Oct 4 by MediaOCU

THE“CAMPUS October 4, 2017 – Volume 111 Issue 6

Students, alumni share negative campus police experiences Miguel Rios

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A black student said he was racially profiled by campus police last week, causing alumni to share stories of their own. Broderick McQuarters, flute performance sophomore, said two officers entered his room and woke him up at 2 a.m. Sept. 27, saying they were investigating a broken parking garage sensor in Methodist Hall. “They barged into my room while I was asleep. I didn’t even have clothes on. They looked at me and yelled at me to get up,” McQuarters said. RA Tom Hoblin was with the officers. Hoblin said his superiors told him not to comment about it. The officers told McQuarters they were looking for a black man. They questioned McQuarters because his truck was the last vehicle to pull into the Methodist Hall parking garage that night. “Entering my room while I’m asleep, yelling at me to get up, questioning me without any proof that it was me, and then

accusing me of the crime anyway is racial profiling,” McQuarters said. There is no report of the officers going into McQuarters’s room, Bradd Brown, chief of police, said Friday. The police report about the broken sensor only mentions one suspect-a woman who later admitted it was her. Brown said the information given to him reflects what was in the police report, which makes no mention of McQuarters. “Sometimes there’s communication that takes place that is interpreted different ways,” he said. “I would highly encourage them to call us so we can look back at those processes and what our officers have done and make sure we are following what we need to do.” McQuarters was hesitant to alert administrators because he thought they would brush it off, he said Friday. “I just had to try and move on with my day because I knew there was nothing I could do about it,” he said. “If I were to go and tell the administration or the police department, they would try and

Continue to stay strong and support each other no matter what. Standing as a unit will make more of a difference.

Broderick McQuarters flute performance sophomore

justify it.” McQuarters later met with Brown and Lesley Black, associate dean of students. McQuarters said they discussed the fact that the police report had discrepancies, namely that only one officer was involved in the sensor investigation. He said they asked him what he thought should be done. “They shouldn’t get away with it and walk away like nothing happened,” McQuarters said. “I’m not saying that they should be fired, but it shouldn’t be just a slap on the hand type of situation.” McQuarters said the incident shouldn’t have happened, but that at least people are talking about racial bias now, which means things could get better.

“Continue to stay strong and support each other no matter what,” he said. “Standing as a unit will make more of a difference.” McQuarters said he’s dealt with prejudice before and administrators need to take it more seriously. After Donald Trump was elected president, a student called McQuarters and his friends “the N-word,” he said. “The reason why I chose to go to school here is not because of its reputation as a music school, it’s because it felt safe,” he said. “But to have stuff like this constantly happen to me on campus is hard.” Since the incident, alumni shared their own stories of how campus police have made them feel uncomfortable.

Alumna Patience Williams said her friend, a black man, came to visit her on campus a day after Cokesbury Court Apartments were broken into last semester. “He couldn’t find parking and he called me to come outside. He looked nervous. I came outside and a campus police car was right behind him,” she said. “We spent about five to 10 minutes looking for a parking spot and the police car stayed on his ass.” Williams said it was unnecessary for the police officer to follow them across campus. Alumni Kevin Taylor and Valentino Valentin returned to campus last week to visit professors. Taylor said an officer wrote them a ticket for not having a parking permit and treated them disrespectfully. Taylor said Valentin, a black man, asked for the officer’s name, but was ignored initially. “As alumni, it pains us to see the police officer’s social conduct be so poor. There needs to be some kind of training on the approach of the police to all students,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, most of the police force at OCU are Cauca-

sian. It’s difficult for students of color to respect or trust the forces employed to make the student population feel safe.” McQuarter said racial bias happens so sporadically that people don’t see it as a big problem. “It’s like a mosquito bite,” he said. “It happens often enough that we notice it, but other people just sweep it under the rug. I feel like it’s not addressed abruptly enough.” Chief Brown was unavailable for comment Monday. “We encourage somebody, if they feel like something’s out of the ordinary in any of our actions, to report that to us, so either I or a supervisor can look into more details,” Brown said Friday. “We want to make sure we’re always doing the right thing and the things we need to do.” The non-emergency number for OCUPD is 405-208-5001. Contributing: Staff Writer Alison Sloan

Students from Las Vegas react to mass shooting Elina Moon

PHOTO EDITOR

Students started their week coping with news of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. As of presstime, nearly 60 people were killed and more than 500 injured after a gunman inflicted a snipertype attack on an outdoor concert festival near his 32ndfloor hotel room in Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas. The first reports of the shooting were received about 10 p.m. Sunday. The shooter, Stephen Craig Paddock, killed himself. Police found him just before midnight. Students from Las Vegas said Monday that they were shocked, angered and saddened by the news.

