11-19-2020

FACEBOOK.COM/NORTHERNIOWAN

WWW.NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA

CEDAR FALLS, IA

THURSDAY, APRIL 5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19

CEDAR FALLS, IA

TWITTER: @NORTHERNIOWAN

VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

ONLINE FINALS

VIGIL

HIGHSCHOOL

NEWS PAGE 2

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

SPORTS PAGE 6

With a rise of cases, some classes opt to finish completely online.

The Women and Gender Studies Department and Rod Library plan vigil for transgender lives lost.

IHSSA adjusts COVID-19 precautions for fans attending football games in the UNI-Dome.

Reynolds implements mask mandate EMMA’LE MAAS

Executive Editor

ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

On Monday, Nov. 16, Governor Kim Reynolds announced new statewide enhanced public health measures in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Iowa.

Most notable among the new regulations included the requirement that anyone two or older must wear masks when inside a public building, and within six feet of others not of their households for 15 minutes or longer.

Indoor social gatherings are now barred at 15 people or less, and outdoor gatherings at 30 or less. Youth and adult group sporting and recreational gathering are prohibited except for high school, college and professional sports.

The mandate, which will last until Dec. 10 at 11:59 p.m., also limits in-patient elective surgeries in Iowa

hospitals and requires all restaurants and bars to close at 10 p.m., similar to the earlier mandate that was in place for several counties, including Black Hawk.

This mask mandate is something Governor Reynolds has pushed back on since the beginning of the pandemic in March.

In a press conference just back in September, Reynolds said, “I think the goal is to do what we can to reduce the spread of the virus. I think the goal is that if you can’t social distance, wear a mask.

I believe that is the end goal, and that we can get there without a mask mandate.”

On Monday night, however, the governor stated that she worried Iowans were becoming “complacent” due to the fact that many COVID19 patients experience mild symptoms. Now, with Iowa’s 14 day positivity rate standing at 22.5% as of Nov. 18, she felt the mandate was necessary.

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

After pushing back against a mask mandate since March, Governor Reynolds implements mandate through Dec. 10.

“In late October, new daily hospitalizations were just approaching the 100 mark,” she said. “Now, just a few weeks later, they top

200 a day. That’s not sustainable.”

UNI students expressed their gratitude for the governor’s actions, although

several added that they considered the mandate long overdue.

coronavirus-related changes to the spring calendar, including the elimination of spring break, which was announced in early September.

At the time of the announcement, Provost Jim Wohlpart explained that the extended break is intended to create a buffer between the holiday season and the return to campus to avoid students bringing COVID-19 back to UNI. “Students, faculty, and staff may gather with family and friends over the holiday,” he wrote in an email to the Northern Iowan on Sept. 15.

Since the new start date is more than three weeks after the holiday period ends, “this gives a period within which anyone who might contract the virus from these gatherings would move through contracting it and, hopefully, getting over it.”

Sam Adams, a freshman interior design major, said she plans to spend the break at

home in Newton, Iowa, where she’ll work at Hy-Vee and is looking forward to “spending time with family.”

Her fellow freshman Mai Van, a business administration major, is likewise excited to be with her family, and is also eagerly anticipating “not worrying about homework.”

Van wanted to take classes during break, she said, but the major classes and Liberal Arts Core (LAC) courses she was interested in taking filled up before she could register.

Second-year psychology major Cassidy Robbins had the same issue with the Capstone course she was hoping to take.

The inaugural winter term courses have indeed proved popular, confirmed Patrick Pease, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In an email to the Northern Iowan on Monday, Nov. 16, he wrote that there are 53 sections being offered over winter break, with a total enrollment capacity of 1,768. As of

Monday, 91% of the available spots were filled.

“Since we have not offered Winter Classes before, we did not know what to expect, but are pleased with the interest students have shown,” he wrote. “There is strong demand across all of the offerings. Departments selected classes that we believed students would want, including LAC classes and classes within majors that are typically full.”

Some students, such as senior public administration major Caleb Gipple, chose not to enroll in winter classes for other reasons.

“It’s fantastic that they’re offering (classes), and I think that’s a huge perk that every student should take advantage of,” he said. “It’s just that for me, being a senior, as far as I am in my major, none of the classes that I really needed were offered over winter break.”

Students plan for a long winter break ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

As fall semester classes officially conclude on Nov. 25, UNI students are facing a winter break longer than any they’ve ever experienced.

In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 following the holidays, UNI has pushed back the start date of spring classes until Jan. 25 and added three- and six-week online winter term courses.

The extension is one of several

GABI CUMMINGS/Northern Iowan

Students gear up for winter term online classes and make other plans for the extended winter break.

