THE LUMBER JACK
MAR. 27, 2020 – AUG. 13, 2020
IN-PERSON CONCERN PAGES 5-7
From the Editor
Online at JackCentral.org
The Lumberjack will not produce a printed publication this academic year, and likely the foreseeable future. In the absence of a physical publication our staff remains committed to serving as NAU’s student voice. The Lumberjack will continue to publish daily content on our website as we search for new, resourceful ways to deliver impactful stories to our readers. A PDF version of the weekly print publication will also be made available on jackcentral.org. Anyone who has followed the journalism and newspaper industry in the last decade-plus understands the challenges the industry faces. Declining advertising revenue due to online competition, shifting reader demographics and changes BRADY in the preferred delivery format of news WHEELER are just a few obstacles news outlets face. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Unfortunately, student publications are not immune to these challenges. The decision reached by NAU administrators and department leaders is largely circumstantial. The retirement of the NAU Media Innovation Center’s longtime advertising director this summer, coupled with the cascading effects of COVID-19 on college budgets nationwide expedited The Lumberjack’s shift toward digital formats. Writing this statement is not the way I envisioned beginning my tenure as Editor-in-Chief at The Lumberjack, and like many of our readers, I am hesitant to say goodbye to print. Below is a short reflection on the history of The Lumberjack’s print edition and what it meant to me. ••• If not for one memory, I could not possibly choose a favorite moment producing The Lumberjack. But I find myself — in the
middle of a vastly changing media landscape — looking back on the week of March 14, 2019 with unmatched nostalgia. I was Print Chief then, and tasked with scouring the Cline Library archives for historical news-clips, vintage photos and prior configurations of the LJ design. On this particular week of production, The Lumberjack staff was busy putting together a “Throwback Edition.” I was overjoyed — I could finally fulfill a geeky dream of laying out a broadsheetstyle newspaper, and I loved every click through the terrifying photos of an early 2000’s iteration of the beloved mascot, Louie. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent gazing back in time at long-forgotten issues of the newspaper, but what I can tell you is that it’s been around for a long while: 106 years to be precise. This memory is a favorite for many reasons. Not only do I cherish printed news, but the “Throwback Edition” represents the core values of The Lumberjack: documenting the history of Flagstaff and NAU, cultivating valuable skills in aspiring journalists and creating a product our staff is proud of. When The Lumberjack hit the stands March 14, it was clear to me that I had become a piece of something much larger than myself. I don’t know the name of the student who created the 1946 old-school masthead that ran across our publication that week, but I’m certain we shared a dedication to our college newspaper. That is beyond cool to me. I’m not sure if anybody can fully grasp the density of history a century of printed news holds. I certainly can’t, despite my best efforts in Spring 2019. Yet here I am with the unfortunate task of informing you that this history might be nearing an end. While this semester may mark the end of print, it is the beginning of new opportunities for The Lumberjack. I am sharing my experience hoping it might resonate with donors, alumni, current students, Flagstaff readers, or anybody that might have picked up a copy of The Lumberjack — you picked up a piece of Flagstaff history.
Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 110 ISSUE 1
Editor-in-Chief Brady Wheeler
Managing Editor Scout Ehrler
Copy Chief Nathan Manni
Faculty Adviser David Harpster
Print Chief Jacob Meyer
Director of Digital Content Sabrina Profitt
Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Director of Social Media Maddie Cohen
Op-Ed Editor Ryan Dixon
Asst. Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez
Director of Illustration Aleah Green
News Editor Trevor Skeen
Asst. Op-Ed Editor Kyler Edsitty
Sports Editor David Church
Asst. Dir. of Illustration Blake Fernandez
Asst. News Editor Camille Sipple
Features Editor Ash Lohmann
Asst. Sports Editor Cameron Richardson
Director of Photography Michael patacsil
Online News Editor Alliya Dulaney
Asst. Features Editor Olivia Charlson
Sports Adviser Rory Faust
Asst. Dir. of Photography Mackenzie Brower
Senior Reporter Mark Fabery
Culture Editor Nayomi Garcia
Senior Photographer Brian Burke
Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti
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Thank you for reading. Sidenotes: If you would like to receive a weekly newsletter with up-to-date information, a link to The Lumberjack’s pdf edition and the latest stories, please contact bew85@nau.edu. Furthermore, if you would like information about donating funds to The Lumberjack for a future print edition or otherwise, please contact bew85@nau.edu. Thank you for reading.
