SPACE TITANS PAGE 10
THE LUMBER JACK
SEPT. 17, 2020 – SEPT. 23, 2020
Online at JackCentral.org
From the Editor
I
heard something recently on a podcast that really stuck with me. Actor Nick Offerman was a guest on The Three Questions with Andy Richter and among many topics, he spoke about his passion for creating things. Offerman said that while he enjoys consumer activities like playing video games, he really appreciates activities where when you’re finished, you’ve made or accomplished something — projects like baking a pie, growing food in a garden or teaching a dog to fetch. Offerman related it specifically to his love of woodworking, where he gets to spend his free time doing what he enjoys, and in the end, he’s accomplished something, like building a piece of furniture or a canoe. While I’ve certainly never built a boat in my free time, I think that idea is really valuable and very applicable. Over the summer, during the height of stay at home orders, I got to work writing a book. I spent endless hours hunched over my keyboard working on ideas, developing characters and writing chapters. I’ve probably never put so much thought and effort into a fun side project that wasn’t related to work or school. While that might be a very cliche quarantine activity, it was fun and JACOB MEYER rewarding. It was the highlight of my summer and gave me something to enjoy PRINT CHIEF and obsess over during an otherwise pretty bleak few months of the pandemic. The book is still a work in progress, and it continues to be a creative outlet I revisit regularly. So while I could have spent all of my free time over the summer watching movies or playing video games, I got to work on a project I really enjoyed, and in the end, I accomplished something, I wrote hundreds of pages of a book. I think this same idea applies to The Lumberjack — while most of us could probably have a lot more time on our hands if we didn’t choose to work for and contribute to the publication, we’re spending that time doing what we enjoy. Our writers, editors, photographers and illustrators put in so much time and effort, and at the end of each week, we’ve accomplished something, we’ve created a newspaper.
Continuous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org
Online at Issuu.com Latest Edition & Archive Social media
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 6
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 Graduate student Anna Engle has received a research grant for up to $135,000 from the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology program. Engle does most of her research in the lab with a machine called a cryogenic system, Sept. 13, 2020. MacKenzie Brower | 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 Sept. 7 At 12:07 a.m., a nonstudent reported having a dispute with his wife at Drury Inn & Suites. NAUPD responded and found the pair were already separated. No criminal activity was witnessed.
At 2:04 a.m., a nonstudent reported their wife was creating a disturbance in their room at Drury Inn & Suites. NAUPD responded and found the nonstudent outside of the building, who then reported he had a bad dream. At 2:29 p.m., multiple students reported a brushfire behind Hilltop Townhomes. NAUPD and Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) responded to extinguish the fire. One student was criminally deferred for reckless burning. At 8:54 p.m., staff reported a vehicle parked in a reserved spot in lot 32. University Safety Aides responded and a citation was issued for using the reserved spot without the correct parking credential. Sept. 8 At 1:17 a.m., staff at McConnell Hall reported the odor of marijuana. NAUPD responded and the case remains open awaiting lab results regarding possession of narcotics. At 4:34 p.m., staff at Campbell Hall reported multiple fire alarms. NAUPD and FFD responded, discovered the presence of smoke, but failed to identify the source. Fire Life Safety was notified.
Compiled by mark fabery and jared winters
Sept. 9 At 12:35 p.m., a nonstudent requested a welfare check on another nonstudent in lot 46. NAUPD responded and a public assist ride to the Guidance Center was provided.
At 7:12 p.m., a staff member at University Marketing and Operations requested assistance with a lockout. NAUPD responded and help was provided.
At 8:34 p.m., an RA at Tinsley Hall called to At 5:01 p.m., NAUPD report the odor of marijuana. attempted to serve documents NAUPD responded, but no to a student at SkyView, but no odor was present. contact was made. Sept. 12 At 11:16 p.m., NAUPD At 3:51 p.m., a student reported checking on a reported suspicious activity nonstudent in lot 3. FFD and near Gabaldon Hall. NAUPD Guardian Medical Transport responded and determined responded and the nonstudent that it was a planned university was transported to Flagstaff event. Medical Center for an injured lip. At 4:20 p.m., an RA at Gabaldon Hall reported the Sept. 10 theft of a fire extinguisher. At 12:59 a.m., a fire alarm NAUPD responded and took went off near the Health and a report. Learning Center. NAUPD responded and discovered At 11:49 p.m., a desk it was activated by ongoing worker at Wilson Hall reported construction and dust in the a student who alleged a subject vicinity. followed them into the building. NAUPD responded At 8:02 a.m., staff at and was unable to locate the Cowden Hall reported the subject. building lost power. NAUPD responded, notified facilities Sept. 13 and assistance was provided. At 7:59 a.m., NAUPD reported an extension cord that At 11:30 a.m., NAU was extending from a building Football staff at the Walkup near lot 1D. Facility Services Skydome practice fields was notified. reported a nonstudent causing a verbal disturbance. NAUPD At 1:35 p.m., staff at responded and the nonstudent Campus Heights received a was warned of trespassing. supervisory alarm. NAUPD responded and discovered the At 3:49 p.m., a student alarm was caused by burnt near the Liberal Arts building food. requested an escort to their car at the Aquatic and Tennis At 5:29 p.m., a Complex. Assistance was nonstudent requested provided. assistance locating their vehicle. NAUPD responded, Sept. 11 failed to locate the vehicle and At 2:57 p.m., a student provided information. at McConnell Hall called to report a dispute between them and another student. NAUPD responded and took a report.
Coconino County COVID-19 Snapshot
Community Transmission Case Rate
Moderate 37.1 per 100,000 pop.
