Oct. 21, 2020

THE CAMPUS

October 21, 2020 – Volume 114 Issue

Presidential search firm hosts forums tant for Spelman Johnson, hosted and led the student meetings. Abby Banks, political science/philosophy/economics junior and Student Government Association president, moderated the meetings.

The forums started with Heffernan and Kenney introducing themselves and Spelman Johnson to the students and explaining what the selection process for the new president will look like.

“Once we finish the stakeholder conversations, we’ll draft a series of documents that sort of enumerate the themes that we heard and help us to sort of define and articulate what’s important when we identify candidates for the role,” Heffernan said in the meeting.

Paul Dower

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The search firm chosen by the Presidential Search Committee recently hosted virtual stakeholder forums.

Spelman Johnson, the search firm in charge of selecting a pool of university president candidates, hosted several forums with students, faculty and staff to gather information on the qualities the campus community would like to see in a future university president. The student stakeholder meetings were 11 a.m. Oct. 9 and 9 a.m.

Oct. 12 via Zoom.

Ellen Heffernan, president of Spelman Johnson, and Anne-Marie Kenney, consul-

Heffernan said Spelman Johnson will launch a full, nationwide search for candidates based on the conversations in the stakeholder meetings. As they start building a pool of candidates, Heffernan said Spelman Johnson and the Presidential Search Committee will review and interview the candidates. Heffernan said the new president will ideally be chosen in March of 2021.

“The timeline for this, we are sort of finalizing that right now. We anticipate launching the search toward the end of October/the start of November, and then we’ll recruit all the way through until January. And from there, we will start to work with the search committee,” Heffernan said in the meeting.

“Ultimately, the Board of Trustees will make

the decision.”

After their introduction, Heffernan and Kenney asked the attending students questions, such as what challenges and opportunities a new university president might have with OCU, if it would matter to students if the president was not from Oklahoma, and what draws students to OCU. The forum ended with a Q&A session led and moderated by Banks.

Presidential search continued on 3

ESA application frustrates students

Lifestyles

Some say forms, questions are invasive, discouraging Francesca Iacovacci

NEWS EDITOR

Sou�ce: Homecoming Committee Homecoming events will be hosted virtually this year. (Page 2)

Opinion

Cou�tesy o� �ca�eco�ds.com

Columnist reviews Alicia Keys’ new album, “ALICIA.” (Page 4)

Arts & Entertainment

Stephen Jackson Student Publications The first OCU Theatre production experi-

Some students have had difficulty getting approval for emotional support animals.

The university website’s emotional support animal policy states ESAs are defined as animals that provide emotional support that alleviate one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. In order to apply for an ESA, students fill out a series of forms, provide documentation from a healthcare or psychological provider which demonstrates a potential benefit for the student from having an ESA, and answer questions about the students’ specific needs and circumstances.

Some students have found the process unnecessarily difficult because they were asked questions that were too invasive and were required to give more information than was stated in the university’s policies.

Lauren Micke, music theater junior, said she had difficulty getting approval for an ESA. She said she was told she needed to provide more information after submitting the required forms.

“I gave them two doctors notes, and they said, ‘well, a lot of people have seasonal anxiety and depression or only have it at certain times in their lives, and it’s up to Disability Services to decide whether or not this is different for you.’ They basically called my doctor’s note say-so,” she said.

Micke said a doctor’s note should be enough proof to get approval for an ESA. “I just think if a doctor thinks you should have a service or accommodation given to you, your doctor knows you better than anybody else, so I don’t think a stranger should be able to decide if you

actually have a condition or not and how severe it is,” she said.

Bonni Alpert, interim disability and access consultant, wrote in an email she believes the issue surrounding ESAs is an important one for disabilities in higher education.

She declined to interview due to being a temporary private consulting assistant for the university until someone fills the permanent position.

Dr. Talia Carroll, vice president for diversity and inclusion, said the required questions, and documentation from a medical provider, give Disability Services a good understanding of how a student is impacted by their disability.

An appropriate determination is based on the impact, the degree of the impact and the nature of the relationship between the student and the provider.

Felicia Stalzer, acting junior, said she applied for an ESA and submitted a letter from her doctor.

Stalzer then said she was then told to answer questions about her need which she said she felt were invasive to her privacy.

Micke also said she felt uncomfortable answering the questions she was required to answer.

“They wanted to know what medications I was on and what would happen if I didn’t have an ESA with me. My doctor didn’t want to give them that information over a piece of paper because that’s super personal,” she said. “I basically just felt very invalidated because, first of all, to admit that you have a disability and ask for help is a pretty big step for people, especially someone with anxiety. It just made me feel very invalidated and like I didn’t actually have anxiety, which my doctor says I do.”

Stalzer said she understands this process is not specific to OCU.

Duke Bartholomae Submitted

“ESA privileges have been abused across the board at all universities, so this is pretty much from a higher up voice,” she said. “That’s been pretty enlightening about how universities approach mental health. It’s an issue everywhere.”

Carroll said the questions students are asked to determine the impact of the disability are standard for all Disability Services in the United States and in universities across the country.

“I think any part of the Disability Services accommodation process could be perceived as intrusive if people haven’t really been a part of the process or aren’t clear on why this information is needed,” she said. “I, personally, do not see them as intrusive, and I think if I were

needing and wanting to be clear about what my support needs were, I would want to provide as much information as possible.”

Carroll said she understands ESAs are helpful for many people to mitigate a lot of the effects of a disability. She said distinguishing between legitimate need and students who would like to have a furry companion presents a challenge in making ESA determinations.

Carroll said the diversity and inclusion team’s aim is to reduce barriers as much as possible.

ESA contined on 3

enced streaming difficulties. (Page 5)

Students describe feeling fatigued due to lack of breaks Sports

Jessica Vanek

LIFESTYLES EDITOR

Cou�tesy o� OCUspo�ts.com

The pom team has adjusted to socially distant practices. (Page 6)

M MEDIAOCU.com

Students report feeling fatigued after midterms.

