LOCALLY INFUSED
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THE LUMBER JACK
OCT. 1, 2020 – OCT. 7, 2020
Online at JackCentral.org
From the Editor
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he next few minutes are going to be highly negative. I politely ask you stay till the end — I have an imperative message I’d like you to share with the people you care about. Thanks for reading The Lumberjack. When the year ends Dec. 31, many will reflect on 2020 as the worst year of their life. If not, it’s surely one of the more gloomy in recent memory. Some lost their idols, beacons of hope and inspiration they’d turn to for guidance through adversity. Children and young adults lost role models and figurative superheroes like Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many other names that could fill this letter’s word count if I included them all. So far, COVID-19 has killed slightly over one million people worldwide. Economic repercussions stemming from the coronavirus put people out of work, closed businesses and deprived some of the roof above their head, as well as other essentials like their will to live. Although completely necessary for public health and society’s overall well-being, the shelter-inplace order has made it seem as if the planet’s size shrunk to the square footage of our homes, dorms and apartments. Life is restricting and boring when each passing day is spent indoors. Days feel like weeks, weeks like years. If you’re fortunate enough to have a job, at times that is your only outlet. From personal experience, this weighs on your mental health. NATHAN Said shelter-in-place order was an absolute airball. Beaches, bars, shopping malls and other public MANNI areas were opened shortly after, flattening the curve. Vertically. Climate change is being expedited by an inevitably lethal combination of selfish corporate greed COPY EDITOR and the orange guy’s objectionable oil obsession, wrapped in a blue bow of utter negligence. All of this, while another virus called racism runs rampant in the United States, e.g., Ahmaud Arbery’s targeted murder. In the U.S., some disgraceful police officers have been killing Black people for no good reason and throwing teargas at whoever peacefully protests their deaths. The country feels divided as ever, but through it all, even when the bad news seems endless, we must remember: No matter what, happiness is a choice. Motivation is a choice. Chadwick was motivated. Chadwick, while battling cancer, gave each day his best effort and never complained. For four years after his diagnosis, he gave us monumental movies, lived out his dream and kept a good spirit until the end, because he chose to. Maybe he really was a superhero, I don’t know. What I’m getting at is: If he can remain hopeful, inspired and relentless, why can’t you or I? He had every excuse. Here’s the important part I mentioned earlier. If you’re reading this, you’re likely an Arizona resident — I’m speaking extremely clearly and directly to you. The deadline to register to vote in Arizona is Oct. 5. Election Day is Nov. 3. Please dedicate this single day of your year to doing your job as a citizen. Don’t be selfish. Register to vote, take your a** to your local voting station and vote like your life — or someone else’s — depends on it, because it just might. Thank you for reading.
THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 110 ISSUE 8
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
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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Online at Issuu.com Latest Edition & Archive Social media
Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Media Innovation Center Editorial Board
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Continuous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org
On the cover A bottle of Persian Lime Olive Oil sits on the counter at Olive the Best, an oil and vinegar shop, Sept. 11. Brian Burke | 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. 21 At 12:33 p.m., a student at the Honors College reported a stolen bike, which was described as a white electric swag cycle.
At 8:01 p.m., NAUPD reported assisting Flagstaff Police Department with a fight at East Butler Avenue off campus. At 10:35 p.m., Safety Aides at lot 5 requested a welfare check on a nonstudent who asked for medical attention regarding a stomach ailment. The subject refused medical transport and was given a public assist ride to Flagstaff Shelter Services. Sept. 22 At 12:42 a.m., officers initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of East Butler Avenue and South Milton Road. A warning was issued for two broken headlights and the student was deferred for having an open container in a motor vehicle. At 6:48 p.m., a student at Roseberry Apartments reported another student who was allegedly attempting suicide. NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) responded, located the student and provided transportation to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). Counseling Services was notified. Sept. 23 At 10:34 a.m., staff at Reilly Hall reported the odor of marijuana. NAUPD responded and the odor was present, but no specific room was identified. At 4:44 p.m., a nonstudent at West Riordan Road and Knoles Drive reported a person
Compiled by trevor skeen and jared winters
down. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, provided transportation to FMC and cited and released the subject for trespassing. At 7:52 p.m., multiple people called to report an electrical box and power line on fire at lot 45. NAUPD and FFD responded, and an officer filed a report for damage to state property.
FFD and GMT responded, and the student was deferred for minor in consumption of alcohol. At 7:55 p.m., a nonstudent on South Mikes Pike Street reported someone looking into windows. NAUPD responded and one subject was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility for trespassing.
Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard data
Community transmission Case rate
At 10:48 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of North Elden Street and Brannen Circle, which is located off campus. One student was cited and released for minor in possession At 6:31 p.m., a student of alcohol and for soliciting a at Performing & Fine Arts person to purchase alcohol. reported the theft of a ring. Officers responded and took a Sept. 27 report. At 1:37 a.m., a student at the Honors College reported a At 9:37 p.m., staff at person knocking on their door. Cowden Hall reported missing NAUPD responded and one bathroom signs. NAUPD student was deferred for minor responded and took a report. in consumption of alcohol. Sept. 24 At 1:41 p.m., a nonstudent near NAUPD called with questions about possible hacking. Information was provided.
Sept. 25 At 10:14 a.m., officers at lot 64 reported contacting a nonstudent and advising them that extension cords cannot be plugged into NAU outlets. At 12:39 p.m., NAUPD reported assisting FPD with an off-campus domestic violence incident located on East Butler Avenue.
At 11:14 a.m., a student at Allen Hall reported feeling unwell. FFD and GMT responded, but the subject refused transport. At 11:29 p.m., a student reported witnessing several subjects entering the Walkup Skydome. They were gone upon officer arrival.
At 11:50 p.m., NAUPD At 11:14 p.m., officers reported assisting an RA at at the intersection of South Pine Ridge Village with a loud Paseo del Flag and East party. Students were contacted. Ridgecrest Drive issued a citation for expired out-ofstate registration. The incident was observed at South Lone Tree Road and East Pine Knoll Drive, at the southeast edge of campus. Sept. 26 At 3:14 a.m., staff at Cowden Hall reported an unconscious student. NAUPD,
Positivity percentage Cumulative cases
Moderate 198.8 per 100,000 pop. 7% 4,110
Flagstaff Medical Center COVID-19 Resources
In-house COVID-19 patients Hospital capacity Critical care capacity
Positive: 6 | Pending: 10 195/300 36/55
NAU Student Cases
Total on- and off-campus cases
226
ABOR appoints NAU Presidential Advisory Search committee mark fabery
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n a press release, Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) Chair Larry E. Penley announced the appointment of an advisory committee to help gather input from various interested individuals and groups to assist in identifying essential presidential leadership characteristics and vet potential prospects. The advisory committee includes 14 representatives from ABOR, which represent NAU administration, faculty and students, as well as the community. The most notable selections are former Flagstaff Mayor Chris Bavasi, Ora Marek-Martinez who is the executive director of the NAU Native American Cultural Center and senior Kai Simson, current vice president of government affairs for the ASNAU. Penley expressed confidence the advisory committee will find a leader who will make a lasting contribution to the future of NAU. “Northern Arizona University is a great source of pride for our state and an internationally recognized, esteemed university,” Penley said. “As the board embarks on selecting the next NAU president, we do so with great care to ensure we find a visionary leader who can make a lasting contribution to the future of NAU and serve as a relentless champion for student success, public higher education and the state. I extend my most sincere appreciation to these individuals who will dedicate their time to this process. Their leadership, insight and contribution will support a successful search process.” Moreover, Penley encouraged individuals who would like to provide feedback on the search with ABOR to email Future.NAU@azregents.edu.
