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THURSDAY, APRIL 5
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
MAKE CAMPUS GREAT AGAIN
PMB PRECAUTIONS
FCS RANKING
NEWS PAGE 2
CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4
SPORTS PAGE 6
The PMB adapts season due to COVID-19.
President Trump’s senior advisor for Iowa hosts “Make Campus Great Again” event.
Panthers ranked third nationally in pre-season poll.
BLM march draws crowd on campus KAYLA LAWRENCE Staff Writer
Despite the oppressive midday heat, over one hundred students and fac-
ulty members showed up Monday for the first Black Lives Matter march of the fall semester. To passersby, those gathered around the Maucker
Union fountain appeared a united front. All protesters came masked as per UNI’s policy and the organizer’s Facebook event page, and additional masks and cool-
TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan
Over one hundred panthers joined in the first Black Lives Matter march of the fall semester.
ers of cold water were also provided on site. Participants arrived in various states — some with homemade signs at the ready, others dressed in black as a show of solidarity and many still carrying backpacks having just come from class. But all came with a common goal: to peacefully support a cause they believe in. “The goal of the march is just to be present on UNI campus. To really start the semester off with letting them know that Black lives matter,” said UNI doctoral student Joyce Levingston, one of the organizers of the march. “We’re going to carry the momentum for Black lives really mattering in every space in our community, and that includes UNI’s campus.” As one of the event’s main speakers, Levingston explained that in many recent cases at UNI, the
voices of minority students have been suppressed when raised in alarm to the actions of their university. She maintained that the surrounding community and the students and faculty of UNI cannot allow comfort to settle over campus. “We can’t let UNI be comfortable,” Levingston said. “We don’t want professors getting comfortable. We don’t want the president getting comfortable.” As a long-time UNI student and activist, Levingston addressed issues specific to UNI that she’d personally faced. These included microaggressions in the classroom, which she described as instances of “racial abuse,” as well as tokenism in UNI’s use of racial diversity on campus in their advertisements and media.
has taken several steps in the past week in hopes of mitigating the spread of the virus.
student behavior off-campus. After multiple photos featuring maskless crowds of students outside bars on College Hill circulated on social media over the weekend, President Mark Nook addressed the issue in an email on Aug. 25. Nook called the images “very concerning and disappointing” and stated that students who visit crowded places off-campus where wearing of face coverings and physical distancing are not being practiced will be subject to the student conduct process. This can result in suspension from the university. Such actions, Nook wrote, violate the commitment students made during the required Protecting our Panthers COVID-19 training course, which he emphasized applies to behaviors off-campus as well as on-campus.
See BLM MARCH, page 2
UNI continues adapting to COVID-19 ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor
After Iowa’s two other public universities released the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported on their campuses this week, UNI plans to begin releasing COVID-19 information on Friday. “Beginning Friday, university data related to COVID-19 will be posted at forwardto-
GABI CUMMINGS/Northern Iowan
gether.uni.edu,” the university’s official Twitter account stated in replies to several tweets asking for transparency in regards to the presence of COVID-19 on campus. UNI will become the last of Iowa’s three Regents universities to release campus COVID-19 data. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the University of Iowa on Monday reported 107 stu-
dents and four employees have self-reported positive tests since Aug. 18. Meanwhile, Iowa State reported Monday that 130 students, staff and faculty members tested positive during the first week of classes, according to the Des Moines Register. This followed baseline testing during ISU’s two-week move-in period, during which 175 students had already tested positive. In a New York Times survey of more than 1,500 American colleges and universities, UNI is reported as having 9 cases of COVID-19. However, the Times noted that the data in the survey includes all reported cases since the start of the pandemic, meaning that that number may not be representative of the current number of cases on campus. In addition to preparing for the release of the numerical data on Friday, the university
Panther health check Beginning Monday, Aug. 25, all students, faculty and staff are asked to complete a brief Panther Health Check survey before leaving their dorm room or arriving at UNI’s campus or facilities each day. The survey is designed to help identify members of the campus community exhibiting potential COVID-19 symptoms, as well as those who have tested positive or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. After completing the survey, individuals receive a message either clearing them to come to campus or advising them to take different health-related steps. Student safety announcement UNI administration has also moved to address issues of
See COVID UPDATES, page 5
PAGE 2
AUGUST 27, 2020 |
NEWS
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
Trump advisor hosts campus event TEHYA TOURNIER Staff Writer
