The Lumberjack -- August 27, 2020

LOCAL BUSINESS ADAPTS PAGE 14

THE LUMBER JACK AUG. 27, 2020 – SEPT. 2, 2020

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

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riting this letter, I can think of only one topic and a pivotal moment that happened for me this summer. When protests began and the movement for Black Lives Matter surged, I felt called as a journalist to document the people in my city.

The protests have sparked widespread debates of diversity and ethics in the journalism industry. I came to face the question of whether I was capable of accurately representing the black community. As a privileged, white woman with little knowledge of the systematic oppression in our country, was I fit to photograph black people’s experiences?

I read articles, newsletters, and diversity workshops, but I primarily listened to what people protesting had to say.

The counter argument was that the Black Lives Matter movement needed support and advocacy from agents with power in order to effect change in the systems of power that govern our lives. It needed allies in the neighborhoods separated by privilege.

There is not enough diversity in government and there are not enough black MACKENZIE journalists. I had to use my agency to amplify the movement. I had to be an BROWER advocate. I decided to cover the protests. As the weeks went on and thousands more showed up, I felt the historical significance of it all. This was way bigger ASST. DIR. OF than me, but I was proud to be on this side of history.

PHOTOGRAPHY It is impossible to ask a journalist to be completely unbiased. In order to effectively report on a story, the journalist must engulf themselves into the culture and lives they are reporting on. It is our job to limit any outside influence we might have, and to check especially harmful bias. But the act of communicating is a two-way street. We will inevitably effect some sort of change in the communities we enter, but those communities have the potential to teach us if we let them.

I learned more about slavery, oppression, and racism this summer than I ever did in school. It astounded me how much I did not know. I did not know what “black face” meant. I did not know that black face minstrelsies are the foundation of American music, an inherently racist act. I did not realize how many monuments, streets, and places commemorate the confederacy.

I did not know the depth of racism in our country. It was like school skimmed over the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement as if they solved the problem, yet I was grappling with the same issues every day now.

I will close by encouraging you all to dive headfirst into our country’s history, to take control of your own education, because in order to move forward we must confront—once and for all—our past.

Continous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org

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Thank you for reading.

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

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 110 ISSUE 3

Editor-in-Chief Brady Wheeler

Managing Editor Scout Ehrler

Copy Chief Nathan Manni

Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Print Chief Jacob Meyer

Director of Digital Content Sabrina Profitt

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Director of Social Media Maddie Cohen

Op-Ed Editor Ryan Dixon

Asst. Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez

Director of Illustration Aleah Green

News Editor Trevor Skeen

Asst. Op-Ed Editor Kyler Edsitty

Sports Editor David Church

Asst. Dir. of Illustration Blake Fernandez

Asst. News Editor Camille Sipple

Features Editor Ash Lohmann

Asst. Sports Editor Cameron Richardson

Director of Photography Michael patacsil

Online News Editor Alliya Dulaney

Asst. Features Editor Olivia Charlson

Sports Adviser Rory Faust

Asst. Dir. of Photography Mackenzie Brower

Senior Reporter Mark Fabery

Culture Editor Nayomi Garcia

Senior Photographer Brian Burke

Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

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On the cover Victorian Moon Antiques and Enchantments photographed in Downtown Flagstaff, Aug. 24.

Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Brady Wheeler at bew85@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Aug. 17 At 3:35 a.m., NAUPD initiated a traffic stop at West University Avenue and Knoles Drive. Two nonstudents were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, narcotics and marijuana. A third nonstudent was cited and released for having an open container in the vehicle’s passenger side.

At 8:30 a.m., a nonstudent reported debris in the roadway at the intersection of South Beulah Boulevard and East McConnell Drive. No debris was found upon arrival.

Aug. 18 At 12:39 p.m., NAUPD receive a report of a noninjury accident at the intersection of McCreary Drive and Knoles Drive. NAUPD responded and a driver was cited for failure to control speed to avoid collision.

At 11:16 p.m., students reported hearing a suspicious noise outside McConnell Hall. NAUPD responded and checked the area, but no criminal activity was witnessed.

Aug. 19 At 7:03 p.m., a staff member at Student & Academic Services reported their bicycle was stolen.

NAUPD responded and closed the case.

At 7:13 p.m., a student at Pine Ridge Village reported a stray animal, and the responding officer was unable to capture it.

Aug. 20 At 12:10 a.m., an anonymous subject reported loud music playing outside University Union. Upon the arrival of NAUPD, a student playing music was contacted, but officers determined it was not at a volume loud enough

Compiled by tREVOR sKEEN

to cause a disturbance. No Road. The report was for criminal activity was witnessed. information only.

At 12:39 a.m., a student reported a loud basketball game outside the University Union. NAUPD contacted the students who were playing basketball, and they agreed to stop for the remainder of the night. No criminal activity was witnessed.

At 10:42 a.m., a staff member at North Hall called to report an intoxicated subject. NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport responded, and one nonstudent was booked into CCDF on two active warrants.

At 12:20 p.m., staff at At 4:42 p.m., a student at Cline Library reported finding The Suites reported they were graffiti. An officer responded, sexually assaulted. An officer and the time of its occurrence responded and took a report. is unknown.

At 5:59 p.m., a student at At 9:25 p.m., staff at Hilltop Townhomes reported McConnell Hall reported a group of people digging the odor of marijuana. One holes in the area. An officer student was deferred for the responded and no criminal use of marijuana, and the case activity was witnessed. remains open pending lab results.

Aug. 23 At 12:19 a.m., an RA Aug. 21 at Reilly Hall reported that At 12:51 a.m., an officer a room number sign was at 101 E Butler Ave. reported vandalized and removed. finding a bicycle that was NAUPD responded and took previously reoprted as stolen. a report.

The property was returned to NAUPD. At 9:53 a.m., a student at Pine Ridge Village reported At 10:03 a.m., FPD a large number of bees in the reported finding an open area. An officer responded and manhole at lot 3C. Officers Work Control was advised responded, placed caution tape regarding the issue. around the area and notified Facility Services.

At 10:14 a.m., officers reported contacting a student At 7:49 p.m., NAUPD at The Suites during a followreceived multiple calls about up room check. NAUPD took a nonstudent causing a a firearm into possession, and disturbance outside Raymond the student was referred for Hall. Officers responded and a student code of conduct the subject was arrested and weapons violation. booked into Coconino County Detention Facility (CCDF) At 7:27 p.m., a student for disorderly conduct and at Campus Heights reported criminal damage. the odor of gas. An officer responded and the odor was Aug. 22 detected, but FFD cleared the At 6:28 a.m., FPD area as safe. requested assistance with performing a phlebotomy — the process of puncturing a vein — at 951 E. Sawmill

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Protesters cross the street toward Flagstaff City Hall, May 30. The protest was organized in response to the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police.

Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

Will NAU’s fall semester reignite protests?

Camille Sipple

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hroughout the summer, the nation was rocked by demonstrations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. These protests also found a home within Flagstaff in recent months, and as returning NAU students are growing more plentiful by the day, social justice efforts could be reignited this fall.

It is no secret that college students are among the most vocal populations in the United States when it comes to matters like civil rights and freedom. A recent article from Forbes predicted 2020 as the year student activism will reach its peak — regardless of remote or in-person learning. In recent years, politics around the country have drawn more young activists into this scene through physical protesting and social media campaigns. For social platforming specifically, Forbes reported that college students are likely the most adept and knowledgeable.

“U.S. politics have become more polarized, and college students have been drawn into the fray on topics like climate change, gun control and immigration policies,” the article stated.

“Expect their calls for protest to multiply, to become louder, and to recruit the throngs of supporters that harken back to those memorable days in 1968.”

Senior Calli Jones, president of the NAU Young Democrats, said she participated in many of Flagstaff’s protests over the past few months. The Young Democrats led this summer’s March

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for Justice, she added, which ended with a formal sit-in at the Flagstaff Police Station. Furthermore, Jones explained that her club partnered with the NAU Black Student Union (BSU) to help spread the movement around northern Arizona.

As students return to the Flagstaff area for in-person classes, which are scheduled to resume Aug. 31, Jones said this growing population could generate more protests.

“Students are key in pushing social movements forward,” Jones said. “Together, we are far stronger than apart, so I believe our return will spark deep discussion and direct action.”

The BSU officers of NAU, including president Alexa Hart, vice president and secretary Kobe Lee and social justice chair Amethyst Nabors, made several statements regarding the increased potential for protests. Together, the seniors stated that they wholeheartedly stand with the BLM movement, along with the justice and peace it represents.

Similar to Jones, the BSU officers said there is potential for protests to be reignited among the incoming student population.

As an organization, their hope is that students pursue a more direct route to enacting change, specifically by speaking with NAUPD or Flagstaff Police Department directly.

“However, regardless of whether they want to continue protesting or not, we will continue to fight, educate and inspire our people,” the BSU officers said. “We will continue to strive toward being devoted to justice rather than order.”

For those who participate in protests, the BSU advised

individuals to remain level-headed and avoid simply “following the crowd.” The board members added people should stand up for what they personally believe in, rather than fighting for a cause because it is trendy.

The BSU officers also said anyone who supports these social justice protests should educate themselves on the matters at hand.

This research may include pursuing ethnic studies courses or attending BSU meetings, which have open attendance for all.

Although the recent resurgence of the BLM movement focused on the deaths of Jacob Blake, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, along with the Black-lived experience, the board members said their organization also strongly opposes the “gentrification and cultural appropriation of the Indigenous populations of Flagstaff.”

“Understand that as MLK states in the Birmingham letter, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” the BSU explained.

Similarly, Jones said she encourages NAU students to become involved in social justice efforts as much as they possibly can. While protesting is undoubtedly important, she advocated for change-makers to go even further, which can be accomplished through voting and other active participation in the Democratic system.

“Never let your elected officials become comfortable,” Jones said. “They should hear you in the ballot box and on the streets.”

NEWS

Quarantine rooms and the new normal for nau housing Mark Fabery

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s NAU Housing & Residence Life continues the extended move-in process until the end of August, there will be several adjustments to how these facilities function. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one notable change was NAU’s decision to create quarantine rooms for residents who experience symptoms or test positive.

These students are obligated to selfquarantine during the period of their illness, or until their test results return as negative, NAU spokesperson Kimberly Ott said.

“Select halls were identified as appropriate for quarantine and isolation space based on privacy and access to interior bathrooms,” Ott said. “If our rooms fill, we have alternate arrangements with other facilities that have availability and meet the privacy and access requirements. By keeping students who may have been exposed apart from other students, we can help reduce the spread of this virus.”

In addition, these measures will allow the university to mitigate risks around the NAU community and manage the spread of COVID-19 while still offering select in-person components, Ott said.

In a “Forecast from Flagstaff” video on NAU’s YouTube channel, Housing & Residence Life director Carolyn Burrell shared the protocols for when a student is infected.

“When a student tests positive, Campus Health Services or the student will report their positive test result straight to Housing and Residence Life, and the student will be offered a temporary space in a hall with their own bathroom,” Burrell said in the video. “We feel this will allow the student to feel comfortable and safe during this difficult time.”

Moreover, Burrell said Housing & Residence Life partnered with Campus Dining and Starship Delivery to provide food delivery services directly to residents in self-isolation spaces. By using this system, students can access food safely without compromising their designated quarantines.

Another demand brought on by the pandemic was de-densifying residential units, and according to an update from July 17, many housing assignments were changed in order to support a safe and healthy environment for students.

“Part of our planning involves reducing density in residence halls and holding some apartments and suites open,” the email

NAU students who need to quarantine for the COVID-19 virus are placed into dorm rooms that have their own bathroom. Mostly upper-division housing units such as Gillenwater Hall are being utilized, Aug. 23. MacKenzie Brower| The Lumberjack

distributed to students read. “As a result, some student assignments will be impacted and need to be changed to accommodate these measures.”

Junior Jady Kralovic said she was affected by these new directives from Housing & Residence Life. Kralovic was originally assigned to Gillenwater Hall, but her on-campus residence was changed to South Village Apartments roughly a month before move-in was scheduled.

“I understand that the university is trying to keep everyone safe, especially as cases continue to rise throughout the United States, but the university is requiring me to pay an extra $300 in rent for the academic year, due to South Village being more expensive,” Kralovic said. “Personally, I wouldn’t have minded being reassigned if the university did not require me to pay the difference.”

Despite NAU’s efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus — specifically through a

multi-pronged testing approach and frequent health checks — one change.org petition already referenced infections within the housing staff. More specifically, sophomore Tyler Best claimed that 35 resident assistants (RA) and two residence hall directors (RHD) were isolated due to potential exposure as of Aug. 2. There have been no further reports regarding this.

Ott could not provide the exact number of RAs nor RHDs in the process of selfquarantining, but she did confirm that one RA tested positive.

“A number of weeks ago, one RA was notified by their provider that their test came back positive,” Ott said. “Mask-wearing and physical distancing protocols were followed by this individual as well as other RAs prior to the notification, and NAU took the added precaution of quarantining additional RAs.” Regardless of quarantine rooms and their

effectiveness, Ott said the university saw no additional cases traced back to the one RA. “Our protocols are working and are indeed protecting our community,” Ott said. “The quarantine of the single RA who tested positive was actually an exceptional example of how well our protocols work.”

