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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 12
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021
OPINION
CAMPUS LIFE
SPORTS
OPINION PAGE 3
CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4
SPORTS PAGE 6
Jetta Colsch questions if removing Professor O’Kane from the classroom was a good decision.
UNI volleyball falls to Loyola 3-1 Saturday.
A look back in the NI archives at the construction of Bartlett Hall in 1915.
Students speak out over professor removal On Oct. 5, students of Professor Steve O’Kane met together in the greenhouses to talk more about the trajectory of their Plant Systematics course. O’Kane was removed from the classroom by the university due to violating the Board of Regents policy banning mask mandates. O’Kane required his students to wear masks in his classroom as he has health issues. He threatened to lower their grades if students did not comply. The university was notified about his mandate and removed him from the classroom. As a result of O’Kane’s removal, his students have concerns about completing the class. More than a third of his students graduate in December 2021 and many students are required to take O’Kanes’ course for their major. O’Kane is the most qualified UNI staff member to teach Plant Systematics. Biology major Aaron
NIXSON BENITEZ/Northern Iowan
Student Body Vice President Alisanne Struck, Speaker of the Senate Sam Caughron and Student Body President Samantha Bennett listened to student concerns over Professor O’Kane’s class Oct. 5.
Boies helped facilitate the conversation with his classmates about the future of their course. Many students mentioned feeling mentally drained. This class is a four credit course, and labs are about 70% of the students grades. One student
expressed concern as not completing O’Kanes’ class may jeopardize their career. Many of the students have also expressed the need for compensation for the lack of education they are receiving in O’Kane’s absence. With the university enter-
ing the seventh week, many of these students have been working on numerous labs and assignments. Although another professor could theoretically step in the shoes of O’Kane, the work would be too much for one professor to handle, especially nearing
the halfway mark of the fall semester. Student Body President Samantha Bennett and Vice President Alissane Struck were in attendance alongside NISG’s Director of Public Relations Timothy Perksen and Speaker of the Senate Sam Caughron who listened to the students’ concerns and what they would like administration to do. Students are demanding to know exactly who decided to remove O’Kane from the class. Many students mentioned that it is the university’s responsibility for students’ education. “They should have the students’ interest first, not political interests. So, if you’re not going to sit there and do your job, you need to go,” one student said. As a result of the decision to pull O’Kane out of the classroom, the quality of education students are receiving has been impacted. Many students are frustrated that they were not consulted by the administration. See STUDENTS SPEAK OUT, page 5
Industrial Technology Check “DIS” out Center to be modernized
The DIS Harvest Conference will be hosted Oct. 14 for the first time at UNI
Editors Note: The previous article published in our last issue (Oct. 4) included outdated and incorrect information. This article provides the most updated and correct information regarding the modernization of the Industrial Courtesy/Industrial Technology Center Technology Center. Above is a proposed schematic design of the main north entrance of the ITC. With no significant upgrades in 47 years, the ovations is $44,776,000, addition will be added to Industrial Technology Center approved by the Board of the northwest portion of the (ITC) is finally receiving Regents. The building will building. much needed renovations receive renovations to the starting in May 2022. existing facility on the See INDUSTRIAL TECH, page 5 The total budget for ren- southeast side, and a new
T he DIS Ha r vest Con ference spon sored by the Depar tment of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DIS) will take place on Oct. 14, 2021. The Harvest Conference will be a dual event, the first event will be taking place in Maucker Union from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The first event will only be offered to U NI students. The application to sign up will close Tuesday, Oct. 12. Students will be
excused from classes and provided breakfast and lunch. Seating is limited to 150 students. Keynote speaker and former NFL player Jerry James (J.J.) Moses Jr., will be introduced by KWWL Spor ts Di rector R ick Coleman. This event is open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and will begin at 6:30 p.m The Harvest Conference was created for multicultural students to “reset, renew and refocus,” after hardships due to COVID19.
See DIS CONFERENCE, page 2