11-9-2020

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

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VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

TEST IOWA

MADDIE POPPE

FOOTBALL

NEWS PAGE 2

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

SPORTS PAGE 6

A state COVID-19 testing site will open at UNI this week.

Freshman football player Wes Hine discusses changes to the program due to COVID-19.

“American Idol” winner Maddie Poppe is coming to town for an Acoustic Christmas in GBPAC.

Biden wins election, UNI reacts EMMA’LE MAAS

Executive Editor

ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

Four days past Election Day, Americans at last received the news: the nation will soon have a new president.

Multiple media sources, from AP News to CNN to Fox News to the New York Times, called the presidency for Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Saturday, Nov. 7.

With the win of Biden’s home state, Pennsylvania, the former vice president had passed the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election. He will become the 46th president, replacing incumbent President Donald Trump.

When the news broke on Saturday, UNI graduate student Karrah Bates ran downstairs to tell her roommate the good news, and freshman elementary education major Molly Scott cried “happy tears of relief.”

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE/Courtesy Photo

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden triumphantly raise their hands after declaring victory on Saturday, Nov. 7.

“I’m excited for January 20th when he gets inaugurated,” Scott said. “It was the result that I hoped for, but I wasn’t sure. I thought it could go either way. We knew it was going to be super close.”

The election had hung in the balance since polls closed Tuesday, with the final results hinging on

several key states, including Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Arizona.

Record numbers of mail-in ballots, coupled with laws in states such as Pennsylvania which prohibited the counting of such ballots until after polls had closed, were largely responsible for the delay.

Scott, a freshman elementary education major, hadn’t

expected results to take so long to be confirmed.

“I thought we were going to get them the day after,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be three, four days after the election.”

Her friend Carly Hollister, a freshman undecided major, said she had expected it to take “a long time, but definitely not four days.”

For both Hollister and Scott, who voted in-person on Election Day, the 2020 election had been their first as voters. It was also the first time voting for sophomore business administration major Maleah Ford-Mehaffy, who voted in-person during early voting.

ELIZABETH KELSEY

Although the positivity rate may decrease slightly today when the Student Health Center updates last week’s data to include any tests conducted on Friday, these numbers still represent a substantial increase from the 32 new cases and 26.02% positivity rate reported by the Health Center last week.

The spike comes after several weeks of rising case counts and positivity rates on campus.

“I was honestly really disappointed to see it jump from pretty low and manageable to feeling kind of out of control,” said Leah Evans, a junior communication studies major.

However, the university’s COVID-19 Response Team assured the campus community in an email that the increase is not linked to university activities such as in-person classes.

See ELECTION RESULTS, page 2

COVID-19 on campus: numbers increase UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA

40

38.42%

Positivity Rate

35

20

Number of tests Administered

32.14%

30

26.96%

25

Number of Positive Cases

23.08%

22.96% 18.82%

15

12.74%

10 5

8.75% 8.09%

11/2/2011/8/20

10/26/2011/1/20

Information is gathered from the Student Health Center and Black Hawk County Health Department

10/19/2010/25/20

24.3% 4824

9.77%

10/12/2010/18/20

10/5/2010/11/20 9/28/2010/4/20 9/21/209/27/20

9/14/209/20/20

Recovered Cases in Black Hawk

9/7/209/13/20

8/31/209/6/20

8/24/208/30/20

8/17/208/23/20

Black Hawk Count 14-day Avg Positive

Number of Negative Cases

13.60% 9.40%

Created by the Northern Iowan

Self-Reported Weekly Cases

203 78 124 37

Updated November 8

Current Number in Quarantine Current Number in Isolation

26 <6

KARLA DEBRUIN/Northern Iowan

This graphic depicts the COVID-19 positivity rate on the UNI campus as well as other statistics regarding the pandemic in Black Hawk County.

News Editor

New cases of COVID19 on the UNI campus more than doubled in the last week, according to the latest data released by the UNI Student Health Center.