Some students reported having friends who were at the concert who assisted in evacuating people. Initial reactions “ Yo u s e e c r a z y t h i n g s happen in the news all the time, but, when it happens in your hometown, it frustrates you,” said Casey Andrews, music theater senior. “Las Vegas is a place people like to escape to, and it is my favorite place in the world. It is sad that this hate was brought to such a wonderful city.” Dominique Kopecky, cell and molecular biology junior, said she was in disbelief. “I was numb to the news,” she said. “I never would have thought that something like that would happen in a city I call ‘home.’ It is just so surreal.” Jacob Noble, acting sopho-

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more, is from Las Vegas. He found out about the shooting when he checked his phone at 1 a.m. He was flooded with texts asking him if his family and loved ones were safe. “It was as if the world had stopped moving and I had fallen off the face of it,” he said. Close to home Many students have friends who were present at the time of the shooting. Chazz Miceli, guitar performance junior, said his friend who was there carried more than seven people to ambulances, and, since he is an EMT, ended up driving one of them with passengers to the hospital. Kopecky said she knew multiple people at the concert. “My best friend’s mom ran to her car and had random girls getting in it just to get away

from the situation,” she said. “My brother’s best friend was standing right next to a girl who was shot.” Jessica Vanek, music theater freshman, said a few of her friends were directly affected. “I was a performer back home, so a lot of my friends were on lockdown because they had shows in casinos and stuff,” she said. “I watched a Facebook Live video from one of my friends telling her story because she was at the concert when it happened. It’s weird because you hear about this all the time, but you never think it’s going to happen to you.” Noble hadn’t heard back about the safety of some friends yet at presstime, but hoped for the best case scenario. “My girlfriend was near the area before the shooting, but luckily she left before the

shooter arrived. For that, I am very thankful,” he said. “There was also another fairly close friend of mine who was there, but I haven’t heard back from him yet.” Healing begins Kopecky said she is glad she was in Oklahoma because her family and friends automatically knew she was okay, but she wishes she could be home to hug her loved ones. “I feel terrible for my friends who went through it,” she said. “Pray and send positive thoughts out to all of the people affected by this tragic accident. Sadly, there isn’t much else people outside the state can do.” Noble suggested giving blood as a way to take action. “Hospitals are running low, and it will help us save the ones

who have been wounded,” he said. Mi c e l i s a i d s t u d e n t s should not let events like this make them complacent. “I think that what we can do is to not let these situations scare us into not doing anything,” he said. “Travel more, see more, do more... live our lives without fear... support musicians, and don’t let them win by implanting fear permanently in your heart.” Las Vegas Police said family and friends looking for loved ones can call 1-866-535-5654.

President Henry returns to office Zoe Travers

NEWS EDITOR

President Robert Henry is back in office after a medical leave of absence. Henry announced in an Aug. 3 email that he would be receiving follow-up surgery to repair a mitral valve prolapse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. His leave began Aug. 7, and he returned to campus Sept. 19. “Over a year ago, I began having symptoms of being really tired,” Henry said. After undergoing a series of tests, Henry found out his previous heart valve repair had created a condition called hemolysis, which destroys red blood cells, resulting in severe anemia. Henry planned to have the surgery during the summer, but had a sinus infection, which resulted in him having to postpone it until Aug. 10.

M MEDIAOCU.com

Open heart surgery is a major surgery, but I’m doing well.

Robert Henry president

“I have a porcine valve, a pig valve, now,” Henry said. “It’s pretty technical stuff, but it should work for eight to 12 years, and then I’ll probably have to have it done again.” Henry will complete a 12-18 week cardiac rehab session to recover from his surgery. He said he feels much better after his surgery. “Everybody tells me that I look better, that my color is good because I’m not losing iron, but it will be a while before I get fully up-to-speed,” he said.

Henry said he’s enjoyed being back on campus. He’s already started visiting students in the caf, but he said he’s going to focus less on teaching and more on strengthening the strategic plan this year. “Open heart surgery is a major surgery, but I’m doing well,” he said. Emily Diaz, acting senior, said she’s glad Henry is back on campus and feeling healthy. “I hope he took enough time off and is ready to rejoin the community with full strength,” Diaz said.

While Henry was on medical leave, Provost Kent Buchanan served as acting president. Henry still plans to retire in June. His name has been mentioned in consideration for the next University of Oklahoma president. The position will be open next academic year, as OU President David Boren announced he also will retire in June. “It’s always an honor to be mentioned, and I did note that several press reports mentioned me, but I suspect they will be looking for a younger person,” Henry said. Henry gave the OU commencement speech in May. “I hope him the best on whatever he decides to do,” Diaz said. “Although I think it may be time for him to take time for himself.”

