05-01-24

The nine-member Board of Regents, Iowa’s governing body for its three public universities, convened at the Alumni Center on Iowa State University’s campus last week. The meeting comes on the heels of the Iowa Legislature passing SF 2435, an education bill which includes funding numbers for K-12 schools and regent universities. This bill also includes similar language from the 10 DEI directives passed by the Board of Regents at their November 2023 meeting, which pushed universities to restructure and eliminate DEI positions not necessary for accreditation or required by state or federal law – as well as a number of other instructions related to civic education, communications and curriculum.

Opinion Columnist Kellie Stiles calls out lack of

at live concerts.

Scoreboards and struggles

How UNI student-athletes balance their mental health

Senior Issa Sullivan wears many hats: captain of the UNI women’s tennis team, movement and exercise science major on the pre-physician’s assistant track, member of the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee.

Though “forever grateful” for the many roles she fulfills as a student-athlete, in reflection on her four years at UNI, one word seems to come up: exhausting.

“I think when you do recruiting and you say you want to do a Division 1 sport, you know it’s going to be mentally challenging and physically challenging, but you push yourself to a point that you didn’t ever know you could go to in the past,” she said.

Tennis competes in both the spring and fall, but Sullivan says that it’s really a year-round sport for players looking to get the best results. When she’s in season, she often spends her weekends competing in five to six-hour-long meets and tournaments that can last up to 12 hours. When she’s not in season, she still keeps a strict training regiment.

As she progressed through

her college career, Sullivan found that constantly striving to compete on the court and in the classroom can come at a cost.

“I didn’t know if I could do it,” she said. “Some days I woke up at 5 a.m. every morning for practice and I didn’t get home until 10:30 at night from the library, and then you wake up and you do it over and over again.”

Sullivan isn’t alone in her

experience. According to the NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study conducted between September 2022 and June 2023, 44% of women’s sports participants reported feeling overwhelmed. 35% reported feeling mentally exhausted.

“It’s exhausting, but I think it’s just keeping the end goal in mind and always reminding yourself that it’s a privilege to be where you are. I worked so hard in high school and beyond that to have the privilege of being a student athlete and loving that grind,” she said.

“I just tell myself to love the pressure and love the busy schedule, because I’m never going to have the same exact experience,” she said. “And even though it was really tiring, I’ll forever be grateful for it.”

While Sullivan adapted to the demanding lifestyle of a college athlete, the exhaustion she experienced points to very real mental health struggles for college athletes around the nation.

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Senior Issa Sullivan experienced the highs and lows of being a college athlete during her time at UNI. As suicide rates among student-athletes rise nationwide, UNI and other colleges are exploring ways to best support student-athletes.

NOAH HACKBART Staff Writer

 See DEI CHANGES, page 2

MATTHEW MILLIGAN, PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MALLORY SCHMITZ

NORTHERN IOWAN

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CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Executive Editor chriscbi@uni.edu 515.418.2024

SOPHIE HOFFMEIER Managing Editor hoffmeis@uni.edu 515.795.6066

continued from page 1

This bill would bar the universities from funding DEIrelated positions or functions with reporting and enforcement by the Iowa Attorney General’s office. It has not yet been signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.

DEI Report

Day one of the Regents’ meetings included committees, while day two included reports from each of the Presidents and separate updates on the DEI directives and their progress on each campus.

Each university created some kind of working group, committee, taskforce or advisory board made up of both students and faculty to bring reports to the institutional presidents who would then make final decisions and present them to the Board of Regents.

As for the University of Northern Iowa, President Nook’s plan to the Regents included a few separate things. According to the report, the Division of Student Life will undergo some major changes to student services with the elimination of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice and reimagining positions within it to serve students comprehensively. This also means changing five positions within the Academic Affairs division.

The University of Northern Iowa is also eliminating the chief diversity officer position and creating a new role centered on Cedar Valley community outreach and helping serve “low income and first generation students” within the Center for Urban Education. The chief diversity officer is currently a position within the president’s senior leadership team. The current director of diversity, inclusion and social justice, Chiquita Loveless, will now be serving as assistant dean of students for family and military engagement.

Overall, President Nook focused his report on services being altered to impact and serve students more holistically and moving them to areas under the Office of the Dean of Students and Student Life more broadly.

PRODUCTION

STAFF

In his remarks Nook said “these positions and services are focused on building a stronger sense of community for each student which is essential to ensuring that students who come to UNI are retained, graduate and, as you heard this morning, prepared for their lives after graduation.”

The University of Northern Iowa will also be starting a brand new Center for Civic Education in Nook’s words, “with a vision to be nationally recognized leaders in research, teaching, and public outreach in free speech and civic education.”

The focus of the center will be on students, future educators and members of the public. According to Nook, the center will cost around $300,000 by year three. In his closing remarks, President Nook noted, “We recognize that we are changing the way that we are organized in the way that we serve many of our students. It will take time to adjust to these changes. We are confident that by making these structural and organizational changes, we will be able to provide the personal attention and services each UNI student needs and deserves.”

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor

much of what we’re doing is in the spirit of the law” and “the law does acknowledge we have accreditation issues that we need to comply with, that we have federal and state laws that we need to comply with, and I think there’s some recognition that it’s more complicated than it looks at first blush.”

We are confident that by making these structural and organizational changes, we will be able to provide the personal attention and services each UNI student needs and deserves.

Mark Nook UNI President

At the University of Iowa, President Barbara Wilson announced to the Regents that the university would be renaming its DEI office and moving services around under a new division of “Access, Opportunity, and Diversity.”

The University of Iowa will also be eliminating five unfilled positions, adding a statement to all syllabi that no one can be forced to disclose their pronouns, and beginning a pilot program in residence halls to increase civic education and engagement, to name a few of the major changes.

