Nov 16

THE CAMPUS ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES

Hillary Clinton

228

according to the Associated Press.

“

November 16, 2016 – Volume 110 Issue 38

ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES

Donald Trump

290

AMERICA MADE ITS CHOICE AGAIN!

according to the Associated Press.

Students respond with mixed emotions to presidential election results

T

he presidential election results garnered mixed reactions from students, but President Robert Henry said Monday that he wants them to be kind and civil.

A week ago Donald Trump, R-NY, won the presidential election with 290 electoral votes against Hillary Clinton, D-NY, who received 228.

The president-elect received only 47 percent of the popular vote, losing to Clinton by about one percent and about 600,000 votes. The popular vote still is being counted, but experts estimate Clinton’s victory to grow, according to The New York Times.

“I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all of Americans, and this is so important to me,” Trump said in his acceptance speech. “For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there

were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country.”

Only hours after Trump was named the president-elect, students woke up to find political statements in chalk throughout the campus. Some of the chalkings even defaced Kappa Phi’s big/ little week chalk. Kappa Phi is a Christian women’s organization.

The chalkings said things like “Hillary 4 Jail,” “Trump Train” and “Huck Fillary.”

The diversity we enjoy at OCU commands us to stand united, Henry wrote in a Nov. 14 email to the campus community.

“Our student code of conduct calls for personal responsibility, sound judgment and mutual respect,” he wrote. “I urge you to remember your responsibilities as members of the OCU family as

I'm proud to finally be able to express my Republican views as a woman on campus after feeling repressed for so long.

“

Elaine Weatherby acting junior

you interact with each other and with those in the world around you.”

Kappa Phi members said they didn't feel targeted directly, but it was still frustrating that their chalk was defaced.

“It does upset me to see that someone would stoop this low to spread hate, but I think that level of hatred has honestly been seen from both sides in the last 12 hours,” Meghan Webb, theater for young audiences junior and Kappa Phi, said on Nov. 9.

“If they aren’t writing hateful messages in chalk, they’re taking to Facebook and saying things like ‘I hate you and please get out of my life if you voted for Trump or voted third party.'”

Kappa Phi members and other students re-chalked later in the day. They wrote things like “Love Trumps Hate” and “We are all better together.”

“Going to OCU, you assume that everyone really truly does embrace people and love on

them, but seeing this today has really shaken that for me,” Kimberlea Harlow, psychology/ child advocacy junior and Kappa Phi said, Nov. 9.

The New York Times’s exit polls reported that 55 percent of voters ages 18-29 voted for Clinton.

Caroline Harrist, music education junior, said she had trouble falling asleep after the election.

“I’m trying to sleep, but I’m crying,” she said right after the election was called. “I’m so sad for all of the progress we’ve made as a country that could be taken away and for everyone who is legitimately afraid for their freedom and wellbeing. I just hope that love will still win.”

After the polls closed and votes were tallied, a group of students gathered on the quad to sing songs and play improv games to comfort each other.

“These next four years are

going to be about work,” said Hannah Rogers, film production sophomore. “We must not become complacent. We must always work toward love and equality for all. This is our time to use what we are feeling to fuel a change in America for the better.”

Elaine Weatherby, acting junior, said she has felt repressed as a Republican woman on campus.

“I’m proud to finally be able to express my Republican views as a woman on campus after feeling repressed for so long,” Weatherby said. “I hope that we can all learn to respect each other and to come together as a nation once again. I think this gives us an incredible opportunity to be challenged and learn something of worth from the other.”

By Web Editor Sage Tokach and Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief.

International students concerned about Trump’s presidency Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER

A

merican students have strong opinions on how Donald Trump’s presidency will affect the United States, but the question rises as to what this means for immigrants, international students and the rest of the world.

The world is on hold right now, said Mohamed Daadaoui, associate professor of political science.

“Everyone is watching with a lot of anxiety because the presidentelect has made a lot of comments affecting relationships globally with China, wanting to engage constructively with Russia and wanting to scale back on the Middle East but also wanting to bomb ISIS,” he said.