Academic communities around the country continue to raise questions — just recently, the University of North Carolina was forced to shift to remote instruction due to four COVID-19 clusters appearing during the first week of class, while the University of Alabama system reported 566 total cumulative cases since Aug. 19. With in-person classes beginning at NAU, ASU and UA before the end of August, the impact of higher education moving to face-to-face instruction could soon be clear.

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Execution of Native American man stirs emotion within tribe Felicia Fonseca, Associated press

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LAGSTAFF — Late on a fall evening in 2001, Alyce Slim and her granddaughter stopped at a gas station on the Navajo Nation after searching for a traditional healer for leg ailments.

There, in an area where hitchhiking is common, Slim agreed to give two males a ride. They got into her pewter-colored pickup truck and when she stopped later to let them out, they didn’t budge.

Instead, Lezmond Mitchell and Johnny Orsinger stabbed Slim 33 times and placed her lifeless body next to the 9-year-old in the back seat as they drove to an abandoned sheep camp. They told Tiffany Lee to prepare to die and slit her throat. She was still breathing, so they dropped rocks on her head, killing her, too.

As the 38-year-old Mitchell sits on federal death row, his execution scheduled for Wednesday, the Navajo government is asking officials to spare his life on the basis of cultural beliefs and sovereignty. The stance is pushing up against the wishes of some of the victims’ family for the execution to move forward, including Tiffany’s parents.

“An eye for an eye,” the girl’s father, Daniel Lee told The Associated Press. “He took my daughter away, and no remorse or anything like that.

The Navajo Nation president, the council, they don’t speak for me. I speak for myself and for my daughter.”

Under federal law, Native American tribes can decide whether they want their citizens subjected to the death penalty for a set of crimes involving Natives on tribal land.

Nearly all 574 federally recognized tribes, including the Navajo Nation, have opted out.

Mitchell was the first Native American sentenced to death since the resumption of the federal death penalty in 1994 and the only Native American currently awaiting execution. He ended up on death row because he was convicted of carjacking resulting in death — a crime that carries the possibility of

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capital punishment regardless of where it happens.

His upcoming execution is the first of a handful set after the government said it would carry out executions following an informal 17year moratorium. The case has stirred emotion among tribal members and painful reminders of the grisly crime.

Mitchell and others used Slim’s truck in an armed robbery. He and Orsinger returned to where they dumped the two bodies, mutilated them and buried some of the remains while dragging others into the woods.

They burned the victims’ belongings and washed their knives in a stream nearby.

Days later, tribal police found the pickup truck abandoned in Tsaile where many tribal members make a living by ranching, farming and doing arts and crafts. Mitchell and others tried to torch the truck, but the windows were rolled up and the fire had no oxygen.

“All they did was make a smoky mess on the interior of the truck and leaving all the relevant evidence related to the murder, the carjacking and the robbery behind,” said former FBI agent McDonald Rominger, who worked the case.

Navajo Nation lawmaker Carl Slater, whose grandparents testified against the death penalty in Mitchell’s case, said the details of the crime make defining a just punishment uncomfortable. Still, the tribal government has asked President Donald Trump to grant Mitchell clemency.

“We can never lose sight of the big picture, be forward-looking,” Slater said. “Every action creates precedent, especially when you’re a governing body. This is not just going to impact the Navajo Nation.

It’s going to impact all of Indian Country.”

More than a dozen tribal leaders across the country and individual Native Americans have supported the Navajo government’s request.

Federal criminal jurisdiction on tribal land dates back to 1885 and stems from Congress’ displeasure over

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

This undated family photo provided by Auska Mitchell shows Lesmond Mitchell, who is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Ind. Courtesy of Auska Mitchell, Associate Press.

how one tribal nation settled a killing with restitution to the victim’s family — money, horses and a blanket. The federal authority is still disputed today.

Slim’s daughter and Tiffany’s mother, Marlene Slim, initially opposed putting Mitchell to death.

The tribe has used her previous statements in pushing for Mitchell’s sentence to be reduced to life in prison.

Earlier this month, attorneys for some of Slim’s family and Lee wrote to tribal officials saying they support the federal government’s efforts to carry out the execution.

“Mr. Mitchell’s actions destroyed this family,” the letter read. “Mr. Mitchell did not consider or have any respect for the Navajo cultural teachings that stress the sanctity of life.”

Mitchell has long maintained he wasn’t the aggressor in the killings.

Orsinger, now 35, had a criminal record but was a juvenile at the time and could not be sentenced to death.

He is serving life in prison in Atlanta.

Letters that Mitchell’s attorneys

submitted as part of the clemency petition paint him as a troubled kid who was shuffled around homes but was high-achieving, played varsity football and was a problem-solver.

“He was a good kid and he always took care of the children, always protected the children, so when he was involved in a crime against a child, it was really hard to believe,” said Mitchell’s uncle, Auska Mitchell.

Putting Mitchell to death would “break my heart,” he said. “I do hope that things change ... What’s even worse is I can’t see the guy.”

Mitchell has lost all of his appeals so far, a point U.S. Attorney General William Barr reiterated in announcing Mitchell’s latest execution date.

“The Justice Department upholds the rule of law, and we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system,” Barr has said.

Alyce Slim was nearing retirement after driving a school bus for 30 years in the district around the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock in Arizona. Family, friends and

her co-workers spent days searching for her and Tiffany when they didn’t return home from their trip and posted pictures of them around the region.

Julie McCabe, whose sister was close friends with Marlene Slim, said Alyce Slim was gracious, strong, spiritual and hard-working. She had a way of speaking to others without making them feel inadequate or small, McCabe said.

“And the students on her route were just very lovable to her,” McCabe said.

Marlene Slim lamented shortly after the deaths that she would miss out on watching Tiffany grow.

Mitchell’s attorneys declined a request to interview him. They have made multiple requests lately to delay his execution as they argued over protocol and sought to interview jurors over potential racial bias.

“If the execution were to proceed, Mr. Mitchell will be the first, and only, Native American sentenced to death and executed by the federal government in modern history,” his attorneys said.

VISUAL SPOTLIGHT

Weather Update Tiny pellets of hail started coming down midday in Flagstaff amid cracks of thunder and lightning Aug. 21, 2020. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Students should care about the USPS Emily Gerdes

Retweets do not determine my reality RITA BARNES Trigger warning: Sexual abuse.

Editors note: The writer has used an alias to protect their identity.

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’m a sexual abuse survivor, a woman and most importantly, a human being. I reserve the right to share my story online.