Students throughout the OCU community are expressing feelings of stress, exhaustion and being overwhelmed due to the semester not having any breaks until winter break.

Kat Shehan, design and production junior, said it was difficult moving directly from quarantine to non-stop work.

“I’m incredibly stressed out. I just closed ‘Spamalot,’ which we had been working on since the beginning of the semester, and I just started prep week for a new show,” Shehan said.

Shehan said she has noticed a change in her work quality, and she is using hobbies and social

connection to help cope with stress.

“It’s not the usual quality that I like to turn in. It’s not bad, but I just don’t have the physical energy to spend on assignments like I used to,” Shehan said. “I’m doing puzzles now, I talk to my friends often, and that’s really all I got.”

Shehan said she hopes OCU will help students who feel fatigued.

“I just hope whoever makes the decisions on how breaks go actually sees how the students are doing and takes that into consideration,” she said.

Emily Fruendt, theatre and performance senior, said a semester without breaks is difficult.

“It feels more overwhelming than past semesters,” Fruendt said. “Even though it’s technically shorter and we have hybrid classes, it’s extremely stressful. It’s quite difficult to separate relaxation

time from school because of the hybrid online aspect.”

Fruendt said she’s been trying to take time off from technology.

“Recently, I’ve been trying to have moments in the day where I don’t look at a screen, even if that means cleaning my room, just so I can relax my eyes for a bit. I have the meditation app ‘Headspace’, which has been helpful.”

Fruendt said the stress she’s feeling is a combination of multiple issues.

Fatigue continued on 2

Finding peace

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See photos of the Stage II production of “Women of Lockerbie” Columnist reviews famous “West Wing” episode, “The Debate.”

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lifestyles

Josh Robinson

OCU Communications O�fice

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day Left: Brent Greenwood (Chickasaw/Ponca)(left), performs with Russ Tallchief (Osage)(center) and Mewayseh Greenwood (Chickasaw/ Ponca/Ote Missouria)(right) for Indigenous Peoples Day. The event was streamed via Zoom and featured music, dance and art.

Above: DG Smalling (Choctaw), presents artwork for President Martha Burger. Smalling is known for his continuous, one-line technique.

Committee moves events to online platform Hannah Prentice STAFF WRITER

be “Press Play.”

Levi Harrel, dean of students, said the university and the Homecoming Committee are working toward a virtual solution the best they can while keeping the week entertaining and enjoyable.

“The Office of Student Engagement, in collaboration with the Homecoming Committee, is planning a virtual week of events in hopes of engaging our campus community and keeping alive that Homecoming spirit, but to do that in a fun and safe way,” Harrel said.

Allison Hudson, assistant director of student engagement, said she has been working with the students on the Homecoming Committee to make sure this year’s events are as productive and fun as possible.

“

The OCU Homecoming Committee decided to make many of this year’s Homecoming events virtual.

Homecoming, a series of events fostering community through competition between student and Greek Life organizations, usually consists of a series of in-person events. At the end of the week, winning organizations are selected for the Homecoming court. Mandates from the school to limit the spread of COVID-19 now prevent event gatherings of more than 10 people.

An Oct. 6 email to the campus community from the Homecoming Committee stated the theme for this year’s Homecoming will

“Even though Homecoming is now virtual, I think you’ll find that there are still ways for students to engage, connect and feel a part of something, even though we have shifted to a virtual platform,” Hudson said. “There’s still plenty of connections student-to-student and student-to-alumni, as well as seeing some of your old favorites reinvented maybe, incorporating both old and hopefully new traditions into the week.”

Trae Trousdale, mass communications/political science senior and executive director of Homecoming, said he hopes people still choose to engage with the events planned for the week, even in the virtual format.

“Our initial team was selected mid-March this past year, and so we had great plans for Home-

Sou�ce: Homecoming Committee

coming that were made right at the onset of the pandemic, so we believed that surely it would be over by the time Homecoming rolled around, where we could still do everything how we have in the past,” Trousdale said.

Trousdale said Homecoming week will still start with a virtual kickoff celebration Oct. 26. Homecoming will happen Oct. 26-30.

SGA organizes food pantry for elementary school Jessica Vanek

LIFESTYLES EDITOR

A Student Government Association member is organizing a food pantry to benefit elementary school students.

Nicholas Sayegh, marketing finance freshman, serves as the deputy secretary of policies and initiatives for SGA. Sayegh is working on “OCU loves OKC,” an initiative which will implement a food pantry at Martin Luther King Elementary.

Sayegh said the initiative is one of many he is working on. He said the initiatives aim to involve OCU directly with the surrounding community of Oklahoma City.

“I started two food pantries at my high school,” he said. “One in three kids are

One in three kids are hungry in Oklahoma, and the state of Oklahoma is in the top 10 for hunger.

Nicholas Sayegh

deputy secretary of policies and initiatives Student Government Association

hungry in Oklahoma, and the state of Oklahoma is in the top 10 for hunger. I was an inner city, under-resourced student, which is why I’m really focused on this initiative.”

Sayegh said the food drive will be Nov. 9-13. SGA will be accepting monetary donations as well as non-perishable food donations.

“The plan right now is to have it be a competition between student organiza-

tions on campus and provide incentives to encourage people to participate. But, even if you’re not in an organization, we’d love your support,” he said.

Sayegh said he is making plans to coordinate a safe drop off with the elementary school to adhere to COVID19 guidelines.

“Now that I have more of an opportunity to do so, I want to do it on a wider scale across the city,” he said.

“This is the first part, and if everything goes to plan, I’d like to start a mentorship program with high schools, preferably helping students in marginalized communities to give them an idea of higher education.”

Sayegh plans to support MLK Elementary for the fall semester and choose a different school for the spring semester.

Jake Harrell, English/ religious education junior, said, as a local Oklahoman, he has noticed the food crisis in OKC. “Oklahoma City has been struggling with food deserts.