“The world is very anxious right now. We’ve seen sort of a global rise of nationalism. We can see it in the Philippines and with the Brexit in Great Britain and now here in the U.S. ” The president has the power to implement and initiate foreign policy with congressional approval on spending and finalizing trade agreements.

“I don’t see this Congress stopping his policy because I think they will largely agree. There will be very limited checks and balances on foreign policy, and I predict a honeymoon phase between the president and Congress,” Daadaoui said. “Right-wing conservative countries are jubilant that the U.S., which has such a strong sway in Western values has chosen a conservative, extremist candidate. We see this with Russians cheering and, of course, Marine Le Pen, who is the head of the National Front, the conservative party in France, was the first to congratulate Trump.”

The university has a diverse population of students from across the world who will be affected differently than American students.

Right-wing conser vative countries are jubilant that the U.S., which has such a strong sway in Western values has chosen a conservative, extremist candidate.

Mohamed Daadaoui associate professor political science

Alison Fan, a music theater freshman from China, said Trump's presidency could affect non-American students who want to stay in the country after they graduate. She also said it was sad to see the election tear friendships apart.

“Instead of actually debating one another, I saw more rage and bashing on others for not supporting what someone believes is the right thing to do,” Fan said.

Victoria Erhardt, a music theater senior from Canada, said her home country could be affected greatly.

“It’s not fair to Canada because it doesn’t recognize how it impacts the American-Canadian system. Seventy-two percent of our exports are to America, and now that deal is being threatened and that is terrifying to our economy,” she said. “Canada is being so edgy and progressive right now and I’m scared this is going to set us back.”

Petar Djurdjevic, a finance sophomore from Serbia, believes his home country will be affected differently.

“Well I don't know about other international students, but in Serbia, people think that Trump is better option for president cause his interna-

tional policy benefits my country in some way,” he said. “I don't know a lot about it, but if I could I would probably vote for Trump as well.”

Michael Vercoe-Curtis, a mass communications senior from New Zealand, is still waiting to see how the election will affect his country.

“I feel like the rest of the world is sort of laughing at America. I know New Zealand thinks ‘oh this is a joke, he doesn’t have any experience.’

America wanted a change and this will be a change, whether that is good or bad, I don’t really know. Right now our prime minister has said he’s going to stop the TPP, but that’s okay with me,” he said. “I know if he continues to be as conservative as he is, New Zealand will cut ties with the U.S. and so the U.S. won’t protect us. If North Korea or China locks on New Zealand, our country will really be in trouble.”

International students are also worried that this election may affect their ability to become citizens.

“I feel like people who run immigration don’t know what the life of an immigrant is like,” said Franziska Harms, acting junior.

Harms was born in Germany to two German parents. She said she has been in the process of becoming a citizen for the past eight years despite living in the U.S. her whole life.

“This makes me understand how someone would come over to the country illegally,” she said. “This is the first time I’m questioning whether or not I want to become an American citizen. I feel like leaving would be a sense of abandonment, but at the same time this isn’t really my home.”

Harms said she also feels her ability to protest is limited.

“I can’t speak up the way I want to. If I go to a protest and end up getting arrested, it would be really bad for me as an immigrant and could end up jeopardizing my chance of becoming a citizen,” she said.

Campus community reacts to outcomes of state questions State question results

Chandler White STAFF WRITER

W

Information from BallotPedia.org. Graphic by Web Editor Sage Tokach.

M MEDIAOCU.com

ith the outcome of this year’s election, there also comes the results of the state questions.

One debated question within faculty is SQ 779, which was defeated but would have increased the sales tax to raise teacher salaries and fund education. Though many agreed with the intent of the state question, it also was recognized that the tax would be regressive, and was thus deemed unacceptable by many.

“I can see both sides of the issue, because I understand the plight of teachers,” said Elizabeth Willner, director of teacher education.

“However, even though it was billed as a promotion of teacher pay, not all of the money would have been going toward that purpose.”