Continous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org
On the cover Jeff Hovermill, a tenured Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, attended the protest with his family, July 23. “As a tenured professor, I am in a position to speak more freely than other faculty,” Hovermill said. Brady Wheeler | The Lumberjack
Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Brady Wheeler at bew85@nau.edu.
PoliceBeat
July 17 person was transported to FMC. At 12:25 p.m., a staff member at the University Union called to report July 22 an unknown subject bathing in the At 8:51 a.m., NAUPD reported loading zone. NAUPD responded, a nonstudent requesting assistance but no criminal activity was witnessed. with someone who did not clean up pet waste at Old Main. NAUPD July 18 contacted the nonstudent and At 1:38 a.m., an officer initiated information was provided. a traffic stop with a vehicle driving on the pedway at University Union. July 23 The driver was issued a warning for At 3:01 p.m., NAUPD received failure to obey a traffic control device, a supervisory alarm from the W.A. driving on a sidewalk and no proof of Franke College of Business. The area insurance. was checked and the alarm was found At 2:06 a.m., a staff member to be caused by maintenance in the at Drury Inn called to report a area. Fire Life Safety was notified. nonstudent causing a disturbance. NAUPD, FFD and Guardian Medical July 24 Transport (GMT) responded, and At 3:23 p.m., a staff member the nonstudent was transported to reported a recreational vehicle and Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) by truck blocking the entrance to Lot ambulance for extreme intoxication. 13B. NAUPD responded and the At 4:30 p.m., an RA at Hilltop vehicle left the scene. Townhomes called to report a subject At 11:29 p.m., NAUPD reported possibly attempting to get into a contacting a nonstudent laying in the vehicle. NAUPD responded, but no grass at West Dupont Avenue and contact was made. Knoles Drive. The nonstudent was warned of trespassing and told to July 19 leave the area. At 2:58 a.m., NAUPD reported assisting FPD with an alarm call at July 25 1385 W. University Ave., which is At 2:42 a.m., NAUPD reported located off campus. finding an open door at Facility At 6:33 p.m., a fire alarm went Services. The building was checked off at Gabaldon Hall. NAUPD and no criminal activity was witnessed. searched the area and found the alarm At 3:03 p.m., NAUPD reported was caused by burnt food. assisting FPD with a protest. A total of ten officers responded to the incident July 20 was located off campus at E. Franklin At 11:57 a.m., NAUPD reported Avenue and S. San Francisco Street. assisting FPD with a disturbance of At 11:34 p.m., a student the peace report, which occurred off reported that a port-a-potty had been campus at E. Butler Avenue and N. knocked over. No criminal activity San Francisco Street. was witnessed, and facilities were At 3:59 p.m., a nonstudent notified for a cleanup. reported an unconscious person at Old Main. NAUPD responded, but July 26 the subject refused medical transport. At 3:11 a.m., NAUPD attempted to locate a hit-and-run suspect at Lot July 21 62. The subject was reported gone At 10:48 a.m., NAUPD reported upon arrival. assisting FPD with a disturbance of the peace call, which occurred off July 27 campus at E. Butler Avenue and N. At 2:16 a.m., NAUPD replaced San Francisco Street. a detour sign at the intersection of E. At 12:00 p.m., an ITS employee Pine Knoll Drive and E. McConnell reported a staff member in need of Drive. medical assistance. NAUPD, FFD At 8:36 a.m., NAUPD reported a and GMT responded, and the staff student requesting information about
Compiled by mark fabery the upcoming semester. Information was provided. At 7:45 p.m., NAUPD reported an elevator call with no response at Babbitt Academic Annex. The area was checked, but no criminal activity was witnessed.
