Oct. 2

THE“CAMPUS October 2, 2019 – Volume 113 Issue 6

Interim police chief, CFO accused of discrimination Campus police officer submits claim to HR, employee submits Title IX report Emily Wollenberg

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A campus police officer and a library employee have filed a discrimination claim and a Title IX report against OCU’s interim police chief and the chief financial officer.

The officer filed a formal discrimination complaint with Human Resources last week against Interim Police Chief Mark LaHue, according to Steven Vincent, former campus police officer.

The officer and LaHue declined to comment. In a Sept. 26 interview with Student Publications, LaHue and Chief Financial Officer David McConnell said they were unaware of any complaints. They could not be reached for comment after the previous interview.

Vincent said he keeps in contact with several officers and was told by the officer who filed the complaint what happened. Vincent said the officer does not want to reveal his identity for fear of losing his job.

“He’s a young officer,” Vincent said. “(Interim Chief) LaHue has been in law enforcement for many years.”

Vincent said the officer, who identifies as openly gay, told him he was in the campus police department last week when LaHue made an inappropriate sexual comment to him.

Vincent said the exchange was heard by two other officers.

The officers declined to comment.

After the incident, Vincent said the officer who LaHue’s comment was directed at told another officer about the incident. The officer then confronted LaHue. LaHue called the officer involved in the original incident into his office and accused him of spreading lies, Vincent said.

“If an allegation is made against a supervisor, they contact human resources,” Vincent said. “LaHue did not contact HR. He called in [the officer], confronted him and tried to intimidate him, tried to make him take it back.”

Vincent said the officer told him of three other previous incidents in which LaHue made homophobic comments toward the officer.

“Anybody in a leadership position should know that that is in no way, shape or form acceptable,” Vincent said.

After the officer told him of the incidents, Vincent said he encouraged him to file a complaint with HR. “This is unacceptable,” Vincent said. “The university has a strict policy on sexual harassment and hostile work environments, and this falls under that, of course.”

LaHue’s position makes officers afraid to speak out about the issues, Vincent said.

“LaHue drops these little sexual innuendos daily,” Vincent said.

Creating an environment where people feel discriminated against for being who they are, that is not a safe environment.

Taylor Downey youth ministry junior

“In that department, they’re scared of chiefs, so they don’t want to come forward.”

Campus police must have a chief that respects diversity and is maybe even part of a minority community, Vincent said.

“If he harbors these opinions about gay people, he doesn’t need to be in any law enforcement capacity,” Vincent said. “I don’t know how they can keep LaHue as a campus police officer if there’s valid and verifiable information.”

Taylor Downey, youth ministry junior and Title IX program coordinator, said once a claim is submitted, officials begin investigating and interview witnesses that have been named or are related to the situation.

“If an employee has a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable, Title IX works behind the scenes to make accommodations,” she said.

Because of the recent events involving discrimination, Downey said she is disappointed by these latest allegations.

“It’s really unfortunate that all these things are happening at once on our campus with so many instances of discrimination that make people feel uncomfortable for who they are,” she said. “It’s especially unfortunate because we have had so much turnover in our police department. It makes me wonder, are we ever going to get to a good enough place where we have some established good people working on campus?”

Campus police officers have a duty to make students feel safe on campus, Downey said.

“A police officer’s job first and foremost is upholding the law and keeping people safe, and so creating an environment where people feel discriminated against for being who they are, that is not a safe environment,” she said.

Anthony Edwards, Dulaney-Browne Library circulation technician, said he submitted a Title IX report on Sept. 26 to Kristie Pendleton, civil rights investigator, after hearing from multiple officers in campus police that Chief Financial Officer David McConnell, who

oversees campus police, made an inappropriate sexual comment about a case he oversaw at a previous police force during a meeting with campus police officers.

Edwards wrote that McConnell was telling a story about a female who was experiencing a mental crisis and had disrobed.

“He related that his daughter had asked him if she had ‘crazy eyes,’” Edwards wrote in the report. “He responded with, ‘I don’t know what her eyes looked like darlin,’ but I saw her perky little breasts.’”

Edwards wrote he has confirmed that all staff at the police department were present for the meeting.

“This is not okay from anyone on campus, much less an individual who is currently overseeing the police department,” he wrote in the report.

Vincent said he hopes university officials won’t hide from these issues, which will only make them worse.

“I love that campus,” Vincent said. “I wish it would do better,” he said.

Vincent said he was terminated in June of this year after attending a former dispatcher’s unemployment hearing. He said he had heard nothing but positive feedback before he was terminated and was given no reason for his termination. Vincent said he has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Vincent said he has heard that officials are considering transitioning from a campus police department to campus security.

“I worked there in 1991 and 2001 when it was armed security instead of police officers. I believe the campus is ultimately better with a police department,” Vincent said. “They need to rebuild, not demolish and hire people who can’t provide as much security.”

Vincent said when he worked under former Police Chief Rusty Pyle, he never experienced any kind of inappropriate behavior.

