand why they are doing it,” said Erica Herman, cell and molecular biology sophomore and American Indian scholar. “They just told us they were changing it, but they didn’t tell us why,” The scholarships still can be applied to all other campus housing.

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opinion

Talk Back

Editors question increase in student housing fees It’s no secret that university housing is less than ideal.

Every other day it seems we find leaks in Walker or Banning halls, the gate is broken at Cokesbury Court Apartments, Oklahoma United Methodist Hall floods, and Smith Hall has been closed since Fall 2014.

Students complained at Star Summit that housing is too expensive, heat and air conditioning are not well-regulated, there is mold in the buildings, they receive poor service in the housing office, and laundry rooms are inadequate.

Students generate a list of concerns every spring semester at Star Summit, hosted by student affairs. Student affairs staff gives the list to Student Government Association and, in turn, they give the items on the list priority for resolutions.

University officials also rec-

ognized the need for changes in campus housing during prioritization last year. Prioritization is a process in which officials recommend what programs are priorities and which can receive funding cuts. Officials recommended that facilities be allocated more money for deferred maintenance.

It makes sense that more money needs to go into university housing, but we shouldn’t scrape more money out of students’ pockets for the needed maintenance.

Officials are increasing housing prices to start a rollover account, which will allow remaining money to be kept in a housing fund at the end of the fiscal year to save for future projects.

See Page 1 for more on the plan.

The problem is that we already should have a rollover account to save these funds so needed maintenance, such as HVAC and

“Where do you feel the most safe on campus?”

“Maybe the chapel. No one is going to do anything bad to you in the chapel.”

plumbing, could be done now.

We need a plan to help housing, but maybe this isn’t the best one.

University officials should consider channeling more of the revenue generated from housing fees into the maintenance budget.

Money is tight, but investing in housing is important to attract students and improve the future of the university. This should not be the burden of current students who already think the cost of housing is too high.

Managing the money we have is essential to being fiscally responsible. Increasing revenue doesn’t do anything if we are not using it responsibly.

Danielle Shipley dance management sophomore

“Pft. At the Lambda Chi house.”

Elias Dominguez software engineering sophomore

“I would say my room, but a guy actually walked in there, so I would say the library.”

“I mean the SGA Office seems safe.

You can hide between cubicles.”

Megan Adkins nursing junior

Ben Patterson religion sophomore

“That’s a good question. Probably in my room with the doors locked.”

“Phi Mu house”

Emily Diaz music/theater performance sophomore

Sarah Thias dance universal freshman

Editor approves of Apple’s decision not to help FBI Sometimes you have to say no, even to the federal government.

This is the message Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to FBI investigators who asked the company to unlock an iPhone belonging to Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook who are accused of killing 14 people in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif.

Investigators want a socalled “back door” in Farook’s iPhone to access informa-

tion about Farook and who he communicated with before the attack.

One concern the company has is the possibility the new technology would fall into the wrong hands.

“Once created, the technique could be used over and over again, on any number of devices,” Cook wrote in a letter to customers.

I can see the value in unlocking Farook’s phone. He is a known terrorist. But open-

John Hiller is a religion senior from Ringling, Okla.

He enjoys running, spending time with his fiancé, Hannah, and sarcasm.

ing this phone creates a slippery slope. If Apple creates a back door into its products, other tech companies would be expected to do the same.

The Justice Department requested that Apple unlock at

least nine other phones, according to The New York Times.

This is clearly not a onetime-only case.

Officials at Apple are justified in their decision. Creating a back door creates more security

and privacy concerns than it answers. But Apple’s decision to defy the government is another marker of the changing relationship the public has with the government.

The most surprising thing about this situation is the way Republican presidential candidates responded. Republicans are supposed to support a smaller government with less overreach. Yet all of the Republican candidates besides John Kasich, R-Ohio, spoke

out against Apple’s decision.

Republican candidate Donald Trump, R-NY, demanded a boycott of Apple until they change their stance.

Don’t advocate for less government overreach and then expect a company to do everything the government asks, when citizens’ privacy is at stake.

I wonder if these candidates would be so quick to ask Apple to unlock the phone of a white person.