Another relevant ballot item for college students was SQ 780, the question redefining certain offenses as misdemeanors rather than felonies. Passed by voters, the question would lower the consequences of offenses such as property crimes and drug possession so as to reduce jail overcrowding.

“Obviously marijuana wasn’t legalized, and it still is not allowed on

campus,” said Matthew Hester, film production senior. “But the fact that we’ve taken something that so many people do and that is so prevalent, and we’ve decided to punish it less, I think that’s a massive step.”

SQ 776, a measure that legalized any execution method not prohibited by the Constitution, also passed.

“It’s frightening. We’re ready to turn back to barbarism,” said Abigail Keegan, English professor. “We’d be willing to just shoot people down if whatever method we use doesn’t work to our satisfaction, and it’s disgusting.”

A controversial item was SQ 790, the proposal of allowing public funds to spent on religious purposes. The purpose of the question was to prevent Article 2 of the Constitution as a reason not to fund religion-founded institutions, such as orphanages or hospitals. The question was rejected by voters.

“Article 2 was being used as a way of holding money from organizations that needed it and would benefit society,” said Callie Dewees, acting sophomore. “I think the state question was phrased and exemplified in a way that was very misleading to its actual purpose.”

Things don't change

Follow us on Twitter @MediaOCU

Everything is strange

Like us on Facebook at MediaOCU

Read a lifestyles article on things the election doesn't change Read a review on Marvel's Dr. Strange

Thanks, Willie!

Read about Willie's upcoming Thanksgiving event

Follow us on Instagram @media_ocu

opinion Students encouraged to unite after election The presidential election finally ended.

Donald Trump became president-elect after beating Hillary Clinton by 62 electoral votes, but Clinton received almost 600,000 more popular votes than Trump.

Experts noted this was the most polarizing race to the White House, but it’s now one of the most surprising as well. During the final round of polls, only one scientific poll had Trump leading, according to the LA Times.

Trump’s surprising win had students on edge. Performance majors took to the quad around 3 a.m. to play improv games or sing songs to take their minds off of the results.

By morning, the campus was covered in pro-Trump, antiHillary statements written in chalk. Social media was abuzz with people on both sides posting politically-charged, sometimes aggressive statuses The campus was divided.

See Page 1 for more on the campus’ response to the results.

OCU is often known as a tight-knit community. Arguing with each other does nothing

Talk Back "What do you hope Donald Trump will accomplish?"

positive for that community. social and economic policies, Instead, it creates a rift between but everybody wants America people that can be hard to resolve. to be great.

"Our university environThe United States will have a ment cannot be a place for the new president in January. If he’s marginalization of any group," not what you wanted, don’t give wrote President Henry in email up and don’t lose hope. Always sent to the campus on Monday. support what you believe in and During a time when the coun- continue fighting for what you try is divided on many issues, the think is right. campus should come together and continue to embrace personal rights and individuality, as we have always done.

The New York Times’s exit polls reported that more than half of voters in our age group voted for Clinton, but more than half of voters our parents’ ages voted for Trump. If a student’s parents are more conservative, this means a potentially uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinner when they go home for the break.

Remember that The Beast's Toupee we’re all more alike “The castle is your home now, so you can go anythan we are differwhere you like, except the West Wing.” ent. People have dif-Beauty and the Beast ferent viewpoints on Madelyn Parker

Student Publications

"I like his student debt forgiveness plan and how liberal it is and how it caps at 15 years."

“I hope he reopens the investigation on Hillary Clinton and justice is swift and served."

Christopher Heron music theater sophomore

Jeffrey Matthews finance senior

“I hope he manages to stay alive because I worry he’s going to be assassinated.”

“I hope he is able to make people less scared of each other.”

Daniel C. Brown acting senior

McKenna O’Meara music theater freshman

“Not screwing up the economy because he's not very good with that.”

"I want him to bring the country together and have a more unified America."

Patience Williams English literature senior

Kate Myers dance freshman

"I hope that he will unite America and be a president for everyone like he says he wants to be."

