Opinion writer Kellie Stiles debriefs what went wrong during the 2024 Summer Oympics
SEE PAGE 5
CAMPUS LIFE
Staff writer Josue Villatoro disects elements of the upcoming film “The Bikeriders” SEE PAGE 6
SPORTS Panthers have best season start since 2013
BAILEY KLINKHAMMER Executive Editor
United Faculty, UNI’s faculty union, recently published a press release providing specific evidence on lack of faculty compensation compared to peer institutions. United Faculty Vice President, Fernando Herrera Calderón provided more insight into how important it is that UNI faculty receive a raise in their upcoming negotiations.
“When we negotiated our current contract we asked for a 9% raise. The Board of Regents lawyer provided us with a 3% raise, which is obviously below what we were asking for and we left pretty disappointed,” said Calderón. The 3% raised UNI faculty received was the most they’d seen in years. Calderón also added that as insurance premiums continue to rise, that 3% raise might mean faculty make less overall as they put more money into their insurance plans. As United Faculty looks to January, when they revisit the nego -
tiations table, they wanted to have hard evidence that UNI faculty needed a pay raise to keep up with the cost of living and keep up with peer institution salaries.
“When we go into negotiations, to keep up with inflation and our peer institutions, UNI faculty would need a raise of 10%. Typically, or historically, the Board of Regents tends to give us much less than that,” said Calderón. According to the press release from United Faculty, all UNI professors only make 87% of what their counterparts at peer institutions make. Professors make about 84.5% of what their counterparts at peer institutions make.
According to Calderón, the lack of raises for UNI faculty doesn’t just affect faculty personally, but affects the entire UNI community as a whole. “Professors do their best work when they’re paid well. When they’re able to take care of what they need to take care of outside of the classroom, they flourish on
campus. When you have a lower rate of pay, it makes recruitment that much harder for the entire campus. Then it starts to affect programs and could affect the quality of education for our students,” Calderón elaborated. According to the UNI 2022 climate survey, 63% of UNI’s faculty have considered leaving and 55% of that number considered leaving because of the salary rate. “UNI’s list of peer institutions are colleges across the country who have a similar faculty and student population. I believe it’s a list of 10 institutions, and when it came to pay, in the past, UNI used to top that list. Over the past few years, UNI has dropped on that list time and time again,” Calderón said.
Calderón also expressed how important the role the state legislature plays in this situation. “With Chapter 20 being passed a few years back, it turns bargaining or negotiating
Study Abroad Fair
The Study Abroad Center is hosting the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 18th from 11am to 3pm in Maucker Union Ballrooms. Explore Study Abroad programs across 30 different countries! Meet past participants, program leaders, and SAC staff. Attendees can also learn about study abroad opportunities, meet past participants, faculty and staff, learn about financial aid, scholarships, credit transfer, international travel, and study-internship-volunteer abroad!
UNI Gallery of Art announces two upcoming exhibition openings
The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art and Permanent Art Collection is excited to announce two new art exhibitions opening at the Gallery this month, “Home is the Mouth of a Shark” and “Texts by Design: Works from the UNI Permanent Art Collection and University Special Collections.”
UNI Interpreters Theatre to host Death cafe
Hosted by: Dr. Melinda Heinz, Assistant Professor, Department of Family, Aging, & Counseling
When: Thursday, September 19th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: UNI Interpreter’s Theatre, Lang Hall 040, Cedar Falls
Who: Free and open to the public. (Attendees must be 18 years or older) This is an opportunity to connect with others, share thoughts, and gain new perspectives on a topic that touches us all.
JO BRAHMS News Editor
MARQUETTE MILLAM Staff Writer
For some Iowans, the idea of going to the polls on Nov. 5 sounds like a chore. But, as of Aug. 28, Iowans can request absentee ballots by filling out a request form on the Secretary of State’s website and mailing it to their County Auditor’s office. Absentee ballots are a great opportunity for UNI students to vote in their home state, while enjoying the convenience of voting by mail. However, it’s essential to understand the process and deadlines to ensure your vote is counted.
“A lot of students don’t know this, but if you are a student at the University of Northern Iowa, you can vote in Black Hawk County,” says Justin Holmes associate professor of political science. “Absentee voting is easy, but you have to be sure that you fill everything out correctly and leave enough time for mailing.” Holmes generally encourages students to register and vote on campus because of the convenient polling places such as Gilchrist Hall and Maucker Union. Additionally, UNI promotes voter participation through its Panthers Vote
UNITED FACULTY
continued from page 1
it turns bargaining or negotiating into a sort of theater. It’s more symbolic than anything, because at the end of the day, our hands are kind of tied,” said Calderón. “We can present all of this information, we can present this evidence, but even then, we could get presented with a contract from the Board of Regents lawyer that has no raise for
campaign, which encourages all students to make their voices heard.
To obtain an absentee ballot form, students can begin by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State website, where voters can fill out and download the request form. If you’re voting absentee in Iowa, you must register on the state website first. Out-of-state students who wish to vote in Iowa should use their Black Hawk County address when registering. Once registered, you can download the absentee ballot and send it to your County Auditor’s office. You can return your absentee ballot by mail or deliver it directly to the auditor’s office.