Critic applauds Star Wars writers for securing legacy Wi t h a l l t h e h i s t o r y attached to the name, it’s no surprise that the hype for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens was massive.

Assuming you haven’t been living alone in a cave for the past 40 years, you’ve probably heard of Star Wars. The first set of films exploded to the scene in the ‘70s and ‘80s, forever altering pop culture and future films.

To everyone’s relief, the film seems to be doing just fine.

Directed and co-written

by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens follows a blend of old and new characters of the saga. “Han Solo” and “Chewie” represent the older crew on the screen while “Luke Skywalker’s” presence is felt throughout.

Meanwhile the fresh faces provide an likable crew for the newer films. Among the new characters is pilot “Poe Dameron,” former stormtrooper “Finn” and isolated scavenger, “Rey,” played by Oscar Isaac,

Danielle Petersen is a music theater senior from San Jose, Calif. She likes playing the violin, playing with her cat and watching films.

John Boyega and Daisy Ridley respectively. They make up part of the Resistance, which won its earlier war with the evil Galactic Empire and now faces The First Order, led by its commander “Kylo Ren.” After the missteps of the

last three films of the series, it’s a relief to see the Star Wars name returned to its former glory. Abrams, along with cowriter of two other films in the saga, Lawrence Kasdan, deliver a hugely entertaining story packed with action.

Most of Abrams’s past works bring a true sense of adventure with them, and The Force Awakens is no different. The movie explodes from scene to scene, delivering great action and a few laughs. The new guys are all interesting and easy to root for, and everything together feels like what a sci-fi adventure should strive to be.

All that said, the film’s critical acclaim, while mostly deserved, is a little over hyped.

It is an entertaining success that has made more than $2

billion at the box office, but the movie isn’t perfect.

There’s so much history jammed into the film that it muddles the storyline, which already feels pretty formulaic.

But these are nitpicks.

The real accomplishment goes to Abrams, who took on this incredible task and performed it admirably. The Star Wars legacy is secure, the series is fun again and if you haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet, it’s still in theaters.

small rehearsal hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

Center for Arts and Sciences

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

WEDNESDAY Wednesday at the Wesley at 11:30 a.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel Therapy Dogs at noon in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center THURSDAY Neustadt Lecture at 1 p.m. in

the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center

Clara E. Jones Administration Building

Improv show at 10:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of Clara E. Jones Administration Building

SATURDAY Jackie O at 8 p.m. in Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

FRIDAY Jackie O at 8 p.m. in Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Improv show at 10:30 p.m. in

SUNDAY Leviathan film screening at 2 p.m. in Kerr McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business

Nicole Baker’s senior music theater recital at 6 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Sam Ritter’s graduate conducting recital at 6 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel Susan Dillard’s graduate music theater recital at 6 p.m. in the

Tevyn Hill’s senior opera performance recital at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center TUESDAY Wait Till Next Year book discussion at 7 p.m. in Room 151 in Walker

Jordan Gaches’s senior music theater recital at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center MARCH 9 CSI: Investigate with OCU at 1 p.m. in Ann Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center

Columnist concerned with treatment of women who wear make-up There seems to be a lot of advice for women when it comes to what we should or should not be doing to our faces.

The Internet likes to celebrate women who choose the bare skin look, as though they deserve a medal for abstaining from foundation.

I have nothing against women who choose not to wear make-up, but there is a fine line between empower-

ment and condemnation.

Songs like Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” or Amy Schumer’s “Girl, You Don’t Need Make-up” come to mind as they both are intended as message to help increase women’s positive body image, but instead appear to be beauty shaming.

There is an assumption that women who choose to wear make-up do so because they have low self-esteem. Women

Tatum Nelson is a mass communications/religion sophomore from Tulsa, Okla. She enjoys spending time with her sister and eating tacos. !

who wear make-up “need” to so they feel beautiful. This is not true. Many women wear make-up because they want to.

Worse still, is the assumption that women wear make-up

to impress men. On the other hand, social media tells us that men prefer women who wear less make-up. Most of us wear make-up for ourselves, not for the guys.