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
Students required to relocate for more quarantine space alliya dulaney
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tudents residing at Campus Heights and the first floor of the Honors College received an email from Housing & Residence Life informing them that they were being relocated. The Sept. 16 email, titled as “urgent,” went on to explain that the rooms these students currently occupied were now being transitioned into on-campus quarantine space. This decision will allow students exposed to COVID-19 to “quarantine away from other students while they await test results and watch for symptoms.” After receiving this news, junior Lucas McNutt said he was asked to move out the following Saturday, Sept. 26. McNutt was given slightly more than a week to make
arrangements for the relocation. Following this timeline, the email stated that students were scheduled to move the weekend of Sept. 25 to 27, unless prior arrangements were made. “Based on what housing has said, Campus Heights was the dorm that was the least full,” McNutt said. “We were at 58% capacity with around 115 students, and that was apparently the dorm that would displace the least amount of people out of a total of around 7,000 students who are living on campus right now.” Junior Michael Hodges, McNutt’s roommate, said this transition would relocate them to South Village Apartments. As a student studying music education with instrumental preference, Hodges said he had no choice but to move to South Village, as taking online courses
in his area of study is rather difficult. He also mentioned the challenge of finding off-campus housing during this time on such short notice. After receiving the offer to move to South Village, sophomore Luc Duran considered the winter weather and class locations that would impact his living situation if he moved to the southern end of campus. Ultimately, Duran chose to go home to Phoenix for the remainder of the semester. The entire experience, from receiving an email from Housing & Residence Life to moving back home, was quite unexpected, Duran said. “I felt that it was very sudden and somewhat stressful,” Duran said. “Especially because it was so close to midterms. To have this big task of moving come up, out of nowhere, was stressful for all of us. I had asked for
Senior Will Chua carries his belongings toward a moving cart after NAU required him to relocate from Campus Heights to another residence, Sept. 24. Ben Akers | The Lumberjack
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a couple of extensions, just so I could have those days to plan my trip and figure out how I’m going to get back home.” Being forced to move around midterms was a concern other students shared. Hodges and McNutt both said the timing was disadvantageous, and they explained the university should have considered the educational and mental health ramifications in implementing this change. “I had to tell my professor you need to have a lower expectation for my next lesson because there’s no way I will be that focused and be able to find nearly as much time as I want,” Hodges said. “I feel there’s a small impact with professors as well in a way with this.” Freshman Alana Valette was moved from her first-floor room in the Honors College, and she said she missed class to pack and move. Additionally, Vallete pointed to the email that said students would be provided with a professional moving company at no cost to assist in the moving process. Students would also be able to pick up four boxes to use for moving at the front desk of the dorm. “To my knowledge, I have no idea who [the moving company] is,” Valette said. “It’s weird to have outside sources that are not on campus moving students out of the dorms. They don’t want us to have guests over, but then they’re fine with having movers coming in.” In the email, Housing & Residence Life said that all movers must pass screening questions and temperature checks similar to those utilized for fall move-in guest helpers. Individuals present in the same room are required to wear masks. Freshman honors student Emily Fredrickson expressed similar concerns regarding the housing of students exposed to COVID-19 on the first floor. Fredrickson said that in a group message chat with other first-floor residents, many participants brought up the safety concern of quarantined students opening windows that face
the courtyard. Valette added that other worries include possible fire drills and access to classrooms, which are attached to the Honors College as part of its learning community. After learning of this sudden change, students forced to move faced a range of emotions regarding the housing request. From his perspective, McNutt said there are some problems, such as the lack of communication and transparency, but he also understands the difficulty of the situation. He mentioned these issues may have less to do with NAU and more with the nature of the American education system. “I understand the purpose of moving,” Fredrickson said. “I know the first floor, in the beginning, was very confused and that’s totally normal. I mean, it makes sense we were all confused and a little shaken up. We lived here for a little bit already so I think in the beginning there was a lot of anger.” In its email, Housing & Residence Life acknowledged the inconvenience of moving and offered students the opportunity to end their contracts by completing the termination form on the student housing portal. Students who opted to find alternative housing would not be penalized for making this decision and would have their rent prorated. Furthermore, the email stated that in recognition of the inconvenience, students would receive an additional cash refund following their move. These amounts could vary based on the living situation of students. No further information was provided by NAU. “As much as everyone is speculating things, I don’t know what it’s like to run the university,” Duran said. “I don’t know what their numbers are like. I know they’re learning as they go along, just like the rest of us are. But, I wish that they could have found a way to resolve these types of problems earlier instead of having to make a big change decision like that in the middle of the semester.”
NEWS
Side by side: A look at Flagstaff’s mayoral candidates collin vanderwerf
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ovember is rapidly approaching and with it comes general elections. This year promises a momentous showdown between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden, but local residents also find themselves facing the decision of who to elect as their mayor. This year’s race is between former city council candidate Paul Deasy and current Flagstaff councilmember Charlie Odegaard. Paul Deasy Paul Deasy was a candidate for city council in 2016 and failed to secure the votes necessary to gain a seat. He is an academic, a statistician and a father. During his interview, he was able to field questions while simultaneously pacifying the needs of his four children. He was also raised in Flagstaff and remains involved with the community. Deasy served as a former board member of Coconino County Advocates for Human Services, which provides services to the elderly, and he also serves as the president of Bridging Flagstaff, a local labor rights organization. As a research analyst at NAU, Deasy explained that his job is to assess policy within the school and determine its merit on the grounds of reaching success in predetermined goals. This work experience seems to translate to a critical viewpoint of policy that is evidenced by the issues mentioned on his website. These concepts are wide-ranging and extensively explained: student housing, government transparency, minimum wage, affordable housing and the relationship between minorities and the police. To mitigate the rising cost of housing, Deasy suggested an analysis of policies which have been in place since 2010. He asserted these policies were ineffective in lowering the cost of housing, and he aims to create a singular, unified Affordable Housing Plan rather than “lots of documents with lots of goals.” More specifically, Deasy recommended an incentive program that expedites permitting processes for housing developments that include affordable housing, saying “that seems like a win-win.” He eventually added, “That takes a lot of input from a lot of experts in the field.” While claiming Flagstaff is navigating a “housing crisis,” Deasy voiced his intent to refuse rezoning requests by development companies seeking to build more student housing. He suggested that because of declining enrollment at NAU — and colleges across the nation — the city does not need more student housing.