“I think his mistake was that he backed Kavenius even when Kavenius was wrong,” Vincent said. “I personally never witnessed racist, homophobic or inappropriate behavior from him.”

See mediaocu.com for more on Kavenius and Pyle.

Vincent said it is a common sentiment in many police departments to back other police officers, no matter what.

“I don’t care about the ‘thin blue line’, I care about doing what’s right,” he said. “For the student population, for the staff, keeping them safe. They should feel secure, protected and respected by the police department.”

SGA president signs resolution to suspend Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi Organizations agree to suspend all non-philanthropic campus events rest of academic year Paul Dower

COPY EDITOR

Content Warning: This story contains an uncensored racial slur.

Student Government Association President Trae Trousdale decided to sign the resolution calling for the suspension of Alpha Phi and Kappa Sigma.

Resolution 001 was drafted by Sen. (humanities) Leondre Lattimore, and Sen. (Greek) Hope Melton after a few members from Kappa Sigma and a member from Alpha Phi registered at a philanthropy event using the racial slur “Porch Monkeys” as a team name.

The resolution was drafted at the request of students from the multicultural coalition (Black Student Association, Hispanic Student Association and Native American Society), after hearing of the incident.

The resolution passed unanimously through the Student Services committee and in a 17-5 vote at the Sept. 19 senate meeting. Six days later and after several meetings with the heads of each organization involved, Trousdale signed Resolution 001.

“There are many things that are folded into that decision, keenly being we do not feel that it is in the best interest of the student body to send this back to the student senate for another high tension senate meeting,” Trousdale said. “There’s many other conversations that went into that, but I believe that out multicultural organizations gave in areas that they could and the Greek organizations gave as well.”

Between the senate meeting and deciding to sign the resolution, Trousdale said he had several meetings with SGA Vice President Abigail Banks, Destini Carrington, president of BSA, Kaycee Kernell, president of NAS, Brianna Miles, president of HSA, Matthew Moelling, president of Kappa Sigma, and Sireene Khader, president of Alpha Phi. The first meeting was for the heads of the organizations to get everything they were feeling off of their chest. The second meeting was to see if there were common terms the presidents could work toward.

“Our initial plan with all of the organizations was Abby and I were working to create a collaborative agreement that would allow us to veto the resolution and walk away with an agreed-upon plan,” Trousdale said.

After the meeting, Trousdale said he and Banks felt satisfied and drafted the letter of intent to send back to the student senate with the agreed upon terms.

“Students had really taken the responsible step and had all come

M MEDIAOCU.com

together and set aside pride and set aside personal agendas and were able to collaboratively reach an agreement that not only included education, but the chapters agreed to go on a voluntary campus social suspension,” Trousdale said. “They established diversity and inclusion chairs in their houses, they were planning to issue a public apology to these organizations and the multicultural coalition was planning on offering diversity and inclusion training five times a semester to the two chapters.”

Trousdale said he went to different officials for them to weigh in on the situation, but just before he was ready to make his decision to veto, some last minute edits to the terms made the whole deal fall through.

“Part of the fall-through was over formals and date parties.” Trousdale said. “Under any other circumstance, they would be considered a part of campus social suspension, but they did not want them to be included under campus social suspension; them being the Greek organizations.”

Trousdale also said the multicultural coalition was not completely on board with the terms to begin with and wanted to see the houses be kicked off campus completely.

“They would rather hear the student body agree with them that these organizations had no place on our campus, and I don’t believe they were functioning in a long-term thinking mindset of what was going to be best or what needed to be done,” Trousdale said. “They just wanted some reaction, and I think that was exactly what we were forced to do as SGA.” Destini Carrington, president of BSA, said part of the reason the deal fell through was because she felt like the multicultural coalition was doing most of the work.

“The terms were a lot of the multicultural coalition educating them and going the extra mile to make sure that they knew that this wasn’t okay,” Carrington said. “It was a lot more work for us, rather than a punishment for them or consequences for them for their actions, so that middle ground, I felt, just wasn’t enough.”

Kaycee Kernell, president of NAS, said the terms of the compromise were unbalanced in favor of the Greek organizations.

“The terms were really getting ready for what will happen in the future when we don’t want anything to happen at all,” Kernell said.

“We shouldn’t be ready for it to happen again.”

Brianna Miles, president of HSA, said she hopes the resolution will make Greek organizations and the students within them more conscious of their actions.

“I’m hoping that it will make those Greek organizations more

hyper-aware of what they’re doing and be a little bit more proactive before having these kinds of events, be a little bit more culturally sensitive and making sure that things are okay on both sides,” Miles said.

In a statement sent to Student Publications, Alpha Phi wrote they would be supporting the terms set in Resolution 001 and suspend their operations, except for philanthropic events, for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year. The statement also included that Alpha Phi does not support any racist acts and will work to educate their students on diversity and inclusion.