Sophia Babb Student Publications

Artistic expression Anna Engel, studio art junior, works on her piece, “The Secret Story,” on Sept. 11 in Norick Art Center. The piece was assigned as a class project.

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Learn about the Hispanic Student Association’s conference

opinion

Racial prejudice remains a pertinent issue on campus Students and alumni shared stories of racial profiling on campus. The most recent story comes from Broderick McQuarters who was awoken Sept. 27 by police who were questioning him about a crime he didn’t commit. The only similarity McQuarters shared with the suspect was his race. His hair is longer, and he is heavier than the person the police described to him. See Page 1 for more on the story. The only evidence they had for questioning McQuarters was that he was the last one through the gate, which wasn’t enough evidence to justify coming into his room. When the official police report came out, it was revealed that only one suspect was listed on the report, a white female, which isn’t what the police told

McQuarters. What campus police did was invasive, coming into McQuarters’s room in the middle of the night and questioning him without substantial evidence. While people think OCU is an accepting campus, these types of microaggressions make students feel threatened. Campus police need to make sure they have all the facts before they invade students’ privacy. McQuarters got fast food and returned to his dorm room to sleep the night he was questioned. A couple of weeks ago, a poster for the Black Student Association was torn down, followed by the destruction of an Art Club poster standing in solidarity with the group. BSA was advertising a social for all students. The art club was making a poster to express their support for another campus

Talk Back “Do you think racial profiling is a problem on campus?”

organization. These were simple, innocuous statements and advertisements of student organizations, not racially divisive or offensive messages. If people looked at things as they actually are, it would be easier for students of color to feel safe on campus. Alumni have also shared stories about discriminatory experiences with campus police. This has no place in our campus community. The most important thing people can do right now is stand with those affected and support facts. Stay informed about what’s actually happening in your community. When we ignore the facts of a situation and rely on prejudices, we’re contributing to larger issues of racial stereotyping and injustice.

“I don't want to generalize the campus because it's an individual issue.”

“Yes. We're in an age where racial profiling is passive, rather than aggressive.”

Libby White music business junior

Gareth Forsberg acting sophomore

“I don't know. On this campus, generally speaking, no. But we're in the heart of Oklahoma.”

“No, I don't think so. But I've only been here two months.”

Blake Lemmons political science junior

Hailey Terrell business freshman

“Yes, I feel like it's a problem. I know what this is about, and I've seen it happen.”

“Yes. How many people on this campus are a race other than white?”

Lanice Belcher music education sophomore

Jorge Guerra dance management senior

Columnist urges enforcement of stricter gun control laws A gunman opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 people in my native city of Las Vegas on Sunday. At presstime, news outlets were reporting almost 60 people had lost their lives and more than 500 were wounded. At around 11 p.m. that day, I woke to a text from my friend. Weeks ago, during Hurricane Harvey, I reached out to him to let him know that I was thinking about him and his family. This time, he texted me and said he hoped my family was okay. I went into panic mode. I didn’t know what was happening. As I was about to check the news, I received a breaking news notification from the New York Times. I read the only gruesome details from the shooting that had been reported in the minutes

after the attack. I immediately called my loved ones to ensure they were safe. I was in disbelief and didn’t get much sleep that night. Monday seemed surreal. Scrolling through Facebook, it seemed as if everyone had known about the attack. Yet, when I got to class, everyone was acting as if nothing had happened. Only a few teachers reached out and even fewer students did. I’m thankful for the ones who did. They helped me as I awaited news on friends and acquaintances in critical condition. So, why was everyone so silent? We have been trained to act this way as a society. Mass shootings are now common in the U.S. Sunday's shooting marked 273 mass shoot-

Harrison Langford is an acting junior from Las Vegas, Nevada, who loves golden retrievers and the New York Giants.

ings in just 275 days of 2017, according to gunviolencearchive. org. We are used to mass shootings in states far from us being a part of everyday life. Yet, everyone stays silent. We pray for the victims and go on with our lives. We can no longer remain silent. We cannot idly stand by as our loved ones are ripped away from us. People have asked to leave politics out of the discussion in respect for lost loved ones, but when is enough going to be

enough? Now is the time to talk about guns in the U.S., as they are being used for malevolent purposes–to strike fear in our hearts and perhaps even stop them from beating. The gunman had 19 long range rifles in his hotel room, according to Monday’s news reports. These weapons are designed to eliminate other humans at an efficient rate. What is the purpose of owning one of these rifles, except to kill? Sure, people use guns for self-

defense as well as home defense, but is a military-grade rifle necessary for those purposes? Is it necessary to own fully semi-automatic long-range rifles? It’s not. It is dangerous. This is irresponsible. Our government’s job is to protect us, to ensure every American is granted life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our government has not done this, and instead has subjected the American people to situations like this. Innocent people are dying without reason. It’s time to act. Guns don’t kill people, humans do. A human being makes the decision to kill others. So, why keep allowing this? If a child is throwing food, do you supply the child with more food or do you take it away from them?

