2-11-2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

CONFERENCE

CAB EVENTS

CAREER FAIR

NEWS PAGE 2

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

CAREER FAIR PAGES 5-7

The African American Children and Families Conference will take place virtually Feb. 12.

CAB has adapted to planning and hosting events amidst the pandemic.

Learn everything you need to know to be ready for the spring career fair.

UNI unveils new logo, branding EMMA’LE MAAS

Executive Editor

The University of Northern Iowa has officially clawed away from its former logo, presenting a new rebranding effort on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

According to a news release by the university, talks of the rebranding began in 2018 when the school wanted to develop a “comprehensive brand strategy that unifies storytelling and visual identities across a diverse campus.”

With the new brand came a completely new website as well, which many students took a liking to.

Freshman undecided major Marcus Olsen said, “I like it. It looks a lot cleaner and (is) easier to navigate.”

The website is being built in several phases, as outlined from an email from Cassie Mathes, UNI Director of Public Relations.

COURTESY PHOTO/University Relations

After two years of research and work UNI unveils their new visual identiy including new logos, an updated website and slight color adjustments.

“The website redesign will take place in six strategic phases over the next 12 months,” she wrote. “We are currently working with the remaining units in Phase I to complete their new sites this spring.”

The new logo maintains the standard “University of

Northern Iowa” while also highlighting “UNI,” a decision that was purposeful, according to the website.

“From our alma mater and fight song, to our students, graduates and supporters, our legacy is in these three beloved letters,” the website states. “Our pri-

mary logo reinforces this legacy, by incorporating ‘UNI’ in our mark.”

With the new rebranding, the logos and brand of UNI Athletics will remain untouched.

Not everyone was thrilled with the new look.

Elementary education

major and junior Erin Hassenstab said, “It’s fine; it wasn’t anything super earth-shattering.”

Junior earth science major Trishyan Anthony agreed, saying, “I think it’s kind of boring.”

vestibule of Lang Hall, displaying famous figures who have spoken or performed at UNI. Such notable people include Martin Luther King Jr., William Jennings

Bryan, the Dalai Lama and Salvador Dali.

The idea for the exhibit started in 2015 when digital communications professor Christopher Martin gave

tours to prospective students and noticed there was nothing to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to UNI in 1959. Martin then approached associate professor of history Thomas Conners and researched a list of notable people who have spoken or performed at UNI using Rod Library’s special collections and the UNI index.

Lang Hall, the oldest surviving classroom building on campus built in 1900, was chosen to house the display because of its history and the numerous famous figures that have spoken in the auditorium.

“When you walk in (Lang Hall) and you’re in that little atrium where the memorial is, to see how many people have spoken and stood on the spot, how many people’s voices echoed in the auditorium, it gives you a sense of you’re coming into a place that has a past, that has a great history, and that you are now part of

that,” Conners said. “Who are you going to hear when you are here? Who are you going to get to see?”

The exhibit in Lang took many resources, hard work and research to complete.

“Chris Martin really brought this project together in getting the administration on board and helped get money to create this and to keep pushing it because it took a long time to get this together,” Conners said. “I think it really enhances our campus and I give him credit for starting what I hope is the beginning of a project that will help all around campus and to celebrate the events that took place.”

The exhibit features two timelines on the interior walls of the vestibule, featuring famous figures who have visited UNI, and aims to feature UNI’s nearly 150-year historic legacy.

See NEW BRAND, page 4

Lang Hall introduces historical exhibit CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Staff Writer

Over winter break, a new historical exhibit was installed in the first-f loor

ANTHONY WITHEROW/Northern Iowan

Just outside the Lang Hall auditorium, there is a historical exhibit displaying notable historical figures who have visited and spoken in the auditorium.

See LANG EXHIBIT, page 4

PAGE 2

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NEWS

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

Conference goes virtual in tenth year

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SARA QUALLEY

Holmes said that these individuals’ support for the conference shows that they also support social justice and UNI’s strategic plan for diversity.

The conference is welcoming various acclaimed speakers. Dr. J. Luke Wood of San Diego State University will give a keynote presentation called “Black Minds Matter.”

“This presentation will draw parallels between the ways that Black people (particularly Black boys and men) are under-valued and over-criminalized in society and the ways that they are schooled,” the conference’s website shares. “Tangible solutions for promoting the learning, development, and success of Black males are offered.”

The conference will also feature a panel of UNI student-athletes, moderated by UNI Director of Athletics, Dr. David Harris.

“We thought that one is very timely since as we

looked at a lot of things across campuses at this time, athletes were involved in making a lot of social justice changes,” KirklandHolmes said. “Even when we looked at the National Basketball Association and National Football League, for this year, they became leaders. They’re not just playing sports on the court or on the field, but they’re also getting out messages.”

Kirkland-Holmes encourages UNI students to sign up for the conference. There are a variety of panels where students can learn about topics like mental health, diversity issues in schools and teen dating violence.

The event is free for UNI students. Those interested should visit the conference’s website (aac.uni.edu) and register by Thursday, Feb. 11 to ensure they receive a Zoom link.