See MANDATE, page 4

See WINTER BREAK, page 5

PAGE 2

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

NEWS

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

As cases climb, some classes finish fall semester virtually KAYLA LAWRENCE Staff Writer

As UNI fast approaches the end of this uniquely challenging semester, some classes have made a last-minute change to online learning.

In these last couple of weeks, as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in Black Hawk County and throughout Iowa, UNI gave professors the option to move their courses online for the remainder of the term. For the students whose professors choose this option, this means class from the safety of their homes and dorms, but in some cases also means facing the new challenge of online finals.

Dr. Julie Husband, professor of Languages and Literatures, has made this change to three of the classes she’s teaching this semester.

She described her transition to fully online as a successful one, accrediting its ease to the high-flex class model she was already using this semester after receiving training in virtual education methods.

“I took training through continuing education a couple of years ago to teach a course for an outreach MA program, Teaching English in Secondary Schools,” Husband said.

She described the course as mainly online and intended for English teachers across Iowa.

“I taught that course over the summer,” Husband said, “then also took some of the additional training in using Blackboard offered through Instructional Technology so that I could offer my class in a

NORTHERN IOWAN L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu 319.273.2157

EMMA’LE MAAS Executive Editor maase@uni.edu 563.210.8768

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor debruik@uni.edu 319.273.6420

CHRIS MARTIN

Northern Iowan Advisor christopher.martin@uni.edu

high-flex mode.”

Husband’s high-flex mode, as she explained, consisted of meeting with her students in person in pods, while also offering a supportive online structure. This meant that should a student miss due to isolation or quarantine, they were still able to participate in class via Zoom and access any assignments and additional materials online.

She had determined to use this high-flex model even before the semester began, making sure that the foundation of her class relied on things that could aptly transition with ease to an online format. In this regard, when cases of COVID-19 began rapidly increasing in the last few weeks, it was fairly simple to switch her classes to a fully online structure.

In a similar vein, Dr. Deirdre Heistad, Executive Director and Professor of Undergraduate Studies, decided that online class was the way to go after some students in her small class of less than ten people suffered absences due to quarantine.

Heistad, who you won’t normally find in the classroom, assumed some teaching responsibilities this semester after some cuts were made in her department. As much as she’s enjoyed being back teaching students, this semester posed its own set of obstacles outside of her stepping back into a teacher’s shoes.

When asked about the eventual switch to solely online learning, she responded that she and, as far as she was aware, other professors, had begun preparing much earlier on.

“I designed my course knowing that this could be a possibility,” Heistad said, speaking about COVID-19 forcing classes online.

For Heistad, this meant including online resources even for classes which were designed to be in-person. For example, she included an “if absent” component when planning for each of her classes, which allowed students unable to be in in-person classes to complete an online module for the day they missed. She did this in cooperation with the university expectations that professors use “parallel planning” this semester.

“Faculty were asked to engage in parallel planning,” Heistad said, “because we knew that there could potentially be high absenteeism. We knew that we could have to pivot with very little notice, and we knew we would have to be flexible as the semester went on.”

Luckily, this parallel planning and preparation meant that her end-of-semester transition to fully online delivery was also an easy one. The only thing left to do in one of her three classes this semester, called Studies in Peer Education, was presentations for the students’ end of semester research projects.

“I just made the choice to ask the students who were presenting if they would be willing to do their presentations via Zoom, because that way everyone could be there,” Heistad said. “This is the culmination of the semester research project that everyone has learned about, and so I wanted everyone to enjoy hearing about it.”

EDITORIAL STAFF

PRODUCTION STAFF

GABI CUMMINGS

KARLA DE BRUIN

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor witheaab@uni.edu

GABI CUMMINGS Production Graphics

COLIN HORNING Sports Editor chorning@uni.edu

CLERK

Art Director cummigaa@uni.edu

ERIN KAMP Copy Editor kampe@uni.edu ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor kelseye@uni.edu

Webmaster Graphic Artist

EMILY STOWE 319.273.2157 emily.stowe@uni.edu

CIRCULATION BRETT FOREMAN Circulation Manager

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

Some UNI professors have shifted their classes to virtual delivery at the end of the semester in the face of rising rates of COVID-19.

In the end, it should come as no surprise that for dedicated faculty like Heistad and Husband, their hopes and thoughts remain chiefly with their students.

Heistad remarked that she was amazed by the resilience and willingness of her students and said that she was confident that if they were to bring these same things into the workforce, they would be successful.

Husband shared similar hopes for the students of UNI. “This is a shared generational experience and one day they will reflect on it in the way that generations that went to war reflect. Many lost the end-markers of their senior year, others lost study abroad opportunities, jobs they relied on and, unfortunately, loved ones,” she said.

