The Lumberjack -- March 10, 2022

THE LUMBER JACK MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022

STUDENTS IN SOLIDARITY SPECIAL ISSUE

ONLINE AT JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FROM THE EDITOR

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y original plan for this Letter from the Editor was to try to avoid speaking about being immunocompromised and my rheumatoid arthritis since my past two letters have included just that, but the recent change to NAU’s mask policy made me feel as if I can’t write this without speaking on that subject.

I am furious that the university does not understand the mental and physical distress it is placing on its high-risk students when removing the mandate. If the administration truly understood how immunocompromised individuals will be affected by this change, they would not have made it.

My right and desire to get an education is valid, and deserves to be respected as such. The environment created by removing a mask mandate is not an environment that EMILY welcomes me and others who are also immunocompromised.

GERDES The university’s actions make me feel less than, and as if my contributions and presence on campus are not valuable.

DIRECTOR OF In my experience, I haven’t seen students actively calling for a removal of the mask DIGITAL CONTENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA policy, but what I have seen are countless students and staff vocalizing their disapproval of the university’s new policy. Professors have explained how their children or grandchildren are not eligible for vaccination and encouraged students to wear masks when in their class. Fellow students have emphasized their confusion with the change in NAU’s policy to me.

I struggle with the lack of guidance from the administration in how those of high risk should proceed. We have been consistently overlooked and ignored throughout the whole pandemic. I do not feel safe nor does President Cruz Rivera provide any comfort or clarification in his March 3 email announcement, “For individuals who are immunocompromised, the CDC offers guidance on how to protect yourself. NAU will work closely with individuals who need accommodations due to personal health concerns.”

So, I leave you to ponder this. Imagine you are immunocompromised during a pandemic and your doctors tell you to avoid being around unmasked, unvaccinated people. You have every right to receive the same education and yet circumstances do not accommodate that. What do you do when your university removes its mask mandate?

To the rest of the NAU community, do you stand in solidarity with me?

Thank you for reading

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 113 ISSUE 8

Editor-in-Chief MacKenzie Brower Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Managing Editor Camille Sipple Print Chief Lauren Gomez

Director of Marketing Lydia Nelson

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

Still Partying: A look back at Prince’s “1999” 40 years later Continue reading on Jackcentral.com

ONLINE AT ISSUU.COM Latest Edition & Archive

SOCIAL MEDIA

Copy Chief Kylie Soto Director of Digital Content and Social Media Emily Gerdes

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Mark Fabery Asst. Op-Ed Editor Jessie McCann

Asst. Culture Editor Haylee Sorensen Director of Illustration Brittani Poeppel

Senior Reporter William Combs III

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Asst. News Editor Daisy Johnston

Online News Editor Josh Ostby

Op-Ed Editor Marley Green

Features Editor Hannah Elsmore

Asst. Features Editor John Chaffeur

Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez

Asst. Sports Editor Will Hopkins

Sports Adviser Rory Faust

Sports Editor Brenden Martin Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

Senior Photographer Madison Easton

Director of Photography Brian Burke

Senior Photographer Jonah Graham

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Asst. Dir. of Photography Megan Ford-Fyffe

Asst. Print Chief Lian Muneno

ON THE COVER Illustration by Diana Ortega| The Lumberjack

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS In Volume 113, Issue 5 of The Lumberjack, a story titled “Pints in the pines: Flagstaff’s booming beer industry” published with an incorrect name. Alissa Marquess is a co-founder of Mother Road.

In Volume 113, Issue 6 of The Lumberjack, story titled “Russia is the worst type of frat boy” published without an editor’s note to say the story was written before Russia invaded Ukraine.

The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email MacKenzie Brower at msb389@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Feb. 28 At 10:03 a.m., a student reported another student had fallen on the stairs in the Engineering building.

NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) responded.

The student was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC).

At 10:19 a.m., a Physical Sciences building staff member reported a broken window.

NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 5:04 p.m., a nonstudent reported a student making suicidal statements.

NAUPD responded, and the student was located and released to Terros Health for further assistance. Counseling Services was notified.

March 1 At 5:49 a.m., custodial staff at Bilby Research Center requested an officer walkthrough of the building.

NAUPD responded and assistance was provided.

At 2:36 p.m., multiple alarms were activated at Adel Mathematics. NAUPD and FFD responded. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Fire Life Safety was testing the alarm system.

At 4:13 p.m., a Hotel and Restaurant Management staff member reported a student had passed out and hit their head.

NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC. March 2 At 7:48 a.m., a student reported an animal on campus.

NAUPD responded and assisted animal control.

At 4:13 p.m., NAU Work Control reported the odor of gas outside the du Bois Center.

NAUPD and FFD responded.

No odor was detected and the area was deemed safe.

At 7:27 p.m., a subject reported a student feeling ill at South Village Apartments.

NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, but the student refused medical transport.

Compiled by Mark Fabery

At 3:52 p.m., a Gabaldon Hall resident reported someone breaking a window with a snowball. NAUPD responded, and one student was criminally deferred for criminal damage.

At 4:04 p.m., a Campus Heights resident reported a suspicious odor. NAUPD and FFD responded, but no odor was detected and FFD deemed the area as safe. The cause was March 3 later determined to be spray At 8:27 a.m., a Performing paint in a nearby room. and Fine Arts employee reported graffiti. A university At 9:14 p.m., a Wilson safety aide responded and took Hall RA reported the theft of a report. a Wilson Hall room placard.

NAUPD responded and took At 2:58 p.m., a student a report. reported someone hit their vehicle and fled the scene in lot March 6 63. NAUPD responded and At 12:08 a.m., a Honors took a report.

College staff member reported an intoxicated resident.

At 10:08 p.m., a Sechrist NAUPD responded and one Hall RA reported a resident student was deferred for minor with possible alcohol. NAUPD in consumption of alcohol. responded and two students were deferred for possession of At 1:03 a.m., a Tinsley marijuana.

Hall staff member reported an intoxicated student. NAUPD March 4 responded, and the student At 6:02 a.m., NAUPD was arrested and booked into reported receiving a blue Coconino County Detention light phone call near Facility for disorderly conduct Ernest Calderón Learning and minor in consumption of Community.

An officer alcohol. responded, but no criminal activity was witnessed.

At 2:44 a.m., an NAU shuttle driver reported a At 6:14 p.m., a student non-injury traffic collision requested a public assist ride with another NAU vehicle. to Raymond Hall from the NAUPD responded and took Health and Learning Center. a report.

NAUPD responded and assistance was provided.

At 12:00 p.m., NAUPD received a water flow alarm.

March 5 NAUPD and FFD responded, At 12:18 p.m., a Health and found the alarm was caused Professions staff member by a broken fire sprinkler head. requested an escort for three Fire Life Safety was notified. non-students to the University Union for the Discover NAU tour.

Notice of Public Tuition Hearing Arizona Board of Regents Monday, March 28, 2022 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

THIS IS A VIRTUAL HEARING The Arizona Board of Regents will conduct a virtual public hearing for testimony and comments from the public, students and other interested parties regarding the level of tuition and academic fees to be charged for resident and nonresident students at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona for academic year 2022-2023. This notice is provided pursuant to A.R.S. §15-1626.

Please check the Arizona Board of Regents website for the link to the virtual hearing and specific information and instructions regarding participation in the tuition hearing. www.azregents.edu Links to the presidents’ tuition and mandatory fee proposals will be available after Friday, March 11, 2022 at www.azregents.edu. For more information, call (602) 229-2500.

The March 28, 2022 public hearing is an opportunity for the public to make comments concerning the issue of tuition and academic fees. Comments may also be submitted electronically at either tuition@azregents.edu or “Contact Us” at www.azregents.edu; mailed to 2700 N. Central Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85004; or faxed to (602) 2292555.

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MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Arizonans discuss reproductive rights amid bans A new bill banning abortion after 15 weeks of preganancy will overturn the original Roe v. Wade precedent in Arizona.

Daisy Johnston

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ew abortion ban proposals in Arizona have raised debates over the future of reproductive rights. The current law of the land, Roe v. Wade 1973, may be overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, as many states are revisiting the timeline at which they will allow doctors to perform abortions.

Arizona Senate approves S.B. 1164

On Feb. 15, the Arizona Senate approved Bill 1164 to restrict doctors from performing abortions to patients over 15 weeks pregnant. Doctors who perform abortions outside the bill’s guidelines may be considered guilty of a class six felony, typically resulting in fines, probation or a prison sentence of four months up to five years.

The bill, sponsored by District 15 Sen. Nancy Barta, will now move to be voted on in the Arizona House. The current precedent of 20 to 24 weeks set by Roe v. Wade will be shortened for the first time in Arizona if Bill 1164 is approved by the Arizona House and signed by Gov. Doug Ducey.

Disagreements over the new abortion restrictions are rooted in the long standing debate over when human life begins.

Sydney Shevat, Flagstaff City Council candidate and NAU graduate student, disagrees with the notion that an embryo becomes a fetus before birth. Shevat elaborated she is worried about the effects of S.B. 1164, a bill which she said will have no benefits.

“Not only is this bill criminalizing women, but it is also threatening medical professionals who perform abortions with fines, probation, loss of medical license and imprisonment,” Shevat said.

“Abortion is typically a religious issue, and there is no place for religion in politics and law; there is no place for law inside of a person’s womb.”

Shevat additionally noted the pending results of Dobbs v. Jackson

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THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Illustration By Brittani poeppel

Women’s Health Organization, a case which has been debating a similar 15-week ban in Mississippi since March 2021. These new bills, Shevat added, are a way men across the country can control women’s bodies and limit their choices. As a result, Shevat said making abortion less accessible will take power away from already disadvantaged groups.

“A person may have been a victim of rape or incest; they may have not gotten adequate sexual education; they may have medical issues that would place them in danger if they were to deliver a child; or they may just not want to have a kid, now or ever,” Shevat said.

“All of these reasons should be enough for a person to decide on their body and future.”