Positivity Percentage
5%
Cases in NAU Zip Code
71
Flagstaff Medical Center COVID-19 Resources
In House COVID-19 Patients Hosptial Capacity Critical Care Capacity
Positive: 7 | Pending: 12 191/300 37/55
Flagstaff now in phase 3 of Covid-19 re-entry plan ALliya Dulaney
T
he city of Flagstaff announced in a press release its decision to move into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan. The decision to enter Phase 3 was reflected by meeting certain requirements such as cases, ability to meet the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control guidelines, hospitalizations and COVID-19-related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, as well as monitoring and contact tracing. “Some staff occupation of city facilities will occur, with emphasis being placed upon continued working from home by those who are able to perform their job duties remotely,” the re-entry plan stated. “Because each division’s business needs and physical spaces are different, the number of employees transitioning back to in-office work, which may include alternative work schedules, will be determined on a division-by-division basis.” As city facilities slowly reopen, areas will remain limited and face coverings are still expected within these facilities. Common areas will continue to remain closed for the time being. The reentry plan for Phase 3 mentions recreation centers, facilities and gyms may be closed but plans are currently in progress with more information releasing at a later date. Flagstaff City Hall will reopen with limited hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday on Sept. 14. and the council will continue to meet remotely. The main Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library will reopen for computer use on Sept. 14 with limited hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the week. Later in the month, East Flagstaff Community Library will also reopen for limited computer use from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The press release also noted reservations are required for patrons wanting to use a computer and can be made online on the library’s website or by calling the library itself. Read more online at jackcentral.org
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
Title IX and reporting sexual assaults on campus mark fabery
U
nited States Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced new provisions to Title IX, the law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex at federally funded education institutions. The new provisions, which were announced in May, impose different legal requirements on how universities must handle disciplinary action for sexual harassment and assault. The directive went into effect Aug. 14, replacing an Obama-era rule originally revoked by DeVos in 2017. According to a press release from the United States Department of Education (ED), it took nearly a year and a half for the Office for Civil Rights to review more than 124,000 public comments on the issue and to finalize the proposed provisions when they were officially published in November 2018. According to a rescinded letter regarding sexual misconduct on campus, the old rule required schools to use the preponderance of evidence — or the lowest standard of proof — when judging sexual assault cases under Title IX in disciplinary hearings. The letter also discouraged both live hearings and cross-examinations, while also claiming that due process protections for accused students should not “unnecessarily delay” resolving charges. Under the new rule, the ED press release stated that schools will have to investigate accusations of sexual harassment in formal complaints, but can dismiss any allegations of conduct that do not meet the definition of sexual harassment. According to the same document, DeVos said the updated regulations will allow educational institutions to adequately investigate allegations of sexual harassment and support survivors, while also engaging in an impartial and honest process. “Too many students have lost access to their education because their school inadequately responded
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Illustration By Aleah green
when a student filed a complaint of sexual harassment or sexual assault,” DeVos stated. “This new regulation requires schools to act in meaningful ways to support survivors of sexual misconduct, without sacrificing important safeguards to ensure a fair and transparent process.” Colleges and universities will also be required to hold live hearings with cross-examinations of both parties. Univeristies hold the right to submit, examine and challenge evidence at a live hearing, along with the right to an adviser and a written notice of allegations. According to the press release, however, the new rule gave schools the flexibility to use technology to conduct Title IX investigations and hearings remotely. NAU Title IX coordinator Elyce Morris said all members of the university community should continue to report alleged incidents of sexual assault, regardless of DeVos’ legal changes to this process. “Multiple channels exist on campus for reporting,” Morris said. “Though some of the process
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has changed in relation to how the university responds to reports of conduct covered by Title IX, the university’s commitment to prohibiting discrimination based on sex or gender in all its programs or activities remains steadfast. This commitment extends to investigating and responding to reports of sexual assault.”
“Title IX was adopted to ensure that no student ... would be denied or limited educational opportunities because of sex.” – Louis Melling, deputy legal director, ACLU According to the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization, the U.S. Supreme Court interpreted sexual harassment more narrowly than the Obama
administration, and the ED attempted to find a middle ground between these two paths. Title IX does not represent a “zero tolerance” policy regarding sexual harassment, it added, but offers “effective protections” instead. The Clery Act of 1990 also stipulated that sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking constitute sexual harassment, as referenced by the Brookings Institution. “The university has a responsibility to report sexual assault from various sources in addition to Title IX, including under the Clery Act, and will continue to report all sexual assaults in accordance with its obligations,” Morris said. “While the revised regulations update some definitions, the university remains able and committed to addressing all sexual misconduct on campus either through Title IX or other university procedures.” Louis Melling, deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the new rule reduces universities’ obligation to
protect victims of sexual assault. “Title IX was adopted to ensure that no student, whether in grade school, high school or university, would be denied or limited educational opportunities because of sex,” Melling said. “The DeVos rule thwarts that aim by dramatically reducing schools’ obligations to address sexual harassment and assault. By adopting a rule that subjects sexual harassment to different standards than other forms of harassment, the Trump administration is doing exactly what Title IX prohibits — discriminating on the basis of sex.” One victims’ rights advocacy group, Know Your Title IX, encouraged students and universities to publicly denounce the rule when it was first announced in May. Furthermore, two days before the new rule was enacted on Aug. 12, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols sided with the ED in a lawsuit filed by 17 states and the District of Columbia that advocate against the DeVos provisions. “But the Department considered the pandemic as well as the other concerns raised by commenters in the Final Rule, and the Court cannot conclude that Plaintiffs are likely to prevail in demonstrating that the Aug. 14, 2020 effective date is arbitrary and capricious,” Nichols wrote. According to The Washington Post, the suit argued that the rule inappropriately narrowed the scope of sexual assault cases that schools could investigate, and also affected their ability to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the global health crisis, Judge Nichols said a later effective data may have been a “preferable policy decision.” Morris said NAU is planning to follow the ED’s guidelines while also protecting victims. Although it is too early to determine if the provisions will lead to an decrease in reported cases on and off campus, Morris remains confident that NAU is committed to addressing all sexual misconduct.
NEWS
DESPITE the pandemic, the census still counts trevor skeen
A
fter years of planning and preparation, the United States Census Bureau is scheduled to continue Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) operations until late September. For anyone who has not completed a questionnaire for the 2020 census, this period allows additional time for online, mail or interview submissions. Greg Webb, event coordinator for Flagstaff’s Complete Count Committee, said NRFU usually lasts 10 weeks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the original start date from May to July, and enumerators around the country are still working to document everyone. Webb emphasized the importance of collecting accurate data and recording all people, especially following this delay. “The 10 minutes you spend on the census will impact this community for the next 10 years,” Webb said. “Without good information on the people in our county, how are we going to make decisions about their well-being?” Given the pandemic, Webb explained that demographic data is useful in addressing public health crises and developing effective responses. Additionally, he said another benefit is the federal funding determined by the 2020 census, which amounts to roughly $20 billion annually for Arizona. A total of 55 programs are covered by these allocations, he added, including housing grants, school meals, infrastructure projects and other services. “If you forget to count a kid in your household, that’s $3,000 in federal funding that didn’t come into our community,” Webb
said regarding the bureau’s calculations. Although the census provides useful data and determines federal funding, Webb added that it constitutionally controls apportionment, which distributes 435 seats in the House of Representatives among all 50 states. According to population statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Arizona had approximately 6.4 million residents in 2010 and an estimated 7.3 million in 2019, demonstrating an increase of 100,000 people annually. Webb said this growth could give Arizona more representation in Congress — along with further leverage on the federal government — but only if the state’s population is counted correctly. For Flagstaff specifically, Webb reminded NAU students to complete questionnaires for their living situations on Census Day, April 1. Even if the city’s typical residents moved away and in with parents to quarantine, he said they should still count for the area’s numbers. “While you’re going to school at NAU, you’re a part of this community,” Webb said. “If you weren’t counted here, then it looks like 20,000 fewer people live and use services in Flagstaff than actually do.” Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau already recorded on-
campus residents as opposed to their off-campus counterparts. For anyone who lived in NAU’s dormitories on April 1, Webb explained that the university automatically submitted questionnaires. However, students at other apartment complexes or accommodations need to complete their own. Coconino County Supervisor Elizabeth Archuleta also said college students are a significant part of Flagstaff’s “vibrant and diverse” culture, and as such, they should be documented in the 2020 census. “Their participation in the census is of the utmost importance as they make up roughly 8% of the county’s population,” Archuleta said. “We implore students to complete the census to ensure that the community they love receives the federal funding it needs to provide services like wildlife restoration, highway maintenance and so much more.” Councilmember Jamie Whelan echoed these comments, saying that NAU students must be accurately and entirely counted to reflect the city’s population. “We are asking all NAU students to fill out their census by the September 30 deadline,” Whelan said. “It matters for the current residents of Flagstaff, as well as future residents and NAU students.” While NRFU operations are currently scheduled until the end of this month, Webb said the date could be changed in order to provide more time for the U.S. Census Bureau. Enumerators may continue working until Oct. 31, he added, while the final count deadline could be extended from Dec. 31 until April. However, Webb explained that Congress must legally adjust this date because federal law requires delivery to the president’s office by the completion of the calendar year. Although the House already voted to pass this change, the Senate did not decide before its 20-day recess that started Sept. 8. By continuing NRFU interviews for another month, Webb said the 2020 census would likely receive more complete data. As of Sept. 9, between 60-84% of the bureau’s workload in Coconino County was finished, while other parts of the state lagged even further behind. With the current deadline just a few weeks away, some estimates show that only 30-60% of data is recorded. The census only happens once a decade, and with its poor timing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Webb said some decisions are finalized mere hours before their application. Regardless of when interviews and submissions end, he explained that everyone should do their questionnaires as soon as possible.
