T H E L U M BE R JAC K
OCT. 27 - NOV. 2, 2016
fast T I M E S at n au ONLINE AT JACKCENTRAL.ORG
From the Editor
Online at JackCentral.org
T
he fall semester is a great time to be the director of photography for The Lumberjack. The turning leaves, homecoming week and of course, Halloween make for awesome photos. I’m grateful to be involved with the paper during such a lively season (and my favorite time of the year). In the news section, we continue our proposition coverage. This week we focus on Proposition 409 pertaining to the transit tax. Proposition 409 would grant the Summit Fire and Medical District a $3.3 million bond to update their equipment and repair current stations. Also in news, James Coleman, NAU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will be stepping down in December and is a finalist for the job of provost at the University of Arkansas. Coleman has been in the position since August. In features, we have an article about the fence dividing the ArizonaMexico border and its effects on the environment. U.S. Customs and Border Control as well as the Sierra Club have joined in a historic agreement to protect the environment around the border. Also in this issue, you can read about the best places to be outdoors in Flagstaff. Unapologetically order a pumpkin spice latte and go for a walk among the trees. If you have not been to Buffalo Park, take a walk through nature and appreciate the open spaces. HALIE CHAVEZ Online and on the cover this week we have a feature on NAU’s cross DIRECTOR OF country team. The men’s team is currently ranked No. 1 in the country. PHOTOGRAPHY Oct. 21, the men’s team placed first in the Arizona State Invitational, and Paige Gilchrist of the women’s team placed first overall. Midterms are out of the way and that means the holidays are quickly approaching. With Halloween around the corner, I encourage you to participate in the spooky festivities Flagstaff has to offer, whether that’s picking out a pumpkin from a local nursery, going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Orpheum or a costume party downtown. Thank you for reading.
working hard, everyone aiming towards the same “everyonegoal has gotten us to where we are.
”
— Matthew Baxter, distance runner on cross country team
The men’s cross country team is No. 1 in the country. They held tight to their title and winning streak during the Arizona State Invitational Oct. 21, and five out of the six athletes finished in the top ten. On the women’s side, junior Paige Gilchrist finished first place. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be competing in the Big Sky championships in Idaho Oct. 28. Matthew Strissel | The Lumberjack
LJ
T H E LU MBE R JAC K
Editor-in-Chief Grace Fenlason Faculty Advisor Mary Tolan
VOL 103 ISSUE 10
Managing Editor Scott Buffon Faculty Advisor, Visuals Jennifer Swanson
Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313
lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Director of Visuals Cheyanne Mumphrey Sales Manager Marsha Simon
Student Media Center Editorial Board Director of Photography Halie Chavez Senior Photographer Andrew Holt Frazier Director of Illustration Alanna Secrest Copy Chief Rachel Dexter Copy Assistant Kaitlyn Munsil
News Editor Sunday Miller Asst. News Editor Conor Sweetman
Asst. Features Editor Ariel Cianfarano Culture Editor Taylor Haynes
Asst. Opinion Editor Emma Helfrich Social Media Director Allysia Lara
Sports Editor Matthew Kiewiet
Asst. Culture Editor Kari Scott
Multimedia Editor Keely Damara
Features Editor Megan Troutman
Opinion Editor Jacqueline Castillo
Print Design Chief Matthew Kiewiet
2 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN T R AL .ORG
On the cover NAU’s cross country team competes in the Arizona State Invitational Oct. 21 at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix. The men’s team won first place, and the women’s team placed third. Matthew Strissel | The Lumberjack
Corrections & Clarifications In our Oct. 13 issue, The Lumberjack misidentified Sara Lenhoff in a story about the swim and dive team’s season outlook. The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email gracefenlason@nau.edu.
PoliceBeat Oct. 17 At 10:18 a.m., staff reported finding stickers on the Babbitt Academic Annex and Liberal Arts building. An NAUPD officer responded but all leads were exhausted and the case was closed. At 2:16 p.m., a student reported an open vehicle door near the Communication building. An NAUPD officer responded and closed the vehicle door. Everything was fine. At 5:18 p.m., a student requested information for a class project from NAUPD. An NAUPD officer was able to provide the information. At 5:41 p.m., a student controlling traffic near San Francisco and Franklin streets was not responding to their radio. An NAUPD officer responded to the intersection and found the radio inadvertently turned off. Oct. 18 At 2:14 a.m., a student in Gabaldon Hall reported their roommate was missing. The roommate was later located and found to be in good health. At 3:15 p.m., a subject at Prochnow Auditorium reported someone spat in another person’s face. NAUPD responded, but the victim did not want to press charges. At 6:07 p.m., staff in the South Village Apartments reported the smell of marijuana. Four NAUPD officers responded to the call. One student was charged for possession of concentrated cannabis known as wax, a non-student and one student were cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia.
At 6:18 p.m., staff in McConnell Hall reported an unknown subject trying to enter a women’s restroom. Three NAUPD officers responded but the subject was gone upon arrival.
COMPILED BY MAKAYLA CLARK
officers responded to the call. The false alarm was caused by a malfunctioning curling iron.
Oct. 21 At 9:04 a.m., staff at Gabaldon Hall reported the Oct. 19 side of the building had been At 10:59 p.m., staff in spray painted at an unknown the Liberal Arts building time. The case was closed; all reported the odor of gas in leads were exhausted. the building. NAUPD and FFD responded. No evidence At 9:36 a.m., staff at of a gas leak was detected. McConnell Hall reported Everything was fine. an exit sign had been damaged. The sign was found At 2:07 p.m., staff at the undamaged and staff returned HLC reported damage to a it to its rightful place. bathroom stall. One NAUPD officer responded; all leads Oct. 22 were exhausted and the case At 7:35 a.m., students was closed. reported 16 vehicles had tires slashed the day At 5:17 p.m., staff at prior in Parking Lot 32B. Pine Ridge Village reported NAUPD responded and the a subject looking through investigation is ongoing. windows. The subject was warned about trespassing. At 12:19 p.m., a student was seen carrying a sign At 5:44 p.m., staff into Gabaldon Hall. An in Cline Library reported investigation was opened and a suicidal subject there. is ongoing. Three NAUPD officers responded to the call. The At 10:09 p.m., staff in student was booked into Lot 64 reported a staff vehicle Coconino County Jail and backing into a parked car. was charged with aggravated NAUPD responded, but no assault on a law enforcement report was taken. officer, criminal damage and disrupting an educational At 10:56 p.m., NAUPD institution. reported a fire in a trashcan at the west end of Lot 64. FFD Oct. 20 and NAPUD responded and At 6:08 a.m., custodial the fire was put out. There staff in Sechrist Hall reported was no exposure to vehicles a subject sleeping in the or structures. lobby. Two NAUPD officers responded. The non-student Oct. 23 was not in distress and was At 12:01 a.m., staff in warned of trespassing. Reilly Hall reported a subject wearing a costume, carrying a At 10:54 a.m., staff at stick and banging on doors. the Performing and Fine Arts NAUPD responded but the building requested a standby subject was gone upon arrival. to keep the peace. NAUPD provided assistance and At 5:55 p.m., a student everything was fine. in Lot 31 reported a message written on their car. NAUPD At 11:05 p.m., an alarm responded and the erasable went off in Calderon Learning marker was wiped off. Community. Two NAUPD
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NEWS
Proposition 409 would give $3.3 million bond to Summit Fire
S
CONOR SWEETMAN
tation 33 of the Summit Fire and Medical District, tucked away about a mile west off of Highway 89, is the busiest station in the district and helps to cover approximately 90 square miles with fire- and medical-related emergency calls. Summit has five stations stretching from Fort Valley to just south of Sunset Crater, but currently only four are in operation. Proposition 409 aims to grant the Summit District a $3.3 million bond to pay off the station’s debts. The bond will also help update their current equipment, as well as improve and repair the existing stations. “These rigs are all at least 10 years old,” said Captain B.J. Fisk. “The service life of a truck is only supposed to be 10 years.” Summit’s vehicles are all from the early 2000s or before. Station 33 has a 1979 water tanker that is their “last out” vehicle because of its age. They keep the tanker around because a fire station which has the capacity to bring that much water to a call helps to lower resident’s insurance rates. “It’s about a 3,500 gallon tanker, and its not really road-worthy anymore, but if we need it, we send it out,” said Battalion Chief Mike Bohen. Of the calls Station 33 receives, 83 percent are medical-related, which makes the station the busiest in the district. In addition to providing coverage for their district of approximately 90 square miles, they also have to cover a lot of “no-man’s land.” Station 33 is the only station between their location and Winslow, Ariz. They regularly respond to out of district calls because they are the closest. Bohen says the biggest problem at all the stations is the lack of air-filtration systems in the garages. “Every time you start up the trucks, they kick out a lot of exhaust, and we do that up to eight times a day, and when we leave on a call, we have to shut the bay doors and the exhaust just sits and lingers,” Bohen said. Station 32, just off Highway 89, is the farthest behind the National Fire Protection Association’s safety guidelines for fire houses. This station only has one set of doors for the truck bays and the truck must be backed into the spots. The lack of a drive-through bay compounds the problem. The exhaust has climbed upstairs and into the living quarters where the firefighters eat, sleep and spend time when not on a call. One firefighter pointed out a window that had to be sealed because fumes were leaking in. These fumes caused the firefighters who were sleeping inside to get headaches. There is also soot in the rafters and the walls of the bay where the trucks are parked. To solve this problem, firefighters with Summit hope the bond is passed so the exhaust removal can be purchased. The exhaust removal system works by attaching a hose to the tailpipes of the trucks and venting the fumes through ductwork to release them outside the firehouse. Chris Gioia, an administrative worker in Station 33, said the cost would be at least six figures for each ventilation system. All four operation stations in the Summit district need a fume removal system. In addition to the ventilation problem, Station 32 is using a firetruck from 1993 which has over 200,000 miles on it as their first out vehicle. To make matters worse, the foundation beneath their community room is starting to sink. The exhaust removal system will be paid for by a bond that is put on the ballot by the city and can be approved by voters this November.