For those voting, Election Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 5. To vote by absentee ballot, you must submit your request form by 5 p.m. on Oct. 21. To ensure that your vote is counted, the completed ballot must be returned either by mail or in person no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
For those voting, Election Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 5. To vote by absentee ballot, you must submit your request
our faculty.” The Chapter 20 that Calderón refers to restricts Iowa union bargaining rights and the right for government employees to go on strike. “It makes it much more difficult for United Faculty to advocate for our faculty. Whether or not a faculty member is a part of our union, we still represent them when we sit at the negotiating table, that contract is for them as well,” said Calderón. According to Calderón,
form by 5 p.m. on Oct. 21. To ensure that your vote is counted, the completed ballot must be returned either by mail or in person no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Holmes recommends that students request their absentee ballots as soon as possible, fill them out carefully, and mail them in promptly to avoid any potential issues.
When asked about voting in one’s home county versus locally, Holmes explained his thoughts: “People should choose what they want, of course. But for our students here, you are part of this community too; this is where you live for four years.” For students at UNI, voting on campus is often much simpler. Holmes points to the convenient polling locations and
United Faculty and a few UNI administrators will sit at the negotiation table with the Board of Regents lawyer. The Board of Regents will present their offer, and United Faculty has the opportunity to counter. The Board of Regents will offer United Faculty a contract for the next two years. United Faculty has the opportunity to accept or decline the offer. If United Faculty declines the offer, Calderón says that the process “gets
shorter wait times for those voting in person.
As an out-of-state student myself, I understand the uncertainties that come with
or on Election Day. Whether you choose to vote by absentee ballot or in person is your choice. Holmes emphasizes, “The
absentee voting. Questions like, “What if the post office loses my ballot?” or “What if it’s delayed and doesn’t get counted in time?” often come to mind. Fortunately, Iowa offers tools to track your absentee ballot, so students can make sure it’s on the right path. The best way to avoid any issues is to request and submit your absentee ballot early. If students have any doubts, consider voting in person if possible. On-campus polling places ensure that UNI students can easily cast their votes before
even more bureaucratic.” The offer contract would then go to an arbitrator, who would decide whether or not the contract is fair to both the Board of Regents and UNI faculty. “Even if we were to decline the offer and send it to an arbitrator, the Board of Regents could go lower. The Board of Regents essentially has all of the power in this situation,” said Calderón.
In anticipation of the negotiations in January,
most important thing you can do is vote!”
Calderón says the press release is to help build United Faculty’s case. “Hopefully having some hard evidence will be able to show the Board of Regents and even just the rest of the community how UNI faculty have been passed over for raises time and time again, we’re hoping that it’ll prove just how much this money would improve not just faculty’s lives but the entire university community.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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The Northern Iowan is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications. Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time.
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NI STAFF
Beloved actor James Earl Jones passed away on Monday, Sept. 9. He was 93 years old. Jones starred in several films, including “The Sandlot” and “Field of Dreams.” He also famously voice acted Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, and voiced Mufasa in the Disney animated classic “The Lion King.”
Jones visited campus in January 2001, and spoke at Gallagher-Bluedorn to discuss his life and career. The Northern Iowan published two articles in relation to his visit. On this page are images of those articles from the Northern Iowan archives.
The first piece (below) was written before his visit.
The article notes that the speech committee of the time sought Jones out due
to an earlier, extremely successful visit by poet Maya Angelou.
The other article (right) is a recap of Jones’ talk at the Gallagher-Bluedorn. he discussed his early life, then took questions from the crowd.
SOPHIE HOFFMEIER Managing Editor
Over the summer of 2024, there have been several largescale projects taking place all over campus, with some nearly finished and being prepared for student use as soon as spring 2025. The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) will likely be complete even sooner than 2025, according to Mike Zwanziger, the director of Facilities Management at UNI.
“[The project] is progressing very well. We have the new box office that’s about 90% complete,” Zwanziger said of the GBPAC project.
“We still look way, way under construction on the outside of the building, but the intent is to have this project complete around December, and we will continue to have shows throughout the year. We’ll have to work people around some construction, but we will be open, and when N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
you take a look at the building at the end of December, it should look really nice.”
The next major project in progress is the new Applied Engineering Building (AEB), located across from the Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE). Zwanziger notes that while there have been delays regarding the construction of the AEB, he remains hopeful that the facility will be able to be in use in 2025.
“[The AEB] was designed through the COVID time period. So, you know, we did a lot of things online,” Zwanziger said of the early stages of the AEB. “The current construction schedule indicates that we will be using the facility at the beginning of the spring semester.”
Zwanziger gave a preview of the several spaces for students to utilize once phase two of the project begins.
“We moved all the labs from the back of the building to the front of the building … for construction management,
there’s a dedicated computer lab, construction site simulation lab and a senior design projects space for students to use — and that all comes in phase two. Again, we’re anticipating completion at the end
of this calendar year so we can use it in the spring semester.”