“While you’re going to school at NAU, you’re a part of this community. If you weren’t counted here, then it looks like 20,000 fewer people live and use services in Flagstaff.” – Greg Webb, event coordinator, Flagstaff Complete Count committee
An overview of the U.S. shows that the Flagstaff Area Census Office counted 72.5% of all people, as of Sept. 14. Image courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
Left: Restaurant patrons sit outside in the right lane of West Aspen Avenue, which is blocked off and filled with dining tables to accommodate customers, Sept. 11. Right: A look at the decorations paired with outdoor dining locations, which include umbrellas, flowers and fences, Sept. 11. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
Downtown Flagstaff continues outdoor dining nicholas bratcher
S
ince COVID-19 safety protocols went into effect in March, restaurants and other socially oriented businesses throughout the country searched for ways to meet the new requirements. In downtown Flagstaff, an expansion of outdoor dining recently emerged as a way to address this issue and help businesses stay afloat. Sweet Shoppe Candy Store owner Jennifer Rolley said local outdoor dining was conceptualized by Terry Madeksza of the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance. This concept was already trending around the country, and Rolley said Madeksza’s proposal prompted the city to move efficiently. So far, the results have worked well for the Sweet Shoppe. “Since the day we opened back up after closing during the start of COVID-19, our customers have been very respectful of waiting
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outside,” Rolley said. “However, once we opened these tables and opened the sidewalk up, people have been enjoying getting their gelato or their caramel apple and hanging out awhile.” Rolley was also pleased with how customers from various businesses intermingled in these outdoor dining areas. With tables set up along West Aspen Avenue, Rolley described an almost seamless environment that has emerged between the businesses which call it home. “The nice thing is, because all of Aspen has these tables, I’ll look out and see someone from Late for the Train or another business enjoying a cup of coffee at my table, which is great,” Rolley said. Rolley pointed out the city has done more than place tables along Aspen, including adding a bike lane, installing white picket fences and placing a number of flower baskets. “I joke that when you sit and look around at how pretty it all is, I feel like I’m in one of
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those Hallmark movies,” Rolley said. While businesses like the Sweet Shoppe noticed an uptick in business, others remained similar to prepandemic levels. Tory Mace of Beaver Street Brewery mentioned a permit the establishment received, which allowed them to organize tables in the parking lot while people waited for indoor seating. The brewery has no waiting area in the front, and its management reached out to the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to get an extension permit. Flagstaff resident Stephanie Welch said, while locals have not used this new concept regularly, outdoor seating is commonly used by visitors to the area. “I haven’t taken advantage of it myself, but my friends say that it is mostly the out of town crowd who is doing outdoor dining,” Welch said. The pandemic’s effects on long-term business practices remain unknown, but those
in the industry have a variety of predictions. More specifically, Mace mentioned a new QR code ordering system that Beaver Street Brewery implemented, which could indicate the use of further technology in the industry. Rolley said she was optimistic about the dining along Aspen, and she expressed hope that it will become a new Flagstaff tradition. “They’re having such a good response to the way they have decorated downtown,” Rolley said. “My understanding is that their plan is to bring this right back as soon as the snow season is over, and we’re going to do it again next summer,” Rolley said. The expansion of outdoor dining demonstrates how businesses have reinvented themselves in the wake of the pandemic, and it will be interesting to see how restaurants, breweries and other establishments continue to evolve as COVID-19 moves into the winter and beyond.
COMIC SPOT
COmic By Diana Ortega
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Party whistle-blowers deserve protection TRINITY ARCHIE
Negative stigma surrounding HIV
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ccording to Avert, an international HIV and AIDS charity, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) started to spread in the United States in the early 1980s. Since HIV was first seen in gay males, it caused even more marginalization for the LGBTQ+ community that continues to this day. As we’ve seen, the U.S. is slow when it comes to addressing global pandemics, especially when the virus is disproportionately affecting gay men. Larry Speakes, former press secretary under President Ronald Reagan, laughed when he was asked what the president was going to do about the spread of HIV in 1982. Reagan did not address the issue KYLER publicly until 1985, according to NBC EDSITTY News. By this time, there were 20,303 cases of AIDS worldwide. OP-ED ASSISTANT As stated by HIV.org, stigma can EDITOR prevent people from getting tested and talking openly with their partners about their status and safer sex options. This allows the virus to be transmitted more. Eight in 10 adults with HIV report they feel internalized stigma, which can lead to depression and may affect the probability of someone continuing treatment. The virus also disproportionately affects People of Color based on institutional issues such as income and access to education. In 2018, Black people accounted for 43% of cases and Hispanic/Latinx people accounted for 27%, according to HIV.org. Although there is no cure, there are many treatments that help prevent and manage HIV, such as preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. New spaces are being created that allow people to talk about their status. Many celebrities are now sharing their positive status as a way to spread awareness. Jonathan Van Ness from “Queer Eye” announced that he was HIV positive in 2019. Van Ness told The New York Times he felt the need to tell the public to challenge misconceptions about HIV and now considers himself a “proud member of the beautiful HIV positive community.” There are many steps that everyone can take to help end the stigma. On an institutional level, adequate sex education in high school that addresses nonheterosexual sex and ways to make it safer has the potential to save lives. Advocating or donating to Planned Parenthood allows people continued access to affordable STI testing and treatments. However, the best way to end stigma surrounding any STI is to create spaces where people can openly talk about safe sex and their status. Pretending these issues don’t exist won’t solve the problem and will only let people struggle in silence.