At 11:02 a.m., NAUPD reported finding damage to a patrol vehicle. Upon further investigation, it was discovered the damage had been previously documented. At 2:50 p.m., a nonstudent reported they had cut their leg at Mountain View Hall. NAUPD, July 28 FFD and GMT responded, and the At 3:56 a.m., NAUPD reported nonstudent was transported to FMC. being out with a subject outside University Union. The subject was Aug. 1 booked into Coconino County At 12:54 a.m., NAUPD reported Detention Facility on an active contacting a nonstudent who had warrant. fallen and hit their head. FFD and At 5:10 p.m., the resident GMT responded, and the nonstudent hall director at the Honors College was transported to FMC. reported multiple vehicles parked in At 1:30 a.m., an RA at Pine a fire lane. NAUPD responded, and Ridge Village reported people who two vehicles were issued citations for had been arguing in the service drive. violating posted fire lane restrictions. NAUPD responded and the parties Another vehicle was issued a citation were separated. for not having registration on At 10:57 a.m., staff at SkyView university property and violating reported suspicious items in an posted fire lane restrictions. apartment. NAUPD responded and information was provided. July 29 At 7:32 p.m., NAUPD reported At 8:25 a.m., staff at Health assisting FPD with an off-campus Professions reported a foul odor. domestic violence call. NAUPD responded and found the odor was caused by maintenance. Aug. 2 At 8:54 a.m., a nonstudent At 8:59 a.m., Cline Library reported finding a tent in the woods. received two intrusion alarms. NAUPD responded and discovered NAUPD responded and the area was there was no longer a tent in the area. checked, but no criminal activity was At 9:41 p.m., staff at Pine Ridge witnessed. Village called to report the odor of At 11:08 a.m., staff at Pine marijuana. NAUPD responded, but Ridge Village requested an escort for a no contact was made. student. NAUPD responded and the student no longer needed an escort. July 30 At 12:46 p.m., staff at Gillenwater At 7:48 a.m., staff at the Hall reported a subject climbing on Performing & Fine Arts building the side of the building. NAUPD reported a student sleeping. NAUPD responded and one nonstudent was responded and found the subject was contacted. not sleeping. At 11:34 a.m., a student reported Aug. 3 a dog on campus near Cowden At 11:29 a.m., staff at S. Learning Community. NAUPD Apartments reported the odor responded and reunited the dog with of gasoline. NAUPD and FFD its owner. responded and cleared the area as safe. At 10:13 p.m., a student reported NAU work control was advised. an unoccupied vehicle with an open At 9:20 p.m., NAUPD initiated door at SkyView Parking Structure. a traffic stop at the intersection of S. NAUPD responded, contacted the Beaver Street and E. Franklin Avenue. owner and no criminal activity was One student was deferred for minor witnessed. in possession of alcohol and a warning was issued for a stop sign violation and no proof of registration. July 31 Aug. 4
At 7:54 p.m., a student reported locating a bicycle that had previously been reported stolen. The bicycle was returned to the owner. Aug. 5 At 11:30 a.m., staff at Postal Services requested a welfare check on a subject in the roadway. NAUPD responded and the nonstudent was warned of trespassing. At 7:09 p.m., staff at Mountain View Hall reported nonresidents using resident-only equipment. NAUPD responded and the subjects were found to be residents of Mountain View Hall. No criminal activity was witnessed. Aug. 6 At 8:06 a.m., NAUPD reported finding graffiti at the corner of S. Humphreys Street and West Dupont Avenue. The case remains open pending investigation. At 12:56 p.m., NAUPD reported being out with an illegally parked vehicle in front of Wilson Hall. The driver was asked to move the vehicle. Aug. 7 At 1:31 p.m., staff at Ernest CalderĂłn Learning Community reported a suspicious package. NAUPD responded and the package was disposed of appropriately. No criminal activity was witnessed. At 10:24 p.m., staff at McKay Village requested assistance with a smoke detector sounding in a vacant apartment. The apartment was checked and Fire Life Safety was notified.