While taxpayers in Summit’s district is capable of providing a bond of $6 million, they are only asking for $3.3 million. According to an informational sheet about the bond put out by Summit Fire and Medical, it would cost “about $0.25 cents per $1000 of secondary assessed valuation or about $2.08 per month on a home valued at $100,000.” An assessed value is the dollar value assigned to a property for to measure applicable taxes. Assessed valuation determines the value of a residence for tax purposes and takes comparable home sales and inspections into consideration. According to campaign finance information on the Coconino County website, there is only one registered group campaigning for proposition 409. The ‘Vote Yes for Prop. 409’ group only has two financial contributions, both made from Phoenix construction companies. Core Construction and Amrer Steel Fabrication have both made contributions to the campaign totaling $3,000. Core is responsible for $2,500 of the contributions. All the money reported in the post-primary report Aug. 19 has gone to promotional materials, including handouts from OfficeMax, steel rebar from Home Depot for signs, shirts from Customink and campaign buttons from Graphicsland Inc. These purchases total $1,242.17, leaving $1,757.83 remaining in the campaign account. When asked about the campaign for the proposition, Chief Gaillard said he “didn’t know much” about the campaign and couldn’t be involved because it would be a conflict of interest. The next filing period is not until after the general election Nov. 8. The bond, which is a loan made to the fire district, will go first to paying off the $2.7 million in remaining debt before going to updating and replacing equipment in the fire station’s across the district. One resident, who attended the recent Summit Fire board meeting, was outspoken against the proposed bond. “This district has been mismanaged for years and this bond will perpetuate the mismanagement,” said local citizen Bruce Johnson. Johnson cited the refinancing of Summit’s debt as one of the “many reasons” he thought the district was “mismanaged.” He also claimed the public information request form for Summit Fire and Medical is “obscene.” The Summit form has the same requirements as the state form, except it includes an extended section for medical records. He did not elaborate on other reasons. The board did not respond to his claims during the meeting about the refinancing of the debt, but the Chief of Summit and Flagstaff Fire Departments said the records request form was within legal boundaries. This is the first time Summit has asked citizens for a bond. According to the informational sheet, if the proposition fails, “[Summit Fire] district will have to rely on limited funding to pay off the obligations and indebtedness.” It goes on to say that all additional projects (exhaust removal and new fire trucks) won’t be funded until after 2026. Additionally, Summit Fire and Medical District could be forced to close another station and reduce their staff if this bond measure fails. “[A station closing] will significantly increase the response time and effectiveness of Summit,” said Mark Gaillard, Chief of Flagstaff Fire Department and Summit Fire Department.
4 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN T R AL .ORG
A YES vote will approve the $3.3 million bond measure. A NO vote will deny the measure.
TOP: Firefighters engage in live fire training in a long trailer rigged with flames August 2009. A firefighter descends the staircase of the trailer to the ground floor. Mike Thompson | The Lumberjack
BOTTOM: Summit Fire Department assists Guardian Air with a critical patient on I-40 near the Winona overpass June 2015.
Courtesy of Summit Fire and Medical Department.
NEWS
Former NAU employee indicted for embezzlement and theft
F
CONOR SWEETMAN
ormer NAU postal services manager Edwin Talley allegedly embezzled $354,902 of university funds by orchestrating two fictitious companies from 1997 to 2013. Talley worked at NAU for more than 36 years. Embezzlement is when someone steals or misuses funds that belong to someone else, usually someone’s employer. The Office of the Auditor General released a report Oct. 24, which outlined Talley’s misconduct over the last 15 years. Starting in 1997, Talley created a fictitious business called Flag Mailing Products and wrote checks from NAU to this company for postal supplies “the university never requested or received,” according to the report. “[Tally] took advantage of former university officials poor oversight of his activities,” according to the report. Talley issued 245 checks and 12 purchasing card payments to two fictitious companies that he created. He issued the checks to a credit union account and then he transferred the money to his personal accounts. At least 179 of the 245 checks were sent to his personal residence or a mailbox he rented from a retail postal store. “NAU is satisfied with the report,” said Kim Ott, assistant to the president for executive communication and
media relations, via email. According to the report issued by Debra Davenport, auditor general, every invoice Talley filed had at least one anomaly. “These invoices included certain anomalies university employees should have noticed and investigated,” according to the report. ”Invoices often had math and spelling errors, were missing amounts and dates and were missing invoice numbers or had invoice numbers that were contrived from the date.” In addition to the anomalies with the invoices, the fake vendors Talley setup lacked any web presence, physical address and for Omega Supplies, a phone number that was the same as his legitimate private business, Tally Security. His company, which was managed by himself, was an online store that sold security devices like tasers, mace, security systems and cameras. The check invoices were issued one to three times a month and ranged from $444 to $2472. Talley did this for 15 years until July 2012 when NAU changed accounting software and required new W-9 tax forms. Talley stopped submitting checks from Flag Mailing Products and started to use a purchasing card to make fraudulent charges to Omega Supplies, another fictitious
company he created. He only submitted eight of the 12 invoices for the charges he put on the purchasing card. Talley tried to cover his tracks but his invoices had many of the same anomalies that Flag Mailing Products invoices did. “As stated in the report, NAU discovered the theft through the implementation of new accounting software and other safeguards and reported it to NAU police and to the auditor general,” said Ott. “We also took the additional step of asking the AG’s office to conduct the investigation.” He failed to alter bank software and NAU staff were able to find all $12,387 of Talley’s charges after a university wide review of purchasing card charges. Talley was fired from NAU in January 2013. The report also found former university officials “failed to safeguard and control university monies.” The Office of the Auditor General turned the case over to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office. On Oct. 20, the attorney’s office presented evidence to the grand jury who indicted Tally on six felony counts related to theft, misuse of public monies, fraudulent schemes and money laundering. “NAU will review the Auditor General’s report and consider their recommendations,” Ott said.