On Monday, Aug. 24, at 3:30 pm, Eric Branstad, Senior Advisor for Iowa for President Trump’s 2020 campaign, visited UNI to host a “Make Campus Great Again” event as a part of a kick-off to the Republican National Convention. The informal event was held outside Maucker Union, as an ice cream social where students could register to vote, talk with Branstad and enjoy some treats. After working in politics over the last 20 years and serving on President Trump’s 2016 campaign, Branstad said he was ready to come back and be a part of the election trail in Iowa. “I got the call to come on board as senior advisor for the 2020 campaign, and no one loves this president more than I do,” he said. Branstad said he has been traveling the state for months hosting similar events. In the last week, the team visited Iowa State University
and the University of Iowa and was heading to an event at Morningside College in Sioux City on Friday, Aug. 27. “It’s a chance to get out and meet new people and try to be as active as we can, during the COVID environment,” he said. Due to classes and campus not being normal this semester, Branstad said he sees more online support for Trump from college-aged
students. “I would say because of the indoctrinated, left-leaning, you know, universities, it is more difficult than I have seen in 2016, in 2020,” he said. “Certainly the folks that I talk to or reach out to us are afraid to show their Trump pride for how they are treated by their teachers and by the universities, and the people pushing a message down on them.” Branstad said that those
GELASE MAGNIFICAT/Northern Iowan
Students stop at a voter registration table outside Maucker Union at the “Make Campus Great Again” event on Monday, Aug. 24.
“What they do is use me as a Black token,” she said. “They can put me on the front screen of the UNI website, or they can write their story up and share it. And then they can recruit other Black students that way.” However, she acknowledged that UNI still offers students opportunities for an education and a platform and that she has benefited from that platform while working to better the community. “But I also have real life and real truth experiences here, “ she said, “that are cut away from the public on purpose.” Other speakers included Nawal Rai, who discussed privilege, and Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez, who shared her experiences of similarity
between the Black, immigrant and Indigenous communities in America. “This fight for Black lives is not meant to be fought by Black lives alone,” Reyes Rodriguez said. Though the march was not organized specifically in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, a man who was shot in the back seven times by police in Kenosha, Wis. on Sunday night, several speakers reflected on the event. Among them was Ross Smith from UNI’s Executive Academic Committee. “I’m reminded that since George Floyd, we haven’t stopped having George Floyds,” he said. After the speakers concluded, Levingston and her fellow organizers, UNI professor David HernandezSaca and doctoral student Shehreen Iqtadar, led marchers to the president’s
house. Due to the heat, prior plans for the march, which would have led participants through various areas of campus including Rod Library and Maucker Union, were cut shorter. As they marched, protestors chanted “No justice, no peace! No racist police!” and called for immediate justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Once they reached the president’s house, although President Mark Nook was not present, HernandezSaca read the protestors’ list of demands. The list included diversification of syllabi by emphasizing texts written by authors of color, a presidential decree supporting university-wide social justice curriculum and the publication of Black, Indigenous and students of colors’ “real lives” in UNI media. In addition, he called
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BLM MARCH
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who do reach out to the campaign show a lot of pride, and they have had good turnouts so far at campus events as well as others throughout the state of Iowa. “It’s also very important to show that we are here and who we are and the pride we have,” he said. Two of the handful of students that attended Monday’s event were Gabriel and Sam. The two, who asked to be identified only by first name, said they stopped by for some ice cream and to show their support for President Trump. “We don’t get to see a whole lot of tables like this. It’s nice to see somebody doing what we like too,” Sam said. Gabriel said that he will be voting for President Trump because he shares the president’s beliefs. “It goes hand in hand with my faith. That’s just what I believe in and a lot of the ideas he stands for,” he said. Sam agreed, stating that he also shares the same beliefs, especially on the issue of abortion. “I would have to say that
the number one issue in politics, that does go with my faith, is abortion,” he said. “So, once that gets fixed, I will look a lot more in-depth into some of the other issues but that’s the first one that I want fixed, and he says that he’s going to do that.” Branstad said if Trump were to be re-elected, there would be a quick rebound to everything the nation has lost from COVID-19, and much more. “The president is going to invest in infrastructure, he’s going to invest in all of those things, to make Iowa great and to make America great,” he said. “And that is giving folks good jobs and giving them opportunities and choices for good jobs, and that’s what he’s really shown in his first three-and-a-half years since taking office.” Branstad concluded that what he loves about President Trump is how he focuses all day on the American people and workers. He urged all citizens to get registered and ready to vote for the 2020 election.
TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan
Students listen to a speaker during a Black Lives Matter march and protest outside Maucker Union on Monday, Aug. 24.
for greater presidential collaboration with social justice groups on- and off-campus, as well as support for the establishment of a BLM chapter at UNI. “These demands are from our collective consciousness,” Hernandez-Saca said. When the march was disThe 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.
banded, participants were left with an enjoyable and meaningful experience that helped to “elevate the stories of minorities on campus,” as one protester said. For more information of future BLM protests, please contact Joyce Levingston at levingsj@uni.edu. 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 leitnerg@uni.edu.
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PAGE 3
OPINION
EMMA’LE MAAS Executive Editor
AUGUST 27, 2020 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
Disclaimer: The following opinion articles featured do not reflect the opinion of the Northern Iowan newspaper or staff as a whole.
Slomka: Pronouns are for everyone EMERSON SLOMKA
Opinion Colummnist
While the word “pronoun” has become linked to the transgender community, this isn’t an entirely fair connection -- everyone uses pronouns, whether they realize it or not. He, she, they, it, I, you -- pronouns are an integral part of our language. Essentially, a pronoun is a word that is used as a substitute for a noun, usually to prevent repetition in our speech. While some pronouns are genderless (such as I, you and it), pronouns such as he and she are directly associated with one’s gender, and naturally, people typically prefer to be referred to by pronouns congruent with their gender identity (for example, most men prefer he/him pronouns while most women prefer she/her pronouns). Of course, not everyone presents themselves in a way that is congruent with their gender identity (this is known as being gender-nonconforming), and this means that we can’t always assume what pronouns an individual would like to be referred to as. For example, butches are women (usually lesbian or
bisexual, though straight butches exist as well) who choose to present themselves in a traditionally-masculine way, but who still identify as women and typically use she/her pronouns, though one may instinctively use masculine pronouns when seeing someone who presents themselves in a traditionally-masculine way. This issue also extends to nonbinary people (people who do not identify as male or female), many of whom do not use feminine or masculine pronouns and may prefer to use they/them, or perhaps a neopronoun (pronouns developed in the 19th or 20th centuries that are not yet considered standard English) such as ze/zir or per/ pers. Given the gray area of personal pronouns, how do you know how to respectfully refer to people? Openly and clearly stating one’s pronouns was normalized by the LGBT+ community as a way to prevent the misgendering of gender-nonconforming and transgender individuals, both of whom can suffer greatly from regular misgendering. A study by Irene J Dolan et al. finds that regular misgen-
dering “negatively affects the mental and physical health of trans individuals.” Starting a dialogue about gender identity and how we prefer to be referred to as is a good way to combat misgendering and prevent miscommunications, whether we say our pronouns out loud when introducing ourselves, put them on our nametag at work or include them in our email signature. Until recently, this was a practice mostly confined to the LGBT+ community, but in recent years, it has become increasingly common for nonLGBT+ individuals to be clear about the pronouns they prefer. The practice of stating one’s pronouns mostly began as an act of allyship with the LGBT+ community and a way to promote inclusivity. When one lists their pronouns in their email signature or Twitter bio, it shows that they care about your comfort and are willing to refer to you by the pronouns you choose, and when this act is performed in the workspace, it demonstrates that it is a work environment that stands by its LGBT+ employees and customers, asserting it as a safe space. When only transgender peo-