THE CAMPUS

2

Photographers: Donovan Lawson, Andrew Robling Staff Writers: Alex German, Prisca Lynch, Elina Moon, Taylor Rey Columnists: Tatum Nelson, Madelyn Parker Film Critic: Danielle Petersen

We are more than our morning rituals. The women who walk out the door with bare faces are just as strong and respectable as those who get up a little earlier to apply their foundation.

Telling someone they don’t need make-up can be just as harmful as telling someone they do. Let’s start celebrating our various life choices rather than shaming one another for being different.

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

March 2, 2016, Volume 110, Number 19

Editor-in-Chief: Emily Wiley Web Editor: Maleyia Vaughn Lifestyles Editor: Sage Tokach Multimedia Editor: Miguel Rios Photo Editor: Ali Wonderly Copy Editor: John Hiller Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri

For some, make-up is an extension of fashion that enhances an outfit. I wear lipstick not out of poor self-image, but because I like it and it gives me confidence. Applying lipstick is my version of putting on a power suit.

Implying that a woman wears make-up to make up for a lack of self confidence undermines women. We cannot suggest that women are incapable of thinking for themselves.

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone

Circulation Director: number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to Allie Glazner edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without exFaculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin Digitally signed by Newsroom

Newsroom

planation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ DN: cn=Newsroom, o, ou, or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciokcu.edu email=ehwiley@my.okcu.edu, ences.

Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition. c=US Date: 2016.01.09 13:22:47 -06'00'

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2016. All rights reserved.

March 2, 2016

news Relay For Life names first honorary event chairperson Sage Tokach LIFESTYLES EDITOR

OCU’s Relay For Life event adopted an honorary event chairperson for the first time.

Kyrian Anderson is a 10-year-old boy battling cancer for the second time. As the honorary chairperson, he will become the face of the fundraiser at OCU. After going into remission, Kyrian had a recurrence and now endures treatment for his Leukemia. The Bartlesville, Okla., native is in Oklahoma City for a bone marrow transplant. Depending on his condition after the transplant, he plans to attend OCU’s Relay on April 8.

“Cancer is nameless and faceless, but when you see it impact someone, it gives you an added motivation,” said Zack Travers, business administration junior and Relay For Life chairman.

“Kyrian is such a lovable and supportable face for us to rally around.”

Another committee member agreed and said she thinks Kyrian will increase support from students.

“He will help encourage people to support the cause, even if they don’t have someone near to them suffering from cancer,” said

Ali Bryant, biomedical science/Spanish senior.

The Relay For Life committee met Kyrian through the American Cancer Society. After the committee accepted the proposal of an honorary chairperson, they used Skype to chat with him to learn about his situation and his family.

Kyrian has a younger sister named Rylie and two working parents who take turns spending time at home and with him in Oklahoma City. After his transplant, Kyrian will stay at The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, 818 N.E. 8th St., a facility that provides temporary housing for pediatric patients and their families.

“After my transplant I have to stay close to the hospital and far away from my home for at least a hundred days,” Kyrian said in a video about Relay For Life.

Kyrian and the Relay For Life committee have the same challenge for students.

“We want each OCU student to recruit 10 friends,” Travers said. “Every participant also has a goal of raising $100 to represent Kyrian’s stay at the Kids Korral.”

When students sign up for a Relay For Life team, they pay a $10 registration fee that goes toward their $100 fundraising goal. From there, each participant can raise any amount of money.

Students can sign up for Relay For Life by visiting relayforlife.

Ali Wonderly Student Publications

Kyrian Anderson shows OCU Star pride as the honorary chairperson for Relay For Life. Kyrian receives treatment for his Leukemia. He is in Oklahoma City for a bone marrow transplant. Afterward he will stay in OKC for at least 100 days.

org/okcuok.

“Kyrian is not quitting,” Travers said. “He’s been through two rounds of chemo, and he’s bouncing off the walls and pushing others to be better. We can do the same.”