“I hope that they can feel proud of their resilience through this. I hope they know that the sacrifices they made to protect others are deeply appreciated and that older generations keep these sacrifices in mind as we consider policies regarding higher education funding, loan forgiveness, and tax policies that disproportionately fall on the young and wage-earners.”

The Northern Iowan is published semi-weekly on Monday and Thursday 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.

The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees.

A copy of the Northern Iowan grievance procedure is available at the Northern Iowan office, located at L011 Maucker Union.

All material is © 2020 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.

Related: UNI reaffirms plan for spring 2021 courses NI STAFF

In a campus-wide email on Wednesday, UNI Provost Jim Wohlpart reiterated the campus’ proposed calendar for the spring 2021 semester, including a Jan. 25 start date, no spring break and a May 7 conclusion.

He also shared that the plan for spring 2021 classes is to maintain mostly face-to-face instruction, as in the fall.

74% of classes are planned for in-person instruction, 7% hybrid, 17% online semester-based and 2% online independent study.

“We will continue to watch the trends over the holiday break in order to determine if we need to make any tweaks to the spring schedule,” he wrote.

Wohlpart added that the university hopes to have regular communications going out every Wednesday at noon starting on Jan. 6. Students, families, staff and faculty should watch their email and the UNI website for updates.

“In the meantime, please take some time off, stay safe, and wear your masks!” he concluded.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters must be less than 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Not all submissions will be printed. Send submissions to maase@uni.edu.

SEND US STORY IDEAS

Tell us what’s happening on campus. Email submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu.

Do you want to have an event listed here? Email us at northern-iowan@uni.edu with information about the event to have it featured.

PAGE 3

OPINION

EMMA’LE MAAS Executive Editor

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

Disclaimer: The following opinion articles featured do not reflect the opinion of the Northern Iowan newspaper or staff as a whole.

Addi Seybert says goodbye to the NI Surprise! I’m graduating.

Though I’m incredibly excited to see what the future has in store for me, I can’t help but feel bittersweet about taking this next step. Not only will I be leaving many of my friends behind, but I’ll also have to say goodbye to the place that I’ve called home for the last 3.5 years. What’s more, I also have to leave my position as an opinion writer for

the Northern Iowan.

I’ll sincerely miss my time here at the NI. Until I was lucky enough to join the staff, I had nowhere to share my thoughts or feelings, save for my poorly managed Finsta account.

Being an opinion writer makes me feel like people care about what I have to say, which honestly is the best feeling in the world. I want to give my sincerest thanks to everyone who has read my opinion pieces – whether you’re my mom or

Opinion Columnist

On Monday, Nov. 16, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate that went into effect Nov. 17 and will last until at least Dec. 10. This is Iowa’s first mask mandate after months of Reynolds’ blatant dismissal of COVID19 safety restrictions as “feel good” measures, despite Iowa garnering a total of approximately 191,000 total cases, 2,028 COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 18 and hospitals reaching full capacity.

Upon further inspection, however, it seems that this mask mandate has numerous fallacies. Masks are to be worn by those aged two or older when inside a public

indoor space and within six feet of non-household members for 15 minutes or longer. Already, we have a red flag. Why is unmasked and undistanced contact under 15 minutes permitted? Are we taking a “5-second-rule” approach to the Coronavirus?

How is this going to be monitored and enforced to begin with?

A slew of exceptions are listed in her proclamation as well, stating that masks are not required to be worn by those with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing masks, anyone who can be socially distanced, those who are eating or drinking at restaurants and bars, athletes, those who are performing for an audience (including religious, political, educational, artistic,

cultural, musical and theatrical performances) and those participating in spiritual and religious gatherings.

While the first two exceptions are reasonable and should be expected, the mandate begins to fall apart the further one reads. It certainly seems that Governor Reynolds is more concerned with where not to wear masks and how to make exceptions for nonessential and recreational activities. The proclamation also prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 15 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 30 people, and restaurants and bars must close for in-person dining from 10 p.m. and cannot reopen until 6 a.m.

Simply put, this is a mandate in name only. Governor Reynolds is doing the least

possible that she can get away with and blaming the results of her inaction on Iowans.

And while we certainly must hold ourselves accountable, the responsibility falls upon our government to put laws in place to hold everyone accountable. And considering Reynolds’s participation in a crowded, predominantly-unmasked Trump rally just last month (not wearing a mask herself), it’s clear that she has no concern for public health and is blatantly opposed to taking meaningful action.