ple list their pronouns, it outs them as being trans, which can be dangerous in certain situations. However, when this act becomes normalized and performed by everyone, trans or not, it allows transgender people to safely assert how they’d like to be referred to as without necessarily forcing them to out themselves. This action further asserts that transgender people are normal people, and that their demands to be respected are valid. Starting a dialogue about pronouns and gender identity may seem daunting, but in actuality, it’s quite simple. When you introduce yourself to someone new, you may choose to list your pronouns right off the bat: “Hey, my name’s Emerson; I use he/him pronouns. What’re your name and pronouns?” You can list your pronouns on your social media bios and in your email signature so that those you correspond with know what to call you. You can wear a pronoun pin or button on your shirt, hat, or bag so that people know your pronouns before even speaking to you. These are all great ways to normalize the discussion and use of pronouns,
and can help make those around you know that you respect their identities, and help them know how you identify as well. The link between pronouns and the transgender community is apparent (and can be exemplified by Elon Musk’s July 24 tweet “Pronouns suck”-- does he really take issue with grammar, or is his problem with transgender people?), but in reality, we all use pronouns, and they’re inseparable from us and the way we see ourselves. Normalizing the discussion of pronouns is integral to combatting miscommunications and misgendering.
Pexels
Horning: Find a student org for you COLIN HORNING
Opinion Columnist
Everyone knows this calendar year has been unlike any other we’ve had so far, and that includes the rather unconventional start to the school year preceded by the manner in which last semester ended. The year of social distancing has no doubt been a struggle for most people, and the added stress of adjusting to college life for incoming freshmen and new students only makes it all the more difficult. Back when I was a freshman, I can recall being overwhelmed by living away from home, growing apart from my high school friends and being thrown into a new part of my life. I could only imagine the increased stress of being in an entirely new environment while seeing a drastically reduced amount in social interaction, as this year’s new students presumably face. College is a time to branch out and meet new people, a time to expand one’s horizons and interact with a whole new setting that one has never been exposed to before. Human beings are social
creatures. Regardless if you’re an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in between, everyone from time to time feels the need to interact with another human being. Some of us like to be in large social settings, while others prefer one-on-one interactions. Regardless of one’s preference, now more than ever it is difficult to be with others. The CDC has acknowledged that taking care of one’s mental health during a pandemic should be a top priority for everyone, and the National Suicide Prevention Center saw an 891% increase in calls earlier this spring when the pandemic first swept through, as many people were struggling with being isolated and the uncertainty of the future. I myself have struggled with the massive life adjustment, along with many others. But one thing that I’ve turned to is my support group of friends that I have found in my fraternity here at UNI. I know I’m not the only one; the community of Fraternity and Sorority life on this campus has provided hundreds of men and women a support group to help aid
them through this tumultuous year. As an incoming freshman or new transfer student, the need for social interaction is as high as it’s ever been. Due to the social distancing measures put in place by the university and the state of Iowa, most traditional places of meeting new people on this campus have been limited out of the sheer need to reduce the number of human beings in a single space. Spaces such as the Maucker Union, WRC and even one’s own dorm, which have typically been great places to meet new people on campus are now limited capacity, out of necessity of course. But to the new students at UNI this semester, I encourage you to branch out and seek social interaction, despite increased difficulty to do so. Staying cooped up in your dorm room will only further isolate oneself from the rest of campus. If there’s a student organization putting on an event that looks interesting to you, by all means go for it. I was in a similar predicament two years ago when I was a freshman, and I’m glad I decided to branch
out and get involved. Had I not, I’m not sure what my life at UNI would look like, nor do I want to imagine it. Now more than ever,
getting involved on campus should be a must, especially for new UNI students who are looking to find their home away from home.