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T
he COVID-19 pandemic has forced colleges to adapt in order to minimize risk on campuses. These adaptations include lists of new rules and regulations students must follow. Colleges have received mixed reactions about these safety precautions. Most campuses have implemented restrictions on parties and on-campus visitors. Students have expressed their frustration over these rules, complaining that limitations are ruining their college experience. Others acknowledge that these changes are necessary to protect public health. Frustrated students seem to disregard the severity of the pandemic. Parties impact entire communities, not just those in attendance. According to The New York Times, epidemiologists predict that college parties could result in a resurgence of COVID-19 in areas that have otherwise been able to manage the spread of the virus. Students seem to not understand the impact they have on public health. Students’ actions can directly help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Many colleges have implemented some form of reporting system where students are able to report large gatherings and other rule violations. Colgate University in New York is one of many universities that encourage students to take an active role in reporting their fellow classmates. Yale and other universities have developed a hotline for students to report these incidents. A certain culture has formed around these new reporting tools. Students who alert authorities about these risky parties are labeled as snitches. Students who have spoken out have been attacked by their fellow classmates, according to The New York Times. As a result, students have become hesitant to report policy violations. Colleges need to provide some level of anonymity for students who make these efforts to keep their communities safe. Furthermore, if these students’ identities do become public, they should be protected by their institutions. Any attacks from peers should be met with disciplinary action. These students should not have to fear threats or violence for speaking out. As of now, universities like Yale, that encourage student reporting via cell phone apps and hotlines, do not guarantee protection for students who report these incidents. They often have the option to remain anonymous, but this does not promise much given the housing style of most college dorms. A student cannot truly remain anonymous reporting a party across the hall. It is not difficult for party attendees to figure out that their next-door neighbor made a report. If colleges want students to act as unnoficial compliance officers, they need to make it clear that attacks on these students will not be tolerated. In an effort to deter large gatherings, university COVID-19 policies detail potential punishments party attendees face. These newly implemented guidelines often fail to mention any potential discipline of those who attack the students who report these incidents. Since universities are failing to hold attackers accountable,
Illustration By RAINEE FAVELA
a potential solution would be to state threats and attacks will be taken seriously by the institution. As of Sept. 10, Coconino County alone has reported 3,298 confirmed COVID-19 cases. In a small college town like Flagstaff, NAU has the potential to serve as a major contributor to a surge in cases. This is why student responsibility is so important. Those who are brave enough to come forward and report actions that threaten lives deserve protection. Incident reporters should not face backlash from the very communities they aim to protect. NAU has taken many steps to encourage student responsibility amid the pandemic. The Covid Watch Arizona app takes a different approach to student reporting. Users have the option of sharing COVID-19 test results within the app, so that the community can avoid those who have tested positive. This is a better alternative to hotlines that provide no real protection for students. Colleges should be vocal about their support and protection of student incident reporters. It is unfair for institutions to ask students to police their peers, then not provide any form of protection for those who speak out. This is a student safety issue that colleges need to take seriously.
OPINION-EDITORIAL
The unspoken consequences of speaking out EMILY GERDES Content warning: Sexual assault and harassment
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eporting sexual assault or harassment is difficult in itself, but when joined with the possible repercussions, fear often ends up silencing the abused. For too long, those with the strength to stand up for themselves or others have not been listened to, and necessary change has not occurred. The deaths of United States Army soldiers Vanessa Guillen and Elder Fernandes recently gained national attention. Both were active service members stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. Guillen told her family and friends that she had been sexually harassed by a superior. She then went missing on April 22 and her confirmed remains were found on June 30; many believe foul play was involved. Authorities believe Army Specialist Aaron Robinson was involved in the disappearance and death of Guillen, according to an ABC13 Houston report. Fernandes reported he was sexually assaulted in May and was then moved to a different unit. He was last seen on Aug. 17 and his remains were found on Aug. 25 in Temple, Texas. At a Fort Hood press conference on Aug. 26, Special Agent Damon Phelps spoke about the assault claims. “Sgt. Fernandes did report that he was sexually assaulted when someone allegedly grabbed his buttocks,” Phelps said in the press conference. “There was a thorough legal review and the allegations were unsubstantiated.” Sexual assault in the U.S. Army is not unusual, and these repeated occurences have yet to lead to lasting and effective change. Guillen and Fernandes’ experiences are similar to countless others who have come before them. Guillen’s family and lawyers have drafted the #IAmVanessaGuillen bill and are working to introduce it to Congress. This bill would allow active-duty troops to file sexual harassment and assault claims to a third-party agency. Numerous active and retired service
Illustration By BLAKE FERNANDEZ
members, the majority of them women, have spoken out about the harassment and assault they have experienced while serving. There is also support around the idea that reported claims were covered and no change transpired or the victims received backlash for reporting. For example, Kayla Knight told ABC News she was sexualy assaulted on an army base and faced many consequnces for reporting it. Her career was stunted because she transferred so often, was told that her career would have been better if she did not report her assault and was told to “stop playing the victim card.” It is appalling that these individuals built up the courage to come forward against their assailants, some might this cost them their lives. It is likely there will be backlash for sharing these experiences, but most arrive at the understanding that speaking out may prevent it from happening to others. When one individual reports assault or harassment, there is a greater possibility that others will do the same. This became prevalent with the growth of the #MeToo movement in 2017, the Harvey Weinstein scandal and now with Guillen. Large Corporations are notorious for having victims sign nondisclosure agreements (NDA), according to story publish by Vox. These agreements often include financial incentives that often keep victims from speaking out. NDAs are also filled with legal terms backed by massive corporations who have the means to bring the issue to court. In the case of Weinstein, when reporters were investigating his history with abuse, assault and harassment, individuals with NDAs or past relations received phone calls from Weinstein and his associate ensuring that
they would not speak up — a tactic used to instill fear. Once the Weinstein story was published in The New Yorker and The New York Times many more women spoke up. About 100 women have since come forward with allegations about Weinstein’s actions. These individuals include Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, Ambra Battilana Gutierrez and Lucia Evans. In his Pulitzerwinning article about Weinstein, Ronan Farrow shared the repercussion women often face after coming forward. “After they rejected Weinstein’s advances or complained about them to company representatives, Weinstein had them removed from projects or dissuaded people from hiring them,” Farrow wrote in the New Yorker. The repercussions of speaking out can destroy one’s career along with their emotional and mental health. If a powerful person spreads negative feedback about a person, essentially getting them blacklisted, their chances of getting a job are nearly impossible. After being sexually assaulted, many people fall into a state of depression or make themselves believe the
encounter was their fault. Additionally, they tend to carry the guilt all by themselves. This is a critical time in college students’ lives because they are learning and forming their opinions about the way society, and the world, operates. This is when young people can make changes they want to see in society, and have the power to change politics, societal standards and the economy. The future may be completely altered if a whole generation is too scared to voice their beliefs due to the repercussions that may follow. It is more important now than ever before for individuals to share and spread their beliefs, because social media allows for those ideas to reach audiences globally. No one should ever feel hesitant about speaking out against power structures within society. Whether that means politicians, the military, corporations or individual people, victims should be believed, actions should be taken and survivors should not live in fear of the consequences.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