I’ve seen firsthand what a great food pantry can do for a community,” Harrell said.

“Not only that, but there are really people who don’t eat three meals a day. We

have a government that isn’t working for the people right now, so it’s really hard to seek help in our society.”

Harrell said based on the success of the University of Oklahoma’s food pantry, OCU can make a great impact on the community.

“The OU food pantry started out really small, but now it has grown into a massive thing that has a lot of different aspects of the community involved. It grew from this idea to a huge part of the town. It’s just incredible. I love how OCU has so much potential with an idea like this,” Harrell said.

Harrell said OCU’s location plays an important role in potential philanthropy work.

“OCU is located in such a diverse location already,

Fatigue

they need to do, but it’s getting more difficult for them to handle the workload they’ve had in the past.”

Windholz said she has advice for overwhelmed students.

“My recommendation is to pace yourself, especially for the upperclassmen and those who have had a break before in the past,” Windholz said. “That also includes communicating with your professors. If you’re struggling, it might be good to reach out to your professors to ask for a little more time.

Even if they say no, at least you are advocating for yourself.”

Windholz said students should also make sure to sleep, eat, drink water and avoid excessive caffeine intake. Students can redefine their standards, she said.

“It is OK to change your definition of ‘best.’ In the past, you may have had an idea of what your best work looked like, and it’s OK to adjust that in this time and not compare yourself to what you’ve done in the past,” Windholz said. “It’s OK to be nice to yourself.”

Continued from 1 “Right now, it’s not only school stress, but the weight of the world,” Fruendt said. “I encourage people to go vote if they are upset about how they are feeling right now.”

Luis Sanchez, music education junior, said the fatigue of the semester has only recently affected him.

“It was fine at the beginning. Around midterms it was catching up to me: all of these essays and projects and tests to study for. I would not do as well on some things just so I could do other things,” Sanchez said.

“I would do a crappy discussion post in order to study for a test in a different class.”

Sanchez said he thinks the emotional tension students feel is valid and could be remedied by a small break, even if it required a mandate to remain on campus.

“Breaks are necessary,” Sanchez said. “I understand they want to keep people from traveling and getting exposed to the virus, but it would be cool if the school offered some sort of break.”

Sanchez said he has looked for spiritual ways to relieve stress.

“I’ve been looking into meditation things. I started praying more, and it’s sort 2

and where we are now, it’s a beautiful place to be. We could do something to help our homeless and struggling neighbors, and even our struggling students,” Harrell said. “If we can do our part and be good neighbors, that’s wonderful for us and for everybody.”

Sayegh said he hopes students will participate in the food drive.

“I would just encourage the OCU community, if you’re going out to buy Halloween candy, even one can of food is a meal for a child,” Sayegh said. “It’s a big deal in this community, especially in the pandemic.”

of helped,” Sanchez said. “Sometimes when I’m super stressed about work, I’ll stop for a second and just speak to whoever’s listening, whether it be God or anyone in the room.

Talking about it helps.”

Mindy Windholz, director of university

Jessica Vanek Student Publications

counseling, said she has noticed students’ attitudes have changed.

“I’ve noticed that the students are really starting to feel more tired and starting to feel less motivated,” Windholz said. “They still have good attitudes and are still doing what October 21, 2020

news Campus tech upgrades Cokesbury network Luke Barrett

MANAGING EDITOR

Campus technology services are updating the wireless internet network in the Cokesbury Court Apartments.

Chris Craig, campus network engineer, said the changes have included replacing outdated hardware and adding more access points in Cokesbury. Access points broadcast a Wi-Fi signal, and increasing the number of AP units increases the system’s coverage and signal strength. They prevent bandwidth loss, which can come from many devices connecting to a network simultaneously. Access points were added to the final residence building on Sept.

30, Craig said.

Craig said the updates were planned for the summer, but they were delayed due to the university closure. He said the need to update immediately became apparent due to the increased use of Wi-Fi for Zoom purposes.

Updates are being made as hardware becomes available and is shipped to campus, he said.

“The other thing that is challenging now, of course, is that a lot of this hardware is sitting in shipping containers off the coast of California, not being delivered,” Craig said.

Shipping is delayed due to COVID-19.

Craig said the next step for updating Cokesbury will be continuing to replace outdated hardware. He said the university is now able to do this because they recently acquired ownership of Cokesbury. The update will involve more than doubling the number of access points currently in Cokesbury after the recent updates, rewiring the network with increased-bandwidth cables which allow for transportation of more data, and replacing the network switches in the network.

“That place will be lit up like a Christmas tree,” he said. “In fact, I would venture to say that Cokesbury might go from one of the most challenged Wi-Fi areas to one of the best, and I kind of hope we can use that as an example going forward, but we’ll see what comes of that.”

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Annie Bragg Student Publications

Craig said these updates will occur over winter break because they necessitate ripping out drywall to access the wiring which is currently tied to the studs in the walls. Network switches are hubs for wiring connections that communicate between the access points and the network switches in the campus technology department, which are then connected to internet services. Changing the network switches will increase the network bandwidth,

The construction of small closets on the exterior of residence halls is part of the next phase of Cokesbury upgrades, Craig said.

“Those are going to house the network switches. As of right now, our network switches are in one of the rooms in each building, which, of course, provide a nice amount of heat and noise for whoever happens to be living in that room. Not desirable. And of course, if I need to go manage that switch in any way, physically, then I have to ask someone to come into their room, stand on their bed, whatever, ladder, lean over their bed. It’s just not ideal for anyone,” Craig said.

The new network switches will be wired to the external closets so they can be accessed without needing to enter dorm rooms, and so the switches do not cause unwanted noise or heat for residents.

Craig said some of the network outages this semester have been due to the updates for the Wi-Fi because of the software upgrades needed to control the newly installed hardware. Craig said further large-scale outages should not be expected, but some area outages may occur for hardware changes. Campus technology services will work to schedule those after-hours so they don’t interrupt classes.

