10-14-2021

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

CEDAR FALLS, IA

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 14

CLASSIFIEDS

CAMPUS LIFE

SPORTS

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 8

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 5

SPORTS PAGE 6

Check out junior Kaylie Rommes’ “Winter in Iowa” photo collage.

Panthers fall short against Sycamores 3-1 Saturday.

Learn about the history of UNI’s iconic UNI-Dome built in 1975.

UNI continues to grapple with O’Kane removal Students and faculty fight back against decision to discipline professor for requiring masks NIXSON BENITEZ Executive Editor

THEO ALDER

Staff Writer

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor

On Sept. 29, at 8:31 p.m. the students of Professor Steve O’Kane’s Plant Systematics received an email that their professor had been removed

THEO ALDER/Northern Iowan

Administrative faculty speaks with O’Kane’s students Oct. 7.

from their class. O’Kane required his students to wear masks in his class and enforced his policy by threatening to lower lab grades if students did not comply. In response, administration removed O’Kane from teaching his classes in-person this fall and gave him a “needs improvement” rating which makes him ineligible for merit pay. He is also required to complete “faculty obedience training,” and was threatened with termination if he does not comply with university and Board of Regents policy. The removal of O’Kane from in-person teaching left many students wondering what the future of their course would look like and if they would be able to receive the credit they required for graduation. O’Kane has been at UNI for 26 years and is uniquely qualified to teach his course, as he has specialized expertise on plant systematics and evolution.

THEO ALDER/Northern Iowan

Students of O’Kane, faculty and administration meet to discuss issues concerning O’Kane’s removal from the classroom.

As reported by Northern Iowan’s Nick Baur, senior Abigail Malone in O’Kane’s Plant Systematics class felt like administration handled the removal of O’Kane from the classroom poorly, and that student voices were not heard when the decision was made. In a statement to NISG members, Malone emphasized the undue consequences of O’Kane’s removal on his students. “I think there are two issues here, and the one is whether or not you agree with Dr.

O’Kane’s punishment, that is one we are putting to the side,” Malone said. “The other issue is whether or not you agree with us students being punished as well. Because in a way, we were punished, and we did not break any rules.” Students of O’Kane met on Oct. 5 to discuss their feelings on how to approach their situation. See O’KANE, page 2

Meet the candidates for Local businesses Cedar Falls City Council to visit UNI DAVID WARRINGTON

Staff Writer

Alongside the Cedar Falls mayoral race, there are also four city council seats -up for grabs this election cycle. All of these races are to earn a fouryear term. One of the two at-large city council spots will be up for grabs. The incumbent is Kelly Dunn, who has held that spot since 2020, finishing the rest of Green’s term after he took over as mayor. Dunn grew up in Aurora, about 45 miles from Cedar Falls, and moved to the area in 1996 to attend Hawkeye Community College and later UNI. Dunn is currently a licensed practical nurse. Dunn’s opponent will be T.J. Frein. Frein, who is a veteran of the Waterloo Police Department, was one of the five candidates in a special election for Green’s vacant at-large seat in 2019 – the race that was eventually won by

Business and community fair postponed due to rain – rescheduled for Oct. 20 KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, local Cedar Falls businesses will be on UNI’s campus including restaurants, boutiques, service organizations, financial institutions, medical providers and more. University Relations is Courtesy/Andrew Wind hosting an event to showcase Four City Council seats are up for grabs in the election starting Nov. 2. businesses and community in 2016 after working there for the Cedar Valley for the first Dunn. The Ward 1 city council 29 years. He is now a professor time. spot will also be decided, and in UNI’s industrial technology “It’s an opportunity for busithis race is unique because department as well as a con- nesses and organizations from the incumbent Mark Miller, sultant for Kelly Services in across the Cedar Valley to come to campus and introduce themwho has held the position since Waterloo. 2014, has decided not to run for The next spot up for elec- selves, their services and their reelection. The first challenger, tion is the Ward 3 city coun- opportunities to our students Derek Peisen, is a lifelong res- cil position. Like the mayoral and employees,” Cassie Mathes, ident of Cedar Falls, a veteran race, this will also be a three- director of University Relations of the United States military way race, and is likely to force said. Mathes said there will be and now works as a mechanic. a runoff election. about 75 local businesses on His opponent, Gil Schultz, Lawther Field, with food trucks, retired from Deere and Co. in See CITY COUNCIL, page 2 music and inflatables for attend-

ees to enjoy. The goal of the fair is to strengthen the relationship between campus and surrounding businesses in the Cedar Valley area. Students will get the chance to discover more about local businesses. Lots of students do not have the time or opportunity to leave campus, so the fair gives businesses a chance to come to them. Between classes on Wednesday enjoy some food, go ziplining or even throw an axe from Hurling Hatchet. The event will be held next Wednesday on Lawther field from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Courtesy/CedarFallsCommunityMainStreet


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