As of Nov. 18 Iowa has the third highest rate of COVID-19 in the United States, behind only South Dakota (second) and North Dakota (first). Every county in Iowa is currently in the “red zone” according to the White House Coronavirus

Task Force, meaning that the entire state is experiencing cases of at least 101 per 100,000 people during the week. Given our low population, this is indicative of poor leadership and lack of appropriate legislation, which is exemplified by Governor Reynolds’ loose mask mandate. A Nov. 15 tweet by Dr. Eli Perencevich illustrates the grim environment of Iowa hospitals, prompting one to wonder: when will real action be taken?

“Sunday morning in the hospital. It’s happening.

Hospitals filling. ICUs are filled. Rationing critical care resources and treatments.

Nurses and doctors staring at each other in disbelief.

We know. This bloody sucks. #iowa”

Opinion Columnist

This past year has no doubt been difficult for everyone. At some point or another, we have all had to endure some sort of struggle, whether big or small.

School has been drastically different, we are being more distant both literally and figuratively with our peers and the future seems so uncertain considering everything that has happened. But, I am someone who tries to be more optimistic than not, someone who looks at the silver lining of things. When it comes to the past calendar year and the coming two month break here at UNI, I see a great opportunity for rejuvenation and growth.

Aside from summers, we as students have never had

a break quite as long as the one that we are about to have beginning in about a week or so. The two months off that we will have is a fantastic opportunity for us to refresh our minds and clear our headspace, while gaining new perspectives on the world.

The routines of our dayto-day life in college can oftentimes lead us to go through the motions and become complacent with everything, as most of us are probably guilty of doing from time to time. But this two month break could be exactly what we all needed to recoup. We should take this time to analyze how this past semester went and what we can do to make sure this next term is even better, considering the circumstances.

Think of this past semester as a trial run: no one had ever dealt with a school year

quite like this before, and now that we have it under our belt we now know how to tackle the situation in the spring semester. Look at what worked for you, and what didn’t. For example, I discovered that I actually thrive being socially distance (for limited periods of time) because I keep my focus on what I need to get done and don’t have the distractions that constantly being around people can bring. This of course works for me, but not everyone is the same. Take this coming break to look at what worked for you in this past semester, and try to utilize those techniques for the next semester.

Another thing that we should do during break is re-connect with our friends and family. Since break is going to be for a longer period of time, we should make the most of the time

we’ve been given to spend it with the ones closest to us. Being apart from the people closest to us in our lives no doubt is difficult, but now we have a chance to spend time together with the people that mean the most to us. Being caught up in our UNI routine has probably led a lot of us to not be as assertive in the relationships of our friends and family back home, so we should use this extended period of time to spend it with the people closest to us in our lives.

The final thing I think that us college students should try to do with our break is to clear our minds. I have found that going home for a longer period of time has re-energized my mental health and de-fogged my mind.

Sort of like a mini vacation, being in a different setting with different peo-

ple can do wonders for the mental health and well-being of oneself. I will oftentimes come back to school with a fresh perspective or mentality on things being given to me from spending time with loved ones back home. Taking this new approach back to campus in the spring can do wonders for not only oneself, but for the overall well-being of the campus community.

Using this time ahead of us can be a wonderful thing for all of us if we understand the benefits that can come from it. Each person has their own approach and their own methods that work for them, so do your best to find whatever works for you.

Regardless of what that is, we should see this upcoming break as a great opportunity to grow ourselves and to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

ADDI SEYBERT

Opinion Columnist

a random person stumbling upon my article, I appreciate the read more than you know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Even though I’ll miss my time here, I’m also trying to look ahead. In the midst of everything going on around us, I hope that I can take my experience from the NI and UNI alike and mold it into something I can use to make the world a better place.

People gave me the chance to express my opinions – now it’s time for me to do

that for someone else.

I’ll leave you with this advice: listen to people.

Care about what they have to say. Simply by allowing someone to feel heard and seen and acknowledged, you have the power to show someone you care. It is so easy, especially in this crazy time when everything else feels out of our control.

You have the power to make someone’s day; all you have to do is listen.

Courtesy

After a year as an employee of the NI, Seybert will graduate this December.

Reynolds’ mask mandate is completely useless EMERSON SLOMKA

Take your time during this upcoming fall break COLIN HORNING

PAGE 4

CAMPUS LIFE NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

Recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance at UNI TEHYA TOURNIER

Staff Writer

To be heard, seen and respected. That is what graduate student Noah Andrew said he believes the Transgender Day of Remembrance is for.

The Women’s and Gender Studies department, in collaboration with Rod Library, will pay tribute to the transgender lives lost in the year 2020 with a candlelight vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance on Friday Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Campanile.

