4-10-23

OPINION

OPINION PAGE 3

On Nov. 10, 2022, UNI announced that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program would be coming to UNI in 2024. There are many moving parts that go into planning and implementing a new program at the university, and there are many changes arriving with the new program.

One of the biggest changes is the creation of UNI’s School of Health and Human Services within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The School of Health and Human Services will not only encompass the new nursing program, but it will also bring in some of the College of Education’s programs. The entirety of the School of Health and Human services will include the Nursing and Public Health program, the Family, Aging & Counseling program, the Social Work program, and the Kinesiology and Athletic Training program. According to the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Brenda Bass, this new school will allow for a starting point for the College

of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “This change will allow the school and programs to collaborate with others, and open up the possibilities for new health majors and expansions of the curriculum,” she said.

Dean Bass also elaborated on why the School of Health and Human Sciences is going to be under the College of Social and Behavioral

Sciences, “It’s a focus on overall wellness — CSBS is about improving people’s lives, and this aligns with the mission of the school.”

On top of creating space for new health programs and creating the School of Health and Human Services, Nancy Kertz, UNI’s Executive Director of Nursing and Chief Academic Nursing Administrator, noted how in need Iowa is for a pro-

Los teléfonos azules de seguridad que están dispersos por todo el campus de UNI desde los ‘90 se van a remover y van a ser reemplazados con una solución segura del siglo 21 - una aplicación llamada Rave Guardian

gram like this. “Iowa hospitals are hurting for nurses. They don’t have enough nurses to be able to use all the beds in the hospital, you have people that come into the emergency room that need to be admitted and end up waiting hours for a bed…Our program will provide the state with more nurses and better care.”

UNI celebrates LGBTQ+ community with Pride Week

students with free gender affirming clothing.

UNI Proud in collaboration with Gender & Sexuality Services (GSS) hosted a variety of events celebrating Pride Week from April 3 - 8.

UNI student Caleb Gehle views Pride Week as a chance to acknowledge and learn about the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think Pride Week showcases a lot of diversity for a historically marginalized group on campus. It’s just a fun way to get involved with something different that you might not be used to.”

On Monday and Tuesday, GSS, ThreeHouse and the Cedar Valley LGBTQ+ Coalition set up a “Pride Closet,” intended to provide

The Out & Ally Network hosted a virtual coffee hour Tuesday, and a QTBIPoC Affinity Group met to provide a space for queer and trans Black, indigenous, people of color and allies.

The Out & Ally Network also hosted a “Pride Climb” at the Wellness Recreation Center, and a “Gayme Time” which allowed students to destress and relax through board games.

A Queer Book Club convened on Thursday to discuss students’ favorite LGBTQ+ books and other recommendations, and guest speakers

Stephanie Skora and Stefani

Vargas lectured Friday in the Center for Multicultural Education about Stone iden-

tity, gender and sexuality. Additionally, the Office of International Engagement hosted a special Pride Week Coffee Hour Friday afternoon.

To round out the week, Dragaganza was hosted in collaboration with UNI Proud, GSS, Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Serv’d Events. Dragaganza was hosted by emcee Karma Kills with featured performers Trade and Noah Guy. Gehle participated in the drag show under the name, “Papa Wheelie.” All tips and funds raised were donated to One Iowa, an organization dedicated towards advancing, empowering, and improving the lives of LGBTQ+ Iowans. For more information about LGBTQ+ resources on UNI’s campus, visit lgbt.uni.edu.

BAILEY KLINKHAMMER

Staff Writer

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Associate Executive Editor

ARCHIVES The Innovative Teaching and Technology Center (ITTC) will house the new nursing program next year. It is currently undergoing renovations to add specific lab spaces for the nursing program.

MALLORY SCHMITZ/NORTHERN IOWAN Los teléfonos azules de seguridad originalmente eran instalados en áreas muy traficados alrededor del campus desde los ‘90s.

CAMPUS LIFE

UNI students awarded $89.2 million in financial aid during the 2021-2022 school year.

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

Guest Columnist

Dave Busiek argues in favor of cameras in federal courts.

SPORTS Softball wins two out of three games against Indiana State.

SPORTS PAGE 6

TELÉFONOS extendida de página 1

Los teléfonos azules de seguridad originalmente fueron instalados en las áreas del campus que eran muy traficadas para asistir a las autoridades solo con un empuje de botón. Sin embargo, con la introducción de los teléfonos celulares, los teléfonos azules rápidamente se convirtieron en anticuados y experimentaron muy poco uso.

La Jefa del Departamento de Policía de UNI, Helen Haire, notó como los teléfonos azules fueron una buena idea en los 90s, pero no son prácticos en la década de 2020.