Moreover, it is key to focus on adequate sexual education rather than restricting access to to abortions, Shevat said.

Elementary, middle and high schools, Shevat said, should provide sexual education for people of all sexualities, and

NEWS emphasize the importance of using protection and understanding what consent means.

Since the passing of House Bill 2035 — also sponsored by Barta — Arizona is one of five states to have an opt-in sex education policy. The bill requires schools to have parental approval before students can take sex education courses. Additionally, students in fifth grade and below are banned from taking any sex curriculumbased classes.

Cathi Herrod is the president of the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP), an advocacy group committed to defending values of marriage, family and religion in Arizona lawmaking. In a statement published by CAP, Herrod thanked Barta for her work and said she is hopeful the new abortion bill will get passed in the House.

“A 15-week limit on abortion would not only save lives, it would protect women from the emotional and physical harms of later term abortion,” Herod said.

Herrod also mentioned how several states are now modeling their abortion laws after Mississippi. If the United States Supreme Court finds evidence that a fetus is viable at 15 weeks, Herrod said, Arizona should be ready to follow suit.

“With this vote, these senators fall more in line with a majority of lawmakers in countries throughout the world who limit abortion after the first trimester,” Herrod said. “This vote acknowledges medical and technological advancements revealing the humanity of preborn life.”

12 states have preemptively put into effect trigger laws to ban all local abortion access if Roe v. Wade gets overturned when the Mississippi verdict is announced over summer.

40 Days for Life begins campaign outside Flagstaff Planned Parenthood

Amid current lawmaking to restrict abortion access, some pro-life groups have taken direct action against abortion clinics.

On March 1, 40 Days For Life kicked off a new pro-life campaign outside Planned Parenthood’s Flagstaff Health Center. For the next 40 days, the group will continue to gather and pray near the facility.

Flagstaff Bible Church member Ben Gunter participated on the second day of the campaign. Gunter said he was not there to be disruptive, but to pray against infanticide.

“We’re not directly at Planned Parenthood, we’re not interfering if someone’s walking in,” Gunter said. “Honestly, we’re praying for Planned Parenthood, the largest nation provider of killing the unborn.”

Adoption is not always an easy option

Flagstaff Church of Christ is led by women’s minister Abby Mackie, alongside her husband. Mackie said she does not believe passing bills to restrict abortions is the answer.

In many cases, Mackie said, people will choose to get an abortion because they feel they do not have an option in terms of providing for a baby. Often this is due to the economic pressures of providing for a baby or the shame that can be associated with an unplanned pregnancy.

“It can be a terrifying and overwhelming position to be in,” Mackie said. “Choosing to have an abortion is a heavy and difficult decision. Unfortunately, today two of the loudest voices in regard to unplanned pregnancy are abortion and adoption, so many feel like these are their only choices.”

For those seeking help, Mackie said there are resources, not only to provide for the baby but also to support new parents.

Mackie acknowledged adoption is greatly discussed as an alternative, but added it is not always an easy choice for parents to make.

“This is an incredibly brave and difficult decision for a mother to make,” Mackie said. “This is a selfless decision to put your child into the care of another person. My heart goes out to those moms who have made this decision.”

didn’t lose a clump of cells, we lost a child that day.”

Junior Grace Goebel is the president of Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGen) at NAU. The club is among 350 other campus groups organized in partnership with Planned Parenthood across the country. PPGen is an advocacy group for reproductive rights on campus and aims to make NAU a safe place for conversations about abortion.

Goebel spoke about anti-abortion protestors outside Planned Parenthood. Often with microphones and speakers to play gospel music as well as amplify prayers, Goebel said, 40 Days For Life has been one of the most persistent groups in Flagstaff.

Working in cooperation with Planned Parenthood, Goebel has had encounters with the pro-life group in previous campaigns.

“They essentially point people out and say you’re going to burn in hell,” Goebel said. “It’s attacking not only our right to choice but also to peace over that choice.”

Moreover, Goebel said many protestors hold signs advertising the phone number of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center which offers resources for women as alternatives to abortion. Goebel said she once called the number pretending to be pregnant to see what services the clinic offered. After telling a spokesperson she was considering abortion, the Hope Pregnancy Resource Center suggested she come in to pray.

Goebel additionally said the closure of Flagstaff’s Planned Parenthood would affect more than just those looking for abortions, because they provide many other services such as birth control, STD testing and HIV services. While many of these services are offered at the Health and Learning Center, Goebel said she feels more comfortable at Planned Parenthood.

“I ended up being assaulted on campus and went to report it and it was just a very hostile environment towards sex health in general,” Goebel said. “It didn’t feel like there was any sort of positivity surrounding my choices, it was simply like okay, how can we get you to not be such a slut essentially. That’s what it felt like.”

Restrictive abortion laws continue to be pushed across the country. As many fear they will lose access to safe abortions, advocates for reproductive rights are pushing back against new legislation.

“The U.S. was built on colonization, capitalism, and patriarchy,” Shevat said. “Patriarchal places value on male domination and male power. The abortion bills are just another way that men can control women’s bodies and limit their choices.”

Gunter is the only one in his family who practices the Christian faith, he said when he was growing up, he used to identify as pro-choice. After God saved him, Gunter said, he became indifferent. It was not until his wife became pregnant that he shifted to pro-life. Later in her pregnancy, Gunter’s wife had a miscarriage.

“You go one day and you see this little nugget flipping around and you get so excited and then my wife didn’t feel well,” Gunter said. “Then we go into a next room and they’re looking for a heartbeat, and you see the grief on the faces of the nurses because they didn’t want to tell us, and we lost a child that day. We

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Arizona dodges public education crisis­­— for now William Combs III

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rizona Senate voted Feb. 21 to waive the education funding cap for K-12 school districts, dodging a 16% budget cut across the board. The override of the funding limit averted an education crisis for the following school year, but did not address the limit as a whole, which could lead to a similar situation next year.

The aggregate expenditure limit (AEL), was added to the state constitution in 1980 as a voter-approved measure to cut government spending by limiting the yearly budget of school districts. According to Article 9, Section 21 of the state constitution, the AEL is determined each year by adjusting the expenditures for each school district from the previous school year to reflect cost of living and student populations and multiplying by 1.10 for inflation.

According to a statement released by Tempe School District No. 3, the AEL has been reached because various voter-approved initiatives are not exempt from the limit. Furthermore, enrollment dropped significantly in 2021, leading to a smaller overall AEL for the current school year.

Proposition 301, one such ballot initiative, was a voterapproved sales tax in 2000 to fund public schools. The tax was originally exempt from the spending cap, but when it came time for its renewal, lawmakers did not go back to the voters for an exemption to the AEL. Under the state constitution, the AEL must be approved by the state legislature before March 1. This year however, with the expenditure surpassing the given limit, the state legislature was given the decision to override the AEL or impose 16% budget cuts on public school districts across the state.

The decision to waive the cap, which was approved 23-6, was met by some Republican opposition due to disagreements over excessive spending, according to an article by FOX 10 Phoenix.

The debate over spending included Proposition 208, a voter-approved tax on incomes over $250,000 to increase funding for public education. Proposition 208 was approved in 2020 and Republicans in the state legislature have since advocated for removal of the 3.5% tax. Funds from this tax have not yet been included in the education budget due to legal challenges regarding the AEL. In Flagstaff, the story is similar. Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) Communications Director Joshua Butler said budget cuts would have been devastating in a time when the pandemic already made operations more difficult.

“If action was not taken, FUSD would have needed to reduce this year’s budget in the last three months of the school year by approximately $12.2 million even though these funds were already appropriated and committed,” Butler said.

The cuts, which would amount to roughly $1,400 per student for FUSD would have resulted in layoffs and program cuts on a historic level, Butler said.

Despite student enrollment increasing since the 2020-21 school year, the AEL is lower than before the pandemic, another

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THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

reason for this issue to arise. The withheld funds, which caused this issue, were already appropriated to the district’s budget, Butler said.

“Without the override, Arizona public school districts, including FUSD would be forced to make drastic budget cuts that could impact the ability to maintain programs and staff for the last quarter of this school year,” Butler said. “Without the recent action, school districts were not able to spend over $1.1 billion of funding the state legislature and governor already appropriated in June 2021.”

Children’s Action Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization for children and families, has also spoken on the issue of education funding. CEO and former state congress member, David Lujan, said the AEL is outdated and must be addressed swiftly so school districts across the state are not hit with this crisis again.

“They either need to repeal the spending limit permanently, or they need to modernize it so it is based on current levels and not 1980 spending levels,” Lujan said. “We didn’t have computers, or school shootings, which actually changed how many people we have on staff. Even though it is adjusted for inflation and student population, it does not account for how much different it is to

teach students today than it was in 1980.”

Ballot initiatives intended to boost education funding, such as Proposition 208, cannot be utilized until the overarching issue of the AEL is dealt with. Currently, the money from Proposition 208 cannot be used by the school districts, even though it was approved by voters, Lujan said.

Lujan said a permanent fix is necessary, but it is not as straightforward as it may seem. Since the AEL was passed through a ballot measure and is a part of the state constitution, the only way to amend or remove the spending cap would be to send it back to the voters in the next election.

“What we are asking is that the legislature puts something on the ballot to give voters that opportunity to modify it or even remove the spending cap altogether,” Lujan said. “If we even want to get above the top ten we have to lift our own spending limit because it is literally keeping us in the basement of funding in this country.”

For now, the budget cuts have been avoided. Unless the state legislature produces a solution for the voters to approve in the next election, Lujan said, the situation will remain the same for the 2022-23 school year.

Thousands march to the Arizona Capitol for higher teacher pay and public school funding on the first day of a state-wide teachers strike in Phoenix, April 26, 2018. Courtesy of the Associated Press

NEWS

Concerns raised over ICE detention centers

There have been 14 deaths at the Eloy Detention Center since 2003, July 7, 2016. Courtesy of the Tuscon Daily Star

Daisy Johnston

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aquel Calderon de Hildago was the 15th recorded person since 2003 to die at Eloy Detention Center Nov. 28, 2016. Calderon de Hildago was pronounced dead by Eloy staff from a pulmonary embolism. Days before her death Calderon de Hildago told staff members she was experiencing pain in her ankle, chest pains and a headache.