If I were to share my story on social media, which I have yet to do, I shouldn’t have to prove my worth with receipts or extremely detailed recollections of what happened to me, all for Twitter to decide my fate.

Indeed, society has become less eager to shun women and men who speak up, but survivors do not need to explain their situations to anyone just for an ounce of comfort and respect. It takes a lot of courage to open up to a friend, family member or partner. Survivors deserve more than to be put on trial online, on top of everything else.

This is exactly why many survivors don’t share their stories with anyone and are forced to carry the weight of their experience on their own.

While, in theory, people are much more connected than ever, people are also quicker to judge than ever before. In an instantaneous world, with the ability to access information at any time with no restrictions, people’s ability to pry information rather than offer a virtual hug is deeply concerning.

The #MeToo movement was inspiring to survivors, like me, who were not yet ready to come out with our story for the world to see.

Now, after the fact, people are hesitant to believe women and men who come out with their stories because they simply can’t believe their favorite celebrity did something so horrendous to someone else.

Either that, or there are too many women accusing the same person. It’s just not believable when looking at the numbers.

The number of people affected by this person should infuriate first-time readers who are laying their eyes on the survivors’ outcries. They shouldn’t denounce us for coming out with our experiences, no matter how famous or beloved the accused may be.

Now, I’m not saying there aren’t false accusations and people who are somehow capable of faking such a terrible thing.

I just believe that innocence or guilt should be proven by the authorities and not by a person in a whole different part of the world who decided to coin themself as a detective that day.

Perhaps, one day, if I were to come out with my experience on social media, the world would be more comforting. I, and survivors like me, deserve to be treated like human beings and not circumstantial evidence in a make-believe open investigation.

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increases may just be the beginning of an uptick in fees.

With the presidential election in November and the pandemic still raging, states like California have announced that every citizen will receive a ballot through the mail. However, President Donald Trump tweeted against the validity of mail-in voting, worrying the general public about possible voter fraud.

Without the support of the president, the odds of USPS receiving additional funding before the presidential election are unlikely. Less funding means it is likely that ballots may not be sent or counted, possibly compromising the election’s integrity.

Just four days after the previous announcement from the USPS, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy released another statement saying, “The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall.”

This announcement provided slight relief, but the future of this nationwide service remains unknown after the election.

DeJoy accompanied his remarks with a response to the rising concern regarding the removal of mail-sorting machines and blue collection boxes across the country: “There are some long standing operational initiative — efforts that predate my arrival at the postal service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic.”

DeJoy appeared in front of the House of Representatives on Aug. 24 to testify regarding his position.

Showing support for the postal service is crucial and can have a significant impact on determining the future of the postal system. On the USPS website, there are a variety of items available for purchase that directly support the post office. These include, but are not limited to, stamps, tote bags, clothes and ornaments. Of course, sending a handwritten note in the mail is the simplest and most meaningful way to support the post office.

Buying from small businesses such as creators on Etsy, or online shopping at small businesses that use the USPS are also great options to show support.

Local representatives serve their constituents and are there to advocate on their behalf.

Send emails or call your local representatives and urge them to vote in alliance with saving the future of the postal service.

The USPS has traveled across the nation for centuries delivering messages from person to person. The people must use their voice and power to take a stand and fight for the future of this indispensable service.

he United States Postal Service (USPS) is dangerously close to falling apart due to cuts to funding. Young voters need to be aware of this situation. The postal service is a vital part of our society and a national service that is required by law.

In 2019, USPS reported a net loss of $8.8 billion, increased from the net loss of $4.9 billion the previous year. This is predominantly due to a decrease in mail volume. The total of mail and packages delivered by USPS dropped by 3.8 billion pieces in the last year. The postal service also remains $11 billion dollars in debt.

Since the creation of the USPS, citizens all over the nation have been getting their mail delivered in a professional and timely manner. The post office delivers social security checks, letters and most importantly, mail-in ballots.

If the postal service does not receive proper funding, the repercussions on the U.S. will be devastating. The mail industry could become privatized by businesses looking to make profits rather than serve the people. The price to ship mail could become unregulated and would rise as a company chooses, impacting low-income citizens who cannot afford higher rates.

Small businesses and rural areas are also dependent on the postal service. Delivering to rural areas all across the nation, including Native American reservations, is costly. Still, the post office ensures that no matter where the individual lives, they will get their mail for no additional cost. Private companies cannot say the same, and often outsource to the post office and pay it to go the extra mile.

A privatized postal service would deprive low-income households and rural communities of receiving their mail. Small businesses often do not have the means to pay the high fees charged by other delivery services and are dependent on the stable and reasonable prices of the USPS. A lack of funding means that this federal agency, which is inscribed into the Constitution in Article 1, Section 8, is struggling to survive and the security that it provdes is tenuous.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken the nation, the postal service announced that on Oct. 18, it is planning to raise shipping costs until Dec. 27 due to an expected increase in online and holiday shopping. This change will “[provide] the agency with much needed revenue,” according to a public announcement from the USPS. If funding is not Illustration By christian ayala issued from Congress, these

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Kamala Harris is not the villain trinity archie

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residential candidate Joe Biden made history when he announced Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate.

Media coverage and public opinion focused more on criticism than the history that was made, as Harris is the first Black woman to be nominated for this position. Many questioned Harris’ past actions as California’s attorney general.

Her early work contradicts the police reform efforts many Democrats have been fighting for in recent years. Critics tend to overlook Harris’ efforts to repair her past and the struggles women of color face in politics. Harris has spent the past few years trying to change for the better.

Harris was born in Oakland, Calif. to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, according to CBS News. Both parents came to the United States as immigrants and were able to find success in their career fields. In a twist of fate that could perhaps be seen as foreshadowing for their daughter’s future in political involvement, Harris’ parents met at a civil rights protest. This gave Harris the foundation to pursue politics as a Black woman following her parents’ path.

Harris’ Ballotpedia biography details her lengthy history in politics and law. Upon graduating from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, she began her career as Alameda County deputy district attorney. Following this position, Harris served as San Francisco district attorney from 2004 to 2011. She faced the most scrutiny from 2011 to 2016 when she served as attorney general of California.

Harris’ past actions in this role caused many to question her stance as a Democrat. According to the Los Angeles Times, she opposed legislation that would have required her office to investigate fatal police shootings. The California Legislative Black Caucus questioned this stance, as many of these fatal shootings took Black lives.

Harris also received criticism from minority communities when she laughed in response to an interviewer’s question regarding recreational cannabis legalization.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Black citizens are 3.73 times more likely than white citizens to be arrested on marijuana charges. With the disproportionate number of Black citizens arrested for marijuana-related offenses, people were disappointed to see a Black female leader take this stance.