According to data released Friday, Nov. 6 at noon, the 203 tests conducted from Nov. 2-8 through the Student Health Center resulted in 78 positive cases, for a 38.42% campus positivity rate.

The university also reported 37 self-reported cases of COVID-19 during the same period, including 16 student cases and 4 faculty/staff cases on Friday, Nov. 6 alone. However, these self-reported cases may also be counted in the Student Health Center weekly totals, and therefore, the numbers cannot be combined for a grand total.

See COVID-19 UPDATE, page 4

PAGE 2

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NEWS

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

UNI campus to host Test Iowa site ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

A Test Iowa COVID-19 testing site will open in the UNI Student Health Center this week, expanding the university’s testing capacities as on-campus case counts rise.

On Sunday, UNI public relations manager Steve Schmadeke did not know the exact day this week when the site would open, but told the Northern Iowan in an email that the campus community will be notified when the site is fully operational.

Schmadeke also wrote that the site is intended for student, faculty and staff use only. It will remain open for the majority of winter break, although it will be closed for certain periods surrounding the holidays, when all university operations close.

Provost Jim Wohlpart believes the site will provide a “reprieve” for the campus’ “limited” testing ability, according to an email sent to UNI faculty on Friday.

“We are watching the numbers go up around the

country, the state, and in our county. And the numbers are going up on our campus because we all go out in public at some point,” he wrote.

“Our positivity rate is going to increase, partly because we have more positive cases, and partly because our testing ability is limited.”

However, Schmadeke clarified that this limitation has not been due to a lack of tests or appointment slots, but rather the result of the center’s testing criteria.

The Student Health Center follows the testing criteria outlined by the Iowa Department of Public Health, which require students to either be showing symptoms and not have another diagnosis or have spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone with a positive test.

“The reason we added Test Iowa is because their testing criteria is broader than the Iowa Department of Public Health which will allow us to test more people,” Schmadeke wrote. “We have sufficient tests and appointments available.”

GABI CUMMINGS/Northern Iowan

This week, a Test Iowa site for COVID-19 testing will open at the UNI Student Health Center.

Once the Test Iowa site opens, Schmadeke wrote, students, faculty and staff will still contact the Student Health Center for testing in the same manner as they do now: calling the Student Health Clinic COVID-19 hotline at 319273-2100 between 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. They

will then be screened according to IDPH criteria.

“If during the screening with the nurses it is indicated that they will not qualify for a test (under IDPH criteria), we will encourage them to use the UNI Test Iowa survey,” Schmadeke wrote. “There will be an icon added to the SHC

website if you complete the survey and receive a QR code which will then instruct you to call the SHC to schedule a (Test Iowa) appointment.”

Test Iowa numbers from the UNI site will be reported as part of the Student Health Center numbers in the weekly university COVID-19 update.

“I wasn’t really surprised (by the final result) since Biden was already in the lead,” Ford-Mehaffy said. “I’m glad that it’s over. I’m glad that we have results.”

Although they were relieved and grateful, Bates, Hollister and Scott all voiced concerns about President Trump’s potential reaction to the results. Prior to the race being called, the president had spent several days alleging, without evidence, that there had been widespread election fraud and misconduct.

“I’m nervous on what the reaction from the current administration is going to be,” Scott said. “I might just delete Twitter for a little bit.”

Bates agreed.

“I’m relieved that this was

the decision and this is what the results were, but I wish my anxiety had still gone away completely, (because) I’m worried about how Trump’s going to react over the next couple days,” she said.

Indeed, Trump has so far refused to concede the election, instead sending a press release to his followers attempting to discredit the results.

“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed,” Trump wrote. “The simple fact is that this election is far from over.”

Trump also vowed to continue prosecuting states and demanding recounts, questioning the integrity of the new president-elect. He claimed that the Biden cam-

paign had advocated for ballots to be counted “even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters.”

“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American people have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands,” Trump wrote.

The Trump administration has already called for a recount in Wisconsin, and several elected officials in Georgia expect a recount to happen soon.

Hollister said she feels the Biden campaign has nothing to fear from a recount.