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CAMPUS LIFE AUGUST 27, 2020 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
COVID-19 causes changes to Panther Marching Band Lauren McGuill Staff Writer
As the fall 2020 semester progresses, students are still adjusting to the changes made due to COVID-19. No class or activity has been untouched, yet precautions have been taken so students can come back to campus and engage in in-person classes, as well as their outof-class activities. One of these activies being Panther Marching Band (PMB). The PMB has had to undergo a series of changes in order for students to practice safely. Panther Marching Band Director Justin Mertz spent the summer brainstorming with his colleagues on how to have a safe and active marching band while following Coronavirus guidelines. “Marching band is a musical and educational activity that students are credited for, and performance is a part of it,” said Mertz. “We thought we could create other performance opportunities that would still allow students to have a musical and education opportunity that being in a marching band provides. That was the most important reason for us to continue. A marching band’s job is essentially to make its host campus a better place to be, to raise the spirits of people on campus and be musical ambassadors for that campus. We thought that we could still do that even if it wasn’t at half time at a football game.” In order to maintain proper social distance, the band’s 285 members must spread out with six feet between them, and in some
COURTESY PHOTO/Panther Marching Bandxxxxxxxxxxxxx
cases nine feet due to certain instruments that play. Practices are still held in the UNIDome, and the performers stand still instead of march. The band is planning to have at least three outdoor performances, but the times and dates are still being determined. The first performance is estimated to be on Friday, Sept. 25 here on campus. “As it turns out, we need to be masking not just people, but instruments too,” Mertz explained. “We mask every student in the band at all times, social distancing depending on the instruments. We have masks with holes in them so students can play their instruments, so they’re actually playing with a mask on. Every instrument has been fitted with a mask. Some instru-
ments are in bags with holes students can put their hands in. The time we rehearse in a particular space is no more than 30 minutes.” It’s been a huge change of pace for the PMB members. Senior elementary education major Kyle Peter, who plays the alto saxophone, explained how COVID-19 has changed his marching band experience. “COVID-19 has impacted my role in the PMB quite a bit,” said Peter. “I am a field coordinator which means Kat Rech and I write all of the non-marching movements for the band. Since we aren’t able to march, Kat and I really have our work cut out for us because the only thing we are doing is movements that we write. It is an awesome challenge to take on!”
Junior instrumental music education major Kelley Meinen expressed her sadness over the missed bonding opportunities with her fellow marching band members. “Staying six feet apart is hard,” said Meinen. “Humans are social creatures, so it’s just not natural, but it is necessary. It’s hard to communicate when we need to stay spaced out, too. We have short sectionals outside during rehearsal, and I bought a megaphone for myself and the other music section leader because there are 50 trumpets. The first time we had a sectional, I didn’t have those, and it was hard for people to hear me. I also lost my voice from screaming for so long. If it was a normal season, we would be inside and not all spread out. Although it’s
all very different and a little difficult, I am so happy to be making music with others. I hadn’t played music with others in over five months. Music is something that I need. I don’t feel whole without it, and being away from school, unable to make music with others really made me feel empty. I am glad that the PMB is doing so many things to keep everyone safe so we can keep making music together as long as possible.” As well as the marching band, the color guard has had to make sure they are taking the right precautions to prevent the spread of COVID19. Color guard leadership member Bailey Fah explained the changes the color guard has had to undergo during these times. “The mask is definitely something to get used to,” Fah said. “We do a lot of physical activity, so it can be hard having to wear a mask all the time, but I think we’re adjusting well. I think the hardest thing that I personally have to deal with is mental things. Coming to terms that we will not be able to do certain things that we had scheduled and planned this year, especially Bands of America and playing at football games, which I was really excited about.” While there may be many missed opportunities and a very different atmosphere, the Panther Marching Band has not let any of this dull their spirits. Although they face many difficulties, the PMB is determined to spread music throughout campus and bring back some school spirit to those in need of a little cheering up.