“Si necesitas ayuda o si alguien está siguiéndote, ¿vas a parar y recoger el teléfono azul?” dijo Haire. “Probablemente no vas a querer hacer eso. En ese tiempo, esa fue la única opción. Pero ahora tienes tu celular y puedes hablar con alguien y seguir caminando”.

Añadió Haire, “Nosotros tenemos que pensar en lo que [los estudiantes] quieren, necesitan y van a usar. Cuando hablamos con los estudiantes ellos están conscientes que tenemos los teléfonos azules porque los recorridos de campus algunas veces los menciona, pero cuando le preguntamos que nos digan donde hay una, nadie sabe”.

El Director Asociado del Departamento de Seguridad

Pública de UNI, Joe Tyler, presionó para tener más seguridad actualizada para el cam-

NURSING

continued from page 1

Dr. Kertz also provided some updates on the state of the nursing program, between the accreditations, where the program will mainly be, and the curriculum. “The nursing program will be housed out of the ITTC, with the new renovations they’re creating specific labs for the nursing program to uplift the nursing curriculum. The curriculum will be based on lecture, lab and simulation to create well-rounded nurses.”

Both Kertz and Dean Bass explained what the university’s relationship with Allen College will look like while establishing UNI’s own nursing program. “We’re having

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pus de UNI. Ellos decidieron usar la aplicación de seguridad Rave Guardian para servir el campus de UNI. La aplicación tiene muchas características que incluye temporizadores de seguridad, directorios de llamada que te dirige al departamento de polícia de UNI, centro de terapia de UNI, línea nacional de prevención del suicidio, apoyo a la agresión sexual y otros recursos útiles. Además, los usuarios pueden llamar a la policía de UNI o al 911 con solo presionar un botón. Tyler y Haire colaboraron con las Relaciones Universitarias y IT para crear esta aplicación.

“Estamos avanzando”, dijo Tyler. “Esto significa que estamos entrando la década de 2020, lo que es bueno. Yo pienso que a los estudiantes les va a encantar. Nuestro deseo es que siga creciendo y que los estudiantes lo usen. Más estudiantes que lo usan, lo mejor”.

Añadió Haire “[La aplicación Rave Guardian] es mucho más adaptable para las necesidades de los estudiantes”.

La aplicación puede ser personalizada a su usuario, lo cual puede incluir información sobre su residencia y sus condiciones medicales. En una emergencia, el perfil va a presentar a los respondientes para su respuesta más eficiente.

Esta aplicación también permitirá que la policía de UNI pueda detectar dónde viene la llamada de emergencia a comparación de los teléfonos azules que alertaba a la policía a una emergencia, pero muchas veces

no daba la ubicación actual de donde venía la emergencia. Visitores en el campus de UNI también pueden descargar la aplicación y usarla si es necesario.

Una de las características que Tyler está más emocionado con en la nueva aplicación es el temporizador de seguridad. Esta característica deja que los amigos o familiares del usuario puedan monitorizar su estatus y ubicación, y notificará a ellos por los horarios asignados de reportar. Si el temporizador se expira, la aplicación notificará al guardián personal del usuario. Si el usuario oprime el botón de pánico, el departamento de policía de UNI serán notificados.

“Tenemos a acompañantes en el campus que pueden ayudar a los estudiantes pero muchas veces los estudiantes no conocen ese servicio”, dijo Tyler. “Lo bueno es que los estudiantes podrán configurar esos temporizadores de seguridad y hacerlo ellos mismos, para que al menos alguien sepa que están caminando”.

Además de la introducción de la aplicación Rave Guardian, el departamento de seguridad pública de UNI ha estado trabajando arduamente en ofrecer varios programas para crear una comunidad de campus más segura. Ofrecen cursos de defensa contra la agresión por violación (RAD por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudar a mejorar la seguridad personal, así como también capacitaciones sobre estrategias de defensa en inci-

MALLORY SCHMITZ/NORTHERN IOWAN Mientras los teléfonos azules de seguridad ya no van a estar en el campus, la aplicación de Rave Guardian puede conectar a los estudiantes con más servicios extensivos, incluyendo un temporizador de seguirdad.

dentes violentos (VIDS por sus siglas en inglés) que porpocione a los asistentes estrategias para asistir en un evento que implica un encuentro armado y violento. El próximo entrenamiento de VIDS va a tomar lugar el jueves 13 de abril de 1 a 3 p.m. en Gilchrist Hall, cuarto 009.

La unidad de la patrulla de bicicletas también va andar por el alrededor del campus debido al clima más caluroso de la primavera.