“Alpha Phi is working on ways to better educate our Chapter on diversity and inclusion. We will be working with the students of the multicultural organizations and the University administrators to promote diversity and inclusion,” the statement read. “We will be better equipped to take immediate action against racism, and to create a safe place for all students in the Oklahoma City University community.”

Kappa Sigma sent a statement on their behalf also affirming the terms set in Resolution 001.

“Kappa Sigma prides itself on promoting diversity and inclusion.

The diversity of our constituents is one of our greatest strengths,” the statement read. “While our Chapter was not involved with nor aware of the creation and naming of the Alpha Phifa team, we acknowledge that the use of any offensive or discriminatory term, regardless of intent, by individuals seeking membership into our organization is indicative of the shortcomings of our society regarding multicultural sensitivity and awareness.”

See page 2 to read both Kappa Sigma's and Alpha Phi's statements in full.

The resolution and a letter from Trousdale will be sent to President Martha Burger, Student Affairs, Kappa Sigma President Moelling, Alpha Phi President Khader, and the respective national headquarters.

Trousdale said his letter will explain the resolution and why he decided to sign it. From there, it will be up to the university and the national headquarters for each house to decide on what further action will be taken. These decisions will be made separate from one another.

“It has been argued that signing this resolution is a slippery slope to an overreaching Student Senate and unchecked SGA,” Trousdale said in a letter addressed to the student body. “However, I believe that the more frightening possibility is the establishment of a culture with passively accepted racism and minimal consequences for the use of racial slurs.”

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opinion Editors encourage students to attend multicultural events, celebrations Oklahoma City University prides itself on diversity and inclusion, but recent events have called the consistent practice of these values across the campus community into question.

In light of these events, it is important that students seek awareness of the different cultures represented in this community and take every opportunity to learn about those around them.

The number of multicultural events happening on campus is constantly growing.

An event hosted by the Hispanic Student Association called Tango Tuesdays will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 in the Student Lounge in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center to bring people together and learn the style of Tango dancing.

The Lunar Moon Festival was yesterday from 5:30-6 p.m. in the Student Lounge, where Hung Viet Lion Dancers per-

formed to celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival.

The Native American Society frequently has Indian Taco Sales in the Watson Lounge, where tacos and frybread can be purchased.

Each year the Jewish Stars host a Passover Seder in the spring to celebrate the holiday and teach students the event’s significance.

The Black Student Association hosted their first Black Out Block Party of the year on Thursday, Sept. 26 with food, games, an inflatable, live music, and raffles.

Student Diversity and Inclusion organized an event on Sept.

12 to celebrate Muharram, the Islamic New Year, with Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Pakistani cuisines served in the caf.

These events are just a small portion of opportunities students have available to them to experience different cultures.

Each of these multicultural

groups on campus welcome students of all backgrounds to attend their events.

Students should never feel afraid to experience and learn about something new. They can benefit immensely from talking to someone with a different background and learning why a specific experience or food means so much to them.

To find out about more multicultural events coming up, students can look at Student Diversity and Inclusion’s Facebook page and Student Affairs’s Facebook and Instagram page, and keep an eye on bulletin boards around campus for flyers as well.

By attending and supporting these events, students can work to decrease ignorance and increase acceptance of all cultures.

To support and affirm the sentiments of Resolution 001, the Theta-Psi Chapter of Kappa Sigma will voluntarily suspend all Chapter participation in non-philanthropic campus events for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Kappa Sigma prides itself on promoting diversity and inclusion. The diversity of our constituents is one of our greatest strengths. We recognize and would like to acknowledge the mistakes made by individuals affiliated with our organization. While our Chapter was not involved with nor aware of the creation and naming of the Alpha

Phifa team, we acknowledge that the use of any offensive or discriminatory term, regardless of intent, by individuals seeking membership into our organization is indicative of the shortcomings of our society regarding multicultural sensitivity and awareness.

We will be working closely with University administrators and student multicultural organizations to inform and educate the members of our Chapter, the Greek community, and the campus community on how to better combat the racism permeating our University.

However, as both a Chapter and individually, we will

continue to support our Greek brothers and sisters in their philanthropic endeavors as well as continuing to hold our own philanthropy and serviceoriented events both on and off campus.

Moving forward, our Chapter will do everything it can to cast a light on these issues so that, together, we can make Oklahoma City University the diverse, inclusive, and safe environment that it strives to be.

Kappa Sigma is a Greek fraternity on campus. See page 1 for more on Kappa Sigma and Resolution 001.

Talk Back “What cultural event would you like to host or attend on campus?”

"Cinco de Mayo celebration"

"Any Jewish event!

I like having people come learn about our holidays."

Ricardo Martinez youth ministry/religion junior

Janie Heyman early childhood education freshman

“Hispanic celebrations like Day of the Dead”

"A food festival, I'm interested in trying foods from different cultures."

Delanie Ayers acting junior

Tori Permann economics freshman

“An open mic night about expressing your cultural identity”

“There isn't a specific one, but I love getting new insights and experiences.”