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS Illustration By Brady Wheeler
education is changing in fusd this fall camille sipple
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s of July, the governing board of the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) has decided to delay in-person learning until at least Oct. 9. The 2020-2021 school year will begin as scheduled on Aug. 17, but will remain online until the aforementioned date, according to the FUSD website, Parents and faculty have flooded the FUSD administration and governing board with concerns and questions regarding the potential reopening of schools and the functionality of a remote learning environment. Kara Kelty, who is in her fourth year as an elected member of the FUSD governing board, said she understands the concerns. In order to create an effective learning environment for students, Kelty said teachers must be strategic when keeping their students engaged this school year. She also explained that the remote learning slated for this fall will be very different from the spring, in terms of student engagement and overall support. “The plan is to have a much more robust, engaged online environment for the fall with clear expectations that there will be attendance and online discussion,” Kelty said. FUSD governing board president Anne Dunno explained that while FUSD students will be attending class in an online setting for the first quarter of the year—an exception will be made within the district’s “safe learning centers.” These centers, according to Dunno, will function as a schooling option for students who don’t have access or have a very limited access to the internet and technology at home. Dunno also explained that FUSD has had a remote learning option for about 15 years called Northern Arizona Distance Learning (NADL). The program allowed past high school students to complete their courses in a completely online format, if they chose to. This will still be an option for high school students in Flagstaff if they wish to enroll in NADL rather than continue
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with FUSD’s projected in-person learning plans. While the decision to engage in remote learning for the start of the school year may have made some FUSD families unhappy, both Dunno and Kelty see it as a way for teachers to plan more effectively. By deciding to keep school online for the time being, the district provided teachers with the certainty they had been hoping for. Dunno explained that even if the district opens schools as planned on Oct. 9, there is a possibility that a coronavirus outbreak could happen. However, students and faculty will be much more familiar with remote learning by then, should the situation arise. “I think the decision that the board made mid-July really helped provide some short-term certainty for administration and staff to plan and really dig into remote learning,” Dunno said. “Change is hard, but it can also be an opportunity for teachers to collaborate in a different fashion.” Change also has the potential to bring new opportunities to FUSD education and administration. Kelty explained that the FUSD governing board is currently pushing to create a new position within the district entitled Chief Health Administrator. This individual would have direct access to data and statistics, allowing them to provide informed health advice to other administrators. A chief health administrator would also help inform district decisions and make recommendations as they see fit. Zachery Fountain, the associate director of communications and public relations for FUSD, shared that with the help of the local community, the district was able purchase enough Apple iPads to support every FUSD student. Fountain said many of the surrounding districts in Arizona are only able to make education changes based on how much technology is available to teachers and students. “We’re really fortunate as a district, because our community approved a bond and an override that allowed us to buy iPads to
support every single student in the district,” Fountain said. “We’re very grateful to our community for their support.” Though having students stay home eases many health concerns from families and faculty, there are also parents who are concerned about their child’s screen time. According to an article from Psychology Today, 55% of human interaction is nonverbal or expressed through body language. Dunno acknowledges that online learning may not be the most ideal situation in terms of human development. Kelty said as a parent, she would also be concerned about her childrens’s screen time in this situation. Fountain said the district is currently in the process of figuring out how to reduce screen time. Both Kelty and Dunno agree that time will be key in learning how to effectively engage with students in a remote setting, as well as being able to limit their screen time. “It’s one thing to just look at a video and ingest social media which is how, I think, most of our youth population views media,” Dunno said. “But if you’re trying to work together to solve a problem and discuss, it’s a different way to interface. It’s going to take time.” Dunno urges FUSD families to embrace this unique opportunity to be around their students while they are learning and to be a sounding board for them. She clarified that the district is not in any way asking parents to become their children’s teachers but to simply be a part of their child’s education. Kelty expressed that none of their decisions as a board are being made lightly, as they are constantly observing new strings of data and reworking plans as necessary. Fountain explained that he understands the situation is not ideal, but he and the rest of the district deeply appreciate the supportive partnership of FUSD families during this challenging time.