NASA recognizes grad studen Alliya Dulaney
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Anna Engle does most of her research in a lab with a machine called a cryogenic system, Sept. 13. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack
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hree years ago, NAU launched its doctoral program in astronomy and planetary science. Now, with 27 students in the program, its reputation and success has led to various research projects and grant opportunities for students. Three graduate students in the doctoral program, Anna Engle, Ari Koeppel and Anthony Maue, were awarded the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) grant. Maue said the FINESST grant provides graduate students studying Earth and planetary science funding on an independent project. The grant will provide students three years of funding, totaling up to $45,000 a year, that can pay for stipends, travel expenses, paper publications and even field work. With its many benefits, this application process is extremely competitive as graduate students all over the country can apply, Koeppel and Engle explained. Of the hundreds of students who applied, 34 were awarded the FINESST grant. The three NAU students who were selected this year tied with the University of Arizona for the highest awardance of any institution nationwide. “I think that what they’ve been saying is that we got about 9% of the 34 just from Northern Arizona University,” Engle said. “We cleaned up this year.” Now, with funding for up to three years on their research, these graduate students are able to continue doing what they are passionate about without the stress of finding funding to do so. Engle, who is in her second year of the doctorate program, is focusing her research on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. Engle said she plans to explore the lakes on Titan to see what kind of consequences this has to the geology in the surrounding area. Engle said there is some idea of the chemical composition of the lakes on Titan from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which explored Saturn and its family of icy moons and finished its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. Working at the Astrophysical Ice Laboratory at Lowell Observatory provides Engle the necessary tools to continue her research. Engle is conducting experiments using a system that can go down to 30 K (Kelvins), or about negative 243 C, to look at varying mixtures of nitrogen, methane, ethane, propane, ethylene and acetylene. From there, she will be able to mix samples and put them into a cryogenic chamber, and use spectroscopy, a method that uses light to gather information about materials, to understand the quantities and interactions happening in the samples. Maue, a fifth-year doctorate student, transferred from the University of Tennessee with his adviser a year ago and said Flagstaff is a very cool town and is good for what his research entails. Maue is also studying Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, through
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nts’ out-of-this-world research information provided by NASA’s Cassini mission, specifically from the radar instrument that was on board. He mentioned Titan is the only other body in the solar system that has stable liquid on its surface aside from Earth. However, an exception to this similarity, Maue explained, is Titan’s cold surface that measures about 95 K or negative 290 degrees F. Maue said that instead of a surface made of silicate rocks and flowing water like on Earth, Titan is composed of liquid hydrocarbons like methane and ethane that flow over a surface made of mostly water ice and organic material. “I study these features, and specifically the pebbles and cobbles that we have imaged at the surface,” Maue said. “Broadly speaking — to understand how sediment abrasion or sediment breakdown occurs under those conditions as compared to the Earth.” With his grant, Maue said he plans to visit Death
Valley National Park and nearby areas to collect further data of sediment properties in the field and correlate those findings to the radar backscatter to try to make better interpretations about the sediment on Titan. Koeppel, who is in his third year of the doctorate program, also plans to visit locations outside Flagstaff to further his research on Mars. “I’m interested in questions of what was going on in the early solar system that allowed for life to become so prominent on Earth and whether those conditions were also prominent on Mars,” Koeppel said. Primarily, Koeppel said he is trying to touch on answers to those questions by using both satellite data from Mars and comparisons to materials on Earth. He said that although few rovers have been sent to the surface of Mars, most of the surface features of the planet are known because of satellites orbiting around Mars taking pictures. One of the useful data sets retrieved
from those satellites is infrared imagery, Koeppel explained, which is imagery in wavelengths of light longer than can be seen with the human eye. Infrared imagery can provide information regarding the ancient environments that are recorded in the surface materials, Koeppel said. With this, Koeppel will work to interpret the geological history on Mars by simulating infrared satellite data at key locations including Flagstaff, Hawaii and Iceland. For Maue and Koeppel, applying for this NASA grant for a second time provided them a unique lesson. Through their experiences, both mentioned they were able to take comments from their previous proposals to strengthen them this year. “Winning the grant has been kind of a nice confidence boost,” Maue said. “I have been able to successfully bring in money with my research ideas and hopefully make a career in this field. I’ve learned about myself and that I can do that sort of thing.”
In preparation for applying for such a prestigious grant, Engle, Maue and Koeppel gave thanks to Ty Robinson, assistant professor in the department of astronomy and planetary science, who led a proposal writing workshop. Koeppel said the class discussed covering various important aspects that should be considered when writing a proposal, including identifying the audience. The students also thanked their advisers for the work they have put into the grant process. Receiving a prestigious award from not one, not two, but three graduate students is a testament to the dedication and passion of faculty, staff and students in NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Physical Science. Great accomplishments have been achieved, and there are more to come.
“Winning the grant has been kind of a nice confidence boost. I have been able to successfully bring in money with my research ideas and hopefully make a career in this field.” – Anthony Maue, graduate student and Nasa’s FINESST Grant Recipient
Ari Koeppel is studying materials on the surface of Mars to figure out whether it could have once hosted life. To help better interpret what is on Mars, he is collecting data from volcanic deposits in Arizona, Iceland and Hawaii, Sept. 13. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack
Anthony Maue is studying river processes on Saturn’s moon Titan, Sept. 11. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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Flagstaff’s first impression of Lumberjax bar Joey Wright
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hen the beloved bar, The Mayor, packed up to move locations, Lumberjax stepped in to take its place on San Francisco Street. Although it is difficult to find information about the new establishment online, members of the community have already started to form opinions about it. Senior Bella Rosales said she recently spent an evening at the new bar. “I stumbled upon it about a month ago when we were walking downtown and we happened to pass by,” Rosales said. “The letters looked like a groovy, hippy vibe. We stopped by just to check it out.” Even without advertising or online information, Rosales said Lumberjax has seen a lot of customers since opening. She explained that multiple Lyft drivers who have taken her to work commented that Lumberjax is a popular drop-off and pickup spot on the weekends. Nancy Sobek is a Flagstaff resident who lives next to Lumberjax and is worried that the bar might turn out to be like The Mayor. She said she lived in her house long before The Mayor opened, and wasn’t thrilled to live next to a venue with loud music and drunk college kids. She explained that she was excited when The Mayor announced that it was moving but was disappointed when she found out a new bar would take its place. “The Mayor was completely out of control,” Sobek said. “I had drunk kids turning up on my front stoop, people were putting empty beer cans in my mailbox, it was just getting very disrespectful. To me, it was a huge relief when [The Mayor] closed down and moved down the street.” Sobek said she was unaware there was going to be a new bar there, adding that one of her neighbors talked with the owner and was under the impression that Lumberjax was going to be a nice restaurant. She said they were surprised to see that it has been following a similar business pattern as The Mayor. However, Sobek grew concerned about Lumberjax during the first weekend it was open. She said the place was packed and it didn’t seem like anyone was following COVID-19 protocols. “When they first opened it was not good because people weren’t wearing masks, there were a lot of people standing around together, there were people out on the street, and being a front-line worker I was concerned, so I did call the cops,” Sobek said. “It didn’t look safe.”