“Honestly, just do it, because it’s probably just going to be the same results,” she said.

According to NBC’s political commentator Chuck Todd, recounts rarely adjust results,

and they will only adjust the numbers by hundreds, not the thousands needed to overturn Biden’s lead.

“When you look at these numbers, you do a recount and maybe you get 536 votes.

That’s not the 10,000 needed for these states,” Todd said on-air with NBC Saturday morning.

On the evening of Nov. 7, Biden addressed the nation as the new president-elect, along with soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris commended the voters and recognized the issues most important to them.

“You chose hope and unity, decency, science and yes – truth,” she said. “You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.”

Harris also addressed her history-making moment as the first Black and Asian

American vice president and the first woman to hold the position.

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” she said. “Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”

Biden’s speech mostly focused on uniting the nation.

He pledged to be a “president who seeks not to divide, but unify. Who doesn’t see the red states, the blue states, but sees the United States.”

He continued, “It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, turn down the temperature, look at each other again, see each other again, and to stop seeing our opponents as enemies. They are Americans.

We are Americans… Let us be the nation we know we can be. A nation united, a nation healed.”

NORTHERN IOWAN

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

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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.

ELECTION RESULTS continued from page 1

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PAGE 3

OPINION

EMMA’LE MAAS Executive Editor

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

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

Take time for you this finals season

STUDENT WELLNESS SERVICES Guest Columnist

It’s that time of year once again!

The end of the semester is already here, and we need to put everything we have spent the past semester learning to the test – literally! You might find yourself becoming overwhelmed by the amount of stress that final exams stir up, especially in the midst of a pandemic and a stressful election season. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent letting the stress of finals week get the best of you: • Make sure to get adequate sleep (7-9 hours each night) • Spend time outside instead of isolating in your room • Eat a balanced variety of

foods that make you feel fueled AND satisfied!

• Take (off-screen!) study breaks and spend time stretching, walking, meditating or having a quick snack • Move your body with yoga, jumping jacks, running, dancing or whatever brings you joy and mental clarity • Stay connected with friends and family via texting, video chatting or phone calls • Ask for help and use campus resources like The Learning Center (tlc.uni.edu), the Counseling Center (counseling.uni.edu) or Wellness Coaching (studentwellness. uni.edu/wellness-coaching)!

Looking for more ideas? You are in luck! Student Wellness

Services (SWS) and the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) are having a Self-Care Sweepstakes that is full of selfcare practices you can do yourself and challenge your friends to do with you! You can find our sweepstakes on the SWS and SHAC social media pages.

Follow these steps to be entered to win prizes: 1. Complete and check off 3 self-care practices.

2. Take a screenshot of your sweepstakes card and email it to wellness@uni.edu or DM us on one of our social media pages by Nov. 19 2020.

3. Go above and beyond!

Take a selfie of you doing your favorite self-care activity from the list and send it to us to be entered to win our grand prize: a self-care package!

Student Wellness Services wants you to practice self-care.

You can find self-care and stress management resources, like our self-care workbook and gratitude journal, at studentwellness.uni.edu. Questions about the sweepstakes? Email us at wellness@uni.edu.

One of the best ways to combat stress is to practice self-care.

Taking care of yourself is vital

Courtesy Photo

to protect your well-being, and EVERYONE should practice self-care! Practicing self-care before and during final exams is important to prevent excessive stress and burnout. Get a jumpstart on your self-care through completing self-care activities in the Self-Care Sweepstakes!

Good luck Panthers!

Iowa’s minimum wage laws are outdated EMERSON SLOMKA

Opinion Columnist

In 2020, 25 states increased their minimum wage, and Iowa was not among them. In fact, Iowa is among the 21 states still stuck at $7.25, the federal minimum wage since 2009.

This isn’t a survivable income for anyone regardless of lifestyle or frugality. According to a 2020 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Iowans would need to work 85 hours a week in order to afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment on a minimum wage income, and this is only taking rent into account – don’t count on affording groceries, utilities, insurance or anything else.