New ventilation system installed in cadaver lab Prisca Lynch STAFF WRITER

Pitch a fastball

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Andrew Robling Student Publications

Junior Pitcher Ricky Parra throws the ball to first base during the men’s baseball team practice Feb. 26 at Jim Wade Stadium. Parra’s stats so far this season are 13 hits and 10 runs. Their next home game is March 11 and 12 against Grand View University. The Stars also will play Bemidji State University at home on March 12 and 13.

Professor, director of film institute to retire Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER

Dr. Harbour Winn, an OCU professor and a teacher of humanities, is retiring in August.

Winn is the director of the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature, director of the OCU Film Institute, director of the Spring Documentary Film series, director of the “Let’s Talk About It” Oklahoma book discussion series, co-chairman of OCU’s Distinguished Speaker series, member of the OCUReads book selection committee and a professor teaching courses in English and film.

Winn started teaching full time from January 1975 to June 1979. After that, he interned at Westminster School and eventually got a teaching job. He returned full time to OCU in 1996 and has been here since.

“I have had the good fortune of doing exactly what I wanted to do. It’s been a dream job,” Winn said.

Winn founded the Film Institute in 1982 and founded the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature in 1997, according to the DaVinci Institute website davinciok.com.

Winn received his Ph.D from the University of Oregon and worked as an assistant professor of English at OCU for five years, after which he studied early childhood education at OCU. He worked at Westminster School for 17 years teaching Montessori education, an approach allowing children freedom and independence in the classroom.

As a professor of film and literature, Winn said he has found the university to be supportive in allowing for artistic freedom.

March 2, 2016

It has been such a gift to not be reined in and to be a part of a community that allowed for openness.

Dr. Harbour Winn center for interpersonal studies through film and literature director

“They have never told me, ‘you can’t show this film’ or ‘you can’t read that book,’ which is also a big responsibility in considering value and aesthetics,” Winn said. “It has been such a gift to not be reined in and to be a part of a community that allowed for openness.”

One student said Winn has pushed him in his education.

“He is an amazing teacher,” said Alexander Knight, film studies senior. “I think he really pushes students to think about films outside of their comfort zones.”

Winn’s influence at OCU reaches out into the community.

The Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature has brought a poet to campus for the past 18 years picked by an advisory committee.

Winn leads and participates in book and film discussions for students and the general community.

“Public humanities are so important in bringing liberal arts education to the general public in Oklahoma City,” Winn said.

In 2013, Winn received the Public Humanities Award for providing outstanding programs throughout the state of Oklahoma.

“Harbour is a passionate advocate of the humanities,” said former provost Susan Barber in a 2013 video about Winn’s award.

“Dr. Winn is a natural for this award, because he’s always trying to reach the public with the humanities.”

Winn helped develop the collection of international, independent and classic films available through the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature, according to okcu.edu.

Following this semester, Winn plans to stay as adjunct faculty and teach overseas courses in Singapore. He also will continue as director of the film institute for at least another year.

The new Director of the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature will be Tracy Floreani, English professor and department chairwoman, according to an email from Amy Cataldi, interim dean of Petree College of Arts and Sciences.

Winn’s position as professor in Petree will not be replaced.

“It’s wonderful to live different lives, it allows for renewal and transformation. All of the opportunities I have had here have been enriching for me personally,” Winn said.

Contributing: Multimedia Editor Miguel Rios.

Students are contending with cold classrooms and pungent odors in Dawson-Loeffler Science and Mathematics Center.

Officials chose to keep the A/C running in the building to mitigate the smell of formaldehyde coming from the cadaver lab.

The cadaver lab is one of the required facilities for the new Physician’s Assistant program, which began in January.

Formaldehyde is a chemical used for the embalming of cadavers. Formaldehyde maintains tissue’s life-like texture and can keep the body

preserved for an extended period of time.

Due to student complaints about the smell, officials installed a new ventilation system to remove the smell.

“There was not a system in there when they first brought the cadavers in,” said Mark Clouse, director of facilities.

“Part of the problem is that the existing HVAC that was in there is for the old building, so we had to take that room and put its own system in.”

The room now has its own system to keep the smell down.

To assure student’s health and to avoid any risks of over exposure to formaldehyde, meters were installed to ensure correct ventilation.