Loss of AC in McCollum causes class cancellation ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor
An “internal failure” in a 20-year-old motor in McCollum Science Hall on Monday caused a failure of the air conditioning system that led to the cancellation of classes in that building for the rest of the day. According to Mike Zwanziger, Assistant Vice President and Director of Facilities Management, the electric motor, which powers the largest of McCollum’s five ventilation units, failed just after midnight on Monday. University technicians noticed
the problem early Monday morning, and a campus-wide email sent just after noon informed students that all classes in McCollum would be cancelled for Monday. “With the forecasted temperatures, we didn’t believe we could maintain comfortable temperatures within the building without this fan operating,” Zwanziger told the Northern Iowan in an email. Temperatures on Monday surpassed 90 degrees, according to multiple local weather outlets. Classes in McCollum resumed as normal on Tuesday after the maintenance team
removed the faulty motor and replaced it with a spare. This was no easy task, as the motor weighs nearly one ton and is located down a long flight of stairs in a small mechanical area, according to Zwanziger. He commended the staff for their work in addressing the issue quickly and resourcefully. “Our team devised a plan to utilize a chain-fall hoist to safely remove the old motor and move the spare motor into place,” he wrote. “The spare motor was also not an exact replacement, and our electricians needed to modify the wiring to ensure safe and dependable electrical connections.”
ANTHONY WITHEROW/Northern Iowan
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ANTHONY WITHEROW Campus Life Editor
CAMPUS LIFE AUGUST 27, 2020 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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PAGE 5
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
Panther PORTRAIT:Yard games with math club ANTHONY WITHEROW
This is one of many events the Math Club hosts at UNI, including monthly meetings Monday, Aug. 24 saw with invited mathematical UNI’s math club host a vari- speakers, hosting the UNI ety of yard games on Lawther Integration Bee, celebrating Field as a way for students to Pi Day, field trips to math-reunwind after the first week lated sites and game nights. of classes and learn about UNI’s Math Club is a stuwhat the math club has to dent organization for mathoffer. The games consisted of ematics majors and lovers. bags, beersby, kubb, frisbee The purpose is to provide and more. UNI students opportunities Proper COVID-19 guide- to learn and pursue mathelines were enforced for this matics outside of class and event, including social dis- gather to celebrate their love tancing and a mask mandate. of mathematics. Campus Life Editor
GABI CUMMINGS/Northern Iowan
College Hill responds to social media criticism of large bar crowds NI STAFF
In a press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, the College Hill Partnership responded to recent backlash on social media regarding large bar crowds. Executive Director Kathryn Sogard commended College Hill’s business owners who “have willingly stepped up to the challenge COVID-19 has brought us.” In the release, the Partnership called for a response from city and state leaders, emphasizing that the College Hill businesses lack the authority to mandate masks or social distancing on a public sidewalk outside their buildings.
“Without leadership from the City, County, or the State on mask mandates and the inability for private businesses to enforce any regulation outside of their four walls, including social distancing on the public property, we find ourselves in the current situation,” the release stated. “Having no mandates leaves these practices up to each visitor who chooses to head to the Hill or any other place.” Currently bars and restaurants in Iowa are allowed to remain open while following social distancing measures. Unlike Des Moines and Iowa City, Cedar Falls has not implemented a mask mandate.