EDITORIAL STAFF

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor schmimbt@uni.edu

BAILEY KLINKHAMMER Campus Life Editor klinkbaa@uni.edu

CADEN SHEA Sports Editor sheacad@uni.edu

ANTONIA GOODWIN Copy Editor goodwaab@uni.edu

KARINA ORTIZ Spanish Editor ortizkac@uni.edu

SOPHIE HOFFMEIER Webmaster

STEPH STARK Head Photographer starksag@uni.edu

ADVISERS

ANELIA DIMITROVA anelia.dimitrova@uni.edu

CHRIS MARTIN christopher.martin@uni.edu

CIRCULATION

TURNER SPERRY Circulation Manager

After comments and questions from Regent David Barker about SF 2435, President Nook answered that the administrations would need more time to look through the bill, but that many of the changes made addressed much of the legislative language regarding DEI. President Wilson, while recognizing that the pending legislation wasn’t ideal, also commented on SF 2435, “I think

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At Iowa State University, President Wendy Wintersteen announced to the Regents that the vice president of DEI and its entire division will be eliminated within the senior leadership team, which is a total of five positions. Iowa State University will also be adding a statement to all syllabi regarding pronouns, changing course names and will continue work on reviewing all unit-level DEI positions.

OCEM Audit

The Board of Regents also heard a report from the Audit and Compliance Committee, which looked into UNI’s Office of Compliance and Equity Management (OCEM).

 See DEI CHANGES, page 3

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MENTAL HEALTH

continued from page 1

According to data from the NCAA, suicide is the second most common cause of death for college athletes after accidents. The suicide rate among college athletes has doubled from 7.6% to 15.3% over the past 20 years.

As a result, athletic departments at universities around the country, including UNI, are exploring ways to understand and support the struggles faced by student-athletes.

Striking a balance

“It’s hard to be perfect in everything,” Jaylie Hicklin said, a member of the women’s soccer team and the Northern Iowa Student Government director of athletic affairs.

The strive for perfection Hicklin referred to is all too real for many athletes trying to balance academics with their sport. With such busy schedules, it can be challenging to make time to do homework and study for exams.

“I’m friends with people in class that study up right before the test, and like two hours before they’re cramming and they’re doing a review — and I’m at practice,” she said.

“You have to prepare way in advance, and that’s the thing that some people don’t really like. Some athletes don’t have the time to do that or the drive, so that makes it kind of a really tough balance,” Hicklin added.

As Hicklin described, that balance between academics and athletics often fluctuates, one usually taking priority over the other.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Several of the athletes interviewed mentioned that they find the most support from their fellow teammates and coaches. Since the creation of the part-time counselor position, athletes say there have been many more open conversations about mental health.

it’s just a mental battle of ‘Okay, where do I find my happiness in all of this?’” she said. “When one thing doesn’t go your way, how can you kind of balance and make the other side work out?”

Women’s basketball player Grace Boffeli echoed Hicklin’s perspective. Once conference basketball games start from January to March, Boffeli said she and her teammates often miss at least two days of class per week to either travel to road games or shoot around before home games.

I feel like as an athlete, we are pressured by the outside world sometimes ... but there’s other aspects. We’re human as well.

Grace Boffeli

UNI Women’s Basketball Player

“When both of those things aren’t really going your way,

DEI CHANGES

continued from page 2

The office is responsible for ensuring UNI offers equal education opportunities and complies with both state and federal laws like Title IX and affirmative action.

According to the report, the auditors found shortcomings in the office that could “expose the university to unacceptable risks” and “result in serious consequences.”

The internal audit cited lack of cross-campus collaboration in the office, finding UNI’s compliance office director only reports to President Nook’s

“During those months I feel like I’m always just trying to catch up on schoolwork but then also performing on the basketball court. It’s a stressful time, but you kind of have to go with it. That’s the grind time,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s basketball, basketball, basketball, lifting,”

office for all responsibilities.

According to the audit, “Multiple interviews conducted in fieldwork identified that management of this office does not appropriately share information with key process or compliance stakeholders across the institution. This has limited the ability of multiple functional areas within the institution to effectively and efficiently carry out their responsibilities.”

The audit also noted budget concerns with the office, uncovering deficits totaling nearly $400,000 over the last five years, with the 2021 and 2023 budgets exceeding $100,000.

According to the audit,

Bofelli continued. “So it’s really important to find the balance of hanging out with friends and doing things you enjoy outside of the court, because my friends helped me so much through the ups and downs. I just think it’s really important for athletes to find a balance between their social life, their own time and then their sport.”

Being more than your sport

Though sports take up so much of an athlete’s life, several spoke of the importance of separating the sport from the person.

Boffeli said, “I feel like as an athlete, we are pressured by the outside world sometimes, like ‘You’re just a basketball player. We’ve seen you on the basketball court,’ but there’s other aspects. We’re human as well.”

“If you have one bad game, just drop it. It’s hard because we do have high expectations for ourselves, but just look at the positives, even through the bad,” she said.

Hicklin added, “I wish more athletes would choose to get involved in like normal clubs and stuff, because those people have broadened my experience so much and made my mental health better because I have a

“These deficits have grown despite an over $60,000 (16 percent) increase in the budget over the past five years.”

They also reported a lack of coordination in the hiring process, however the audit states there are already active changes to the hiring process underway.

The Northern Iowan reached out to University Relations for comment, and were directed to the action plan in the audit as their comment.

Part of the action plan states, “Management will review and assess the current reporting and governance structure of the OCEM and investigate opportunities to improve the effective

with friends, that emotionally makes me feel really good, and then I’m able to produce in my sport,” McDermott said.

Resources on campus

Student-athletes have access to all of the mental health resources available to all UNI students, including the Counseling Center and TELUS teletherapy app. In addition, Shane Fuller is a part-time counselor specifically available for athletes to utilize at no additional cost. This position is contracted through a partnership between UNI Athletics and Cedar Valley Medical Specialists and has existed for almost two years.

life outside of just athletics.”

“I think the more we can get people to be involved and find their worth in more than just their sport through other things on campus, that will help immensely,” she said.

Women’s basketball player Maya McDermott said that even though her sport takes up so much of her life, she has learned to prioritize other areas as well to improve her overall wellness.