“I’m pretty excited for a lot of the updates, particularly in Cokesbury, and I hope the students enjoy what they end up with. And as always, especially when we say that we’re through with the updates, we definitely want to hear feedback from the students,” Craig said.

Molly Shottenkirk, English junior, said she has occasionally experienced issues with the Wi-Fi, which can be sporadic. She said she was aware of updates to the Wi-Fi across campus, but not any to Cokesbury specifically.

“I really hope that it helps or that it improves significantly,” she said.

Students can contact campus tech with feedback by emailing them at helpdesk@ okcu.edu.

Craig said.

Craig said access points will continue to be added to other residence halls and buildings on campus throughout the semester, but those projects will be less intensive due to the need for hardware replacement.

Craig said much of the timeline for further projects depends on the availability of hardware and where OCU is on waiting lists for those items.

ESA I just hope that, as people go through our processes, they do “I just hope that, as understand we’re not trying to people go through our pro- create any barriers for folks.

Continued from 1

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Stephen Jackson Student Publications

Swaddled in sorrow

Christopher Patten, acting sophomore (far left) portraying “Bill Livingston,” Cozy Cozart, acting senior (middle left) portraying “Olive,” Sophia Boyer, acting sophomore (middle right) portraying “Woman #1,” and Sydnee Lasseigne, acting junior (far right) portraying “Woman #2,” share remorse for the dead passengers of Pan Am Flight 103, which crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland, in the Stage II production of “The Women of Lockerbie.” For more photos from the socially distant performance, visit MediaOCU.com.

Presidential search Continued from 1 Reid Powell, political science junior and vice president of SGA, said the meeting went well.

“I really appreciated that Spelman Johnson seemed to really care about what students had to say and how students felt about who we should hire as our next president of the university,” Powell said.

Powell said he brought up some of his concerns about the lack of student and appropriate staff representation on the Presidential Search Committee during the forum. To read Powell’s letter to the editor regarding this representation, see page 4.

“If there’s no staff or student on that search committee, how can we know for certain that the issues we’re presenting in this meeting are actually being taken seriously within the Presidential Search Committee,” he said. “I want to make sure that all voices are being heard and considered.”

Abby Banks said one of the most important qualities she would like to see in the next OCU president is servant leadership, a quality which she admires about current OCU President Martha Burger.

“That’s something that I really value as an individual, something that I want to carry throughout my life, is servant leadership,” Banks said. “I’m graduating this year, so even though I won’t be here whenever that next president is going to be here, I think it is really October 21, 2020

This is something that is going to have a direct impact on campus life for the next four years at least.

cesses, they do understand that we’re not trying to create any barriers for folks, and we really want to be as accessible and helpful as possible,” Carroll said.

Mindy Windholz, director of university counseling, said, without proper documentation it’s difficult for Disability Services to decide if a student just wants their pet on campus or if they have a diagnosed mental health concern that prescribing an ESA would be beneficial for. She said the approval depends on the physician or counselor writing the ESA prescription and whether they can provide the accurate documentation of the disability and why it’s important for a student to have an ESA. She said she understands students’ frustrations with the ESA approval process.

She said the process is distressing because students feel like an ESA will be beneficial, but the process is extensive and not as easy as they may expect.

Dr. Talia Carroll diversity and inclusion vice president

“Students really want to find that comfort, and they want to be able to have the things that bring them joy, and especially right now, this is a difficult time and we all could benefit from some comfort,” she said.

Windholz said students have appreciated the opportunity to have an ESA on campus. Though university counselors don’t prescribe ESAs, she said emotional support animals can help students cope. She said students seeking an ESA have gone through counseling or found a pet can help them manage their symptoms based on personal experience.

“The reason most people seek ESAs is for comfort, specifically to address their anxiety or depression,” she said. “And so, they’re looking for another way to cope,

and perhaps it is part their treatment plan, or perhaps it is the only part of their treatment plan.”

Windholz said even though she can’t provide ESA prescription letters, she encourages students to take advantage of university counseling services. To contact campus counseling, readers can call 405-208-7901 or email Chloe Roby, counseling administrative assistant, at croby@okcu.edu.

Carroll said students who want to apply for an ESA or any other disability service should visit the current disability service’s website and fill out the OKCU Disability Information Form. Students will then go through an interactive process with Alpert to discuss their disability and needs.

Trae Trousdale

mass communications/political science senior

important to continue that legacy.”

Trae Trousdale, mass communications/ political science senior, attended both the Oct. 9 and 12 forums. He said it is important for students to engage with the presidential selection process.

“This is something that is going to have a direct impact on campus life for the next four years at least,” Trousdale said. “A new president is a large impact in the direction of the institution, and so I think, as of right now, this is the only time that we’ve been clued in to the fact that students are going to be listened to and students have that representation, and this is the only time we have a guaranteed voice because it is happening as we speak.”

For more information on the Presidential Search Committee or the search itself, students, staff and faculty can visit the Presidential Search Committee page on the OCU website.

Coming to a university near you

Stephen Jackson Student Publications

Coming to a university near you The upcoming movie “Out of Exile” films in the parking lot of the Flamingo Apartments on 23rd street across from Oklahoma City University. The movie is written and directed by Kyle Kauwika Harris. Filming occurred Oct. 8 and Oct. 15. The OCU police department emailed all members of the campus community about the filming, as it involved the use of firearms and dealt with violent crime.

3

opinion

Officials should ease ESA application policies Many students who live on campus have emotional support animals. However, some students are now experiencing difficulties applying to get a registered emotional support animal so they can bring it on campus.

See page 1 for the full story.

Campus housing has reasonably strict policies regarding unauthorized animals on campus. Without registering an approved ESA, housing staff, facilities staff and resident assistants may find themselves having an allergic reaction or accidentally letting loose an animal they didn’t know was in a dorm room.