A case investigating Calderon de Hildago’s death has been opened by her family with many arguing the fatality could have been prevented. The death recorded by Eloy as accidental has sparked concern over the medical treatment of immigrants in detention facilities.

While some illegal immigrants will get deported upon discovery, others will be taken to detention centers where they can continue to present the case for their citizenship. 36-yearold Calderon de Hildago was one of many Guatemalans seeking asylum against government corruption, climate change and crime. After she was found at the border, Calderon de Hildago was detained at Eloy where she could continue to work on her case for citizenship.

Junior Samantha Lozano Rodriguez has been assisting with the case on Calderon de Hildago’s death. Lozano Rodriguez said this case is trying to prove Calderon de Hildago’s illnesses could have been caught earlier. “[Her medical appointment] kept on getting postponed.

Every time that she would go they wouldn’t see her or they just kept saying, ‘Oh she’s not high priority, she just has a sprained ankle.’ But she kept rating her pain raging from seven to nine out of ten,” Lozano Rodriguez said. “She was in a lot of pain.”

Pulmonary embolisms are caused by blood clots, typically in the leg, that travel to a lung artery where they may block blood flow. Research shows that minor injuries, such as ankle sprains, can increase the chances of a blood clot in the lungs. While pulmonary embolisms are serious, they can be prevented through taking medication and consulting with a medical professional.

According to the Nov. 20, 2016 detainee death report for Calderon de Hildago, a physician told her to rest, prescribed ibuprofen and instructed her to follow up with a primary care

provider. Once transferred to Eloy, staff was told by her previous registered nurse that Calderon de Hildago has a history of asthma, but was not informed she had rated her pain a seven on a scale of one to 10.

“Normally people who have sprained ankles, they have to be on the bottom bunk of the bed or they have to have accommodations like a wheelchair,” Lozano Rodriguez said. “The initial person who did her initial medical screening never filled out that paperwork and never relayed the proper information to the medical provider to make it seem like this is a serious problem.”

After going through the case file, Lozano Rodriguez said she did not understand how Calderon de Hildago’s medical treatment was delayed several times. Lozano Rodriguez said it does not make sense to her that a system responsible for handling thousands of people at a time could be so disorganized.

“At this point she was here,” Lozano Rodriguez said. “She was here under our care, which means that she’s our responsibility.

Why wasn’t she just sent back? That’s a decision that ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] makes. They can either keep you or they can send you back. If they’re choosing to keep you then they are responsible.”

Lozano Rodriguez said there are negative stigmas many hold against illegal immigrants. Even if Calderon de Hildago was here seeking asylum, Lozano Rodriguez said she was seen as a lesser person. She also added, detention centers like Eloy are run more like prisons than what they are supposed to be — housing units for individuals going though the citizenship process.

NAU senior Mackenzie Baradic is the director of “Borderlands,” a documentary project with UTV Studios. The “Borderlands” documentary explores Prevention Through Deterrence, a policy which discourages undocumented immigrants from crossing the border through urban towns. When access to historic crossing points is closed off, immigrants often resort to unfamiliar and often more dangerous routes.

Baradic also said there are negative stigmas faced by undocumented people crossing the border. In many circumstances, Baradic said this leads to immigrants being treated with little to no rights.

“When people are detained they have no rights,” Baradic

said. “Whether that means they are detained in a detention center or in the back of a border control vehicle, they have essentially no human rights. And I’m not even talking like U.S. citizen rights, I mean they will be put in a cage in the field on the desert before they get to the detention center and put through operations.”

Dusting is another method used to reduce the amount of people crossing the border between the United States and Mexico. Baradic said border patrol agents will locate groups of undocumented people in the desert from helicopters and use a method of landing that creates large dust clouds. Consequently, immigrants will run in different directions, typically losing track of their group.

Oftentimes, undocumented immigrants found in the desert will have gone several days with little food or water. Baradic said there is a way for border patrol to administer IVs in the desert or land helicopters without dusting but they choose not to.

“At times they will make it seem like they are doing medical work to avoid harming the public’s opinion of them, but none of it is sufficient,” Baradic said.

U.S. ICE made a statement to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, March 2020. In the statement, 2020 acting director of ICE, Matthew Albence, said he believed the administration has erred exclusively on the side of enforcement and removal to the detriment of the due process rights of migrants, particularly asylum seekers and anyone within the Department of Homeland Security custody.

As the investigation of Calderon de Hildago’s death continues, Lozano Rodriguez hopes to spread awareness on the situation at the border. Lozano Rodriguez said many undocumented immigrants do not have family so they do not have anyone to fight for them.

“I think she started something that’s gonna become a lot bigger than just herself,” Lozano Rodriguez said. “I’m very certain that this has not happened just this singular time and it’s just never gotten the attention it deserves because these people don’t get the attention they deserve, they die in the hundreds probably and everyone just brushes it off because they’re not citizens.”

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Critical Race Theory ban passes the Arizona House Emma Long

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ouse Bill 2112, which would ban Critical Race Theory (CRT) from being taught in Arizona schools, has passed the state House and is moving to the Senate.

According to the bill, teachers who allow any instruction that may make a student feel discomfort because of their race, ethnicity or sex, is subject to disciplinary action. This includes the suspension or revocation of their teaching license.

Critical Race Theory is a practice which examines the social construction of race, and the ways in which institutionalized racism has perpetuated racism into modern day. The theory does not deal with racism as “black and white,” but includes the experiences of various ethnic groups.

Sociology and ethnic studies senior lecturer José Moreno said CRT is an incorrect label for the content of the bill. He said what the bill is really trying to ban is ethnic studies.

Moreno recalled a bill, HB2281 pushed in 2017, that attempted to ban ethnic studies in Arizona schools, but was later deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge. Moreno said the bill banning CRT is trying to accomplish the same goal as the 2017 bill under a new name.

“They want the 21st century Jim Crow,” Moreno said.

He said this bill is getting pushed to prevent students from challenging the systems that are in place. This would keep the power where it currently stands — out of the hands of students of color.

“There are many narratives that need to be taught,” Moreno said. “I think that if we teach from day one different narratives, we could deal with the question of racism in our society and deal with the issue instead of color blindness.”

Justin Brewer is a Black father raising five mixed-race children, ages 10 to 17, who attend Flagstaff schools. He is also a minister for Kingdomheirs International, and worked previously in law enforcement for 13 years.

Brewer’s father and grandfather were both active in the civil rights era; his father was present at Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Brewer said CRT does not align with what they fought for.

“During the civil rights era, you would find people protesting with signs that would say ‘I’m a man,’” Brewer said. “What they were protesting and what they wanted to be acknowledged was their humanity, not their

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blackness, not their brownness, whatever the case may have been, because that was what was elevated at the forefront was the color of their skin not the content of their character.”

Brewer said he often feels like the token Black guy, as white people look to him to speak his opposition to CRT so they can disagree with CRT without feeling racist. Many white people are driven by guilt, he added, and their goal is to morally absolve themselves of that.

Rather than banning CRT from schools completely, Brewer said he wants his kids to be exposed to all sides of the argument. He added, CRT should be presented as one facet of education, not the only one. He said economist Thomas Sowell could be an antithesis to CRT. If a lesson on CRT was joined by a lesson on Sowell, children could form their own opinions on the matter, Brewer said.

While CRT is presented as a progression for our country, it perpetuates white guilt, which keeps People of Color in a position of perceived

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subjugation, Brewer said.

“I would rather my kids have, if they had to have truly racist obstacles, which they won’t, but if they did, I would rather them deal with that then somebody say, ‘Well I’m going to acknowledge my white guilt and step out of the way, which then grants you the opportunity to be empowered,’” Brewer said. “That’s racist. I don’t want my kids to have the expectation that a white person has to do something in order for them to do something.”

Moreno also spoke on the topic of white guilt and acknowledges it in his ethnic studies classes. He tells his students not to feel guilty and not to try to be saviors, either.

“I tell my students that you should not feel guilty of your privilege,” Moreno said. “What you should do is try to not be that person, try to be a good citizen and try not to repeat what your ancestors did.”

Moreno said he tells his students they do not need to try to help communities outside of

their o w n through charity as this can be insulting.

Instead, he advises them to direct their efforts to creating change within their own communities.

“What you should do is teach y o u r

their own through charity as this can be insulting. Instead, he advises them to direct their efforts to creating change within their own communities.

Knowledge about your own community and the communities around you ­ — which is the goal of ethnic studies programs — is beneficial in many ways, Moreno said. For example, children who do not speak English learn the language more effectively when they are taught by people of the same culture, he said.

This was the experience of senior Jocelyne Valenzuela, president of the Latine Student Union on campus. They said they had a better education experience because they went to school in Tucson — a majority Hispanic and bilingual community. Valenzuela explained they preferred their education filled with Hispanic culture, even though many of the schools were underfunded and had year-long substitutes in some classes.

Valenzuela referred to the bill as a dumb decision. History should make us uncomfortable, Valenzuela said, as many of our ancestors have done horrible things.

Erasing history will cause us to repeat our mistakes, they said.

“We are just going to keep making the same mistakes if you don’t learn,” Valenzuela said. “Because that’s the only two ways you can learn, either through firsthand experience or from others. If you’re already blocking one out, we will just be stuck in this cycle for who knows how long.”

Valenzuela recalled their school offering ethnic studies classes such as Black or Latine perspectives on United States history. Valenzuela said these programs were later protested as indoctrinating students to hate the U.S. “The history stays the same, it’s not changing,” Valenzuela said. “In diversifying history, and giving a holistic view of it, you don’t lose, but the opposite is true. When you try to censure and block certain parts of history, that’s when you lose.”

Fourteen states have introduced bills or taken steps to ban or restrict the teaching of CRT in schools.

For more information about the bill, you can visit the Arizona State Legislature website.