“I think that UNI students would not want to miss this opportunity,” Kirkland-Holmes said.

NORTHERN IOWAN

EDITORIAL STAFF

PRODUCTION STAFF

GABI CUMMINGS

KARLA DE BRUIN

ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor Wwitheaab@uni.edu

GABI CUMMINGS

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

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

N.I. en Español: Mes de la Historia Afroamericano Spanish Writer

UNI’s tenth annual African American Children and Families Conference will take place via Zoom this year on Friday, Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

This year, the conference’s theme is “The Time is NOW: Restructuring Our Mind and Spirit.”

Dr. Gloria KirklandHolmes, associate professor at UNI and founder and coordinator of the conference, said that this year, the conference is focusing on topics like unity and togetherness. These topics come as a response to a summer of racial injustices, including the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“Last night, I was looking at the Super Bowl and the pre-bowl presentation, it was just — it’s so exciting about the time and changes and people’s attitudes about bettering our world and social justice and fairness for all people,” KirklandHolmes said.

The theme of unity at one of the largest events of the year was significant, she said.

“That’s kind of where we’re focusing on,” she said.

“The time is now for all of us to come together, unite as people and to learn more about each other. The more we learn about each other, the better we understand each other; then our relationships with each other will be much better.”

Kirkland-Holmes is glad that despite the pandemic, the conference could continue virtually. She attributes this to members of the UNI administration like President Mark Nook, Provost Jim Wohlpart and college deans. Kirkland-

EMMA’LE MAAS

News Editor

NIXSON BENITEZ

Staff Writer

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

ELIZABETH KELSEY

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CONFERENCE/Courtesy Photo

A student participates in a previous African American Read-In, part of the African American Children and Families Conference. This year, the conference, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, will be held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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COLIN HORNING Sports Editor chorning@uni.edu ERIN KAMP Copy Editor kampe@uni.edu ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor kelseye@uni.edu

Webmaster Graphic Artist

Production Graphics

CIRCULATION DESIREE CHANEL Circulation Manager

La forma en la que nos comunicamos ha sido un desafío para todas las organizaciones durante la pandemia. La asistencia de estudiantes no será la misma que el año pasado, pero esto no impide que Black Student Union (BSU) lleve a cabo eventos este Mes de la Historia Afroamericana.

Cici Daniels, la encargada de relaciones públicas para BSU, está a cargo de reclutar y es uno de los varios miembros ejecutivos involucrados en la planificación de eventos en BSU. Daniels dijo que, debido a las circunstancias y el clima actual, muchos de los eventos tradicionales de BSU se han movido en línea o simplemente se han cancelado.

“Nuestros eventos han cambiado mucho porque varios de ellos no están sucediendo o tuvieron que ser eliminados debido a la pandemia,” Daniels dijo. “La fiesta de skate no va a suceder, tampoco el evento Soul Food Dinner. Recientemente tuvimos un Poetry Slam y lo tuvimos disponible virtualmente y limitado en persona.”

Daniels describió el Poetry Slam como un sentimiento de esperanza y éxito. La gente era muy interactiva en línea y en persona.

“Mi experiencia en el Slam de Poesía fue maravillosa,” dijo Lindsay Gordon, un miembro de BSU. Daniels también mencionó el Túnel de la Opresión, uno de los eventos que BSU llevaría a cabo en persona durante el Mes de la Historia Afroamericano.

“La imagen del Túnel de la Opresión no será la misma que en años anteriores,” ella dijo.

“Esto se llevará a cabo en Zoom y utilizaran diferentes salas de reuniones con diferente información acerca del túnel de la opresión. Una de las salas que 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 © 2019 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.

estará disponible es “Somos el Movimiento,’ una habitación del poder de las mujeres Afroamericanas.”

El Túnel de la Opresión estará el 17 de febrero desde las 6 p.m. hasta las 9 p.m. en Zoom. También BSU tendrá un Grapevine Panel el 24 de febrero desde las 5 p.m. hasta las 7 p.m. en Lang Hall Auditorium.

Si quiere más información sobre los eventos que suceden en BSU, no dude en seguir su página de Instagram (@UNIBSU).

Discutiendo algunos de sus líderes favoritos, Daniels destacó a Maya Angela por sus poderosas palabras y Malcolm X por el fuego que tiene. Ella se ve a sí misma en estos líderes y usa su historia para liderar en este campus.

CICI DANIELS/Foto de Cortesía Cici Daniels es la encargada de relaciones públicas de BSU.

“Pon tu nombre y tu cara (por ahí) ya que las oportunidades están ocultas y es simplemente cuestión del momento en que las puedas descubrir,” ella dijo.

Aunque la pandemia ha cambiado las tradiciones, el impacto continúa virtualmente. Aunque destacamos la historia de los afroamericanos este mes, todos los días celebraremos la excelencia de los afroamericanos!

For an English version of this article, visit our website.

Recuerda que también tenemos un artículo cada semana que se traduce desde inglés a español, publicado en línea cada viernes!

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.

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OPINION

EMMA’LE MAAS Executive Editor

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

Disclaimer: The opinions featured in The Northern Iowan do not reflect the views of The Northern Iowan staff as a whole.