"World peace"

Joe Pierce accounting sophomore

Oaklin Davis mass communications sophomore

Netflix shows, movies to consider watching instead of Black Mirror The hottest show on Netflix this fall, Black Mirror, explores new and pseudo-revolutionary hypotheticals in every new episode, which all revolve around technology and humanity’s imminent demise.

The show may be unlike most others available right now, but, for the most part, the repetitive “fear your smartphone” message lacks nuance and heart. Because any viewer only needs to watch about three episodes to grasp Black Mirror’s whole premise, it is better use of your time to explore other TV shows and

movies Netflix offers.

Netflix overflows with cinematic gems hidden beneath sub-par suggestions that are only on your feed because you accidentally clicked on Charlie St. Cloud one time. Next time you need a good movie to watch, try Beasts of No Nation, The Imitation Game or Nightcrawler, which have all won multiple awards and are highly critically-acclaimed.

TV series like Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, Parks and Recreation, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia entertain while also giving viewers something to

Mary McLain is a film production sophomore from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who loves sandwiches and social media.

talk about with other humans in real life, where friends are made and connections are shared.

Movies like Short Term 12 and Jane Eyre are perfect for any viewer looking to destroy their emotions without being told that the internet will kill them

in their sleep.

For the Netflix viewer looking to educate themselves on American cultural references or simply connect more with their parents, movies like Ferris Bueller’s Day off, Forrest Gump, Top Gun, The Titanic, The Princess Bride, Footloose, and Good Will

Hunting should come in handy.

These Netflix options boldly explore the best parts about humans without extended metaphors about how the internet and physical realties will soon be indistinguishable.

Netflix provides one of the best services for young adults everywhere by keeping an archive of childhood classics.

Navigating this genre requires some skill though, as many old childhood gems can ruin a day by being worse than they were in 2004, when millennials were small children.

But, some of these child-

hood movies, like Lilo & Stitch, The Chronicles of Narnia, Sky High, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Holes, Cadet Kelly, and anything by Pixar hold up in 2016. Any of these options are sure to inspire laughter and nostalgia.

The important thing to remember during this time of Netflix tribulations is that there are some good options out there, regardless of what your whiny friends say. And, if all else fails, you can always bribe someone into giving you their HBO GO login information.

Columnist discusses Melania Trump, former first ladies Jackie Onassis, Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama go down in history as some of the United States’ most influential and inspiring first ladies.

Jackie O inspired our nation with her grace, poise and style, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Eleanor Roosevelt was elected chairwoman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, established to strengthen fundamental human rights worldwide.

Michelle Obama leaves a legacy as our first AfricanAmerican first lady, while also reminding us to stay healthy

and active. She also wore her body and style with pride, showing off her famous arms and fabulous fashion everywhere she went.

The new first lady already has a reputation as being an international supermodel.

Born in Yugoslavia, she began modeling at the age of 16, modeling for both Vogue and Sports Illustrated. It is worthy to note that Michelle Obama has graced the cover of Vogue three times in the last eight years.

Though Melania Trump did not complete her college degree due to her modeling career, her travels caused her to become fluent in five lan-

McAlyn Forbes is an acting sophomore from the beautiful mountains of Colorado. She loves petting any dog that she sees and reading in bed with tea.

guages-English, French, Slovenian, Serbian, and German.

Melania Trump will be the second first lady to have been born in a foreign country, the first being Louisa Adams, who was born in England. Adams lived in England and France, where she and her family hid out during the American Revolution.

Though her upbringing and early life may seem unconventional, Melania Trump is hardly the only first lady to come from an interesting background. Eleanor Roosevelt grew up in New York with her grandmother and a private tutor, and later attended and finished school in England. Michelle Obama

attended Princeton and later Harvard, where she earned her Juris Doctor. Jackie O was a feisty young girl who attended Chapin School and Miss Porter’s School, a boarding school in Connecticut, and eventually graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor of arts in French literature.