Obviously, we are not children and the government is not our parent, but they have the duty to create laws and govern to keep us from being subjected to mass shootings at concerts. People in this country are going to come together after this. America has its flaws, but one of its strengths is the ability to unite in times of need. Americans will not let terrorists stop us from living our lives. I’m given hope by all of the people who have posted, donated and assisted in any way they humanly could. Now is the time for action. Now is the time to analyze whether or not we want to allow anyone to purchase these weapons. It’s no longer a question of rights, but a question of public safety.

Visual features of new Kingsman film outshine its plot Kingsman: The Golden Circle hit theaters this September with the force of a thousand electrified lassos. Electrified lassos happen to be one of the main features of the film, which may make this movie more appealing if terrifying lassos are something you enjoy. The film picks up where Kingsman: The Secret Service left off in 2014, quickly updating the audience on the status of all the main characters,

while even resurrecting a few. The sequel manages to heighten the action sequences into even more indulgently cathartic displays of special effects, a feat which scientists thought impossible after seeing the first movie. I will not bore you with the details of the plot because I have forgotten them. I will, however, use the following section of this review to simply list things that happen on the screen in Kingsman: The Golden Circle, which will be enough to convince you

a football stadium full of dying humans in cages, and Colin Firth in a padded room. The rest of the movie serves as a variety show for young white males to demonstrate their special skills such as posing, jumping, kicking, wearing clothes, and delivering standard blockbuster jokey dialogue. This debaucherous movie experience would not be complete without a killer soundtrack of the one and only John Denver.

To best enjoy this movie, remember your training. America has taught her people to consume media with no critical eye. Do not think about art or representation of women in media or the millions of other ways you could spend your money. Just watch the spy movie with the British accents, cowboys and a romance as unchallenging as an episode of Gossip Girl. You will love it, probably.

in Clara E. Jones Administration Building

al Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

University Center

SUNDAY Film Institute free film screening: In the Name of the Father at 2 p.m. in Kerr-McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business

MONDAY OCU Jazz Band concert at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

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

to see it. Here are some things that the movie features: a puppy, another puppy, butterflies, Channing Tatum, a robot arm, a poopy sewer, humans

shoved in a meat grinder, an electric lasso, umbrella guns, two dog robots, a ski lift accident, Sir Elton Hercules John, the branding of human flesh with molten gold, cannibalism,

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

TODAY Third annual faculty scholarship forum from 10:30 a.m. to 4 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 OCU Jewish Stars' Pizza in the Hut: a Sukkot celebration from 5-7 p.m. on the quad Alpha Chi Omega Domestic Violence Awareness Week Kickball Tournament from 7-10

p.m. on the intramural field TheatreOCU's Stage II season presents: Dark Play or Stories for Boys at 8 p.m. in Black Box Theatre in Wanda L. Bass Music Center FRIDAY BSA Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center TheatreOCU's Stage II season presents: Dark Play or Stories for Boys at 8 p.m. in Black Box Theatre in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

Sugar High with Alpha Chi from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Alpha Chi Omega House Out of the Box presents Shows for Days at 10:30 p.m. in Room 405 in Clara E. Jones Administration Building SATURDAY TheatreOCU's Stage II season presents: Dark Play or Stories for Boys at 8 p.m. in Black Box Theatre in Wanda L. Bass Music Center Out of the Box presents Shows for Days at 10:30 p.m. in Room 405

TheatreOCU's Stage II season presents: Dark Play or Stories for Boys at 2 p.m. in Black Box Theatre in Wanda L. Bass Music Center Dr. Kate Pritchett's horn recital from 8-9 p.m. in Petree Recit-

October 4, 2017, Volume 111, Number 6

Web Editor: Nicole Waltman Staff Writers: McAlyn Forbes, Harrison Langford, Emily Wollenberg, Sophia Babb, Grace Babb, Rodney Smith Photographer: Maridith Grimsley Columnist: Caroline Hawthorne Film Critic: Mary McLain

Career Services' Majors Minors Masters & More event from noon to 1 p.m. in the student lounge in Tom and Brenda McDaniel

Let's Talk About It, Oklahoma Book Club: The Way West in Room 151 in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences Volleyball vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. in Abe Lemons arena in Henry J. Freede Health and Wellness 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 Associate Editor: Sage Tokach Copy Editor: Chandler White News Editor: Zoe Travers Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri

TUESDAY Tango Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the student lounge in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center

Duncan Nursing open house from 5-7 p.m. at Duncan Regional Hospital, 1407 N. Whisenant Drive in Duncan, Oklahoma

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Videographer: Emily Haan Ad/Marketing Director: 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.