When the cost of living increases, so should the minimum wage; if it doesn’t, the minimum wage will quickly become insufficient. A gallon of Prairie Farms milk cost $2.69 in 2009 – the year the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25. Now, it costs $4.12 in 2020, though the federal minimum wage remains the same.

Most states have reflected this economic change and increased their minimum wages, though Iowa continues to employ a regressive approach, and its people are suffering for it.

But doesn’t increasing the minimum wage lead to higher prices? According to a study conducted by the Upjohn institute, not only does a small min-

imum wage hike (about 5-15% at a time) not lead to higher prices, they actually tend to decrease. Larger minimum wage hikes may result in small price increases.

Therefore, from a practical outlook, it stands to reason that we can please both those concerned about insufficient income and those concerned about inflation by gradually increasing the minimum wage in increments (which most states are in the process of doing currently).

Of course, it’s important to remember that price increases, when they do occur, tend to be minimal at best. To compensate for a 10% minimum wage increase, a business would only need to raise their prices by a

maximum of 0.1% – this is the equivalent of changing a $100 product to $100.10. This is a small price to pay for financial security and livable wages for all workers.

According to George Akerlof of Georgetown University, businesses also benefit from the morale boost linked to the wage increase – sort of like how a raise works. Higher morale means higher productivity, which benefits the business just as much as the workers.

Economists Laura Bucilia and Curtis Simon also concluded that higher minimum wages are associated with lower rates of absenteeism for non-illness reasons.

There are over 500,000 min-

imum wage workers in Iowa, 86% of whom are adults. Many of these workers have dependents, such as children and elderly parents who rely on them, and should not have to work more than 40 hours per week in order to live comfortably and have financial stability.

A full-time worker should be able to afford bills and housing regardless of their job and education level, and Iowa’s regressive minimum wage laws prove that Iowa legislators don’t value the working class. When cries for a livable wage are met with indifference or concern over paying a few more cents for goods, it shows an undeniable level of privilege and disinterest in the needs of others.

Movie theatres are dying at an alarming rate COLIN HORNING

Opinion Columnist

Over the last year we’ve seen many aspects of our lives change dramatically in just a short period of time. Upon closings and restrictions brought on by the pandemic, practically every aspect of our lives has been changed in some way or another. Some of these changes are more minor, such as wearing a mask in public places or in large crowds. Other changes are much larger. Small businesses around the world have had to cut back on losses and close down for good due to revenue shortfalls and millions of people have lost their jobs. Perhaps one of the industries that has been affected the greatest has been the movie industry, particularly the movie theatres.

Last spring saw the closure

of theatres around the nation brought on by state restrictions. For the span of several months, thousands of venues were dark. Some of the nation’s largest movie theatre chains, such as AMC and Cinemark, have announced massive losses as a result of their closures. Last week, AMC announced that they are facing a nearly 90% revenue loss in the third quarter of this year, bringing in only around $120 million in the last three months. Around this time last year, the chain had brought in $1.3 billion in the third quarter. The drastic change in the industry has led to those in the theatre business to get creative.

Marcus Theatres, AMC and other large chains have begun offering the option of renting out the theatres to moviegoers, and will allow any movie of their choice to be played, not just those currently at the box

office. But will this be enough to save the industry?

Even after theatres have begun to re-open nationwide, most are still struggling to fill their seats. This may be due to several factors: a large portion of the population might not feel comfortable returning to a large theatre, there is a lack of new and exciting movies being shown currently (many of the year’s most-hyped films have been postponed to later this year or 2021) or many people may have gotten used to at-home streaming services during lockdowns and see the value in paying for a few of these services rather than spending the same amount for one movie ticket. All of these factors compiled have created the perfect storm for the theatre industry to go bust.