Delaney Schneider marketing freshman

Mackenzie VanZee religion junior

The Delta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi is hereby supporting and affirming the sentiments of Resolution 001 by voluntarily suspending all Chapter participation in non-philanthropic campus activities, such as Homecoming and Spring Sing, for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Alpha Phi and we continuously promote these values within our members. As the hosts of Alpha Phifa, we recognize different actions could have been taken and we acknowledge that the Alpha Phi

member on the team made a mistake. We do not condone racist acts or slurs of any kind and will continue to have no tolerance for them.

Alpha Phi is working on ways to better educate our Chapter on diveristy and inclusion. We will be working with the students of the multicultural organizations and the University adminstrators to promote diversity and inclusion. We will be better equipped to take immediate action against racisim, and to create a safe place for all students in the Oklahoma City University community.

We deeply apologize to the campus community for this

incident. Moving forward, we will strive to be better representatives of Oklahoma City University and Alpha Phi in the future.

Alpha Phi is a Greek sorority on campus. See page 1 for more on Alpha Phi and Resolution 001.

Ms. Marty Pants: A Bad Advice Column Faculty Statement to the Campus Community: We affirm the moral and intellectual necessity of an open and tolerant environment for meaningful teaching and learning to take place. Students, staff, and faculty of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender expressions deserve unconditionally to feel safe, seen, and welcome on campus.

We encourage all campus community members to reflect on their personal and professional relationship to diversity and inclusion and to engage in critical dialogue with others.

American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Oklahoma City University Chapter

Lisa Wolfe, President Billy Palumbo, Secretary AAUP Participants: Sharon Betsworth Bryan Cardinale-Powell Tracy Floreani Laurie Kauffman Leslie Long Joe Meinhart Karen Youmans Signed, Beth Adele Steve Agee Linda Barren Kent Buchanan Kristen Burkholder Dia Campbell-Detrixhe Karen Coe Miller Lindsey Cole Mark Davies Lisa Delgado Brown Liz Diener Susan Dillard

Robert Dorman David Easley David Engebretson Bryan Farha Jessica Fay Jason Flores Jason Foreman Lani Garner Paul Gebb Andy Gibson Mark Griffin Kelly Holst Jake Johnson Maria Jones Brandon Katzir Edward Knight Cene’ Livingston James Ma Randy Macon Pam Melson Gregory Mullen Judith Palladino David Pasto

Va n e s s a Wr i g h t Terry Phelps Additional Signers: Melissa Plamann Sabina Amanbayeva Amanda Porter Christa Bentley Zack Reaves Blue Clark Tammie Reggio Mohamed Daadaoui Robert Roensch Kyle Dean Shannon Roesler Adam Ryburn Imad Enchassi Lois Salmeron Laurie Jones Sarah Sarver Matthew Mailman Shao, Yi Robin Meyers Bill Sharp Jennifer Prilliman Melanie Shelley Christina Wolf Bob Spinks The American AssociaCarla Spivack tion of University Professors John Starkey is a non-profit organizaAmy Thiessen tion of professors and other Randi Von Ellefson academics in the United Justin Wareham States.

Joseph Wenda Liz Willner Harbour Winn Charlotte Wood-Wilson

“Dear Ms. Marty Pants, I’m feeling really homesick this week. Any advice?

Sincerely, new Oklahoman” Dear new Oklahoman, I usually prefer to be at home when I’m sick, but if that’s not your cup of tea, just go outside!

I’d recommend keeping your distance from people if you’re contagious, or else everyone will be home, sick.

Sincerely, Ms. Marty Pants “Dear Ms. Marty Pants, It’s officially fall but still feels like summer. How can I get in the spooky mood when it’s still so hot out?

Sincerely, Autumn”

October is probably an indication of climate change, and I’d argue that’s spookier than anything!

Sincerely, Ms. Marty Pants “Dear Ms. Marty Pants, I got all of my shots but I haven’t turned in my immunization records yet. How do I do that?

Sincerely, that guy” Dear that guy, Honestly, what matters is that you’ve received all your vaccines. I don’t think it’s that important to turn the records in. Students love getting mass emails to remind them of what only a few have forgotten!