Aside from the major work going on at the GBPAC and AEB, Facilities Management remains busy with minor improvement and repair
See CONSTRUCTION, page 7 projects all over campus. Students were made aware of a road closure on Jennings Drive by ROTH and Jennings Apartments before moving in.
SOPHIE HOFFMEIER
Editora Gerente LUIS ALVAREZ Editor de Español Durante el verano de 2024, se han llevado a cabo varios proyectos a gran escala en todo el campus, algunos de los cuales están casi terminados y se están preparando para el uso estudiantil a partir de la primavera de 2025. El Centro de Artes Escénicas Gallagher Bluedorn (GBPAC) probablemente estará terminando incluso antes de 2025, según Mike Zwanziger, director de gestión de instalaciones en UNI.
“[El proyecto] está progresando muy bien. Tenemos la nueva taquilla que está aproximadamente al 90% de su construcción,” dijo Zwanziger sobre el proyecto del GBPAC.
“Todavía parece que estamos en plena construcción en el exterior del edificio, pero la intención es tener este proyecto terminado alrededor de diciembre, y continuaremos teniendo espectáculos durante todo el año. Tendremos que trabajar con la gente alrededor de algunas áreas en construcción, pero estaremos abiertos, y cuando veas el edificio a finales de diciembre, debería verse realmente bien.”
El próximo gran proyecto en progreso es el nuevo Edifico
de Ingeniería Aplicada (AEB), ubicado frente al Centro de Educación Energética y Ambiental (CEEE). Zwanziger señala que, aunque ha habido retrasos en la construcción del AEB, sigue siendo optimista de que la instalación podrá estar en uso en el 2025.
“[El AEB] fue diseñado durante el período de COVID. Así que, ya sabes, hicimos muchas cosas en línea,” dijo Zwanziger sobre las primeras etapas del AEB. “El cronograma actual de construcción indica que estaremos utilizando la instalación al comienzo del semestre de primavera.”
Zwanziger dio un adelanto de los varios espacios que los estudiantes podrán utilizar una vez que comience la fase dos del proyecto.
“Movimos todos los laboratorios de la parte trasera del edificio a la parte delantera… para la gestión de la construcción, hay un laboratorio de computación, un laboratorio de simulación de sitios de construcción y un espacio para proyectos de diseño senior para que los estudiantes lo utilicen, y todo eso viene en la fase dos. Nuevamente, anticipamos la finalización a finales de este año para poder usarlo en el semestre de primavera.”
Aparte del trabajo principal que se está llevando a cabo en el GBPAC y el AEB, la
Gestión de Instalaciones sigue ocupada con proyectos menores para mejorar y hacer reparaciónes en todo el campus. Se informó a los estudiantes sobre el cierre de una carretera en Jennings Drive, cerca de los apartamentos ROTH y Jennings, antes de mudarse. Zwanziger proporcionó información sobre el proyecto y su propósito.
“[Jennings Drive] estaba en muy mal estado con baches y juntas agrietadas, por lo que reemplazamos completamente una sección con nuevas entradas de tormenta, así como nuevo pavimento.”
Zwanziger agregó, “Cedar Falls Utilities proporciona el servicio de agua a ROTH y Jennings, y dado que la línea principal de servicio de agua está dañada, estamos trabajando con ellos para reemplazarla. Aunque la carretera estará bierta, habrá algunos cierres intermitentes de la carretera o del estacionamiento, y moveremos a las personas para asegurarnos de que siempre tengan acceso, ya sea a través del estacionamiento o de la carretera. Estamos trabajando con Cedar Falls Utilities para proporcionar un plan que siempre garantice ese acceso.”
Se necesitaron reparaciones de techos en varios edificios del campus. Zwanziger mencionó que Seerley Hall,
Gilchrist Hall y más notablemente, el UNI-Dome han estado recibiendo las reparaciones necesarias en sus techos.
“La fase uno del UNIDome está realmente llegando a su fin, que fue la sala de equipo que se completó el año pasado, y el reemplazo del techo de tela, que se completará este otoño,” declaró Zwanziger. “En las próximas semanas, veran la escalera que sube al techo, a la tela, que será removida. Luego, haremos algunos trabajos alrededor del perímetro del UNIDome para hacer que el edificio sea hermético.”
Zwanziger comentó sobre la Plaza del Campanile y discutió brevemente los planes futuros para reemplazarla, señalando por qué el camino de grava de los trabajos en el área aún permanece allí.
“La grava junto al Campanile se instaló como
parte del proyecto del carillón que completamos recientemente. Añadimos esa grava para mantener todo el tráfico de construcción fuera de las aceras y evitar daños y problemas con los estudiantes al cruzar.” Zwanziger continuó, “Dejamos eso allí porque será el acceso para el reemplazo de la plaza. Planeamos licitar el reemplazo de la plaza en octubre, y probablemente comenzaríamos a trabajar en eso alrededor de las vacaciones de primavera, pero realmente es serio el próximo verano, reemplazar la Plaza del Campanile.”