Illustration By Daisy Castaneda

NEWS

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Tokenizing theatre: Inclusion vs. diversity Leaning toward tokenism, theaters in general are hyperfocusing on the here is a fine line between aspect of diversity in shows. diversity and inclusion United Kingdom playwright Bola — the two are not Agbaje told BBC Newsbeat, “People interchangeable. Diversity is based behind the scenes need to change. They entirely on people’s characteristics, need to take more risks. They do need whereas inclusion is about making to be a bit more brave and when I say those diversities welcome, and brave, all I’m saying is they need to get creating a sense of community. with what the world is now.”

Through my eyes, the live The infrequent inclusion of theatre industry is most likely BIPOC is not diversity — it is tokenism to mistakenly use the two terms and box-ticking. The marketing of synonymously. To make matters performances as diverse adds a layer to worse, the general apathy and their tokenistic ideals. disregard for precision of language Literally speaking, inclusion leaves People of Color feeling means “the action or state of including slighted — in the sense that they or being included within a group or are only there to make the people in structure.” charge look better.

If they are included, it should go On top of this, the live theatre unspoken, and they shouldn’t have to industry markets shows as diverse, thank anyone for making it happen. but hardly ever as inclusive. Part of Productions should look for people this can be chalked up to directors to fill roles based on the talent of the simply not casting more minorities. individual, not based on their desire Illustration By Daisy Castaneda The Asian American Performers Action to make the “first Black Elphaba” or the “first Coalition published its Visibility Report in Latinx Christine” because of the recognition — 2021 for Broadway’s 2018-19 season. It found “58.6% of all and money — they will get. roles on New York City stages went to white actors during the Diversity and inclusion is good in every sense; I would 2018-19 season, making them the most visible on stage.” never be the person to tear down a Person of Color for landing Take a moment to compare this to the 29% of Black actors, a role which is traditionally portrayed by a white actor. But the 18% of BIPOC actors who identified as mixed-race, 6.3% of industry’s intention means everything in the process. It could feel Asian American actors, 4.8% of Latinx actors, 1.3% of Middle backhanded, the diversity hire.

East/North African actors and zero Indigenous actors.

Still, the second definition of inclusion is often overlooked. It The worst of it all is that white people overrepresented their also is defined as “the practice or policy of providing equal access respective population size by more than 25%, given the white to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise population in New York City is 32.1%. On the other hand, be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or 41.4% BIPOC were represented on stages, when they make up mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.”

67.9% of the population.

Inclusion does not start at the stage door. It kicks off at the Sure, the city is diverse. But that does not mean it is start of the chain of communication and must go to every actor. inclusive, especially on Broadway.

It should no longer be up to casting directors to decide who they In April 2021, people involved in the industry formed a should and shouldn’t reach out to. march called the “March on Broadway: Broadway Fights Back.”

Additionally, theaters across the country — from the Demonstrators protested in the streets demanding the removal smallest community theater to the largest public theater — of Scott Rudin, an award-winning film, television and theatre need to produce shows that are written by and tell the stories of producer, who was accused of bullying and harassing employees. LGBTQ+ individuals and People of Color. There are many ways Alongside this, the march provided CBS News with “five to be inclusive, and it can start with the storytelling. additional demands surrounding inclusion, safety and visibility, As a Hispanic theatre practitioner, I am tired of auditioning like a list of BIPOC and Indigenous groups the Actors’ Equity for and helping produce shows written by old, white men — Association is working with.” especially since there are so many emerging playwrights that are Demonstrators also made it clear they were pushing for overlooked simply because the system was designed to keep them more inclusion of transgender and nonbinary creatives, a diverse from reaching the surface of people’s search results.

National Actors’ Equity Council, the ease of access to resources Bring inclusivity to the stage, in front and behind the curtain, for deaf and disabled artists, along with a record itemizing how for the right reasons. It is not a strenuous act to look for unheard 2019-20 actors’ dues were spent. voices when they’re screaming at you.

Ultimately, it has not come to my attention that there has been progress in any of the items listed above.

Kylie Soto

T Bipartisanship in a polarized era

I

grew up in a politically divided family, so much so that some of my family members no longer speak to one another. As a kid, I heard a lot of my dad’s conservative views, and I understood they were different from my mother and extended family’s liberal ones.

But with age and ever-growing polarization in politics, I formed my own separate opinions, and found myself asking MARLEY GREEN the familiar question: Is it so impossible OP-ED EDITOR for us to simply get along?

Now, as an adult and political science major, I understand the answer appears to be a resounding no.

We shouldn’t agree to disagree on fundamental human rights, and it is OK to avoid forming friendships with people you don’t agree with on issues important to you. The argument that we should cast aside conservatives’ racism and homophobia for the sake of getting along is one I am tired of hearing.

At the same time, as much as we may despise people on opposing sides of the political spectrum to us, they share the world we live in. How can we be productive if we do not make some kind of effort to understand the big picture implications of different ideas, rather than merely chalking others’ opinions up to bigotry?

Congress recognizes this — legislators have recently been engaged in discussion and passage of bipartisan bills, rather than sweeping, controversial ones, like the trillion-dollar, Democrat-backed Build Back Better Act. While I would love to see sweeping reform passed, I will settle for laws protecting victims of sexual misconduct in the workplace for the time being.

It’s also imperative to consider the role of social media in the way we think about politics. It’s unequivocal that online platforms fuel political hostility and distrust in democracy and science. In order to ensure the survival of bipartisanship, people should strive to get their political news from multiple trusted news sources, rather than apps like Facebook.

I understand where frustration with “getting along” comes from. I have felt it as well. I struggle to wrap my head around Republican talking points that, in my eyes, are so obviously illinformed and bigoted.

However, it is important to think critically about what we see and hear from people who have different political ideologies than our own. There’s no need to be best friends with those whom you have fundamental differences of opinion. But patient, careful and practiced evaluation is the only way we can hope to make any kind of progress.

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THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Standing with Ukraine in more ways than one Lisa Hall

A

s citizens, having little power and influence can make it difficult to bring about systemic change. However, given what’s happening right now in Ukraine, people are expected to do something, anything, to try to help.

Many around the globe want Russia to stop the invasion and call troops back, but what can be done to make an actual impact right now?

Protesting unifies people and rallies support for a group or organization. They can sometimes lead to institutional changes, shifts in public opinion and electoral consequences, good or bad.

As seen over the years, protesting has created extremely positive changes for a multitude of causes: Civil rights, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ marriage equality, to name a few.

In light of recent events, coming together in support of Ukraine is of utmost importance. People are protesting the invasion worldwide. If the invasion of Ukraine continues, civil unrest will only increase.

Yet, supporting Ukraine by protesting the Russian government for the atrocities it’s committing won’t spark change.

People have protested many wars throughout history, but how many of those had success in stopping the wars?

Since government bodies have power over nearly everything, corruption is more likely to occur. Russian President Vladimir Putin is making it his mission to take control of Ukraine. On March 2, Russia officially overtook the city of Kherson. Protests go on, but nothing will stop Putin unless he personally calls off military action.

Protesting and raising awareness is critical, but there are ways to make more of an impact. Merely uniting with Ukraine is not going to ensure shelter and safety for its citizens. Of course, moral support is helpful — but when bombs are aimed to destroy homes and cause people to flee, life-saving measures need to be taken.

At this time especially, organizations need monetary donations in order to continue assistive efforts in Ukraine.

The United Nations Children’s Fund is quickly responding to events in Ukraine and trying to provide access to clean water, supplies and protection.

The United Nations Refugee Agency provides cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement in the United States, and Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere is raising money for the Ukraine Crisis Fund.

Serving Ukraine since 2014, the International Medical Corps is a global nonprofit that is raising funds to expand services to the increasing three million people affected by the conflict.

Donating to these relief organizations is one of the most powerful ways to make tangible change for those involved.

Host4Ukraine.com is a website that allows people worldwide to offer space in their homes for Ukrainian refugees.

Finding shelter for fleeing citizens is extremely difficult, and many people are having trouble crossing borders.

People of Color (POC) are getting the worst of it.

Nigerian and Indian students reported facing harassment and discrimination at border checkpoints. Al Jazeera also reported that border guards have been prioritizing white-passing people over POC to enter Ukraine’s neighboring countries, and have

stopped POC from entering altogether.

While this treatment is not unprecedented, it is unjust. If protests will help anything, it is the discrimination refugees are enduring at borders. It won’t stop the conflict, but there’s potential to change public opinion and create better conditions for those crossing borders.

The Ukrainian church of St. Sofia in Rome is taking donations of medicine, food and clothing for citizens sheltering in Ukraine. Other places in Italy, such as Montesacro, Primavelle and Sabaugusta are also receiving donations. Items in high need are listed on the website.

Russia has consistently twisted narratives of history to paint itself in a better light and is trying to do that now. By spreading disinformation, masses are confused about what is actually happening in Ukraine. Russian cyber attacks target citizens and soldiers with the intention of creating panic, decreasing morale and increasing the chances of surrender or an internal uprising of soldiers against commanders.

Media outlets around the globe are doing what they can to prevent the spread of Russian disinformation — such as the rumor that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fled the country after missile attacks began. Poland and Germany have banned the Russia Today network, as well as the United Kingdom.

U.S. President Joe Biden devised a plan to counteract any disinformation by releasing declassified files that contain context about Russia’s plans as the conflict was beginning.

These files make it extremely difficult for Russia to twist a narrative and make Ukraine look like the aggressor.

Companies such as Google, Facebook and Twitter have begun to take steps to prevent the

spread of disinformation from Russian-based media companies.

Facebook has demonetized Russian media ads. Google has stopped revenue for some of the companies that post videos to YouTube as well as limited Google Maps features to not show traffic or how busy stores are in Ukraine. Twitter is monitoring and removing disinformation and started adding labels to Russian-affiliated media accounts.

As big companies take steps to mitigate the spread of disinformation, individuals can also use their power in the same way.