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Sobek explained that her main concern would be happy. outdoor patio space is nice and the lights look regarding Lumberjax is that people are not Along with the lack of entertainment, good. They also said that the location for the bar being safe. Krause said they didn’t have any set menus, so is great because it is within walking distance of The only information Lumberjax owner customers were unsure of exactly what food or downtown and the college, which makes it very Steven Grubart provided was that the bar closed drinks the bar had. She said one of her favorite appealing to NAU students. after the first weekend it opened, but recently aspects of The Mayor was the signature drinks. The new bar has only been open for a short reopened its doors. “The Mayor had a set menu and really amount of time, but Sobek said that living next Sobek said she thinks the closure was due cool options,” Krause said. “It added multiple to Lumberjax has not been as bad as living next to the establishment not following dimensions to your bar experience, rather than to The Mayor, which would keep her up late COVID-19 protocols on its just having a room where people can drink and with music when she had to work the next day. opening weekend. She said entertain themselves.” She said she hopes these incidents will not occur it seemed as though they are Despite the criticism, Krause and with Lumberjax. now following guidelines Rosales also had some praise “I hope they are respectful of the since reopening. for Lumberjax. They neighborhood, although I don’t know that Flagstff resident said the they will be,” Sobek said. “I just want to make Kayleen Krause visited sure they keep being safe and respectful of the Lumberjax in late August. neighborhood. That’s all I really care about.” She said her experience at Opening a new business is challenging the bar was crowded and enough in the middle of a pandemic, but disorganized. according to some locals, Lumberjax has a long “When I walked in, way to go before it can make a name for itself. there wasn’t a bouncer where there usually is at the door,” Krause said. “There was a huge crowd surrounding the bar, so it was really hard to get to the bar and when you did, it took about thirty minutes to get a drink because they were so disorganized. Then they didn’t card me, they just gave me my drink and I paid. The bartenders really had no idea what they were doing and I felt bad for them. It seemed like they were understaffed.” Rosales said she had friends at the bar who were under the legal drinking age and still able to buy drinks. Rosales said that even though she is 21, her ID wasn’t checked at the door or the bar. Krause also said that Lumberjax was different from other bars she has been to, in the sense that there wasn’t as much to do. “There was no DJ or anything, it just seemed like no one really knew what to do with themselves,” Krause said. “There wasn’t really anything to do besides just stand around with each other.” Like Krause, Rosales had similar complaints about the lack of activities to participate in. She said it felt like the bar was just thrown together, and that they thought as long as customers had alcohol they Lumberjax is a new bar located at South San Francisco Street, Aug. 29. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
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Everywhere is home with life on the road Joey Wright
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ife on the road has continuously gained popularity. Now more than ever, people crave a freer way of life centered around time spent in the great outdoors. Accessibility to adventure vans has expanded as more people began to work remotely during the COVID-19 quarantine period. Additionally, awareness of van life has increased dramatically due to people sharing their van adventures on social media. Such factors make it possible for more people to experience their van life dreams. Austin Cox is a marketing manager for Automotive Designs and Fabrication (ADF), a company based in San Fernando, California that specializes in customizing and renting adventure vans. Cox said a huge reason for the recent increase in van living is general awareness. Social media allows people who are living life on the road to share their experiences and inspire others. “I started seeing it on Instagram and that’s where I first became aware of [van life],” Cox said. “The awareness factor is number one.” Although ADF has been around since the 1980s, Cox said they first started renovating adventure vans in 2005, and now convert over 200 per year. The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a surge in adventure van purchases. He said the wait time for ADF’s clients to get a customized van is currently longer than ever. Cox explained that COVID-19 has fueled many people desire to escape the indoor lifestyle. People were given an excuse to do just that when the pandemic made exploring the outside world one of the only safe activities apart from sheltering inside. Many Southwestern states are a hub for van lifers. According to a survey conducted in 2018 by Outbound Living, a website that produces content about the outdoors, Arizona was the sixth most populated state for van life, following California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon and Washington. Chester Schendel has been living in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van since late August. Originally from Mesa, Arizona, he has been living in his van in Flagstaff after selling his house in the valley. He decided that he wanted to live in a van in 2019, during a difficult period in his life. “I went on a spirit quest in August of last year,” Schendel said. “I was on the beach in Oregon and I realized I could do whatever I wanted to. I saw a Sprinter parked in the parking lot. I thought it was super cool. I had no idea how much it would cost or if it was even feasible, but I started looking into it and I made it happen.” Schendel started working on renovating his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter last October and just recently finished it. He said the amount of time he had to put into it equated to more than a fulltime job. He did almost all of the renovations by himself, which he said took extensive planning and preparation. Schendel explained that making the van his home is his greatest achievement in life so far. Schendel said he plans to see as many national parks as possible as well as visit Canada, Mexico and family and friends
Chester Schendel stands ouside his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter which he has adjusted for van life. Joey Wright | The Lumberjack
that live across the country. While he hasn’t been on the road for long, he explained that living remotely has already impacted him greatly. He explained that since living in his van, he is happier and produces better work. Schendel said he was lucky that he had already been working remotely for Drawbackwards, a software design company, for years before converting to van life. He plans to continue working for the same company from wherever he may be on the road. Cox also lived in an adventure van for 10 months last year.
“It’s probably cliche, but if you want to do something, you set your mind to it and do it. That’s it ” – Van Lifer Chester Schendel After he and his wife quit their jobs, he said they visited over 30 states and 22 national parks. His wife was a teacher and he was moving up the ranks in the company he used to work for. “I quit a very cushy job before I did this,” Cox said. “We took a risk, but the reward was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had.” While there is a big allure to travel outside the country and check places off of one’s bucket list, Cox explained that being able to really explore his own country was an amazing experience in itself. For him, van life took him back to the old days of going on a road trip. He was surprised that one of his favorite destinations ended up being Santa Fe, New Mexico, a place he might have
never visited if he wasn’t living in a van. Although many people would love to be able to follow in Cox’s or Schendel’s footsteps, there are many factors that might hold them back. The first obstacle is the financial aspect of converting a van. According to the Mercedes-Benz website, a brand new Sprinter van costs around $40,000. That doesn’t include customizations like the four-wheel drive Schendel installed. In total, he said his new van cost him more than $100,000. It is possible to reduce that cost drastically, but Schendel explained that he had certain demands that had to be met for his new home on wheels. “You can do this for way cheaper than I did,” Schendel said. “I wanted to be able to stand up in it, I wanted a four-wheel drive and I wanted a diesel engine, and the only way to get that was with the Mercedes Sprinter.” Schendel explained that his van also features a 32-gallon water tank, innovative designs for storage, a toilet and more. While all the bells and whistles of a home on wheels can be exciting, Cox said the biggest obstacle for people who want to live their lives on the road is fear. “The biggest thing holding people back from doing what I did is just fear,” Cox said. “Not wanting to take that jump or leap of faith. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.” Both Cox and Schendel said they agree that living on the road is a life-changing experience. “This van kind of saved my life in a way,” Schendel said. “It gave me purpose, which is important when you’re going through a hard time. A lot of people want to do this but they probably feel like they can’t or it’s out of reach for whatever reason. It’s probably cliched, but if you want to do something, you set your mind to it and do it. That’s it.”