Help keep free speech free COLIN HORNING

Opinion Columnist

As the Internet age and social media have become more prominent, so has the debate regarding free speech online.

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other large technology companies have become the public squares for billions of people around the world to share their thoughts and opinions and also allows for mass gatherings and public events to be communicated around the masses. But as the amount of usage on the internet has increased, so has the amount of censorship and debate over whether or not speech is truly free in the 21st century.

The beginning of the First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law...” meaning that the government cannot outlaw forms of speech.

The founding fathers knew that freedom of speech, as well as assembly, press, petition and religion, were extremely important for the well-being of a free society. However, they could not have imagined or prepared for the technologies of 21st century America and how these tech companies

are handling the general public practices free speech nowadays. Tech companies have become so large and dominant in the world that they have usurped the First Amendment: they have no ties whatsoever to the U.S. Constitution, so they can allow or disallow whatever forms of speech that they please without repercussions.

When you sign up for a social media site, you agree to their terms of service. It’s usually the long, legal agreement that no one actually reads yet checks “I agree” before signing up. Oftentimes, these will have clauses saying “no hate speech or speech soliciting violence” or other variations of that in order to prevent violent rhetoric and to keep the websites relatively safe places online.

This raises the question, however, of who determines what speech is acceptable? Who gets to determine if something is “hate speech” or not? There is no set cold-hard definition for “hate speech,” rather it is a subjective term used by big tech companies. This means that Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey can be the guardians of speech on the internet.

Facebook and Twitter dominate the social media circle, with other Silicon Valley com-

panies like Google, Snapchat and Reddit having a hand at the table also. Oftentimes when someone is banned from social media websites, the company will cite “violation of terms of service” as the main reason for the ban. Considering that speech in and of itself is subjective, this allows Silicon Valley companies to cite “violation of terms of service” to any speech that they dislike or don’t agree with.

The fact that Silicon Valley companies can completely erase the president of the United States while he is still in office should be terrifying to most people. It wasn’t just Twitter who banned Trump from their platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Pinterest, Shopify, YouTube, TikTok, Discord, Amazon Web Services and several other tech companies simultaneously banned the president of the United States from speaking. Specifically regarding Twitter, their ban on the president cited “violation of Twitter rules” and cited two of his Tweets from Jan. 6. In one of which, Trump praised his supporters while another stated that he would not be attending the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Neither of these two tweets in

Colin Horning questions the motive behind social media censoring.

any way, shape or form were a violation of Twitter’s rules, rather it was a way of Twitter to silence a figure that they disagree with.

It personally scares me that we as a society have allowed so much power into the hands of just a small handful of technology companies. The fact that a sitting president of the United States can be completely silenced from social media in a matter of days should be terrifying to Americans everywhere. Regardless of if one agrees with a politician or not, the precedent of a company

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like Twitter shutting down the speech of someone they don’t agree with is an absolute attack on freedom of speech and the First Amendment. Speech is speech: the concept of the First Amendment is that everyone has the right to speak. However, not everyone has the right to be heard. Silicon Valley companies should not be the ones deciding what speech is heard and what the masses are fed, rather the people themselves should be the ones seeking their own information and listening to what they want. After all, that is why it is called free speech.

Factory farming is destroying the environment ing. Approximately 897 million Opinion Columnist acres of land in the United States are used for farming, with around 260 million acres of forIn an era where discussions ests being cleared in order to of ecological destruction and grow food for livestock. Yes, out climate change are (rightfully) of all the grain produced in the prevalent, certain facets tend to United States, 70% of it is used receive more scrutiny and crit- solely to feed livestock. icism than others – we know Perhaps the most shocking that fossil fuel use, deforestation result of livestock farming has and waste disposal are massive been the Gulf of Mexico “Dead issues that impact the environ- Zone,” an area filled with toxic ment, but what about the food algal blooms that deplete oxywe eat? gen from the water and restrict While agriculture is life in the area. A study by enviundoubtedly necessary, practic- ronmentalist group Mighty es such as factory farming (an Earth identified the source as unsustainable method of live- being fertilizer pollution caused stock farming which compacts by Tyson Foods, America’s largthousands of livestock into con- est meat company. A report by fined spaces) are not only uneth- Environment America indicated ical, but environmentally-dam- that Tyson Foods is responsible aging. With factory farming on for some of the largest numbers the rise in Iowa, it’s time to in waterway pollution – besides rethink what’s on our plate. being No. 1 in agricultural polAccording to the Food lution, they are ranked only and Agriculture Organization behind AK Steel Holding Corp of the United Nations (FAO), in terms of overall waterway livestock farming is responsi- pollution, having dumped more ble for 14.5% of greenhouse than 104 million pounds of gas emissions, with cows repre- waste into waterways between senting a massive 65% of that 2010 and 2014. number due to their methane For those of us dealing with emissions. Deforestation and Iowa’s poor water quality, perland destruction are also huge haps this fact is a grim reminder issues caused by factory farm- of the source. The high nitrate EMERSON SLOMKA

Emerson Slomka examines the dangers of factory farms.

levels in Iowa’s drinking water – nitrates which can lead to cancer when consumed at high levels -- are a direct result of pollution caused by farming.