COVID UPDATES
continued from page 1
“We can and will take action to hold students who fail to fulfill our commitment to public safety accountable,” Nook wrote. “We are requesting your cooperation so that punitive actions are not needed.” Nook’s email follows a similar statement by Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen on Aug. 21. University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld has not released such a statement at this time. Contact tracing, isolation and quarantine Finally, the university has begun contact tracing and quarantine for students who have been exposed to others who have tested positive for COVID-19. According to information provided by Annie Karr, Assistant Director of Marketing and Conference Services with the Department of Residence, students who test positive will be required to isolate for 14 days. If they live on-campus, this isolation period will take place in one of UNI’s designated isolation
units, which Karr said are mostly located in Campbell and Noehren Halls. “We do not have any residents living in close proximity of those areas within those halls,” Karr wrote in an email to the Northern Iowan, although she added that students in isolation may be sharing a bathroom with other students in isolation. Meanwhile, any students who have been in contact with a student who tests positive, such as a roommate or, potentially, a classmate, are required to quarantine for 14 days. “Isolation is for those who tested positive and quarantine is for those who came in contact with someone who tested positive,” Karr explained. This was the case for a UNI junior who asked to remain anonymous, who was called by the Student Health Center on Saturday, Aug. 22 and informed that she was in contact with someone who tested positive on Monday, Aug. 17th. Therefore, she needed to quarantine for two weeks past her contact date – until Tuesday, Sept. 1. “I was shocked, a little upset and couldn’t believe how fast this had happened,”
she said. Since she lives in Panther Village, she is able to quarantine in her own room, and since she was only exposed, not tested positive, her roommates do not need to quarantine. However, she cannot leave her individual room without a mask or be in the kitchen with her roommates. She has been keeping up with classwork virtually and said the Dean of Students helped her contact her professors about her absence. However, the situation is “stressful,” she said. “If you think about how you have to isolate too much, you start to get sad (and) feel alone,” she said. “Overall, I am doing well, but I hope that I don’t have to do this again.” Karr confirmed that the DOR plans to allow students to remain on campus if all classes move to a fully online mode of delivery at any point in the semester. When asked if dining center operations and other aspects of campus living would be affected at that point, she stated that the DOR would “evaluate our housing operations based on the circumstances at that time.”
PAGE 6
SPORTS AUGUST 27, 2020 |
FOOTBALL
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
COLIN HORNING Sports Editor
|
VOLUME 116, ISSUE 3
UNI ranked third nationally in pre-season poll COLIN HORNING
Sports Editor
Last spring, the Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS, conducted their poll for the top-25 teams for the 2020-2021 season. Released on Tuesday, August 25, the STATS poll has Northern Iowa as the third-ranked team in the entire country. Defending national champion North Dakota State came in unanimously at first place in the poll, following up a perfect 16-0 season. The Bison are riding an FCS-record 37 game winning streak and have not lost since 2017. Last season’s FCS national runner-up James Madison comes in at number 2 in the poll, returning the top scoring defense in the FCS and third best total defense. The Missouri Valley Football Conference tied the Big Sky Conference for the most ranked teams with five. South Dakota State (5th), Illinois State (9th) and
Southern Illinois (24th) are the other three teams representing the MVFC in the poll. Despite the fall sports season being moved to the spring, the Panthers project to have one of the strongest teams in recent memory returning to the field. Coach Mark Farely led UNI to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs last season after defeating San Diego in the first round and MVFC rival South Dakota State in the second round before falling to eventual national runner-up James Madison in the third round of the playoffs. The Panthers will return one of the top defenses in the entire nation, led by a strong defensive line and linebacking core that stood atop the Missouri Valley Football Conference in multiple categories. They will also return starting quarterback Will McElvain, who received second-team AllMVFC honors after a strong
freshman season. Even though the Panthers are projected as one of the top teams in the nation, the Missouri Valley Conference schedule can prove to be a grueling one. Last season, Northern Iowa played the toughest schedule of any FCS team with over half of their games coming against teams ranked in the top 25. Along with the gauntlet of the MVFC schedule, the conference also has a partnership with the Big Sky Conference to play each other in non-conference games. The Big Sky also consistently has some of the best teams in the FCS, such as Montana, Weber State and Eastern Washington. This extremely tough strength of schedule for UNI will make every game all the more important. With the spring football season schedule looking unpredictable, it’s anyone’s guess as to how things will turn out this coming year.