“Van a ver más presencia en el campus solo porque se está poniendo bonito afuera”, dijo Tyler. “Siempre andamos afuera y patrullando pero usualmente no tenemos muchos problemas, continuing conversations with Allen and the university’s partnership with Allen will continue, having these two different programs provide wider options for students to find what fits them best.”

The introduction of UNI’s nursing program creates wider opportunities for everyone involved. From the Iowa hospitals to students looking for a nursing program to students at UNI in a health program, the addition of a nursing program at UNI will benefit Iowans and students for years to come.

EDITORIAL STAFF MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor schmimbt@uni.edu

DIAMOND ROUNDTREE Campus Life Editor diamondr@uni.edu

DAVID WARRINGTON Sports Editor warringd@uni.edu

SOPHIE HOFFMEIER Copy Editor hoffmeis@uni.edu

KARINA ORTIZ Spanish Editor ortizkac@uni.edu

especialmente en el centro de campus.

El departamento de seguridad pública de UNI también organiza caminatas de seguridad anuales en colaboración con el Gobierno Estudiantil del Norte de Iowa (NISG por sus siglas en inglés), la División de Vida Estudiantil y los Servicios de Accesibilidad para ver qué áreas del campus se pueden mejorar con respecto a la iluminación, la accesibilidad y la seguridad en general. Para más información sobre el departamento de seguridad pública en UNI, visita https:// publicsafety.uni.edu.

Class of 2023 Yearbook Project

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Why we need cameras in federal courts

DAVE BUSIEK Iowa Capital Dispatch

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 19, 2023 by Iowa Capital Dispatch.

It is high time the federal judiciary got over itself and joined the 20th century, much less the 21st. Here we are some 70 years after the invention of television, and our federal court system still operates behind a black curtain that keeps all of us from better understanding the critical decisions being made that affect our lives.

Look at what’s happening in our federal courts. Last week, a federal judge in Texas held a four-hour hearing into whether he should ban the nationwide sale of the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone.

We can read print accounts that the Trump-appointed conservative judge asked questions that indicated he might impose such a ban. We can

read print versions telling us of the impassioned court arguments from both sides in the case. But imagine how much better informed we would be if we could watch the hearing, hear the context of the questions and answers, and make our own judgments about the case.

For many months now, federal juries have been hearing criminal cases against those charged with storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Those accused remain largely faceless because cameras are not allowed in federal court. Almost all of those charged have been convicted. Wouldn’t it help all Americans, regardless of their political views, to see and hear the evidence against the defendants?

Iowa’s court system has a presumption of openness to permit cameras in state courts, both criminal and civil. The Iowa system has worked well for more than 40 years, with

few problems. There are common-sense rules that make the system work.

The media cooperate to take a pool feed from one video camera and one still camera. The rules require the media to work out any conflicts and not burden the judge or attorneys with problems. The media doesn’t show the jury. We don’t cover jury selection. Sensitive testimony, such as from children, is usually prohibited. There is no legal reason not to be able to make this work in federal courts.

Minnesota courts have historically been more restrictive for cameras. If either attorney objected to a camera’s presence, the judge would keep cameras out. That made it far too easy to block camera access. But an amazing thing happened during the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with murdering George Floyd. Largely because of COVID

restrictions, the judge allowed cameras so interested parties could watch without being jammed together in a courtroom.

And guess what? It worked so well that Minnesota’s supreme court this week changed the rules to make it easier to allow cameras. Chief Justice Lorie Gildea wrote that the rules “will promote transparency and confidence in the basic fairness that is an essential component of our system of justice…”

Federal judges, do you hear that? At a time when more Americans are questioning the fairness of our courts, wondering why long-standing case law changes simply because the people putting on the robes have changed, isn’t it time to adopt rules that will “promote transparency and confidence in the basic fairness” of our federal court system?

If and when former President Donald Trump is ever indicted

for federal crimes, I cannot imagine a more important case for ALL Americans — on all sides of the political spectrum — to be able to see and hear for themselves when a former president is for the first time brought before a jury of peers. Of course, it’s possible Trump may be charged in state courts in Georgia or New York, too. Georgia permits cameras. New York – the nation’s media capital – does not.

There are always objections. Opponents argue that lawyers may grandstand. Witnesses may be reluctant to testify. Do we really want Americans seeing for themselves what happens in court? All I know is that more than 40 years of experience in Iowa shows that all such issues can be managed successfully. And the benefits of an open and accessible courtroom far outweigh any issues that may arise.

With parents’ rights, Iowa Republicans giveth and taketh away

EVANS Iowa Capital Dispatch

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on April 4, 2023 by Iowa Capital Dispatch.

The Iowa Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds cannot seem to make up their minds whether they support parental rights or are against Mom and Dad being the decision-makers when it comes to their children’s well-being.