In Sullivan’s role on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she helps serve as a liaison between student-athletes and athletics administration. Her sophomore year, her main goal while on the committee was to establish mental health resources that cater to the unique experiences of student-athletes.

... for male athletes, it’s okay to have mental health issues. You don’t have to be the tough guy and take on that front all the time.

“As a student athlete, you are absorbed by this sport that you play, but you can still have it all,” she said. “I’ll spend four hours a day basketball training and weightlifting, but you still have the other 20 to 21 hours in the day to do things in school or hang out with friends.”

“My motto is look good, feel good. So if I take care of myself, eat right, every once in a while go to get nails done

operation of the office in light of planned changes to the hiring process as UNI Works is implemented. Senior leadership will establish key metrics to be reported annually that will assure that the OCEM is meeting expectations.”

Other Business

Earlier in the day, each of the presidents gave institutional updates. President Nook gave updates on the new applied engineering building and its construction on campus and chose to highlight three students and faculty for their work on campus, biology student Treytun Garcia, computer

“A lot of other schools and campuses across the country, especially Division 1 level, had a mental health resource and we didn’t, so we made it our goal to do something about it,” Sullivan said. “And then we did get a parttime mental health counselor that any athlete can use completely free. I think that was a big accomplishment for us and one of the biggest accomplishments for me, leaving UNI knowing those athletes have a resource.”

Several athletes felt that adding this position has also increased the number of conversations about mental health in the past year and a half.

science professor Ben Schafer and communications professor Nichole Zumbach Harken. President Nook also gave a shout out to Parker Keckeisen, who won the 184-pound NCAA wrestling title this year. The agendas, reports, slides and data used by the presidents and by the Regents can be found at www.iowaregents.edu and their meetings can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

The next Board of Regents meetings discussing budgets and tuition rates will be held on June 11, 12 and 13 at the University of Iowa.

Cael Rahnavardi UNI Wrestler

Spanish Editor says goodbye to the NI

KARINA ORTIZ Spanish Editor

Goodbyes are never easy, but they are necessary.

My time as the Spanish Editor has taught me much about what it means to inform, interview and write journalism in an effective way. It has also taught me about myself. Through meeting deadlines, delegating articles to be translated and public speaking in classes, the confidence in my role grew exponentially.

However, the most important thing this role has taught me was how to increase the voice of the Latiné community and provide them with important information about the Cedar Valley area.

It is bittersweet to say goodbye to a role that is rare and few in between in the world of journalism, but I believe it will inspire other newspapers to implement a

MENTAL HEALTH

continued from page 3

“It really helps hearing it from other people on the team,” Wrestler Cael Rahnavardi said. “A lot of those guys will talk about how they meet with Shane all the time and they say how beneficial it is for them, so it kind of just opens the door. It’s like, guys that are your peers are saying how valuable it is to them, so why would you not go test it out?”

In the future, students hope to see the counselor position increase to full-time or add more staff.

“I hope we can increase that resource for us because now Shane’s busy all the time,” Rahnavardi said. “If we have a mental health emergency, we can’t really meet with him tomorrow or today. So I mean, if we have another therapist that’s able to come in for us,

Spanish column as well.

This is a column that keeps the Spanish lan guage alive. However, my turn is now over. I feel confi dent that the role of the Spanish Editor is in great hands. I trust that he will do a great job informing the Latiné community and helping L2 learners (and heritage speakers) write and prac tice their Spanish.

This goodbye is necessary for future gen erations of Spanish Editors in the Northern Iowan, but it does not make it easy. Thank you for reading the Spanish column while I was the editor, and be on the lookout for the next editor's future work!

Las despedidas no son fáciles, pero son necesarias. Mi tiempo como Editora en Español me ha enseñado sobre la significancia de informar, entrevistar y escribir periodismo en una manera efectiva.

También me ha enseñado sobre mí misma. A través de cumplir el plazo de entrega, delegar artículos para hacer traducidos y hablar en público en las clases, mi confianza en el papel aumentó exponencialmente. Sin embargo, la cosa más importante en este papel es que me ha enseñado cómo aumentar la voz comunitaria Latiné y proveerlos con información importante sobre el área de Cedar Valley.

Es agridulce decir adiós a un papel que es raro y contado en el mundo del periodismo, pero creo que inspirará a otros periódicos a implementar una columna de español también.

Esta columna conserva la vida del idioma español. Sin embargo, ya se ha terminado mi turno. Me siento segura que el papel del Editor de Español está en buenas manos. Estoy segura que hará un buen trabajo en informar a la comunidad Latiné y ayudar a los hablantes de segunda lengua, y los hablantes nativos, enseñarles a escribir y a practicar el español.

Esta despedida es necesaria para las generaciones en el futuro de editores en español del Northern Iowan, pero no lo pone fácil. Gracias por leer la columna de español mientras yo era la editora y estar en la búsqueda por el trabajo del próximo editor!

we have twice as many options, so that way, if something does come up, we’re able to get in.”

Andrea Greve Coello, associate athletics director for Student-Athlete Development and Inclusion, said that UNI Athletics has been working to increase support for students’ mental health over the past few years.

“We have been advocating for a full-time position within Athletics for years. Securing the part-time mental health counselor has been a huge step in the right direction for our department, and has been a positive experience for our student-athletes,” she said.

Other more recently added resources include offering VAR Training. VAR Training is a program created by Active Minds which provides steps to help others deal with everyday struggles. Beginning in fall 2023, the training was offered

as part of the freshman experience course all athletes go through.

Greve Coello said that UNI Athletics also makes referrals to on-campus and community resources as needed.

Last year, students also established a chapter of Morgan’s Message on campus, a national organization devoted to breaking the stigma around mental health for student-athletes.

For resources that could further support students, some athletes also mentioned the addition of a sports psychologist to the staff. While a counselor focuses more on an athlete’s personal or life struggles, a sports psychologist specifically addresses an athlete’s performance and typically has a greater understanding of an athlete’s lifestyle. Others also mentioned a dietician specifically for athletics to help athletes balance food and avoid disordered eating.