Sincerely, Ms. Marty Pants

Dear Autumn, The fact that it’s this hot in

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

THURSDAY Weekly Play Club meeting from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Honors Lounge in Gold Star Memorial Building Weekly Chapel service at 1p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

Criminal Justice Reform Panel Discussion from 1-2 p.m. in Oklahoma City University School of Law Carrie Dickason Workshop from 12:45-5 p.m. in Ann Lacy Visitor Center

FRIDAY Volleyball v. Panhandle State at 7 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center OCU Stripped Presents: Pippin from 8-10:30 p.m. in Petree

Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center SATURDAY Volleyball v. Wayland Baptist at 1 p.m. in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center

Oct. 2, 2019, Volume 113, Issue 6

2

Staff Writers: MaKayla Baxter, Maria DeLoera, Erik Hamilton, Francesca Iacovacci, Hope Melton, Shelby O'Brien, Hannah Prentice Columnists: Paul Dower, Francesca Iacovacci, Hope Melton

SUNDAY Smashcade at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel

University Center TUESDAY Women’s soccer v. Tex. Wesleyan at 5 p.m. at Brian Harvey Field Men’s soccer v. Tex. Wesleyan at 7 p.m. at Brian Harvey Field

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: Emily Wollenberg Copy Editor: Paul Dower Photo Editor: Clara Foster Community Manager: Jessica Vanek Web Editor: Luke Barrett Ad Director: Maddie Bowes Graphic Designer: Melissa Campbell

OCU Stripped Presents: Pippin from 8-10:30 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Photographers: Clara Foster, Hannah Campbell, Kai Dunn, Katie Gibbs, Hope Melton Faculty Adviser: Ben Felder

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 Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2019. All rights reserved.

October 2, 2019

news

Eating burgers, playing games Left: Brennyn Seagler, mass communications senior, plays Giant Jenga with Taylor Sylvester, biomedical sciences senior, and Payton Taylor, exercise and sports science junior, outside of Wilson House on Sept. 26 at the Burgers with Burger event.

Right: Students at the Burgers with Burger event on Sept. 26 make themselves dinner from the buffet. Burgers, chips and burger-shaped gummies were served.

Below: Abby Selzer, criminal justice sophomore, and Riley Westervelt, finance freshman, play Cornhole at the Burgers with Burger event on Sept. 26 in the drive-

“ “

way outside of Wilson House.

Clara Foster Student Publications

Vocal performance student wins scholarship Jessica Vanek

COMMUNITY MANAGER

A vocal performance student recently won a scholarship for a full year of tuition from the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

Hallie Schmidt, vocal performance senior, received an email a few months ago about the Byre Ashley McKenzie scholarship from her voice teacher.

“My voice teacher sent me the information on it while I was at a summer program,” Schmidt said. “He recommended that I apply for it.”

Schmidt said she wrote a 500-word essay and provided

two references in order to be considered for the scholarship.

Schmidt said she has had an interest in vocal performance for many years.

“Halfway through high school, I got really interested in opera. And when I started at OCU, I still felt really attached to music theater and wanted to study both,” Schmidt said.

“I ended up switching to just vocal performance when I was a sophomore.”

Since first enrolling at OCU, Schmidt has been seen in a number of shows, including The Juniper Tree, The Marriage of Figaro, The Vaudevillian, and Cendrillon.

I thank my teachers, my coaches, everybody.

Hallie Schmidt vocal performance senior

Schmidt said she enjoyed being in Cendrillon last year.

“It was so kooky and fun. We really got to let loose. I haven’t done a lot of comedy, so it was really exciting,” she said.

In addition to perfoming, Schmidt is involved in a number

of different organizations including being the artistic director for OPERAtions. OPERAtions is a student-run opera company that puts on a show once a semester.

OPERAtions had previously stopped functions for a few years, Schmidt said.

“I’m not exactly sure what year it ended, but it wasn’t present when I got here in 2016.

And then two grad students got really excited about bringing it back,” she said.

Schmidt has been involved with OPERAtions for two years now.

“It’s been really rewarding and exciting,” she said. “And now I’m the artistic director for it, so it’s been fun to help move that forward.”

Schmidt said she is also the audition coordinator for the School of Theatre.

“I was in work study in the School of Theatre my sophomore year. They created the position at

the end of my sophomore year,” she said. “I really like doing that kind of stuff, coordinating things and putting things together, so that seemed like a really exciting opportunity.”

Schmidt said she has some people to thank for her opportunities in the School of Music.

“I definitely thank the entire panel for picking me as the recipient of the scholarship and the deans for being so supportive,” she said. “I thank my teachers, my coaches, everybody.”

Religious life collects supplies for hurricane relief Matthew Lavery

STAFF WRITER

Religious Life students and faculty are organizing aid for those affected by the recent hurricanes in the United States and its territories.

Officials said they are putting together relief baskets with collected supplies.

“We are collecting items that will be packaged together,” said Reverend Elizabeth Horton-Ware, director of Religious Life.

“They are mainly used for cleaning up after, so first response to those storms.”

Rev. Horton-Ware said Religious Life is looking for anything that will help to clean up after a storm.

“Cleaning supplies,” Rev. Horton-Ware said. “There is a long list with some specific needs, but they all go together in a five gallon bucket, and then they get shipped off to go help people.”

If students are looking to donate, they can do so in the chapel.

“We have two bins in the chapel,” Rev. Horton-Ware said.

We are collecting items that will be packaged together.

Rev. Elizabeth Horton-Ware director of religious life

“Both in our front doors, one in the upstairs space as you head into the chapel sanctuary and one downstairs as you head into Watson Lounge.”