Theatres had been struggling in recent years before COVID-19, due to the rise of

on-demand streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Near the end of 2019 and the start of this year saw a bevy of new streaming services such as Disney Plus, HBO Max and Apple TV join an already competitive market of streaming looking for the attention of video consumers. The already-struggling theatre industry was not poised to keep pace with the new wave of on-demand video, and many in the business knew that physical theatres were on the decline. COVID-19 only accelerated this decline. Now more than ever, most people are willing to pay for two or three streaming services and stay in the comfort of their own homes to watch movies, as most of these services have all of the content one could ever ask for. In most cases, movies that are released in theatres will be on one of these services a few

months after they leave theatres anyways. Some movie studios, such as Disney and Paramount, have begun bringing their content straight to their respective streaming services, or will sell the licensed content to the streamer whoever bids the most to have it on their platform.

This seems to be the way of the future for most new movies.

The biggest appeal for the movie theatre industry is the environment of being in a physical theatre. The seating, lights and sound of the experience still appeal to many people. The lack of new and exciting movies currently showing and the fear of many people to return to a theatre will leave the business in shambles for quite some time to come. There is still hope for a rebound, but for the time being, movie theatres appear to be on the way out.

PAGE 4

CAMPUS LIFE NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

Maddie Poppe performing at UNI ANTHONY WITHEROW

Campus Life Editor

Tickets are still available to see Iowa’s own Maddie Poppe showcase her musical talents at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

Originally a single appearance scheduled for Dec. 11, a second show was added for Wednesday, Dec. 9 after high demand resulted in a sold out show.

“Some shows have sold out already and I’m so grateful for your continued support,” Poppe stated on Facebook. “I’m very excited to see you all this Christmas.”

Tickets can be purchased through GBPAC’s website as well as UNITix in the McLeoad Center. The box office will be available to the public starting Monday, Nov. 9. Due to COVID19, the box office located in GBPAC’s main lobby is currently closed.

The shows are part of a statewide tour titled, “Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic

Christmas.” The tour is meant to promote her upcoming EP “Christmas From Home” scheduled to release on Nov. 20.

The performance will be physically-distanced with reduced capacity.

Tickets will be sold in pods of two, three, four and five on all three floors of the auditorium. Buyers will be required to buy all seats in the pod.

UNI students have the option to use their student tickets to reserve a pod of two. A limited number of student pods are being held. Once they are sold out, no additional student pods will be added.

Face coverings will be required at all times in the venue. Attendees must remain six feet away from anyone not in their pod. Guests are asked not to attend if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing any symptoms. Full refunds will be available upon request.

Maddie Poppe is a 22

Courtesy Photo/GBPAC

Singer-songwriter and “American Idol” season 16 winner Maddie Poppe will be performing two shows at GBPAC in December.

year old singer-songwriter from Clarksville, IA. She is best known for winning season 16 of “American Idol” in 2018.

Since her victory, Poppe has appeared on television programs such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Live!

With Kelly and Ryan” and the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards. She has also performed at the heralded Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Special

Olympics and CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn.

Poppe released her debut album “Songs from the Basement” in 2016, which she wrote, produced and recorded alongside her father, Trent Poppe. After years of performing locally in Iowa, she auditioned for “American Idol.” Poppe was crowned the winner, giving the crowd an emotional performance of

her song “Going Going Gone.”

Poppe released her sophomore al bu m “Whirlwind” in 2019. The album reached No. 2 on the iTunes Pop charts.

Her single “Made You Miss” reached No. 19 on the Hot AC Radio charts.

More information about the shows can be found on Poppe’s and GBPAC’s website as well as Poppe’s Facebook page.

COVID-19 UPDATE

continued from page 1

“Despite the rise in cases, our data indicates COVID-19 is not being spread on our campus,” they wrote. “Individuals are primarily coming into contact with the virus when in close proximity with affected friends or family members, or when attending social gatherings.”

As proof, the response team pointed to the campus infection rate, which reflects the rolling 14-day total of positive cases in an area divided by that area’s total population.

UNI began tracking the infection rate this week, and, according to the university’s data on Nov. 1, UNI’s infection rate was at .52% compared to Black Hawk County’s rate of 1.04% and the State of Iowa’s rate of .78%.