While the effects of factory farming can be seen globally, perhaps they’re most visible in Iowa, where pig farming plays a major role in the economy, Iowa being the largest producer of pork in the United States.

As the pork industry expands, so do factory farms, and poor legal regulations practically encourage unethical practices.

A 2020 PBS article by John Flesher chronicles how many

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Iowa farmers bypass regulations by finding legal loopholes or by simply not getting legal approval in the first place.

When pressured to inspect, the Department of Natural Resources discovered 4,200 previously-unknown farms in Iowa – that’s 4,200 unregulated farms.

Of course, for Iowans living in the vicinity of these massive pig farms, there are health risks.

According to Dr. Steve Wing of the University of North Carolina, the odorant chemicals produced by factory farms can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, and others

have reported respiratory issues, rashes and eye irritation.

What exactly can we do to combat factory farming? On a larger scale, putting stricter regulations in place and ceasing to subsidize factory farm operations would massively impact the industry. On a smaller scale, however, we can protest with our wallets, refrain from buying and consuming animal products, thus taking away funds from factory farming operations.

It sounds like a massive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be overnight. Incorporating things like Meatless Monday, and slowly replacing animal products in your diet with plantbased ones over time can smooth the transition into a more ethical, sustainable lifestyle. Plant-based eating is becoming more and more accessible and widespread – since 2014, there has been a 600% increase in veganism and vegetarianism in the United States, and the plant-based food industry has become incredibly profitable, with most stores and even some restaurants stocking vegan alternatives. In order to challenge the factory farming industry, we need to make big changes, both in our government and in our own lifestyles.

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CAMPUS LIFE FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

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ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

CAB reinvents schedule amid COVID-19 DYLAN HAASE

Guest Columnist

Movie nights, crafts and live entertainment are all staples in the world of college programming. However, in light of social distancing requirements, UNI’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) knew fall events were going to look a lot different.

While this break from routine may sound nerve-wracking, Event Management Director Helen Beyer indicated limitations have allowed CAB to redefine its organization in a positive way.

“COVID-19 was the perfect opportunity to (restructure),” she said. “It gave us room to play and experiment (with) what we wanted to change.”

Planning for fall began early. The new executive team was assembled for the 2020-21 school year in the spring, and Zoom meetings began soon afterward.

In those meetings, the executive team identified aspects of college event planning they wanted to avoid.

“We’ve seen that campus activities boards nationwide are somewhat stuck in a rut of doing ‘pre-built events’ where you pay a company to show up on campus and do everything,” said Isaiah Finan, Director of Operations.

Finan indicated the team decided to do more “homegrown” events in an effort to increase engagement on campus. This strategy was seen as a benefit during an uncertain semester.

Ethan Schutterle, Co-Creative Content Director, said that by limiting the amount of outside agencies involved, sudden cancellations would affect less people.

The “home-grown” events focus, coupled with COVID-

19 restrictions, meant team members had to get creative when brainstorming events.

Unlike in previous years, members had a say in every event instead of being put on specific committees.

Inspiration came from past events that team members felt they could move online if necessary. One such event was an act from comedian Reem Edan, who was initially scheduled to perform in person at the end of the spring semester. When that was canceled, she was asked to perform over Zoom in the fall.

Popular media also served as a jumping off point. The reality competition show “Nailed It!” inspired a graband-go event in the fall.

Students picked up supplies needed to decorate a cookie at the Student Life Office the day of the event. They then logged into a Zoom session where an instructor shared decoration tips. Students could submit photos of their cookie over social media and vote on which one was their favorite.

This event template proved to be an important building block when planning CAB events during the semester. The group brainstormed other grab-and-go events which could have an instruction session on Zoom.

A “Sip N Paint” event was held in a similar vein, with students picking up art supplies ahead of the event and then logging in to hear from the lead artist at Cedar Valley Art and Wine.

Beyer said having students register for events well ahead of time was important for the event planners. The team was unsure of how many people would be interested in these new events, and they wanted to make sure to have the proper amount of supplies for each activity.

ANTHONY WITHEROW/NORTHERN IOWAN

The Lang Hall auditorium received a new showcase of influential speakers.

LANG EXHIBIT

continued from page 1

“It’s a wonderful place to stop and learn about UNI’s history,” Martin said.

Connors also believes the

installation sparks good conversation about the history of UNI. “We’ve got a lot of history, and there is a lot of heritage here,” he said. “I teach history, so it’s kind of fun to say, ‘Well, William Jennings

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

NI ARCHIVES

In a world affected by COVID-19, organizations like CAB have had to alter the way they conduct public events.

CAB also committed to holding a few in-person events in the fall in order to encourage safe community interaction. One event was a drive-in showing of the 2017 film “Baby Driver” put on in conjunction with Gallagher Bluedorn. Students were given pre-packaged snack boxes upon entry and encouraged to remain in their car during the presentation.