NAU provost in the running for position at University of Arkansas
N
SCOTT SANDON
AU’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, James Coleman, is one of three finalists for provost at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. Coleman, who started as NAU provost in Aug. 2015, will be stepping down from his position Dec. 31, as a result of a mutual agreement between President Rita Cheng and Coleman. He will be succeeded by Daniel Kain, NAU’s current Vice Provost for Academic Personnel. Oct. 21, Coleman spoke at the University of Arkansas in front of faculty and the public. In his interview presentation, he explained the decision to leave the NAU provost office. “It’s simply a matter of compatibility and fit,” said Coleman. During the speech, which was videotaped and is available on the University of Arkansas website, Coleman used a football analogy to communicate to the audience that he and Cheng had two different visions on moving the university forward. The appointment of Kain as provost has brought up concerns among some faculty, specifically about shared governance. Cheng did not follow the search procedures typical of a provost appointment which takes many months. Cheng consulted the Academic Chairs Council, whose purpose is to advise university policymakers on issues relevant to NAU. She also consulted the Faculty Senate and the Arizona Board of Regents, but ultimately the appointment came down to her final decision. “NAU has a great tradition of faculty governance, in other words, faculty participating in the shared interests that govern teaching and student learning,” said Gioia Woods, associate
professor of public humanities. “The search process is one of the primary ways that faculty can be engaged in governance.” Coleman declined to comment and his office referred The Lumberjack to the president’s office. Kimberly Ott, assistant to the president for executive communication and media relations, commented on behalf of the president. “The president and James Coleman agreed that this was best for the university,” said Ott. She added that Coleman applying for a provost position at University of Arkansas did not contribute to his resignation. At her fall campus forum Cheng addressed the resignation of Coleman and the appointment of Kain. “[James Coleman] and I had a mutual agreement that he would be leaving on the provost position in December,” said Cheng. “I felt there was some urgency in bringing some stability to [the provost position] in order for us to attract deans to this campus,” Cheng said while defending her decision to forego a search process in choosing a new provost. George Gumerman, director of the University Honors Program, was supportive of the appointment of Kain, and addressed faculty concerns over shared governance. “We really respect [Kain’s] knowledge. He cares for the faculty and for faculty governance,” said Gumerman. “There is concern about that [appointment] process, but [Cheng] is the leader of this university.” Coleman will still have a tenure position at NAU if he is not offered the position at the University of Arkansas or elsewhere.
6 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN T R AL .ORG
James Coleman sits at his desk Sept. 23, 2015. Coleman started as provost at NAU August 2015 and will step down in December. Kyle Baarde | The Lumberjack
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8 T HE LUMBER JACK | JACKCEN T R AL .ORG
EDI TOR IAL & OPINION
Dear Flagstaff, it’s time to get “woke” ELIZABETH WENDLER
W
hether you are hard left, hard right or somewhere in between, chances are, you have heard that Flagstaff is remarkably progressive and liberal. Personally, I felt good about moving to Flagstaff for just that reason. And I was so glad to finally be moving some place where I was more than a person of color, more than a woman and still accepted as both. I grew up in Phoenix, Ariz., and people have often speculated on my race. “What are you?” became among the first questions asked when I met new people. My response tended to disappoint or confuse them. I grew to loathe my brown skin and distinct Chicana features, and I quickly learned to be grateful that my black heritage does not show, for reasons made obvious the more I continue to grow and learn. I came to Flagstaff as a transfer student with hope in my heart. I met both my roommates on the same day — they were thin, fair and beautiful. I was (in my mind and by most United States standards of beauty) fat, brown and exotic in comparison. But they were kind to me — welcoming even. I began to feel that hope swell. Then, the matter of my race came up. It was not a question, however (as it had been for so long), but rather a presumption. They were convinced without a doubt that I was Mexican. When I denied
this, I was then interrogated about my family tree. My roommate’s boyfriend, in particular, insisted I must be from Mexico in some capacity. He then said I should “Go back to Mexico” — jokingly, I was told, of course. In the city of Flagstaff, where it seems mostly everyone is liberal, my race is only put into question when someone cannot figure me out right away. I can see their eyes examine each feature diligently, trying to pinpoint what weird part of the world I came from. The answer that I am multiracial does not often satisfy. In Flagstaff alone, I have been lectured multiple times about why all lives matter. I have had Spanish phrases thrown in my face by white folks who think it is funny, for some odd reason, to mock the language. Any time I tell someone I am from Phoenix, the follow up question is: north or south? Rich or poor? Good or bad? These occurrences may not seem troublesome to most, including other people of color who may not share my particular world view. But, for me, they are a constant reminder that I am odd, out of the ordinary, an outsider in my own home. It is a reminder that I will always be treated differently than my white peers, for better or for much, much worse. Perhaps the worst part is when my honesty is put into question when I assert that I am not Mexican. It
is as if the color of my skin is more credible than the words coming out of my mouth. And yet, when I express fears of deportation or violence at the hands of anti-immigration supporters, my concerns are quickly dismissed. I am assured there’s no way it will happen to me — that I should just show them my papers. The fact that I am required to do more to prove my citizenship as a multi-generational United States citizen as opposed towhite peers is quite telling, don’t you think? By this logic, I can only gather that it is perfectly okay for my friends in Flagstaff to presume that I am Mexican, insist that I am Mexican and make claims about my personhood and culture on account of me being Mexican — yet, it is not reasonable for me to fear those attitudes. My fear is real and it is legitimate, right here in Flagstaff. The minorities who reside here are not immune to violence, microaggressions and stereotyping. Women are not immune to catcalling, domestic violence or sexual assault here. The people of Flagstaff are not immune to prejudice or ignorance. No one is immune. No one is without prejudice or bias. Not even me. Even Sen. Hillary Clinton said during the first debate that everyone has “implicit bias.” “Too many of us in our great country jump to conclusions about each other.” Clinton said.
Now, I do not mean to imply that Flagstaff is a terrible place or that it is not liberal. I simply wish for Flagstaff citizens to understand they are not the pinnacle of liberal policies and attitudes they seem to think they are. Flagstaff is not done working towards a better world just because it is more liberal than, say, Texas. There is work that must be done. For there cannot be progress if we fail to understand we are still flawed. It is through the admittance of such things that we learn empathy, compassion and sympathy. It is through the acknowledgement of the privilege and oppression we all bear, that we learn to change our ways.
Illustration by Kali SwitchTenberg
Hybrid class attendance is a thing of the past CHRISTIAN KELLER
I
t’s almost becoming unnecessary to buy notebooks for your college classes nowadays. Colleges all over the nation are making their courses more accessible online. Whether it’s a good thing or not depends on the student’s preference. On one hand, a person may like handwriting their notes because with less distractions, there are the added memory benefits to writing your notes. On the other hand, someone else may realize it’s almost impossible to keep up with the professor when handwriting notes, so they type them instead. One thing about this new wave of blended classes, at least here at NAU, is that it doesn’t make sense when some professors make attendance mandatory for their class even though half of it is online to begin with. There are several ways to look at this nonsensical rule. One perspective is looking at how often college classrooms can fail to enhance your learning experience. If there are 40-plus people in a class with one professor, how often do you think each of the students will get in-class assistance from
that professor? And in case anyone is wondering, office hours are not the same. The environment is different in an office than in a classroom. Most of the time, you can look into any college classroom and see half the students texting or doing other things on their laptops. This just proves a fair amount of college students aren’t getting what they need to out of being in a classroom. It often makes them more unmotivated in the course than if they were to not go to any of the lectures. The format of some of these blended classes is just another reason why attendance shouldn’t be mandatory. In one of my classes, the entire hour and 10 minutes is spent with the professor just talking at us in front of maybe one or two notso-helpful powerpoint slides. There is hardly ever any student-teacher interaction and I never get anything out of it. But, unfortunately, attendance is still required. This is by far the most ineffective way to teach a class. If the notes we need for the class are all accessible online anyway, why should we be forced to go to a lecture where all the professor does is echo what you’ve already taken notes on? In the class I’m referencing, not a
single thing has been done in terms of actual work. Everything from homework to quizzes are done online, which further eliminates the need for these lectures. Every professor in some way, shape or form, tells you at the beginning of the semester they will try and be as interactive with you as possible. More often than not, office hours are the only outlet provided as a time to ask questions. There are only a select few professors who actually make the class more interactive and hands-on. This is why a good way to avoid a bad classroom experience is to target classes with smaller numbers of students and to adjust the mandatory attendance policy. This might be tough during your first few years when you have to get your general eds out of the way, but the small classes tend to be more interactive and hands-on anyway. This makes your chances of actually getting something out of the class, and maybe even liking it, far better. Unless they are covering new material, blended-learning professors should make coming to their lectures a choice. This is simply because students, and people in general, don’t want to do
something when it is forced, regardless of what it is. I simply don’t want to go because it turns into an obligation, which causes me to look at it in a negative way. If the lectures were made optional, the students that actually came willfully would be more inclined to pay attention. It shows they want to learn and will actually be coherent during the whole lecture.