“I have two classes in a

classroom in Loeffler backto-back, so I’m in there for over three hours,” said Ashley Kinard, film production sophomore.

“They keep the air conditioner on all the time because it’s supposed to weaken the smell, but it doesn’t seem to be working so it’s very cold in the classroom.”

The new system will be running this week. Officials hope that once the new system is going, students will only be able to smell the formaldehyde in the cadaver lab, not the rest of the building.

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news

Annual spring show presents ‘something for everyone’ Alex German STAFF WRITER

The American Spirit Dance Company Spring Show, Hot Shoe Shuffle, is a two-act Broadway revue.

The show includes 24 dances, featuring tap, jazz and music theater dance styles.

“Tap lovers rejoice because there are a ton of amazing tap numbers in this fast-paced show,” said Grace Kidder, dance performance sophomore. “We also have upbeat musical theater pieces, soulful lyrical dances and fierce jazz numbers, so there’s something for everyone.”

There are four performances: – 7 p.m. March 10, – 8 p.m. March 11 and – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 12.

The show is in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $21, with reserved seating.

There are two casting arrangements of the company, so different students will perform the same number on separate nights “We have people double cast so they learn to share,” said Jo Rowan, chairman of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and director and founder of the American Spirit Dance Company.

“Somebody will usually be better than someone else. We want them, in a loving manner, to help the other person, not to

You can’t be an average artist and earn your living in the business. You have to be desirable.

Jo Rowan chairman Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment director and founder The American Spirit Dance Company

get a built in feeling of competition. To teach them with actions, not words, to be generous.”

Lighting, costumes and props are designed by students and overseen by faculty. All light and sound boards are operated and programmed by students. The show will use 68 moving lights.

“We use state-of-the-art equipment, including sound and light boards that you will find in Broadway shows,” Rowan said.

“Dance is a visual art with movement. It only makes sense to have lights that compliment the dancers.”

Dean John Bedford serves as the producer and sound designer of the show. He also teaches students to run the sound board, said Carla Richard, alumna and company and stage manager.

Costumes are created by students, under the direction of Jessica Telfer, costume shop foreman. Students run the process, from fittings to sewing and bedazzling.

“There are no costume change

problems. That has to do with management,” Rowan said. “So we are not only creative, as you will soon see, but we are rightand left-brained. The people know what they’re doing.”

The dancers are challenged in the same way an Equity contract would challenge them, Rowan said. They run rehearsals like an equity company, with equity hours, and students are expected to meet equity standards.

“We try to give them a stake in being superior,” Rowan said.

“You can’t be an average artist and earn your living in the business. You have to be desirable.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office or online at www.okcu. edu/ticketoffice.

Elina Moon Student Publications Jonathan Flores, dance freshman, and Tanner Pflueger and Phillip Giandiletti, dance performance juniors, rehearse “Puttin’ On the Ritz” for the annual spring dance show, performed by The American Spirit Dance Company through the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. Performances of the show, Hot Shoe Shuffle, will be March 10-12 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Students form ska-punk band, record demo Miguel Rios MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Seven music students came together to form a band with a sound many may not be familiar with.

“LFNC” is a ska-punk band made up of: – Cameron Fults, music comosition/guitar performance freshman, and Brayden Stonecipher, guitar performance freshman, on guitars, – Chazz Miceli, guitar performance freshman, on bass, – Joe Charlton, music performance freshman, on trumpet, – Sam Charlton, trombone performance sophomore, on trombone, – Josh Bartrug, music performance sophomore, on drums, and – Michael Louladakis, vocal performance and music theater sophomore, as the vocalist.

“We all just got together

because the common interest of the music,” Louladakis said.

“It’s not a well-known genre of music.”

Ska is a raw genre that consists of punk and reggae, Louladakis said. Notable bands include “Sublime” and “Less than Jake.”

LFNC can stand for different things and it never has to stand for the same thing, he said. For him, it means “Light the Flame or No one will Change.”

“We’re really just against the grain, which inspires so much punk-rock and ska,” he said.

“Our band is really raw sounding. It’s a common practice in this genre to not take yourself seriously at all.”