According to Alyssa Anderson, Social Change and CommUNIty Director, team members were especially cautious when planning the in-person Fall Fest toward the end of the fall semester.

Students were spread out in the Maucker Union Ballroom as they carved and decorated pumpkins. Live music was brought in as well, a rarity in today’s time.

Positive feedback from the event has encouraged CAB as they begin to look forward to the rest of the year.

“It’s heavily inspired us to find more ways we can have safe, in-person events in the late spring,” Harmony Bryan gave that same speech in Lang Auditorium,’ or to tell (students) when we’re talking about Eleanor Roosevelt that she spent the night in the President’s house.”

Conners encourages current students to take advantage of the speakers and opportunities offered through the university.

“The easiest time you get to see these people is when you’re an undergrad,” Conners said. “It’s kind of amazing when you think about how we have been in the center of everything.

These people, we are walking in their footsteps. You get to see people you’ll be telling your grandkids about.

To interact with them, or sometimes even meet them.”

Wilson, Event Management Director, said. “We want our peers to have fun things to do, but we also want everyone to stay safe.”

The organization plans to host multiple in-person movie screenings with limited seatings, as well as “Panther Hot Ones” in the Maucker Union Ballroom. Other events will be held in a virtual format.

“CAB is also in charge of most of the programming for homecoming,” said Finan.

“We hope to do a few bigger events with that.”

Keeping events accessible and engaging is a key aspect of CAB event planning. “We know what students on campus love to do,” said Beyer.

“They love being around their friends and having a good time. Our job is to find events where they can have both.”

The results have been encouraging. The student organizers were impressed by turnout in the fall and encouraged by the positive feedback to new activities.

One student who attended

NEW BRAND

continued from page 1

The university released a promotional video stating, “The new UNI brand we’re launching today connects us and brings us together – uniting our past, present and future. Now is the time to be bold. Be strong. And share our story with the world.”

While creating the new brand, the university claims to have surveyed “more than 3,000” individuals on their ideas and perspectives.

In a university email, President Mark Nook expressed his support.

“Our brand reflects how we want our stakeholders to feel when they think of UNI

multiple events is Emmalee Fannon, a senior studying elementary education and communication sciences and disorders. She praised the way CAB has adapted to the new circumstances. In particular, she enjoyed the “Nailed It!” event, in which she was impressed by the large portions of cookies, frosting and food coloring. Her favorite event of the fall, however, was the “Baby Driver” drivein movie.

“The atmosphere and experience is so fun,” she said. “I love watching movies, but I haven’t felt comfortable going to theaters recently. It was nice to have the ‘movie theatre experience’ from the comfort of your own car.”

Praise like this makes the challenges of event planning worth it for CAB members.

“The feedback has made a huge impact on us,” Beyer said. “It lets us and the university know that... we can still do fun and interactive things together while keeping each other safe.”

– a strong, vibrant, modern university that is leaning into the future,” he said.

In her email, Mathes said, “One of the most important aspects of this process is that we took time as an institution to collaborate with partners across campus. This has brought a multitude of perspectives, and will ensure that we maintain consistency into the future.”

Although the logo and university website are two of the most prominent changes with the new rebranding effort, many other aspects of the university’s public image are also affected. For more information about the changes and the new brand, visit brand. uni.edu.

Spring 2021 Career Fair Guide

Virtual February 18 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Find every company at the career fair on page 6

Check out the article to see how a virtual career fair works on page 7

PAGE 6

Career Fair Guide FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

Amnicon Army Healthcare Recruiting BankIowa BerganKDV BKD CPAs & Advisors Boulay PLLP Buckle Cambridge Investment Research, Inc Camp fire Heart of Iowa Camp Poyntelle Camp War Eagle Camp Wyoming Clintas Corporation CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Clow Valve Company Collins Community Credit Union Colony Brands, Inc Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa Cottingham & Butler Dayton Freight

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

List of Employers Drake University Eide Bailly LLP EMC Insurance Companies Empirical foods, Inc Enterprise Holdings Exceptional Persons, Inc Farm Bureau Financial Services Fastenal Company Federated Insurance Four Oaks Family & Children Services Freedom for Youth Ministries Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa GreatAmerica Financial Services Greater Des Moines Partnership GreenState Credit Union Hacker Nelson & Co. Henning Companies, LLC HNI Corporation Hormel Foods Corporation

Hy-Vee IGD Industries Iowa Division of Banking Iowa Economic Development Authority ITC Holdings Corp.

John Deere Keyence Corporation of America Kohl’s Corporation KPMG LLP Kubica Corp Kwik Trip, Inc Leepfrog Technologies, Inc Loras College Lurie LLP Lutheran Lakeside Camp Madison Police Department Manatt’s Inc Menard, Inc Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Modern Woodmen of America Neumann Monson Architects Next Generation Wireless Northwestern Health Sciences University Northwestern Mutual – Waterloo Orchard Place Palmer College of Chiropractic Palmer Group Peace Crops Pella Corporation Prinsco R&R Realty Group REM Iowa Renewable Energy Group Robert Half Rosecrance RSM US LLP Situs AMC Sonstegard Foods

South Dakota State Government St. Ambrose University Summit Agricultural Group Tanager Place Target Terex The Hershey Company Transamerica UI Pharmaceuticals UNI Career Services UNI Graduate College University of Arkansas – Fayetteville University of Iowa – College of Law University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business – Graduate Programs Veridian Credit Union Waldinger Corporation Wildwood Hills Ranch Woodruff Construction, LLC Zoetis

Advertise with us!!!