Illustration by Katie Dobrydney
OCT. 27 - NOV. 2, 2016 | T HE LUMBER JACK 9
EDI TOR IAL & OPINION
Halloween is the night of new personas SHERIDAN HATCH
A
ll Hallow’s Eve is nigh, and with it a night of sugar and costumed revelry. But what is not often considered amid this holiday is how costumes may impact the wearer. How people dress can alter their view of themselves, along with their psychological state in general. While this can be appealing, it can also be hazardous combined with social situations and location. “Putting on formal clothes makes us feel powerful, and that changes the basic way we see the world,” said Abraham Rutchick, California State University psychology professor. This is visible in superhero cosplayers’ common claim they feel empowered while costumed. This can be great for those such as the shy introverts who are seeking a confidence boost, or a way to deal with uncomfortable situations. However, this altered perception can also be hazardous. Being uncomfortable in a situation can be a sign to get out, but it may be ignored in light of feeling empowered by a costume. The perceived increase in capability may also lead to injury. Multiple Halloween hospital cases have been due to costumed individuals emulating risky behaviors. The belief that the wearer is more capable combats their common sense of what is safe. Yet, there is a discernible increase in ability based on the
clothing people wear. In a study of the impact of wearing a doctor’s lab coat, the group participating tested best for improved attention. While costume wearers do not become Superman, it’s not infeasible for them to take on some of his traits. Admittedly, taking on new traits is part of the appeal of Halloween. “It is relatively easy to shrug off your core self-identities and try on new, exciting, and starkly different identities online. But such a thing is very difficult to pull off in real life. In fact, Halloween offers one of the few sanctioned and widely available opportunities to try out a new identity for a short while and see how it feels,” said Rice University professor Utpal M. Dholakia. Changes in worldview and personality are a result of this. But how far does an article of clothing influence us? Can it encourage behaviors? It can to some extent. An experiment in 1976 at Western Illinois University revealed students were more comfortable violating social norms if masked. Masked students did not have to worry about accountability to their peers’ perception of them, nor the discontinuity between their actions and their self-perception. In the context of college Halloween costumes, students who dress up are also more likely to experiment with drugs
and alcohol. For some, this is part of taking on a new identity, but can also work in conjunction with risk-taking tendencies inherited from a costume. Monday evening, party goers may not be entirely themselves. This is normal and part of the identity exploration Halloween invites. But it can sometimes go too far, sometimes to the loss of the costume wearer. Students need to be wary of who they think they are, or should be, when they wear a costume. Halloween can be loads of fun, but it never hurts to be cautious. Can Halloween revelers trust themselves with that persona in light of where they’re going and who they’ll be with?
Illustration by Alanna Secrest
#RepealThe19th has Clinton supporters outraged ALEX RAND
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ecause this election hasn’t been ridiculous enough, Donald Trump supporters are flocking to Twitter to call for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. #RepealThe19th was trending on Twitter last week, following fivethirtyeight.com’s revelation that if only men vote, Trump would win the presidential election by a landslide. If only women vote, the reverse would happen — Hillary Clinton would win by an even larger margin. There’s nothing more telling about each candidate than their supporters’ reactions to this news. One candidate has multiple allegations of sexual assault against him, and his following is misogynistic enough to want women’s right to vote repealed entirely just to secure a win. That isn’t a coincidence. Trump can say he loves women all he wants, but when he draws support from the kind of people that would tweet #RepealThe19th, it’s obvious what he represents. Stomach-turning doesn’t even begin to describe the contents of the hashtag. It’s thankfully mostly populated by tweets calling it out for what it is — a disgusting look at the true feelings of Trump supporters. However, there is the occasional tweet that genuinely supports the hashtag, and they’re more infuriating then the earlier tweets.
“Give out nice enough handbags and most broads would gladly trade their voting rights for one. #repealthe19th,” said Twitter user Michael Maier. “I’ve been saying this for years now, but finally #Repealthe19th is catching on,” tweeted Garrett Steel, another Trump supporter. On the other hand, there was no notable, initial reaction from Clinton supporters regarding this news. There was no outcry for a new constitutional amendment giving only women the right to vote. Her supporters only fought back against #RepealThe19th, pointing out the misogyny in the tweets. Meanwhile, Clinton’s supporters are more critical about all of this. Angus Johnston tweeted, “Something particularly chilling about #RepealThe19th trending as women come forward to say they were sexually abused by a powerful man.” Johnston also notes in later tweets he came under fire for tweeting this, with many Trump supporters telling him to delete the tweet because the hashtag is meant to be taken as a joke. At this point, I’m done hearing the excuse that it was a joke. I hear it too often from Trump himself, who’s used that excuse for nearly every awful comment he’s made so far. Someone always takes every joke just a little too seriously, and something that began as “just a joke” can gain a serious
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support. It has been 96 years since women were given the right to vote, 96 years after the 19th amendment was passed and I’m staring at a wall of people in complete support of repealing it so they can get their way. Even if this is a joke, it’s ridiculous it has gained so much traction. The hashtag needs to die, and everyone who supported it needs to examine why they think their joke was so funny. It’s deplorable this is happening at all — or, to put it in terms Trump would understand, it’s hugely wrong.