Bringing Awareness

Despite having some resources in place, some athletes mentioned that one of the biggest obstacles is raising awareness and making people feel comfortable to ask for help.

A survey released by the NCAA in May 2022 revealed that while two-thirds of college athletes reported knowing where to go on campus for mental health concerns, only 47% expressed that they would feel comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider on campus.

“Going to get help in athletics is tough because you have people who are super competitive, who don’t want to really show any weakness,” Hicklin said. “People don’t want to let anyone know that there is that

side of them that does need help, we all want to do it ourselves. That’s just kind of how everyone is with that competitive edge and drive.”

Senior swimmer Taylor Short added, “The nature of athletics is built on mental toughness and determination. You don’t quit, you don’t stop. So I think, while those are all important qualities, and I think can be good qualities to have for athletes especially, that’s what bites you in the butt sometimes.”

“We all go to practice when we don’t feel good. That is, I think, where mental health in athletics can be challenging,” she said. “You kind of shove it down and you show up, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it can be difficult when it gets to the point where you aren’t processing or dealing with things you might need to and so you’re kind of sacrificing your mental health for the sake of your sport for so many reasons.”

“You don’t want to disappoint your teammates. You don’t want to disappoint your coach. You don’t want to make your team look bad. You don’t want to miss class. There’s so many factors that go into it,” Short said.

In looking at NCAA data, male athletes are at a much higher risk for suicide than female. From 2002 to 2022, 77% of college athlete suicides were male, something Rahnavardi said is important for future discussions of mental health.

“I think, just building awareness that at least for male athletes, it’s okay to have mental health issues. You don’t have to be the tough guy and take on that front all the time,” he said.

McDermott believes in the importance of student-athletes using the platforms they have from their sports.

“I think more student athletes need to kind of put that out there in support because you have that platform and people are paying attention to you even when you think they aren’t,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how many followers I have, but that’s going to hit certain targets with people.”

Though athletes of different sports often have different schedules and different specific experiences, Short said that mental health resources should be an area of unity.

“No matter if the school is D1 or D3, men’s sports, women’s sports, intramural sports, it doesn’t even matter what it is. Everyone, I think, should be aware of and have access to mental health resources, period,” she said.

“Even among the toughest of athletes or the best athletes, the best students, the best people, it doesn’t matter. Mental health doesn’t really discriminate,” she said. “I think it’s important for everyone to be aware of how they can get help and how they can help others.”

Hicklin added that though student-athletes may be under circumstances that not every student has to deal with, it’s important for campus as a whole to work together on these issues.

“I think the mental health struggles that normal students face, we face the same ones,” she said.

“The more we fix our student body’s problems, the more we’re going to be able to help our athletes too.”

KARINA ORTIZ

Spanish Editor Karina Ortiz has been a member of the Northern Iowan staff for a year and a half.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Jaylie Hicklin said that many athletes have a difficult time asking for help because of their competitive drive. To help her feel more supported on campus outside of her sport, she’s been involved with Northern Iowa Student Government and several clubs within her major.

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Executive Editor

Disclaimer:

Death of the live concert

You get tickets to see your favorite artist in concert – something you’ve been saving months for. You can hardly contain your excitement as you make your way to your spot on the floor surrounded by other fans. The lights dim and the fans cheer and scream as the curtain is raised, your eyes lighting up as they play your favorite songs.

But those around start shoving and pushing, trying to make their way to the front of the crowd despite just arriving before the main act. There are thousands of phones held up high as people try to get the best video to post to their social media. Others are being loud and obnoxious during quiet parts of the set, screaming at the artist to get attention. You try not to let this ruin your concert experience, but it ultimately makes you feel bitter.

This has become a common occurrence in the modern concert experience. Regardless of the artist you are seeing, many people are “ruining” live concerts.

Live concerts were once a safe space for music enthusiasts to come together and immerse themselves in the magic of live performances, but have now become a battlefield by lack of concert etiquette and respect.

Concert etiquette is a set of social norms observed by those attending musical performances. While usually unspoken and informal, they are essential for fostering a positive and immersive experience for both performers and audience members alike.

But in the age of smartphones and social media, the landscape of live concerts has undergone a significant transformation. From incessant phone use to disruptive behavior, the essence of the concert experience is fading away, leaving many nostalgic for the days of old-school concert etiquette.

One of the most glaring issues plaguing modern concerts is the huge presence of smartphones and the rising use of social media. Instead of being fully present in the moment, many concert-goers are more concerned with capturing the perfect Instagram story or Snapchat video. While there is nothing wrong with want -

ing to record your favorite artist, some will make it their goal to get as close as possible to the front of the stage, waving their phones around to get the best angle and disrupting those around them.

This self-centered and entitled behavior has been coined the term “main character syndrome” by Gen Z, meaning that people feel they are the central focus of attention in every situation, often at the expense of others' enjoyment or safety.

Live concerts were once a safe space for music enthusiasts to come together and immerse themselves in the magic of live performances, but have now become a battlefield by lack of concert etiquette and respect

This term reflects a cultural shift towards individualism and a desire for validation and recognition, particularly prevalent among younger generations who have grown up in the age of constant connectivity and social media.

This individualistic nature of some people has become more and more noticed by the masses, with videos blowing up on social media of this bothersome behavior.

Videos of artists like Mitski having to ask her fans to stop yelling inappropriate words at her, Laufey’s slow songs being

ruined by screaming, and Steve Lacy smashing someone's camera on stage due to someone throwing it at him. All of this just for the fleeting moment that maybe your favorite artist might notice you, for you to have your “main character” moment. While there have always been concert disturbances, more and more people are noticing this behavior. Many people online believe this rise to be because of COVID19 and the postCOVID-19 world we are living in.

This shift towards virtual interactions and digital dependency, worsened by the isolation and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, may have contributed to the escalation of disruptive behavior at concerts.

According to the Statista website, a global poll conducted in March 2020 revealed that 70% of respondents used their smartphones more as a direct result of COVID-19. With limited opportunities for in-person socialization and live experiences during lockdowns, many individuals turned to social media as their pri -

mary means of connection and expression. As a result, the desire for validation and attention in online spaces may spill over into real-life situations, such as concerts, where individuals seek to broadcast their experiences for validation and recognition.