October 4, 2017

news Pray for me

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Sydney Blosch, music theater senior, and Laura Leigh Turner, music theater junior, dramatically present “Deloris,” played by Ashley Arnold, music theater junior, during the song “Take Me To Heaven” during a dress rehearsal for Wanda L. Bass School of Music’s production of Sister Act. The show had performances Sept. 29-30 and an Oct. 1 matinee. Right: Ashley Arnold, music theater junior, and Maddie Roberts, music theater senior, perform the song “Raise Your Voice.” In the musical, Deloris, a lounge singer, is put under protective custody in a Philadelphia convent, pretending to be a nun to escape a mob boss. The Bass School of Music’s next musical will be Company. It will run Nov. 3-5. Maridith Grimsley Student Publications

Officials appoint new interfraternity council adviser Chandler White

COPY EDITOR

The Interfraternity Council has a new adviser. IFC is the umbrella organization for fraternities on campus. IFC members facilitate recruitment and sponsor educational programs and community service projects, according to okcu.edu. Levi Harrel, associate director of student development, was elected IFC adviser as part of a university initiative to link fraternity and sorority life together. He replaced Josh Hall, assistant director of student life and intramural and recreational sports, a few weeks ago. “My goal is to really unify those connections between our fraternities and our sororities,

understanding that we are all Greek leaders here on campus,” Harrel said. “I want them to truly value that role and the impact that we make here at OKCU.” Hall still will be in charge of intramural sports. Dr. Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs, selected Harrel specifically because of his experience with Greek life, Harrel said. He worked with Greek life at Ohio State University in Columbus and Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware in addition to his role at OCU. “It’s rocking and rolling,” Harrel said. “It’s about getting an understanding of the pace and the values and the priorities of IFC and the fraternity community here at Oklahoma City University.” Harrel’s role on campus before being IFC adviser involved managing sorority life, parent-family

Our community is tight-knit, it is high performing. It is something to be proud of, and putting it under one adviser allows all of those areas to go from good to great. Levi Harrel associate director student development

services, student conduct, leadership and civic engagement, and volunteer and service learning. He will retain these duties, and add fraternity life to his responsibilities. His new responsibilities include weekly meetings with all chapter presidents, weekly meetings with the IFC president, IFC executive meetings, and IFC general body meetings. “Our community is tightknit, it is high-performing,”

he said. “It is something to be proud of, and putting it under one adviser allows all of those areas to go from good to great.” The IFC board elections are at the end of this semester. The newly elected officers will take office at the beginning of the spring semester. Harrel said the change of personnel will be refreshing, and he hopes he can accomplish his goals for IFC alongside those of the new board members.

“What’s so exciting about working with student organizations is that no two years look the same,” he said. “I definitely have some priorities that I would like them to take a look at. I would like to hear from our students what those new priorities they have are and how we can achieve those together.” IFC President Blake Lemmons, political science junior, said Harrel was a good selection. “He’s very experienced within the greater fraternity world,” Lemmons said. “I think the things he brings to the table are going to really benefit the fraternity world at OCU as a whole, in the long run.” Lemmons said he hopes Harrel will assist in organizing the recruitment process. “I really hope recruitment picks up speed and we become a little bit more organized,” he

said. “That’s something that we’ve tried to work on over my tenure as president. We’re moving in the right direction, and I think Levi will help facilitate that to an even greater extent.” Harrel said he enjoys managing Greek life at OCU because it helps students evolve as leaders of an organization he was a part of in his college years. “I am a fraternity man myself,” Harrel said. “I am a chapter adviser to my home chapter, and there’s something unique about the men’s Greek experience. “I’m excited to be working with these young men. I am excited to see them develop and to grow as leaders and to be part of that process. It’s a lot of fun.”