On social media, it is important to be vigilant of what information we are consuming and spreading. Russia is known to use disinformation tactics, and unfortunately, it is very successful with this. Let’s not forget Russia tried to meddle in the 2016 and 2020 election.

Research shows that Russia actively tried to undermine U.S. elections with the spread of disinformation, a tactic we see them using today to harm Ukrainians.

Taking proper steps to ensure that accurate information is consumed and spread is one of the easiest ways to do your part in protecting Ukrainians.

In the midst of the conflict, having a united front is important, but it’s not going to stop anything.

Coming together to donate and provide support for victims is what’s going to make an actual impact and truly help them. The world needs more humanity — people are suffering unprovoked. It’s a crucial time to show up and continue helping each other, and there are a multitude of readily available ways for us to do so.

Illustration By Britttani Poeppel

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

ASL Club encourages representa brisa karow

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ith the start of National Deaf History Month on March 13, the American Sign Language (ASL) Club at NAU is looking for increased awareness.

Bailey Gammon, the president and founder of the ASL Club, is a third-year student working toward her Ph.D. When she moved to Flagstaff, Gammon said she envisioned herself entering a supportive community due to the presence of the North Central Region Arizona State School for the Deaf and the Blind.

However, Gammon said NAU lacked an outlet for deaf culture.

“The deaf community — our expectations are very low — like, the bar is on the ground,” Gammon said. “All we want is the bare minimum.”

Gammon said she created the club to establish a welcoming environment for the deaf community. The ASL Club holds meetings suitable for every type of learner, with the goal to educate and spread awareness.

The club is currently made up of around 40 members, four of which are hearing-impaired or deaf. Their main goal is to advocate for an increase in accessibility, something the deaf community said they feel NAU could be better with.

“We are a very outspoken community. if we see mistreatment, we’re not just going to shut up and keep going. we’re going to get to the root of the problem and stop it.”

– bailey gammon, ASL club president “We are a very outspoken community,” Gammon said. “If we see mistreatment, we’re not just going to shut up and keep going. We’re going to get to the root of the problem and stop it.”

Gammon said she has commented on NAU social media pages urging the use of closed captioning. She feels the NAU community left out a whole demographic by failing to implement this feature in their content.

Recent changes in the note-taking system at NAU have also led to a decline in the quality of education that hearing impaired students receive. In the past, NAU hired note takers

ASL Club members play a game of Uno at the ASL Club weekly meeting, Mar. 8. Omar Gonzalez | The Lumberjack

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who would sit in on classes and transcribe the lesson. Without this accommodation, students must record the lesson individually and send it through a transcribing application. These added steps increase the risk of miscommunication and cause unnecessary confusion in the learning process.

For now, the ASL Club is the only place for NAU students to learn sign language. There is not a single ASL class offered at NAU. Gammon has been told that they “just aren’t in the budget.”

“Why is this language any different?” Gammon said.

Of the many liberal studies classes undergraduate students are required to take, many of the options are language classes.

ASL is not one of them.

“If everyone knew some form of sign language, I feel like we could function better as a society,” Gammon said.

To fill the deaf culture education gap — Gammon posts frequently on the ASL Club Instagram — which consists of informational signing videos, deaf awareness content and meeting information. During meetings, she provides resources for beginner signers.

“Gallaudet Deaf University in D.C. has free online classes.

So, I always direct them there first,” Gammon said.

Special events such as “Karaoke Night” and “Sign and Dine” have been fun ways for members to interact with the language in a low-pressure format.

FEATURES

ative classes for the community “it’s kind of nerve-wracking, putting your health and anything that could be wrong in the hands of somebody who may or may not know what they’re doing or signing.

That’s your life on the line.”

– Junior hanna hess

ASL Club president Bailey Gammon plays a game of Uno with fellow club members at the ASL Club weekly meeting, Mar. 8 Omar Gonzalez | The Lumberjack

“You’re not expected to be like this amazing signer. You’re just there to make friends and involve yourself in the community,” Gammon said.

The community is very supportive and Gammon said she has found pride in their resilience.

COVID-19 slowed down the deaf community’s return to normality.

Many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals at NAU are immunocompromised because they lost hearing due to an illness.

So, to prioritize their health, Gammon has waited to organize bigger events until it is safer for the deaf community. In the future, she hopes to put on local events to spread awareness.

Gammon said one of her ideas is to teach firefighters, police and paramedics basic emergency signs.

This is a topic many people in the deaf community said they feel strongly about.

Junior Hanna Hess is studying pre-medicine with the goal of becoming a doctor. She began to lose her hearing at the age of 21.

Now 26 years old, she identifies as hard of hearing.

Hess pointed out that a lack of awareness and accessibility can place additional stress on the deaf community. In emergency situations, this is especially true.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking, putting your health and anything that could be wrong in the hands of somebody who may or may not know what they’re doing or signing. That’s your life on the line,” Hess said.

Proudly wearing an ASL Club shirt, Hess advocated for deaf culture awareness.

“I wish people would understand that just because we might have hearing loss doesn’t mean we’re disabled. A lot of people think we can’t do things just because we can’t hear correctly,” Hess said.

This common misconception is a stigma she wants to end.

Hess said individuals often assume that just because someone is hard of hearing, they are deaf. That is not always true, however.

Hearing loss is a spectrum — each person’s experience is different.

Hess was born hearing, but she learned ASL in high school because her stepbrother was deaf in one ear had and only about 20% of hearing in the other. She applied these skills and used it when she worked at a pharmacy.

“I had brought in so many different customers because I knew sign language,” Hess said.

Working at the pharmacy created an avenue in which Hess could use sign language often. The constant use of signing, in turn, prepared her for an increased personal dependence on ASL. “I just fell in love with the language. And again, it’s kind of ironic, I never really thought I would ever need it,” Hess said.

Maintaining a positive outlook on her situation, Hess said she thinks of herself as ambitious. She said she values the club for the support it provides: An opportunity to share experiences.

Members can resonate with each other, knowing they aren’t alone in their battles.

With the addition of masks and Plexiglas during the pandemic, voices often get muffled or lost in background noise.

Hess pointed out that Starbucks is particularly difficult to communicate inside. Often, it is hard for her to hear her own voice.

Junior Grant Pemberton, who is majoring in public health and is a member of the ASL Club, also ran into obstacles due

Hanna Hess teaches Hannah Imohi words in American Sign Language at the ASL Club weekly meeting, Mar. 8. Omar Gonzalez | The Lumberjack

to COVID-19. Born deaf, he has since regained hearing from surgery, however, he has remained at high-risk to illnesses. The pandemic has especially placed the deaf community at high-risk.

“I felt like no one else my age was going through the same thing. No one else had to be concerned,” Pemberton said.

Due to respiratory and cardiac issues, he had to be especially careful to avoid contracting the virus.

Pemberton said the pandemic made him realize how little policymakers consider those with disabilities. With a goal to achieve a career in public health, he hopes to become someone who can make positive change for others like him.

For more info on ASL Club meetings and events, check their social media.

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Students express frustration toward increased tuition proposal Jordan Vallender

O

n Feb. 24, Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU) held a meeting with NAU representatives to discuss different topics such as the upcoming ASNAU election and increased tuition.

ASNAU members, along with President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Vice President of Enrollment Management Annika Olsen — who works in NAU’s budgeting department — were present for the meeting.

The meeting began with opening remarks from Cruz Rivera and Olsen about tuition and budgeting plans for the upcoming semester.

“This is a proposal that is going through a consultation process with students and others associated with NAU,” Olsen said. “The strategic investment priorities discussed at the meeting on Feb. 24, ASNAU meeting, and inflationary cost pressures, all contributed to the recommended 3.5% [tuition] increase for Flagstaff and statewide graduate and undergraduate students.

“Any proposed changes are ultimately voted on by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) in early April and will include feedback from these consultation sessions,” Olsen said.

After giving her statements, the floor was turned over to ASNAU. The meeting entered the Q&A segment where members of ASNAU asked the panel questions about the topics presented. Jacob Carter, ASNAU senate chair, proposed the first questions.

Sophomore Kaylee Haase, a RA, provided both perspectives regarding the increased tuition proposal.

“If the university is raising tuition to benefit the student I’m all for it,” Haase said. “However, if the university is raising their tuition to compete with other universities or even for its own benefit, then I consider that a problem.”

ASNAU President Maylee Acosta addressed the budget and tuition plans for the next school year as well.

“In terms of contribution, ASNAU is engaged in conversations with the university about the increase,” Acosta said. “ASNAU does plan to attend ABOR this upcoming semester and share our thoughts about the raise and our concerns about affordability, especially since NAU does not have the same minimum wage as Flagstaff.”

ASNAU is putting its best foot forward when it comes to acting as the voice of the students. They strive to ensure that students are heard in any situation.

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Junior Tyler Best organizes civic engagement opportunities for students as well as educates them about local, state and national issues.

Best said ASNAU helps oversee university decisions such as increased tuition.

“ASNAU looks to oversee and promote transparency within the NAU administration,” Best said. “I am charged with looking at the scenario from the student perspective, but also advocating from a political perspective.

I also work to promote legislative and state government changes that would allow NAU to increase services without charging students more.”

Since the proposal regards increased tuition for incoming students, there could potentially be an increase in scholarships. Olsen talked about how scholarships could be affected.

“The timeline for reviewing scholarships is 12-14 months prior to the tuition setting process. For example, in spring 2021 the scholarship framework was determined for the incoming class of fall 2022,” Olsen said. “We will continue to evaluate our framework f o r scholarship offerings starting in fall 2023.”

Olsen said students might react negatively to the tuition increase considering the impact it could have on them.

“The incoming 2022 class will have their tuition set for four years with the current Pledge Tuition Program, o f f e r i n g predictability

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

“Overall, I think students will be poorly impacted by the increased tuition. College is already expensive, and most people already cannot afford it, so raising it will only make life more stressful for low and middle class families,” – Sophomore Isabella Hutzler that many universities don’t offer,” Olsen said.

