The Lumberjack--Oct. 5, 2017

ROAD RAGE SHOOTING PAGE 5

T H E L U M BE R JACK

OCT. 5 , 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

O

ctober is here. The days continue to get shorter, leaves are turning a beautiful warm color, football and hockey are getting started, and we are one-third of the way through the semester, can you believe it?! Pretty soon there will be pink ribbons and posters everywhere.

Sports teams will be wearing pink shoes and gloves as well.

This is because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Most people think of cancer as one single disease, but this is not true. Cancer is an umbrella term for many different diseases such as lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, etc. I know too well what cancer does to someone and their loved ones. My grandfather died of pancreatic cancer, my grandmother died of lung cancer, and my father died of melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. I think, as someone who has had both parents die before I was 30 years old, it isn’t the ones who cancer takes from us that are in pain — it’s the MATTHEW ones they leave behind that have a hard time.

STRISSEL In honor of my father, I would like to pass on some advice about life that he PRINT CHIEF has given me.

First, life is just too short. It’s easy to get angry at people taking a knee during the national anthem — you shouldn’t, but that is another topic all together — or to yell at that inconsiderate driver who cut you off in traffic. Getting angry at the small things doesn’t do anything to help the situation. Instead, use that energy to do something good. Plant a garden, volunteer in the community or learn to play a musical instrument. It will make your life much better.

Next is something that my father always said to me at the end of a bad day. “Tomorrow is another day.” Yes, today really sucked. Maybe you were late for class, bombed a test or, for whatever reason, today was just not your day. But the sun will rise again tomorrow morning. The best thing you can do is learn from the experience of today and move on. There is no better time to make the most of life than right now.

The last thing I would like to pass on is this thought: We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. We should listen twice as much as we speak. If everyone listened to each other more often rather than completely disregarding the people they disagree with, many of our problems would disappear. It is important to try to understand where other people are coming from in order to work together.

Please take this advice to heart. It will help you on your journey both through college and in life.

I’m listening to “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band.

Thank you for reading.

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 105 ISSUE 7

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Editor-in-Chief Megan Troutman

Managing Editor Kari Scott

Copy Chief Emma Helfrich

Faculty Advisor Mary Tolan

Faculty Advisor, Visuals Jennifer Swanson

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Conor Sweetman Asst. News Editor Joey Postiglione

Opinion-Editorial Editor Elizabeth Wendler

Sports Editor Lance Hartzler

Director of Photography Michael Patacsil

Asst. Opinion-Editorial Editor Asst. Sports Editor Director of Illustration Peggy Packer Kade Gilliss Colton Starley

Features Editor Makenna Lepowsky Asst. Features Editor MaryAnn Witt

Culture Editor Katie Sawyer

Web Chief Ariel Cianfarano

Director of Multimedia Christian Walton

Asst. Culture Editor Kaitlyn Sampson

Print Chief Matthew Strissel

Director of Circulation Luis Gardetto

2 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

“This just feels unreal, my heart is broken and I am sending all my prayers to everyone who was injured and the families of those who did not make it out.”

- facebook post of NAU student Bailey Lee, who was in las vegas during the oct. 1 massacre Police stand at the scene of a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas Oct. 2. Multiple victims were transported to hospitals after the shooting at a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.

John Locher | Associated Press

On the cover Police respond to a road-rage shooting in the neighborhood of Railroad Springs Oct. 3. The victim, an NAU student, was shot in the cheek but does not have life-threatening injuries.

Shannon Cowan | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Megan Troutman at mlt273@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat

Compiled by Conor Sweetman

Sept. 25 At 11:13 a.m., a thirdparty alarm company reported a panic alarm at the University Post Office.

NAUPD responded, but no criminal activity was detected.

for possession and use of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 7:26 a.m., a student in the Skyview parking garage called to report a vehicles with a broken window and items possibly stolen.

NAUPD responded to the call. Upon investigation, it was determined that multiple vehicles were broken into. The investigation is ongoing.

At 5:30 p.m., a staff member in the Performing and Fine Arts building called to report a subject loitering in the building. NAUPD contacted the subject, and it was discovered that they were waiting for their spouse.

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At 7:20 p.m., a student called to report two suspicious subjects looking in cars in parking lot 66. NAUPD responded and made contact with the subjects.

Upon investigation, it was At 11:16 a.m., a staff determined the two were member in Mountain View parking services employees.

Hall called to report possible drug activity in the residence Sept. 28 hall. Five NAUPD officers At 3:56 p.m., NAUPD responded to the dorm, and initiated a traffic stop near one student was deferred for the intersection of Knoles and possession of marijuana and University drives. One student drug paraphernalia. was cited for driving on a suspended license, speeding, Sept. 26 no proof of insurance and no At 3:28 a.m., a resident license. The original violation of Hilltop Townhomes called was observed at Knoles and NAUPD to report multiple Runge drives. people yelling outside about drug usage. One NAUPD At 9:09 p.m., an NAUPD officer responded but was officer responded to Tinsley unable to find anybody yelling. Hall to check on students who possibly had drug-related posts At 1:29 p.m., a staff on social media, but no one member in the University was home. Twenty minutes Union called to report later, the officer checked again multiple skateboarders and made contact with the doing tricks. One NAUPD students. No drugs were found. officer made contact with a skateboarder and informed Sept. 29 them of NAU’s policy that At 11:02 p.m., a RA in deters skateboarding in certain McConnell Hall called to areas of campus. report the odor of marijuana in the dorm. NAUPD responded At 9:18 p.m., a student and deferred two subjects. One called and reported a possible for possession of marijuana gunshot in the area of Runke and the other for possession and University drives. NAUPD of marijuana and drug responded and searched the paraphernalia. area. Despite contacting several individuals, nothing criminal Sept. 30 was seen.

At 12:21 a.m., an RA in Mountain View Hall called

Sept. 27 NAUPD to report subjects At 1:51 p.m., staff in the screaming outside the building.

Drury Inn called to report a NAUPD responded to the call subject sleeping by a dumpster. but couldn’t find anyone in The subject was gone by the distress. time NAUPD arrived.

At 12:47 a.m., NAUPD At 5:44 p.m., a student was again called back to worker in the Health and Mountain View Hall for a Learning Center reported possible drug violation. Upon finding a marijuana oil officer arrival, two students “pen.” An NAUPD officer were deferred for underage responded and took the item possession of alcohol. for destruction.

Another student was deferred

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At 11:27 p.m., University Safety Aides reported a subject sleeping on a bench near the Wettaw building.

NAUPD responded to the call and arrested the subject.

The subject was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility for five active warrants, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drugs.

Oct. 1 At 12:18 a.m., staff in Cowden Hall requested a welfare check on a student who wasn’t answering their door. NAUPD responded and entered the room but did not find the student in question.

The student was contacted later in the day and was fine with no thoughts of self harm.

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NEWS

Devos rolls back obama-era title Ix policies Adrian Skabelund and Tiera Oliver

R

ape and sexual assault have long been issues on college campuses across the nation. In an effort to address the problem, former President Barack Obama and his administration directed schools to do more to support and seek justice for victims of sexual assault and sexual violence. Recently, the United States Secretary of Education Betsy Devos, dropped these directions.

Sept. 22, DeVos rolled back the Obama-era instructions saying they burdened and threatened universities and students while not adequately helping victims. Among the recommendations dropped was the “Dear Colleague” letter, which was sent to universities in April 2011. The letter required schools to use a minimum standard of proof when reviewing sexual-assault allegations.