Get your message across with us!

Email Chris Martin at christopher. martin@uni.edu or Karla DeBruin at debruik@uni.edu

Career Fair Guide FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

How navigate a Virtual Career Fair in 2021 ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

Last semester, UNI Career Services held the university’s first virtual Career Fair, moving the event online due to the COVID-19 pandemic rather than hosting it in the McLeod Center as in the past. Now, as the spring 2021 Career Fair approaches and the pandemic continues, the procedures will be much the same, according to Career Services Coordinator Joann Mulholland.

“From the student perspective, the fair will function virtually the same as last semester,” Mulholland wrote in an email to the Northern Iowan.

The spring 2021 Career Fair will take place on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., through an online platform called Handshake.

The virtual fair will allow students to meet with

employers in scheduled sessions, either one-on-one or in a small group. One-onone sessions will take the form of ten-minute video chats with a representative from the employer, while group sessions will last up to 30 minutes and will give students an overview of the company and available opportunities.

As in the fall semester, Career Services advises students to register for the fair as early as possible by visiting https://uni.joinhandshake.com/login and clicking on “Career Center” and then “University of Northern Iowa Spring 2021 Career Fair (Virtual).”

Students should also

plan ahead to schedule their sessions, because although students can still sign up for sessions on the day of the event, many sessions may already be filled by that time.

Since things are virtual, Career Services has shared some specific Zoom-related tips for attendees. Among them: check your camera and audio beforehand, find a clean and non-distracting background and have a paper and pen nearby to take notes. Of course, business casual or professional dress is still recommended, and students should be prepared to give a 30-second introduction and have their

resumes uploaded to the Handshake portal.

Mulholland said that Career Services wants to emphasize that the fair is for all majors and grade levels. In addition to full-time jobs, employers are often looking to fill internship positions, and many employers are open to students of any major.

According to Mulholland, as of Monday, Feb. 8, Career Services had 100 employers registered to attend the virtual fair. A full list of employers who will be present at the virtual fair may be found on p. 6 of this issue of the Northern Iowan.

While this is a decline from the 153 employers who at-

tended last spring’s in-person fair, Mulholland said that the success of the fall fair makes Career Services confident that students will be able to forge plenty of valuable relationships with employers.

“During the (fall 2020) fair, 2,219 unique student-employer connections were facilitated,” she wrote.

“Students and employers both reported enjoying the virtual format and felt they were able to create meaningful connections in the ten-minute (one-on-one) sessions and 30-minute group sessions. We are looking forward to an equally successful Spring 2021 Virtual Career Fair on February 18th!”

Students interested in attending the virtual Career Fair should visit https:// careerservices.uni.edu/ for information on registration, signing up for sessions and tips for success.

PAGE 8

CAMPUS LIFE

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

The effects of Reynolds’ proclamation on bars JEFFREY REICKS

Guest Columnist

On Friday, Feb. 5, Gov. Reynolds issued a proclamation that, among other things, lifted state-wide COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings and a mandate on wearing masks in public.

This has created a situation where the only legal restriction related to COVID-19 in Cedar Falls is a local mask mandate.

Many argue this move

by Reynolds was reckless, as the U.K. variant has been identified in Iowa and the state’s COVID-19 death toll recently passed 5,000, per coronavirus. iowa.gov. Others see the move being justified as the number of hospitalizations are down 80% from their peak in mid-November with Iowa moving to the second phase of vaccinations at most nursing homes, according to KCRG News.

One student who thinks this is Elli Winter, a senior majoring in marketing, who said, “I think with the current COVID rates and the amount of vaccinations being given, it’s finally time for us to live our lives.”

COURTESY PHOTO/JEFFREY REICKS

With Gov. Reynolds lifting a multitude of COVID-19 restrictions, many wonder how certain bars will be affected.

Reynolds, in a recent interview with Sean Hannity, affirmed she still recommends reasonable public health measures but that she trusts Iowans to do so on their own.

She also stated, “They did what they needed to do, and I told them we’d dial up and dial down accordingly. We’re dialing down, we’re opening up and we’re going to continue to do everything we can

to come back stronger and better than ever.”

Many are asking what this means for businesses like bars. Bars on College Hill could operate as before the pandemic, but Kyle Dehmlow, owner of Social House and Little Bigs, does not plan to do this in the near future.

“We are making the conscious choice to not go back to no restrictions,” he said. “We don’t

think we’re there. We don’t think the customers are there quite yet. Some might be more confident than others. Some might need some convincing or time with it, and we will kind of look at that as it comes up and as time goes by, and we’ll see. We’ll make that choice when we feel comfortable and when our customers feel comfortable.”