Rev. Horton-Ware said if students want to help others in their class or major collect items, there are also bins that can be shared across campus.

Religious Life is specifically looking for scouring pads, sponges, scrub brushes, cleaning towels, liquid laundry detergent, household

“

cleaner, disinfectant dish soap, clothes pins, dust masks, pairs of latex gloves, insect repellent, clothes lines, cans of air freshener, and heavy duty trash bags.

Jacob Harrell, religion/english sophomore, is an intern at the Wesley Center in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel.

“Hurricanes are something that happen all the time, and it is something that we can prepare for because we know it’s going to happen,” Harrell said.

Harrell said with the help of The United Methodist Corps, a relief group within the Methodist church, they have a better way of putting together relief after natural disasters.

“UM Corps has put together a very stable way to continuously help people,” Harrell said, “Every single penny that goes to their organization goes to victims, and it’s one of the best charities when it comes to disaster relief."

Career Services to provide etiquette dinner for students MaKayla Baxter

STAFF WRITER

Career Services officials are offering students a dining etiquette training dinner.

Kanika Brown, director of Career Services, will host the “Mind Your Manners” dinner and provide an interactive lecture, teaching students professional dining etiquette.

“There’s a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to professional dinners in a business setting,” said Mikel Kendrick, acting sophomore and Career Services ambassador. “The goal is to give students a fun environment where they can learn some really valuable lessons.”

Chartwells will cater the event, which will cost $9 per student.

“In the past, you used a meal swipe to get in,” Kendrick said.

“I don’t want the $9 fee to discourage anyone from coming out, though. It’s a full five course meal, so the cost will totally be worth it.”

Erin Hennessy, dance management senior and Career Services ambassador, said the dinner is an important and unique opportunity for students.

“There’s literally no downside to going,” Hennessy said. “Dining etiquette is a really important aspect of our lives, especially in professional environments. We should brush up our skills as much as we can.”

Hennessy said she is glad Career Services provides events like these for students who may not have much dining etiquette experience.

“There’s nothing wrong with learning,” Hennessy said. “Even if you’re intimidated, or think you’ll never need to use proper dining etiquette, it’s still a really great experience. You never know when you may need to use some of the techniques being taught.”

Allie Millburn, music theater/vocal performance sophomore, said she encourages students to attend.

“Career Services wants students to be involved in as many

events possible, in order to assure everyone’s future professional success,” Millburn said.

Millburn said the dinner will provide a comfortable environment for students to learn skills that will benefit them in many social and professional environments.

“Lots of meetings are conducted over dinners, and proper etiquette makes a huge difference in how you present yourself,” Millburn said. “That’s what events like these are for. We want to give students tools that can significantly help them in whatever career they choose.”

The Career Services “Mind Your Manners” etiquette dinner will take place from 5:30-6:45 p.m. on Oct. 16 in The Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

Interested students can RSVP on Handshake, and may email questions to careerservices@okcu.edu.

Student educator organization to partner with music educators Francesca Iacovacci

STAFF WRITER

The Student Oklahoma Educator’s Association provides opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

The student organization is a version of the public school system’s teachers union, The Oklahoma Educator’s Association.

Dr. Lisa Delgado Brown, associate professor of education and SOEA advisor, said the club tries to maintain relevance in the education field and host events that will be of student interest.

“As a professor, it’s fun to help scaffold for my students October 2, 2019

ways they can take a more active role in education,” Delgado Brown said.

Elizabeth Sughrue, English education senior and SOEA Chapter President, said the primary purpose of the organization is professional development.

“We want to make sure the students who go into the classroom when they leave OCU are well-equipped to handle a variety of different scenarios they might encounter as a teacher,” Sughrue said. “We will often cover topics in our meetings that we don’t necessarily get to talk about in the classroom.”

Although SOEA does not have a regular meeting time,

As a professor, it's fun to help scaffold for my students ways they can take a more active role in education.

Dr. Lisa Delgado Brown associate professor of education SOEA advisor

they meet about three times each semester.

Sierra Paul, theatre and performance/education senior, said the meetings vary in format and content.

“Sometimes we’ll have guest speakers, and other times we’ll have presentations from upper-

classmen and professors on topics relating to education,” Paul said. “Last year, I remember presentations about teaching students that speak English as their second language.

Another time, we had a lawyer speak to us about how to protect ourselves legally when interact-

ing with students.”

This semester, Delgado Brown said the organization will be partnering with music education students and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education on campus.

The two student organizations will collaborate at SOEA’s second meeting of the year where a speaker from the state division of OEA will give a presentation. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 in room BL01 of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

“We’re trying to build a community between the two organizations,” Delgado Brown said. “We want to combine forces and allow the students

to feel more connected beyond the classroom.”

Paul said being a part of SOEA is beneficial for all students, not only education majors.

“Anyone whose major potentially deals with children should consider attending an SOEA meeting because we talk about a wide variety of topics, and it’s very helpful,” Paul said.