Nationally, the policy change has been largely condemned by women’s groups and anti-sexual-assault organizations, including the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and the National Organization for Women. The changes have also left students and universities, including NAU, in flux.

NAU President Rita Cheng has made no public comment regarding DeVos’ changes, but, according to NAU spokesperson Kim Ott, the university is taking its time to see how and if university policy will be affected.

“NAU will need time to carefully review and analyze the [guidance regarding] Title IX issued by the Department of Education,” said Ott via email.

Title IX was initially signed into law by former President Richard Nixon to create an equality for both men and women in federally funded programs. It then expanded to protect all genders in all aspects of education whether it be in extra-curlicues or the classroom. Any educational program that receives funding or financial aid from the government must abide by the laws created under Title IX. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender.

From a federal standpoint, the policy was created to protect women against “sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence and any other forms of discrimination.”

DeVos defended the changes, saying that, under the previous guidelines, universities were intimidated to ask for assistance from the Department of Education, fearing they could lose funding violating Title IX. She added that previous guidelines also trampled on the due-process rights of the accused.

“Every survivor of sexual misconduct must be taken seriously,” said DeVos during a press conference Sept. 7. “Every student accused of sexual misconduct must know that guilt is not predetermined. These are non-negotiable principles.”

But for many, including Abby Olmstead, a senior anthropology major and the vice president of the NAU Young Democrats club, it is hard enough for victims to come forward, and anything that makes that harder is only counterproductive.

“In the society we live in, victims of sexual assault are frequently asked, ‘What were you wearing?’ or ‘Did you lead them on?’” said Olmstead. “I was shocked that DeVos would go

4 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos shakes hands with Henry Butler, dean of the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, before speaking about proposed changes to Title IX Sept. 7. Jacquelyn Martin | Associated Press

back on something that just helps people. It didn’t really make sense to me.”

She added that the Obama-era recommendations were necessary to help protect women against the threat of rape on campus.

For female college students especially, the dangers can be very real. According to statistics from the RAINN, women aged 18-24 attending college are three times more likely to experience sexual assault, but only an estimated 20 percent of incidents involving college-aged women are even reported.

At NAU there were 43 reported cases of sexual assault on campus according to the 2016 NAUPD Annual Security Report, or the Clery Act. There were no “unfounded” reports of sexual assault or reports that turned out to be false.

Olmstead said she has seen initiatives to address sexual

assault, such as participation in the “It’s On Us” campaign expand, but she said these are not enough.

“I think [the university] is at least addressing the issue, but one week of awareness and facts doesn’t really change anything,” Olmstead said. “This change will only come through a societal level.”

Olmstead added that she had hoped the university would stand up and openly oppose the changes and DeVos’s statements.

As the university waits to see what the recent changes will mean for NAU, Ott said that students should not feel as if the university is not taking these issues seriously.

“The most important message we can share today is that we want to assure our students, faculty and staff that our top priority is, and will continue to be, providing a safe learning, living and working environment,” Ott said.

NEWS

NAU student shot during road-rage incident Joey Postiglione

O

n Oct. 3 on Northwestern Street in the Railroad Springs neighborhood, an unnamed NAU student was shot in a road rage incident, according to the Flagstaff Police Department. The student was treated and did not have lifethreatening injuries, according to FPD officers on the scene.

Roommates of the victim confirmed he was an NAU student and a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. They declined to comment further on the details of the shooting and asked for privacy.

A Facebook post released by FPD said the suspect is a white male, age 70, with gray hair and either a beard or goatee. The man also may be driving a green three-door Toyota Tacoma.

Police are still unsure what caused the argument that led to the shooting.

“All we know is there was some sort of road-rage incident where one driver got mad at the other driver,” said Sgt. T. Bishop.

“We don’t know what it was about. The suspect got out of the car and approached the other vehicle with some kind of pistol or revolver.”

An anonymous eyewitness said the suspect was also waving his gun in the air and pointing it toward the victim’s car.

“We were just driving past and we drove by a black truck and heard some yelling. We noticed an older guy yelling, holding a pistol,” said the eyewitness. “We heard a gunshot, and he was waving the pistol around toward the truck.”

Residents of Railroad Springs neighborhood were shocked by this act of violence committed in their neighborhood.

“Things like this just don’t happen here,” said Sharon Kardela, a Railroad Springs resident. “It is strollers, and people walking dogs and kids riding bikes. I mean, I have gone out at night.”

Some residents believe that a possible cause of the conflict is the growing tensions between the residents of Railroad Springs and the students in Railroad Springs Townhouses — two neighborhoods down the street from each other.

“I think what happened is someone got really mad at someone living down there in the townhouses and chased them in their car,” the anonymous resident said. “It has been a problem waiting to happen, unfortunately, ever since they started building out these townhouses.”

Parking is big point of contention between residents and students, the anonymous resident said.

“There is no parking there [at the townhouses],” the anonymous resident said. “Students are parking up all in our neighborhood. People are getting really angry, they [students] are coming and going at all hours and it’s created some issues.”

The victim was reportedly shot in the cheek by the suspect, police said. It is unknown whether or not the victim was shot while in a car. After being shot, the suspect fled and the victim ran back down the street to his townhouse, calling 911 as blood Top: A firefighter cleans up blood in the parking lot. Bottom: The victim ran from the scene of the shooting toward his home at gushed from his wound.

Neighbors are unaware if the suspect lived in Railroad Railroad Springs Townhouses. The victims roommates watch firefighters clean up the parking lot.

Shannon Cowan | The Lumberjack Springs or not.

OCT. 5, 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017 | THE LUMBERJACK 5

NEWS

Some off-campus apartments lack recycling Eric Hermenitt

A

s NAU continues to push for more recycling programs and promoting its image of a “green campus,” many apartment complexes do not have the same philosophy.

While the city’s plans continue to move forward, many apartment complexes fail to either provide basic recycling services or any other alternatives.

As of Fall 2017, NAU had just under a 10,000 on-campus bed capacity, and NAU has an enrollment of roughly 22,000 students attending the Mountain Campus. With approximately half of undergraduates living off campus in apartment complexes, and that number seemingly increasing every semester, a lack of recycling options could lead to more problems in the Flagstaff community, said sophomore forestry major Parrish Jonen.

“I’m disappointed that Flagstaff communities don’t all offer recycling already,” said Jonen. “NAU pushes recycling and how it is a ‘green campus’ to attract more students when the housing communities can’t support the growing numbers. If complexes decide not to make any attempts at recycling, [we] accept the negative environmental consequences that accompany it.”

According to the City of Flagstaff website, the city has “directives [that promote] sustainable practices in all spheres of life and educating Flagstaff citizens.” These directives do not seem to be the same for many apartment and housing complexes in the city.

In addition to the problem of housing complexes not providing recycling, is the issue of a lack of available options for those who choose to go out of their way to recycle.

“We shouldn’t be limited to no options,” said sophomore forestry major Dillon Swann. “The fact that these services aren’t already commonplace is irresponsible. We are grossly wasting resources during a time when resources are vitally important.”

The Environmental Protection Agency reported that “recycling and composting of municipal solid waste results in greenhouse gas emissions reduction. In 2014, the 89 million tons of municipal solid waste recycled and composted provided an annual reduction of over 181 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, comparable to the annual emissions from over 38 million passenger cars.”

“It’s just basic math,” Jonen said. “When there is more trash, there’s more litter, more garbage going into landfills, larger landfills create more greenhouse gases increasing rate of global climate change.”

Some apartment complexes do offer a few forms of recycling.