NEWS
Faculty share concerns as in-person instruction nears Brady Wheeler, Scout Ehrler & Trevor SKeen
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his month, approximately 20,000 NAU students are slated to return to campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 24, NAU President Rita Cheng announced a two-week delay to in-person instruction, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 31. While safety measures are in place and students have the option whether or not to return to faceto-face courses, faculty members have not been provided that same choice. Faculty put concerns on display A rainy day on the lawn of Flagstaff City Hall quickly transformed into an impassioned display as faculty gathered to unify against the planned reopening this fall. The overcast skies warned of an ensuing summer monsoon, much like the protesters warned of the consequences of a return to campus. For many faculty members, such as associate professor of mathematics and statistics Jeff Hovermill, the protest was an opportunity to push back against “unilateral” decisionmaking from the university’s administration. Hovermill, who protested with his partner and young children, referred to the protest as “one of the few ways faculty feel their voice can be heard,” citing a lack of shared governance from NAU President Rita Cheng. It is in the best interest of faculty and students alike to remain off campus and prioritize remote learning, Hovermill said. However, if the decision remains to return to inperson instruction, faculty members deserve to have a choice. “NAU is not giving faculty a choice on how they would like to deliver the courses [remotely or in-person],” Hovermill said. “It’s a tough position to choose between: exposing ourselves every day for our students, or choosing the health of our families.” Faculty at NAU still have not been given this choice, said faculty senate president Gioia Woods. Many faculty protesters were quick to compare NAU to UA, where the administration has allowed individual professors to decide their preferred mode of instruction amid the pandemic. Professor of biological sciences Thad Theimer shared Hovermill’s position that the university is putting its members at risk by reopening. Theimer was invited by organizers to deliver a speech at the protest, where he drew from his expertise in wildlife management to
argue against reopening. When faced with a disease outbreak in wildlife, there are situations that should be avoided, said Theimer. Animals should not be moved around in the landscape and population density should not be increased. “As a wildlife biologist [NAU’s plan to return to campus] really troubled me,” Theimer said. “Moving people around and concentrating is the opposite thing you want to do during a pandemic.” After gathering his thoughts on the scheduled reopening, Theimer said he reached out to his students to survey their plans for the semester. Eventually, Theimer realized there were limitations on how he could speak to his students. He questioned the dean of his college on what exactly his limitations were. “Am I going to get fired if I tell my students the truth?” Theimer asked. His answer was met with uncertainty — Theimer said he was told “I don’t know.” Like many faculty, Theimer still doesn’t know how to voice his concerns appropriately in compliance with the university. What he does know is that he does not want to lie to his students, a dilemma which motivated him to speak out. Theimer said the pandemic has resulted in two bad options for faculty members: Instructors can either refuse to teach in-person and risk their jobs, or follow university guidelines and put themselves at risk. His primary request is that the administration provides the option for faculty to choose their mode of instruction. “I know that if these plans are going to work, they need to be incredibly detailed,” Theimer said. “I look at the critical details and I just don’t see them working.” While many faculty members have successfully distanced themselves from in-person instruction without risking their jobs, Theimer said the channels to do so are inadequate. Many faculty feel their options are at the mercy of the university’s deans or their ability to have their requests granted through NAU Disability Resources. Many faculty members have voiced similar concerns, Woods said, concerning both the difficulty of being granted permission to teach remotely and with NAUFlex — a program designed for the Flagstaff Mountain Campus to allow students to choose their modality of learning. Professors have put “tremendous effort” into preparing courses to align with NAUFlex
A masked protester holds up a sign on the lawn in front of Flagstaff City Hall, July 23. The protest, scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., originally included an organized march. Due to weather concerns, the protest remained outside of Flagstaff City Hall for its entirety. Brady Wheeler | The Lumberjack
guidelines — some even putting research and other academic ventures on pause, said Woods. Whether students choose to complete courses inperson or remotely, Woods said the opportunity for engagement provided by NAUFlex extends far beyond traditional online courses. Radical love and getting into good trouble Robert Schehr, professor of criminology and criminal justice, teaches out of radical love — for his students, coworkers and staff around him — and has been for nearly 30 years. Radical love is to do the right thing despite the consequences, to get into “good trouble” if one must. Schehr credited these ideas to late congressman John Lewis, whose funeral was held July 30 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s former church in Atlanta. To Schehr and many other faculty members, now is the time to get into good trouble. Despite the recent announcement of a two-week delay to in-person instruction, many faculty demands have not been addressed. Schehr called the delay a “minor victory.” He said that although professors want to be back in the classroom, it is not the safest option right now. Given these health concerns, faculty want one thing: The right to choose their method of teaching— to not be mandated into the