Melania Trump is stepping into a position with some big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, she does not have the experience or education that many of our first ladies have had. We have first ladies with degrees in law from prestigious universities, and experience in social and

political change.

The first lady of the United States is not an elected position, but one of great importance. They are strong political figures and warriors of social, political and economic change, and that is not a role that is to be taken lightly.

Melania Trump’s career and life experiences are respectable, but that does not mean she is fit for the grueling job of first lady of the United States.

In short, her background and experience that qualifies her for this honorable position equals that of her husband’s-none.

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 New Student Orientation Leader applications open through Dec. 16 via Orgsync Men's basketball game vs.

Dallas Christian from 7-8:45 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Free Movie Night from 7-11

p.m. at Harkins Theatres Bricktown, 150 E. Reno Ave. Guitar ensemble concert from 8-10 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center OCU Out of the Box's Fall Drag Show fundraiser from 9-11 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

THURSDAY Chapel from 1-2 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel-Sanctuary FRIDAY Ivy Vogt senior voice recital from 6-7 p.m. in the Small Rehearsal Hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center Opera Music Theater presents La Rondine at 8 p.m. in Kirkpatrick

Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Women's basketball vs. LSUShreveport from 8-9:45 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center OCU Improv Show from 10:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. in Clara E. Jones Administration Building

November 16, 2016, Volume 110, Number 38

2

Photographers: Courtney Beyer, Donovan Lawson, Olivia Johnston, Kelsey Simmons, Ali Wonderly Staff Writers: Taylor Rey, Prisca Lynch, Chandler White, Zoe Travers, McAlyn Forbes, Nicole Waltman, Evan Juedeman, Nathan Moelling,

Men's basketball vs. Haskell from 5-6:45 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Opera Music Theater presents La

Rondine at 8 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center OCU Improv Show from 10:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. in Clara E. Jones Administration Building SUNDAY Jazz ensemble concert from 8-9:30 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

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.

THE CAMPUS Editor-in-chief: Miguel Rios Web Editor: Sage Tokach Lifestyles Editor: Madelyn Parker Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri Graphic Designer: Elias Dominguez

SATURDAY Women's basketball vs. Our Lady of the Lake from 3-4:45 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Adrianna DelPercio Film Critics: Danielle Petersen, Mary McLain Ad Representative: Madison Clark Circulation Director: Brianna Demuth Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

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

November 16, 2016

news

“

Ali Wonderly Student Publications

Nothing but net

Senior Guard Syrus McDonald goes for a basket while players rush toward him in the Stars’ game against Randall University on Nov. 10 in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Stars beat the team 94-68 in their first regular season home game. The men’s team is ranked at 18 in the country.

Above: OCU Cheer pumps the crowd up during a timeout in the Stars’ game against Randall University. The next game is at 7 p.m. tonight in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center against Dallas Christian.

Applications available for New Student Orientation leaders Nathan Moelling STAFF WRITER

Alongside the final stretch of the semester, the time has come for the release of New Student Organization leader applications.

NSO leaders are student leaders who work with the First-Year Experience program to help new students transition into their first year at OCU, said Colbi Beam, coordinator of first-year experience and NSO. “These students serve as guides and mentors during St a r s 1 0 1 s , St a r s We e k activities and everywhere in between,” she said. “I think

what sets NSO leaders apart is their interest in helping others and leading by example. I want our NSO leaders to be normal students who are approachable, but what makes them different is their interest in helping new students and relating to them.”

The major events for NSO leaders are Stars 101 and Stars Week.

Stars 101 days happen periodically throughout the spring and summer, when incoming freshman arrive at OCU for enrollment advisement, campus tours and to obtain a glimpse of the campus atmosphere.

Stars Week is the week prior to the beginning of school, in which NSO leaders conduct

You have a huge hand in shaping the future of our social climate on campus, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Brade Bradshaw acting senior

new students through a week of events and activities that the leaders have spent the summer creating and planning. Stars Week events include Open Mic Night, StarsConnect and Stars on Bricktown.