Homecoming theme announced, students begin planning Zoe Travers

NEWS EDITOR

The Homecoming theme was announced Thursday and students are already planning the week. Homecoming week will be Oct. 26 to Nov. 4. This year’s theme is “As It Was, How It Is, and How It Will Be” in regard to the university’s history and future. Organizations follow the theme given by the committee in all of their planning and preparation for the events, including banner, window painting, lip sync, and spirit structure. The festivities will last 10 days this year. Last year, Homecoming was two weeks long, and it has been as short as a week in the past. Hudson Moore, mass communications senior, is Homecoming chairman, and he said he is excited to get alumni involved this year. “The purpose of Homecoming is to have alumni come back to their home, so this theme really meant that for us,” Moore said. The Homecoming committee decided on the theme. Moore said he’s excited to see how the organizations interpret it and also for how the spirit structures will look. “I just think it’s so fun,” Moore said. “It’s like unwrapping a big gift for the campus.” The Homecoming committee consists of three people, including Moore. Louisa Holland, dance pedagogy junior, is the internal communications director, and Josh Lewis, vocal production/music education junior, is in charge of external vendors. “We’ve got a good committee,” Moore said. “We’re super small,

but mighty.” Monica Hiller, elementary education senior, is vice president for Student Activities Council, and she oversees Homecoming organization and events. “I love Homecoming,” Hiller said. “To get to be on the macro level of it this year and see how it’s put together, I’m really excited about it.” She said she also enjoys structure and seeing how the campus comes together. “Everybody is exhausted and absolutely insane, and I’m so extroverted that, to be around that, it really feeds my soul,” Hiller said. Structures will be up for the entire week, differing from what’s happened in years past. The structures will go up after kickoff is over, a week before Lip Sync. In the past, structures have gone up the Thursday before Lip Sync. Hiller said this decision was made so the structures can stay out longer for students and faculty to see. “A lot of people that aren’t in organizations that participate don’t really get to see the structures,” she said. Hiller said she hopes all students can attend Homecoming events and cheer on organizations. “Whether you’re participating in an organization or not, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together as a campus, and it’s one of the biggest traditions we have,” she said. Kallie Olson, English junior, said she likes the theme, but finds it too similar to past themes. “It would be nice to have a fresh theme, but it’s still a good way to bring in history and where we’re going,” she said. Olson said, if she could change anything about Homecoming, it

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OCU Homecoming 2017 Oct. 26

Kick-off: 5 p.m. on the quad

Oct. 28

Women’s soccer at 2 p.m. at Stars Field Men’s soccer at 4 p.m. at Stars Field

Oct. 29

Window painting from 2-5 p.m. in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center

Oct. 30

OCU Cares from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Boys and Girls Club, 3535 N. Western Ave.

Nov. 3

Lip Sync at 8 p.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Men’s basketball at 2 p.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center

Nov. 4

would be making students attend only one game instead of letting them choose which sporting events to attend throughout the week. “That’s the whole point of Homecoming is to go together and get that sense of camaraderie,” Olson said. She said she also looks forward to helping out with structures, but she doesn’t enjoy the competitive aspect of Homecoming between Greek organizations. “I think it should be more about school spirit and not Greek life,” Olson said. “I like that Greek life is involved, but I think it should be more about the games.”

Professor chosen to revise social principles of Methodist Church Emily Wollenberg

STAFF WRITER

Dr. Mark Davies, professor of social and ecological ethics, was named a convener for the process of revising the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church for the Natural World section. The social principles are revised every four years and serve as basic guidelines for the church. Davies said the task of revising these principles was given to the General Board of Church and Society by the general conference of the United Methodist Church. Representatives come from all over the world to meet, discuss and vote on the social principles. The General Board has meetings throughout the year to select people to revise each section of the social principles. October 4, 2017

“I had done quite a bit of work with the Board of Church and Society events and programs, I’m the chairperson for the Board for the Oklahoma Conference, and I teach environmental ethics, so they asked for me to be the convener for this team,” Davies said. Melaina Riley, religion senior, said Davies talked a great deal about environmental issues in her ethics class. “He is so passionate about it. He is probably the most qualified person to do this position,” Riley said. Riley said it is really cool that Davies’s team is responsible for setting the groundwork for the ideals and principles of the United Methodist Church. “It’s a big deal,” Riley said. Davies said there are nine people on each team. “We just met this past week in Washington, D.C. and looked at what the social principles are

We are trying to have principles that are not so general that they don’t speak to any of the contemporary challenges we’re facing, but also that are not so specific that they are just focusing on one issue.

Dr. Mark Davies

social and ecological ethics professor

now,” Davies said. Davies said the team spent nine days reviewing the current principles and deciding how they can be revised to be more up-todate in relation to contemporary challenges. They will continue to meet online through video conference to prepare a draft to submit Dec. 15, the day when all sections must be completed. The drafts will then continue to the global stage, where Methodist Church officials from all over the world will review the

sections to make sure they convey the intended message. Riley said the sections don’t change often. The natural world section of the social principles currently states: “All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings…,”

according to www.umc.org. The social principles came about in the late 1960s and have been updated throughout the years to accommodate new challenges as times change. “One challenge we face is the issue of climate change. In the early ‘70s, there might have been some scientists that were concerned about that, but it was not something that was really in the public awareness whatsoever,” Davies said. Davies said climate change has been addressed in the natural world section since the 1960s, but the revision team wanted to make sure they highlighted that as one of the key issues. “We are making sure that we have the principles that need to be in our section there, that they are up to date with contemporary challenges and that they are going to be helpful for the church in the next 30 years,” Davies said.