Woodcrest Apartments have recently added a new recycling program, and Highland Village Apartments offer recycling, although whether the complexes advertise this service, or if the residents are informed, isn’t specified.

Francisco Negrete, a resident at Woodlands Village apartment complex, said he does not know if his complex has recycling.

“If Woodlands offered recycling or some alternative to it, my roommates and I would take part in it,” said Negrete.

6 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Potentially recyclable material is dumped at Norton Environmental Inc. Sept. 15. Josie Weiland| The Lumberjack

Woodlands Village is one apartment complex that does not offer recycling for its residents.

“We unfortunately throw away bags of potentially recyclable stuff every day. It’s sad to see all of it thrown away, but we aren’t going to haul our trash to campus to recycle it,” Negrete said.

In addition to the lack of recycling at these apartment complexes, Flagstaff charges a minimum of $3.55 for glass to be recycled, which is a service typically included in other cities.

Glass is a product that can be recycled multiple times with virtually no quality loss.

The Glass Packaging Institute reported that “Recycled glass is always part of the recipe for glass, and the more that is used, the greater the decrease in energy used in the furnace. This makes using recycled glass profitable in the long run, lowering costs for glass container manufacturers, and benefiting the environment.”

After seeing how apartment complexes like Woodcrest

and Highlands Village are incorporating recycling into their communities, other apartments are following suit.

Woodlands Village has some requests for recycling programs, and other complexes near campus have also had many requests about recycling services.

At this point, the only alternative for residents of apartment complexes is to take their recycling to one of the several recycle drop-off locations including the NAU campus near Pine Knoll Drive, Coconino Community College on 4th Street or the Continental Little League Field Parking Lot near Walnut Canyon Road. There is also a list of what is and is not recyclable on the City of Flagstaff’s website.

“What’s important is that the Flagstaff community continues to work on their recycling efforts and push for these programs.

Without recycling in these communities, it will be two steps forward, one step back,” Swann said.

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8 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

OPINION-EDITORIAL

The medicinal wonders of weed MEGAN MUELLER

P

uff, puff, pass.

A tightly rolled joint rotates through a group of redeyed teenagers. Smoke circulates over their heads, and the distinct smell of marijuana punctuates the space. R&B music plays, interrupted by decelerated conversation, dopey giggles and quiet coughs. Before they go home to their parents, they’ll spray perfume, chew gum and shake out their sweatshirts in an attempt to purge the smell from their person.

They know the drill. This is a regular activity.

These young individuals are what some might call “stoners.”

They are the perfect picture of what most people imagine when they think about marijuana use. They represent what many parents are concerned about.

They are the stereotypical, grungy kids with backpacks filled with plastic canisters, glass pipes and rolling papers. But this is not marijuana’s full story. NAU student E.R. Reyes tells a much different one.

Reyes suffers from chronic PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, an acute panic disorder, chronic insomnia and a spinal injury resulting in bilateral polyneuropathy, nerve damage resulting in weakness, numbness and/or pain. Reyes endured all this while serving the United States military in the Middle East. His afflictions are incredibly painful, especially when standing or walking.

“It’s like electrical shock while having that pins and needles feeling in your lower extremities … 24 hours a day,” said Reyes. At first, Reyes consumed 21 pills every day to treat his physical and

psychological injuries. The drugs resulted in narcotic dependency with the high associated with marijuana. It is currently and intense side-effects that, “caused me to sit and watch life being used to treat physical and psychological pain, happen,” Reyes said. “It was almost like being a zombie.” and there is significant interest in using CBD to treat Thankfully, Reyes’ story did not end with a life of 21 addiction and childhood epilepsy. pills.

Recent studies suggest certain cannabis extracts may Two years ago, Reyes replaced his pills with be able to kill and reduce cancer cells. Clinical trials are medical marijuana. He described the change in his being conducted to test the use of marijuana as symptom quality of life as a “night and day difference.” His management for HIV/AIDS and for multiple sclerosis. current medical-marijuanna routine consists Despite the medical benefits of marijuana and of Indica Health Oil three times a day, a 50 its extracts, there is intense negativity permeating milligram hybrid edible twice a day and about discussion of the infamous plant. The stigma surrounding half a gram via vaporizer before bed. marijuana labels users as lazy, ditzy druggies. Even in states The first thing Reyes and his family noticed was where both medical and recreational uses are legal, it can keep his ability to rest at night and the significant decline in users out of a job should employers decide to drug test.

PTSD flashbacks. His chronic pain dropped from an This disdain can be incredibly damaging for the reputation eight on his pain scale to a three without the use of those who rely on marijuana as their form of medicine. of narcotics.

Nobody would look down on someone for taking cough “It is not a cure-all,” Reyes said. “[But it] syrup to relieve a cough. And cough syrup, like has given me a quality of life that I had not marijuana, can be abused recreationally. Yet, had for almost 10 years.” the stigma isn’t there.

Medical marijuana has played a major As the U.S. continues to make role in Reyes’ healing process, and he isn’t medical advances, it’s important to Illustration by Beneva Fatt recognize the benefits of cannabis and alone. As of 2016, about 1.3 million U.S. citizens use medical marijuana. Of those the overwhelming positive impact it has people, 89,405 reside right here in Arizona. on the lives of so many people. It’s time Medical marijuana has many reported benefits. Marijuana to, as a country, move past the war on weed. has two main cannabinoids of medical interest: THC and CBD. It’s time to meet Mary Jane, the medicine.

Both can be used to remedy pain caused by chemotherapy, chronic pain and sleep deprivation. CBD, unlike THC, doesn’t come

Are we really an all-inclusive school?

LIA MARTINEZ

A

s a right-handed student, I didn’t notice that there are barely any left-handed desks in a classroom until I made a friend who is left-handed. Looking around my classroom, I could only find two desks. This puts left-handed peers at a serious disadvantage.

According to Daily Infographic, 15 percent of U.S. citizens are left-handed. That doesn’t seem like a lot of students, but, according to the statistic website WorldOMeters, that’s 15 percent out of 325,025,056 citizens.

With such a substantial population, one would think their basic needs would be met. But Handedness Research Institute reported that schools buy between 5 and 20 percent of left-handed desks. This doesn’t mean they are evenly distributed in classrooms.

Some classrooms have no desks that fit the needs of lefthanded students, and some can have too many desks in the room.

While this may not seem like a huge deal, left-handed students actually encounter medical issues from writing on desks that are not made for them. It was also reported by Handedness

10 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Research Institute that because students have to bend their as an academic wrist and twist their bodies to write, there are many cases where establishment, NAU students suffer from back pain, muscle spasms and neck should want to make sure problems. every student is able to In one of my classes, I ended up accidentally sitting reach that potential. in the only left-handed desk available. After class, my It may seem like it hand ached from writing at a weird angle. doesn’t actually affect students, but it can be When I asked my friend why she wasn’t sitting the difference in their grades. It affects their at a left-handed desk, she replied with, “I’m used to the bodies negatively and is something that pain.” Watching the way she had to sit through class made me they have to live with years after their remember the pain I felt writing at an ill-fitting desk. academic lives. It’s something that It didn’t feel right that people have to go we can fix. through this.