“What we are seeing is that our campus community has an infection rate half of that of the county,” the Response Team wrote. “This reinforces that the controls we have put in place are working.”

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, some Iowa campuses have shifted to virtual operations beginning today. St. Ambrose University in Davenport

moved classes online through Nov. 13 and cancelled face-to-face extracurricular activities, and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges moved most classes online for the rest of the semester, although classes with labs or other hands-on elements will continue to meet normally.

Although UNI has not released any statement at this time indicating a similar university-wide decision, Provost Jim Wohlpart told faculty in an email on Friday that they have the option to shift their classes online if desired.

“If you need to do something different in order to keep moving forward — move your class online, for instance — please do so after a conversation with your department head, who should notify your dean,” he wrote. “Let’s make sure

that we finish the semester intact, as much as possible: mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.”

For the most part, however, UNI students seem to agree with the response team that transmission of COVID-19 is not happening on-campus or in university classrooms.

“I don’t think that the COVID cases are necessarily coming from the campus. I think they’re probably from people going out,” said Brittany Trecker, a junior family services major. “I would say in general most people are following the guidelines that I see. Everyone on campus is wearing masks.”

Evans agreed.

“I believe them when they say that most cases are probably caught from off-campus activities,” she

Toni Fortmann/Northern Iowan

Precautions are taken throughout UNI’s campus to help lower the spread of COVID-19.

said. “Personally, I’m not worried about catching it in a class, but I am worried about getting it from someone who doesn’t follow the regulations on the weekends or something.”

Freshman art education major Tatiana Schaapherder blamed the substantial increase on “everyone going out on Halloween weekend.”

“I’m not sure if sending (classes) fully online would make a huge difference. People are still going to go out, people are still going to do stuff,” she said.

“I think UNI has handled it pretty well… The university can’t do this, but I think the bars should be closed again, because that worked really well.”

Schaapherder said that although she feels safe on

campus, she does “feel a little unsafe when other people go out.”

“It scares me for when I’ll go back home, because it’s so close to Thanksgiving, and I’m spending Thanksgiving with all my extended family, my grandma and my great-aunts, so that kind of makes me a little nervous,” she said.

The Response Team encouraged the campus to remain vigilant as the semester concludes.

“It is extremely important that we don’t let up on following recommended safety measures — both on and off campus,” they wrote. “We must do everything we can to slow the spread — it is a vital responsibility we all share.”

PAGE 5

CAMPUS LIFE

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

Rock, paper, scissors tournament to take place on Zoom ABIGAIL KRAFT

Staff Writer

UNI mathematics professor Douglas Shaw has organized a free online Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) tournament for students, staff and the world to participate in.

This free event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Participants are asked to be online by 7 p.m.

This event has been created with the goal of making it the world’s largest RPS tournament, and Shaw and his team are encouraging many people to attend the tournament. Shaw feels everyone is needed in order to make this goal a reality.

shears’ did not become popular, because everyone just chose ‘rock’ to break the shears.”

When the first paper-making industry was introduced, people noticed that while rocks could break scissors, the scissors could be used to cut the paper.

“Once someone realized that the paper could be used to cover rock, a new sport was born, which still exists today,” wrote Shaw.

Re gistr ation is Courtesy Photo/Douglas Shaw required to participate UNI math professor Douglas Shaw will be hosting the world’s largest virtual rock, paper, scissors tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 12. in this event. To regShaw wrote that it soning for hosting the game of RPS. ister, go to https:// will be “a splendid time tournament. While the “In 400 BC the shears bddy.me/2HIy82W and for all with some strange event is sure to bring were invented in Italy, the fill out the information prizes!” about lots of fun for all, forerunner of modern form.