“I hope students will take into consideration that in order to offer an excellent educational environment, a small increase will allow us to achieve our expectations.”

Freshman Rachel Dang said increased tuition may not be a wise

Illustration By bailey mcvicker

decision for incoming students.

“I feel like most people wouldn’t like it, however, if it’s to improve the school or for funding something of the school then I guess it might be a better reason to increase tuition,” Dang said.

Other students said this proposal neglects incoming students from less affluent families.

Sophomore Isabella Hutzler said this proposal may have some negative, stressful impacts on the incoming freshmen.

“Overall, I think students will be poorly impacted by the increased tuition,” Hutzler said. “College is already expensive, and most people already cannot afford it, so raising it will only make life more stressful for low and middle-class families.”

In addition to the discussion of increased tuition, ASNAU mentioned they are looking to grow their organization by hosting elections for the upcoming year.

ASNAU Adviser and Assistant Director Michelle Gardner offered some insight into various ways students can prepare for upcoming elections.

“It is important to me that we have a representative, diverse group of students committed to supporting NAU and Lumberjacks,” Gardner said. “ASNAU is making positive strides, building meaningful relationships with administration and providing excellent programs for our students.”

In the wait for the proposal to be finalized, students have expressed mixed reactions.

For more information, updates regarding meetings and events can be found on ASNAU’s social media.

FEATURES

Beyond life and living

Thoughts on high school sweethearts?

H

Our time here is short, World’s away from safety.

Dying to see some signs of progress.

KYLIE SOTO COPY EDITOR

But we may never see that in our lifetime.

We can still choose to help.

Should the occasion rise, Keep educating yourself On the earthy matters you hardly know about.

Trying in small, practical ways To stop the world from combusting.

Make a change — not an easy feat.

The clock is ticking, Earth is losing its azure, A burning ball of dirt and air is all we are.

Better your actions, everything matters.

Place yourself in a hopeful state of mind.

Be part of the cause, and, Kind to every soul, at the end of the day we’re all we’ve got.

(Read the first word of every line for the hidden message.)

igh school graduation is a recipe for heartbreak. The minute Adam and Jane pull their tassel to the left and throw their caps in the air, reality hits. Jane got a full ride to a small liberal arts school in Vermont and Adam is moving to California. All everyone else can do is check their Instagram to see if they are gonna make it work or if the couple they called “mom and dad” the past few years is finally splitting.

DAISY JOHNSTON ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Typically, the majority of these childhood couples will break up. After all, you are fresh out of high school and probably starting something entirely new.

There seems to be an unspoken consensus that when you are young, you need to be playing the field, but not everyone wants to be a player. Every year, a few of those couples will move on to their next stage together or try long distance.

you’ve likely been judged.

If you have a high school sweetheart, I’m going to warn you right now,

As a chronically single person who hangs out in the evil single person headquarters, we’ve all sat around talking about why people so young would be so committed to each other. I, myself, am guilty of wondering why these couples wouldn’t want to see what else is out there.

However, if I’m going to comment on everyone else’s life, maybe I need to also focus on my own.

What has being a player really done for me?

Sharing your mind, body and time with somebody is already exhausting. Now, get rid of all your effort and start again from scratch every couple of months because you’re worried you’ll get too attached. Inviting so many people into your private life, and then losing them, can start to take a toll on you.

It’s not all exhausting though, meeting new people can also be fun. In the beginning you want to come off as impressive, funny, interesting, attractive, etc. A lot of people regard the start of a relationship as the most exciting part, so much so, they sacrifice current relationships to experience that feeling again.

What they don’t know is that in a healthy relationship, everyday is like a new adventure. Psych!

Guys, I don’t have this information, my longest standing record for keeping a person around is like three weeks one time in high school. I do know however, there’s something really sweet and special about getting to know the people around you, maybe not in a romantic context, but in almost all my other relationships.

Some people think being engaged at 20 makes you a child bride and other people meet the person they want to marry in middle school. Personally, I don’t think either of them is necessarily a better option. Sometimes I want a partner and other times I want to see what’s out there. I can’t make that decision for myself and I certainly cannot make that decision for you.

What I’m trying to say is best put by singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson, “If you are judging them while they are judging you, and you think that makes them assholes, maybe you’re an asshole too.”

I’ll admit, meeting your soulmate before you’ve even gone through puberty is weird, but is dropping your pants in a strangers’ car really that much more normal?

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT

Taylor McCormick I feel like everyone has gone through a “photography” phase, taking photos of every little thing you come across: sunsets, shoes, people, etc. However, I knew once I got to high school I wanted my career to deal with photography in some manner. My name is Taylor and I am a freshman pursuing a BS in journalism and political science with a photography minor. I aspire to be a photojournalist of some sort in the future, which made The Lumberjack the perfect fit. It has helped me learn more about shooting in a journalistic sense and how to properly tell a story through the order of the photos and writing captions. Being a photographer for The LJ has allowed me to explore more of the events and groups on campus, as well as more of Flagstaff, as I come from Phoenix. I don’t plan on leaving any time soon and hope to hold a position in the future.

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FEATURES Headliner, DROELOE, appears from the dark as the outline of the cube lights up to reveal him, garnering a wave of cheers from the audience in Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 4. He is a Dutch future bass and electronic artist.

Taylor McCormick| The Lumberjack

Headliner, DROELOE, points up at the sky as he sings along with the audience to one of his songs at the DROLOE Unexpected Odyssey Tour at the Orpheum in Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 4.Taylor McCormick| The Lumberjack

Headliner, DROELOE, begins to play the trumpet as a solo for his song “Bon Voyage” as all lights are shut off, besides the one illuminating him, at the DROELOE Unexpected Odyssey Tour at the Orpheum in Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 4.

Taylor McCormick| The Lumberjack

Biicla, the second artist to perform, reaches his arms out, singing along with the audience to his music at the DROELOE Unexpected Odyssey Tour at the Orpheum in Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 4. Taylor McCormick| The Lumberjack

DROELOE Unexpected Odyssey Tour

Opener, Tokyo Smoke, finishes their hour-long set, thanking the audience for listening, at the DROELOE Unexpected Odyssey Tour at the Orpheum in Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 4. Taylor McCormick| The Lumberjack

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Cult Coffee at HRM will convert your taste buds

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AU’s campus has a plethora of cafes and coffee shops, both on and off campus, that conveniently cater to the caffeine addictions that plague the 20-year-olds who frequent the area.

However, one cafe remains unique amongst the overabundance, the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) Learning Cafe.

Despite its location at 7000 feet in elevation with EMILY 97 inches of snow each year, this cafe is perfect all year GERDES long. In springtime, the cherry blossom trees turn pink, transporting you into what looks like a scene out of a DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT book. I highly recommend watching the leaves fall off AND SOCIAL MEDIA the trees in the garden during autumn with a book in hand. Go spend an afternoon after a snowstorm sipping hot chocolate while you gossip with your friend on the couches inside the cafe.

Now summer is the one season I have yet to experience the HRM cafe during, but I know the Flagstaff sun will create the most idyllic conditions while my friend and I lounge under a tree snacking on one of the scones.

One of the reasons why I enjoy this cafe is because of the quality of coffee they serve. Coming from California, I have never tasted, let alone heard of,​​ Cult Coffee. I have never been more jealous than knowing there are those who have grown up enjoying this brand of coffee.

The HRM cafe is run completely by students — not directly profiting Sodexo, the company contracted to provide food on campus. When presented with an alternative option to Sodexo, I prefer to pursue that path. Being able to support college students in their professional development and experience while also getting the most delicious iced caramel latte is my ideal situation.

I love the atmosphere created by the friendly baristas combined with the homey feel of chess boards with missing pieces and couches covered in mismatched pillows. The convenience of access to this cafe is another great reason to visit.

The HRM Cafe is housed within the HRM between the Wall Aquatic Center and the campus bookstore. It is also such a quick walk from the University Union where students wait 45 minutes in line for a coffee from corporate Starbucks.

The cafe offers more than just coffee. Their menu consists of tea, hot chocolate, matcha and more. So if the bitterness of coffee or the caffeine that accompanies it is not your style, HRM still has options for you to try.

Since the HRM Cafe is quite well known amongst Hotel and Restaurant Management majors, there is a high probability of walking in and seeing students hanging around before or after class chatting with their friends. The times in which I have visited I have never had to wait in line and I have always been able to find a seat. If the weather is accommodating, taking my drink outside while people-watching is an option I could not recommend more.

If you happen to be walking from the Health and Learning Center or along Beaver Street, I urge you to pop your head into this cafe and treat your taste buds.

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2022 Oscar Predictions kody malouf

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he 2022 Oscars nominations were finally released, with Jane Campion’s subversive western “The Power of the Dog” leading the pack with 12 nominations. Campion’s latest feature is the presumed frontrunner for the night’s biggest prize, but films like “Dune” (10) “Belfast” (seven) and “West Side Story” (seven) will also be looking to take home some hardware on March 27.

This year’s acting categories are full of familiar names, previous nominees like Will Smith and Andrew Garfield are eyeing their first wins as actors. While newcomers Kodi Smit-Mcphee, Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur will look to make beginner’s luck a reality. Perpetual nominee and 2019 winner Olivia Colman is also in the mix, and eight-time nominee Judi Dench is probably just here for the free drinks at this point.

On the filmmaking side of things, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s critically lauded “Drive My Car” may not have the cultural buzz of some of its fellow nominees, but still scored nominations for Directing, Adapted Screenplay, International Feature and Best Picture, which might give it an outside chance of replicating the success of the 2020 phenomenon “Parasite.” Both are foreign language films — “Parasite” from South Korea and “Drive My Car” from Japan — but Hamaguchi’s film does not have the same electricity surrounding it that Bong Joon Ho’s did a few years ago, which may ultimately leave it on the outside looking in when it comes to the bigger awards.

Predicting the Oscars can be a challenge, especially when the Academy seems to take pleasure in choosing odd winners that age like spoiled “Milk.” That being said, here are my predicted winners for all the main categories of the 94th Academy Awards.