“What is missing from the housing market, that we need in Flagstaff … is workforce housing and affordable housing,” Deasy said. Earlier this year, Flagstaff announced a climate emergency and set a carbon neutrality date of 2030. In order for the city to achieve this goal, it will have to be ambitious and proactive to limit the carbon footprint. Like Odegaard, this issue was not referenced on Deasy’s campaign website. When considering his course of action in this regard, Deasy explained his vision of coordinating efforts with other municipalities in Arizona to collectively bargain with the state’s corporation commission, which regulates utility companies. In addition, he supports working with NAU in reaching carbon neutrality. Another emphasis of Deasy’s campaign is government transparency and accountability. He said councilmembers should be required to disclose communication and negotiation with business interests. He explained his plans to advocate for new transparency and disclosure rules, as well as the adoption of a City Council Code of Ethics. To strive for the cause of good governance, Deasy shared his opinion that the city should develop new modes of communicating with the public. He mentioned an overreliance on Facebook, while also suggesting the government use more media outlets and a monthly subscription-based email news service from the mayor to keep the public apprised of developments within the city’s government. “The public is the boss and … without communicating what’s going on I think in some ways is a dereliction of duty,” Deasy said. Finally, on the subject of minimum wage, Deasy seemed to be more optimistic about the impacts of the wage increase than his opponent. Taking a research analyst’s approach to the issue, he said the way to measure the policy’s success is to look at whether or not it has achieved its desired goal, which was “to help the workforce … It is working toward its intended goal to help the working poor.” Charlie Odegaard Odegaard is a longtime Flagstaff resident and the third-generation owner of a local business, Odegaard’s Sewing Center. Elected in 2016, he sat on the city council for four years and garnered a long list of achievements. He also holds an extensive array of involvement within the community. Odegaard is a board member at both The Arboretum and Northern Arizona Veteran Memorial Cemetery Foundation, and
he volunteers at the Flagstaff Family Food Center in addition to The Pantry. Though he has lived in Flagstaff his whole life, his voice seems to evoke a kind midwestern accent, and at just about any prompt he will dive into speech that conveys a simple, business-like approach to the issues of governing. Among the issues prioritized on his campaign’s website are housing, COVID-19 and economic recovery. For instance, take his strategy for reducing housing costs. It is essentially a promotion of accessory dwelling units, which are secondary living quarters built on the same lot as standard houses. Odegaard explained that by renting out these units, homeowners can make a bit of money to offset the cost of their mortgage. Regarding the tendency for these units to be rented out through Airbnb and thereby undercutting the local rental market, Odegaard raised concerns and began talking about registering these properties in order for noise and upkeep complaints to receive police citations. Odegaard mentioned that at “least 24% … of housing units [in Flagstaff] … are tied up in Airbnb. And another quarter … could be second homes. So actually, only about half of our current housing stock is used by full-time residents.” One of his more progressive policy proposals is the expansion of city-owned and managed housing. This is federally subsidized housing that provides opportunities for lowincome individuals and people with disabilities to receive affordable places to live. In Flagstaff specifically, Odegaard said the waitlist for spots in these communities can sometimes be years long. As a potential solution to this problem, Odegaard has been working on expanding an existing public housing community near North Fanning Drive and East Lockett Road, and he recently submitted a proposal request for construction. After constructing new highdensity public housing, Odegaard’s plan is to go through old public housing units and reconstruct them to achieve similarly high densities. According to Flagstaff City Housing Director Sarah Darr, this proposition could “at least double” the amount of city-owned and managed units. Following this idea, Odegaard said, “It’s bold. It’s something the city’s never done before … well, since this housing was built in the ’60s.” Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, his
position is that mask mandates must be upheld and enforced. He added that some people have been lax in regulating mask use in businesses and around town, but that, “we need to stay the course on facial coverings.” Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton said the city is experiencing a 5 to 6% loss of revenue due to COVID-19. However, citing an uncollected bill from the state of Arizona and an overall attitude of fiscal responsibility within the city council, Odegaard expressed optimism about the financial state of Flagstaff. However, Odegaard showed concern over the upcoming transition to a $15 per hour minimum wage. Due to state legislation, Flagstaff is responsible for paying the wage difference between state employees and those that they contract within the city. Odegaard said this obligation, along with the 6% revenue loss, will likely put undue financial burden on the city and could lead to less services for the community. He supports a partnership with the Hopi Tribe to build a solar farm on Hopi land that would provide carbon-free power to Flagstaff. In order to make this proposal a reality, Odegaard said the city should work with Arizona Public Service, which owns all of the power transmission infrastructure. In his time on city council, he also supported initiatives to improve Flagstaff’s recycling habits. The deadline to register to vote in Arizona is Oct. 5. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 23, and they must be received by Nov 3.