The absence of live events during lockdowns may have intensified the excitement and anticipation surrounding concerts, leading some attendees to prioritize personal documentation over respectful engagement with the music and the community.

In this ever-changing world with new advancements in technology, many are worried that this individualistic culture will continue to grow and cause more problems at not just live concerts, but many social events as well. To preserve the essence of the concert experience, it's imperative for concert-goers to prioritize presence, mindfulness and consideration for others.

Rather than seeking validation through digital means or disrupting the experience for those around us, let us embrace the magic of live music and create spaces where everyone can fully immerse themselves in the moment.

By fostering a culture of respect and mindfulness, we can reclaim the concert experience as a place for music enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the love of live performances.

KELLIE STILES Opinion Columnist

COURTESY/BILLBOARD

Concert-goers hold up their phones to take videos and pictures. Opinion columnist Kellie Stiles argues phones and a general lack of concert etiquette are ruining the live concert experience.

Executive Editor bids farewell

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Executive Editor

When I first stepped foot onto UNI’s campus in 2020, I had absolutely no intention of pursuing journalism. I had written for my high school newspaper, and decided upon graduation to end my journalism career. But despite my best efforts, I could not stay away from the newsroom for long. I joined the Northern Iowan my freshman year as a staff writer thanks to some much needed encouragement from then executive editor, Emma’le Maas.

In the midst of the pandemic, I wrote my first story about Maucker Union food court closing for the semester to mitigate COVID-19 cases. As a somewhat painfully shy freshman, I was terrified to write this story. But there I was, reaching out to campus administrators asking for interviews. I remember so clearly when that article was published on the front page of the paper in January 2021, feeling a sense of pride, accomplishment and empowerment. What then felt like an impossible task, now seems like second nature.

It has been an honor and privilege to inform this campus – from covering DEI protests, local elections, reproductive rights discourse, textbook equity and even Sister Cindy’s visits to campus, I am proud to have contributed to this community I’ve called home the past four years. While I have written 132 articles and thousands of words for this newspaper, I cannot seem to find the right ones to express just how the Northern Iowan has had on my college experience, personal growth and future career. While it may have not been the path I expected, joining the Northern Iowan undoubtedly changed my life for the better.

The art of journalism is not a solo endeavor, but a true team effort. The Northern Iowan editorial team has spent countless hours in our office in the basement of Maucker Union creating 12-page issues week after week, and their hardwork and dedication behind the scenes does not go unnoticed.

Managing Editor Sophie Hoffmeier has been my partner in crime this year, enthusiastically providing

her support for new and creative ideas, while completely revamping our website and updating our digital platforms.

News Editor Mallory Schmitz is the heart of the Northern Iowan. Every week she manages to blow me away with her front page designs and unwaver ing commitment to campus coverage. Her grace under pressure and contagious love for UNI has contributed so much to the newsroom.

Sports Editor Caden Shea has done a fantastic job managing three sports pages this year – a challenge not experienced by previ ous sports editors. He brings joy and enthu siasm to the newsroom, as well as an affinity for curating great playlists.

Current Campus Life Editor and future Executive Editor Bailey Klinkhammer has proven herself not only as a wonderful writer, but a remarkable leader. Watching her grow from a freshman opinion columnist to execu tive editor has been a priv ilege, and I know she will continue to do amazing things in the 2024-25 school

year.

Copy Editor Antonia Goodwin has been a fantastic addition to the Northern Iowan this year, and while her name may not be in the by-line of articles, her attention to detail in ensuring accuracy and grammati -

lar position, and he has done a phenomenal job covering everything from football games to DEI protests and NISG elections. The self proclaimed “photo man,” he is an instrumental part of our team.

Spanish Editor Karina Ortiz has provided the foundation for the NI en Español column this year, and it has thrived under her leadership and steadfast commitment to the column every week.

Our advisor, Christopher Martin, has been a crucial resource in the newsroom, and I am extremely grateful for his mentorship.

Finally I would like to thank you, fellow Panthers. Without your support, the Northern Iowan would not have been able to do what we do. It is thanks to you that local journalism continues to thrive on this campus. Thank you for a wonderful four years!

As always, Go Cats!

Caroline

News Editor Schmitz signs off

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor

In April of 2021, the end of my freshman year, I texted this girl and asked if she wanted to get coffee sometime. We had gotten to know each other a little bit through UNI Dance Marathon as we navigated our first year of college still in the midst of a pandemic, masks in hand and cherishing any in-person interaction we could get.

We hung out that week — me getting a coffee from Chat’s, her a smoothie — and talked for over an hour on the roof of Maucker Union. Through that conversation, she mentioned that she worked for the school newspaper. Within a week I was filling out an online application, ready to jump into the unfamiliar but exciting world of journalism.

This girl was Caroline Christensen — the Northern Iowan’s own current executive editor. We had no idea as freshmen sitting on top of Maucker Union that the two of us would spend our senior year working side by side as news editor and executive editor for the school paper, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Joining the Northern Iowan was the best decision I ever made. It’s given me confidence, purpose, knowledge and the best friends I could have asked for. I’ve been able to report on enthralling guest speakers visiting campus, inspiring student endeavors,

responses to state legislative measures, severe weather, UNI basketball and more.

It has also been such a privilege to get to design the front page each week. I will always appreciate my team’s ability to embrace new design ideas and to adapt to a changing look to the newspaper this year. In our office, I have every single front page on display on the bulletin board above my desk, and when I look up at all 29 previous issues, I feel nothing but pride.

I’m endlessly grateful for everyone who has supported me during these two years I’ve been news editor and the three years I’ve been writing for the Northern Iowan. I’d like to thank our adviser Christopher Martin for wholeheartedly believing in everything we do, and our adviser Anelia Dimitrova for her encouragement along the way.

I’d also like to extend a thank you to everyone in this community who has ever taken time out of their day to sit down for an interview with me. I’ve written 70 articles for the Northern Iowan, and none of those would have been possible without this community’s support for student journalism.