Actor in a Leading Role Javier Bardem - “Being the Ricardos” Benedict Cumberbatch - “The Power of the Dog” Andrew Garfield - “Tick, Tick… Boom!”

Will Smith - “King Richard” Denzel Washington - “The Tragedy of Macbeth”

Predicted Winner Will Smith - “King Richard”

Actor in a Supporting Role Crián Hinds - “Belfast” Troy Kotsur - “Coda” Jesse Plemons - “The Power of the Dog” J.K. Simmons - “Being the Ricardos” Kodi Smit-Mcphee - “The Power of the Dog” Predicted Winner Kodi Smit-Mcphee - “The Power of the Dog” Actress in a Leading Role Jessica Chastain - “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” Olivia Colman - “The Lost Daughter” Penélope Cruz - “Parallel Mothers” Nicole Kidman - “Being the Ricardos” Kristen Stewart - “Spencer” Predicted Winner Olivia Colman - “The Lost Daughter” Actress in a Supporting Role Jessie Buckley - “The Lost Daughter” Ariana DeBose - “West Side Story” Judi Dench - “Belfast” Kirsten Dunst - “The Power of the Dog” Aunjanue Ellis - “King Richard” Predicted Winner Jessie Buckley - “The Lost Daughter” Directing “Belfast” - Kenneth Branagh “Drive My Car” - Ryusuke Hamaguchi “Licorice Pizza - Paul Thomas Anderson “The Power of the Dog” - Jane Campion “West Side Story” - Steven Spielberg Predicted Winner “Belfast” - Kenneth Branagh Continue reading on jackcentral.com

CULTURE

The first in-person career fair since the start of the pandemic

The NAU Human Resources team was present at the Career and Graduate Expo, looking to hire graduates, March 4. Jonah Graham | The Lumberjack

Lauren Gomez

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or the first time in over two years, NAU Career Development hosted an in-person Career and Graduate School Expo in collaboration with the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences (CEIAS).

Chrissy Speer, career development employer and community relations manager, said the 2022 spring expo — which took place at the du Bois Center on NAU’s south campus — consisted of over 85 different employers and graduate schools from Arizona.

Students of all years and majors were invited to attend the expo, Speer said. However, employers present at the expo were geared toward careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

“What students can expect [attending the career and graduate school expo] is a mix of graduate colleges and employers that are looking to hire full-time employees post-graduation, as well as internships,” Speer said. “We do market this very much as an ‘all majors fair’ though because it is partnered with the CEIAS college; there is a great number of construction management and engineering employers.”

Although most employers are looking for junior and senior-level students for positions post-graduation, freshman and sophomores are encouraged to attend career and graduate school fairs to strengthen their networking

skills, especially after the last two years of virtual communication, Speer said.

Career Development Program Coordinator for CEIAS José Diaz Aquino agreed with Speer that all students should attend career and graduate fairs, regardless of their academic year or major.

“If a student attends an expo to talk with employers and make connections, they will have a better shot at learning more about what a career looks like in the field of study they are in,” Aquino said.

Speer said students of all majors are encouraged to visit those employers at career fairs regardless, as open positions may not be linear with the employer’s industry. Positions within these companies could revolve around areas such as marketing, human resources and information technology.

Current students were not the only ones invited to attend the expo. Alumni were also invited to meet with employers, Aquino said.

However, Aquino said some of the alumni members actively working attended the expo for a different reason.

“Alumni members who attend these career expos are looking for connections that relate to their programs and allow them to get back to where they were prepared to be professionals,” Aquino said. “They are looking to not only hear about what students are currently learning in the classroom, but also to hear about what they are doing outside of class to represent that back into

their home company.”

Senior Sydney Wilson, an attendee of the expo, said she went to look for an internship that could eventually lead to a full-time position after graduating.

“I made a list of ten employers I wanted to speak with prior to the expo and then chose my top five when I got to the expo,” Wilson said.

A list of employers who were attending the expo was available prior to the expo for attendees to research, Wilson said.

According to Speer, Career Development “did not miss a beat” with career fairs during the pandemic. About 17 different opportunities arose for students and graduates to attend a career fair virtually over the past two years, Speer said, with the most recent one Feb. 18.

“In a way, I almost enjoyed the virtual career fair more than the in-person one as the virtual one was more personal,” Wilson said. “You were able to have one-on-one conversations and it was less nerve-racking whereas with the inperson expo, I felt more rushed and you had to hold your own as there were other people there.”

While the virtual expos required students to register before the event, the in-person expo did not, Aquino said. Students were welcome to walk in and register at the check-in booth once they arrived.

Although students were not required to register, employers and companies interested in attending the expo were required to apply through Career Development, Speer said.

“When deciding on an employer’s approval, we look at these employers on a trust score system,” Speer said. “We look at whether the company has reports of fraud and any negative student-employer situations, so we do not allow everybody to come, but we do accept most employers.”

Aquino said some of the employers who attend NAU’s career fairs have attended for decades and do not need to go through the application process.

Watching students interact with employers at career events in person again has positively impacted Speer they said.

Students who come into these career events often do not plan on attending graduate school, however, after attending and speaking with recruiters, they change their minds, Speer said.

“I am very impressed with the students,“ Speer said. “They are doing great, they are dressed great and their resumes look tight. I am watching them out there talk to the recruiters and I am so happy.”

Ultimately, students of all years as well as alumni are encouraged to attend career events at NAU as any opportunity to practice your networking skills is important, Speer said.

If one wants to stay updated on events put on by Career Development, one can visit the Career Development website.

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

Jalen Cone wants to p Kody Malouf

Tommy Lloyd is a breath of fresh air for the UArizona Wildcats

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ommy Lloyd has awoken a sleeping giant in Tucson, Arizona after a three-year slumber.

The UArizona Wildcats were a fourseed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, headlined by future Phoenix Suns star center, DeAndre Ayton. They were a popular Final Four pick as they attempted to overcome years of falling short in the SEAN Sweet 16 and the Elite 8.

CLARK Instead, the program hit a new low as the Wildcats were blown out by No. WRITER 13-seed Buffalo Bulls 89-68, several weeks after head coach Sean Miller was caught on tape offering to pay players to commit to UArizona.

Over the next several seasons, the Wildcats missed the tournament with a rebuilding roster, lost a chance to compete in the 2020 NCAA Tournament due to COVID-19 and were banned from the 2021 postseason due to Miller’s failure to monitor his assistant coaches and players’ violations.

Miller was fired and a mighty western program that won the 1997 National Championship, and reached the Sweet 16 a total of 19 times, needed a reboot.

They hired long-time head coach Mark Few and assistant Tommy Lloyd, who came from a Gonzaga team that was undefeated before losing to Baylor in the 2021 national title game.

The results of Lloyd in his first season are more than anyone could have hoped for. During the 2021-22 regular season, UArizona finished 28-3, reaching the top of the Pac-12 once again.

Lloyd has established an explosive and disciplined unit of the Wildcats. They average the most assists per game of any team in college basketball (20.2) while placing third in points per game (84.5) in the country.

Their athleticism and skill in the fastbreak have allowed UArizona to outgun teams in shootouts and pull away from inferior teams in the second half consistently. For example, on Feb. 12, UArizona trailed Washington on the road 25-11 with over 10 minutes to go in the half.

Lloyd made adjustments and from there and UArizona went on a roll, outscoring the Huskies 34-11 over the course of the final 10 minutes of the half on their way to a 92-68 victory in Seattle.

Continue reading on JackCentral.org

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F

rom 2019 to 2021, sophomore guard Jalen Cone played 47 games and earned five starts across two seasons for the Virginia Tech (VT) basketball team. Cone proved he could play at a high level in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) — a conference which includes teams like Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Syracuse — by appearing in all 32 games as a true freshman and leading the ACC in 3-point percentage at 45.7%. Cone’s career at VT seemed promising, but the school didn’t fit with what he wanted for his career. So, in April 2021, Cone entered the transfer portal and eventually found his way to NAU. Cone’s main reason for choosing NAU was the opportunity that it presented — to build a program from the ground up. In his journey from Walkertown High School in North Carolina to playing Division I college basketball, Cone has kept himself humble

and stayed true to the places that gave him his start. He sees NAU as another place where he can make an impact.

“I love it here at NAU, being part of something that they’re trying to build is one of the main reasons I chose here,” Cone said. “In high school I had the opportunity to go to Oak Hill, La Lumiere, IMG Academy, Montverde, all these top high school programs that you see all these McDonald’s All-American athletes at. I decided to stay home at Walkertown High School, nobody had ever played Division I out of that school, I was the first. I was always trying to make history there, I was trying to grow Walkertown and put it on the map.”

Cone has been a high-profile player since his high school days. He helped bring Walkertown their first conference championship in school history in 20172018, leading the state in scoring with 35.5 points per game and winning the Frank Spencer Award for the top player in Northwest North Carolina in the process.

He also received second-team All-State

Sophomore guard Jalen Cone sets up a play against University of Montana at the Skydome, Jan. 20. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

and Conference Player of the Year honors for his exploits.

After foregoing his senior year and reclassifying, Cone was ranked No. 53 in the ESPN Top 100 prospects of the class of 2020. He’s seen success at every level he’s played and expects nothing less from his time at NAU. His next task is to make a name for NAU basketball and has the ultimate goal of getting the Lumberjacks back to the NCAA Tournament. That hasn’t happened since 2000, nine months before Cone was born.

“That’s been a part of my journey here, trying to grow NAU and this basketball program and put it on the map,” Cone said. “That’s been my biggest goal, just trying to win games and get NAU back to the NCAA Tournament.

Just having the mindset I had in high school of trying to grow something and make history and go down as a legend.”

Cone has already made quite the impression. In his first collegiate season as a full-time starter, the sophomore averaged 18.8 points, 3.6 assists and shot 38.7% from 3-point range in 34.6 minutes per game.

One person he has impressed is head coach Shane Burcar, who took over the team’s full-time head coaching duties in March 2020. Burcar has noticed a drastic improvement in Cone’s ability to play the point guard position, something he hasn’t been asked to do since high school.