Davies said he doesn’t think there will be much critical feedback to the emphasis on climate change because the social principles already state the importance of conservation of resources and protection of the environment. “We are trying to have principles that are not so general that they don’t speak to any of the contemporary challenges we’re facing, but also that are not so specific that they are just focusing on one issue,” he said. Between Dec. 15 and March, the General Board of Church and Society will review the section drafts. “Hopefully, these guidelines will be something that can be used for years to come and will be helpful as we face these really big challenges,” Davies said.

lifestyles

BEHIND THE NAME: Alvin Naifeh shows off the collection of movie posters in Alvin’s Cafe, some of which he had collected and some which were placed there to honor him.

Alvin Naifeh cuts his cake at his 60th birthday celebration in 1994 in the caf in what is now Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

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Alvin Naifeh is named “Mr. Homecoming” in 1995. Naifeh attended OCU, then worked at the university until his retirement in 2005.

OCU a�chives

Alvin Naifeh shows movies from his collection in 1993. He was described as a “walking encyclopedia” of movie information. Alvin lived on campus for about 50 years. Alvin's Café was named after him because he was a big part of campus life. Alvin was 76 when he died in 2009.

Chartwells keeps historic name of Alvin’s Café

lvin’s Café has changed since Chartwells became the university’s food service provider at the beginning of the academic year. But, amidst the changes Chartwells will bring, the name “Alvin’s” will remain the same. Chartwells replaced Sodexo as the university’s food service provider in July. The company sources seasonally and locally, and tailors their cuisine to the demographics and food sensitivities of each campus, according to its website, chartwellshighered.com. Chartwells officials decided to replace Alvin’s Café with a Chick-fil-A and a market area. Officials agreed to keep the “Alvin’s” name after pressure from alumni to do so, making it The Market at Alvin’s. Alvin’s Café was named after Alvin Naifeh, a former OCU student and employee. He was known throughout the campus until his retirement in 2005. He died at the age of 76 on Sept. 5, 2009. Alvin was known to be high-functioning mentally handicapped, according to Student Publications archives. Alvin and Jerald Walker, OCU’s 16th president, were roommates in the ‘50s, according to the archives. When Walker became president in 1979, he told Alvin he would have a home at OCU for as long as he was alive, the archives read. Dr. Mark Davies, professor of social and ecological ethics, knew Alvin since Davies was a student in the mid ‘80s. “He worked in the mailroom for the vast majority of those years, so he’d be all over the campus delivering the mail,” Davies said. Alvin had an “incredible memory,” Davies said. He said Alvin learned everything he could about movies and television shows and loved to show people the movie posters on the wall in Alvin’s Café. “He loved it when people asked him movie trivia facts, because he had an answer to almost every movie trivia question,” Davies said. “When Alvin’s Café was first created, it had all of these movie posters on the walls, many of which he had collected over the years.”

Alvin wasn’t a wealthy donor and he wasn’t a power player in Oklahoma City, but he exemplified the OCU community, and we didn’t want him to be lost by changing the name. Dr. Mark Davies social and ecological ethics professor

Davies played a major role in the naming of Alvin’s Café in 1987. “My junior year, in Student Senate, we talked about how big of a part Alvin was in our campus. We said, ‘We have to do something just to show him how much we appreciate him, and create something that would be a legacy for Alvin on campus,’” Davies said. University officials at the time were renovating the downstairs of what later became Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center to create a space for people to eat and hang out. “While the renovations were going on, the Student Senate thought, ‘Well, why don’t we call it Alvin’s?’” Davies said. The school worked on the renovations before Davies’s senior year, and the area was dedicated as “Alvin’s Café” early in the semester. “I was student body president at the time, so I got to be the student who spoke on behalf of the student body and dedicated the space to Alvin,” Davies said. “Alvin was there and had a grin about as big as you could have. He really, really appreciated it.” It wasn’t clear whether the cafe would be still called Alvin’s when students were told last semester that the university center would get a Chick-fil-A. “When the administration first announced the renovations, it sounded like Alvin’s was just going to be turned into a Chick-fil-A,” Davies said. “Those who knew Alvin were not happy about that,