Illustration by Alanna Secrest
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AT THE BORDER TWO UNLIKELY GROUPS COME TOGETHER TO PRESERVE BORDERLANDS ENVIRONMENT
HANNAH COOK AND MORGAN LOUVIER
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izards, snakes and other small creatures can travel for hours looking for a hole just wide enough they can squeeze through the Arizona-Mexico border fence. Birds have been found entangled in the fence’s mesh. Migration patterns have been disrupted. “We have a video of this snake just hitting its head up against that wall trying to get through,” said Dan Millis, program coordinator for the Sierra Club Borderlands, Grand Canyon Chapter. “[The border fence] creates an enormous impediment for the movement of wildlife. It also creates a huge impediment for the movement of water.” Finally, though, after years of intense clashes between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Sierra Club over borderlands disagreements, the two sides have joined forces to protect the environment surrounding Arizona’s border. This collaboration was announced Sept. 10 during their first joint public appearance. Though the fence dividing the Arizona-Mexico border has served its purpose of mitigating illegal border crossings, it has also wreaked havoc on the environment surrounding the border. And much of the legislation in place to protect the environment has been legally disregarded per federal legislation. Under Section 102 of the Real ID Act of 2005, “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive all legal requirements … [the Secretary] determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section.” This clause, slipped into legislation about identification laws, is especially important along borderlands as any law may be waived should it prevent a border fence from being built. In total, 37 laws have been waived in the past 11 years along the southern border of Arizona in the name of the fence construction. Such laws include the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. This puts at risk the water, access to water, air quality, animals’ migration patterns and the overall ecosystem. The environment is not the only aspect of life impacted by the waivers granted in the Real ID Act, either. “I think every American would be interested, and maybe disturbed to know, that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act has been waived on the border,” Millis said. “And that is an act that has been waived in areas like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument because of Native American tribes’ right to protect grave sites and sacred sites in these areas. A lot of prehistoric places have been lost and now sit underneath the border walls and the roads next to the border walls. And these people’s religious freedom is not only being disrespected, it is being kicked out and thrown out, literally, by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act being waived.” A year later, President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This act approved the construction of more than 600 miles of border fence, as well as additional vehicle barriers, checkpoints, extra lighting, cameras and satellites to
To protect the environment surrounding the border, the fence is reduced to nothing more than barbed wire in some places. In order to compensate for the lack of a secure fence, Border Enforcement encourages patrol officers to carefully monitor the area. Hannah Cook | NAU
better monitor activity at the border. Approximately half of the fence was constructed along Arizona’s border. Subsequently, many animals that once roamed the area freely, such as wild horses and Sonoran Pronghorns, are now trapped on one side of the border, making it more difficult for some to find water, food, shelter and mates. Areas like the San Bernardino National Forest, the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and the Organ Pipe National Monument have seen destruction of the ecosystem. These areas have experienced floods due to an underdeveloped drainage system at the fence, droughts due to constricted water flow and destruction of both archaeological sites and wildlife due to the actions of law enforcement. Archaeological sites that have been driven through, construction of barriers and walls and water have all had a
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“
A lot of prehistoric places have been lost and now sit underneath the border walls ... these people’s religious freedom is not only being disrespected, it is being kicked out and thrown out by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
”
— Dan Millis,
program coordinator for the Sierra Club Borderlands, Grand Canyon Chapter
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significant impact on the wildlife, Millis said. In 2006, Bush introduced the Secure Fence Act, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection entered an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture. This memorandum of understanding — called the Cooperative National Security and Counterterrorism Efforts on Federal Lands along the United States’ Borders — was crafted to increase cooperation between such groups and “provides the Departments with goals, principles, and guidance related to securing the borders, addressing emergencies involving human safety and minimizing the environmental damage arising from illegal cross-border activities on federal lands.” This memorandum is what ultimately led to the collaboration between the Sierra Club and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I call [the memorandum] a framework for better conservation,” Millis said. “It’s a framework for success. It says national security comes first, but everything in [Border Enforcement’s] power should be done to consult
effectively on the ground with each other. These agencies should all be working together.” Tucson-based U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have revamped their policies, attended environmental trainings and have begun to work closely with environmental agencies to begin restoration efforts along the Arizona-Mexico border lands. When, in the past several years, members of the Sierra Club became exceptionally worried about several border-native species — a single local jaguar, El Jefe, and the Sonoran Pronghorns — the two groups launched a joint “Have you seen me?” campaign to help locate and protect the remaining animals. El Jefe is thought to be the only free-roaming jaguar in the United States and is one of only four jaguars spotted in the U.S. in the past 20 years. “We’ve come a long way as the border patrol — learning that being protectors of the country also means being stewards of the environment,” said Charles Trost, intergovernmental public liaison agent. “As border patrol do we protect the Charles Trost, intergovernmental public liaison, talks to a group of close to 20 people. Besides nation? Yes. Does that include the environment? stopping illegal border crossings, Border Enforcement’s work includes protecting the environment Absolutely, it does.” and native species along the border. Hannah Cook | NAU
AN INCONVENIENT BATTLE DARRION EDWARDS
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ith the biggest freshmen enrollment rate in NAU’s history of more than 20,000, and the continuation of construction on the NAU Flagstaff campus, one consistent problem students continue to struggle with is the inconvenient battle of parking on campus. Not only are students having trouble finding adequate parking spaces, but many are finding difficulty adjusting to the new policies Parking Services has implemented — the very same policies they have to pay for. Prior to the 2016-17 school year, parking zones permitted public parking after 4:30 p.m. during the week without the risk of parking fines. According to the Parking and Shuttle Services website, the new policies this year proclaim that commuter and most employee lots are open to all permits unless otherwise posted after 4:30 p.m. This has eliminated the opportunity for people who do not have a permit to park on campus after 4:30 p.m. The reasoning for the new policies is due to the amount of money needed to repair and maintain the parking lots and garages. “Thousands of students and employees were parking ‘for free,’ while the cost to repair the lots was being paid by students and employees who are buying permits,” said Erin
Stam, director of Parking and Shuttle Services. “In order to minimize the permit price increase, and based on a recommendation from an outside consultant, each user now contributes.” The recent price increase for permits has resulted in permits to increase from $400 to $425 for full-year employee parking and from $440 to $455 for full-year student parking. Even with this increase in prices, more than 8,000 permits have been sold this year alone. The money collected from the permits is then used for repair and maintenance for parking lots and public transits. According to Stam, typically $1 million is used per year for lot repair and about $300,000 is used for vehicle maintenance. However, some students feel as if not enough of repairs are being made. “I honestly don’t know if I have seen any maintenance,” said junior criminal justice major Vanessa Angel. “I’ve seen them paint the San Francisco parking garage but that’s about it. Honestly, our roads are pretty messed up, especially around south campus.” With the current conditions of the roads not as up to par as students would like, questions are arising as to where the money Parking and Shuttle Services collects is actually going, and whether or not it is benefiting the campus as a whole. “I think there are a lot of potholes in the road,” Angel said. “So it’s kind of hard to believe
that they say they’re doing maintenance. But I know that over summer, I think they were doing work on the south commuter parking lot, maybe repainting the lines, but that’s all I’ve seen.” Angel is one of many students affected by the new parking policies for on-campus parking and has had to pay a total of $230 in fines due to violation of parking codes. The new policies have resulted in an adjustment period for students to understand the rules of parking on campus. In the past year alone, $500,000 has been collected in fines. Janea Laudick, communication officer with public affairs, said this money is used for parking operations and parking-lot repairs. “We work with Facility Services on the parking lot improvements. As with all road and parking lot improvement, some of the money is used toward a Project Manager who oversees the project and we also pay for engineering costs,” said Laudick. “We identify [parking] lots that have the greatest need. The repair can be as simple as filling cracks or as complicated as a complete replacement. A small repair on one parking lot can run $5K.” Even the smallest of repairs for lots and transits can cost Parking and Shuttle Services a fair amount of time and money. In order to account for the damaged parking lots, the increased prices of permits have provided the
money to not only repair damage to those parking lots, but also provided NAU with repairs to buses and the purchase of new buses. Although the reasoning for increased prices is justified with the repairing of parking lots and upgraded transit systems, students such as Angel who have had to suffer the consequences of multiple fines continue to question the use of money collected from permits and fines. Parking and Shuttle Services will continue to abide by their goals for the university, which according to Stam, includes making sure parking and shuttle services are safe and efficient.
illustration by alanna secrest
OCT. 27 - NOV. 2, 2016 | T HE LUMBER JACK 13
CULTUR E
Culture and Coffee DOMINIQUE DIERKS
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ccording to the Center for International Education, 1,246 international students from 71 different countries study at NAU. Naturally, this has resulted in opportunities to celebrate NAU’s internationalism. One of these celebrations took place during the afternoon of Oct. 22. at Firecreek Coffee Company in downtown Flagstaff. The Global Cabaret celebrated world culture through performance. NAU students, faculty members and community members performed songs and recited poems either in English or in another language. A broad variety of acts included French poems, German songs, English rap, Bach played on electric guitar and a dance performance to Korean music; the performances were unique and the audience was drawn in, cheering at the parts they liked, laughing loudly at the comedic acts and observing in respectful silence the acts dealing with deeper issues such as grief or death. Performed alone or in groups, the various acts were enacted in seven different languages, ranging from English to Navajo to the Zulu dialect. This was the first time an act was performed in a native African dialect at a Flagstaff Global Cabaret. One of the performers was NAU lecturer for Japanese and recent Ph.D. graduate Reiko Akiyama. Akiyama left Japan 10 years ago, and when she was asked to perform at the cabaret, she decided, even though she was nervous to perform in front of people, it was a great opportunity to share how she feels. “The song which I sang, its title means hometown,” said Akiyama. “And the lyrics, it’s everything that I want to say. I miss my hometown. I miss my family and my friends.” Only having taught at NAU this semester, Akiyama’s performance dealt with homesickness, but apart from sharing her feelings with the audience, she also wanted her performance to bring the audience closer to Japanese music and language. “I am from an educational background, so for me, culture and language are strongly connected to each other,” Akiyama said. Michael Rulon, who led the afternoon as moderator of the cabaret, mentioned the idea for the Global Cabaret grew out of his association with the French Theatre Guild. “I love French Theatre, but I like other kinds of performances as well. So, I wanted to see if there was a way that I could involve other languages, other kinds of performances,” said Rulon, a French lecturer at NAU.