On the topic of what

to do with the former restrictions, he explained, “We are choosing to keep some guidelines that have been mandated before in place. We are going to consider them guidelines now... We’re not going to put our full capacity in here for now; we’re going to keep our staff in masks; we’re not going to put all the tables back right now. Our sanitizing procedures are not a guideline (but are instead requirements).”

He continued, “They’ve always been there but we’re going to keep them enhanced.”

This, however, does not mean that other bars will do the same. The lack of restrictions allows bars to operate however they choose from now on. Some business owners, like Dehmlow, predict reverting to their pre-COVID-19 operations could lose them more customers than they would gain. But other bars, perhaps with a different customer demographic, predict gaining more customers than they would lose.

These bars may revert to pre-COVID-19 operations with only the local mask mandate to enforce.

PAGE 9

COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

SPORTS

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

VOLLEYBALL

Panthers win two, Coach Petersen sets all-time MVC wins record

Sports Writer

After a tough 0-5 start to the season, the UNI Panthers volleyball team looked to get back on track when they traveled to the Meeks Family Fieldhouse in Evansville, Ind. for a two match series against the University of Evansville Purple Aces. Playing on Sunday, Feb. 7 and Monday, DAVID WARRINGTON

Toni Fortmann/Northern Iowan

The UNI volleyball team earned their first two wins of the season against Evansville, moving to 2-5 on the year.

Feb. 8, UNI was able to get their momentum turned around, picking up two wins in Missouri Valley Conference play.

In the first of two matches, the Panthers went back and forth with the Purple Aces all afternoon. The first set remained close throughout, with no team leading by more than four points. The Panthers did manage to take the set, winning 25-21, and taking a lead in the match one set to zero. In the second set, Northern Iowa went on a stretch where they took 10 of 12 consecutive points, giving them a comfortable lead that they were able to hold onto, winning the set 25-20.

Needing to win the third set to stay alive, the Purple Aces managed to hold off UNI, winning the set 25-21.

After losing their first set of the day, the Panthers responded well, taking an early 8-3 lead in the fourth set. Evansville did what they could to try and come back, but it wasn’t enough as UNI held on to win the set 25-23, winning the match 3-1.

The victory was number 510 for UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen, moving her past former Missouri State head coach Melissa Stokes to become the winningest volleyball coach in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Sophomore Emily

Toni Fortmann/Northern Iowan

UNI head volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen earned her 510th career win last Sunday against Evansville. She became the winningest volleyball coach in Missouri Valley Conference history with the win.

Holterhaus led the Panthers in both kills and digs with 15 and 12 respectively. Freshman setter Tayler Alden was the team leader in assists, finishing with a season high 48.

The Panthers were back at it 24 hours later for the second match of the two-match series. Like the majority of their sets the day before, the first set was close, with both teams going back and forth.

The Panthers trailed 22-23 before finishing off the set with three straight points

to win 25-23 and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

UNI dominated in the second set, at one point leading 17-6, and ended up winning the set by a final of 25-14 for their biggest margin of victory in a set this series. In what would end up being the final set of the day, Evansville kept things close for a while, but the Panthers would end up pulling away, winning the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.

Emily Holterhaus once again led the Panthers in

kills, finishing with a season high 19. Kaylee Donner led the team in digs with 11, while Tayler Alden finished with a team high 29 assists.

UNI finished with a team hitting percentage of .287, while holding Evansville to just .112.

With the victories, the Panthers move to 2-5 on the year. They will return home to the McLeod Center on Sunday, Feb. 14 and Monday, Feb. 15 for MVC conference matchups against the Missouri State Bears.

FOOTBALL

2021 football preview: unprecedented season ahead for UNI COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

For the first time in its history, the UNI-Dome will be hosting Missouri Valley Conference football in the spring. Due to numerous postponements, cancellations and schedule changes, the MVFC football season will begin on Friday, Feb. 19 and will be played through the final week on April 10. The UNI Panthers will kick off their season on Feb. 19 in the UNI-Dome, hosting a topfive matchup against South Dakota State.

Last season was largely a successful one for head coach Mark Farley and the Panthers.

Consistently ranked in the FCS top-25 all season, UNI finished 6-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and 10-5 overall, losing to James Madison in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs last

season. The season began on the road in Ames against Iowa State in a game which saw the Panthers take the 21st-ranked Cyclones into three overtimes before ultimately falling by the score of 29-26. All five of the Panther’s losses last season came at the hands of ranked opponents (Iowa State, Weber State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State and James Madison).

The Missouri Valley Football Conference will be returning with one of its strongest brands of football in recent history. Three of the preseason top-five teams play in the Valley with North Dakota State coming in at No. 1, UNI third and South Dakota State ranked fifth.

Five teams from the conference are ranked in the top 25 with Illinois State ranked ninth and Southern Illinois in at No. 24. Three of the Panthers’ first four games will be played against ranked Valley teams (SDSU, Illinois

State and Southern Illinois).

UNI head coach Mark Farley enters his 20th season at the helm of the Panthers.