There will be 32 released names of the transgender community that will be honored at the vigil.

This event has been going on for the past five years here on campus, and is nationally celebrated to share the stories of those lost within the transgender community.

This year, Andrew decided to take lead at

Andrew encourages others who aren’t a part of the transgender community but are students, faculty and community members to be a part of the event Friday evening because acknowledging and remembering those lives effects everyone.

“It does still affect you,” he said. “You can have someone you love or people around you be queer and be trans, and it does affect you, so getting involved so that not only the peoples in those communities will be the only ones doing things like this, helps distribute the emotional labor and makes us feel more safe on campus.”

Due to COVID-19, NI Archives The Women’s and Gender Studies department will be hosting a candlelight vigil this Friday for Transgender Day of Remembrance. those planning to attend will be required to wear UNI on this event.

Andrew said he does “The overall goal is masks and socially dis“As a trans student not feel heard at UNI just to bring awareness tance themselves from here at UNI, I took it and hopes this event can because they were a part other attendees while upon myself to do this spark more activism and of our community,” said honoring the transgender just a part of being a conversation. He and oth- Andrew. “Whether we lives lost in the last year. leader and for my voice, ers in the LGBTQ+ com- knew them personally or and others, to be heard,” munity at UNI urge the not, they still contributed he said. university to just listen. to society.”

continued from page 1

“It was relieving to know that that was happening, but it kind of felt like it’s a little too late at this point,” said Leah Little, a sophomore majoring in marketing, advertising and digital media and organizational leadership.

“She’s doing something, (but) I think there’s definitely more that could be done.”

Hana Malik, a sophomore marketing and sales management major, agreed.

“It should have been done a while ago,” she said.

Reynolds said the new regulations are designed to help the state avoid the worst-case scenario in which hospitals are so consumed with COVID-19 cases that the other medical needs of Iowans are neglected.

“If we don’t do something, will there be enough first responders to help?

Will trauma teams be available? Will you get the care you need? Not if we don’t act,” she said.

Little said she hoped the measures would stem the rising tide of COVID-19 cases.

“I can only hope that they will be effective.

I think we would all do something differently if we could, but I think that all you can do is hope that she’s using her best judgement,” she said.

Junior secondary English education major Melody Trucano shared a similar sentiment.

“In terms of effectiveness, I think this is probably what’s best to keep everything going while trying to prevent the virus at the same time, because it’s kind of a difficult balance to strike,” she said.

Reynolds also men-

MANDATE

tioned the upcoming holidays and her family’s choice not to celebrate together.

“I don’t want to do this, especially as we’re coming into a holiday season that is normally filled with joy,” she said. “I cherish Thanksgiving with my family, and this year we’re postponing that… it’s to keep them safe. It’s to keep you safe.”

Little and Trucano both expressed skepticism regarding whether the regulations would be followed as the holidays approach.

“I think it’s going to be enforced, but I also know that people are not always smart, so even if it is enforced, there’s probably going to be people who don’t follow the rules,” Trucano said.

Indeed, Reynolds concluded by appealing to Iowans to follow the guidelines “not because you’re told to, but because it’s the right thing to do” and

Toni Fortmann/Northern Iowan

UNI students continue to wear masks in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

warning them about the consequences of failing to do so.

“Businesses will close once again. More schools will be forced to go online.

Our healthcare system will fail, and the cost in human life will be high,” she said.

If the new measures will avoid that scenario, Trucano is more than willing to comply.

“Frankly, I was just

thankful that she wasn’t saying we had to go back into quarantine,” she said.

“I am fine with mask regulations. In fact, I think that might be better than not having mask regulations, but going back into quarantine…”

She trailed off, making a face.

“I would understand, but it would be bad. I don’t want that.”

CAMPUS LIFE

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

PAGE 5

Percussion concert goes virtual NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

ABIGAIL KRAFT

Staff Writer

On Thursday, Nov. 19, the UNI percussion ensembles will host an online concert on YouTube. The pre-recorded event will air at 8 p.m. and feature individual video premieres. The concert will be available to all members of the UNI community as well as the public.

With the rise of COVID-19 across the state, Kramer Milan and Matthew Andreini, percussion professors in the UNI School of Music, wanted to ensure the concert would be accessible and keep safety precautions in mind.

“Especially with the state of COVID-19, these ensembles have provided our students an opportunity to connect, socialize and make music together, in-person, in as safe of an environment as possible,” Kramer said. “We are grateful for how well our facilities are set up to accommodate our unique activity!”