He also explained the events’ importance, both for internationals and United States citizens. “We already have a really strong arts community here in Flagstaff and that is one of the reasons why I love living here,” Rulon said. “But a lot of it is very American. So this exposes our community to a lot more international culture, a lot more international art and music and performance, and it’s also a really good educational experience for the students to see how culture goes beyond the little bit we learn in French or German 101.” The very first Global Cabaret was held in Spring 2014. Since then, the event is held once per semester at the Firecreek Coffee Company and at least one time per semester at The Peaks, a senior retirement community. Jacqueline Garrett is a French and sociology major at NAU. This was the first Global Cabaret she attended. “It’s an opportunity to learn about different cultures and different languages and I think that’s very cool,” said Garrett. “I like that students are open to hearing about different places and languages. Especially in America, since we don’t speak a lot of languages.” Apart from the impact the performance had on Garrett, she also noted on the bigger impact the event has for the Flagstaff community. “There is so many different people who come Flagstaff from all over the world,” Garrett said. “I think it’s cool to keep that international perspective.”
Reiko Akiyama performs “Furusato” in Japanese at the NAU Global Cabaret. Alyssa Tavison | The Lumberjack
A weekly tribute to all things outdoors
The Runout ISAAC DUDLEY
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hite chalk dust hung in the air like snow in the desert. Tight rubber shoes, snuggly Velcroed, dug into small cracks on an overhanging rock. A hand with the middle finger bleeding slightly, slowly reached for a hold showing signs of being slapped over and over. With a dull pop, the foot blows and the climber goes spinning off. He crashes into a sea of pads below. Zack Levy, Jessica Capalbo, Genevieve Hall and Robin Daugherty are all from Phoenix, Ariz., and they are all competitive climbers. They came to Sedona for a free bouldering competition that turned into an informal climbing session. “I’ve never climbed at the Anvils before,” said Daugherty, an ASU flexible electronics major. “I saw in the event promotion that there was going to be a comp out here, and I thought that’s a rad way to get a first day at a new area.” Never having bouldered in Oak Creek Canyon, the group was taken by the beauty of the changing trees and the cool water of the creek. Red and grey sunbaked sandstone make up the Anvil Boulders, a natural playground just outside of Sedona, Ariz. The Anvils are home to several northern Arizona classic lines such as Big Sexy, which is the hardest climb in the area. The climb was established by Joseph Baauw who now lives in Seattle, Wash. Levy nearly completed this impressive line during his first session at the Anvils. Levy has several impressive ascents under his belt, including northern Arizona’s very own line, The Egyptian, at Priest Draw in Flagstaff. The Egyptian is rated V11 on a difficulty scale ranging from V0 to V16; there are only a handful of climbs rated V11 in the world. Levy’s fingertips of one hand dug into a small crack around a lip, while the other squeezed a sloping chunk of smooth sandstone. With one foot pressing against the rock, he sprung upward releasing both hands and
catching another hold high above. Feet flying, he pulls them in tight again to control the swing and stick the move. Levy has been climbing for about nine years and enjoys participating in different climbing events. “I love supporting the local climbing community, any comps I see I go to them, so, [today has] been awesome,” said Levy. The Anvils are considered by many to be the best bouldering in Sedona. Like much of the rock in Sedona, the boulders have a red hue due to their iron oxide-heavy composition. Different than other climbing disciplines, bouldering does not always require a partner. Protected just by foam pads on the ground, the climber can scale towering boulders. “That’s one of the reasons I like bouldering: you can do it a little bit independently, or you can do it with a big group of friends. Today we’re out here with a big group of cool people, I’m loving it,” Daugherty said. Whether it’s the nature or the company, there are plenty of reasons to go climb rocks. “I have been climbing for about 11 years now, so since I was seven years old. I really love it. I love being out in nature, and I love climbing in gyms and doing competitions,” said Capalbo, a sophomore at Grand Canyon University. Because it was the group’s first time bouldering at the Anvils, the level of excitement was very high. The beauty of climbing is exploration, and this is a key to developing both as a climber and as an individual. Trying your hand with different styles of rock will cultivate new techniques while jumping into the different subcultures along the way nurtures acceptance and empathy. Sandstone, hard pulling and good vibrations are what Sedona bouldering is all about. While the sun is out, get those guns out because winter rains and snow will flood the creek, making it hard to access this great local spot. Don’t let comfort and complacency take control of your life. Get out and explore your world.
OCT. 27 - NOV. 2, 2016 | T HE LUMBER JACK 15
CULTUR E
The limits of human nature MAKENNA LEPOWSKY
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desire for freedom and curiosity have been guiding forces for John Lynch throughout his lifetime. Taking a leap of faith, Lynch pulled out a map of the western United States, readying himself to do a blind finger drop on the map — a simple action that would decide the next place he would call home. “My finger landed in the Navajo reservation and the two closest universities were in Durango, Colorado, and Flagstaff,” Lynch said. “I came out here and never went home.” Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Lynch has called Flagstaff his home for about 27 years. Lynch spent time as an emergency medical technician with Guardian Medical Transport from 2005-2007 and as a volunteer in Guatemala with the Peace Corps in 2008. Additionally, Lynch was an Outward Bound instructor from 2001-2008. Outward Bound is a non-profit organization helping people learn through outdoor activities. If it were not for his spontaneous desire to change his lifestyle, Lynch may not have discovered eco psychology. “I have always been a go-by-my-gut kind of person,” said Lynch, eco depth psychology professor at NAU. “I was 20 years old at a state college and just felt the call that a young person often feels — to adventure and go far away from the village of what I knew.” The relationship Lynch established between nature and the human psyche has been transformed into a tangible practice he teaches at NAU — eco depth psychology. Eco psychology is the study of the relationship between human beings and the natural world by combining core ecological and psychological principals. Lynch’s teachings of eco psychology also stem from philosophy but emphasize epistemology — the study of knowledge and rationality. “The biggest threat to the environment is epistemology — the way in which you know,” Lynch said. “There is a great quote by Einstein which is, ‘We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.’ I would like to change that. I think it would be, you can’t fix the problems using the same epistemology that was used to create them.” Lynch obtained his bachelor’s in parks and recreation with an emphasis in outdoor and experiential education and his master’s in sustainable communities from NAU. Throughout his academic career, Lynch realized there was more to human-nature experiences than what was rooted in the curriculum. “For my undergraduate degree, I was a student at the parks and recreation department,” Lynch said. “When I found out there was a major where you could go outside and work on the social science — that was a breakthrough for me.” About eight years following his undergraduate studies and in the midst of his graduate program, Lynch was given the academic freedom to explore the infinite possibilities outside the curriculum. “They allowed me to study eco psychology and the relationship to outdoor-adventure education,” Lynch said.