I think that there is no need Not to mention the disadvantage the student for a left-handed and right-handed is at during a timed test because of discomfort. desk. I would be easier for all students They can’t write as well as they would be able to if all the desk fit both needs so that on a desk made to fit their needs. no one was at a disadvantage in their They’re not able to write as fast either, academics, a feat NAU is no doubt which poses the question: Is this fair? This doesn’t capable of achieving. allow the student to work to their full potential, and, Illustration by Brendan O’reilly

OPINION-EDITORIAL

POINT COUNTER–POINT DeVos’ Title IX Policies PAIGE ARVIZU

S

ecretary of Education Betsy DeVos gave a speech Sept. 7 about changing sexual assault policies on college campuses. In this speech, DeVos made valid points, which clearly stated how colleges have let down the public with the way they handle sexual misconduct. Her main point was not to give those accused of sexual assault more rights but to change the way we prosecute sexual assault. It’s too easy to ignore sexual misconduct in the school system today.

In college, there are many instances where campus rapes have been hidden because universities wouldn’t dare tarnish their reputation with a word like “rape” and lose their precious donations and funding.

One of DeVos’ many plans to improve this cracked system is to establish a clear understanding of the definition of sexual assault. She said in her speech that a young student was instructed to write down his lab instructor’s name and, unfortunately for him, he had no clue what that was, so he wrote down “Sarah Jackson.” Without knowing he wrote down a model’s name, this action was declared as sexual harassment. The student received a zero on his assignment, and an investigation was launched.

From my viewpoint, being mistaken for a model isn’t the worst thing that could happen and definitely doesn’t have grounds for being considered sexual harassment. I think many women who have worn shorts around campus have experienced worse when being cat-called than being mixed up for a model. This example is exactly why DeVos called for action, because “if everything is harassment, then nothing is.” She is demanding a new, unwavering policy to ensure there are no blurred lines while determining what is or isn’t considered sexual harassment.

DeVos is advocating for the truth, but not giving rapists more rights. She wants there to be a clean and swift path of justice for victims. With the current system in place, justice is anything but fast. People say the structure at least protects survivors, but DeVos says “it doesn’t even do that due to having to retell their traumatizing story over and over in appeals because the system is failing.”

DeVos is demanding a system where each voice is clearly heard so there’s no room for mistakes. There’s usually two people involved in a sexual assault. That’s two voices and two stories that deserve to be heard.

I am not leaning toward giving rapists more of a chance to twist the story, but this is the United States, and we do have rights and a judicial system, which says we are innocent until proven guilty. We shouldn’t live in a country where, as DeVos said, “Whatever your accusers say you are is what people believe you are.” Sadly, there are people who take advantage of the biases toward rape victims.

In some cases, there are people who “cry rape.” So, this is the epidemic we face: True rape victims being accused of “crying rape” because others are too ashamed of their regrets or want to get revenge on someone they feel has slighted them. Not only do real victims face a harder journey toward justice, but people falsely accused of rape face a life of imprisonment without even being behind bars.

DeVos wants to make sure “every student accused of sexual misconduct must know that guilt is not predetermined.” DeVos is not leaning toward a rapist cause but toward a fair court system because “any school that uses a system biased toward finding a student responsible for sexual misconduct also commits discrimination.”

DeVos is for a new system of justice that the public can trust.

ALEX RAND

I

’d really love to go one week without Trump’s administration making hair-pulling headlines, but Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos did it again. DeVos announced Sept. 7 she would be working to make college campuses a safer place for victims of sexual assault by rescinding the very legislation that keeps them safe in the first place.

Title IX is, quite simply, a legislation that prohibits sex discrimination in education. As of the publishing of Barack Obama’s “Dear Colleague” letter in 2011, this also includes protections for those sexually assaulted on a college campus. This letter told the more than 7,000 schools that receive funding from Title IX that, if they wanted to continue to receive that funding, they need to require the smallest amount of proof possible for sexual assault accusations. It also required schools to move sexual assault cases along faster and allow the accuser to appeal not-guilty findings, among other things.

The letter, while not without flaws, was an immense step forward in handling the rampant problem of sexual assault on college campuses. Much in the same vein as Obamacare, however, it had the misfortune of having Obama’s name attached to it. To the Trump administration, this is a massive target.

Sept. 7, DeVos gave a speech about Title IX and the “Dear Colleague” letter, and, to her credit, she seemed to have the right idea for the most part. I have a hard time disagreeing with some of her views, such as, “One rape is one too many, one assault is one too many, one aggressive act of harassment is one too many, one person denied due process is one too many.” That’s the correct way to view something as serious as sexual assault.

I struggle with taking her seriously, though, when she seems to be doing everything in her power to accomplish the opposite of that.

Her reason for rolling back the legislation? She feels that this is a situation where it’s necessary to hear both sides of the story. Listening to both sides of the story is a wonderful tactic to use when your friends are in an argument over a petty misunderstanding or when you’re a historian writing about a conflict between two equally terrible people. Rape is not a situation in which both sides of the story should be heard.

When we live in a world where, according to NPR, “Tens of thousands of rape kits are sitting in police evidence rooms — waiting to be tested,” and some of those kits are decades old, we cannot cry for both sides of the story. When we live in a world where the National Sexual Violence Resource Center has to put out studies explaining how only between 2 and 7 percent of all rape allegations are false, while over 60 percent of rapes don’t get reported at all, we cannot cry for both sides of the story.

If only between 2 percent and 7 percent of all accusations are false, this means up to seven out of every 100 people accused of rape are falsely accused. DeVos says she’s striving for equality, but what she’s really doing is throwing 93 victims under the bus to try to save seven people.

DeVos doesn’t have a plan in place for what to do once these changes are made, meaning there will be downtime where sexual assault survivors on college campuses simply have no government protection. This is an appalling oversight. For DeVos to do this without expecting protests and backlash is absurd.

Students need to keep a close eye on the repealing of these changes to Title IX. Should it ever come to a matter the public has a say in, our voices must shout in defiance of DeVos. Sexual assault victims’ voices are muffled too often, and we must join together to amplify them before they’re silenced altogether.

OCT. 5, 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017 | THE LUMBERJACK 11

FEATURES

Sedona: A vortex for mindful experiences Kayla Rutledge

S

edona is known for its incredible rock features and breathtaking skylines. It can also be recognized as a source for people to connect to their spiritual consciousness. Some areas in particular that people believe hold spiritual significance are the vortexes.

Typically located near an interesting rock formation, a vortex is a place where people have reported feeling powerful forces of energy and connectivity to their spirituality. The vortexes have been described as a funnel shape created by whirling energy.

Sedona has various vortexes which can make it a powerhouse for mental and physical connections. Some say the spiritual character of vortexes allow them to learn about the meaning of existence on a level that interconnects all things in the universe.

There are four vortexes in Sedona, and many locals and tourists travel to Sedona to experience the amount of energy they produce.

“Some people have been reported having vertigo upon arrival,” said Sedona Crystal Vortex manager Allyn MacLeod.

Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness, which can create a feeling of being off balance. This experience may sound coincidental but may also be celestial. MacLeod noted, however, some people who visited the vortexes have attested to having a stronger spiritual connection with themselves, others and the area.

It is said that the vortexes resonate differently with people of varying sensitivity levels. For example, those that are more sensitive may feel a stronger connection to the vortex. Even those that are not as emotionally connected within themselves may still be sensitive to feeling a subtle energy flow while in the vicinity of the vortexes.

In addition to the rock formations themselves, there are other influences in the area that can be noted to enhance one’s spiritual experience, such as the Juniper tree. The trees are a sign of further connectivity.

“Male and female energy of the juniper tree draw out strong energy levels from the [vortexes],” MacLeod said.

MacLeod’s crystal shop is flooded with stones. They hang from the ceiling, are found on displays and are organized in baskets around the store. The crystals engulf the shop with color, and, while every rock represents something or can surface a hidden personality trait, the store is also drenched in spirituality.