La primavera de 2025 será un semestre lleno de eventos para que los estudiantes lo esperen con ansias, ya que los principales proyectos se acercan a su finalización y se abrirán para el uso estudiantil.”
KELLIE STILES Opinion Writer
Since the first modern Olympics were created in 1896 in Athens, Greece, people from numerous countries gathered every four years to showcase their athletic prowess and compete for the chance of a shiny gold medal. As the decades passed, the competition became bigger and bigger; it is now something the entire world drops what they’re doing to watch. Many sit to spectate as the opening ceremony unfolds under a starlit sky, the stadium buzzing with anticipation. Flags wave, crowds cheer and the world’s best athletes take their places, ready to compete in a global showcase of talent and dedication. Or, at least, that’s what is supposed to happen. However, no one could have anticipated the series of disasters that would plague the 2024 Summer Olympics over the next 19 days — not even the city of Paris, which was responsible for orchestrating this grand event. As the Games progressed, fans could only watch from behind their screens or in the stands as the drama and disorga nization unfolded.
Paris, according to the Olympics website, said that they would be “rein forcing their commit ment to sustainability.” They wanted to use 100% renewable energy locally sourced and double the amount of plant based food served in the dining centers in the Olympic Village, the residential complex where athletes eat and sleep for their stay in the city. While this sounds good in practice, left the letes frus when they realized what that renewable energy entailed.
Food was a major problem for the athletes, the push of the plantbased food diet was not cutting it. They didn’t have enough calories or protein, something very important for keeping
energy levels high for these top competitors. The Olympic Committee admitted to supply issues, meaning they couldn’t serve enough food to feed the athletes adequately. Some athletes allegedly also came forward and complained that the protein that was served was raw.
Many took to social media to share the disarray of Olympic Village behind the scenes, Abbey Weitzeil, an American swimmer, shared a TikTok video detailing her experience with food in the village, where the dining center had run out of bread, prompting her to get creative with her sandwich. Raven Saunders, a shot put athlete for the American team, posted a TikTok with the caption saying “eating at the Olympic Village be like” while holding an unrecognizable and charred piece of food. The Great Britain athletes even said they left the village altogether during meal time, opting for relying on restaurants in Paris to give them the energy they needed.
lodging for the competitors didn’t have air conditioning, leading to the room temperatures being almost 80 degrees fahrenheit. The beds were also poor, the frames made out of cardboard and too small for some athletes.
A Georgian powerlifter named Lasha Talakhadze went viral after uploading a video of him sitting on the small bed, making fun of the fact that it felt more like a chair than a bed with the size being compared to his large frame.
The troubles were not confined to the Olympic Village. The most significant issue was the contamination of the Seine River, which was to host the swimming portion of the triathlon. According to Time, officials undertook an ambitious plan by using 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in infrastructure improvements to clean up the polluted Seine for the swimming portion of the triathlon event, which is a multi-sport endurance of swimming, biking and running. The cleanup started in February, but with the river expanding
ill after practicing for her event in the river. Although it’s unsure if the water is to blame, the levels of bacteria had risen due to rain during the span of the Olympics, causing the triathlon to be postponed. Even when the water was deemed safe to swim in a few days later, many competitors were still wary of putting themselves at risk for getting sick.
Controversies also surrounded the Games, including accusations of cheating and eligibility. The women’s boxing event became a focal point of debate after Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s 46-second decisive victory over her first opponent, Angela Carini. Khelif’s performance led to claims on social media, including from high-profile figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and author J.K. Rowling, questioning her eligibility due to alleged biological advantages and accusing her of being male to female transgender. It was later confirmed that Khelif was not transgender, but the debate over her tes
former coach, Mustapha Bensaou, noted on NBC New York that the scrutiny only fueled her determination to win. Khelif ultimately won gold, a triumph that not only achieved her own goals but also inspired other Algerian girls.
The difficulties encountered during the Summer 2024 Olympics overshadowed the achievements of the athletes and highlighted the intricate nature of managing such a grand event, which, if handled incorrectly, could lead to disaster. Going forward, cities hosting the Olympics should learn from the challenges faced in Paris and ensure that the Olympics remain a celebration of global unity and athletic excellence instead of disorganization and hate.
JOSUE VILLATORO Film Critic
After being delayed from the SAG-AFTRA strike, Director Jeff Nichols’ long awaited period crime drama finally graced the big screen on June 21, 2024. “The Bikeriders” follows the chronology of a Chicago biker gang, The Vandals, as they transition from a welcoming club of outsiders searching for purpose, slowly descending into a gang perverted by power and fear. From its star-studded cast to exceptional grit in its tone, “The Bikeriders” serves as an overlooked film during a year of blockbusters from “Deadpool & Wolverine,”
“Alien: Romulus,” and “Twisters.” Some of the best films of the year prioritized flamboyance and style, but Nichols’ offered a different choice in delivering immaculate storytelling that audiences could come to appreciate with his most recent film. Though not a box office hit, “The Bikeriders” is one of 2024’s best films that did not receive the recognition it deserved despite the excellent craftsmanship in its production.