The night is certain to be one filled with a fun, energetic performance from the group. Apart from other UNI School WINTER BREAK

continued from page 1

Although he won’t be studying during the twomonth hiatus, Gipple will still be busy. He plans to work as well as promote the book he has recently written, “Doing the Thing,” which is scheduled for publication in April 2021. He’ll also be visiting his grandma in Arizona — but only after completing a quarantine to ensure her safety.

“Especially with as bad as Iowa is, I want to get that quarantine in before I go see my grandma,” he said. “Apparently, that’s a concept that a lot of our state struggles with.”

Other than the flight to Arizona, he’ll be staying

of Music groups, where they primarily focus on classical pieces, UNI Percussion emphasizes in pieces that may appear to go off the beaten path.

“The music performed on UNI-PG concerts is often quite different,” Kramer said. “We largely focus on works composed by living composers – offering a diverse, fresh and eclectic musical experience!”

Kramer also advocated for students to consider joining a percussion ensemble at UNI. For those without prior experience, West African Drumming Ensemble and Taiko Drumming Ensemble are open to all students.

“We make sure rehearsals are productive and fun, giving every member the opportunity to express themselves through our communal activity – drumming!” he said. “We highly encourage anyone interested in music, drumming or the study of world cultures to enroll and participate in these ensembles.”

Anyone interested in watching the concert can visit the School of Music’s YouTube channel this Thursday at 8 p.m.

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

Courtesy Photo/ School of Music

The UNI School of Music will be presenting their percussion ensembles concert virtually on Thursday, Nov. 19.

example, will be staying in her room in Shull Hall.

According to Nick Rafanello, Director of Residence Life, interest in remaining in campus housing over break has not seen a dip from typical numbers, despite the extended break.

“We have recently started to ask students to inform us of their plans to stay in the dorms over the break,” Rafanello wrote in an email to the Northern NI Archives Iowan. “Recognizing we Multiple UNI students discuss how they will be spending their extended winter break. are still in the middle of in Cedar Falls rather than lot of family and friends the sign up period, we are traveling home during the back in (my) hometown, seeing numbers consistent break. but with COVID, that’s with last year’s winter “I probably would have just not what the reality is break period sign up.”

For those remaining traveled a lot more,” he for right now.” on-campus, and, in fact, said. “I would have gone Other UNI students for all students, staff and back home, (and) I feel like will be spending the break faculty, the UNI dining most people visited with a on campus — Robbins, for

centers will be open for lunch and dinner. Winter break meal plans offer 10 meals for $64, with more information available at https://dor.uni.edu/dining/winter-break.

Janet Despard, Director of Dining Administration, said the meal plans may be purchased at any time, even midway through the break.

“We anticipate sales throughout winter break as students come and go from campus,” she wrote in an email.

For more information regarding university operations during winter break, including winter term classes and Department of Residence offerings, visit https:// winter.uni.edu/.

The Bird is the word!

Follow our Twitter accounts for quick news updates on the go!

News:

@NorthernIowan

Sports Updates:

@NIowan_Sports

NISG Updates:

@NIonNISG

PAGE 6

SPORTS NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

Panthers spring back into action COLIN HORNING

Sports Editor

This past semester has seen a total lack of Panthers sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last summer, the Missouri Valley Conference decided it was in the best interest of the safety of student-athletes, parents and campus communities to postpone fall athletics seasons to the spring semester, at that point which will see proper health guidelines put into place. However, UNI athletics will return perhaps sooner than many of us realize. The first Panther sporting events will return in just one short week and will slowly but surely pick back up over winter break before moving into full swing by the spring.

On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the Northern Iowa men’s basketball team will play their first games since last March in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Panther men will play in an eight-team field hosted by the University of Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb. The tournament is scheduled to take place from Nov. 25-29

and will be played in a tournament-style of play. Other teams in attendance along with UNI will be Louisiana State, Saint Louis, Western Kentucky, San Francisco, Nevada, Illinois State and the host school University of Nebraska. Three teams in the tournament (Northern Iowa, LSU and Saint Louis) all received pre-season Associated Press top-25 votes.

The tournament will give the Panthers a strong non-conference slate to begin the season. Along with playing other mid-major Division 1 schools, the Panthers will play a Big Ten school (Nebraska), an SEC school (LSU) and a Nevada team which has become a consistent school in the NCAA Tournament.

UNI typically plays somewhat of a weaker non-conference schedule, which can sometimes come back to be a hindrance on the team’s resume when it comes to being selected for the NCAA Tournament. But by scheduling a strong pre-season slate with well-respected schools in competition, the Panthers can prove that they are a legitimate team

come tournament time, as well as bolster their team by playing tough competition early on before moving into the Missouri Valley schedule.