Trying to analyze Republican officials’ views on parental rights is challenging. Baseball’s infield fly rule is simpler.

In 2021, the Republican majorities in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate passed legislation to prohibit schools from requiring students to wear facial masks in the classroom to fend off COVID-19. The governor quickly signed the new law, offering this explanation: “Iowa is putting parents back in control of their children’s education and taking greater steps to protect the rights of all Iowans to make their own health care decisions.”

Iowans who disagreed with the effects of the new law at least could understand its parental-rights premise. But last month, the Republican majorities in the Legislature and the governor made a sweeping U-turn on parental control of children’s health care — at least when that care involves teens and pre-teens who identify as transgender.

The Legislature passed a controversial bill prohibiting health care professionals from giving medical treatment “for the purpose of attempting to alter the appearance of, or affirm the minor’s perception of the minor’s gender or sex, if that appearance or perception is inconsistent with the minor’s sex [at birth].”

Doctors had been providing that care only in a small number of cases in Iowa and only then with the approval of parents. The LGBTQ clinic at University of Iowa Hospitals served 211 patients under age 18 last year, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.

Such treatments included medications called puberty blockers that have been used for 30 years in the United States. These slow

the physical changes puberty causes in the human body. That gives children, their parents, and their health care professionals time to deal with the serious distress the child is experiencing because of a mismatch between their biological sex and the gender they identify with. Other treatments for minors have included hormone therapy and, only rarely, surgery.

But when the governor signed the gender health bill last month, she explained why parental permission was not an adequate reason for minors to receive these treatments.

“I have to do what I believe right now is in the best interest of the kids,” she said. “It’s not easy for our elected officials to make these decisions. We have to try to figure out what’s the best for the majority of our kids.”

Iowans can be forgiven if they have trouble understanding why it is not the parents who get to make those what’s-best-for-thekids decisions, in consultation with their child’s health care providers.

We can forgive the Matt McIver family of Iowa who

all are asking why their opinions count for nothing when it comes to medical care for their trans kids and why, instead, Reynolds and Republican lawmakers have the superior intellect to make these decisions for kids.

McIver, a Des Moines dad, is the father of an 11-year-old transgender son. He told the online news site Iowa Starting Line the prohibition on gender-affirming health care for trans kids is “government overreach that inserts legislators in between parents and children.”

Many Iowans do not know any trans kids or trans adults. But if you are someone who does not believe government should be ordering kids to wear facial coverings to guard against a disease that was causing dozens of deaths per day in Iowa when the law was enacted, then why should government have the final say over health care for trans kids?

That question is especially pertinent because one of the governor’s education bills, approved by lawmakers this spring, contains sweeping “parental

empowerment” language that would seem to address Matt McIver’s concerns.

Language in that legislation says, “A parent or guardian bears the ultimate responsibility, and has the fundamental, constitutionally protected right, to make decisions affecting the parent’s or guardian’s minor child, including decisions related to the minor child’s medical care, moral upbringing, religious upbringing, residence, education, and extracurricular activities.”

Rep. Cindy Winckler, a Davenport Democrat, asked her Republican colleagues during debate, “How can you make such a statement about parental rights and then take it away?”

Whitney Turner of Mount Vernon, the mother of a 14-year-old transgender girl, echoed that sentiment, saying this to the Cedar Rapids Gazette about the governor: “I don’t know what children she is protecting. It feels like state-sanctioned bullying.”

Republicans cannot have it both ways.

RANDY

$89.2 million awarded to UNI students during the 2021-2022 school year

MEG GROVE Staff Writer

The University of Northern Iowa has released their 2022 financial aid annual report stating that $89.2 million was awarded to students in financial aid during the 2021-2022 school year. Almost 8,400 students received aid, including 98% of first-year students and 91% of all students at UNI. Funds for financial aid come in multiple forms. According to the recent annual report, over half of the funds come from the federal government. Over 26% comes from the institution itself. “That would be university funded scholarship and grant programs,” said Timothy Bakula, director of the UNI Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. “Some of those scholarships are awarded based on admission criteria. Others are based on how well you do in an academic program.” State, foundation and other sources, such as hometown scholarships, are additional sources of funds that contribute to financial aid.

The TEACH Grant is an important federal grant award-

ed to students planning to teach in a high-need field in a low-income school. This grant is crucial since elementary education is the largest major at UNI. Almost $1.4 million was awarded to 424 students during the 2022 fiscal year with 2,677 students receiving TEACH Grant funding since its inception in 2008.

The annual report lists four ways financial aid is disbursed. Just over 47% of financial aid is disbursed through grants and scholarships with loans

not far behind, making up 43.9% of financial aid. Less than 10% of financial aid is disbursed through employment and work study opportunities combined.