The problem is that Harris’ critics rarely acknowledge how she has changed and evolved politically throughout her career.

Her current actions and opinions do not parallel her past controversies.

Harris redesigned her political framework prior to her shortlived run in the 2020 presidential primaries. In a thread of tweets, she explained her plans for police reform and cannabis legalization efforts. Her plans also included elimination of racial bias within the legal system and mass incarceration. Despite Harris’ efforts to address her community’s concerns, she still faced backlash.

People are concerned that these changes are not genuine.

Many believe that Harris has only reinvented her political views to bring in votes.

I question whether this has to do with her history as an attorney general or her history as a woman of color. When it was announced that Harris would serve as Biden’s running mate, she received heavy backlash for a vice presidential candidate.

As a minority, I understand the concerns surrounding her past, but I also feel like we are often too critical of women in politics. They are held to a different standard.

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 38% of U.S. citizens believe that women are held to a higher standard than men in politics. This is one of many reasons why women struggle to obtain high positions in office.

People should try to understand that it is extremely difficult for a woman of color to reach the level of success that Harris has in the political world. She is criticized for her harsh legal decisions, but people seem to forget that women often have to present themselves as more relentless in professional environments to be

Illustration By aleah green

taken seriously.

Unfortunately, it would have been difficult for Harris to rise through the ranks if she had not taken these stances earlier on.

The 2020 election will be one of the most important in American history. The elected president and vice president will be responsible for handling the nation during one of the country’s most vulnerable times.

While we can all come to a consensus that we were not given ideal candidates this year, Harris’ past should not lead to another four years under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Growth is critical for human progress and Harris has shown her devotion to advancement.

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Zoom: A whole new virtual world Olivia Charlson

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Paul Lenze participates in a faculty meeting through Zoom in his office in SBS Castro, Aug. 20. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

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elcome to the new normal for a learning environment.

With the Zoom-boom and in-person classes pushed back, eating cereal during class, listening to a lecture in bed and hovering the cursor over a call button to arrive just at the right time is now something nearly every college student can say they have experienced. Regardless of how teachers decide to move a course to a remote format, each online platform has its benefits and its downfalls.

This semester, NAU introduced Blackboard Learn’s Collaborate Ultra feature as a virtual classroom. Teachers are able to choose between this and an all-too-familiar Zoom call, which quickly grew in popularity to accommodate the transition to online instruction following the shutdown of in-person services due to COVID-19. While both Collaborate Ultra and Zoom are similar, there are some differences that affect a classroom’s overall tone.

NAU offcially went virtual and has been since the end of spring break last semester. In-person instruction is scheduled to return on Aug. 31, despite protests from faculty and worries from students and parents. NAU’s policies do not necessarily affect the learning platform itself, but they are going to shape a large part of how the school year goes. According to an article in The Arizona Republic, over 100 nontenured faculty were fired and stripped of health insurance in order to keep NAU’s student-to-teacher ratio the same. NAU President Rita Cheng and her executive team will take 10% salary cuts this semester. As for NAU’s online classroom, Collaborate Ultra seems to be running smoothly aside from some student complaints.

Freshman Claire Elliott just started her online classes.

Elliott said she is more familiar with Zoom because she used it during the end of her high school career and over the summer for appointments. Her first experience with Collaborate Ultra was a bad one. Elliott only interacted with it for one class, but she said it was glitchy because students were getting kicked out and it was harder to communicate within it than in Zoom.

“For the time we’re in now with the coronavirus, I think [Zoom] is a good learning environment,” Elliott said. “Obviously, I would rather have it in-person because I’m just a lot more focused and the visual learning really helps, but for what we are given, I think [Zoom] really helps.”

Elliott said she feels like the downside to most websites is the potential for unwanted tracking, and even if students did have other options, those would probably have the same policies in place as well.

Zoom made the transition from classroom learning easier for many, but there have been some controversies about the company that have surfaced since its user base skyrocketed. According to an article from Vox, Zoom has gone through several updates this year in order to combat Zoom-bombers, or people who could jump in a call and play explicit material or otherwise disrupt the meeting.

However, the company’s privacy policies sparked outrage when Zoom announced that the company will be working with law enforcement to investigate its users. The company also announced they will offer end-to-end encryption and that they work with

FEATURES law enforcement to prevent crimes like child sex abuse being shared on the platform.

Regardless, the announcement put a bad taste in people’s mouths and the article suggested that if users are going to coordinate police protests, they should turn to programs such as Signal, WhatsApp or Telegram.

Whitney Stefani, a communication lecturer at NAU, said she has done online teaching before. However, she said she usually instructs in an asynchronous way or with different technology, so it is her first time teaching with Zoom or Collaborate Ultra. Regarding the aforementioned security information about Zoom, Stefani said she has been avoiding a lot of news stories about things she cannot control at this time and is just trying to use whatever will work for her and her students. For the most part, she said she is still able to have the same experience that she and her students had in person.

“One thing I do note, though, is students feel very differently about it,” Stefani said. “And so I get that communication a lot, that this format is uncomfortable, or it’s nerve-wracking, or it’s just not the same for them. I can still see [students’] faces, I like having the name there, that helps me, so I feel like being able to call students by name the first week of class is really nice. I guess I don’t really feel that different about it compared to in-person teaching.”

“I get that communication a lot, that this format is uncomfortable, or it’s nervewracking, or it’s just not the same for them.”

– Whitney Stefani, Communication Lectuer Stefani also gave insight into how teachers were prepared to instruct remotely. Stefani explained that teachers had access to a tutorial video with an invited team member from another university who had experience with this sort of technology before COVID-19.

The video focused on how to make the class accessible both in person and remotely. Stefani said the instructor focused on meeting students’ needs and making the class accessible, and her decisions were guided by these comments. She said she hopes students will begin to feel as though they don’t need an in-person experience to have a connection.

These transitions are not only affecting students’ educations, but their careers as well.

Lenze is a senior lecturer in the department of Politics and International Affairs, Aug. 20. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

Senior Katelyn Hurst is an elementary education major and is the president of NAU’s chapter of Educators Rising. Hurst has been adjusting to changes in her own education and has had to adapt to learning how to teach virtually as well.

She said for any classes that are purely lecturing, Collaborate Ultra is good but that for her classes in particular, they are very collaborative and Zoom seems to work better. Hurst said a lot of education majors are sad that they will not be able to teach in classrooms this semester, but she said she thinks it is better to look on the positive side.

“Doing Zoom and everything teaches us how to use these online platforms because this is a new normal and we don’t know when we’re going to be back to us being in a classroom,” Hurst said. “So, I think that we’re just trying to be positive overall. I do think it’s not the same learning.”