Following their season-opening tournament in Nebraska, the Panthers will have some time off before returning to the floor on Dec. 9 in Richmond, Va. against the Richmond Spiders. Their first home game will be against the University of WisconsinGreen Bay on Dec. 12 in the McLeod Center, before traveling to Huntington, W.Va. for another non-conference road game against Marshall University.

Following another break for the holidays, the Panthers begin Missouri Valley Conference play on Dec. 30 against Missouri State. Among other home games the Panther men will play over the holiday break will be Jan. 6 against Illinois State, Jan. 9 against Evansville, Jan. 20 against Bradley and Jan. 23 against Valparaiso. By the time students are scheduled to return to campus on Jan. 25 the men’s basketball season will be more than halfway

UNI Athletics

Panther Softball will be one of many sports returning in the spring semester.

completed.

Along with the men’s basketball, the women’s basketball team will also get their season underway. The Panther women will start on Nov. 28 in the McLeod Center against Creighton University, before hitting the road to Fargo, N.D. for a game against North Dakota State. Another road game on Dec. 6 has UNI going to Wichita, Kan. for a matchup against Wichita State. They will finally return home on Dec. 12 against South Dakota State University.

The Panther women’s team will play three conference home games over

the winter break. These will be on Jan. 7 versus Valparaiso, Jan. 9 against Loyola-Chicago and Drake University on Jan. 15.

Similar to the men’s team, the women’s basketball season will be more than halfway completed once students are scheduled to return to campus on Jan. 25.

The spring semester will see the return of every other fall sport, most notably football on Feb. 25. Other sports returning to action will be volleyball, track & field, wrestling, women’s soccer, softball, swimming & diving, golf, tennis and cross country.

IHSSA restricts spectators; reduces attendance EMMA’LE MAAS

Executive Editor

Following the governor’s proclamation on Nov. 16, the Iowa High School Sports Association (IHSSA) announced they would be limiting attendance at the upcoming playoff games.

Last week, the governor had let the games go on as she considered them an “outdoor venue” due to the large size of the dome and it’s capability to socially distance.

Now, only two spectators per athlete will be allowed

to attend, and only one side of the dome will be utilized.

Those who had already purchased tickets can expect an automatic refund.

Currently, supporting participants do not get two additional spectators. These supporting participants include but are not limited to: coaches, managers, trainers, statisticians, video operators, game officials and cheerleaders. All halftime shows, performances or appearances have also been cancelled.

Face coverings and social distancing measures are still required in the Dome

per UNI and state guidelines.

The games will be broadcasted through a free livestream, the free IHSSN app or a selection of broadcast television networks.

Six games will be featured in this week’s playoffs: Thursday, Nov. 19 10 a.m. St. Mary’s, Remsen vs. Fremont Mills, Tabor | Eight-Player 2 p.m. Grundy Center vs.

Regina, Iowa City | Class A 7 p.m. Harlan Community vs. North Scott, Eldridge | Class 3A Friday, Nov. 20 10 a.m. OABCIG vs. Van

NI ARCHIVES

Playoffs will continue in the UNI Dome, but with changes to attendance following the governor’s recent proclamation.

Meter | Class 1A 2 p.m. Central Lyon/ George-Little Rock vs.

Waukon | Class 2A 7 p.m. Southeast Polk vs.

Ankeny | Class 4A

FUN & GAMES

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 |

Across

1 Vice president after Hubert 6 Harry Potter’s lightning bolt, e.g.

10 Cauldron stirrer 13 Intense passion 14 Big strings 15 “We’re on __ way” 16 Vice squad operations 18 Prefix with angle or athlete 19 Make very happy 20 “__ Go”: cellphone game 22 Mess up 24 PC core 26 Sorvino of “Mimic” 27 Hawaiian garland 28 Fictional feline that could disappear at will 32 Ultra-masculine 34 Underwater detector 35 Sister of Laertes 38 Major turf battle 42 They may be pumped or

PAGE 7

bumped 44 Neutral shade 45 “Talladega Nights” actor 50 Meadow 51 Sheriff Andy Taylor’s boy 52 Ewe call 53 ISP option 54 “Oh, puh-leeze!”

58 African country whose name begins another African country 61 Wee one 62 It eases tension in some serious tales 66 Baton Rouge sch.