Illustration By Aleah Green
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
How NAU’s return is affecting downtown Flagstaff Camille Sipple
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hen the COVID-19 pandemic first began, business owners around downtown Flagstaff were concerned. The coronavirus created a significant economic downturn within the local business community. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, more than 27% of Flagstaff’s economy was at high risk during the early stages of the pandemic due to its heavy reliance on tourism. Miranda Sweet, owner of the boutique Rainbow’s End located downtown, said she was considerably nervous when she first shut the shop’s doors. In order to keep partial income, Sweet explained that she began offering her products online, and social media was an immense help selling items and getting the word out. “I think to survive these unprecedented times it is critical to reimagine your business and be willing to try new methods,” Sweet said. Altitudes Bar & Grill owner Lynda Fleischer said the pandemic provided many challenges for her family and their business. With only family members working the grill, Altitudes originally accepted to-go food orders when COVID-19 first spread, but Fleischer said they were not very successful. The establishment also opened an outdoor seating area May 15, Fleischer added, which operates Friday through Sunday. Every staff member at Altitudes is required to wear masks and disinfect both tables and work areas. Fleischer also explained that menus, plates and plasticware are thrown away as soon as customers leave. “We do not want to be a part of the spread of any disease or put our customers or staff in danger,” Fleischer said. Though the local grill is working with a third of their staff, seating and operating hours, Fleischer said they are diligently trying to watch their bottom line and overall expenses. Many families from southern Arizona traveled to Flagstaff to escape the summer heat, and Fleischer said their business helped out. The staggered return of NAU students in August was also beneficial, she added, because Altitudes was busy with students and their families throughout the month. “Regarding students, we love NAU — I am a 1982 grad in public relations,” Fleischer said. “The students make up about 20% of our business and supply me with half of my staff. It’s a priceless relationship.” Mountain Sports Flagstaff owner Lisa
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Lamberson also expressed how important the NAU community is to the success of her business. Mountain Sports was forced to close for an eight-week period between March and May, Lamberson said, and it saw a significant downturn in 2020 sales. Since its reopening, Lamberson said the business has allowed a maximum of 12 customers in the store at once, which also produced a significant decrease in foot traffic and purchases. She explained that sales are down by nearly 25% this year. Lamberson said NAU students and their families account for a large percentage of the store’s business each year. “We depend on the cyclical return of students and families to Flagstaff each fall as a part of our business success,” Lamberson said. “With distance learning, we have seen far fewer students walking around and shopping in the downtown area this fall.” Lamberson concluded that the Flagstaff community needs NAU students in order to remain whole, and Mountain Sports is grateful for any business the university population provides. Cecily Maniaci owns and operates The Toasted Owl, Grand Canyon Spirits and the Hoot Mart. Maniaci said each of her businesses survived the pandemic, although not as well as she had projected for 2020. More specifically, she explained that closing for two months took a massive toll on her employees and financial situation. Similar to other restaurants and bars in the downtown area, Maniaci said her businesses heavily rely on the income NAU students provide once they return from summer break. She also emphasized that the university’s safety measures made her feel at ease regarding the health and well-being of the local community. “My downtown location [The Toasted Owl] sees many NAU students happily enjoying the patio,” Maniaci said. “Every year the students come back and are helpful to Flagstaff’s economy.” In addition, Sweet said she understands the benefits NAU’s student population provides for the city’s economy. She explained that she walks around downtown daily and always sees students within various local businesses, money in hand, supporting the community. While Sweet has continued COVID-19 protocols within her boutique, which include allowing only six customers at a time and requiring masks, she said she is still concerned about students bringing the virus back to
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Flagstaff. “I am concerned that students will bring another wave of COVID-19,” Sweet said. “As we hear about house parties with no face coverings required, I get nervous that the behaviors and the ramifications will make their way downtown.” When NAU students returned to Flagstaff, Sweet said her first reaction was nervousness about the potential for a large influx of infected people. Despite these initial thoughts, Sweet said things have been OK so far within her shop, especially because of the protocols she implemented. Separate from Rainbow’s End, Sweet said she believes other leaders within the downtown community are being diligent and responsible in terms of keeping the local community safe. Although the university publishes weekly case updates on its COVID-19 website, Sweet explained that she and other local business
owners would feel better if NAU was more transparent with these numbers. “I would like to see more transparency with NAU on the numbers on and off campus,” Sweet said. “NAU is part of the Flagstaff community and we need the knowledge to help guide us in making safe decisions for our community as a whole. It is my hope that we can all work together to help stop the spread.” Both Sweet and Maniaci said NAU and the surrounding Flagstaff community should work together to achieve transparency and begin rebuilding, which would make the city more successful as a whole. “I think we, as a town, have supported each other and celebrated the local businesses to help us all to succeed through these trying times,” Maniaci said.
Katie Grigsby, assistant to regional manager at Mountain Sports Flagstaff, reviews an order behind a protective barrier, Sept. 23. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
COMIC SPOT
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Laptop loan programs should be mandatory on-campus operations amid the pandemic. These students do not even have access to libraries or computer labs provided on olleges have implemented a new mode of instruction campuses that have remained open. amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hybrid classes This is one of many examples of how laptops are now a need allow students to experience the benefits of in-person and no longer a luxury. These students rely entirely on long-term instruction while minimizing the frequency of these meetings. laptop rentals for access to the education they are paying for. Most colleges also offer a total remote option for I empathize with students who are trying to navigate students who could not make it back to campus this fall. These technology-reliant classes without computer access. I did not have changes rely heavily on the use of technology. It is now more a laptop my first year at NAU. I relied on on-campus computer difficult than ever to navigate through college courses without a labs and libraries. This may not seem like much of a burden, but laptop. scheduling computer access around classes, assignment due dates Colleges fail to acknowledge the fact that many students do and library hours is difficult. not have their own computers. COVID-19’s financial impact Some would argue that a student can simply rent a laptop means that even more students will go without their own from their campus library. However, library laptop rentals computers this year. Colleges should be required to offer long- typically only allow students to check out a device for up to three term laptop rentals. It is nearly impossible to get through hybrid days. This service is not intended to provide long-term computer or fully remote courses without a laptop. access to students who do not have devices. A 2018 study conducted by Indiana University examined For example, NAU offers laptop rentals for only 72 hours how technology access impacts student achievement. Researchers at a time. As someone who has used this service in the past, this found that students without laptops experienced stress and a does not serve as replacement for a laptop purchase. There are a decline in academic performance. It was also determined that limited number of laptops and it can be difficult to even get a students of color and those from low-income families were device in hand. less likely to have access to reliable technology. Many of these As the university’s newly implemented NAUFlex program students did not have their own computers and those who requires computer access, NAU needs to develop a program that did used outdated or damaged devices. Out of 748 students provides students with laptops for the duration of these hybrid surveyed, nearly 20% struggled with these issues. classes. This study was conducted prior to the COVID-19 NAU is coping with budget cuts and pandemic-related pandemic and the transition to hybrid learning. expenses. According to The Arizona I imagine the negative effects of limited Republic, NAU lost $100 million technological access have due to an enrollment dip. At significantly increased. first glance, long-term laptop There are new factors that rentals seem costly and students now have to cope impractical. with such as Zoom classes There are efficient that require functioning solutions that account for webcams and audio the changes in college output. budgets. Institutions Most colleges that have successfully have open computer supplied laptops serve labs and libraries as a blueprint. where students who Many colleges do not have their have partnered with own computers can businesses that refurbish use these devices. laptops sourced from These resources corporations and other have been limited suppliers, according to due to COVID-19. NPR. These laptops Many local libraries are sold to colleges are either closed or at discounted prices. The offer very limited access. refurbished laptops are then These restrictions place offered as long-term rentals struggling students to students. This is an option at even more of a NAU could explore. disadvantage. A student should not have to fear According to NPR, Seattle’s poor academic performance because they Everett Community College is one cannot afford a laptop. Colleges need to take Illustration By RAINEE FAVELA of many institutions that have ceased this step to ensure equal access to technology.