Brade Bradshaw, acting senior, said he chose to be an NSO leader because he loves

meeting new people and being involved.

“One of my favorite times of the year is when new freshmen arrive on campus because we get to welcome new members to our OCU family,” he said.

“The potential relationship with every person you meet is exciting. I have met many of my

best friends through NSO. You have a huge hand in shaping the future of our social climate on campus, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

Some freshmen students are already showing curiosity in becoming NSO leaders.

Matthew Moelling, university studies freshman, said the NSO leaders had a positive impact on his OCU introduction.

“The NSO leaders were very friendly and open and always willing to answer questions,” he said. “I am strongly considering it because I feel like it would be good for me, but also I feel like I would want to help new students feel as welcome and

comfortable as possible.”

The requirements for applicants are that the student must be an undergraduate returning to OCU in the fall, and they must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher, Beam said.

About 50-60 students are usually accepted into the program. Applications are due by midnight Dec. 16. If the application is accepted, the student will be interviewed for specific positions the week of Jan. 17.

The application can be found on orgsync.com/71340/ forms/22848.

Campaign educates with video Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER

The Title IX coordinators worked with faculty and staff throughout the university to create a video to promote the “It’s On Us” campaign.

“It’s On Us” addresses issues related to sexual assault. What it really says is that it’s on all of us to intervene and stop it from happening, said Remy Barnett, Title IX coordinator.

The It’s On Us campaign was initiated by President Barack Obama in 2014 as an awareness campaign to put an end to sexual assault on college campuses across the nation. This came after the president noted that an estimated one-in-five women has been sexually assaulted during her college career, but only 12

percent are reported.

“Of those assaults, only 12 percent are reported, and of those reported assaults, only a fraction of the offenders are punished,” the president noted in his speech during the campaign launch on Sept. 19, 2014.

The campaign’s goal is to get men and women to take a pledge to prevent sexual assault.

Faculty and staff from different disciplines across campus created a video to educate students on the campaign that will be shared through email later this week.

“One thing I am very excited about in the video is that it showcases the expansion of Title IX resource team,” Barnett said.

“We’ve recently expanded

to be able to work across the whole campus, including the law school, and it’s really exciting for me to see this program grow.”

There aren’t any other events planned at this time for It’s On Us, but the Title IX office is planning to continue to work with the campaign and grow and expand its presence on campus.

“I went to visit my boyfriend this weekend at West Point, and I noticed that they were all wearing the It’s On Us T-shirts,” said Katie Sperry, music theater junior.

“I love that we’re participating too, and I think it’s great that this issue is being addressed nationally.”

“

Elina Moon Student Publications

May the best player win

Vladimir Kalajdzic, economics junior, hits the ball back during the intramural sports table tennis tournament on Nov.

7 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. Next semester, basketball, dodgeball, table tennis, soccer, and sand volleyball tournaments will be offered as intramural sports. For more information email Josh Hall, director of student life, intramural sports and recreation, at jhall@okcu.edu.

Project 21 prepares for its last concert of the semester Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER

Project 21 just finished its third concert and is preparing for the last concert of the semester. There will be an additional four concerts presented next semester.

Project 21: Music for the 21st Century is a student-run organization where student composers of all majors get the opportunity to showcase pieces of music that they’ve written.

Project 21 hosts four free concerts per semester and presents a variety of musical genres like chamber music, music theater, film scoring, and choral pieces.

“I like to tell people that if they don’t like a piece, just wait for the next one because they’re always new and they’re always different,” said Dr. Edward Knight, composer-in-residence and director of music composition.

Project 21 collaborates across disciplines of OCU throughout the year. Composers will collaborate with five student choreographers and dancers to perform a show to their original music in January. Most recently, the music of two student composers was featured in TheatreOCU’s production of The Crucible.

November 16, 2016

Music by your peers is the most current music you’re going to hear, and if you don’t like anything at the concert, then you probably just don’t like music.