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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CULTURE
Jacks supporting Jacks in September Sophia Salazar
A rocky start for Burger Confusion
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ampus Dining unveiled its newest on-campus destination last week: Burger Confusion. It’s located where Denny’s was at the back of University Union in between G’s New York Style Deli and Chick-fil-A. Burger Confusion’s menu consists of nine gourmet burgers that include a breakfast burger, a Monterey Jack burger, as well as your basic cheeseburger. The restaurant also has a wide variety of fry and milkshake options. Upon first hearing about the new restaurant, I was excited, especially since the only other places on campus to get a burger are the Hotspot and the DüB Dining District. On Sept. 4, my roommate and I made KATELYN our way to the Union. When we arrived, there were RODRIGUEZ only two other people waiting in line ahead of us. The ordering process went on without a hitch as we ordered ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR our burgers, fries and milkshakes before heading back to our apartment. However, all that excitement quickly turned into disappointment once I took my first bite. For starters, I ordered the teriyaki burger, which is supposed to be topped with grilled pineapple, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes and teriyaki sauce. It came with everything except the pineapple, and the onions were purple, not green. At first, I was willing to give that a pass since they might have been out of the ingredient, but I would’ve liked to have been notified if they were. However, when I bit into the burger, it was pink. No, not your usual rare; it was raw, just simply seared on the outside. My roommate’s burger was also pink, but more medium-rare. No customer should have to microwave their burger to cook it once they’ve paid $8. The Oreo milkshake was good, although I found it to be a little watery. However, the fries were as hard as a rock and I felt like I could’ve gone and bought a bag of potato chips at The Wedge and it would’ve had the same effect. While I don’t know what error was made by the multiple cooks behind the counter, I expected a bit more from Burger Confusion, especially since Campus Dining has been promoting it on social media. I get that it’s Burger Confusion’s first week on campus and it’s still trying to find its footing, especially in the middle of a pandemic, but making sure the food the restaurant is giving its customers is cooked is the most important part of the job. I’m lucky I noticed my food wasn’t cooked and decided to finish cooking it myself, but another student won’t have the same opportunity if they’re in between classes and want to quickly grab something to eat. As the semester continues at full speed, let’s hope Burger Confusion moves past opening week struggles and provides students with quality food they can enjoy. When that moment comes, I’ll be willing to give them another try to redeem themselves.
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eptember is oftentimes correlated with crisp, cool air and preparations for a new season. In addition, the month represents something more personal. September is known for commemorating Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week. This week was created for people to come together and discuss the different ways society can recognize the warning signs of suicide. NAU created free, extensive training lessons via Zoom for all employees this month. This gives NAU staff and faculty the chance to discuss topics that pertain to suicide prevention. These Zoom meetings will inform staff members of the signs and symptoms that someone may be contemplating unhealthy behaviors. During these suicide prevention events, there will be ongoing presentations that will include suicide statistics and a virtual remembrance for those who have died from suicide. NAU offers mental health resources year-round, including counseling services located both at the Health and Learning Center and the Eastburn Education building. Due to COVID-19, the majority of counseling sessions will be conducted through Zoom. NAU has listed a variety of off-campus services and 24-hour hotlines on the university’s website, as well as a step-by-step guide on how students can help a friend that is in need. Senior Denise Ocampo, president of the Mental Health Support Squad (MHSS) and Student Health Advocacy Committee, said the MHSS will be participating in advocating about suicide awareness through the organization’s Instagram. “The MHSS will be posting suicide resources on our Instagram all month,” Ocampo said. “We will be conducting a mass outreach to student organizations, professors and advisers with a resource sheet and tips for recognizing the warning signs, and we are asking them to distribute that to students within their organizations and classes.” The MHSS consists of both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in promoting mental health awareness. Students learn how to effectively assist others that may be in distress. This organization is relatively new and is closely taught by staff from NAU Counseling Services. Its vision statement is to bring awareness to topics like mental health while also fighting to break the stigma around asking for help. Ocampo listed various mental health programs that NAU students can partake in, such as the Jacks Supporting Jacks online training. This is a 20-minute training that goes over how to correctly identify the warning signs for substance abuse and mental health problems. A decrease in mental health can create suicidal thoughts. With the circumstances that some have been through during 2020, one may find themselves feeling more lonely than before.
Illustration By dominic davies
Senior and MHSS member Allie Newman gave advice on what students can do if they are ever feeling suicidal. “My tips would be to always take a breather when you are feeling stressed and remind yourself that you are going to get through this,” Newman said in an email interview. “These times are especially so uncertain and difficult, but to keep on strong and everything is going to be OK. I also would say to always reach out to a friend, family member etcetera, to help with feelings of sadness.” On Sept. 23, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., MHSS will invite students to participate in Wellness Wednesday via Zoom. This gathering is for students to decompress from their studies by joining a virtual scavenger hunt filled with resources to support them and their wellbeing. Due to COVID-19, NAU has worked on creating events that are resourceful during these times. The event calendar is compact with consistent Zoom meetings like “Meditation Monday,” “Coping during Covid” and “Wellness Wednesdays.” Continue reading on jackcentral.org
CULTURE
IMQ promotes unity and inlusion throughout NAU. Jorja Heinkel | The Lumberjack
IMQ promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion through Q-Reel series Jorja Heinkel
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iversity is the cornerstone of the Office of Inclusion’s LGBTQIA Student Services (IMQ). That’s why IMQ is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community through the Q-Reel Cinema Series and promoting conversations about diversity, inclusion and representation every Wednesday night throughout September. IMQ recently featured the pilot episode of “Pose,” a show that illustrates the New York transgender community and LGBTQ+ “balls,” events where teams of transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals compete in categories such as fashion and dance. These teams, called Houses, are self-chosen LGBTQ+ families who live together under the guidance of their house mother. The first episode establishes the House of Evangelista, led by house mother Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista, who is played by Mj Rodriguez. After receiving a devastating medical diagnosis, Blanca leaves her first home — the House of Abundance — and starts her own house, the House of Evangelista, with a family of other LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support and acceptance. Blanca recruits aspiring dancer Damon Richards (Ryan Jamaal Swain), transgender sex worker Angel (Indya Moore) and Lil Papi (Angel Bismark Curiel) to her house. Together,
the House of Evangelista participates in ball competition against several other houses. Professor Martin Tease, coordinator of inclusion at NAU, chose “Pose” for the show’s diverse representation. “The trans portion of the community has been really on the back burner,” Tease said. “Everybody is familiar with what a drag queen is, but they may not be familiar with transitioning.” The trans community has never had a particularly positive setting in mainstream media. A study by Gladd.org found that 40% of transgender characters were cast as victims and the most common profession for transgender characters are sex workers. Marian Griffin, assistant director of LGBTQ+ student services, said she considers positive representation in media to be extremely important, as media often shapes the beliefs and biases of society. Harmful stereotypes, such as the victimization and sexualization of trans characters, can unfairly skew perspectives. “The media plays a major role in the way that we see and relate to other people, as well as how we view ourselves in relation to others,” Griffin said. “It’s important that the media portrays alternate lifestyles for those who may not know diverse family structures. This is also helpful for parents in the LGBTQ+ community and their kids to see aspects of their lives displayed positively.”