Hurst said she and her friends are hoping to get back to normal soon, but that she does not know how to feel about the current state of classes. She explained they are often distracted by other technology and worry about focusing in their online lectures.

This new environment is different for a generation that grew up surrounded by technology, but not unknown. There is no perfect way to teach a class where students are potentially miles apart, but these new methods will grow and adapt — and so will NAU. People do need to be cognizant of the fact that their responses may be recorded and the internet can be unsafe, but there is still a connection and good experiences that will come with this.

Students and faculty are tasked with picking a platform and sticking with it because there is no option to choose none at all.

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Students share their schooltime horror stories Ash Lohmann When school started remotely, many might have assumed the embarrassing moments that come with in-person instruction would fade away. However, mistakes such as leaving one’s microphone on and humming loudly during a class or forgetting you’re not wearing pants before standing up to get some water in a virtual lecture make a very human reality clear: Embarrassing moments are just a part of life — especially when you’re in school.

To reminisce on all of the good, old-fashioned embarrassment that accompanied in-person school, and hopefully bring some light into a confusing and stressful time, several NAU students shared their previously humiliating moments from school Fourth grade heartache Rejections can always be hard, but the first time tends to sting the worst. For senior Devin Garcia, his first rejection came early — the fourth grade to be exact — and it hit hard.

“So, in fourth grade I asked a girl if she liked me and she said no and I was so sad that I ran off into the kickball field and peed my pants,” Garcia said. “I was just so sad.”

Improv embarrassment Whenever freshman Matthew Lankton thinks back to his middle school days, he remembers how the performance of a play he was in got a lot more interesting. One night, when his younger self had improvisation skills, a school performance proved to be entertainingly bizarre.

“So, as we dive deep into my middle school days, I was a very interesting child — constantly placing myself into situations I cannot even think about anymore without cringing,” Lankton said. “This one instance stands out drastically.

“So, I was forced to be in this play for my class I had to take, and let me tell you, I was not great, but somehow got the secondary lead. In one of the performances, I completely messed up my lines and stage directions. So, I had the brightest idea to simply improvise.

“We were at a scene where I had to walk across the stage toward another actor, and at this point, I’m completely ahead of the game, already at my friend on the end of the stage and I had absolutely no clue what to do.

So, my 13-year-old self decided to jump up and down under this blanket, because at the time, that seemed like the best bet. I was so

embarrassed when everyone in the audience began to laugh hysterically at what I had just done.”

Though his improvisation was something Lankton described as cringe-worthy and embarrassing, there was apparently something about his performance that engaged the audience and even his director.

“After the show, my director applauded me,” Lankton said.

“Why? Because I guess my improvising was spot-on. I was so embarrassed, and I still can’t live it down to this day with the kids who were in my class at the time. Now that I look back, it was such a fun experience and I could never relive that embarrassing moment again, it was definitely embarrassing but so, so enjoyable.”

Poorly planned punchline Middle school can be a rough time with all the awkwardness surrounding puberty, but it can be an even more stressful experience when a “your mom” joke lands poorly in gym class.

Senior Ethan Langenfeld was in the seventh grade when he learned that saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can get one sent to the principal’s office.

“So, seventh grade is not a great time, and as a seventh grader in P.E. class, one day, we were playing capture the flag,” Langenfeld said. “I was doing the little move over the safety line, going back and forth, you know, trying to juke the guy out. The guy on the other side — he was an eighth grader and I didn’t really know him, but he was Hispanic and he goes, ‘that’s illegal.’

Being the seventh grader that I was, the first thing that came

to my mind was to go to a ‘your mom’ joke, which was very inappropriate. I deeply regret it.”

Swim team superlatives For some, reputation has been known to make or break one’s high school experience and freshman Rayelyn Cardova Woodward’s high school reputation was defined by her relationship after some particularly ill-suited swim team superlatives.

“On my high school swim team, each senior makes a couple of fun ‘awards’ for teammates to give out at our banquet — they announce them at the banquet, so it can get pretty embarrassing or funny,” Cordova Woodward said. “At this time, I had been dating my boyfriend for quite a while, and he had been on the team and graduated the year before. He came to the meets and everyone knew who he was already.

“The person who got me thought it’d be a fun idea to make my award based off of the fact that my boyfriend was a bit older than me. So, during the senior awards part of the ceremony I got up when my name was called, thinking I’d get something poking fun about being shy, or drinking too much Gatorade.

While standing in front of my coaches, family and friends, it was proudly announced that I was receiving the ‘jail-bait award.’ The look on my coach’s face is still etched into my brain, it was my worst nightmare.”

Locked out lullaby Embarrassment can even follow students to college. Sophomore Caleb Ellis experienced universitylevel embarrassment his freshman year when he ended up getting locked out of his dorm room.

“It all started around three in the morning, when I awoke to a full bladder that needed to be released,” Ellis said. “As I left my dorm room and headed toward my saving grace, the bathroom, I realized I was in the worst situation that could happen to a college freshman: I left my keys in my room and had ultimately locked myself out.

“This caused me to do the most rational thing three a.m. me could think of doing, which was to sleep in the dorm lobby until the morning. You could only imagine the confused look on the front desk girl’s face when I rose from the uncomfortable fabric couch, half asleep, and with the worst bed head ever, asked for a spare key, only to vanish 10 feet down the hall, where I never showed my embarrassed face again.”

Illustration By Shelsey Braswell

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CULTURE

NAU community remembers Naya Rivera’s impact sophia salazar

Keep summer going by watching ‘Outer Banks’

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lthough summer is coming to a close, the show “Outer Banks” can help you enjoy those last days of sunshine. After seeing people posr about the show on TikTok, I thought it would just be another corny teen drama like “Riverdale.” I finally decided to give the show a try after a friend kept recommending it to me. My thoughts about “Outer Banks” turned out to be completely wrong.

The show takes place in the Outer Banks islands off the coast of North Carolina. It begins with the four main characters — John B, JJ, Kiara and Pope — making the most out of their summer. The characters’ summer changes completely when Hurricane Agatha strikes the island.

After the hurricane, the friends are out on the NAYOMI GARCIA CULTURE EDITOR marsh when they stumble upon a sunken boat from the hurricane. As they look through the wreckage, John B finds a compass that belonged to his father who has been lost at sea for months. The group believes this is a clue that will help them find where John B’s father is.

As the show progresses, the teens learn that John B’s father was searching for a treasure from a ship that sank in the 1800s. The boat sank with a treasure that is now worth millions. The friends begin to search the island for more clues leading to the treasure many people have spent years searching for.