To get involved with SOEA, email Delgado Brown at lcdelgadobrown@okcu.edu for more information.

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a&e

Whatayatalk, whatayatalk?

Right: Jack Supan, music theater sophomore, Austin Lewis, music theater graduate, Adam White, music theater sophomore, and Hunter Samrau, music theater sophomore, perform in Wanda L. Bass School of Music’s “The Music Man.” The four men played the barbershop quartet and performed notable songs “It’s You,” “Lida Rose” and “Sincere.”

Far right: Meghan Rooney, music theater junior, performs as “Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn.” She leads the patriotic celebration on the Fourth of July in 1912.

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Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Student Choreography Show features 200 students Maxwell McIntire

STAFF WRITER

The Student Choreography Show and Friends is in full-swing, with participating students in rehearsals and faculty overseeing the student-run production.

Students have been in rehearsals since the beginning of the semester in preparation for the upcoming Student Choreography Show and Friends, which will open for one night and two performances. The show involves several choreographers, over one hundred performers and dozens of students in management positions, with the entire production overseen by faculty.

The process for the annual showcase begins nearly two years in advance, with the choreographers taking specialized classes beginning their sophomore spring semester to prepare their pieces for the showcase. Auditions for performers happen at the start of every fall semester, and rehearsals begin soon after. The students chosen for management positions are in charge of casting. Students of all majors are welcome to apply and audition, but only students taking the required courses are allowed to choreograph for the show.

Thomas Olson, dance performance senior and one of 18 choreographers, said there is a process to being eligible to create one of the pieces.

“You would need to take the first two prerequisites, which are choreography theory and choreography production. Then, after that, we go through a vetting process where we propose different ideas we would want to do, and they decide if they want to let us be a part of it or not,” Olson said.

Fifteen of the 18 choreographers this year are dance performance seniors, two are American dance teacher majors and one is

It’s really great to have this showcase, because we grow so much throughout our four years here.

Morgan Wanamaker

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dance senior

a dance management major. Each is in the process of choreographing one piece. A total of 154 dancers from a variety of majors will perform in the showcase.

The “and Friends” part of the show’s title refers to two of the 20 routines being performed throughout the show. Both are song and dance pieces featuring guest artists. These numbers are overseen by Alana Martin, dance professor.

Faculty involvement is restrained and limited, said Morgan Wanamaker, dance management senior and assistant to technical advisor Susan Cosby.

“They are involved, but they don’t determine everything. They just guide the choreographers through the process,” she said.

“They’re just there for a lending hand.”

Julie Russell Stanley and Tiffany van der Merwe, dance professors and co-directors of the showcase, said there are 11 total faculty members involved in the production, including themselves, Cosby, costumers, and various faculty members overseeing the choreography process and offering constructive advice. Their roles as co-directors are to help the choreographers fully articulate their

vision and put their ideas onstage in a fully realized production.

“They get a lot of time and care from their professors to get the vision put on stage,” said van der Merwe.

Among the faculty working on the show, Cosby works as the technical advisor, keeping track of the logistical aspects of costumes, lights and scheduling. As the assistant to the technical director, Wanamaker said her position entails the handling of equipment for rehearsals and keeping the technical aspects of the show running smoothly. Including Wanamaker, the show has 46 student crew members.

Olson said it is an ultimate farewell for many of the dance performance majors involved in choreographing.

“It touches on a myriad of things that they learn throughout their time here,” said Stanley.

Wanamaker said she appreciates the opportunites the showcase provides.

“It’s really great to have this showcase, because we grow so much throughout our four years here, and allowing this showcase to happen allows us to see our potential and allows us to grow as artists, as managers and as choreographers in many different ways,” Wanamaker said.

Performances for the showcase are at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Oct 11 in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Tickets will be $8 either online or at the Performing Arts Ticket Office in the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center.

Photo Editor Clara Foster is a stage manager for the show. She was not involved in the writing of this story.

First theater mainstage to explore race, civil rights Hannah Prentice

STAFF WRITER

The School of Theatre and the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre are putting on a coproduction of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

This production will be the first theater main stage show of the year, following the Aaron Sorkin script, which is currently on Broadway.

After facing brief legal issues regarding the rights to the show, the School of Theatre was told to use the Sorkin script instead of the original script written by Christopher Sergel. Director Elin Bhaird said she found it weird the Sorkin lawyers wanted them to use the same script that is also being shown on Broadway currently.

“We were doing the original version, and we received a really nasty letter from the attorneys for the Broadway show after we had already received the rights to do the show,” Bhaird said.

“They were saying that we couldn’t do the show and threatening to sue and fine us; there was a huge stink across the country about them pulling the rights to this. It was decided that any non-professional company that had the rights to do it before the letters went out could, but they had to use the same script as the version on Broadway.”

As a coproduction with the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, the cast consists of actors from both OCU and OCT. “This particular show is college students and adults from our touring production,” Bhaird said.