Tease said that while “Pose” may not be perfect, it was made by writers, creators and producers that understand the community and were able to break many of the stereotypes surrounding the trans community. He also said he found the characters in “Pose” to be layered, which gave viewers the opportunity to see the trans community as fleshed out characters on screen. Unlike many shows in the past, “Pose” focuses on trans People of Color, which creates a highlight for this intersection on the show. “There was limited representation of all People of Color in LGBTQ+ films … less women, less trans, less drag,” Tease said. “So many people have not been given their fair share of representation, and shows like ‘Pose’ are so pivotal and so important because they bring these things to light.” The TV shows, movies and documentaries in IMQ’s Q-Reel Cinema Series demonstrate the many facets of the LGBTQ+ community and create opportunities for open discussion. After the viewing of the “Pose”pilot, Tease and Griffin hosted a discussion about the show. Participants shared the characters and struggles that resonated with them and spoke about the importance of representation and inclusivity in media. Freshman Cynamin Newell spoke about the concerning lack of LGBTQ+ representation in most media, and how IMQ’s inclusive
program and atmosphere has created a home for them since starting at NAU. “The IMQ is such a wonderful place, it is such a safe space,” Newell said. “And Q-Reel series is so informational and a great source to learn about queer culture and history.” From informative and engaging cinema to open discussion and community Zoom events, IMQ welcomes anyone interested in finding a home and an accepting community. “Even though our name is Multicultural and LGBTQ+ Student Services, we are open to anyone who wants to join,” Tease said. “Our focus isn’t just on that group … this is about building awareness and about building allyship and advocates. These identities exist at all the different intersections.” Griffin said it is important for students and members of the LGBTQ+ community to know they are not alone. Everyone has a place where they belong and are appreciated for being the individual they are, no matter how they identify, she said. The next Q-Reel Cinema Series event is happening on Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Though Griffin confirms in-person events will not be held at IMQ this semester, online events such as the Q-Reel are still a great way to make new friends and connections in the IMQ community.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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SPORTS
Hockey in the heat
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hen people hear about the desert, hockey is not the first thing that comes to mind for most. However, in Arizona, hockey has become a fan favorite and continues to grow, especially among youth groups. The Winnipeg Jets came to the state in 1996 and were quickly rebranded to the Arizona Coyotes. Since then, the organization has made a name for itself in the NHL. Gila River Arena is often filled with loyal fans each game that will stay until the very end no matter the outcome. While their past records have not always been the best, they have made nine playoff runs in their time in Arizona, clinched one division title and created an incentive to stay in the desert. Each time a season ends, the question KRISTEN of whether the Coyotes will stay in the CHANCELLOR desert comes into play and the longtime WRITER dispute continues. Should hockey be in the desert? Well, “Why would it not belong here?” is constantly asked by fans of the organization or players of the Coyotes’ youth teams. Even though Phoenix does not have snow or pond hockey, it doesn’t seem to bother hockey players who live there. Arizona native and NHL star Auston Matthews is a unique case of hockey talent from the state. It is uncommon around Arizona, so youth teams are seen as underdogs when they travel around the country for tournaments. The tight-knit community of fans and players has shown the league a true dedication to the sport. So why should the climate matter if the passion and dedication from players and coaches exist? The Coyotes organization is dedicated to staying in Arizona for the time being and has committed to expanding hockey in the desert. The Coyotes have spread the sport by creating youth teams as well as building outdoor rinks for different parts of the state. This has allowed the youth to try a new sport both indoors and outdoors. Arizona hockey is becoming an unexpected topic of conversation. While some regard the conversation as questionable due to the natural climate, it brings more attention to the state and the teams, which bring in more fans and viewers for TV stations when airing games. This stirring conversation creates a buzz that drives the team to play harder, proving that they deserve to stay with the fans that have been there since day one. While the question of if hockey should be moved from the desert still gets asked, it is clear that the fans in Arizona, as well as the teams here will always answer yes. No matter the weather or if it is traditional or not, traditions are made to be broken when new opportunities come around.
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Flagstaff High School senior wide reciever Alexander Perez wears a mask and a shirt that reads, “Straight Outta Quarantine,” Sept. 10. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack
It’s go-time for HS sports in Flagstaff David Church
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lagstaff is not known for its sports culture. The city is not a solidiefed breeding ground for sports talent like many in California, Texas or even some cities down in the Phoenix area. However, there is one part of the sports spectrum that brings Flagstaff’s community together — high school sports. Flagstaff’s high school sports community is a very proud and passionate group. With the closest professional sports team located in Prescott, the community relies on its high school sports to enjoy live competition. The Northland Preparatory Academy girls’ soccer team has won three straight state championships, and the Coconino and Flagstaff High School rivalry on the football field is always must-see action. Unfortunately, like many other sports around the country, COVID-19 put a question mark on if any high school, college
or professional sports would allow seasons this year. However, after much deliberation, research and consultation from state health officials, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) announced that sports will be able to return for all Arizona AIAabiding high schools. The AIA put out a statement Sept. 2 discussing the decision and the thought that went into it. “The Executive Board, comprised of representatives from the member schools, reviewed the latest recommendations from [the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)] before reaching their decision,” the statement read. “With this data and the state’s recorded number of COVID-19 cases declining over the past two weeks, the Board felt competitive sports and activities at the member schools can be successful within recommended guidelines.” AIA executive director David Hines gave his thoughts on
SPORTS the situation, and thanked the individuals who helped make this possible in a press release earlier in the week. “I would like to say on behalf of the staff and the [SMAC], especially for the sport of football, we would not have been able to make this decision until this time right now based on the metrics,” Hines said. “So, the metrics have gotten to a place that we can start football practice ... [and] we can get kids in a helmet and shoulder pads and begin doing work.” The decision was not only a win for the schools that are members of the AIA, but especially for Flagstaff, as the city will once again be able to see its high schools hit the field, court and pitch. The news also means that the Flagstaff Eagles football team will have a chance to build on its improved performance from the 2019 season. The Eagles bounced back last year by going 6-4 after finishing the 2018 season with a 3-7 record. Head coach Todd Hanley shared how excited he is to get his players back onto the field and getting them ready for the upcoming season. “We have been extremely fortunate that our board and our superintendents have been very supportive during the process,” Hanley said. “We have been doing summer workouts since June 3 ... It was even more special when we handed out helmets with our kids names on them, which kind of built our anticipation of practice, everyone was bursting at the seams to have that moment to kind of celebrate potentially getting back to business.” When the AIA released its plan for a return to sports, it mentioned schools playing football would have the opportunity to begin practice on Labor Day, Sept. 7. Hanley saw this and decided on a perfect way to begin the first full practice for the team. As soon as the clock struck midnight, the team ran out of the tunnel and onto the field to officially start their 2020 campaign. Hanley discussed the reasoning behind this move and what it meant to not only himself, but his players as well. “It was my idea, I actually did that before when I was coaching at Seton Catholic,” Hanley said. “We decided to do that because of our mentality of first on, last off. It was just one of those opportunities to demonstrate to kids that slogans are just words without meaning, but we wanted to put that slogan into action and give them something tangible, when we mean first on, we mean first on for the state. It was neat for our kids and our community.” With the uncertainty out of the way, Hanley can now get his team focused and ready to achieve more success in the 2020 season. “We came off a year that everybody considered really good, but as a team and staff, we thought we underachieved,” Hanley said. “We came back with this [attitude] of wanting to go on a revenge tour, or whatever you want to call it, and our kids took it really seriously. The work that they have been putting in is unprecedented, this is my 24th year coaching and this is one of the hardest-working teams I have been around. They have dramatically improved. We have guys who were role players for us last year and their bodies have completely transformed. I think we will be a really strong football team.” Sports fans in Flagstaff will not have to wait much longer for these high school teams to get back to action in 2020. It is an opportunity to bring a fun and exciting time to a community that is ready to see some live sports.
“ this is my 24th year coaching and this is one of the hardest-working teams I have been around.” – FLagstaff high school football head coach Todd Hanley
Top: Flagstaff High School football head coach Todd Hanley walks toward the field during practice, Sept. 10. Bottom: Flagstaff High School football players stand together at practice. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 - SEPTMEBER 23, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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