Shaw has consistently Shaw is very interested scissors,” Shaw wrote. been asked for his rea- in the history behind the “The game of ‘rock,

Panther|Preview “pandemics in the history of northern iowans” display

illumination artistic expo

physics colloquium

Aces: building trauma-sensitive communities

“raging bull” screening

friday, Oct. 16 - Friday, nov. 20

tuesday, nov. 10 7 p.m.

wednesday, nov. 11 4 p.m.

friday, nov. 13 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

friday, nov. 13 7 p.m.

rod library

wrc/facebook live

zoom

zoom

kab 111

PAGE 6

SPORTS NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

|

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

FOOTBALL

Panther football adjusting to changes field, and the sense of nor-

DAVID WARRINGTON malcy provided by watching Sports Writer

In a normal year, Northern Iowa football would be getting ready to finish up the final few weeks of the regular season and peeking ahead towards the beginning of the postseason in just under a month. However, this year has seen a drastic change from what many people consider normal, so fans are going to have to wait until the end of February to watch the Panthers take the field.

Looking ahead to what still seems so far off, the Panthers look poised to have a successful year on the football

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

Freshman offensive lineman Wes Hine talked about his experience as a first-year student and the changes the football team has experienced.

the Panthers run through the smoke and onto the field at the UNI-Dome is something desperately needed on a campus where everyone has been adjusting to a new normal.

Just like campus as a whole, things for Panther football players have been very different this year, with team meetings over Zoom, mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing being implicated in many aspects of everyday football activities. Freshman offensive lineman Wes Hine talked about the difficulties of adjusting to the new normal.

“It almost feels normal now, but once we first started having to do meetings on Zoom and having to work out with face masks it made it really difficult, especially to work out. Having to socially distance from each other is hard. Even though we’re still a team and spend a lot of time together, we still have to keep the guidelines in mind.” Hine said.

Shortly before students arrived on campus for the fall semester, the Missouri Valley Football Conference announced that the 2020 football season would be moved to the spring of 2021. Hine discussed the difficulties of this last-second change. “It was really difficult having our season taken away. It was really

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

The UNI football team has been adjusting to many of the changes in recent months, including preparing for a spring season and COVID-19 protocols.

annoying to a lot of the older guys,” said Hine.

However, Hine also mentioned the unique opportunity that the team will get because of the unprecedented circumstances. “As a team, we all have the mindset to win two national championships. We’ll have the spring season, and then the fall season. If we were to do that, we would be the first team ever to win two championships in the span of ten months.”

When asked about his favorite aspect of the UNI football program so far, Hine was happy to talk

about the camaraderie that had been built during the preseason. “My favorite aspect is the brotherhood we’ve got, especially in the offensive line group. We joke around with each other and we make fun of each other, but at the end of the day we know it’s all love.

Especially with the older guys, they sometimes make fun of us freshman, but at the end of the day they’re helping us with steps, plays and pretty much just how to survive camp.”

The UNI football team has set high goals for themselves, and they appear to

have the talent to accomplish those goals. From Will McElvain returning at quarterback, to Elerson G. Smith returning on the defensive line, and all of the players in between, there is a lot of talent returning from a team that made it to the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year.

For a campus in desperate need of some semblance of normalcy, a successful Panther football team running onto the field at the UNI-Dome could do the trick. The Panthers begin their season on Feb. 20 against Illinois State.

OPINION

We should do our best to support the Panthers this spring COLIN HORNING

Sports Editor

This spring will be unlike any other that UNI Athletics has experienced. We will see spring football and volleyball along with basketball, wrestling and every other sporting event UNI offers our student-athletes. While this jampacked slate of sports might seem overwhelming, we as a UNI student-body should do our best to support our fellow students in the midst of everything going on. Our campus and greater community are looking for any sort of return to semblance, and coming together in the form of sporting events is one of the best ways to put our stresses of the current world aside.

Next semester will have no shortage of UNI sporting events for us to attend.

Despite the likelihood of reduced capacity at the UNI-

Dome and McLeod Center, students will still have free admission to sporting events with a scan of a student ID. The student body is the most critical supporter of UNI Athletics, as our fellow peers will be playing to represent our colors and university to bring an overall sense of pride to the Cedar Valley.

Despite the tough times with everything going on in the world, our student-athletes will need our support and having something to cheer for will be refreshing given the nature of everything going on. Spending a few hours at the UNI-Dome or McLeod Center will be a stress reliever for many and will provide a source of fun and excitement that live sporting events bring that we’ve been missing for the past several months.