Trinity Archie
The myth of marriage
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marriage license does not magically make someone love their partner more. It merely signifies to the public that the couple is legitimate, a symbol of a successful personal life. It creates an illusion of commitment because that person can still leave. The sense of security from receiving commitment — the notion of permanence — is a lie. Why do we as a society expect marriage from committed couples? Marriage is an overrated concept that should not be as glorified as it is . Often, the commitment doesn’t last. According to the American Psychological Association, the divorce rate in the United States is nearly 40%. A couple can start a family and have a fulfilling relationship outside MACKENZIE the bonds of marriage. BROWER Some argue that the financial benefits of marriage are more than enough to ASSISANT PHOTO justify getting married. However, tax EDITOR benefits simply don’t benefit everyone. If the couple is either high-income or low-income earners, they pay more. The Tax Policy Center compared separate and joint taxes for a hypothetical couple with two children and a gross income of $100,000 each. The breakdown shows filing jointly would result in a marriage penalty 1.4% higher. Taxes are not a great reason to get married, especially if they’re going to end up costing the couple. Neither does a marriage license guarantee children love and stability — two basic needs. Penn State University professor Paul R. Amato reviewed studies from the 1990s on the consequences of divorce for adults and children. Some of the studies indicated that children showed elevated levels of stress and problems with parent-child relationships as early as 8-years-old, even before divorce. Married couples can still fail to provide a loving home for their children. Legally validating a relationship does not guarantee a nurturing environment for children. It doesn’t make sense that a child would care if their parents have a government document to declare them a family. What makes a family, anyway? Family can include grandparents, cousins, neighbors, friends, care providers, co-workers, anyone who lives together in a community and takes care of each other. How is it the government’s place to define family as simply nuclear? Relationships with our family and our partners have the possibility to be so much more broad, open and trustworthy when we shed societal standards. I would prefer to wake up next to my partner every day knowing that we choose each other again and that nothing else except for love is keeping them there. A piece of legal documentation does not make a family; the people do.
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Bring fans back to football THIS SPRING SEASON HAYLEE EMCH
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AU Athletics announced the Big Sky Conference postponed the fall 2020 football season until spring 2021. This implies that NAU’s football season is currently delayed, but not canceled. Students, families and fans are left with the question of if their tailgates and in-person support will be permitted. Fans of NAU Football should be allowed to return with the players in the spring season at the Walkup Skydome. Player safety is a priority of NAU Athletics. Representatives from NAU’s conference seem to be trying to keep the players of every university at the forefront of their minds. Andy Feinstein, president of the University of Northern Colorado and chair of the Big Sky Presidents’ Council, commented on the season’s future. “We recognize just how meaningful these opportunities are to the student-athletes, coaches and staff throughout our conference, and empathize that they will not be able to compete this fall for a Big Sky Championship,” Feinstein said. “We are eager to provide our football programs with that opportunity in the spring when it’s hopefully safer to be able to do so.” Players were just as affected by the postponement of the season. Defensive back Brenndan Johnson, a recent transfer to the NAU football team, discussed how his senior season may look a little different. “You go into the recruiting process just as COVID stopped visits and whatnot, so like I had to focus hard on my relationships I was building with each coach,” Johnson told NAU Athletics. Johnson’s experience was unique in that he had to decide where to play based on internet connections and relationships. Johnson later described how he came to NAU without ever seeing Flagstaff in person, but his connection with head coach Chris Ball is what led him to his decision. It would also be an immense financial loss to NAU if fans did not return to sports games. NAU would lose substantial amounts of money in advertisements, concessions, tickets and apparel sales that could be used to assist the football program. According to the 2020 and 2021 NAU State and Local Operating Budget Reports, there is already a significant loss in revenue. From 2015 to 2017, NAU sports achieved no financial gain or loss. In the last fiscal year,
NAU Football achieved $784,320 in revenue and came out of the year without debt. The expenses for the 2021 fiscal year is over $3.1 million. Without fan revenue, it will be difficult to regain that money. Furthermore, fans were extremely disappointed over the cancellation of the NAU Lumberjacks VS ASU Sun Devils season opener that was scheduled for Sept. 3. The game at the Sun Devil Stadium was supposed to be a huge occasion and exciting time for fans of college football. Many fans were severely disappointed according to an article by Arizona Sports. Many fans tweeted on game day about their sadness over the cancellation. ABC sports broadcaster Paul Calvisi tweeted, “instead of ASU playing the Jacks tonight, we get jack…” and other fans responded that they are “heartbroken” and “sad.” The cancellation of the big game hit harder than a star linebacker for many fans. The fans deserve a win, so the answer to if
students and families should be allowed to attend games in the spring should be yes. The pandemic has caused fans to miss out on many sports seasons. American football has a huge fan base and community that fans need to rejoin on an physical level in stadiums. In a CNBC article on the health and wellness benefits of being a sports fan, Daniel Wann, a professor at Murray State University said, “Being a sports fan is a very psychologically healthy activity. Fandom connects us to other like-minded people, which satisfies our human need for belonging. People who identify as sports fans have higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of loneliness and tend to be more satisfied with their lives compared to those who are not interested in sports. Individuals feel that
the fan interest is a part of them.” Fans also make players perform better. Staff writer David Wharton with the Los Angeles Times wrote, “They got to be self-motivated in this environment.” He continued explaining that the relationship between athlete and audience is known as “social facilitation,” or “the urge humans feel to be at their best in front of others.” This impulse triggers an athlete’s adrenaline, which they can use for extra strength and endurance when they need it most. Fans need football as much as players and institutions need fans. They need to be included once the spring season begins. There is almost no point in players playing if they have nobody to play for. Wins don’t hold the same effect when there is no crowd to scream with you in victory, or to cheer you to a championship.