However, this should not be a reason to make the process of applying for an ESA more difficult. The process is already a rigorous one, and providing all the necessary personal health information to the university will allow for disability services to properly document and accommodate students’ needs.

There should be no need for the process to be distressing or invasive.

For individuals with mental illness, validation is often a struggle. The world we live in is still defined and controlled through ableist language and thought, and discrimination against neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities still occurs regularly.

For people living with a disability, it can be

difficult to remind themselves that their problems are valid when society makes light of them and refuses to treat them seriously.

In such cases, creating an arduous and difficult process for people to “prove” they need an ESA can be invalidating and discouraging for people who need extra support.

Yes, the ESA rule has been abused at universities. People enjoy having their pets with them. However, by creating such stringent rules to prevent people who don’t need pets from having them, the university process has disregarded the needs of its neurodivergent and disabled community members.

Why should it not be easy to obtain an ESA? If there are policies in place to handle registered ESAs, would an increase in ESAs cause an issue for housing officials? Creating a more lax policy regarding ESAs on campus would likely encourage students to register their animals instead of hiding them and hoping for the best.

By creating an easier process, the university would not be letting students have pets because they want them. They would be providing support for their students and community members when it’s needed most.

Talk Back “What show are you currently watching?”

“The Office”

“‘The Game’

Bailey Webb psychology senior

Chassiti Oglesby exercise science junior

“The 100”

“I'm rewatching ‘Psych.’”

and ‘Designated Survivor’”

Alejandro Viera political science/ psychology sophomore

Catherine Garcia music theater sophomore

“Any anime on Hulu"

“The Handmaid's Tale”

Ilijah Coleman elementary education senior

Francesca Savone dance freshman

SGA VP encourages OCU to value student input I came to Oklahoma City University because I believed that I would have the opportunity to “Create, Lead, and Serve.” I truly believed that by choosing OCU, I was going to be at a university that valued its students for more than just their tuition dollars — where I would be in a close community of people, all learning and growing together. However, in recent weeks I have had growing concerns about the university and their value in students’ voices.

It was announced on Aug. 3 that President Martha Burger would be retiring from our university effective June 30, 2021. I was saddened to hear this, but excited for the next direction our university would be headed under the leadership of a new president. Four weeks later, the Board of Trustees announced who would be serving on the Presidential Search Committee. I was in awe when I learned that the names of students and staff members were not included on that list.

OCU prides itself on the community they have created through their vision of “providing a student-focused learning environment and an inclusive, values-centered culture that engages the community and the world.” How can a university be “student-focused” when they have excluded two of our largest stakeholder populations from the table, during one of our universities most crucial decisions?

Our campus would not be what it is without the hard work of our staff members and community of passionate students.

I have seen firsthand the trust issues that our students have with our university’s administration,

their concerns with the administration’s ability to effectively and efficiently communicate. Throughout my time at OCU, I have given the university grace at times. I have understood that a thoughtful response can take time. But how will students have genuine trust in an institution that has given its students a reason to question whether or not their opinions are being taken into consideration?

I appreciate that the Presidential Search Committee has offered forums for both students and staff to voice their opinions on the decision of the next president of our university. However, all members of our campus community will be

impacted in some way by the next president of our university. How can we, the student body, be certain that those in power will take our concerns to heart if we haven’t been offered a seat at the table?

My life has been directly impacted by the compassion and leadership shown by President Burger in the past three years. My hope is that this Presidential Search Committee will be able to choose a president who is willing to help raise the next generation of leaders in our world.

A president who is willing to give up attending a Thunder game on a Saturday night to let my President’s Leadership Class tape her to a wall to raise money for Miracle Marathon. A president that will continue to embody servant leadership in the same way President Burger has.

My vision is that the next president of Oklahoma City University is chosen because of their ability to care for and invest in students.

That they will be committed to continuing the path of making

our school the best that it can be.

A president that is eager to step into a vibrant community, where passionate students are studying to become the next Broadway star, doctor, Rockette, and maybe even the president of the United States.

I know that my time at OCU is short — that I am only a student here for four years. But no matter where I am in life, I will always be an OCU Star. The needs within higher education will always be changing.

It is my hope that Oklahoma City University will begin to value the input of their student body while making adjustments to these needs. If OCU is able to do this, I believe that it will continue to be an institution which prides itself in being a diverse and inclusive culture preparing its students to make an impact around the world.

Reid Powell SGA Vice President

Alicia Keys’ new album is a “warm hug to the listener’s ear” Alicia Keys’ newest album is exactly what I needed this month.

The self-titled album, “ALICIA,” was released Sept. 18. The album was originally planned to debut in March, but, like so many music releases, was delayed by COVID19. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the album six months ago too, but I truly think it’s perfect for this very moment.

“ALICIA” is Keys’ seventh album, and she described it in a tweet as “genre-less.” However, if you google the album, you’ll find it’s listed as neo soul and R&B. The more I write these music reviews and research albums, I find the music of many Black artists is thrown in the ‘R&B’ bucket, even if it sounds like regular pop. I’m definitely not the first person to realize this, but I think it’s interesting to consider for this album in particular. Keys’ decision to label it as genre-less takes the spotlight away from these limiting categories. Instead, attention is placed on the message of the lyrics and the overall mood and tone of the album.

The common element the songs share is the sheer authenticity they

Francesca Iacovacci is a music theater senior from Clearwater, Fl. She loves zoodles, “Jeopardy!” and a good poop joke.

reflect. As the earth seems to rotate faster each day and heavy news is piled on us to our breaking points, the tracks slow us down and remind us to breathe. They’re intentional and offer healing in a time of need.

Keys opens the album with “Truth Without Love,” which is about emptiness in relationships when love is not at their foundation. She sings, “truth without love is just a lie.” Her clever analysis is swiftly sung over dreamy sustained chords. From the first song, I get the sense Keys is very grounded, both emotionally and vocally.

The catchiest song on the album is “Wasted Energy,” where Keys roasts an ex-boyfriend for broken promises and wasting her time.