During his time as the head man, he has won 159 career games and 99 MVFC games and is the all-time Valley leader in wins as a head coach. He is the active leader in FCS playoff wins with 17 and has led UNI to at least a share of the conference football title seven different times.

The Panthers will be returning redshirt sophomore quarterback Will McElvain on offense. Last season he threw for 2,778 yards and 20 touchdowns during his first year leading the UNI offense. Kansas University graduate transfer Dom Williams, sophomore Nick McCabe and redshirt junior Tyler Hoosman will look to split carries in the backfield, and Isaiah Weston and Deion McShane will look to be the featured wide receiv-

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

The UNI football season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 19 in the UNI-Dome at 7 p.m.

ers for UNI on the offensive side.

On the other side of the ball, UNI is bringing back a defense that was a top-five scoring defense in the country in 2019. Lead by defensive lineman Brawntae Wells and Jared Brinkman, linebackers Alfonzo Lambert and defensive backs Isaiah Nimmers and Korby Sander, the Panthers

look to bring back yet another solid defensive lineup for the 2021 season. The season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 19 in the UNI-Dome against South Dakota State. Other home games will be against Illinois State on March 6, Missouri State on March 20 and North Dakota State on April 10. The FCS playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 24.

PAGE 10

FUN & GAMES FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

SUDOKU ONE SUDOKU TWO

SUDOKU FOUR

SUDOKU TWO

SUDOKU ONE

SUDOKU THREE SUDOKU THREE SUDOKU FOUR

KARLA DE BRUIN

PAGE 11

FUN & GAMES

Managing Editor

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

SUDOKU ONE

SUDOKU TWO

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

Across

1 Gillette razor introduced several years after the Trac II 5 Sleety road concern 9 Spherical 14 Cook, as cavatelli 15 Alien-seeking org.

16 “SNL” producer Michaels 17 What “bosun” is short for 19 Words to the audience 20 God of the Quran 21 Minute part of a min.

23 Voiced 24 Necessities 27 Town mentioned in “Sloop John B” 30 Give permission to 31 CPR expert 32 Kind of sax 36 When some news shows air 40 Maxwell Smart catchphrase 44 Knee-to-ankle bone 45 Elevator name 46 A half-dozen 47 Cinnabar or hematite 49 How dishes are often sold 52 October holiday in Canada 58 Draws a bead on, with “at” 59 Centers of activity 60 Ventricular outlet 64 Bronze or beige 66 Quilt, e.g. ... and a hint to the circled letters 68 Sagal of “8 Simple Rules” 69 Vicinity 70 First chip in the pot 71 “Goosebumps” author R.L. 72 U.K. mil. medals 73 “The Americans” FBI agent Beeman

Down

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1 Palindromic Swedish band 2 Saw, for one

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

CROSSWORD

3 Iranian money 4 Rite sites 5 Opposite of NNE 6 Reeves of “John Wick” 7 Formal answer to “Who’s there?”

8 Home fries server 9 Suffix with Cray10 “Goblin Market” poet Christina 11 “Monty Python’s Life of __” 12 Split up 13 Monopoly cards 18 Mr. Met’s former stadium 22 Cartoon frame 25 Wharf 26 Word after Happy or square 27 Politico Gingrich 28 Mine, in Amiens 29 Retained part of a paycheck 33 Canterbury commode

34 Tsk relative 35 Kimono sash 37 Hardy’s “__ of the D’Urbervilles” 38 Songwriter Sands 39 Bakery call 41 Simba’s home 42 Like the night, usually 43 Morales of “La Bamba” 48 Immigrant’s subj.

50 Easy thing to do 51 Old Greek gathering places 52 “Honey do” list items 53 Drum kit cymbals 54 Valuable viola 55 Spoil 56 Cupcake-topping workers 57 YouTube clip 61 __-a-car 62 “Later,” stylishly 63 Yemeni seaport 65 Watching organ 67 Flier to Oslo

From President Mark Nook Dear UNI family: We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Nilmani Pramanik, an industrial technology professor who taught here for almost 20 years.

Nilmani, 64, lived an extraordinary life that took him from a village in India's West Bengal state to graduate school at Syracuse University before becoming a Panther. He will be greatly missed. His family shared that he passed away Saturday from complications of thyroid cancer.

After working in industry in southeast Asia, Nilmani came to the United States in 1999 to complete a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Syracuse University, where he was named Outstanding Graduate Student. He previously earned a master's degree in engineering from Birla Institute of Tech & Science, winning a gold medal as first student.

Nilmani arrived at UNI in 2003. His areas of expertise were CAD modeling and lean and sustainable manufacturing. He published at least 17 papers on these topics and served as an advisor for both graduate and undergraduate students.

An amiable and down-to-earth person, Nilmani never lost his boyhood love of fishing and did so at every opportunity.

Nilmani leaves behind his wife Shyamal and a daughter. Please keep them in your thoughts during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Mark A. Nook President

PAGE 12 KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

CLASSIFIEDS FEBRUARY 11, 2021 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 32

Puzzle Answers

SUDOKU ONE

SUDOKU TWO

SUDOKU THREE

CROSSWORD