LFNC recorded a demo consisting of four songs, which can be found on their SoundCloud page, soundcloud.com/lfnc.

The group recorded the songs in Louladakis’s living room.

“I think their music is

nerdily majestic,” said Eric Odum, accounting junior. “It’s really smart musicians coming together to create a really cool masterpiece.”

LFNC’s first show was at Shindigz in Stratford, Okla.

Several students from OCU made the drive to see the band play, Louladakis said.

The band’s first official rehearsal was shortly after Winter Break.

“We practice three times a week for like two hours each time,” Louladakis said.

“That’s six hours a week. That’s significant.”

Despite their strong commitment to the band, Louladakis said he only does this kind of music because it’s fun for him.

“It’s totally fun, but if a label signed us, that’s when the proof is in the pudding,” he said.

Louladakis said LFNC hopes to play during music assembly at the end of March and host a show on April 2 at his house,

Cou�tesy o� LFNC From left, the members of LFNC are Brayden Stonecipher, Joe Charlton, Michael Louladakis, Josh Bartrug, Sam Charlton, Cameron Fults, and Chazz Miceli.

1808 N. 23rd Street.

The band is also planning a tour that will likely kick off at the end of summer.

“It would go through Oklahoma, Vegas and California right now,” Louladakis said. “If we do a whole tour and it’s successful, another bands sees us or a label really likes us, that’s our best shot.”

The band began song writing immediately. Energetic and dynamic, LFNC are constantly creating and playing new music, according to the band’s Facebook page.

Louladakis said each member usually comes up with their own ideas and then they build off one another.

“Once we figured out not to

force down an idea or a way of doing it, that fixed everything,” he said. “Ska and punk music, they just pride themselves on how much shit they think their own music is and that’s something that I like.”

Opera to explore American culture Tatum Nelson STAFF WRITER

Let’s relax

Andrew Robling Student Publications

Madison Snow and Abbey Renner, biomedical science freshmen, take advantage of the weather on Feb. 26 by relaxing in their hammocks on the quad outside Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The high temperature for the day was forecasted to be 58 degrees, but ended up in the 60s. Students use the hammocks as a way to relax between classes while studying. “It’s a nice way to relax and enjoy being outside,” Snow said.

March 2, 2016

An opera brings vulnerability and grief to the stage through a story inspired by the life of Jackie Kennedy.

Jackie O is a celebration of musical life in the late ‘60s. The pop opera explores the relationship of musical expressions associated with “high-class” and “popular” culture in America.

The production focuses on a woman’s struggle through grief while she becomes the woman we now know as “Jackie O.” OCU’s production of Jackie O is an Oklahoma premiere of the show, and students said they are excited to set the standard and work with an uncommon, modern piece.

Karlye Whitt, vocal performance junior, plays the lead role of “Jackie O.” “Playing a lead role is always an incredible opportunity and way to discover who you are as

a performer,” Whitt said. “Being Jackie makes that experience even more special.”

The show was chosen to display the students’ ability to sing through many styles of music with ease and grace. The music gives the audience a taste of folk tunes, ballads, pop music, beat poetry, and classic opera.

“I was so nervous for this show. I never would have thought I’d be in an opera in my life,” said Casey Andrews, music theater sophomore. “But now I’m having too much fun with this show.”

Brooke Bradley, music theater senior, plays “The ghost of Jackie Kennedy.” Dr. David Herendeen, opera and music theater director, adapted the show and added the character, which was not in the original script.

“This change allows the audience to better understand the struggle of letting go of one’s past as I literally haunt

the stage, perpetually stuck in a world I no longer belong,” Bradley said. “I am no longer just playing a character, I am playing a woman who existed, who struggled and who fought through terrifying circumstances.”

The production is at 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are available for $10 at okcu.edu/tickets or by calling 405-208-5227.

“Jackie O is vulnerable and witty,” Bradley said. “You will laugh at the many oddities surrounding the time period, you will cry at Jackie’s pain and loss, and you will leave with a better understanding of Jackie’s transformation from Jacqueline Kennedy to Jackie O.”

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