While “Wasted Energy” is more sassy, “Gramercy Park” offers a more grounded perspective about the situation. She sings about how

she’s tried so hard to be what her partner wants her to be, she hasn’t really been herself. She realizes the relationship wasn’t healthy for either of them and comes to the conclusion that she has lost sight of herself completely.

On the flip side, Keys reclaims her wasted time and energy in “Me x 7.” She admits, “I care too much about you / More than myself sometimes.” She then repeats the word “me” seven times and demands she has to focus on herself. There’s a difference between being selfish and taking time to focus on your mental health, and I appreciate how Keys emphasizes the importance of well-being in this album.

Another notable song is “Perfect Way to Die,” a heartbreaking, and unfortunately not uncommon, story told from the perspective of a

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is a warm hug to the listener’s ear, closing the album with a feel-good, hopeful ballad. This song is once again dedicated to everyday people, “the mothers, the fathers / the teachers that reach us / strangers to friends.” Keys paints these everyday people as heroes in disguise, calling them the “engine that makes all things go” and “a light in the darkness.”

Perhaps the most moving moment of the album is the chorus that repeats the phrases, “You’re doing a good job” and “Know that you matter.” This song moved me to tears when I first heard it a few weeks ago, and still brings me comfort weeks later. If you’re having a tough time (like anyone would who is in college without breaks in the middle of a pandemic), no matter how you’re feeling today, I highly recommend giving this song a listen.

Overall, “ALICIA” is a feel-good and thoughtful masterpiece. You can find something relatable in just about every song. Extremely poignant during this pandemic, the music is comforting and makes you feel like everything is going to be OK.

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

October 21, 2020, Volume 114, Issue 4

Editor-in-chief: Paul Dower Managing Editor: Luke Barrett Photo Editor: Stephen Jackson News Editor: Francesca Iacovacci Lifestyle Editor: Jessica Vanek Arts & Entertainment Editor: Troy Freeman Sports Editor: MaKayla Baxter

mother grieving her Black son shot by the police, and protesters marching to demand justice. Telling the story from the mother’s perspective of an event like this evokes empathy from the listener and may cause some to view racial oppression and police brutality through a more human lens, rather than the political lens so many tend to see it through. This song is somber but needed, and Keys recognized her platform as a way to advocate for social justice in a beautiful way.

Co-written by Ed Sheeran, “Underdog” recognizes the hard work of those who are breaking the mold and chasing their dreams.

Keys praises not only teachers and student doctors, but also the “hustlers trading at the bus stop / single mothers waiting on a check to come.”

The chorus dedicates the song to the underdog and urges them to “rise up.” It’s always nice to be told you’re appreciated, and I love how Keys is intentional in making everyone feel included and worthy of recognition. You don’t have to be exceptional or successful to deserve love and comfort.

On a similar note, “Good Job”

Video Editors: Josh Eliot Shelby O'Brien Columnists: Luke Barrett Paul Dower Troy Freeman Francesca Iacovacci

Staff Writers: Anette Barrios-Torres, Camilo Gonzalez, Hannah Prentice, Tyler Robbins Photographers: Annie Bragg, Jessica Casebeer, Stephen Jackson, Mackenzie Shaw

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and letters 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 Suite 112 of Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

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October 21, 2020

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“Woe is Me” suffers streaming difficulties Troy Freeman ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

The first theatrical production of the semester experienced some technical difficulties with streaming.

“Woe is Me,” directed by Hal Kohlman and Lance Marsh, streamed through Stretch, a streaming service the university has used for years for various performances.

Jacob Henry, adjunct professor of sound design, was the sound designer on “Woe is Me.” He said the streaming service, Stretch, was brought in by the School of Music toward the end of the production process.

Henry said he tested his stream through a YouTube link during most of the rehearsals. He said both the YouTube test stream and the Stretch stream resulted in some delays, but Stretch needed to be refreshed more often for some users.

Henry said he also found issues with audio and video falling out of sync on the Stretch stream.

“I would step out into the lobby and watch Stretch on my phone.

What I noticed is there was the video would sometimes freeze but the audio would not. Then, eventually the video would snap back to where it was,” Henry said.

Troy Freeman Student Publications

Jackson West, acting junior, said he watched the performance from his dorm room with difficulty. He said he wished Stretch was easier to navigate and froze less frequently.

“I had to sit next to my computer on the floor while it was attached to my TV and hit pause-play to get it to continue going on,” West said.

West said he struggled with Wi-Fi in his Cokesbury Court Apartment, but when he bought an ethernet cord to connect directly into the wall, his streaming experience improved.

“It was kind of stinky because live theater doesn’t have any pauseplay issues usually, but I understand that this is something that just comes with it,” West said.

Dr. Keith Hendricks, technology coordinator for the Wanda L. Bass School of Music, said Stretch

is a system already implemented in the School of Music which was expanded for plays, musicals and operas operating differently due to COVID-19 regulations.

Hendricks said the “Woe is Me” streaming issue had a retrospectively simple solution that took a few days of troubleshooting to solve.

“The issue is we have cameras shooting at 30 frames per second.

We had our streaming software at 60 frames per second. Those two things battling each other either caused a backlog of information that just caused it to constantly freeze or caused one of the components to not talk nice to the next one,” Hendricks said.

He said resolving the frame rate issue fixed many of the buffering problems on various devices. Hendricks said the stream could have

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been even less reliable if not for the support of campus tech.

“Honestly, campus tech had helped a lot, getting us hardwired into those spaces and making sure that we were not depending on just the Wi-Fi,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks said future projects include further collaboration with directors to make as many creative camera choices as possible within the limitations.

“We’re letting the directors come up with a dream wish list of what could happen and what they’d like to see happen, and then we have a sit down of what our capabilities are and what could work,” Hendricks said.

He said one of the main challenges now is finding the personnel to operate the equipment during a show week.