classroom despite growing risk. Schehr wrote in the Arizona Daily Sun’s “Coconino Voices” column alongside his department colleague Raymond Michalowski, the same level of concern expressed for students’ well-being should be applied to faculty, but sadly has not. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines state university employees have the “right not to work.” Schehr and Michalowski noted this right “is a reasonable response to the real fears held by university faculty with regard to possible infection.” “What this means is that there needs to be available to faculty methods of course delivery that promote the greatest health and safety to all university employees and students, while assuring high quality pedagogy,” Schehr and Michalowski wrote. “A reasonable accommodation must provide faculty who feel they are at particular risk from developing serious medical complications from contracting COVID-19 to have requests that their assignments be modified to minimize contact with potentially infected persons granted.” Although faculty were a part of many discussions, the recent decision to integrate the NAUFlex model was made against faculty objections, Schehr said. According to an NAU Shared Governance document, faculty have a
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
Thad Theimer, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at NAU, was asked to address fellow faculty members attending the protest, July 23. Brady Wheeler | The Lumberjack
right to decide, or at least have a say, in both curriculum and methods of instruction. “It is a part of the conditions of faculty service that we have control over our method of course delivery,” Schehr said. “When NAU’s president and her cabinet decided to select NAUFlex, that was over the opposition of faculty — we were not included in that conversation … This has been commonplace on this campus. They have not engaged faculty at all, in a real dialogical way.” Beyond wanting to be included in the decisions that have been made by administrators, Schehr said faculty simply want to do what is right for their students and colleagues. Faculty continue to push back and demand the choice of their modality. “We have thought through how to work you through a process,” Schehr said. “To make you confused, deconstruct and then rebuild. It’s hard for me to do that this way. So, what I’m trying to say is, all of us want to be back. This is not about us not wanting to do our jobs. I want to do it the way we were trained to. We cannot right
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now, it’s not safe. It’s irresponsible, it’s imprudent. So, through radical love, we push back.” Cheng commits to offering inperson classes Over the summer months, plans for the fall semester changed quickly and unpredictably, along with the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront of these difficult decisions was President Rita Cheng, who was tasked with guiding the university through an unprecedented financial crisis while still providing a safe and meaningful education. During a phone interview with The Lumberjack’s news team on July 29, Cheng discussed the pandemic and its influences on the NAU community. One recurring topic was the safety of faculty, staff and students given face-to-face instruction, which was recently rescheduled to start Aug. 31. “We have been following all the CDC guidelines and best practices that our peer institutions across the country are adopting, including dedensifying the classrooms,” Cheng said. “There’s a lot of precautions
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that we’ve put in place, and they’re consistent with what other universities are doing as well.” Part of the administration’s response to an in-person return was developing NAUFlex, which was described in an email from Cheng as a “fully immersive classroom experience” that allows students to participate remotely. With safety as the top priority, the email explained that personal and quality educations are still attainable. Through this infrastructure, Cheng said classrooms will utilize physical distancing by having significantly fewer occupants. Additionally, all students are required to wear face masks or face coverings during class and around campus, while NAU has also evaluated air handling systems to ensure proper ventilation. After considering the potential conflict between keeping the community safe and hosting inperson classes, Cheng said there is no disconnect. The university’s mission is to provide an education, she added, which should still happen amid the
coronavirus pandemic. “There is no dichotomy here,” Cheng said. “We are adopting the best practices for health and safety in order to keep our students progressing toward their graduation. These are difficult times, but it is also important that we not lose the purpose of NAU’s existence.” Despite the university’s commitment to offering in-person classes, faculty and staff held protests around the Flagstaff area, specifically advocating for online instruction. Cheng said one component of the decision to delay in-person instruction was that COVID-19 cases have slowed around the state in recent weeks, which the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed online under its daily case recordings. By the time in-person classes start, Cheng said the pandemic could become more manageable following five weeks of declining figures. “I do think it’s responsive to what we’re seeing in the environment,” Cheng said, regarding the delay of face-to-face instruction. “Arizona’s cases spiked in July, and in the last two weeks, we’ve seen the number of cases go down.” In terms of keeping faculty and staff safe, Cheng said the university has developed the appropriate precautions, which helped its employees become “well-protected.” Accommodations are also offered for those at high risk — whether through preexisting health conditions or advancing age — and individuals can apply at Disability Resources. Furthermore, every staff member’s accommodations could be different. Certain faculty may need to teach from their offices, Cheng added, while others could utilize face shields, smaller class sizes or extra precautions. “There’s a lot of things we can do for accommodation, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all,” Cheng said. As for the safety and security of Flagstaff residents, NAU has started to train and educate student leaders regarding various health protections, which include practicing hygiene, keeping distance, wearing masks and monitoring symptoms. In order to keep the city healthy, Cheng said various medical professionals informed her that these techniques