To my dear Campbell Hall friends Maggie and Macey, thank you. A lot of times, the two of you heard the stories first. Thanks for listening time and time again, through the good times and the bad.

To my fellow graduating editors, I’m so so proud of

you. Caden Shea, I’ll always appreciate the joy you brought to the office this year. I know more about Wrestlemania than I ever intended to thanks to you, and I’ll be waiting for your album to drop.

Caroline Christensen, it’s not an exaggeration to say that I wouldn’t be doing any of this without you. You’ve done incredible things for this newsroom and left an impact on student journalism on this campus that is unmatched. The Northern Iowan has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years, and I’m so happy I was able to navigate those times with you as my coworker and friend.

Karina Ortiz, it’s been an absolute pleasure to work on the Spanish section with you for the past year and a half. You are quite possibly the coolest person I know, and your kindness and sheer talent does not go unnoticed.

Antonia Goodwin, your attention to detail and creative headline ideas have been so helpful this year as copy editor. It’s been great to get to know you

To the new and returning staff, I know the newsroom will be in good hands. Sophie Hoffmeier the webmaster, I’ll miss our pre-meeting chats in your office. Thank you for not taking yourself too seriously, and go get yourself that extra sweet treat.

Steph Stark, I’ll always appreciate you going out and taking last minute photos for the front page, even in bad

weather. I wish you the best for the rest of your time at UNI, and please stay out of too much trouble.

Bailey Klinkhammer, you are going to be a wonderful executive editor next year. You have a passion and drive for journalism that is exactly what student newspapers need. Your voice in your writing is incredible, and I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish.

Jo Brahms, I’m so excited for you to take on the role of news editor. To you, Cohen Kamaus, Estelle Johnson, Luis Alvarez and Lizbeth Garcia Tellez as new members of the editorial team, remember to

have fun and take it all in. It won’t always be easy, but rely on your team. It’s a really special experience to be a part of, and I’m so happy that each of you are embarking on this journey.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tough to step away from an organization that I’ve given so much of my time and energy to. However, I’ve gained so much more from this organization and this university than I ever could have imagined.

Love you all, and go cats,

Mallory Schmitz News Editor

Losing things while finding myself

CADEN SHEA Sports Editor

When I started writing for the Northern Iowan, I was a very young staff writer who just wanted to make some extra money while writing about sports. I never talked to anybody who worked there and just wanted to keep my head down and cause as little trouble as possible. I was hesitant when I accepted the job for sports editor because I wasn’t sure I was a right fit for the role. I knew a lot about sports, but wasn’t sure if I would fit in with the rest of the writers and editors.

I was very fortunate to be wrong. When I met the crew for the first official time in August, it felt like I knew them forever. Tuesdays in the newsroom became one of my favorite days of the week. From dropping pizza on the stairs to inside jokes about Harvard, there have been so

many great memories made. I have lost my airpods on a flight to California while also not having a backpack at all. That is definitely something that the crew will not let me live down.

Being able to write about sports is a dream come true and being able to do it with such a great group of people is such a great blessing. This job has given me great opportunities to interview legends such as Caitlin Clark and Kurt Warner. It has also given me the opportunity to share the unique stories of the athletes who represent UNI.

I will never forget this position and I will forever be thankful for this great group of people. Thanks to UNI Athletics, readers of the Northern Iowan and the sports writers. You guys mean more to me than you will ever know.

Khristian Boyd drafted by Saints

From the UNI-Dome to the Superdome, Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd saw his dreams come true on Saturday. The New Orleans selected him with the 199th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

“It feels amazing,” Boyd said in a post-draft interview. “I feel blessed about the opportunity.”

Boyd was a standout player for five seasons as a Panther. He is a native of Blue Springs, Missouri and enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa in 2018. He redshirted the same year and ended up playing in one game.

He appeared in 10 games during the 2019 season, finishing with 25 tackles and two tackles for loss. During the teams 2020-2021 spring season, Boyd finished with 27 tackles, and 3.5 sacks.

Boyd took a big leap in his fourth season with the Panthers in 2022, earning second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. He finished the season with 32 tackles, five tackles for loss,

two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.

Boyd delivered another stellar season in 2023, earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and third-team Associated Press FCS All-American.

Boyd quickly became one of the most intriguing late round prospects in the draft. His stock rose after his performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Boyd had 16 top-30 visits with various NFL teams leading up to the draft.

The Saints were Boyd’s second top-30 visit and they liked him enough to select him in the sixth round. “They stood out with the type of mentality and their coaching style,” said Boyd. “They were one of the teams that wanted to get with me right away right after the combine and they’ve always shown love.”

He joins a defensive-line room with multiple-time ProBowler Cameron Jordan, who could end up being a great mentor for Boyd. The Saints already have some established defensive tackles on the roster, but if Boyd impresses like he did at the Shrine Bowl, it

will be hard to keep him off the field. Being a rotational player is a likely possibility for year one with the ability to step in if a player goes down.

Bleacher Report’s scouting department had this to say about Boyd: “Khristian Boyd is an intriguing FCS/ small-school prospect. He has a stocky build with good weight and plenty of upperbody strength, as evidenced by his 38 bench press reps at Northern Iowa’s pro day. He can also be disruptive against the run and as a pass-rusher.”

Boyd becomes the seventh Northern Iowa player since 2015 to be drafted by an NFL team. He will join his former Panther teammate at Northern Iowa, Trevor Penning, who currently plays left tackle for the Saints and was selected in the first round by the team in 2022. Boyd will also join former Panthers Elijah Campbell (Dolphins), Daurice Fountain (Lions), Elerson Smith (Raiders), Spencer Brown (Bills), Benny Sapp lll (Packers) in the NFL.