On average, students at UNI graduate with less debt than the state and national averages. The average student indebtedness at UNI is $24,235, this number is even less when including transfer students. UNI is able to keep student debt low in a variety of ways. UNI is the most afford-

able public school in Iowa, creating less debt in the first place.

“We do quite a bit of counseling for students… especially when it comes to loans,” said Bakula. “A big emphasis in our office is doing everything possible to educate students so they’re not borrowing any more than they need to.”

Private loan borrowing has decreased significantly since requiring a one-on-one meeting before the loan is approved leading to less debt after gradu-

ation. Financial literacy courses are also required for all incoming freshmen students through Live Like a Student, an in-person three week class, or Panther CashCourse, an online course. 36.4% of students graduated without debt in 2022.

Most students rely on financial aid to help pay their tuition. “The rule of our office is to help students access higher education in an affordable manner,” said Bakula. “That’s the goal of financial aid, to open doors to students to pursue opportunities.” In-state tuition at UNI is $8,111, while out-of-state tuition is $19,265. Without financial aid many students wouldn’t be able to afford attending UNI. “Overall financial aid is the bridge that allows students to access and afford college,” said Bakula. Students needing help applying and managing financial aid can visit the financial aid website to find more information. Appointments with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can be made online or by calling the office at 319-273-2700.

UNI Interpreters Theatre Presents Improv at the Interp: Theatre without a Net!

PEYTON GUTHRIE Staff Writer

On April 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. UNI Interpreters Theatre will be putting on a show titled “Improv in the Interp: Theatre Without a Net!” Directed by Doug Shaw, an all-new troupe of performers will be putting on a show that is interactive and completely unscripted.

“This show will be totally unscripted theater. We will be performing a variety of unscripted vignettes with different rules to create some in-the-moment comedy,” says Shaw. Due to the spontaneous nature of the show, each performance is guaranteed to be different.

The show will be located in Lang Hall 040 on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The admission is completely free, however, seating is very limited. Those wanting to attend can reserve

seating ahead of time through Everbrite.com to ensure a spot at the show.

“All theater is to some extent a relationship between the actors and the audience. But the actors have a safety net – they know what is going to happen ahead of time. So there is always an unequal power dynamic in that relationship. Improvisational theater is more dangerous – it can all blow up in our faces – but it is also more egalitarian,” says Shaw about the name of the show.

Unlike scripted perfor-

mances, improvisational performances leave not only the audience in the dark as to what will happen next, but the performers will not know either. “Students should see this show because they will have a chance to see a kind of comedy that they rarely get to see, and will be present for a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Shaw of the show.

People may be familiar with shows such as Whose Line is it Anyway? that share the same genre of theatre, but Shaw aims for a more refined

form of improv that will focus more on the characters. The show is still labeled a comedy, but will take a slightly different shape than the typical college improv performance.

“It is hard not to laugh with people who are having such a good time,” Shaw says of the cast of the show, “There is so much chemistry when you see them onstage together. They love performing, they truly enjoy each other.”

The world of improv is vast and full of many different possibilities and scenarios. During the show, the perform-

ers and audience members are placed in the same boat as the story unfolds and a new adventure takes place. Shaw has expressed much excitement for this show and the cast. If students find themselves enjoying the world of improvisational theatre, then they will be in luck. Some Assembly Acquired, a well-known improv troupe who has been running for over a decade in the Cedar Falls community and on campus have put on many shows over the years and continue to do so. Their shows can be found on the University of Northern Iowa calendar of events for anyone interested in attending. The Cedar Falls Community Theatre at the historic Oster Regent Theatre is also just starting to offer improv classes in an attempt to grow the improv community in Cedar Falls.

UNI Art Gallery features five students of the Bachelors of Fine Arts Program

ERIN MCRAE Staff Writer

The UNI Gallery of Art is holding an exhibition for the spring 2023 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program on Monday, April 24th, through Friday, May 5th. There will be an opening night reception that takes place on Monday, April 24th at 7 p.m. that will take place in the Kamerick Art Building (KAB) in the south lobby. This event is free and always open to the public.

This exhibition will feature the work of five student artists: Jenna Lou Jansen, Jules Marie Hammerand, Madeline LeRoy, Summer Weed, and Taylor Lee Rachel Sullivan. Multiple topics are explored through different art forms, including mental health, selfworth, femininity, automatism, and more.

Aaron Wilson is a printmaking professor in the art department who has been mentoring the students presenting their work. According to Wilson, the UNI art department gives students a chance to grow as artists beyond the classroom. “BFA students work closely with our faculty to develop a clear creative direction that culminates in this exhibition. Many of their upper-level studio classes allow for independent creative study guided with regular criticism.