Dr. Edward Knight composer-in-residence director of music composition

“We really allow the composers to have their own voice and write all styles of music,” Knight said. “We often have musical theater majors who double major in composition and only want to write music theater, but I tell them if you want to work, and everyone does, it’s good to know how to write everything. We try to expose the students to different styles and give them a chance to do everything.”

Concerts are typically an hour long and feature eight to 12 pieces of music, all written by students.

“I feel like other composition programs don’t get the same

opportunities that we do here because we can have anything we write be performed,” said Craig Ford, composition and education freshman.

“Other universities go through a long process to have their pieces chosen, but we are all student organized, meaning Dr. Knight doesn’t have complete say. It’s really a positive experience for us, and I feel it’s important to have our music read by live musicians.”

The next concert will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Medium Rehearsal Hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center. Admission is free to the public.

“Everyone is welcome,” Knight said. “Music by your peers is the most current music you’re going to hear, and if you don’t like anything in the concert, then you probably just don’t like music.”

Next semester’s Project 21 schedule can be found at project21composers.com/concerts.

3

news

Elina Moon Student Publications

Elina Moon Student Publications

Up with the matriarchy Caroline Stella and Joanne Hoch, acting juniors, make fun of oversexualizing women during the first performance by The Matriarchy at 9 p.m. Nov. 10 in Studio D in the Gold Star Memorial Building. Stella started The Matriarchy, which is the university’s first student-led, all-female sketch comedy group.

Above: Joanne Hoch, acting junior, walks around with no arms during the first performance by The Matriarchy.

Hoch is one of six members who each write their own sketches and meet weekly to collaborate, critique and improve on each others’ work. The sketch troupe plans to host two shows next semester.

Broadway star to return to campus Chandler White STAFF WRITER

With decades of experience on and off Broadway, and with one Tony Award-and several nominations-Alumna Kelli O’Hara will return to campus.

Students will have the opportunity of witnessing a live lecture and performance by O’Hara, along with Jan McDaniel, professor of music, at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel.

“All of Kelli’s concerts involve a certain narrative that she shares with the audience,” McDaniel said. “A lot of times, the repertoire includes songs that she has written, often about her family and experiences.”

Made possible by the Martha Jean Lemon series, O’Hara’s visit will be slightly different from those of the past. In addition to a presentation on her life, her Broadway experience and the lessons learned along the way, O’Hara and McDaniel will collaborate in a small concert event to be performed in the campus chapel.

“

O’Hara has made numerous appearances at the university before, but has amassed even more experience since her last visit. She was named a 2016 Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee on May 19, and she performed at Carnegie Hall last month. At the concert, O’Hara performed some new original material that, though it is currently undecided, she may potentially perform for the students on campus.

“She and I have not narrowed down exactly what we’re going to do just yet,” McDaniel said. “But I’m sure her new material will at least be discussed as a possibility for the concert.”

Students in the schools of performance have expressed strong excitement for the upcoming visit, especially due to the fact that admission and seating will be free to the public.

“I am so excited for the performance,” said Katy Yates, acting sophomore. “It’s something that is so uniquely OCU, to the point where I even have friends from other colleges asking if they can come.”

Donovan Lawson Student Publications

Kelli and I Alumna Kelli O’Hara performs with Jan McDaniel, professor of music, on piano during a fundraising concert for children’s theater Feb. 29 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Officials seek student participation in strategic planning Zoe Travers STAFF WRITER

The university is in the process of strategic planning, which will help university leaders in decision-making and budget priorities.

Kelly Meredith, director for institutional research, is the product manager for the committee and is in charge of gathering information for the strategic plan.

Meredith heads the steering committee, which deals with planning focus groups to gauge opinions of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

The university started with strategic planning not too long after the prioritization process. Prioritization allowed officials to see where university money was being spent and determine if changes should be made to academic and support programs.

Officials are working with Huron Consulting Group to gather resources for the new strategic plan.

“They’re the facilitators,” Meredith said. “They have a structure and an outline, and they make sure we’re staying on track.”