Problems arise for the group as they have to work against others that are also anxious to find the treasure. These parts of the show create lots of tension as you keep rooting for the main group to find the gold. There are definitely a lot of plot twists that will keep you hooked throughout these scenes.

Even though this show is a teen drama, the actors play their parts so passionately. The actor that stood out most to me in the first season was Rudy Pankow, who plays JJ. Pankow’s character deals with a lot of pain from his abusive father. I was very impressed by his ability to show the emotional weight his character deals with.

I liked seeing how the treasure hunt throughout the show created a bond that brought them even closer, and made the show feel extra special. I felt like I was there with them as they made their way across the island in search of the gold.

The soundtrack also makes the show more enjoyable. It is a perfect collection of songs that remind you of calm summer days. It’s a great soundtrack for when you’re in a summer mood.

“Outer Banks” definitely took me by surprise. If you’re looking for a quick watch, this one is definitely worth your while. Each episode will leave you on the edge of your seat until you’re waiting for season two.

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eath is never an easy topic to discuss, especially when it’s a celebrity who was so well-known.

Naya Rivera, who played Santana Lopez on “Glee,” died on July 8 from an accidental drowning in Lake Piru, California, after saving her 4-year-old son, Josey Dorsey from drowning. Rivera’s death comes seven years after “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) died from an overdose.

“Glee” was more than just a TV show about high schoolers singing and dancing. It was about the LGBTQ+ representation that was included. Rivera, a woman of color, was admired by many within the LGBTQ+ community because of her part on the show. Santana Lopez, a co-captain cheerleader who fell in love with and married her high school friend, Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris).

This was a big step toward visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. Her confidence as a queer woman was important to see in the limelight because members of the community weren’t televised often in 2009. Even after the show ended, she still carried her confidence and spoke openly about being a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and equal rights.

Sophomore Quannah Arnold, an ASNAU senator and NAZ Today reporter, expressed his connection with Naya Rivera’s character.

“I resonated with what she was going through in terms of her character and her journey through high school,” Arnold said. “My heart goes out to Josey and her entire family, as well as her cast members.

She had a different impact on everyone.”

“Glee” was known to model inclusion and diversity throughout its time on air. The first episode, which premiered in 2009, included a wide variety of students of different races, sexual orientations and disabilities singing different genres of music.

One of these diverse performances occurred in episode 11 of the first season, in which deaf students from a rival choir club sing and sign “Imagine” by John Lennon using American Sign Language. It doesn’t take long before the “Glee” cast members join in and sing along while they learn the signs.

Marian Griffin, assistant director of NAU’s LGBTQIA Student Services in the Office of Inclusion, began watching “Glee” while they were still completing their undergraduate degree at NAU. “I [was] still very much in the closet, but when I did eventually come out at the end of my undergrad, the show was a big deal for me because it was one of the

only places I saw any queer representation at that time — people who were like me,” Griffin said in an email interview.

Throughout its six-season run, “Glee” often addressed problems that society faces. Freshman Cynamin Newell was pleased with issues that were addressed throughout the show.

“I think the problems the show addressed really well were mental health issues, teen pregnancy and safety in high schools,” Newell said.

Although “Glee” embraced the beauty in each and every character, it sometimes missed the opportunity to break stigmas around the LGBTQ+ community.

The TV show even fell under fire for casting Rivera as a promiscuous teen.

Griffin said they thought it was important to address the issues that “Glee” did, especially at a time when those issues were unheard of on mainstream television.

Despite this, Griffin said they did not think the issues were handled perfectly.

“There was a good deal of tokenization and sometimes real struggles were turned into jokes for entertainment,’’ Griffin said.

Even though “Glee” had its slip-ups, many people were fond of the show. While including students from different walks of life, it still addressed hard hitting problems and brought visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.

Illustration By dominic davies

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Victorian Moon finds success during pandemic Cole Stewart

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mall businesses have struggled to stay afloat in Flagstaff. As a town that relies heavily on tourism for income, Flagstaff was hit hard this summer by the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.

Victorian Moon is an apothecary and antique shop in Flagstaff owned

by Sharon Lynne. Her business has just recently moved into a new, larger location on San Francisco Street in the heart of downtown Flagstaff.

The situation for Flagstaff businesses, including Lynne’s, changed completely when the pandemic began. Lynne’s experience has been a bit more on the positive side. As soon as businesses were forced to shut down for six weeks, Lynne started a phonein order service for her clients. Many other businesses were not as fortunate, but Lynne’s business does not struggle with a large amount of competition.

“I’m not trying to compete,” Lynne said. “There is not a lot of competition between the small downtown businesses. If anything, we support each other.”

The small business community has not been immune to struggles. Lynne said she knows people are not coming out to shop. Her clientele is local and she has a lot of customers visit from Phoenix, too. Tourism in Flagstaff slowed this summer, but travelers from Phoenix and other nearby areas have increased in volume. Due to the heat and boredom, Flagstaff is an easy weekend escape. Lynne said she has had many customers from the valley in her shop this summer.

Lynne made changes to the store’s hours, adopted new cleaning procedures since reopening in May and has cut minimal labor hours per week.

She has lots of passion for her business and works five days a week despite having only one other employee. Her new location also allows her to have much more space, which she said allows for plenty of room for social distancing. Victorian Moon gives out masks upon arrival to those who

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Victorian Moon photographed in downtown Flagstaff, Aug. 24. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

don’t have one.

The situation for Victorian Moon is unique in that the store has not lost a lot of business. Lynne said the larger location with street-facing windows has helped her gain recognition because she is not tucked in the nextdoor hallway with other small shops anymore. The opening of her tea shop that serves an assortment of beverages, scones and shortbread has only added to her recent success.

Flagstaff resident Melanie Masek

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has visited Lynne’s shop in the past.

“Victorian Moon has beautiful, interesting jewelry and a nice selection of teas and tea sets,” Masek said. “It’s a great place to go for eclectic gifts and home decor. The owner is welcoming and fun to talk to. If you love vintage clothes, go there.”

Although Lynne’s shop has been successful throughout the pandemic, other small businesses cannot all say the same. Lynne said she supports other businesses that have chosen to

stay closed indefinitely. Her business cannot afford to stay closed, but she knows other businesses have that luxury.

Joe Sedillo is another Flagstaff resident who has visited Victorian Moon while exploring downtown.

“I’ve visited a few times,” Sedillo said. “I enjoy the atmosphere, the fine china and the unique classroom area in the back of the store.”

Lynne’s passion for her business and her positivity has helped her

during this difficult time. She said she is hopeful for the future of businesses in Flagstaff. Lynne said it is sad to see all the empty places, but the stores must do what they need to and hope everything turns out OK in the end.