The spectrum of significance the stones are said to be able to bring to its beholder range from being able to offer innercalmness, shelter from negativity, compassion, energy, distance from self-doubt and more.

The store is used as a medium to connect those who enter with the spiritual guidance they may want or need from the crystals. Those passing through who have never had a chance to look into their spiritual consciousness may not know where to start. This is where Wes Hatem, an employee at Spiritstone, steps in. Across the street from Sedona Crystal Vortex, a little green sign stands against the side of a store that offers aura photos to those passing by. The process includes taking a photo of the customer,

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Top: Bell Rock is the location of one of several vortexes that hikers can experience when visiting Sedona. Three other main vortexes are located at Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock and Airport Mesa Oct. 1 Shannon Cowan| The Lumberjack Bottom: Spiritstone rock and crystal shop in Sedona sells crystals, like amethyst, which is thought to have healing qualities for physical ailments, emotional issues and chakra balancing Oct. 1. Shannon Swain| The Lumberjack

FEATURES and during this process, a metal pad picks up one’s aura and superimposes a series of colors around the body that represents an electromagnetic field.

Each person’s aura and electromagnetic field surrounds one differently, and the colors are an energetic signature that represent different aspects of one’s consciousness.

Hatem noted that an aura is subject to change depending on one’s state of being, meaning that it can change daily, monthly or yearly.

“What it’s doing is giving you insight. It is helping you understand what is going on inside of you, and it’s a really good progress report to see how you are fairing along your journey,” said Hatem.

Many people have reported leaving Hatem feeling enlightened and pleased with their newfound knowledge. The shop sees a lot of repeat customers due to accurate readings.

“It’s good to understand or at least know what’s going on outside of you. [Aura reading] is a representative type of service so, it represents what is going on inside of you. My personal belief is anything that gets you to understand more and more about yourself inside is a very good step in the right direction. To me, understanding yourself is really where true spirituality goes,” Hatem said.

While the aura readings are especially helpful to those that do not know where to begin learning about spirituality and inner connectivity, Sedona is also home to Aya Sheevaya, who teaches spirituality through yoga as well as sacred geometry. The same energy and shape of the vortexes found in Sedona can also be seen in yoga while aligning one’s chakras.

Yoga, however, was not Sheevaya’s starting point in spirituality.

Twenty years ago, Sheevaya had a vision of a mandala and documented it using a 6-by-6 foot blank canvas. Sheevaya did not know what the mandala meant at this time but was certain that he had created it from a place deep inside and it needed to be birthed into the world.

Sheevaya said that, after bringing one piece to life, a seed was planted and the need to birth another piece was apparent. After creating a plethora of mandalas, a friend asked Sheevaya if he had ever heard of sacred geometry as it would explain a lot of the connectivity he felt to his art. This was the start of Sheevaya’s journey of spiritualism and connectivity to the universe.

Sacred geometry applies symbolic meanings to geometric shape and has been applied to structures such as churches, temples, mosques and altars. Additionally, it has been found in nature through formation of rock structures, mountains and more.

“There are a lot of things in life that can blur our understanding of our purpose. You know, getting a job, making tons of money, more money than we need, having a life that doesn’t fulfill us though we think it does. Not that money and jobs are bad, but a lot of people wake up when they’re old and wonder why they feel so empty,” said Sheevaya.

Sheevaya applied his knowledge from his art, alongside additional research and created an online program that guides students through the process of understanding sacred geometry, its applications and how it helps connect people to all things in life.

Aside from sacred geometry, Sheevaya also brings cognizance to the importance of the human-nature experience. Nature played a significant role in developing his spiritual ideologies and identity.

“Nature was the first teacher. Nature shows us what harmony is and how we fit into the world. Sacred geometry [reinforces] our role on Earth and in the universe,” Sheevaya said.

Sedona has become a hub for personal discovery and growth, and the various shops and community members help visitors explore their spiritual curiosities. Whether one uses crystals, aura readings, sacred geometry or yoga, the various mediums offered in Sedona help people to gain understanding of themselves, their spirituality and their connectivity to the Earth and the universe.

STAR School’s water filtration bus will turn contaminated ground water into purified water that is safe to drink for residents on the Navajo Reservation Sept. 27. Alyssa Tavison | The Lumberjack

Science, service and a STAR school bus Zara Glidden

T

wenty-two miles east of Flagstaff, Dr. Mark Sorensen led the way from his office to an unusual new school bus. Sorensen is involved in a project beyond most people’s imaginations. Within this ordinary-looking, weathered yellow bus is a water filtration unit capable of purifying 500 gallons of water a day. It can filter out everything from salt to the most hazardous contaminants water can contain. Leading the way to the door of the bus, Sorensen was ecstatic to discuss the details of the project. He was more eager, however, to show off the vehicle itself.

Sorensen is the director and co-founder of the STAR (Service to All Relations) charter school, a kindergartenthrough-eighth grade institution with 140 students. The STAR school’s campus is a visually fascinating spectacle.

Aside from a few typical school hallmarks such as basketball hoops, it looks more similar to a research facility than an elementary school.

Surrounded by a wild, high-desert landscape with mountain views, the buildings are decorated with sizeable solar panels, and the campus is dotted with garden projects.

The campus is situated near the edge of the Navajo Reservation, and its student body is almost entirely Native American. Curriculum at the school also has a special focus on Navajo culture, language and values. One of the most

important school values is also sustainability.

Founded in 2001, it was the first charter school in the nation to be entirely solar-powered. It also has its own quality-certified water well. This is not the only “first” the school has accomplished. Sorensen noted that this filter, which is also solar-powered, is one-of-a-kind in its purpose.

When inside, the bus is unique, and Sorensen took his time naming and explaining each of the tanks, tubes and power units occupying the back two-thirds of the bus. “[The bus] was coming to the end of its usable life in picking up kids, but it still was fine for moving around and doing something like this water filtration,” said Sorensen.

“The engineers designed the water filtration unit so that it would fit inside the bus.”

The scientists and engineers behind the project are professionals associated with UA, whom the school obtained a government grant to employ. Two years ago, these same engineers built a solar-powered filter for the community water well across the street from the STAR school, but a moveable version was a new challenge even for them.

“We’ve got a particularly robust system because it’s got to withstand the bumps and jolts of a bus going down a dirt road,” Sorensen said.

What does a grade school with its own quality source of water want with a sophisticated piece of roaming technology like this bus? The answer lies in the institution’s unique and

OCT. 5, 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017 | THE LUMBERJACK 13

FEATURES hands-on approach to teaching and learning. Going hand-in-hand with the school’s emphasis on sustainability, is its prioritization for community service. Service projects are worked into each student’s curriculum requirements, and STAR school hopes to use the bus as a way for students to learn about science while having a real-world impact on their community. “[STAR School has] been our idea from the very beginning that children, native children especially, are going to be more motivated in school if they can see that school has a direct impact on where they live,” Sorensen said.

The bus was transformed from concept to reality within the past year and is Sorensen’s personal conception come to life. He originally thought a mobile filtration unit could benefit protesters at the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota.

“I thought about how cool it would be to take filtration units in a bus up there to filter the water from the river,” Sorensen said. “So, that’s what got me going. We got the engineers going ‘is it possible to put [a water filter] in a bus?’ We heard back from them that they knew they could do it, and the scientists that work on water quality also thought the idea was good.”