The degree also requires a Professional Practices course that helps to prepare

the students for their careers after graduation. An art theory course, called Critical Issues in Contemporary Art, is also a requirement. Therefore, the range of interaction with faculty is broad,” Wilson said. “The faculty of the Department of Art enjoy the chance to work with students in-depth, beyond what the BA degree allows for. What I personally enjoy most about teaching BFA students is the chance to see their work evolve over the course of the program. The BFA Exhibition acts as a catalyst to grow their work, often beyond their own expectations.”

Student Jenna Jansen is a painter and performance artist

whose work will be featured in the upcoming exhibition. For her, course offerings outside of her major and childhood memories helped shape her artistry.

“I am also a psychology major, and I think that my psychology courses have deeply influenced some of my thought processes, especially my performance work. Concepts such as mindfulness, and the flow state are tools that I like to utilize when making art,” Jansen said. “At this stage in my life, looking back at past experiences is where I have found myself in terms of drawing inspiration. I spend a lot of time thinking about my upbringing as a

young girl in rural northeast Iowa, and how it has integrated into my entire being.”

Jansen’s work will feature reflections on gender and body image. “I have painted most of my work from photographs of myself wearing a swimsuit at different stages in my life. The ways I have personally been trained to perform my gender, such as putting on make-up and wearing bikinis, is something that I have focused on while creating this body of work. There are also some video and sculptural works included in the show which follow this same theme,” Jansen said.

Taylor Sullivan is a fellow BFA student and said her

pieces will be full of color. Sullivan said viewers can expect to see, “A lot of pink. And an overwhelming sense of both child-like and grownup femininity.”

Sullivan’s inspiration comes from her own life experiences. “Most of my current work that will be exhibited at the show is derived from my experience growing up as a girl born in Y2K. There is an inherent language and culture surrounding this decade that I really wanted to comment on. I was never a Barbie girl, I was a Bratz girl. As an only child, I am interested in leaning into the stereotypical only child identity that is spoiled, beautiful, and gets everything she wants,” Sullivan said. “Everything pink and glossy and glittery and cutesy is the vein I am aiming for.”

Sullivan also credits her success to the UNI art department. “My professors and classes at UNI have made me into the artist I am today. Looking back, coming into the art department I really didn’t even understand the depth art could hold or the space it could take up. I didn’t know what performance art was when I first got here. I am forever thankful to the faculty here for allowing my creative mind to expand,” Sullivan said.

For more information, visit https://gallery.uni.edu/ or contact Laura Gleissner, director of the UNI Gallery of Art

Courtesy of the UNI ART Facebook Page

Students can support and enjoy their peers artwork starting April 24, at 7 p.m. in the Kamerick Art Building.

Panthers take 2 of 3 from Sycamores

CADEN SHEA Sports Writer

The Panthers had two different games in their first two of three against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. The first game saw the Panthers beat the Sycamores 8-3 in a dominant showing. The second game saw UNI take their first loss of the season as they were defeated 6-4.

The Panthers started off hot with a great first day on the bats, securing 12 hits. This first game moved the Panthers to 10 conference victories on the season. The team also had a great day in the circle, as the pitchers struck out more players than walks allowed.

The Panthers started the game with two singles to get the bats going early. After two outs, it looked like the team would have a scoreless first inning, but designated hitter Addison McElrath had a crucial single which would see two runs scored for UNI. The Panthers only recorded two hits in the next three innings with no score to show for them. Indiana State would capitalize on this quiet stretch for the Panthers with a run in the bottom of the fourth.

With the Panthers up to bat in the top of the fifth, the

WOMEN’S TENNIS

current MVC Player of the Week, Mya Dodge, stepped up to the plate to help rally the Panthers. Shortstop

Kylee Sanders was on first base and watched the ball fly over the fence as Dodge hit her seventh home run of the season. This gave the team a 4-1 lead over the Sycamores and kept them in firm control of the game for the remainder of the day. Brooke Snider singled to left field towards the end of the inning to help send Maggie Erpelding to home for their third and final run of the inning.

The top of the sixth inning was another big offensive period for UNI. Dodge once again batted some runners in as she sent Sanders and Makenna Kuper to home after a single into left field. The scoring was not finished for the team as McElrath singled to left to usher Madison Parks to home giving the Panthers the 8-1 score over Indiana State. The Sycamores would battle back with a few runs in the bottom of the seventh but it was not enough as the Panthers finished the game 8-3. Samantha Heyer had a phenomenal day as the main pitcher for the Panthers as she struck out seven players, allowing only two hits, one run and one walk on the day.