“The high for me there was making that connection after doing a decade of bringing people outside for a living, realizing that something else was going on for the participants that wasn’t part of the curriculum. It was something like they were gaining perspective, they were feeling more mature and their priorities were being rearranged just by being outside.” It was in these moments of teaching when Lynch’s dreams finally became a reality. “I always knew something more was going on, and then I found the idea of eco psychology, which gave context to the experiences that I saw people having beyond the curriculum,” Lynch said. “The highlight for me was realizing that I wanted to focus more on the human nature connection and how to turn the volume up on that in outdoor experiential education.” Lynch trusts a change in epistemologies could lead to an environmental revolution in westernized cultures. “Something is missing and you can look to indigenous cultures to clearly see what is missing,” Lynch said. “However, in order to really look and see what they’re doing, you have to question — as a westerner — our epistemology, which is often not an easy thing to do. Habitually, our identities, careers, values and ethics are built upon this and to really look and see what they’re doing you have to question yourself. Often, instead of being curious about other epistemologies, many people will simply label other epistemologies as uncivilized or backwards.” Lynch aims to break barriers. He has teamed up with colleague Joseph McCaffrey and is working on creating the program Southwest Soul Quest. The program is centered on self-discovery by elevating the relationship between humans and nature. Southwest Soul Quest will be located in Flagstaff and Prescott, Ariz. “We want to create local opportunity for those who want to explore deep self-discovery,” Lynch said. “We will be using mostly Soulcraft practices and Wildmind practices — we are also dreaming up some multi-day offerings for groups and even a potential adventure-based program for young people in life transitions.” Soulcraft and Wildmind are at the forefront of Southwest Soul Quest. Soulcraft explores the mysterious interconnected relationship between nature and the psyche. The fundamentals of Wildmind are concentrated on establishing a cognitive human psyche. Lynch and McCaffrey complement each other’s humanitarian and environmentalist intentions in creating Southwest Soul Quest. They have similar backgrounds, both apprenticing at the Animas Valley Institute, a Colorado-based outdoor school, focusing on spirituality and psychology in nature. The core objectives at Animas Valley Institute are centered on honing the connection with the “wild world” — the non-human world – and the depths of the human psyche, a connection which some think has been strained or lost. “We are very interested in facilitating both individual and group processes that allow for deep self-discovery, ecocentric awakening and living a self-directed life. I think this is our
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common ground,” said McCaffrey. Nate Bacon is a guiding trainer at Animas Valley Institute. Bacon is one of many who conduct immersions at the organization and is also a mentor to Lynch. “I would anticipate real-heart centered depths of supporting people to dive more deeply into the truth at the center of their own lives and to discover more about what they really want to bring to the world and a sense of their own belonging,” said Bacon, about the Southwest Soul Quest. “Also by aiming to break down the barriers between culture and nature — the self and nature — and the separation that has been so culturally induced in us for however long now — experiencing that in its places a sense of belonging.” Bacon supports the power nature has to strengthen psychological, cognitive development and more. Additionally, he feels a sense of current cultural awakening to the benefits and need for nature. “Humans are a not a separable part from the earth. We are actually a part of the earth and are not only dependent upon the earth for our wellbeing. Our physical and mental cognitive and psycho spiritual well-being depends on a vibrant understanding and connection to the natural world,” Bacon said. “These kinds of experience being to open us up to embodied encounters with the actual other beings that constitute nature — whether it be trees, rocks and animals — just that encounter of nonhuman otherness in a wild place without technology mediating experience is profound — and for many people a life changing and life deepening experience.” The Southwest Soul Quest is creating an opportunity for cultural change by incorporating core principals from the field of nature-psyche methodologies. For now, Lynch is settled down in the realm of natural-based practices by delving into the creation of Southwest Soul Quest. In the future, Lynch plans to continue along the explorative path of knowledge.
John Lynch, NAU lecturer for parks and recreation management, works on next week’s lessons in his office at SBS West. Erin Twarogal | The Lumberjack
CULTUR E
Mountain bikers ride on the trail at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz. Mikayla Shoup | The Lumberjack
Get up, get out and get at it ABIGAIL BIEKER
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olorful wildflowers begin to wither from the cold, and frost leaves its mark in the early mornings. It is the middle of fall and the trees in Flagstaff are displaying their autumnal colors, ranging from crimson reds to vibrant yellows and deep greens. It is the awkward transition between summer and winter. During the season, many Flagstaffians find it harder to get their workouts in as they prepare for the season for holiday hibernating. When the temperature drops and being outside is less pleasant, it can be difficult for individuals to get in their normal routines. Even so, Flagstaff offers a number of trails and parks for people to get outside and breathe the fresh autumn air. There are a number of options for those looking to explore a little more before the cold weather kicks in. On campus: Students attending NAU may not know the university has a number of sports clubs — a competitive and recreational way to stay involved on campus. With more than 35 options, students can try out for the chance to compete in a yearly national championship. These clubs, which are specifically designed for undergraduate students, allow students to participate in a teambased, athletic activities. This is a great way for students to be active outside their normal gym routines and keep workouts more engaging. Several clubs on campus include archery, disc
golf and triathlon training. NAU has outdoor, grassy fields where teams practice. NAU also offers a plethora of courses to enrich a college experience while being outside. Outdoor Adventures, which are available for enrollment in upcoming semesters, incorporate expeditions exploring the southwest, focus on a healthy education and building new friendships into the regular curriculum. With over 60 programs, NAU offers backpacking, kayaking, rafting, hiking and many other options. Custom trips are also available in which students can pick a course and NAU experts will provide the gear, instructions and plan logistics to accomplish these adventures. Around town: For those with less competitive or athletic background, simple workouts outside can be as simple as enjoying a brisk walk. The 56-mile Flagstaff Urban Trail System, also known as FUTS, extends throughout Flagstaff. There are future plans to extend the trail to 130 miles. A moderate path simple enough for on-foot workouts, running or even taking the dog for a walk, the trail can be found in most backyards of Flagstaff. Buffalo Park, 2400 North Gemini Road, is also a popular outdoor destination. The two-mile Nate Avery Trail travels around an expansive, flat grassy area, perfect for running or enjoying a walk. What was once a private wildlife park is now open to the public. According to the City of Flagstaff website, “The trail provides a magnificent panorama to the mountains north of
town, including the San Francisco Peaks, the Dry Lake Hills and Mount Elden.” Fort Tuthill County Park, three miles south of Flagstaff, is a destination for travellers from all over Arizona. The park includes 413 acres, including miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Where do you like to explore? NAU alumna Ellaina Logacho suggests visiting the arboretum or riding bikes on the Urban Trail. “[Buffalo Park] has trails to run or walk, bouldering and climbing spots, a disc golf course and even its own natural challenge course. It also connects to Mt. Elden which has a fairly challenging hike to Elden’s lookout,” said Logacho. Julian Valdez, senior forestry major, notes his favorite places to visit are Snowbowl, Sedona and Red Rock Mountain, located north on Highway 180. “It’s always fun to go sit at the Hart Prairie Overlook or set up a hammock at Aspen Corner,” said Valdez. “In the summer, I really like to go for short hikes at Viet Springs up Snowbowl Road or hike Humphrey’s Peak. There’s also a lot of great skiing opportunities up there in the winter.” Flagstaff ’s outdoor beauty can be discovered easily, the surrounding wilderness offers many opportunities for adventure. The city’s parks are readily available with only a short drive. More ways to be involved outside can also be found online at the City of Flagstaff website.
OCT. 27 - NOV. 2, 2016 | T HE LUMBER JACK 17
CULTUR E
Body-art collectors share favorite tattoos at the Peaks Expo KARI SCOTT | PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL BIEKER
“I guess this little one on my hand is kind of my favorite because it kind of was like a trademark of mine that I did on myself a long, long time ago when I first started tattooing.” -Cameron Chase, left, pointing out the leg with wings on his hand.