Finally, our UNI teams are supposed to be among the best in the Missouri Valley

this season. Our football team is ranked third in the entire Division 1AA and will look to contend for not only a conference title, but potentially a national championship.

Our men’s basketball team was picked to finish in first place in the conference for the first time since 2009, and will look to return to March Madness for the first time since 2016. They will surely have one of the most exciting teams in the Missouri Valley season. The women’s basketball team was picked to finish third in the MVC as well, bringing back one of the strongest women’s teams in recent years. Along with that, our volleyball and wrestling teams are bringing back strong squads as well. If our teams are going to succeed this coming season, we as a student body are going to do our part in showing support for their home games and giving them a true home-

Toni Fortmann/Northern Iowan

The spring semester will have a full slate of sporting events here at UNI and supporting our Panthers will be important, says sports editor Colin Horning

field advantage.

We as Panthers should help each other out whenever possible, and supporting our student-athletes is one of the best ways we can do this.

As members of the campus community, we should do what we can to show support for our fellow students. Our athletics teams will be some of the best in the conference this season,

and the unconventional times require now more than ever a strong showing of support for our classmates and student-athletes. Of course, take necessary COVID-19 precautions when attending a UNI sporting event and only attend if you feel safe doing so. But next spring, set aside a few hours per week to support our fellow Panthers.

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

FUN & GAMES NOVEMBER 9, 2020 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

Down

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1 Dead tired 2 Trailblazer Daniel 3 Surrealist Max 4 Tied snugly 5 Wedding cake layer 6 Gannett’s flagship newspaper 7 Badlands bovine 8 Texas team that won the 2017 World Series 9 Look like a wolf?

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

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CLASSIFIEDS NOVEMEBR 9, 2020 |

Puzzle Answers CROSSWORD

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NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 24

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Today’s Birthday (11/09/20).

Communication opens doors this year. Steady creative practices build powerful results. Collaborate to surmount a shared financial challenge this winter, before your own income rises. Summer expenses require adaptation, before your shared endeavor hits pay dirt. Create, network and share to thrive.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — A surprise affects your love life.

Obstacles and distractions intervene. Consider the big picture. Imagine a romantic dream and share when the time is right.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — An unexpected mess requires attention. Reality may not match your domestic fantasy. Restore beauty, even in small ways. Share comfort food with family.

SUDOKU TWO

Managing Editor

Today's Horoscope

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Luck and energy benefit your work, health and vitality.

Emotions could feel sensitive. Dreams provide insight. Maintain routines and practices. Meditate, eat well and rest.

SUDOKU ONE

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KARLA DE BRUIN

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Study the situation. News requires adaptation. You could feel creatively stuck. Catch up on reading. Listen and learn. Things are beginning to make sense.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Unexpected circumstances affect your income and finances. Don’t push into a brick wall. Envision perfection and prepare for that.

Things line up for lucrative results.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Follow a personal dream. Envision it clearly. An obstacle could block the way. Listen to intuition. Your heart knows which way to go.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Slow down.

Avoid travel, spending or public engagements. Recent changes require adaptation. Listen to your inner wisdom. Discover hidden beauty in unexpected places.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Friends help out with unplanned circumstances. Connect to share challenges, resources

and ideas. What’s difficult for one may be easy for another. Network and communicate.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Work takes priority. Adapt to unforeseen changes. Keep your eye on the ball. Use what you’ve kept hidden.

Money saved is money earned.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Plan an educational adventure or exploration, without pushing ahead yet.

Expensive obstacles line the road. Adjust strategies and routes. Investigate options and possibilities.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Strategize and revise the budget for recent changes. Impulsive purchases could prove expensive or unnecessary.

Avoid financial arguments.

Collaborate for a profitable opportunity.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Romance could sneak up on you by surprise, if you can avoid silly arguments or impulsive clashes.

Charm your partner with sweetness. Relax together.