After this, Sorensen quickly realized the ways in which a mobile filtration unit could benefit people closer to home. On Arizona reservations, water quality is just one from a number of problems regarding this necessary resource. For people on the Navajo reservation, however, it may be the most important one to consider.

Flagstaff gets water from a number of local wells, springs and reservoirs. The city’s drinking water is monitored according to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The city’s water plants closely monitor and filter out all possible contaminants both organic and inorganic. The water available in this vicinity is of fairly high quality in its raw state, with the only groundwater concern being arsenic. As in other populated parts of Arizona, the amount of water used is a larger concern than contamination, because high-tech water treatment is a normalcy and required by law for the town.

On the Navajo reservation northeast of Flagstaff, water treatment is a different story. As a largely rural area where many people depend on private and community wells, its largest problem has not much to do with quantity but rather quality.

Sorensen said the people have water right in the community, but residents within a 25-mile radius of the school can’t use it. Within this designated area, Sorensen noted that it is a target range that can benefit from the water bus as the groundwater in the area has a different number of contaminants.

The most common of these contaminants is high salinity, which can make the water undrinkable.

Some wells also have dangerous levels of arsenic and naturally-occurring uranium in their water.

For the high-salinity water, this bus could provide an immediate solution. The hope for the bus is that, not only will students learn how to use it, but their involvement could help educate the entire community about the value of purified water. Lamenting that the price of bottled water is often higher than soft drinks, Sorensen notes that taking the bus from well to well throughout the area for demonstrations will help parents and grandparents become aware to the ways their salty, and often toxic, water can be transformed.

“I asked the elders and the adults of the community what causes them not to drink the water that’s available either from their tap or from the local wells,” Sorensen said. “They said, ‘Well, it’s when it looks bad, looks discolored or tastes bad or smells bad.’ Those are relatively simple things to filter out.”

In addition to making people want to drink their own water, the students of the STAR school actively help to make their land’s water safe. The system is actually capable of filtering out uranium.

Current laws and liability issues, however, will keep the bus from interacting with uraniumcontaminated wells for the time being.

“We would like to encourage the governments and the agencies like EPA to work on solving the legislative and liability issues so the technical solution that we are proposing can move forward,” Sorensen said.

This development is expected to occur slowly and one step at a time as the bus has only been at the school for a matter of weeks. Its full potential to implement change will be revealed with time.

Sorensen’s mind is full of ideas and possibilities, beginning with this current school year.

“I’m thinking that for the next Flagstaff science festival, we’ll drive our bus down and blow everybody away because it’s such a unique approach to a really difficult problem,” Sorensen said.

If the school’s hope for the bus come to fruition, it has the potential to become a useful tool for the Southwest. It can also serve as a prototype for other water contamination units to address problems nationwide and beyond. For now, the course this bus will chart remains to be seen.

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Top: Dr. Mark Sorensen, director of STAR School in Leupp, Arizona, explains how the school’s new water-filtration bus will provide clean drinking water for the Navajo Reservation Sept. 27.

Bottom: Pumps on the water-filtration bus at STAR School can purify contaminated ground water into 500 gallons of potable water a day Sept. 27. Alyssa Tavison | The Lumberjack

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CULTURE

Hopi dancers perform the traditional Eagle Dance during the Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival at Heritage Square in Flagstaff Oct. 1. The eagle holds important meaning in the Hopi culture. Hopi dances tell stories significant to the Hopi people and represent some of their key values. Alyssa Tavison | The Lumberjack

A celebration of Hopi heritage Max Becker

T

he pounding of drums could be heard resonating throughout Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff during the weekend of Sept. 30 as a part of the Eighth Annual Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival.

The celebration of Hopi heritage in the square aimed to demonstrate the life, arts and culture of Hopi Native Americans indigenous to northern Arizona. Included in the festivities were vendors selling handcrafted pottery, kilts, toys, artwork and jewelry. There was also a raffle and performances of traditional Hopi songs and dances that have been passed down through the generations.

One of the dances involved the performer donning an outfit adorned with large feathers and recreating an eagle’s movement while in flight, accompanied by the rhythmic beat of large drums and a song sung in the Hopi language.

The performer wore a traditional kilt, painted with the cloud colors yellow, blue, red and white.

These represent the cardinal directions and are often accompanied by drawings of rain drops, clouds and crops.

“Eagles represent the strength in us,” said Michael Campus, a First Mesa native and drummer for the eagle dance. “For us Hopis, it’s a great symbol.”

These types of dances are usually performed at Hopi villages during fall and winter.

“There’s a story about a boy,” said Lance Saufkie, the performer of the eagle dance. “He was really good at hunting, and he was good at growing his crops and herding his cattle and sheep. The other boys were jealous of him. They didn’t want him around the village anymore, and so they tied him up with eagle wings and put a necklace on him, and he ran away. He jumped off a cliff, knowing that he could fly with his wings, and he turned into an eagle.”

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This story still holds importance with the Hopi people today, and the qualities the eagle represents are expressed through this dance.

“Nowadays, they still say they see that eagle flying around the Hopi villages. That’s what our dance is representing, that boy and honoring him. [Eagles] represent strength, honor and discipline.

This is a well-respected bird throughout Native American tribes,” Saufkie said.

In addition to the songs and dances, there were vendors selling their handcrafted goods to those interested.

“I don’t know how I got into art,” said Buddy James, a surveyor and Hopi artist. “One day I just picked up a pencil and started drawing. There were really no artists in my family, but I just developed it as I grew, and it’s something I really enjoy doing.”

James was selling hand-drawn cards, pictures and calendars depicting traditional Hopi images.

“A lot of the common themes of the Hopi you’ll see are corn, rain and animals that are tied to the different clans. Most of it is tied to the prayers for rain and good crops and good corn fields,” James said.

NAU graduate student and early childhood major Genell Pooyouma recognized the importance of these events in tying together her community.

“Being from the Hopi reservation, this is a really big part of us. I feel like it’s bringing people a lot closer to our culture. My dad is a silversmith and makes Hopi shoes as well,” said Pooyouma.

The proceeds from the festival were donated to Hopi Education by the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation, sponsors of the event.

The annual Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival provided Flagstaff with a first-hand look into the life and culture of Hopi Native Americans by celebrating their vibrant art, music and dance in front of a crowd of several hundred attendees.

Top: Upcoming artist Kyle Secakuku proudly displays his artwork at the Eighth Annual Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival in Flagstaff Oct. 1. Libby Cummings | The Lumberjack Bottom: Hopi dancers performing in Heritage Square at the Hopi Arts and Culture Festival Oct. 1 Alyssa Tavison | The Lumberjack

CULTURE

Top Left and Top Right: Fans react to Ghastly’s performance at the Orpheum Sept. 30. Ryan Vanderpool | The Lumberjack Bottom Left: Ghastly, whose real name is David Lee Crow, is a DJ and record producer based in Los Angeles. Ghastly is known for how much he loves his fan base, called his “ghost fam.” After some time working as an artist, he got his big break and found a job as an event promoter and later a resident DJ at the venue Exchange LA in Los Angeles. His upbringing is unusual for an up-and-coming DJ and producer. Ghastly grew up on a goat farm in Buckeye, Arizona.

Bottom Right: During the show fans wave lighters and phone lights to a recently released song titled “We Might Fall” featuring Matthew Koma. Shannon Cowan | The Lumberjack

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CULTURE

Bringing the divine to campus Aliyah Humphrey

T

he Divine Nine is on its way to the NAU Flagstaff campus. With the help of Denise Trimblesmith, the coordinator for fraternity and sorority life on campus, NAU plans to welcome new and more diverse Greek organizations to campus.