The second game was not as successful for the Panthers despite their best efforts. The Panthers would get the first points of the day after a single from Faith Standerski helped to get Dodge and Taylor two points on the board early. The Sycamores would reply with a barrage of runs in the second and third innings after some poor pitching from the Panthers defense. This wave of runs helped Indiana State move up to a 5-2 score over UNI. McElrath would help lead a rally in the top of the fourth as her double would help Dodge get home to make the score 5-3. Hogan would also help bridge the gap for the Panthers in this inning as she aided Kuper in her journey home off of a single. Despite their best efforts, the Panthers could not close it out as the Sycamores scored one more run, making the game a 6-4 victory for Indiana State. Kailyn Packard had a tough day at the mound, allowing six runs with only three strikeouts.

The Panthers concluded their series against the Sycamores on Sunday afternoon, securing an 8-3 victory over Indiana State. With the win, the Panthers improve to 22-11 on the season, 11-1 in MVC play.

UNI drops matches to Belmont, Murray State

DREW HILL Sports Writer

The UNI women’s tennis team hit the road on Friday and Saturday, April 7-8. First, they had a game against the Belmont Bruins

in Nashville, Tenn. They then faced the Murray State Racers in Murray, Kentucky. UNI dropped a 7-0 match against the Bruins and a tight 5-2 match against Murray State.

UNI came into the game

with Belmont 5-12-1 overall, but 1-4 in conference. They did split their home stand with a win over Valparaiso just two games earlier, but it unfortunately did not provide them momentum for this matchup. It began with a bright spot for UNI, as Thaissa Moreira and Issa Sullivan dominated their doubles match enroute to a 6-0 shutout. This gave them their fourth straight win playing together. However, the other doubles matches saw UNI come up short, as both the doubles pair of Andrijana Brkic and Kim Zizek and the doubles pair of Darta Dalecka and Lorena Cardoso fell short 6-3 to cede the doubles point to Belmont. The singles matches saw UNI drop all six to give Belmont the

7-0 win overall. UNI next moved on to face Murray State. The doubles matches did not go well, as Murray State won all three matches to get the doubles point, even snapping Moreira’s and Sullivan’s winning streak. However, several UNI Panthers performed better in the singles matches. Moreira won a tight battle in sets of 7-6 and 6-3 to give UNI a point. Kanyanut Sudsaard also picked up her third win of the year with sets of 6-2 and 6-3.

All of the other singles matches were fairly close, and the fate of the game hung in the balance until the third set of a couple of the matches. Brkic fell in sets of 6-4 and 6-3. Cardoso had a narrow loss in her first set 7-5 but then dropped the

second 6-1. The other two came down to the third set. Dalecka dropped her first set 7-5, but then stormed back to tie the series with a 6-3 win. The ultimate victory went to her opponent, however, in a 6-2 third set. Finally, Zizek won her first match 7-5, but dropped the second 6-1. The final set came down to the wire, with Zizek falling by one in a 7-6 third set. This gave Murray State a 5-2 win that was much closer than the final score may indicate.

With the pair of losses, UNI falls to 5-14-1 on the season and 1-6 in MVC play. The last regular season game is against Drake in Cedar Falls on Saturday, April 15, followed by the MVC Championships from Friday through Sunday, April 21-23.

UNI will be back on the field on Tuesday, hosting the Drake Bulldogs in an

in-state conference matchup.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

Mya Dodge, the reigning MVC Player of the Week, continued her strong sophomore season over the weekend.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS

The UNI tennis team dropped a pair of matches over the weekend, falling to Belmont and Murray State.

Panthers compete at Fighting Illini Challenge

BRADEN ELTON Guest Writer

The UNI men’s and women’s track team traveled to Champaign, Ill. to compete in the Fighting Illini Challenge on Saturday, April 8. The Panthers earned four titles throughout the day and both teams finished third in the overall standings.

Isaiah Trousil, a redshirt senior sprinter for the Panthers, found himself at the top of the podium for his second straight week. Trousil won the men’s 200meter dash with a winning time of 20.92 seconds. At the Texas Relays last meet, Trousil was victorious in the 100-meter dash, making him the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Male Track Athlete of the Week.

The Panthers placed three other runners in the top ten of the 200-meters as well. Deonte Dean placed third with a career-best time of 21.22 seconds. Tinashe Chigudu finished fifth with a time of 21.61, and Zack Butcher came in ninth, finishing with a career-best time of 21.85.