Illustration By diana ortega
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
University Transit Services ke Oakley Seiter
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s the fall 2020 semester quickly approached, NAU took many measures to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff in order to operate through the pandemic. The University Transit Services is no exception. A popular way for students and staff to get around campus is through public transportation, but buses would not be able to follow social distancing guidelines if they were to continue functioning as they did before the pandemic. As the buses are an important part of the campus’ facilities and are used by many, the university figured out a way to continue the services while keeping the drivers and riders safe. Director of Transit Services, Erin Stam, who has been at NAU for almost 20 years, said she works in Transit Services because she loves to help students in any way she can. “A lot of people would be surprised at how many opportunities I actually get to interact with students, whether it’s my studentemployees or students with parking or shuttle,” Stam said. “So professionally speaking, I don’t do transit to do transit, I work at the university to work with students.” Stam said the majority of people on campus rely on buses, which are especially needed when students have back-to-back classes on opposite ends of campus. “We’ve taken great lengths to make it as safe as possible, but we know for a fact you still need shuttles,” Stam said. “A lot of people don’t realize only about 30 to 35% of students actually bring a vehicle to campus.” As director, Stam said she is responsible for all the employees of the AXELite, Louie Line and Jacks Line. She said she works on all the budgets and any goals and strategic plans for Transit Services, and is continuously assessing how the service can improve. During the school year, Stam explained that Transit Services sees about 10,000 riders a day. Throughout the year, it sees over one million riders. Stam said it is clear Transit Services are necessary, even during COVID-19, because over 90% of students said they use the shuttle every year, according to a survey conducted by NAU in the spring. One of the first adjustments Transit Services made during the virus outbreak, Stam said, was adding a chain six feet behind the driver to create some separation on the bus and distance between drivers and riders. “Most of our full-time drivers are on the bus eight to 10 hours a day,” Stam said. “So, we definitely want to make sure we are protecting them as employees.” Junior Megan Eisenach has been working as a campus bus driver for two years. “I have not been nervous or scared to drive the bus during the
“it’s reassuring to such a positive impac our role se
– Junior Megan Eisena
Buses lined up on the South Commuter lot waiting to be put into commision. Ciarán Gallagher | The Lumberjack
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FEATURES
eeping riders and drivers safe pandemic,” Eisenach said. “Safety measures, such as distancing the drivers from the passengers and requiring passengers to wear masks on the bus, have been implemented to protect the drivers and other students while riding the shuttle.” Another safety precaution Transit Services implemented was reducing the maximum capacity of the buses. Stam said other staff members helped her and Transit Services figure out a way to social distance while still effectively transporting enough students around campus. The staff members wore masks and gave examples of what it would look like if passengers rode six feet apart. “If you’re in a seat and facing forward, even if you have the people to the side of you, if you’re facing forward there is more open space,” Stam said. However, there are different models of buses, Stam explained, and the amount of maximum passengers per bus could be anywhere between 24 and 30 this semester. There are also a few smaller buses with only one door instead of two. So, Stam said Transit Services is also keeping their drivers safe by installing Plexiglas barriers around the driver for protection. Transit Services also changed its system by having buses only use the AXELite route, Stam said. That way, all the buses are on one loop and the wait time is lower with the reduced capacity. Riders can reference the AXExpress Shuttle Tracker and see real-time bus movement through GPS to monitor when buses arrive at a stop. Stam also said in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at every bus stop. “[The buses] implemented cleaning stations at the Pine Ridge bus stop so that each bus can be sanitized after each run [loop],” Eisenach said. At the end of the business day, Stam said the buses undergo a thorough sanitizing. Transit Services has an entire crew solely for cleaning the buses. Stam said that while ridership is lower than usual, she expects it to pick back up in the winter. “We have encouraged students to really think about walking, just as another way for them to stay safe,” Stam said. “But, we have riders every single day, and the buses are being very well-utilized even with the reduced capacity.” NAU’s Transit Services have worked hard to keep students safe while continuing to provide transportation. Even through the changes, Stam and Eisenach said that they are happy they still get to help make a difference on campus. “It’s reassuring to know that we make such a positive impact on the students even if our role seems small,” Eisenach said. “The amazing service by the essential campus workers like bus drivers, food staff, janitorial staff, traffic controllers and many more are what makes NAU such an amazing place to go to school. It feels good to be part of that.”
know that we make ct on students even if eems small.”
ach, Campus Bus Driver
The bus stop near Old Main is just one of the many bus stops around campus. Transit services have been taking extra precautions to ensure campus buses are safe. Ciarán Gallagher | The Lumberjack
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
Olive the Best: Flagstaff’s olive oil emporium Haley Kahn
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ith the variety of shops and restaurants downtown Flagstaff has to offer, there is bound to be something for everyone. A popular spot for local foodies is Olive the Best, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar store located on Birch Avenue and San Francisco Street. Olive the Best is a locally owned and run business, started and maintained by owner Scotty McPeak and his father. The duo bought the shop two years ago and continue to do all the bottling, customer service and behind-thescenes work themselves. After being a tax accountant, McPeak said he decided to pursue a less stressful career. This decision became the driving force behind Olive the Best’s creation. He explained that in doing so, he reaps health benefits of both the olive oil as well as his ability to set his own schedule with the shop. “It’s an easy and rewarding job and I enjoy the benefits of the products,” McPeak said. With success from the start, McPeak said the small shop now attracts a variety of customers, locals and visitors alike, on a daily basis. He explained that most people who visit the store are interested in the health benefits of the olive oil, which is part of the reason Olive the Best has remained so popular. The walls of the shop are lined with bottles of a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Each type of oil or vinegar is accompanied by a note card detailing the product’s distinct
qualities, as well as sample dispensers for curious passersby to have a taste. McPeak said he tries to create a very welcoming feel in the store by keeping the doors open and remaining prepared to strike up a conversation with a curious customer. Local cooking fanatic and customer Kayla Yost said she purchased numerous products from Olive the Best for her culinary endeavors. She explained how the store’s wide selection of products host an even wider variety of uses. “I really enjoy just the traditional olive oil because I can use it for anything and everything, but the flavor-infused ones are tasty, too,” Yost said. She said that while Olive the Best’s olive oil is a go-to, she doesn’t use the oil in just her cooking. Yost said she also enjoys the store’s vast selection of balsamic vinegars. “When I’m cooking more fancy foods, I love to set out the oregano white balsamic as part of the appetizer,” Yost said. “Then, I use either the raspberry balsamic or the espresso bean one in my dessert attempts.” Before getting to a customer’s hands, the products at Olive the Best are bottled by McPeak in the back of the shop. He explained that while he spends a lot of time bottling, it is work he enjoys. Furthermore, McPeak said he aims to expand the business further because he realized how rewarding his work at Olive the Best ultimately is. “I plan on opening several shops throughout the state, but all the bottling of the
products will be done at our Flagstaff store,” McPeak said. McPeak said this expansion would allow Olive the Best to reap more success, while he and his father can continue the work they love. Olive the Best has over 40 different kinds of olive oil and balsamic vinegar that are bottled and sold locally. While the shop already has an online store, McPeak explained that the business would likely also succeed with its expansion because of Olive the Best’s existing variety. He said that with more options to choose from, there will inevitably be something for everyone. “The green chile-infused olive oil from the Barbary Coast of Africa has to be one of my favorites,” McPeak said. “I like the spice and I use it on eggs and roasted veggies.” Yost agreed that the variety in Olive the Best’s inventory is what makes it unique and is what keeps her coming back for more. “I really cannot pick a favorite,” Yost said. “There are so many options to choose from and I haven’t tried even a quarter of them.” To name a few products one can find in Olive the Best, there are balsamic vinegars infused with pomegranate, fig, lavender, jalapeño and even black currant, as well as olive oils infused with dill, lime, blood orange, basil and more. McPeak said he encourages anyone to check out Olive the Best and sample their products because there is something for everyone there. More information about the shop can be found on Olive the Best’s website.