The Divine Nine, known as D9, represents the first nine fraternities and sororities founded between 1906 and 1963 catering to African-American men and women. These nine organizations make up the Greek National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) founded May 1930 at Howard University, a historical African American college in Washington, D.C. These include Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, an active chapter on the NAU campus.

The Divine Nine has a rich history of activism and powerful figures in their ranks, including Dr Martin Luther King Jr who rushed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated in 1952 and achieved the Alpha Award of Honor.

“Black Greek letter organizations are here, and we’ve been around since 1906 and want the NAU community to know we are here too,” said Trimblesmith.

Trimblesmith is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho and finds it important to welcome everyone to the D9. “[We give] black and non-black women on this campus an option of sisterhood,” Trimblesmith said. “We want to be a friend, a sister, a brother to anyone. No matter their race, ethnicity or background.”

Trimblesmith shared how Sigma Gamma Rho has taught her what it means to be a woman and how to bestow this knowledge onto other women as well.

“Sigma Gamma Rho has opened doors and opportunities that I would have never been able to have,” Trimblesmith said.

Senior civil engineering major Cayla Washington is another member of Sigma Gamma Rho. “I am a legacy, meaning that my mother was a part of this sorority,” said Washington. “I wanted to have a stronger bond with her, and I wanted to give back to the community, which is what Sigma Gamma Rho is all about.”

Washington said that having D9 at NAU will boost morale in the black community.

“It could potentially keep the black students on campus, because a lot of people do leave NAU within their first year or two,” Washington said. “It’ll bring us closer together. D9 is all about family anyway.”

According to NAU’s student demographic information from Fall 2015, just 3 percent of NAU students identify as black/African American. In other words, fewer than 1,000 students out of the approximately 29,000 attending NAU are black.

Sophomore social work major Imani Thomas is another student who is ready for the presence of Black Greek letter organization on campus.

“I love the idea of having more black sororities and frats on campus,” said Thomas. “I feel as if we don’t have a lot of representation here on campus. All we have right now is the Black Student Union.”

Thomas is hoping to join Zeta Phi Beta given the opportunity on NAU’s campus.

“I feel their values and what they believe in align with mine, being that they believe in community service,” Thomas said. “And that every woman is a finer woman. I love the idea of black sisterhood.”

D9 is associated with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

“Black Greek letter organizations are built to last and built to make an impact in their communities,” Trimblesmith said.

Although NAU already has a black sorority on campus, Sigma Gamma Rho, there are still steps that need to be taken to be able to introduce other Black Greek organizations.

“The university is ready. It is just making sure that the D9 is ready and able to bring their organizations to Flagstaff,” Trimblesmith said.

Because every organization has its own bylaws and regulations, it makes the process difficult.

One issue that Trimblesmith is facing is finding the presence of D9 graduates in Flagstaff, because every undergraduate chapter must be lead or mentored by local Black Greek letter graduates.

Although it is a small number, there is a Black Greek letter presence for graduates in Flagstaff who are willing to help. Chris Paige, assistant professor in practice information systems at the Franke College of Business, is willing to help. Paige is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, a chapter of D9.

“My biological brother, Woody Paige, pledged to the greatest fraternity in the world — Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated in 1983,” said Paige. “I admire him. He is really a mentor in my life.”

One commonality found throughout D9 is the desire to give back and help surrounding communities.

“Seeing Omegas do what they do in the community of San Francisco made me feel that it was something that I wanted to be a part of,” Paige said.

Omega Psi Phi members align themselves to four principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift, something that Paige says he applies to his daily life.

“As we continue to climb as individuals, we must help others to climb also,” Paige said.

Paige states that he is more than willing to help bring the first fraternity Black Greek letter organization to Flagstaff.

“Graduate chapters allow you to continue to fraternize with and mentor the undergraduate chapters,” Paige said. “Black men in a scholastic environment need every opportunity to keep them entrenched in that environment. If someone from a small population feels [they are] by themselves, they will find every reason to not stay in school.”

The representation of black students is necessary to create a diverse campus, and programs like D9 aim to bridge the gap in the community.

“Divine Nine frats are an opportunity for those black men to not only channel their energy in a very positive way but to also link arms or lock up with like-minded men who are trying to make a difference,” Trimblesmith said.

With faculty members Paige and Trimblesmith, NAU is one step closer to becoming home to the rich and historic organizations of the D9.

“If it is good enough for Dr. King, it should be good enough for a Lumberjack on our campus,” Trimblesmith said.

OCT. 5, 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017 | THE LUMBERJACK 19

SPORTS

Politics and sports belong together

F

or a lot of casual fans, sports serve as a temporary escape from life’s nonsense. A brief intermission from everything going on in the outside world. Focusing all of our passion toward a game that is fueled by hometown pride and blinded devotion. So when politics suddenly becomes the focal point before every football game, and articles such as this one are being routinely published, backlash from fans is expected.

This, however, is not a sudden manifestation that has recently taken over the world of sports. Political stances and civil progression have always been present in American sports.

This is evident throughout history with civil rights leaders such as Jackie Robinson breaking through the MLB color barrier in 1947. Or Muhammad Ali’s opposition to the Vietnam War, his stance on social injustice for people of color and vocally campaigning against Islamophobia after 9/11.

More recently, LeBron James has been one of the most KADE GILLISS influential sport icons to voice his opinion. In response to police brutality against black citizens, he wore “I can’t breathe” t-shirts ASST. SPORTS during warm-ups in reference to the death of Eric Garner, who EDITOR suffocated as a result of a chokehold by a police officer. James also personally criticized President Donald Trump after his recent remarks on Twitter toward certain players, referring to the president in a tweet as a “bum.”

What is going on in the NFL is more than a political stance. It is a controversy. A controversy that was born because certain people decided to change the narrative of the protest to fit their personal ideologies.

I want to state that I know by now people have made up their position on this protest. By now, who is really going to change their mind? Mine hasn’t swayed during this time, so why would yours? My goal here is not to push you in a certain direction. I simply want those to understand other outlooks on this issue, and how it got to this point.

Kneeling during the anthem was never about disrespect toward the men and women who courageously serve this country. That’s just what some people wanted it to be about.

It was never about being unpatriotic and feeling hate toward your country, but that’s what they made it about.

It was actually Army Special Forces veteran Nate Boyer who suggested to Colin Kaepernick take a knee as a form of protest, yet people decide to look past that. Dozens of players who are protesting have voiced their respect for those who have and are serving for this country, but that goes ignored by some.

I read a tweet the other day that perfectly illustrated my stance on the national anthem protest: “Thinking NFL players are ‘protesting the flag’ is like thinking Rosa Parks was protesting public transportation,” said Twitter user @jeffisrael25.

Now, even if my viewpoint from this issue differs from yours, I can still understand others’ take on this. I know a lot of people who have family and friends who serve our country and see the protest as people disregarding their service. I can completely respect that argument, because they make sacrifices that I’m not sure I could ever replicate.

That’s not what this protest is about, though. It has never been about that.

This is about athletes, who are viewed by millions on a weekly basis, seeking to make change on the biggest platform they have.

If you are at home watching the anthem protests and feel anger or resentment toward those participating, just know that a lot of those players and communities who associate with the cause have probably been feeling the same way for a long time.

20 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Since his injury Sept. 9, Emmanuel Butler is guiding his teammates from the sideline Sept. 19.