and we let them know.” Davies spoke to Cary Pirrong, director of alumni engagement, who also knew Alvin. They agreed that the name of the cafe should stay connected to Alvin. “Whether the administration considered changing the name or not, due to the number of people calling the school, the school said the area where the Chick-fil-A would be will still be called Alvin’s,” Davies said. “Alvin wasn’t a wealthy donor and he wasn’t a power player in Oklahoma City, but he exemplified the OCU community, and we didn’t want him to be lost by changing the name.” Pirrong knew Alvin since Pirrong was a child. “If he met you once, he would know you for the rest of his life,” Pirrong said. “Literally anytime you saw Alvin, he would call you by name. He knew everybody on campus, and pretty much everybody loved him.” Pirrong said Alvin was one of the most beloved OCU alums. “Other than Kristin Chenoweth, he’s probably one of the most beloved students we’ve had. Really, it’s different in that everybody loves Kristin, but very few people actually know her. Everyone loved Alvin and everyone got to know him,” he said. Alvin was named “Mr. Homecoming” in 1995. “That was the largest ovation I have ever heard on this campus for anybody. The place just erupted when Alvin’s name was pulled,” Pirrong said. “I’ve seen huge people perform here, but that was still the loudest ovation I’ve ever heard. That just shows you how loved he was by everyone.” Asked one time why he enjoyed being at OCU so much, Alvin said: “It’s because I like everyone, and everyone likes me.” By Staff Writer Sophia Babb

Students, professors discuss note-taking methods Sage Tokach

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Some professors prohibit use of computers or tablets to take notes in class, but many students said they prefer to type their notes. Various studies show that students retain more information when they write their notes in class, rather than type them, but students show preferences both ways. Testing methods A study published in Psychological Science consisted of three tests that compared handwriting to typing. In the first test, both groups of students were shown TED Talk videos and asked questions afterward. The groups answered questions about dates equally well, but the students that wrote notes by hand scored significantly better on conceptual questions. The same group got superior scores during the second test, when facilitators discouraged the typing students from writing everything verbatim. On the third test, facilitators gave both groups a chance to October 4, 2017

review their notes before the test. Those who used paper and pencil earned better scores again, leading to the conclusion that handwriting is more effective for retention than typing, according to an NPR interview with the scientists who conducted the study. Professor’s preference Denise Binkley, certification officer in the OCU education department, said she thinks handwriting notes is the best method. “When you’re typing, you can type fast, but your mind doesn’t have to filter it in any way,” Binkley said. “When you take notes longhand, you have to decide what’s important to write down and what’s not.” Many students, especially athletes, are kinesthetic learners and learn through the movement of physically writing and copying notes, Binkley said. Dr. Karen Youmans, honors program director and associate professor of English, said she also thinks handwriting is the superior method, but for a more personal reason. “For me, laptops form a barrier between students and myself,

both physically and conversationally,” Youmans said. “When I started teaching, laptops were not as prevalent as they are now.” Youmans said she is open to experimenting with different types of technology in the classroom and certainly will adapt her policies for students who need laptops for particular accommodations. “We can make statements about what’s better and what’s not, but these things are constantly evolving. All I can notice is how it feels to me, but whether that’s a problem with me or them, I can’t say,” Youmans said. A matter of practicality Dr. John Starkey, professor of theology and religion, said he would love students to handwrite their notes, but does not think it is practical. “The practice I’ve developed is giving people a typed outline on which they can add their own notes,” Starkey said. “It’s typically beyond ability to do it all by hand when professors speak so quickly, so I have no opposition to taking notes on computers in class.” Students take both sides of the argument.

“Electronic notes are more eco-friendly and useful for searching for materials later on in the semester,” said Mackenzie Reitz, dance junior. “I do think students need to be responsible with the accessibility of the internet.” Student’s preference Beth Woodall, vocal performance senior, said she strongly favors writing by hand. “It’s harder to get distracted in your spiral versus your laptop that has the internet and games on it,” Woodall said. “It takes a little more time to write notes, but it pays off in the long run. Pen and paper all the way.” Jeff Matthews, business senior, said he writes all his notes by hand. “I have terrible handwriting, though, which can make it hard,” Matthews said. Samantha Smith, acting senior, said she switches between the two methods. “For gen eds, I like to take notes by hand because I need extra enforcement to help me learn,” she said. “For classes I’m particularly interested in, it makes more sense to type notes because they’ll be organized.”

Talk Back “What is your method of note-taking?” “I personally like using a recording device like a memo to record the lecture.” Reoni Newsome theater and performance freshman

“Just writing down what the professor says. If they have slides, I copy them word-for-word.” Lysa Engle film production junior

“I do a really dumbed down version of Cornell notes‒like really, really dumbed down.” Nick Atkins music theater freshman