The story is a semi-biographical tale inspired by Danny Lyon’s book of the same name, documenting some of the real-life events that occurred with the club the film is based on and includes the personalities of the figures it follows. However, it was fictionalized due to Nichols
stating that he did not want to recount the gang’s historical events since they are currently still operational to this day but operate by the name of the Outlaws. It handles the narration in an orderly fashion and is an excellent exploration of biker culture due to its realism and dialogue. It is not a large, extravagant, Hollywoodized examination of life within motorcycle clubs. Rather it’s a smart and more mature look into the feeling that comes with joining a motorcycle club other than wearing the slick leather, fancy denim and large insignia well known with biker clubs. Adam Stone’s cinematography replicates the material it is based off perfectly and resembles the photography
of Danny Lyon in an identical manner, recreating Lyon’s shots to fit the film’s narrative.
Austin Butler delivers an exceptional performance based on his smoldering gaze and invoking his emotions through his facial expressions, portraying a troubled and hot-headed but quiet natured rebel seeking tranquility through riding his bike over being an active member of the Vandals M.C. Jodie Comer is portrayed in the audience’s point of view as our protagonist and really engages the audience through how an outsider may view this lifestyle.
Tom Hardy steals the show in almost every scene he is in by really embracing a role different from his previous. Heavily
influenced by Brando’s “The Wild One,” Hardy offers a father-figure-esque performance while also examining his psychology relating to the eventual downfall into the club’s change from welcoming outsider community to outlaw biker gang. The cast nails the Midwestern dialects of the time and stays true to the appearances within the decade, bringing authenticity. Though it consists of other notable stars such as Norman Reedus, Michael Shannon and Boyd Holdbrook. The chemistry between Butler, Hardy and Comer is the heart of this entire film.
It evaluates machismo and discusses how the club’s masculinity drove the people that
had association with the lifestyle, for better and for worse, being depicted within as a recurring theme. Throughout, it emphasizes and deconstructs the glorification of being gang-affiliated normally seen within these films. As new chapters begin to form and tragedy ensues with the main members, the Vandals slowly stray away from their original intentions and become a more violent and aggressive group of outlaws that end up in sorrowful and shocking moments. It is a slow burn that has incredible direction from Jeff Nichols but, towards the end, the pacing becomes a bit slower than expected, and it chooses not to examine the legacy that would become the future of the characters of the club’s future state, which can be considered a little disappointing considering how well this film turned out.
It may be a smaller and more contained film, but it is one of the best releases of this year. For those who love motorcycles, enjoy music that transitions between the ’60s and ’70s, and are fascinated by period settings, this film will offer a wonderful time to sit through. “The Bikeriders” is an insightful analysis on the culture of motorcycle clubs with its terrific writing and direction from Jeff Nichols, strong and charismatic cast and gripping themes relating to the engaging brotherhood throughout.
Cedar Falls Tourism has compiled a calendar full of events in and around Cedar Falls for 2024. From comedy nights to street parties, there’s something fun for everyone. There are plenty of events planned for the rest of the month, so there is still time to participate in something. Included on the event list are UNI volleyball games, Cedar Falls High School football games, a memorial 5k, and miscellaneous craft events. Visit www.cedarfallstourism. org for more information, and the full list of remaining 2024 events. The Octopus is a beloved bar on college hill that UNI students frequent. They often
have live music, bingo nights and more. The Octopus has four more events left in September. Octopus Bingo is being held on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., Comedy Night is Sept. 18 at 8 p.m., Octopus: New Band is Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. and Bob Dorr’s Blues Jam has performances twice this month, Sept. 12 and 26, both at 6:30 p.m. The Octopus is open every day until 2 a.m., and is always open to students and friends. You must be 21+ to consume alcoholic beverages in this establishment.
Neighbor of the Octopus, Mohair Pear, has their “Pear Fair” coming up on Sept. 21, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. It will be in the parking lot right next to the Octopus, in the Cedar
Falls Municipal Lot G. They have lots of different vendors signed up to sell their fine art and unique decor. Just about every artist is local to the Cedar Valley, and every listed artist is originally from Iowa. Artists will be selling goods like stickers, jewelry and more! For lovers of indie craft events, the Pear Fair is for you!
Every second Saturday, The College Hill Partnership hosts “Saturday in Seerley.” This is where Cedar Falls natives gather to enjoy their morning with coffee, snacks and entertainment. In the past, College Hill Partnership has held entertainment events in Seerley Park. From UNI Jazz students to art shows, there’s a variety of activities to attend.
This month’s event date is Sept. 14, running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The free coffee for this event is provided by Sidecar. Baked goods will also be provided. This event
is always located in Seerley Park, and you can get there by taking west seerley blvd. off of college street. Go to www. collegehillpartnership.org for more information.
continued from page 4 Zwanziger provided some insight on the project and its purpose.