“In positivity you create solutions, and in negativity you create problems,” Lynne said.

CULTURE

INTERESTED in RADIO?

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SPORTS

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Kyler Murray: Next NFL star

ince 2018, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has become one of the NFL’s elite at his position, with an MVP award and a Super Bowl ring to prove it. The 2019 NFL season highlighted another young star in quarterback Lamar Jackson for the Baltimore Ravens, whose historic season also ended with an MVP award and his team having the best regular season record in the league. So, who will be the breakout star in 2020?

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is due for a gigantic year in 2020. Murray has the intangibles, weapons and playbook to set him up for success. However, after witnessing what both Mahomes and Jackson accomplished MITCHEL the last two years, there is reason to believe SULLIVAN Murray could match that — and possibly WRITER even top them.

Everyone knows about Mahomes’ unbelievable arm strength and accuracy. However, Murray’s accuracy closely resembles that of Mahomes. In his third season in the league, Mahomes ended 2019 with a completion percentage of 65.9%, while that same year Murray finished his rookie campaign with a percentage of 64.4%, per Pro Football Reference. Murray being on par with Mahomes this early in his career could mean great things for this much improved Cardinals offense.

While Mahomes makes his money with his arm, Jackson leans on his amazing running ability to rack up his jaw-dropping stats. Murray will most likely not match Jackson’s unbelievable 1,206 rushing yards in a season.

However, it is undeniable that Murray is the prototypical dual-threat quarterback that is so coveted in today’s league.

Jackson’s agility and shiftiness on the field is unrivaled, but Murray’s acceleration in open space is also elite. His ability to create big plays with his legs is a problem that is destined to put NFL defenses in a bind.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Cardinals in a lopsided swap between the Houston Texans and Cardinals, bringing arguably the best receiver in the league to the desert.

Hopkins is an elite target entering his eighth season and brings stability and experience for Murray to throw to during the 2020 season. Pairing Hopkins with future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald makes the Arizona offense one of the most exciting to watch in the league.

Kliff Kingsbury is entering his second year as head coach of the Cardinals, bringing more experience and creativity to the playbook.

While the 5-10-1 record in the 2019 season was a brutal wake-up call for Murray, it seems like all the pieces are starting to fall into place for his second year. Be on the lookout this year for future 2020 and beyond star: Kyler Murray.

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NAU fans fills the Walkup Skydome at a game against Eastern Washington in 2016. Lena Farber | The Lumberjack

NAU FALL SPORTS POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING David Church

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he COVID-19 pandemic has changed the entire landscape of the sports world. The pros have been forced to wait at home for negotiations to be arranged for a return to play, and now it is college sports that have to decide what the future of 2020 sports is going to be.

For the Big Sky Conference and NAU, football programs have already made the decision to postpone the fall season. Now, the waiting game for other NAU fall sports has ended and the news broke that fall Big Sky sports will be pushed to spring.

Mike Marlow, NAU’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics, made a statement regarding the decision and gave his thoughts on what it means for the athletes, coaches and fans.

“The decision by the Big Sky Presidents’ Council reflects the priority placed on the health and well-being of our student-athletes in our conference and at all individual institutions, including NAU,” Marlow said. “This will continue to be the guiding principle for NAU Athletics. I have great empathy for our coaches and student-athletes who have prepared much of their lives to be able to compete and coach in Division I athletics.

The combined efforts of our studentathletes, coaches and staff to prepare during great adversity for their recently canceled seasons is a strong point of pride for all associated, in any way, with NAU Athletics.”

It is obviously a huge blow for the athletes and coaches who work so hard to compete at the highest level possible during the fall season. Unfortunately, just like NAU football, the athletes will have to

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wait until spring 2021 get back to action.

NAU head soccer coach Kylie Louw decided to take a positive outlook on the situation.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to compete in the spring and we are grateful for our leadership and our conference for their thoughtfulness throughout these past months,” Louw said. “We understand the fluidity of the situation and are eager to use the fall to fully prepare our student-athletes in all aspects to compete safely. Delaying the season will provide great opportunity for our players to truly experience the value of all the hard work they put in.”

Louw said she is understanding of the situation and realizes that the decision from the Big Sky Conference was solely based on protecting the health and safety of all athletes that compete in the conference.

While the news is disappointing for everyone involved, NAU head volleyball coach Ken Murphy said he has faith that his athletes have the ability to weather the storm and be stronger because of it.

“We’re obviously very disappointed,” Murphy said. “Our team works so hard to have a great fall season in front of our amazing fans, but we are fortunate to have strong, resilient women on our team and I’m sure we will come out of this even better than before.”

The idea of becoming stronger once the pandemic reaches its end is something that resonates with Marlow.

“Our objective today remains exactly the same as it was at the beginning of the pandemic, and that is to come out of this stronger as an athletic program,” Marlow said. “We will remain focused on doing

everything possible to allow our studentathletes to fulfill their dreams by helping them maximize their academic and athletic potential.”

The delay of competition is tough for every sports program, but it is a bit more unfortunate for the cross country and track and field teams. NAU’s distance runners have had dominant runs as of late. They have been a constant presence at the national level — with the men’s team winning three straight national championships from 2016-18 ­— as well as placing second in 2019’s nationals. They are also the reigning Big Sky champions and have been the kings and queens of the conference the last few years.

Mike Smith, director of cross country and track and field, commented on this situation.

“We trust the decision of the leaders and experts within the Big Sky Conference and NCAA regarding competition this fall,” Smith said. “At this level, our student-athletes are wired for competition.

They, undoubtedly, were looking forward to defending Big Sky titles and competing nationally, as we did last season, but none of that trumps health or safety.”

The decision to suspend all athletic competition was definitely not an easy one to make. The logistics of how scholarships and eligibility are going to be handled were all factors, but in this situation, the choice was made to lean on the side of caution rather than figuring out the plan as the season continues.

NAU fall sports will now focus on staying ready, and more importantly, staying healthy leading up to the start of competition in spring 2021.

SPORTS

Top: Senior Abby Akin (9) spikes the ball past an LSU blocker against LSU at Rolle Activity Center Sept. 13, 2019. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack Bottom Left: NAU Women’s Soccer senior Mei-Te Coco (2), senior Carly George (23), sophomore Madison Montgomery (6) and junior Emma Robson (22) celebrate the second goal Sept. 27, 2019 at the Max Silsbury Field at Lumberjack Stadium. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack Bottom Right: NAU Cross Country and Track & Field athlete, Andrew Trourard, celebrates their national championship, Nov. 18, 2018. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack

AUGUST 27, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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