OCU reached out to Huron after releasing a request for proposal. They found that Huron met their needs because they have worked with the University of Oklahoma in Norman more than once and have a lot of experience in higher education strategic planning.

Through Thanksgiving Break, the strategic planning committee will be gathering information and collecting data, and will host weekly strategic planning focus groups.

Meredith encourages students to sign up for the focus groups so that the committee can gain a better perspective about what students need.

If you want your voice heard, these focus groups are the best way because the committee actually cares what students have to say.

Nic Rhodes economics/finance senior

“I understand that students are busy, but I want to encourage them to be involved,” Meredith said.

The first focus group met Nov. 3, with the participation of one student.

The next focus group will be hosted from 1-2 p.m. Nov. 17.

“We are really hoping for more people to come out, but we will make an offer available for students who cannot attend,” Meredith said.

During focus groups, students are asked what the university is doing well, what the university could do better, why they enrolled, what they would change about the university, and how they think education is going to change.

Meredith said it is important that the committee understands how technology and education are changing because they want to meet the needs of students.

Interim Provost Kent Buchanan sent out an email Nov. 1 with an attached survey to gauge student opinion about upcoming focus groups. They received good feedback from the survey, but few students signed up for the focus groups, Meredith said.

Suzy Newsom, university studies freshman, said she is not

interested in participating in the focus groups because she does not have time, but she advises students to participate if they can.

“I think it would give a good overall opinion of the university and what they could be doing better, so I know that the money that I’m giving them is being spent wisely,” Newsom said.

If she could change anything about the university, she would improve the meals, she said.

Newsom said that she feels like OCU will gain popularity among prospective students because an increase in social media coverage will allow students to see how impressive the music theater program is.

Nic Rhodes, economics/finance senior and SGA president, is a part of the steering committee and is the only student who has participated in a focus group thus far.

He said that most of their feedback from students is about improving the wifi and addressing problems with housing.

The steering committee is focusing on having conversations about updating the university’s mission statement.

“The biggest thing we want to do is figure out OCU’s identity,” Rhodes said. “I don’t think we ever really lost it, but we’re just finding more of what describes us.”

Rhodes encourages students to participate in the upcoming focus groups.

“If you want your voice heard, these focus groups are the best way because the committee actually cares what students have to say,” he said.

Students can email Meredith at kmeredith@okcu.edu if they are interested in joining a focus group.

Film department hosts semiweekly film screenings Prisca Lynch STAFF WRITER

Students have the opportunity to watch movies they might never have even seen or heard about.

Members of the film department have been screening films at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday nights.

Tyler Pedersen and Aaron Stafford, film production juniors, pick a movie to show on Tuesdays. Bryan CardinalePowell, moving image arts chairman, picks the movie for Sunday nights.

They said the idea behind it is just for people to watch November 16, 2016

entertaining, highly-rated films on a big screen in a movie theater setting.

“So far, we’ve been doing a mix of foreign and arthouse films with the occasional thematic showing,” Pedersen said.

“We just showed the film Sing Street, an Irish pop film. We plan to show some Swedish and Icelandic film in December, calling the series Cold Cinema.”

The tradition began with the renovation of the movie theater space in the east wing of Dawson-Loeffler Science and Mathematics Center.

The goal is to have a steady stream of movie screenings to make the most of the space,

officials said. It’s a chance to experience critically-acclaimed films that students have never seen or even heard of.

“I like that they are choosing to show films that not everyone might have necessarily known about otherwise,” said Franziska Harms, acting junior.

Other films shown this semester include Career Girls, Tokyo Story and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

All students are welcome to attend the screenings.

Elina Moon Student Publications

Play on!

Nayely Ramos, instrumental music education sophomore, and Raylin Couts, cello performance junior, perform Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni, K. 527 at the orchestra concert Nov. 12 in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. At the concert, the orchestra also played Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, op. 74 in B minor. The next orchestra concert is Jan. 20. Each concert includes a pre-concert talk 30 minutes before the performance.

4