“[Jennings Drive] was in really poor shape with potholes and cracked joints, and so we completely replaced a section of it with new storm intakes, as well as new pavement.” Zwanziger further stated, “Cedar Falls Utilities provides the water service to ROTH and Jennings, and since the main water service line is damaged, we’re working with them to replace it. While the road will be open, there will be some intermittent closures of the road or the parking lot, and we will move people to ensure that they always have access, either through the parking lot or through the road. We’re working with Cedar Falls Utilities to provide a plan that will always provide that access.”
Roof repairs were needed for several buildings on campus. Zwanziger mentioned that Seerley Hall, Gilchrist Hall and most notably the UNIDome have all been getting the necessary roof repairs.
“Phase one of the UNIDome is really coming to an end, which was the team room that was completed last year, and the fabric roof replacement, which will be completed this fall,” Zwanziger stated.
“Over the next few weeks, you’ll see the staircase that goes up to the roof — to the fabric — that’ll be getting removed. Then we’ll have some work around the perimeter of the UNI-Dome to get the building watertight.”
Zwanziger commented on the Campanile Plaza and briefly discussed future plans to replace it, noting why the gravel path from work in the
area still remains there.
“The gravel by the Campanile was installed as a part of the carillon project that we recently completed. We added that gravel in so that we kept all the construction traffic off of the sidewalks to avoid damage and issues with students crossing.” Zwanziger continued, “We left that there, because that will be the access for the replacement of the plaza. We are planning to bid for the plaza replacement here in October, and we would probably start work on that around spring break, but really in earnest next summer, replace the Campanile Plaza.”
Spring 2025 will prove to be an eventful semester for students to look forward to as the major projects near completion and open for student use.
MICHAEL SPAHN Sports Editor
Football season is underway, which means it’s time for former Northern Iowa football standouts to shine in the NFL. After cutdown day, four Panthers made NFL rosters.
Spencer Brown, Buffalo Bills Brown is entering his fourth season with the Bills, establishing himself as one of the better right tackles in the league. Last Saturday he earned a second contract, agreeing to a four-year extension to stay in Buffalo through the 2028 season. Brown has only allowed nine sacks in the last three years. He’s coming off a season where he played in every game for the Bills, totaling 1,160 snaps. Brown will look to have another great season in 2024 at the right tackle position, and try to deliver the Bills their first ever Super Bowl win.
Trevor Penning, New Orleans Saints
Penning is entering his third season in the NFL after being the first ever Panther football player drafted in the first round in 2022. After an injury plagued his rookie season, Penning played in all 17 games last season, playing 417 snaps and allowing four sacks. He will get the start at right tackle this year after playing his first two seasons at left tackle. Throughout his time at Northern Iowa and early pro career he’s been a very effective run blocker. He’ll protect quarterback Derek Carr this season and look to help the Saints get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Khristian Boyd, New Orleans Saints Boyd joined fellow Northern Iowa alum Trevor Penning in New Orleans this offseason after being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft in April. Throughout the predraft process, he quickly became one of the most intriguing late round pros-
pects amongst scouts. Boyd had a phenomenal career with the Panthers, finishing his collegiate career with 149 tackles, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He played in three games in the preseason and produced four tackles. He’ll get an opportunity this season to play as a rotational piece on the defensive line for the Saints.
Elijah Campbell, Miami Dolphins Campbell is entering his fifth season in the NFL and his fourth with the Miami Dolphins. He was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Campbell played in 15 games last year for the Dolphins, finishing with 15 tackles while also making an impact on special teams. Campbell is listed as the fourth-string safety on the Dolphins depth chart entering the 2024 season. He’ll continue to play special teams for now, but is more than capable of coming in and starting if a Dolphin safety goes down.
BRODY
LOVELL Sports Writer
At long last, the NFL season is upon us. The days of boring Sundays will be put on hold for the next few months, as football fans around the country will be glued to their TVs to make the anxiety of the coming weeks a little more tolerable. With week one over, let’s dive into the winners and losers as well as what was seen from this weekend’s action.
Ravens at Chiefs (20-27)
An underwhelming debut for two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, the kickoff game between the two AFC powerhouses was still an exciting game to start off week one. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely had an excellent showing, going for 111 yards, nine receptions and a touchdown, almost tying score to take the game into overtime. On the Chiefs side, rookie receiver Xavier Worthy proved to be another weapon for Patrick Mahomes to utilize, going for both, a touchdown in the air and on the ground. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, though putting down a solid stat line,
was seen missing many targets late in the game that ultimately led to the Ravens losing in the final minutes.
Packers at Eagles (29-34)
Perhaps a dream come true for Saquon Barkley, the Eagles and the All-Pro running back were victorious against the Green Bay Packers in the NFL’s first game south of the equator. Barkley dominated the ground, rushing for over 100 yards with two scores for the Eagles. On the Packers side, Sophomore receiver Jayden Reed showed out in the passing game, putting up 138 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. Unfortunately for the Packers, newly signed quarterback Jordan Love was injured late in the game, and will be out for the next few weeks.