Victoria Kaschl | The Lumberjack

Butler makes his mark after injury Maddy Willett

S end.

ept. 9 was the day the dynamic chemistry between junior quarterback Case Cookus and senior wide receiver Emmanuel Butler on the field came to an

Head coach Jerome Souers announced Sept. 23 that Butler is out for the remainder of the 2017 season.

“As far as healing, it has been a process,” said Butler.

“I have never had an injury like this, so the process of grasping the fact that I can’t be out there is different.”

Butler suffered the season-ending injury against Western Illinois University (WIU) Sept. 9. In the first quarter, Butler collided with a WIU defensive back, leaving most of the stadium silent. Butler was writhing in pain on the field while holding his shoulder. He came back out with his arm in sling.

This announcement leaves the Lumberjacks needing to adjust their offense, given that Butler was a highimpact receiver for the team. Butler is one of a few players

who devoted his entire collegiate career to NAU and has been an impact player his entire time at NAU. In his freshman season, Butler was named NAU Athletics male newcomer of the year in 2014.

The all-American athlete continuously progressed on the field with multiple honorable mentions, two 1,000-yard seasons and shattering NAU football records.

Butler is ranked No. 5 at NAU for career receiving yards with 2,446 and is also No. 2 in touchdowns with 26.

The chemistry between Cookus and Butler is easily seen. Cookus never had a problem getting the ball to Butler, and Butler never had a problem finding the ball.

With Cookus’ go-to receiver out for the season, the depth of the receiver position and versatility of the offense is a big component in making up for the loss of Butler.

Senior wide receiver Elijah Marks has been alongside Butler for all four years of their collegiate careers. Marks also shattered personal records, started in majority of the games and received honorable mentions.

Cookus and Marks just recently perfected their

SPORTS chemistry, and they will need to continue their efforts to fill the void Butler left. After Butler was injured, Marks stepped up becoming Cookus’ main target against California Polytechnic University Sept. 23. Marks had 14 catches for 206 yards with two touchdowns in a 28-10 win.

Freshmen wide receivers Chancellor Brewington and Justis Stokes are developing their skills early in their careers like Marks and Butler did. Brewington began his collegiate career in the season opener against UA Sept. 2.

Brewington so far this season has seven catches for 77 yards with his longest reception being 31 yards. With Butler sidelined, Brewington is making sure he is communicating with Butler.

“He is in my ear a lot, and I am in his ear a lot,” said Brewington. “I am trying to make sure he stays positive. If I am not doing right, he will get me right.”

Stokes is another promising player on the wide receiver depth chart, and he has been getting several reps in practice. Stoke made his collegiate debut against UA. He had one catch for 33 yards.

Another position that creates versatility for the offense is tight end. Junior tight end Jonathan Baldwin has been a key component to the offense since his freshmen year in 2015. This season, Baldwin has six receptions for a total of 108 yards. Alongside Baldwin is new recruit freshman tight end Matthew Kempton.

“The coaches have always stressed being ready for when they decide to put you in,” said Kempton. “I have learned a lot so far from the older guys.”

Kempton has played in three games with five catches for 30 yards.

“Since I can’t be out there physically, I have to step up as a leader and be more vocal,” Butler said. “ I just go out there and tell them what they need to do, and give them little pointers since I have been playing so long.”

Butler remains on the sideline, mentoring the freshmen to help fill the void that he left.

“He is such a big part of the program,” Kempton said. “When you just have him on the sidelines talking and being positive, it is contagious.”

The receiver is currently not on a timeline for recovering from the injury. Butler has had several scouts from the NFL visit. It is unclear what his future holds, but he is still a leader for the Lumberjacks, even though he can’t play.

“We expect all of these guys to contribute a lot this season, and I will too,” Butler said.

Even though Butler won’t be seeing any more time on the field, his impact on the program continues.

Suns shine off the court Lance Hartzler

W

hile the NBA Phoenix Suns are located 147 miles south of NAU and Flagstaff, the team’s presence is still felt by local residents and fans of the Suns.

From Sept. 26 to Sept. 29, the Suns came to Flagstaff for the fifth consecutive year to participate in their annual preseason training camp at Rolle Activity Center. Preparing for the upcoming season wasn’t the only thing the Suns did during their short stay in Flagstaff.

Throughout the week, the Suns participated in community outreach events at Thomas M. Knoles elementary, John Q. Thomas elementary, the Hal Jensen Recreation Center and the Flagstaff Family YMCA. While at the YMCA, in part of the Suns’ 50 at 50 program celebrating their 50th season, the Suns paid for an all new basketball court to be put in and held a court dedication Sept. 27. The court was one of 50 that will be repaired or replaced throughout Arizona.

Tom Leander, Fox Sports Arizona studio host, emceed the event and said there have been numerous courts in Phoenix that were in dire need of improvement. Leander said that one court had holes and divots leading to kids getting injured. The court at the YMCA wasn’t in extremely bad shape, but it still needed a renovation.

NAU President Rita Cheng attended the court dedication at the YMCA and said the Suns allow NAU to go into high schools and talk about the importance of education. She said the partnership enables the two organizations to work together to help Flagstaff and make difference.

“The Suns have a broad reach,” said Cheng.

“They have talented young individuals and they pay attention to their players’ development as well. They encourage their players to get an education and take care of their life.”

The court dedication allowed local kids to participate in a team camp on the brand-new court with Suns organization, including Suns television broadcaster Tom Leander who hosted the event.

As the event went on, Leander kept the kids in attendance entertained and excited as he introduced NAU mascot Louie the Lumberjack and the famous Suns’ Gorilla.

“It’s really great to connect the fans and the people here in Flagstaff with the Suns because

NAU President Rita Cheng accepts a jersey from Phoenix Suns President Jason Rowley before the team scrimmage in Prescott Valley, Sept. 29. Matthew Strissel | The Lumberjack

they’re as into the team and as rabid of fans as you have in Phoenix,” said Leander. “We are still the home team even being down in Phoenix.”

NAU’s education partnership with the Suns has lasted for eight years, and Cheng said the message has been about the importance of education and it allows the Suns players to connect with the community and go beyond the “The organization really wants to do more than that,” Cheng said. “Their players are out in the community, they’re great role models and the young students pay attention. The message needs to be ‘stay in school, work hard and you’ll be successful.’”

The influence of the Suns was seen throughout their time in Flagstaff. While at the court dedication, the kids roared in excitement once the Suns’ Gorilla came running out the

door. Even though no players were at the event, excitement was still in the air.

Suns forward Jared Dudley, a 10-year NBA veteran, said NBA players have specific obligations they need to adhere to considering their status as role models.

“As an NBA player you have an obligation to be a role model, an obligation to invest in the city,” said Dudley. “Because, being a professional athlete, it’s not just about being paid, it’s not just about winning championships, it’s about investing in the community because those are the ones that supply that demand and it’s something when you were a kid you looked up to.”

The Suns have proven that the distance between Phoenix and Flagstaff is no issue, and said the team will continue to find ways to impact northern Arizona.

OCT. 5, 2017 – OCT. 11, 2017 | THE LUMBERJACK 21

SPORTS

Top Left: T.J. Warren dunks the ball during the Suns intra-squad scrimmage at the Prescott Valley Event Center Sept. 29. Top Right: Phoenix Suns players stand together as the national anthem plays.

Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack Bottom Left: Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (right) drives the ball down court against Devin Booker (left) during the team scrimmage Sept. 29 at Prescott Valley Event Center. Bottom Right: The Suns Gorilla flexes his muscles to fire up the crowd. Matthew Strissel | The Lumberjack

22 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

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