A selection of dark balsamic vinegars at Olive the Best oil and vinegar shop at 18 E. Birch Ave., Sept. 11. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
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CULTURE
Study abroad turns to study at home Cole Stewart
A gold star for Galaxy Diner
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tepping into Galaxy Diner is like traveling back in time. Patrons are greeted by a neon red sign at the entrance which displays the diner’s name. A shiny chrome door opens to checkered floors, a jukebox, a dessert bar and walls decorated with celebrity portraits from the 1950s. Guests are free to sit at the plush red and brown booths, under the numerous portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, or take a seat at the dessert bar. The sporty red and chrome stools around the dessert bar are my favorite place to sit and watch the servers make banana splits and malts. The reasonable prices and large menu at the restaurant allowed my friends and I to order enough JORJA food to make our stomachs hurt. The three of us HEINKEL shared the melt down patty melt, Wolfman onion WRITER rings, zucchini sizzlers and “Love Me Tender” chicken tenders. The patty melt was filling, but a little greasy. The sauteed onions on the patty melt were delicious, the cheese warm and perfectly melted. The patty was cooked to a perfect medium rare, as I requested, though it tasted a bit bland. I decided to put the in-house barbecue sauce on the patty and the sweet sauce gave the melt exactly the flavor it needed to be mouth-watering. The chicken tenders my friend ordered were tender and moist inside, while crispy on the outside, and the onion rings were flavorful and warm. The zucchini sizzlers were tasty, but the fried batter seemed to outweigh the zucchini. While the food was satisfying, the drink and dessert menus are where Galaxy Diner really shines. For a soft drink I chose the lime Pepsi — a hard choice between the vanilla, lime and chocolate Pepsi, which were all options I had never seen at a restaurant. The soft drink was fizzy on the tongue and possessed a powerful lime flavor that lingered long after I put the drink down. The lime Pepsi is still fizzing in my thoughts, but perhaps the most memorable part of my dining experience was the massive shake and malt list. With a list of 100 malt and shake flavors to choose from, I had a difficult time picking just one. The flavors ranged from regular chocolate to marshmallow, pineapple cheesecake, Sierra Mist, maple, lemon meringue, peanut butter Butterfinger and 93 more. My friends and I narrowed our options down to two: the vanilla chai malt and raspberry orange shake. The vanilla chai malt has a creamy soft flavor, a stark opposite to the raspberry orange shake. The shake has a tart flavor and a creamy texture, filled with tiny fruit pieces and colorful sprinkles. Galaxy Diner demonstrated mastery in the malt and shake category with its ability to make delicious drinks in such a diverse range of flavors. Continue reading on jackcentral.org
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tudy abroad opportunities came to a screeching halt this year, and the dreams of traveling for students in these programs have been lost. This is all due to numerous travel restrictions put in place by governments worldwide in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Daniel Palm, NAU’s Vice President of Global Affairs, said the primary focus of the Center for International Education is the health and safety of NAU students. Cancellations have already been made for the spring semester because many countries aren’t allowing travelers to enter, especially those from the United States. “This makes it difficult to find flights and visas for that matter,” Palm said. “We come from a position of wanting students to study abroad, but we are taking student planning into consideration. We want them to travel, but we also have to protect the health of the students.” He said he understands these opportunities are very important to students and the experiences studying abroad offers can be very beneficial. Palm spent over a year and a half in China studying abroad. Palm said he tries to put himself in the situations of the students. By doing so, he said he can have a deeper understanding of the disappointment students might feel. The NAU study abroad website offers minimal information regarding study abroad cancellations and applications are not being accepted at this time. COVID-19 has caused much larger issues, but inhibiting educational practice is a disappointment many did not see coming. Senior Natalie Crepeau said she lost her study abroad opportunity in Scotland this summer, along with 10 other students. “The study abroad program was called NAU in ‘Scotland: Isle Hopping through Scottish History,’” Crepeau said. “We were supposed to go to Scotland for about two weeks or so, from late May to early June. There was a group of almost 10 of us going and Claudia Sturgis was the faculty leading the trip.” The cancellations caused disappointments for some students. Crepeau said although she is disappointed, she understands that if the group were still able to go to Scotland, some of the activities planned for the trip
would have been impacted by COVID-19. She said she had to select different courses for the summer to ensure she would still graduate on time. Crepeau said she and other students are understanding of why their study abroad programs were canceled, but this was also met with frustration. She said she felt this way because Crepeau chose specific courses to take online during the summer session so she could have space for the abroad program. She said she only lost a summer program, but other students have lost full semester or yearlong programs. Many majors are somewhat dependent on these study abroad opportunities, such as international studies, international business, global languages and many more. Now many students aren’t able to apply the skills they’ve learned over the course of their college careers in an abroad program. Junior Conner Wesson lost his opportunity to study in Australia this spring. “I’m extremely frustrated,” Wesson said. “I moved my class schedule and courses around to allow this opportunity in the spring. I was going with a friend that was attending the same university in Australia.” He said he doesn’t understand why the program was canceled so early. If the students feel comfortable traveling, let them, Wesson said. The study abroad office is still holding events for students interested in the program once COVID-19 is more controlled. Despite the current situation, admissions are open for study abroad opportunities at NAU for international students.
Illustration By aleah green
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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CULTURE
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: An inspiration to many Sophia salazar
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uth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to be appointed as a United States Supreme Court justice, died of metastatic pancreatic cancer complications Sept. 18. Ginsburg openly advocated for equal rights and served on the Supreme Court from 1993 until her death. Before Ginsburg was appointed as a Supreme Court justice, she was the founding director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Women’s Rights Project in 1972, under which she argued six gender equality cases. During the same era, 79-year-old former NAU staff member Barbara Sauntry Ashley said she experienced gender discrimination from John Wright, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1965. This all occured prior to Ginsburg’s work to ensure equal rights. “My husband and I went to Dean Wright to ask his counsel on the nepotism rule ending my tenure,” Ashley said in an email interview. “He offered no sympathy, empathy or support. Instead he told me to go home and have babies.” Ashley also clarified that there were several more acts of gender dicrimination that happened on campus. She said she had past disagreements with Chester Ainsworth, Dean of the School of Applied Sciences and Technology in 1965, which is now the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences. She said she was not compensated for her work with Ainsworth. Furthermore, gender discrimination played a role in why she received lower pay for her part in teaching two workshop sessions that were centered toward Arizona educators. Due to Ginsburg’ effrorts, Ashley said it is less likely for a similar incident to occur in modern society. Ginsburg fought for women’s right to equal pay in the 2007 case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and
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Rubber Company. Lilly Ledbetter, a former Goodyear supervisor, sued Goodyear for employment discrimination after she had discovered her male counterparts were making thousands of dollars more annually. Due to the Civil Rights Act’s 180-day turnaround, the Supreme Court had a 5-4 majority vote against Ledbetter, concluding that the case was not filed in a timely manner. In her descent, Ginsburg argued that the 180-day limit should not be considered for this case since gender workplace discrimination can be discrete. “A worker knows immediately if she is denied a promotion or transfer, if she is fired or refused employment,” Ginsburg said. “When an employer makes a decision of such open and definitive character, an employee can immediately seek out an explanation and evaluate it for pretext. Compensation disparities, in contrast, are often hidden from sight.” Ginsburg’s call to action on Ledbetter v. Goodyear motivated Congress to strengthen equal pay protections. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, in which employers are required to guarantee their compensation practices are fair and nondiscriminatory, was later signed into law. NAU senior Abigail Paternina, president of NAU’s Associated Students for Intersectional Feminism (ASIF), said Ginsburg was a champion of gender equality. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg allowed women the right to sign a mortgage without a man, have a bank account without a male cosigner, have a job without being discriminated against based on gender, and the right for women to have kids and work,” Paternina said in an email interview. “This is just to name a few of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s achievements, but the list goes on. Women simply have more rights, freedoms and opportunities thanks to her.” Justice Ginsburg was vocal about
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women’s rights and advocated for change when she wrote the majority opinion in U.S. v. Virginia in 1996. Virginia Military Institute (VMI) was a higher education institution that had a male-only admissions policy. In U.S. v. Virginia, the institution’s policy was deemed unconstitutional for violating the 14th Amendment. After the 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court came to the conclusion that VMI must allow qualified women to be accepted into the institution.