“If you add one camera, that means another person has to be there for all the dress rehearsals and all the shows. In the opera, since you need subtitles on the screen, that’s an entire other person we need in that process,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks said he hope students have a good experience with all streamed productions going forward. He said Stretch is the main system now for all on-campus streaming, but two additional

services, BookTix and ShowTix4U, are also being used for ticketed productions.

“This is how we’re getting all this hard work and contact out to family, friends, patrons and loved ones. We want that to be a good experience and easy experience for all of them,” Hendricks said.

Hal Kohlman, adjunct theatre professor, said he heard from many people who could not get through the show without pausing and playing consistently, as well as at least one professor who did not have any problems at all. He said he told Hendricks about many of the streaming issues he heard about from faculty and students after the show.

He said Hendricks was given the responsibility of moving the entire performance season online with very little time. Kohlman said Hendricks put a system together which far exceeded his expectations.

“We had two cameras; we had titles that were brought in. You know, they ran the sort of commercials for the different departments in the School of Theatre. They did a lot of stuff,” Kohlman said.

School of Theatre mounts show about technology, connection Anette Barrios-Torres STAFF WRITER

The next School of Theatre show will be about digital connections.

“Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom,” is directed

by Courtney DiBello, associate professor of stage management. The play centers around a group of teenagers playing a video game taking place in their own neighborhood. As they become more engrossed in this virtual world, it begins to creep into their actual reality.

“The play is really about a lack of connection in a real way,” said DiBello, “If you only interact through screens, then how long before you can’t tell the difference between the real world and virtual?”

DiBello said she is consistently asking herself what constitutes believability because, in virtual environments, you can be anyone you want. She said we curate our online presence based on what we want our audience to see because perception is reality.

“If you’re the scared kid, you can be the brave kid. You get to choose who you are. If a friendship is created only online, then the relationship is based on un-truths. Why would anyone choose to be themself?” DiBello said.

DiBello said there are many things to keep in mind when undertaking the

directing of a production, especially now when there are so many additional protocols to follow in order to continue working through the pandemic.

She said in a time when the audience seems so physically disconnected from the work itself, the emphasis is put especially on the experience of the creative team.

Her priority is in giving the actors and crew the chance to put their process into practice, DiBello said.

“This is like the emergency room in the hospital.

I have to help the sickest patients first. I’m sorry, audience, but you don’t need this as much as my actors or designers do,” DiBello said.

“The audience is not something I can actually pull into the experience right now, so I really would like to use this text to give the students the opportunity to support the pedagogy, put into practice all they’ve been learning.”

Jackson West, acting junior playing is one of the actors in “Neighborhood 3.”

Steve is the father figure created by the game in the show.

West said the sense of community has had a very different feeling because of COVID-19 protocols.

Actors leave after their final scene ends, and there are no curtain calls, preshow rituals or post-show celebrations, he said.

“It’s been strange to lose that celebratory aspect of

If you only interact through screens, then how long before you can’t tell the difference between the real world and virtual?

Courtney DiBello stage management professor

being backstage together,” West said.

In embodying a character created by a device, West said his physical work has become especially important to the process.

“It’s funny because you’re trying to be as realistic as you can while also being a video game character. It’s like being a real-life avatar,” West said.

West said going into rehearsals with the knowledge there will be no audience has altered the experience for not just the director but also the performers.

“The way that the show was directed makes it feel a bit like a set of monologues in the sense that rather than constantly facing our partners, we often face out, knowing that the cameras are going to be what capture us, not the audience,” West said.

West said audiences are getting a taste of what the characters in the play experience by simply living during a pandemic.

“We are living virtual realities today. Even doing

Zoom classes is tricky. I know I don’t feel present,” West said, “The most important part of being in-person with someone is getting to feel their vocal energy. When there are vibrations that go from me to you in that actual moment, it’s a completely different feeling.”

West said streaming the show creates another layer which comments on how technology is intertwined with our everyday lives. “ Yo u a r e e s s e n t i a l ly watching a video game happen on stage through your own screen,” he said.

“Neighborhood 3” streams at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 – 24 via ShowTix4U. Tickets are available through the ShowTix4U portal. For information on theatre student tickets, students can visit the School of Theatre season page.

Mackenzie Shaw Student Publications

Always look on the bright side Top left: The knights of the round table and others gather as a part of the Oct. 9 - 10 Wanda L. Bass School of Music production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot: a Socially Distant Concert-ish Version.”

Top right: Jack Supan, music theater junior portraying “King Arthur” in “Spamalot,” hears a message from God telling him to search for the Holy Grail.

Left: Chloe Byars, music theater senior, performs as “The Lady of the Lake” as a part of “Spamalot.”

October 21, 2020

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sports

Women’s golf team breaks OCU program record Tyler Robbins

STAFF WRITER

The women’s golf team secured a record-breaking victory in the Southern Plains Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament.

The Stars finished the tournament on Sept. 14-15 at Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City with a 67-stroke win, setting a new program record for margin of victory.

The team filled all top five slots in the individual scoreboard.

Clair Hill, finance senior, earned her first career tournament win with a final tally of 38-35-73. Arianna Medina, marketing senior, placed second with

With all the obstacles thrown their way, they were able to compete successfully.

Marty McCauley

head women’s golf coach OCU Athletics a score of 38-37-75. Lauren Behnken, biology junior, placed third with 40-3979. McKenzie McCoy, exercise science senior, placed fourth with 39-40-79.

Rachel Eckert, elementary education junior, placed fifth with 43-39-82.

The final scores marked Hill, Medina,

McCoy and Eckert’s career best finishes.

Eckert said she attributes the team’s success to the teammates’ close relationships.

“The team dynamic is like a family.

If we were not so close and supportive of each other, we wouldn’t have been able to

come together to bring home the win,” Eckert said.

Hill said she feels blessed to be able to close her senior year and compete with her team.

“Everyone did so well. I think we really challenged ourselves this season, and our hard work paid off,” she said.