Gareth Forsberg, acting senior, is portraying the role of “Boo Radley.”

“Boo Radley is this iconic boogieman character, and the way I see it is that the show is about discrimination and human connection within that,” Forsberg said. “Tom Robinson is discriminated against based on his race and his skin color, but Boo Radley is discriminated against because of his past or the rumors that neigh-

I know for me, my hope for this show is that people will take a look at their own lives and see where they can improve.

Megan Berning acting junior

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bors have about him. While it is not the same beast, Boo Radley is there as a reminder that it isn’t just about race, it’s about how humans treat other humans.”

While this show has been in the works, a recent incident with racist terminology has affected the cast and crew’s outlook on the show, Bhaird said.

“I have talked to the students within the show because there has been a lot of stuff going on on campus lately, and there have been some administrators on campus who have been a little bit wigged out about the coincidental timing between these issues and the show,” Bhaird said. “I asked the theater students how people have been reacting to it because there is some really rough racist language within the script due to the topic and setting. So I asked the students in the show about how they felt audiences would respond to the show with the issues going on within the campus community, and they all said they believed people would be able to distinctly separate the two because the show is an artform and it’s expressing the climate in the setting.”

Due to the nature of the language used within the show, Bhaird said there will be a warning included within the program informing audience members about the more intense moments and language

within the show.

Megan Berning, acting junior, is playing “Scout.” Berning said the show is an opportunity for those involved to make a statement on campus about the further change the school still needs.

“As theater performers, we are here to tell the difficult stories.

I know for me, my hope for this show is that people will take a look at their own lives and see where they can improve,” Berning said. “I think a lot of these situations arise because of ignorance, which is an explanation, but not an excuse, and I think there are some characters in the show who are also ignorant. I think this show specifically will have the OCU community take a look at our actions and think to ourselves, how can we be better, because there are definitely still ways we can do that.”

Because of the heavy subject matter this show covers, it was decided to include talkback discussions after the evening performances to discuss the show’s topics with community members who have faced such issues.

“The show tells a very important story, but it is mostly white people telling the story. So I think we want to give people of color the voice that they deserve with the show and tell the story in a way that does it justice,” Berning said. “I believe we are bringing in professors, actors and community members to speak with both the audience and the cast after the evening performances, but I think mostly it is a dialogue with the audience members.”

School performances will start at 10 a.m. from Oct. 23-25 as well as regular performances at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 23-26 and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the Burg Theatre in Kirpatrick Fine Arts Center.

Web Editor Luke Barrett is in the show. He was not involved in the writing of this story.

OCU Stripped produces “Pippin” with all-female leadership crew Shelby O’Brien

STAFF WRITER

OCU Stripped is opening their season with the musical Pippin.

Stripped is a student-run organization that arranges two musical productions on campus each year. The organization is strictly student-funded, so every production that is put on is minimalistic regarding set, props and costumes. Every aspect of the show is run and designed by students.

Celina James, music theater senior, is the director of this semester’s Stripped production.

James said the process is very quick, lasting only two weeks with a couple days of tech.

“Basically, our process is starting at the top of the show and working our way to the end,” James said.

James said the production includes many different majors such as music theater, acting and vocal performance.

Reid Saari, acting sophomore, is cast in the show’s ensemble and “Pippin” understudy.

Pippin is Saari’s second Stripped show at OCU, and he said it is a great environment to get involved in.

“Stripped is a great professional work environment and organization that allows students to take on leadership positions,” Saari said.

Saari said Pippin is a terrific show and will be superb to watch October 2, 2019

Stripped is a great professional work environment and organization that allows students to take on leadership positions.

Reid Saari acting sophomore

stripped down.

“Pippin itself is wonderful in any adaptation. It’s simple yet imaginative,” Saari said.

Bri Reed, music theater sophomore playing “Leading Player,” said the process is going by quickly.

“My character in Pippin is the antagonist in disguise and is very hard to dig into. I am very excited to see where the next two weeks go,” Reed said.

Reed said Pippin is a show that is full of life lessons and fun.

“Pippin is a free show that teaches everyday lessons that everyone should come see,” Reed said.

While Stripped has always been student run, James said there is something very special about the production team of Pippin.

“This year, Stripped has an all-female production team,” James said.

James said women are very underrepresented in leadership roles in the world, so this all-female crew is a very special experience for OCU to partake in.

“Pippin is very altruistic and expressive and is something the cast and team can really play around with,” James said.

She said she is thrilled about the chance to learn new things throughout the process.

“OCU, as a university, provides so many opportunities to learn and grow during our time here,” said James.

Pippin performaces will be at 8 p.m. on Oct. 4-5 in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. There will be an optional donation box at the doors to help with funding for the next Stripped production.

Saari said the cast hopes to see students show up to support other students.

“Come see Pippin to have a fun time and support this student run production,” Saari said.

Graphic Designer Melissa Campbell is the assistant choreographer for Pippin. She was not involved in the writing of this story.

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