Vikings at Giants (28-6)
It is not quite time to say the Vikings will be the same under new quarterback Sam Darnold, but Sunday’s performance definitely helped the case. The veteran “bridge” QB threw for over 200 in the air and two touchdowns with one interception, connecting with star receiver Justin
Jefferson and Jalen Nailor for the scores. The defense dominated the Giants, forcing QB Daniel Jones into throwing two interceptions, one for a touchdown, and for under 200 yards passing. Giants fans are likely disappointed after the performance, as Daniel Jones is under a new contract worth considerably more than how he has performed. The situations will be interesting for both teams going forward this season.
Titans at Bears (17-24)
After falling on the wrong side of a 3-17 deficit at half, the Bears defense and special teams picked up the effort to come out on top against the Titans last Sunday. Highly touted first overall pick Caleb Williams had a subpar debut, not even passing the 100 yard threshold for passing yards and a less than 50% completion rate. Though it is only the first game, expectations are still high for the young Williams as he looks to improve throughout the season. For the Titans, Tony Pollard was perhaps the only bright light on a very underwhelming offense, rushing for 82 yards on the ground with
a score to go along with it. Rams at Lions (20-26)
One of the more exciting games of Sunday’s action, the Detroit Lions toppled the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Sunday Night Football. For the Lions, running back David Montgomery sealed the game on the last drive, almost single-handedly moving the ball down the field and scoring a touchdown to end the game. Receiver Jameson Williams had a career game, overshad-
owing star receiver AmonRa St. Brown, with Williams catching five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Lions. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, now 36 years old, proved he still has it with 317 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. Expectations are high for both teams this year as they get the first games of the season out of the way.
NICOLE WATERS Sports Writer
The Panthers started out the weekend against SIU Edwardsville in their matchup. UNI started out strong going on a 5-0 lead and collecting 16 kills throughout, they quickly went on to take the lead 17-8 thanks to Olivia Tjernagel and Kacie Rewerts. The Cougras would find themselves close in the match getting it within five, but the Panthers would roll on to win the set 25-18.
SIUE would go backand-forth with UNI before the Panthers took a 9-3 lead thanks to kills from Kira Fallert, Rewerts, and Tjernagel. The Panthers would go on to cap 11 kills and make their way to the end with a 25-15 win and a 2-0 match lead.
The Cougars continued to fight back, opening the third set with a 5-1 lead before the Panthers responded with a 4-0 run of their own. UNI continued to struggle throughout the set with just 12 kills and eight errors. The Panthers would have the lead at 15-12 but SIUE would go on a 9-1 run to help them close out the set and beat the Panthers 25-20.
The fourth set started out much like the others, close and shares of the lead. The Panthers then found their rhythm and kills from Fallert and Kaitlyn Sellner aided UNI to a 13-9 lead midway through the set. The Panthers scored the last 11 of 13 points of the game along with a pair of aces from Erin Powers and Sydney Golden, UNI closed out the set 25-13 to win the match 3-1.
The next matchup for the Panthers would be against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Much of the first set started out back-andforth before UNI found their rhythm. The Panthers had 13 kills, six of which came from Tjernagel, along with five service errors from UND set them up for success in the first set. Rewerts also added three blocks towards the end and the Panthers scored the last ten points to boost them to a 25-19 set one win.
UNI fell early in the second set, down 8-3 before they were able to start chipping away at the Fighting Hawks. During the set, the Panthers constructed 16 kills. Fallert and Lily Dykstra were able to tie the set up 15-15 thanks to back-to-back kills from the pair. UNI ended
on a 10-5 run and a pair of aces from Powers and Grace Mikota capped off the set for the Panthers and they won 25-20.
UNI would fight off the Fighting Hawks early in the third set, as the set continued to be back-and-forth. The Panthers recorded 16 kills in the set and Cassidy Hartman helped boost UNI with four kills. UND would get within one, but the Panthers would go on a 9-4 run to close out the set and sweep the Fighting Hawks in a 25-19 third set victory.
The Panthers capped off the weekend against the West Virginia Mountaineers. In the first set of the matchup, UNI would bounce back after being down by four early in the set. With a team 18 kills, Fallert would contribute to eight of those and Hartman would add five as well. Reese Booth tied up the set on a first career service ace, but the Mountaineers were too much for the Panthers as they both battled but WVU came out on top, 29-27.
The Panthers fired back in the second set taking an early 9-4 lead as Hart man kept the fire going recording eight kills in the second set to keep the Mountaineers
away. WVU kept in close in the second set taking it to extra points again lie the first, but it wasn’t enough, as the Panthers held on to take a 26-24 set win against them.
UNI then took off in the third set leading from start to finish and rounding up 15 kills in the set. Booth assisted with some more aces and Fallert and Hartman also contributed considerably on the offensive side to help the Panthers stay ahead. Calia Clubb, Rewerts, and Fallert
posted big blocks to assist UNI in making their mark on the set with a commanding 25-15 lead and 2-1 match lead.