Illustration BY TONESHA YAZZIE
Freshman Jonah Graham said Ginsburg was admired by many for her efforts while appointed in the Supreme Court. He said Justice Ginsburg fought for equality among all people, and used her voice to help those who are oppressed. “With her most famous cases consisting of Obergefell v. Hodges, Ledbetter v. Goodyear and Whole
Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, Ginsburg has done much in her career to provide for those with less government-given authority,” Graham said in an email interview. “These cases prove her accomplishments through debate.” Ginsburg spent the majority of her life fighting for women’s rights, gender equality and equal pay. She positively impacted both past and present NAU students and faculty with her work done in the Supreme Court. Her actions strengthened equal pay protection and advanced the ongoing advocacy for human rights.
CULTURE
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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SPORTS
Pulisic: American soccer savior
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occer, or football as it’s called outside the United States, is arguably the world’s most popular sport. It is especially popular in Europe and South America, where the game is considered by many to be an obsession and religion. There are many soccer leagues across the world but none are as prestigious as the English Premier League. Many of the best players around the globe join Premier League clubs, aspiring to thrive at the highest level. As one may expect, the U.S. does not embrace soccer as its main sport, and as it stands, it is far from mainstream. The soccer league for the U.S., Major League Soccer (MLS), is far from the most profitable sports league in the world, especially when compared to other soccer SEAN leagues. The MLS does not crack the top CLARK 20 in revenue earned in a calendar year WRITER when compared to other sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA and MLB as it only earned a little over a billion dollars in 2017-18 compared to $6.04 billion for the Premier League. When looking at the top 100 most-watched primetime telecasts according to Nielsen, a list including NFL, college football, NBA, MLB and the Final Four, not a single event on there is soccer. On an international scale, the U.S. men’s national team has not helped matters at all, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago in the 2017 World Cup qualifiers. With the U.S. hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is there any hope for “the beautiful game” to reach mainstream status in the U.S.? The one hope for this is in 22-year-old Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, who has earned the nickname, “Captain America.” He earned himself a starting spot for Chelsea, one of the Premier League’s top clubs. Pulisic is a creative winger with a knack for scoring incredible goals, who also sets up teammates. Pulisic is as talented as any player the U.S. has produced. The fact he’s producing in the world’s top league at only 22 shows his skill and star power. Due to a content-filled society, people in the U.S. tend to latch onto stars who stand out such as LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michael Phelps. Many find soccer boring and unnecessary, but with Pulisic’s exciting style of play, he can be an American sports icon, drawing people into the sport like Vince Carter did for Canadian basketball. If Pulisic performs well in the 2026 World Cup and leads the U.S. to success, such as the quarterfinals or later, it would be huge for soccer’s popularity in the U.S. Soccer is a beautiful sport and “Captain America” has the chance to show his home country that soccer is worth watching among the many different sporting and entertainment options out there.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sept. 15, 2019. Photo courtesy of Nick Wass, Associated Press
Cardinals: Super Bowl contenders? Cooper Lewis
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he Arizona Cardinals have had it rough over the last few years. They have not made the playoffs since 2015, and in 2018, they were the worst team in the NFL with a record of 3-13. However, that losing season was the catalyst in bringing hope and change to a team that desperately needed a shift in identity. When head coach Kliff Kingsbury was hired in 2019, he made it abundantly clear who he wanted his signal caller to be. With the No. 1 overall pick in that year’s draft, the Cardinals selected quarterback Kyler Murray from the University of Oklahoma. Even though the Cardinal’s record did not see a big leap when they went 5-10-1, Murray found success individually by
being awarded The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. With 2020 regarded as an eventful year, it is fitting that for the first time since 2015, the Arizona Cardinals could be considered a Super Bowl contender. At the start of this year’s offseason, the Cardinals were ready to make necessary moves to help push the team forward. Before that year’s draft, there was a surprising, but very fortunate transaction that favored Arizona. In what looked like a too-good-to-be-true trade, the Cardinals sent running back David Johnson, a 2020 secondround pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick to the Texans for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick. This was a monumental trade, for which a lot of people criticized Bill O’Brien, Texans head coach and general manager.
SPORTS On the other side of the trade Cardinals fans rejoiced, as there was a sliver of hope that the Cardinals actually have a decent player other than their quarterback. Along with the trade for Hopkins, the Cardinals drafted linebacker Isaiah Simmons from Clemson University in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Cardinals were among a few other teams to come out of the draft and offseason looking much better than they did in the previous year. To open the 2020 season, the Cardinals played their first game against the San Francisco 49ers, who had just lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl LIV. Arizona shocked the league by winning the game 24-20. The 49ers defense was one of the best in 2019, their top-five ranking in sacks and tackles for loss, according to NFL.com. which was was a major factor in the team reaching the Super Bowl. Since then, the Cardinals have faced the Washington Football Team and won that game 30-15, improving to 2-0. The statistics
speak for themselves, but the Cardinals players have praise for their beloved quarterback. In a virtual press conference, Hopkins shared his thoughts on how succsesful Murray can be. “I have seen some other guys campaigning for their quarterbacks, so I’m gonna campaign for mine.” Hopkins said. “He makes it look easy from what he is doing. Kyler is a future MVP of this league.” Kingsbury also had a few good words to say on Murray’s performance after two games. While participating in a Zoom interview with reporters, Kingsbury discussed how Murray is a game changer offensively. “Kyler really throws one of the better deep balls that I have been around,” Kingsbury said. “We are going to continue to pick our spots and move the ball the best way we can down the field.” Kingsbury said he has real faith in his quarterback, whether he is using his legs to move the ball, or his arm when throwing to
receivers to gain big chunks of yardage. Three weeks into the season, Murray has been one of the talking points of the league, despite last week’s loss to the Detriot Lions that dropped the Cardinal’s record 2-1. During a press conference after the Week 2 win against the Washington Football Team, Murray talked about how his focus and drive is all about winning and accomplishing his goals. “It’s not my first time dealing with success in life, this is part of the game.” Murray said. “We work in the offseason, we work in practice in order to win and we expect to win.” In the NFC West, the Cardinals are arguably in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL and are not safe from close games. However, if the team can continue to improve and work toward that Super Bowl goal, they can surprise a lot of people in the sports world. The Cardinals will hit the road for their next game on Oct. 4 against the Carolina Panthers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Farm Stadium is closed to the public, Sept. 27. Entrances are strictly monitored by staff and law enforcement. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OCTOBER 7, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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