“The thing I’m most impressed by this year is that he hasn’t been a point guard for several years,” Burcar said. “At Virginia Tech he didn’t have to bring the ball up, and he’s had some outstanding games for us where he’s had 11 assists and some seven and eight assist games, so to see that progress as a sophomore, that’s the most exciting thing for him.”

Burcar recognized that Cone’s shooting percentage has been lower than expected this season. He attributes this to the substantial time he’s been on the floor, saying that he doesn’t think Cone has ever played as many minutes as he has this season. The NAU head coach also mentioned how impressed he was in Cone’s ability to create opportunities for

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put NAU basketball on the map “I work so hard and I love those moments when people might think there’s a lot of pressure ... When all eyes are on me and it’s time for me to make something happen, there’s really no pressure at all, because I’ve been working for those moments since I can remember.”

– Sophomore Jalen Cone his teammates, adding that what makes him special is his focus on all aspects of his game, not just shooting.

The main area of improvement that Burcar sees for Cone is his strength and stamina next season. He also predicts an improvement in the turnover ratio for Cone’s junior season.

“He’ll have to gain strength,” Burcar said.

“He’s a strong kid but he’ll have to gain that strength where he can play 35 to 38 minutes a game for 30 games, and be consistent every night. I think because of his experience his turnovers will go down, and those would be the big improvements stat-wise.”

Throughout the season, Cone has been his team’s leading scorer and has been their go-to guy when the game is on the line. While some might assume that his role comes with the pressure of having to perform, Cone is unfazed.

“I work so hard and I love those moments when people might think there’s a lot of pressure,” Cone said. “When all eyes are on me and it’s time for me to make something happen, there’s really no pressure at all, because I’ve been working for those moments since I can remember.

“I always had that role in high school, but at this level having that role has been new.

There have been times where I’ve failed in those moments — and it’s a different level of hurt — but there’s no pressure that comes with it for me. I love being put in those positions when the game is on the line. If we lose I’ll take all the blame, and if we win you can thank me, but I

love being in this position.”

When it comes to being a team leader, Burcar said he was happy to see Cone’s teammates embrace him and sees him as a perfect fit to lead NAU basketball in the coming years.

“He’s a caring young man, which gives you instant credibility,” Burcar said. “I think in any sport, you have instant credibility if you’re one of the better players. We have our players vote on captains and he was elected as one of them by his peers, so that’s always a good thing versus a coach telling you who the captain is. It’s so important for him and the team to be good, and he’s changed our dynamic [as a team].”

Cone affirmed that he is one of the leaders on the team, but mentioned players like redshirt junior guard Jay Green and redshirt freshman forward Carson Towt as other guys with whom he has shared the responsibility.

Knowing he was joining a team with several well-established players, Cone earned the respect of his teammates by letting his work ethic do the talking. Cone’s immediate goals lie solely with the team’s success as opposed to his own.

“Being a new guy, you had guys who’d been here for five years or four or three, and I’m the new guy on the team who’d only been here for a few hours at that point,” Cone said. “I knew to gain those guys’ respect I had to show them that I want to win and compete and prove my work ethic and my vision of what I want to do here.

“My goal that I have here is to make sure everyone on this team and at this school wins.

Coming here and working hard and competing, just earning guys’ respect that way and on the court allowed me to be a leader.”

Cone’s plans haven’t gone exactly the way he might have wanted it to in his first season as a Lumberjack, with NAU currently holding a 9-22 record.

Even if NAU’s season ends without any March Madness, Cone’s work will have only just begun. Aside from his own NBA aspirations, his main focus is on increasing NAU basketball’s reputation.

“My main goal when my time is done here is that I leave NAU with a winning program and that they carry it on after I leave,” Cone said. “Just knowing that I was a part of that group that changed the culture and turned the program around.”

Top: Sophomore guard Jalen Cone drives to the basket against University of Idaho at the Skydome, Jan. 17. Bottom: Sophomore guard Jalen Cone prepares to set up defensive position against Portland State at the Skydome, Jan. 29. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

NAU Swim and Dive wins ninth c Camille Sipple

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AU Swimming and Diving team was crowned victorious for the ninth consecutive season as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champions on Feb. 26. The 2022 WAC swimming and diving championships were held at the University of Houston and the Lumberjacks were able to return to Flagstaff with a 770 point win as well as six gold, five silver and two bronze medals in their grasp.

Among the winning swimmers that contributed to the culmination of points were freshman Casey Craffey, junior Hayley Mayhew and sophomore Madison Rey. Craffey swept the 1650 meter freestyle with a final time of 16:20.59 — the freshman was able to take home her first ever WAC gold medal, while also beating her previous record by 15 seconds. Mayhew also left the competition in her wake, finishing first in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:15.56 and winning another gold medal for NAU. Three of the six gold medals won by NAU, however, were thanks to a three-for-three sweep by Rey in her individual events. Rey finished first in the 200-meter butterfly (1:57.68), 500-meter

freestyle (4:49.17) and the 400-meter individual medley (4:15.32).

The dive team also provided key points to the Lumberjacks’ win. Freshman Makenna Sammons, sophomore Victoria Knapp and freshman Emily Luberto were each able to advance to the platform finals for dive. Sammons placed sixth with a final score of 215.85, Knapp placed seventh, scoring 208.65 and Luberto landed in eighth place with an even 199.00 score.

NAU swim head coach Andy Johns is in his 26th year of coaching the Lumberjacks. Johns said he was extremely proud of his team after the most recent championship win.

“Sometimes it’s a little surreal to think that we’ve been able to do that for nine years in a row,” Johns said.

In general, Johns said he felt most of his swimmers were happy with their times and most did even better than they originally expected they would.

Rey said her 400 individual medley swim stuck out to her the most because, though she entered the meet confident, she did not anticipate winning the event in the slightest. She recalls pushing herself to “leave it all in the pool” and the next

“This season was such a challenge at the beginning and I know that I could not have done it without the girls around me and the coaching staff.”

–sophomore Madison Rey

All photos courtesy of NAU Athletics.

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thing she knew, she was on her winning lap.

“I took my last breath before the very last turn and I breathed to my right and I saw Patricia [Van Law] next to me — she was the girl that was seeded first from CBU,” Rey said. “Then I saw the stands and everyone was cheering, I saw my team and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh this is really about to happen, I’m about to win and I’m not even supposed to win!’

I was seeded second!”

The shock of seeing record-beating times glowing next to their names on the scoreboard brought out expressions of instant elation among the swimmers, Johns said.

“Those types of breakthroughs and beatings of some standards or goal times that people have had set for a long time, they hit those times and then that expression of happiness, joy and relief comes out,” Johns said. “I’m really proud of them and I’m really happy for their accomplishments.”

Rey also expressed her pride in her team’s performance at the championships this year. Despite the team’s past conference winning streak, Rey said it still felt surreal to be crowned WAC champions alongside her teammates.

However, not all of her teammates left Houston with the times or placements they had hoped for when they walked into the championship, Rey said. Despite falling short of their personal expectations, Rey said each of her teammates worked hard and nonetheless did a great job at the meet.

“I talked to the girls who maybe didn’t swim how they wanted to and I was like, ‘You still did amazing, you still did all the work,’” Rey said. “Your outcome in the pool doesn’t define who you are. You define who you are. How hard you work defines who you are and how you support each other as

a teammate defin During the support were ab well as her oppon each other, no m competitive atmo encouragement fr “The swim w someone that yo another team, it’s Johns said t aspect he is proud While each e Johns said it is e earn points for th for themselves. Th when they are ch “They are all “That energy, ex Everybody thrive the energy was th achieve.”

In recent m tight-knit group way they can. Th achievement at a Having the abilit college in a sim extremely gratefu

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consecutive WAC Championship

nes who you are.’” championship, Rey said camaraderie and bundant among her fellow Lumberjacks as nents. The support each of the swimmers give matter what team they’re on, helps to create a osphere that also thrives on a foundation of rom all sides, Rey explained. world is a small world so whenever you find ou can be friends with, even if they’re on s pretty special,” Rey said. the Lumberjacks’ bond as a team is another d of. event is swam individually (other than relays), easy to see that each athlete is swimming to heir team rather than just to set a new record The energy among the team is most evident heering each other on, Johns said. l happy for each other and it helps,” Johns said. xcitement, enthusiasm and encouragement? es on that. In that environment, at that meet, hrough the roof. I think it really helps people

months, Rey said the team has become a that strives to support one another in any The challenges that accompany student-athlete D1 school are immeasurable, she explained. ty to lean on teammates who are experiencing milar fashion is a luxury for which she is ul.

The next step for the NAU swim and dive program, Johns said, is for its swimmers to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the coming seasons.

“Casey [Craffey] is four seconds off of being able to go to the NCAA Championships,” Johns said. “Maddy Rey in the 200-fly is about a second and a half away from making that qualifying time. That’s where we want to go. That’s where we want to get to. Having people represent NAU at the NCAA Championships.”

Rey shared similar sentiments and goals for her future as well as her team’s.

“I would definitely say that going to NCAAs next season is a goal of mine,” Rey said. “I never thought that it was going to be a goal … I didn’t anticipate any of these results. I never thought I was going to be this good of a swimmer and part of such an amazing team.”

Over the next year, Rey said she plans to improve her 400-meter individual medley and 200-meter freestyle times in order to place in the NCAAs. Rey and Johns both emphasized that, overall, the WAC win was a team effort and encapsulated the hard work, as well as the accomplishments, of the Lumberjack swimmers and divers.

“This season was such a challenge at the beginning and I know that I could not have done it without the girls around me and the coaching staff,” Rey said. “I never anticipated the end of the season to look like this … I’m really proud to be on this team and I’m thankful for it.”

“I’m really proud of them and I’m really happy for their accomplishments.”

– NAU Swim head coach Andy Johns

MARCH 10, 2022 – MARCH 16, 2022| THE LUMBERJACK

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