The Panthers continued to keep the ball rolling in the fourth set clocking in 13 kills in the set. UNI took the lead after being in a tie to the Mountaineers thanks to Clubb and they didn’t look back as they went on to win the set in dominant fashion with a score of 25-12 and take the match 3-1.
ADAM JOHNSON Sports Writer
On Saturday, Sept. 8, the UNI football team traveled to Saint Paul, Minnesota for a matchup with St. Thomas. Having won the season opener at home the week before, the Panthers were looking to take their winning ways with them on the road trip. In a game that proved to be a good test for the Panthers, they were able to leave St. Thomas with a narrow 17-10 victory.
The Panthers started the game on a great note when they stuffed St. Thomas on a fourth down conversion attempt on the first drive of the game. The turnover on downs occurred in Tommie territory, so the Panthers got great field position at the St. Thomas 34-yard line. The Panthers were unable to convert on the great field position when Caden Palmer missed a 28-yard field goal.
The Tommies would mount a scoring drive on their next possession as Michael Rostberg completed a 13-yard pass to Patrick
Wagner for the score. Things started going even worse for the Panthers when a punt was blocked deep in their own territory. Although the Panther defense was in a tough position with the Tommies having great starting field position at the UNI
19-yard line, they were able to stop them and a missed field goal kept the score at 7-0.
Early in the second quarter the Panthers mounted a scoring drive of their own, and finished it off with a 3-yard touchdown run by
Amauri Pesek-Hickson. Neither team was able to get another score in the first half, and the score was 7-7 going into the halftime break.
After stopping the Panthers on the first drive of the second half, the Tommies put together a long drive that ended in a 50-yard field goal from Stephen Shagen to take a 10-7 lead in the third.
The UNI offense continued to struggle in the second half, but caught a big break early in the fourth quarter.
Deep in St. Thomas territory, the Panthers’ Tucker Langenberg came up with a big block that set up the Panthers with first and goal from the 7-yard line. The offense was unable to punch it in, but a field goal from Palmer tied up the game at 10-10.
The Panthers got the ball back with just under seven minutes left in the game, and started with the ball at their own 10-yard line. Tye Edwards quickly flipped the field with a massive 56-yard run, and between him and Pesek-Hickson, they ran the ball all the way down the
field. Deep in St. Thomas territory, Edwards fumbled the ball in what could have been a disaster, but PesekHickson was able to scoop it up and ran it in for his second score of the day.
The Tommies got a solid drive going on the next possession, but the Panthers defense was ultimately able to get the stop and the Panthers would escape with the 17-10 victory. The victory marked the first time the Panthers have started a season 2-0 since 2013.
The Panthers were pushed to victory in great part because of running backs Edwards and PesekHickson. The two backs combined for 226 yards, 143 coming from Edwards, and 87 from Pesek-Hickson. Pesek-Hickson also had both of the Panthers touchdowns on the day.
The Panthers will be on the road again next week when they travel to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska to play against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 14.
COHEN
KAMAUS Sports Editor
After their first 2-0 start since the 2013 season, the UNI Panther football team will face their biggest challenge yet. Awaiting them Saturday night is a sold out Memorial Stadium and the 23rd ranked team in the country: the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The Panthers are coming off of a 17-10 victory over St. Thomas on Saturday. The key to their success was their ground game, as Tye Edwards notched his second straight 100+ yard game. This is the first time in his career he has run for 100+ in back to back games, and his 157.5 rushing yards per game ranks first in all of the FCS. Amauri PesekHickson gives the Panthers a dynamic 1-2 punch in the backfield, rushing for two touchdowns against the Tommies. If the Panthers want to have success on Saturday, they’ll have to rely on the trenches to get it done. Their previously mentioned ground game churns out 298.5 rushing yards per contest. Not only can they run the ball effectively, they can also stop the run. The Panthers defense surrenders just 79 rushing yards per
game. The big guys up front could be the deciding factor in this contest.
Nebraska enters this season as one of the most hyped up teams in the country. One of the biggest reasons for the hype is freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola was the top player in the 2024 class and was verbally committed to Ohio State in his early years of high school before flipping to the University of Georgia. Last December, Raiola announced he was once again decommitting, this time announcing his commitment to Nebraska. Through just two games, his impact has been made, passing for 423 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly for the Cornhuskers: two wins and no turnovers. Raiola has put Nebraska back into the national rankings for the first time since 2019. If the Panthers want to give themselves a shot to win at the end of the game, forcing the young quarterback into making some mistakes would be beneficial.
Before the kickoff of Saturday’s game, Nebraska has a 14-0 alltime record against FCS opponents. They have also been extremely successful during night home
games, going 51-10 in night contests at Memorial Stadium.Saturday’s matchup will be the first between the Panthers and the Cornhuskers. UNI head
coach Mark Farley is still looking for his first win over a Big Ten opponent. He comes into the contest with a 182-103 record.
Follow @NorthernIowan on X for live updates throughout the game or tune in to Big Ten Network.
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62 "Seven Samurai" and "Rashomon" director Kurosawa
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