“Being able to play with my teammates was a lot of fun and very helpful because we were able to cheer each other on. This gave me a lot of energy and drive to play my best.”

Marty McCauley, head women’s golf coach, said he was happy with the win and proud of the team.

“I have watched them grow and achieve great things throughout their

years. With all the obstacles thrown their way, they were able to compete successfully,” McCauley said.

McCauley said he is thrilled with the outcome of the fall portion of the season and can’t wait to grow the team through future recruitment.

“We are in a good place,” McCauley said. “I think that has to do with the work from my girls and also the drive to play. I am confident that we will continue to compete well, and I am excited about recruiting players coming into next spring.”

Finance senior named SAC Women’s Golfer of the Week Tyler Robbins

STAFF WRITER

Clair Hill, finance senior, was named Sooner Athletic Conference women’s golfer of the week for Sept. 14-21.

Hill received the award after opening the season with a fifth-place final ranking in the Southwestern Christian Women’s Golf Classic Sept. 8-9 at Lake Hefner Golf Course in Oklahoma City, and for securing her first career tournament win in the Southern Plains Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament Sept. 14-15 at Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City. She led the Stars to a record-setting overall victory in the same tournament with the two best finishes of her career, earning a 74.33 scoring average in three rounds.

SAC players of the week are selected individually by athletic information directors within the regional league. For golf awards, eligible student athletes are chosen based on scores received in particular tournaments.

Hill is OCU’s first SAC Women’s Golfer of the Week for the 2020-21 season.

Hill said she is thankful for the award.

“My hard work in four years has come to something. I love the sport and the opportunities I’ve had because of it,” Hill said.

Hill’s previous athletic awards include Women’s Golf Coaches Association all-American scholar, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics scholar-athlete, conference scholar athlete, two-time academic all-conference athlete and two-time conference commissioner’s honor roll.

Hill said she views her team as a family and said she believes they played a large role in her success.

“Without my team, I would not have been able to get this award. They are so supportive,” Hill said. “I’ve never received an award for golf, and it’s awesome to share this win with my team.”

Marty McCauley, head women’s golf coach, said he is excited for Hill and her accomplishment.

“In Clair’s case, it’s very special to be closing her senior year holding this honor,” McCauley said.

McCauley said he believes Hill’s drive, along with her attitude both on and off the course, contributed to her continuous athletic growth and success.

“Clair really is a well-rounded student and teammate,” McCauley said. “She is always pushing herself in practices and keeps good relations with her teammates.”

McCauley said Hill, along with the rest of the women’s golf team, felt the need to compete again after their 2019-20 season was cut short due to COVID-19.

“We are so grateful that our department allowed us to compete locally this semester,” McCauley said.

“Our travel tournaments have been canceled, but we take what we can get.”

Hill said men’s and women’s golf were among the few OCU athletic teams allowed to continue the fall portion of their 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 precautions and season delays.

“Our team is very lucky to be able to play,” Hill said. “I am thrilled and grateful.”

The Stars finished the fall season with one overall win out of three tournaments. Their next tournament, scheduled for March 8-9, is the Southern Nazarene Invitational at Kickingbird Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma.

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Pom team continues to practice with updated protocols MaKayla Baxter

SPORTS EDITOR

The OCU pom/dance team will continue practicing through the rest of the fall 2020 semester.

The spirit squads were approved to resume practices following the announcement of a new campus-wide C OV I D - 1 9 re g u l a t i o n instituted Sept. 30 limiting in-person events and activities to 10 participants.

An email from the OCU Communications Office stated the regulation would affect athletic practices on a case-by-case basis and coaches would communicate updates to their teams.

Tasha Hinex, head pom coach, said OCU Athletics cleared the team to continue meeting for practices while following social distancing protocols due to the competition team’s already limited size of 12 people.

Hinex said the team is not currently prepping for competitions due to the OCU Athletics 2020-21 season delay. The delay has provided more socially distant practice opportunities than what would normally

be possible, she said.

“Since we aren’t working on any competition material, we haven’t done anything that would require us to be super close for formations,” Hinex said. “We sometimes break off into smaller groups and work separately, or have a few people dancing while everyone else is spread out and watching.”

Hinex said spirit squads may find it easier to adapt to COVID-19 regulations than other team sports.

“We can do our sport with any number of people, and there is no contact required,” Hinex said. “With basketball, for example, you have to have a specific amount of people on the court, and you are always in contact with each other and the other team. We don’t come in contact with anyone else when we dance together, and we can have as many or as few people on the floor as we need.”

Kimberly Rodriguez, nursing freshman, said practicing while following COVID-19 protocol requires a lot of physical and mental endurance.

“We have to be in the

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same mindset all the time during practices,” Rodriguez said. “Not being able to do things the way we normally would, like formations, definitely changed some things with that, and we have to work a lot harder than we normally would.”

Rodriguez said the team has worked hard over the semester to develop friendships while remaining physically distant.

“Bonds are really important when you’re dancing,” Rodriguez said. “Since I’m a freshman, I didn’t experience what the team was like last year, but I can tell it is very different. They used to meet up a lot for breakfast and stuff, but we can’t do that anymore. From the people I’ve talked to, though, our bond as a team is even stronger now because we’re all in the same position and going

through this together.”

Rodriguez said she believes the team is adapting well to the new format and season adjustments.

“It’s a different mindset,” Rodriguez said. “We’re more cautious. It’s a bit more mentally challenging because we have to alter so many things, and we’re waking up every morning not knowing what’s going to happen. The team’s championship was canceled

last season, so we know that nothing is promised, and we learned not to take things for granted.”

To keep up with news surrounding sports and the pom/dance team, people can visit OCUSports.com.

Level up Mural Artist APSE recently hosted a discussion about the mural he is painting in the new Esports arena.

The talk was Oct. 8. The Esports arena is located on the first floor of Sarkeys Science and Math Center.

Construction of the space, and the mural, are expected to be completed soon.

Stephen Jackson Student Publications

October 21, 2020

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