2024 NFL draft biggest winners

After three eventful days in Detroit, the NFL draft has officially come to an end. 257 athletes heard their names called and lived out their childhood dream of being selected to play professional football. This year saw Detroit crush the draft attendance record, amassing over 775,000 people over the three-day spectacle. Here are the winners of this year’s draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers arguably got the biggest steal of the draft when they selected NC State linebacker Payton Wilson in the fourth round. They also bolstered their offensive line by taking Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier, who will both make significant contributions to the trenches. Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson replaces Diontae Johnson, who they traded earlier this offseason. The Steelers play in the toughest division in football, but this draft could help them stay competitive.

Howie Roseman does it again. The Eagles GM traded EIGHT different times throughout the draft, gaining

significant amounts of picks for years to come. The Eagles selected cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, who will both try to help fix their dreadful secondary from a season ago.

The Birds selected Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr in the fifth round, whose father, Jeremiah Trotter, is in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

The icing on the cake was the selection of NC State’s Dylan McMahon, whose nickname is “Baby Jason Kelce.”

The Eagles also extended star receiver A.J. Brown just hours before the draft started. Things are looking good in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Minnesota Vikings arguably had the best first round of any team. Questions on if they would trade into the top five circulated all offseason, but the Vikings didn’t make a move. Instead, with the 11th pick, they picked their franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. McCarthy led the Wolverines to a National Championship and is a proven winner. They also owned the 23rd pick, which they used to take Alabama’s Dallas Turner. Turner was viewed as one

of the best defensive prospects in this year’s draft, so getting him in the 20s is a massive steal for the Vikes. Late round picks like Oregon corner Khyree Jackson and Alabama kicker Will Reichard will look to make an impact in Minnesota, who looks to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 season.

The Jim Harbaugh era has officially started in Los Angeles, and if the draft is any indicator on how things will go, Chargers fans should be excited. The Bolts selected Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt with the fifth pick of the draft, stabilizing their line for the foreseeable future. They traded up in the second round to take Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who will try to help replace the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Harbaugh and company took a familiar face in the third round in Michigan linebacker Junior Colson, who Harbaugh coached in Ann Arbor. The Chargers still have a lot of work to do to catch up to their division rival and reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but the draft was a big step in the right direction.

COHEN KAMAUS Sports Writer

COURTESY/NC STATE

NC State’s Payton Wilson was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers

MICHAEL SPAHN Sports Writer

COURTESY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Khristian Boyd became the latest Panther to be drafted in the NFL. Boyd was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 199th pick.

VOLLEYBALL

Panthers bring in new recruits for 2024 season

Panther volleyball hopes to continue their momentim from a great season into next year. The Panthers finished this past year 26-7 and went 18-0 in conference play. They were the regular season MVC Champions as well as Conference Champions. They received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to Miami (FL) in the first round. They have signed an excellent recruiting class that should help them to continue this success.

The roots run deep in the Petersen family as one of head coach Bobbi Petersen’s daughters will be joining the program this coming fall.

Jadyn Petersen hails from the Wolverine dynasty winning the 2A Championship in 2020, 2021, and 2023, with a runner-up finish in 2022. She is a very decorated athlete earning 2023 AVCA Second Team All-American, four time 2A State AllTournament Team selection, three-time district honoree, and four-time All-NICL performer.

Petersen played for local Cedar Valley club Six Pack and was on their 2023 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship team this past summer. She is a defensive specialist/libero that is very quick and versatile on the floor. She has great ball control and can attack like no other from the back court.

Volleyball roots run deep in the Dike-New Hartford program as fellow teammate to Petersen, Maryn Bixby will also be joining the program. Bixby also brings a lot of accolades with her as well. She was a four year letterwinner for the Wolverine program and on the same championship teams as Petersen. Selected to the 2A All-Tournament Team, AllNICL three times, selected for the 2023 IGCA All-Star Game, while also being named AVCA All-Region and All-Academic recognition this past year.

Bixby is both a middle and right hitter and could find herself at home in the middle position with the departure of Layanna Green.

OPINION

She has great size and quickness that could benefit the Panthers next season. Her quickness helps her in the front row being able to close the blocks on the pins and with her strides and length be able to get there efficiently. She is a great pickup for the team and could have good chemistry with Petersen.

Isabelle Elliott comes out of a consistent SumnerFredericksburg volleyball program and also played on the same Championship Six Pack Team as Petersen and Bixby. She was a four-time All-State player and helped lead her team to three state tournament appearances. She was also the 2023 NICL Easy Player of the Year and fourtime all-conference. Elliott was also named to the Class 2A All-Tournament team as well as Elite Team All-State.

Elliot brings a great presence to the net as she is tall and has long arms to help out at the net. She is athletic and fast and she is able to get to the block quickly. A powerful arm is also helpful as she will be able to score at a high level.

Reese Booth comes out of Omaha and brings a lot to the table as a setter. She led her team to three straight Nebraska Class B state tournament appearances including the semi-finals in 2021 and 2023 and a runner-up performance in 2022. Booth is a three-time All-State performer and earned first team honors as a senior and second team honors as a junior. She was also named to the AllEastern Midland Conference and All-Omaha area team twice.

Booth brought a very strong presence in high school and looks to bring it to the Panthers. With Alden graduating, she will fit right in with the team showcasing her experience and timeliness. She is able to run an offense very well and has a strong volleyball IQ that will come in handy with the team. Reese is quick to the ball and has very consistent setting locations as well as some scrappiness on defense that will come in handy for the team.

The final recruit that was signed is Kamryn Vogt who is a multi positional player from Waukee Northwest High School. Vogt signed with UNI Volleyball just shortly after coming off a 5A state championship with Northwest. She is a threetime All-Central Iowa Metro League (CIML), a three-time letterwinner, earned AllDistrict honors in 2022, and helped Northwest to a CIML title in 2021.

Being a multi positional athlete, Vogt brings a lot to the team as she can be positioned anywhere. She is quick at the net as a blocker and can also attack at different tempos which will make her a threat as a hitter. Kamryn brings a very competitive drive that will help to be successful when paying at the next level.

UNI Panther volleyball just concluded their spring season and will bring the new class in as they begin summer practices.

Anthony Edwards is the newest face of the NBA

BRADEN ELTON Sports Writer said Towns, “He hates when I say it, but it’s true. Like I said, ‘Future so bright, got to put the sunglasses on.”’