On the women’s side, Libby Wedewer finished in seventh place in the 200meter dash with a time of 24.87 seconds. In the 100meter dash three Panthers finished in the top 10. Rylan

VOLLEYBALL

Santi came in seventh place, finishing with a careerbest time of 11.83 seconds. Wedewer and Madelyn Sanda finished eighth and ninth with times of 11.87, 11.92. Chigudu placed third for the men’s with a time of 10.48 seconds.

Two other Panthers were able to win their first collegiate victories of their careers. Sophomore Chase Knoche finished first in the men’s 800-meter dash with a career-best time of 1:50.92.

Emma Hoins had a careerbest time of 10:34.86, as she finished first in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Hoins now has the second fastest time in program history. Mia Rampton was not too far behind Hoins as she finished fourth with a time of 11:18.16.

Thrower Katie Fare had another dominant outing as she finished first in shot put with a career-best toss of 54 feet, 4 inches. Makenna Wilson came in second with a toss of 51 feet and Sarah Byrd came in fifth with a toss of 46 feet, 11 inches.

Carson Lienau finished in eighth place in the men’s shot put with a toss of 50 feet, 7 inches.

The Panthers women’s team of Caroline Benfeldt Soerensen, Eden Barett, Madelyn Sanda and Olivia Hubler finished third in the 4x100-meter dash, as

they crossed the finish line with a time of 46.81 seconds. Brady Griebel placed sixth in the men’s 3,000meter steeplechase with a time of 9:55.09, while Kate Crawford took seventh in the women’s 5,000-meters with a time of 17:29.57.

Jack Sumners led the way for UNI in the men’s 110meter hurdles, finishing in third place with a time of 14.20 seconds. Drew Bartels finished in eighth with a time of 14.88 seconds.

Darci Wiseman came in fourth in the women’s 400meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.68. Anna Winterrowd had a career-best 1:03.86 to finish in sixth place. Bill Mukhtar finished seventh in the men’s 400-meter dash with a time of 55.37.

Onal Mitchell had an outdoor career-best in the 400meter dash as he finished third clocking in at 48.25 seconds. River Patterson took seventh at 49.31 seconds. For the womens, Erin Kerkhoff finished seventh at a time of 56.86 seconds.

Mitchell, Andrew Feguson, Micaiah Ellis and Zack Butcher ended the meet with a second place finish in the men’s 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:16.01. The women’s team of Emily Vos, Auriona Kimbrough, Kerkhoff and Wedewer finished in seventh place in the 4x400-meter relay with a

time of 3:16.01.

UNI is set to compete next at the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake

Stadium on Friday, April 14 in Des Moines.

Volleyball competes in spring tournament

ADAM JOHNSON Sports Writer

The UNI volleyball team is competing in four different spring tournaments. They first competed in Ames, Iowa on March 25.

This last week they competed in Kansas City, Mo. in the UMKC Tournament on Saturday, April 8.

The Panthers first game of the day was against Missouri, who went 9-19 during the regular season

last year. The first set took some extra points to decide a winner, but the Panthers were able to sneak out with the win 27-25. Each match would only be two games regardless of if the teams split sets. That did not matter, as the Panthers would take the second set by a score of 23-19, winning the match 2-0.

The Panthers played that game and got right to work on the next one. Their next opponent was the Arkansas Razorbacks, who had a very good season. They went 21-9 and won a match in the NCAA tournament. This would be a good test for the Panthers against a team that had a similar season to them. The Panthers won the first set in a very close one, winning it 26-24. The

Razorbacks got revenge in thes second set, winning it 25-19. This made it a 1-1 tie.

The third and fourth game were both matchups with Wichita State, a former member of the Missouri Valley Conference with the Panthers. The Shockers had a solid team this past season, going 18-13. The Panthers struggled in the first game.

The first set did not go well at all, as the Shockers dominated their way to a 25-17 win. The Panthers did better in the second set, but they still fell short 25-23. The Shockers won the first match 2-0, but the Panthers had another game to get back at them. In the first set of the fourth and final game of the tournament, the Panthers struggled. The

Shockers more than doubled the Panthers score, winning 25-11. The second set was better, but still not great by the Panthers. The Shockers won 25-18. The Shockers won 2-0, and overall defeated the Panthers in four straight sets.

The Panthers did not have the greatest day in the tournament, but it was a good experience as the team looks to build on the great season they had this past year. The Panthers will play two more tournaments this spring. The Panthers will host the next one in Cedar Falls on Saturday, April 15. Following that, they will finish off the spring at the Iowa Spring Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, April 22.

STEPH STARK/NORTHERN IOWAN

The UNI track and field team traveled to Illinois over the weekend, competing in the Fighting Illini Challenge.

JORDAN JUNGE/NORTHERN IOWAN

The UNI volleyball team was back in action this weekend, competing in a spring tournament in Kansas City.