“It’s Harry Potter related and I’m a super Harry Potter nerd and it’s simple. It’s not like overdone or cartoon-y or anything.” -Victoria Flood, right , describing the Patronus on her arm.
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“It’s from a song that me and my dad used to listen to when I was young. A Jim Croce song.” -Ben Walker, above, describing the “Hey Baby” lyrics on his arms.
SPORT S
Volleyball increases home winning streak to 25 LANCE HARTZLER AND MATTHEW KIEWIET
T
he NAU women’s volleyball team won both of their matches at Rolle Activity Center over the weekend, defeating Montana State University and the University of Montana without losing a set. Entering Friday with an overall record of 17–4, and 7–1 in conference, the Lumberjacks hosted the 4–13 Bobcats. The Jacks started the first two sets slow and appeared to have overlooked their opponent despite winning both sets 29–27 and 25–21. “We were probably thinking too much about Montana State’s record, honestly,” said head coach Ken Murphy. “We know they are a good team, we saw them on film, talked about how when they are doing their stuff they are a tough team. It’s important for us to recognize a team like that is very dangerous, no matter what their record is. We are fortunate to come out with the win despite the slow start.” After the second set, NAU entered the third set looking to close out the game with a sweep. The Jacks won the set 25–20. “[Coach Murphy] told us we need to fix our block and to make sure we are getting in to the right position, also to be super aggressive and to keep the intensity even higher,” said sophomore defensive specialist Jordan Anderson. Offense was a struggle throughout, as NAU hit well below their season average on kills. The Jacks hit at a rate of .172 — more than.1 lower than their average of .275. Nothing was easy on the other side of the net as the Bobcats hit a mere .055 on kills. Contributing to that was four different Lumberjacks recording double-digit digs. Leading the way defensively was Anderson with 15 digs. Other notables were senior outside hitter Lauren Jacobsen’s 13 kills and 10 digs, senior setter Jenson Barton’s 10 digs and freshman outside hitter Sydney Lem’s 10 digs. “I think we played pretty consistent throughout the game, Anderson said. “Our intensity was good. We struggled on serve receive for a little bit but I think we got back and made up for it in different areas. We did good hitting, I think our defense was really good, specifically our blocking.” As conference play progresses coach Murphy hopes the team keeps focus. “It’s about our best effort, not other teams at this point [in the season],” Murphy said. “We know we can be successful at a high level, so it is important for us to not overthink who we are playing or what is going on across the net. It’s about playing our best volleyball on our side.” Two days later, NAU defeated the visiting University of Montana Grizzlies Oct. 22 in straight sets 25–22, 25–14, 25–19. While the match never seemed to be in doubt, the Griz were able to keep things close for the most part. “I thought there was a few plays there where we had an opportunity to make a good defensive play, and we just let up a little bit,” Murphy said. “Maybe we didn’t keep our focus long enough, and we would let them score a point or two. If we had kept pushing as hard as we could that wouldn’t have happened.” NAU began the first match on a 5–0 run and appeared to be on the verge of a blowout. However, Montana chipped away at
Head coach Ken Murphy shares a few words with the team before their first set Oct. 22 at Rolle Activity Center. NAU won 3-0 against Montana. Erin Twarogal | The Lumberjack
the deficit, cutting the lead to 6–3 before tying the set at 10, and even taking the lead 13–12. The Jacks then took the lead at 14–13 before the pesky Grizzlies tied the set at 14. From that point, NAU extended their lead to 21–15 after a 7–1 run. Montana would answer back with a 7–3 run of their own before Barton put the game away with a kill. The Jacks started out on a 5–1 run in the second set, but as would be the theme of the day, the Grizzlies kept things interesting and answered back with a 3–0 run. Jacobsen responded with a kill and Barton followed that with an ace. Montana and NAU would then trade points, keeping the Jacks in the lead 10–7. From that point, the Lumberjacks seemed to find their rhythm, as they would finish the set on a 15–7 run. Once again, the Grizzlies appeared to be all but dead. However, they began the third set playing the Jacks even with both teams tied at 12. NAU answered the bell with an 11–2 run that would put the game out of reach, but not before Montana tacked on a few extra points. The final set ended at 25–19. The win gave NAU 25 home victories in a row — tied with
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the University of Minnesota for the longest active home winning streak in the nation. “Our team does take pride in the fact that we play well in front of our crowd,” Murphy said. “We’re ready to play every day here, and the streak is a result of that.” Jacobsen recorded her 17th double-double for the season with 13 kills and 15 digs, both team highs. “I have a very athletic setter [Barton], who is able to give me a lot of in-tempo sets,” said Jacobsen. “Also we are a very strong team in rallies, so I get a lot more attempts.” The Jacks out-hit Montana at a rate of .342 to .105. The Griz were able to keep things close thanks to nine service errors by NAU and stellar defensive play from senior defensive specialist Sadie Ahearn, who tallied 22 digs. NAU will travel to Sacramento State Oct. 27. When they take the court that evening it will have been exactly two weeks since they lost a set.
SPORT S
Win or go home ... sort of. It depends. WILL INKRET AND MATTHEW KIEWIET
N
orthern Arizona’s soccer team defeated the Idaho State Bengals 1–0 in their biggest game of the season Oct. 23 in Pocatello, Idaho. This win puts the Lumberjacks at 7–7–4 for the year and 4–2–3 in the Big Sky conference.
The win keeps NAU in the postseason conversation as they sit in fifth place in the Big Sky. They are tied in points with fourthplace Montana, however the Grizzlies own the tiebreaker with a better overall record. “I think that it was a good win for us,” said head coach Andre Luciano. “This has always traditionally been a hard place to play. Any
time that you go somewhere, and it’s senior day and both teams are vying for a conference tournament bid, it’s going to be a tough battle.” The Lumberjacks took the lead in the 13th minute of the game when sophomore midfielder Madeline Waszak fired a shot into the Bengals’ net. “I thought we did what we needed to do
Junior keeper Meghan Dickmann kicks the ball out of the box at Lumberjack Stadium Sept. 25 against Sacramento State. The game ended in a 1–1 double-overtime tie. Erin Twarogal | The Lumberjack
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which was score a goal in the first half and weather the storm in the second half,” Luciano said. NAU outshot the Bengals 19–17 and junior goalkeeper Meghan Dickmann put a stop to ISU’s offense with a total of five saves. “The key thing for us was that defensively this team worked really hard,” Luciano said. The Lumberjacks control their own destiny going into the last game of the season as they host Southern Utah University Oct. 28. The playoff scenario is simple in that if NAU wins, they secure a spot in Big Sky championship tournament. If they lose, there is a chance their offseason could begin Oct. 29. The top six teams, in terms of points (three points for a win, one point for tie and zero points for a loss), compete in the conference tournament. In the quarterfinals, the third seed will take on the sixth seed and the fourth seed will play the fifth seed. The first and second place teams get a first-round bye. Here is where it gets complicated. NAU could potentially receive a first-round bye or get eliminated. The best-case scenario breaks down as follows: With a Lumberjack win and a tie between Eastern Washington and Montana or a Montana win, NAU will jump into second place in the conference. They would be tied in points with Eastern Washington and they own the head-to-head tie breaker. NAU would also own the tie breaker over Montana because they tied during the regular season, and NAU also tied first-place Idaho. Montana lost to Idaho, which means Montana has more points against them versus Idaho. The worst-case scenario for the Jacks plays out like this: NAU loses to the second-to-last place Southern Utah Thunderbirds, which would leave the door open for Northern Colorado and Portland State to slide into the fifth and sixth seeds, sending NAU packing. “We’ve said that magic number is going to be 20 [points] to secure top four [in the Big Sky],” Luciano said after the game against Sacramento State Sept. 25. “If we hit 20, we will have had a really good season and gone above expectations.” Luciano’s prediction seems to have been dead on. The Lumberjacks currently have 15 points, and two more wins would send them, at the very least, to the conference semifinals and give them 21 points.
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