With the NBA Playoffs underway, one team has already moved on to the next round, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leading the way is two-time All-Star Anthony Edwards.

Over the course of the fourgame sweep against the Phoenix Suns, Edwards averaged 31 points per game, including an impressive 40 point performance in game four of the series.

With all of the attention on Edwards and the Timberwolves right now, many people are starting to question who is the face of the league. According to Karl-Anthony Towns, fourtime All-Star and teammate of Edwards, it’s no question.

“He’s the face of the league,”

Edwards, who grew up idolizing Kevin Durant, squared off against him throughout the series. The two had high praise for one another with Edwards saying he has the “utmost respect for [Durant].”

Durant went even further stating that he was “so impressed with Ant. [He’s] my favorite player to watch ... just his love for the game shines bright ... love everything about Ant.”

Edwards is even garnering attention from arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan. “That brother is special,” Jordan told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and

Michael Wilbon.

Smith went on stating that Edwards is on his way to greatness. “Right now when I see Anthony Edwards, I see in the making, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan. You know how I hate cold weather. I’ll fly to Minnesota to see that brother. He is box office. Anthony Edwards, you hear what I’m saying to y’all, he is special.”

Minnesota is set to play against the winner of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers game, with Denver currently leading 3-1 in the series. If Edwards can continue his impressive playoff run it will no longer be in question, Edwards will be the face of the league, and can only go up from here.

COURTESY/NEW YORK TIMES

Anthony Edwards has emerged as the newest dominant force in the NBA.

JORDAN JUNGE

The Panthers volleyball team looks to continue their dominance as they introduce fresh faces to the team.

NICOLE WATERS Sports Writer

Rise of the rookies

RJ Taylor ready to rock the court in sophomore season

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor

When freshman guard RJ Taylor steps onto the court, he’s nothing if not a spark plug. In his own words, he’s the “Road Runner” or “Energizer Bunny” of the team, and anyone who’s seen his aggressive defense and the elevated rhythm he plays with would agree.

“I’m someone that kind of just always has the motor going up. I can use my speed as my advantage and try to be all over the court,” he said.

Taylor, hailing from Grand Blanc, Michigan, appeared in 30 games this past year as a true freshman, averaging just over 12 minutes of playing time. While he’s just one year into a promising start as a Panther, his connection to basketball goes back to day one.

He is the fifth person in his immediate family to play college basketball, following his mother, father and two older sisters. His dad, Bob Taylor, coached wom-

en’s basketball at Oakland University before moving to Northwood University, a private college in Midland, Michigan, where Taylor’s older sisters played.

“People always ask me when I started playing, and I can’t really answer it,”

Taylor said. “I was crawling while my dad was coaching his college team and stuff like that. I kind of always had the ball in my hand and grew up playing with my sisters in the yard.”

While following in his family’s footsteps to play in college may have been the natural choice, it was the people at UNI that drew him to Cedar Falls.

“The relationships were very important between both the staff and the team,” Taylor said. “I feel like it fit me as who I am both on and off the court very well.”

The 5’11” guard averaged two points per game, with a season high six points in an early season game against Loras College. Though the season ended not long ago, Taylor is already looking to be an even bigger factor on

the court next season.

“I’ve kind of already started with setting my goals and setting my workouts and my habits in accordance to it,” he said. “And so just getting stronger is one big thing and even faster and stronger, but also just working on working on everything. Obviously as someone that wants to have a bigger role next year, I keep getting a lot of shots up every day to become a better shooter and become a better everything. I just try to absorb as much as I can.”

With seven players in the transfer portal, the Panthers’ roster will be a bit shaken up next year. However, Taylor says the returning players are feeling anything but.

“I think if you ask all of us, I think we’re feeling pretty good about it,” Taylor said. “Obviously, you have friends and guys that you’ve sweat a lot with. They are obviously leaving but at the same time, we have a lot of confidence in who we are and what our coaching staff can do to bring in and rebuild our program.”

Kyle Pock: resident sharpshooter

This past winter in the McLeod Center, Panther fans got used to hearing a new name announced over the loudspeakers after sinking key 3-point baskets: “Kyle Pock.”

From Bolivar, Missouri, 6’6” true freshman Pock appeared in 33 games for the Panthers, averaging over 12 minutes per game. With one season under his belt, he’s just getting used to calling the McLeod Center home.

“I had to look up Cedar Falls on the map when they recruited me, I didn’t know where it was,” he said. “But it’s a really good place. I really like it here, and I’m looking forward to coming back next year.”

Pock estimates that he’s been playing basketball since the age of four. Though he’s spent almost his entire life playing the sport, getting serious with it playing on a

travel team in high school, the transition to college athletics was no easy task.

“The college game is a lot different than high school,” he said. “It’s a lot more physical, and it’s a lot faster. It definitely was a big transition period last summer, and through the fall and really for the whole season.”

Pock said that the coaching staff, players and overall team culture is what really drew him to UNI. When he first started with the team, he saw that collaborative culture in action.

“It was a good dynamic to come into because the whole team had come back from the previous year. It was a close group of guys, and we had a lot of older leadership, which made it a lot easier to transition into a new place,” he said.

When on the court, Pock brings some key height to the floor and an even more valuable 3-point shot. He averaged 3.8 points per game, but had several standout perfor-

mances over the season. In the Panthers’ home victory against UIC in January, Pock shot 100%, going 3-3 from beyond the arc and setting his second-highest scoring game of the season at 13 points.

“I feel like I made a lot of strides this year, just getting used to playing at this level and the physicality and the speed,” he said. “I think I made quite a lot of improvement, especially on defense.”

Though the team is losing several players to the transfer portal, Pock is looking to next season as an opportunity to step up.

“Obviously everyone wants to see a little more minutes with the turnover of the team we’re going to have,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of new guys, so I’m just looking to have a little bit bigger role, a little more voice in the team and a little more of a leadership role next year.”

MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

RJ Taylor blows by the competition.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Kyle Pock fires one from beyond the arc.

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