67 Occupied, as a restroom 68 Award for “Moonlight” or “Spotlight” 69 Some Caltech grads 70 “Gee whiz!”

71 Cautious (of)

Down

1 Liquid from a trunk 2 Golf instructor

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

3 Social class prominent in “The Great Gatsby” 4 Churn up 5 White-bellied ocean predator 6 __ salt 7 Movie excerpt 8 Big name in footwear 9 Put in peril 10 One may pick up an embarrassing remark 11 Goddess of the dawn 12 Be amused by 14 Dessert pancake 17 Draw with acid 21 Come into view 22 Sailor’s patron 23 Use a scythe 25 Navy vessel letters 28 Infant’s ailment 29 Gluttonous sort 30 Once __ while 31 Asked for an opinion on, as an idea 33 Playboy founder 36 Mideast nation: Abbr.

37 Had breakfast 39 Whole-grain food, and a description of each set of circles 40 Quite a while 41 Bona fide 43 Family vacay participant 45 Push rudely 46 Vote against 47 Continuity break 48 Renaissance Faire weapon 49 Dragon’s den 55 Vaper’s smoke, briefly 56 Stereo preceder 57 Fast Aussie birds 59 Earth sci.

60 “What __ can I do?”

63 “Kinda” suffix 64 Piece of corn 65 Cook, as spring rolls

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

Find us online!

@NorthernIowan

/NorthernIowan

northerniowan.com & Northern Iowan App

@northerniowan

Sign up for our weekly newsletter, sent to your email every Friday!

Scan the QR code!

PAGE 8

CLASSIFIEDS NOVEMEBR 19, 2020 |

CROSSWORD

Ron E. Roberts Obituary Ronald E. Roberts passed away on October 29, 2020 of COVID-19 complications at Ravenwood Specialty Care, Waterloo, Iowa. He had been a resident at Ravenwood for the past 5 years after experiencing a stroke. Ronald was born to Mae and Everett Roberts on July 31, 1939 in Chariton, Iowa. His family moved to East Moline, IL. where Ron lived his first 9 years. The family returned to his father’s hometown of Lucas, Iowa where Ron was to later graduate from high school.

Ron attended Graceland College, graduated from Drake University with a bachelor’s degree, and earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from Louisiana State University.

Ron, his then wife, Patricia, sons Alan and Nic relocated to Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1969. He worked as a Sociology Professor at the University of Northern Iowa from 1969-2001.

Ron was an avid reader, prolific writer on sociological issues and the human experience, lecturer, and an activist for the oppressed and powerless. Growing up in Southern Iowa, he witnessed the lower-social economic strife and felt compelled to be a champion for those less fortunate.

His loving and very close-knit family of origin helped to instill these values. He often told the story of meeting John L. Lewis, United Miners President, in Lucas as a young boy. His father told him that he had just met a great man, and Ron responded to his father, “He is no better than you!” Ron would later become an author about John L. Lewis, coal mining, and his childhood town of Lucas, Iowa. He was instrumental in helping to make the John L. Lewis Museum in Lucas a reality.

Ron contributed many articles and artifacts to the museum, as well as giving talks about Lewis and Lucas.

Ron was generous to a fault to those who were struggling financially or who needed a place to stay, sometimes to his detriment.

Ron’s ability to relate to and connect with people of various social, cultural, and educational backgrounds was an admirable trait. His students, friends, and family were entertained by his highly original humor.

Some former students remarked to his family that he was a favorite professor at U.N.I. as he challenged their thinking and fostered personal growth.

Besides being an avid reader, Ron enjoyed traveling abroad to many countries, socializing with his life-long friends and colleagues, viewing movies, biking, riding in the Iowa RAGBRAI, and marathon running in his younger years. During later adulthood, he attended the Quakers for numerous years.

Ron is survived by his sister, Kay, who always adored her older brother, his loving son, Alan and wife, Sherri, granddaughters, Morgan and Hannah, nephews, Sean McGee, Corey McGee and his wife Marianne, brotherin-law, Terry, great-nephew and niece, Logan and Avery, as well as a life-long friend, John Negaard, and former wife, Carol. A special thanks to his professor friends, Jerry Stockdale, Tom Hill, Joe Wells and Larry Gordon who visited and supported Ron during his illness.

As his last act as a citizen, he proudly exercised the right to cast his vote against the current tyranny. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Mae, and son, Forrest. May they rest in peace. Private family service will be held at a later date. Services was planned by Fielding Funeral Homes in Chariton, Iowa. Memorials may be sent to the John L. Lewis Museum, 102 Division St., Lucas, Iowa 50151.

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

Puzzle Answers

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 27

SUDOKU TWO

SUDOKU ONE

LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER

Communication is sexy.

There are many STD and HIV Prevention options. Get the information you need and talk to your sexual partners about the options that are right for you.

BE READY FOR THE CONVERSATION ABOUT STD AND HIV PREVENTION. StopHIVIowa.org