UNI Athletics
OPINION
NFL preview: Brady in Tampa and other storylines DAVID WARRINGTON
Sports Writer
The 2020 NFL season, like many things this year, will look different than usual. NFL players reported to training camp on Tuesday, July 28, and many steps are being taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For one example, teams will hold training camp at their home facilities instead of offsite facilities, as is the norm. A few other protocols include a 21-day period of non-contact practices, technology to assist with contact tracing and consistent testing. Players and staff will be tested every day for the first two weeks and every other day after that. There are specific plans in place in the event of a positive test. If someone tests positive and is symptomatic, they must quarantine for ten days and must be without symptoms for 72 hours before they are allowed to return to play, and
they also must have a negative test. If someone tests positive and is asymptomatic, one of two things has to happen. They either have to wait ten days and have a negative test, or they must wait five days and have two negative tests before they can return to play. Looking ahead to the on field action, there will be no preseason games this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season will open on Thursday, September 10 as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will host the Houston Texans. Twenty-six teams will play on Sunday, Sept 13, with games starting at noon and continuing throughout the rest of the day. Opening week will wrap up on Monday, Sept 14, with a Monday Night Football double header. The New York Giants will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that game will be followed by the
Denver Broncos hosting the Tennessee Titans. Many see the Kansas City Chiefs as favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions after winning it all a year ago. They will be led by franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes who was resigned this offseason to a record-breaking ten-year, $450 million contract that could be worth up to $503 million if all incentives are met. Another team to keep an eye on is the Baltimore Ravens. In his first season as a full-time starter at quarterback, Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a 14-2 regular season and was voted as the unanimous league MVP a year ago. The Ravens were upset in the divisional round by the Tennessee Titans last year, but still show a lot of potential for a deep run this season. The San Francisco 49ers made it all the way to the Super Bowl a year ago, losing to the Chiefs. With Jimmy Garropolo still under center, Raheem
Mostert and Tevin Coleman still in the back field and many big players returning from a stellar defense a year ago, the 49ers could make a push at a big season. A sleeper team that could potentially make some noise this year is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady will be at the helm of
the Tampa Bay offense this year. He will have several offensive weapons, including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, LeSean McCoy and former Patriot teammate Rob Gronkowski. This offensive firepower on top of a solid offensive line, including rookie from the University of Iowa Tristan Wirfs, and a stellar defense makes Tampa Bay a team to keep an eye on.
Tribune News Service
FUN & GAMES
KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor
AUGUST 27, 2020 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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SUDOKU ONE
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Across
1 Half a poverty-to-wealth metaphor 5 Shows affection, dogstyle 10 Amt. rarely paid by a car buyer 14 Came down 15 Puget Sound, e.g. 16 Elevator name 17 Building emergency exit 19 Takes too much for oneself
20 Natural skill 21 Ark landing site: Abbr. 23 P&L part 25 Injure badly 26 Pay 29 Letters at the end of a proof 32 Fish with a net 35 German gent 36 Stalin-era prisons 38 Green acres 39 Some nest egg components 40 Only monosyllabic
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U.S. state 41 Weighty Brit. references 42 Tease 43 “Ars Poetica” poet 44 Craving 45 Time off 47 From S.F. to Vegas 48 Aquarium cutie 49 Math subj. 51 Palm starch 53 “Spring Symphony” composer 57 Be released 61 West Virginia resource 62 They’re holstered in old Westerns 64 Forget to include 65 Connoisseur 66 Provide the bank blueprints for, say 67 Even civil ones aren’t friendly 68 Bedding component 69 Flu fighters
12 Latvian capital 13 Sibilant “Hey!” 18 First chimp in orbit 22 “Peanuts” word of frustration 24 With 31-Down, hoedown activities, and a hint to the circled letters 26 Pirouette 27 Elevated dwelling 28 “Sit, sit” 30 Sports bureau co-founder Al or Walter 31 See 24-Down 33 Golfer’s “pitching” club 34 Surgical cutter 36 Controversial crop alteration, for short 37 “Golly!” 41 Too tired to go further 43 Big wheel on a ship 46 Gymnast’s jumps 48 Prayer opener 50 Settles 52 Contract negotiator 53 Flat-bottomed garbage Down hauler 1 Finn conveyance 54 Deep sleep 2 Et __: and others 55 Builder who lived to 3 “Atta __!” be 950 4 Heinz Field NFL team 56 Central church part 5 Grocery shoppers’ aids 58 Cartoonist Goldberg 6 Ltd. relative 59 The “E” in DOE: Abbr. 7 Refuse to talk, with “up” 60 Spanish pronoun 8 Didn’t give away 63 Actress Wallace of 9 Iron output “E.T.” 10 Angora goat fabric 11 Severe weather warning
Puzzle answers on page 8
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