are critical. “There’s a risk in, and through, the community everywhere you go,” Cheng said. “The virus is with us, and we have to manage our lives knowing it will be with us for quite a while.” For students who are living on campus, the university recommended getting tested at least 10 days before their move-in date — but also after July 24 — which would likely provide the time needed to return results. Once residents have settled into dormitories and campus life, Cheng said NAU’s testing approach will be “multi-pronged.” One option for receiving tests is through Campus Health Services, Cheng explained, while the university has partnered with Department of Biological Sciences professor Paul Keim, ASU and the Translational Genomics Research Institute to administer these services. From Aug. 10 to 23, tests will also be offered daily at the University Union Fieldhouse, which will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and be available for the general public. Testing is free because it is provided by the federal government, according to an email from Paulina Swiatkowski, the NAU School of Communication’s assistant director of operations and scheduling. After this initial period of testing concludes, students who are presenting symptoms can also go to Sonora Quest Laboratories. According to the laboratory’s website, tests are available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and most are reported within two or three days. COVID-19 antibody tests are also provided, and those results are returned within 24 hours. As for contact tracing, Cheng said students are encouraged to download COVIDWatch, a mobile app planned to be made available by the start of the semester. The app is a shared initiative between Google and Apple to monitor the spread of coronavirus through cellular technology. According to the COVIDWatch website, users can “send anonymous exposure alerts to protect the community without sharing any personal information,” potentially following the disease’s transmission between asymptomatic carriers. Students will be alerted if they
NEWS
Masked protesters display signs outside of Flagstaff City Hall to commuters traveling on Route 66, July 23. The protest was organized by the University Union of Northern Arizona in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (UUNA-AFT). Brady Wheeler | The Lumberjack
spent over 15 minutes within six feet of someone who tested positive, as long as both sides have the software downloaded and running. Through this system, anyone previously within close proximity to a COVID-19 carrier — whether in a residence hall, classroom or social circle — will be alerted. Separate from this testing infrastructure, Cheng said faculty, staff and students will be protected by a mandatory health check app for anyone who enters campus each morning. Students will also receive health kits, which include two masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer and a list of symptoms. Younger demographics typically have a lower rate of COVID-related hospitalizations, Cheng added, which could shield Flagstaff Medical Center from filling with infected students. However, a scientific update from the Center for Health Equity Research at NAU reported that as of July 5, a significant portion of the confirmed cases in Arizona came from young adults.
“[A reported] 49% of the cases in Coconino and the entire state were 20-44 years old and 11% of the cases Coconino and the entire state were less than 20 years old,” the report stated (the most recent report can be found here). While cases in younger people may not require medical treatment nor hospitalization, they are still potential vectors of transmission to other populations. According to The Washington Post, infection patterns show an “emerging trend” of young people spreading COVID-19 to older family members. Even though the disease is largely unpredictable, its contagion within intergenerational households could certainly be a problem. As the university works to follow health and safety guidelines, Cheng said administrators are collaborating with local health officials, housing partners, grocery stores and restaurants off campus. One consideration is organizing shopping hours just for students, which could provide further separation between the NAU community and Flagstaff residents. Similarly,
Cheng said communicating with restaurants ensures that proper social distancing and appropriate capacities are observed. If students disobey any rules surrounding mask-wearing, social distancing or other COVID-19 precautions, Cheng said the Student Code of Conduct will serve as a platform for education or discipline. These regulations apply both on and off campus, she added, and the university is prepared to enforce them. Although students hold some responsibility for protecting themselves and others amid the pandemic, a recent article in The Atlantic argued that universities are even more accountable. “College students will need to adapt their behaviors for universities to function in the fall, but students are not solely — or even primarily — responsible for keeping campuses safe,” the article read. Reporters Julia Marcus and Jessica Gold also wrote that students will be reluctant to share information with contact tracers if it could potentially cause personal trouble.
This hesitation could generate inconsistencies and dangers as medical workers attempt to monitor COVID-19, especially in dense college communities. Regardless of the problems associated with on-campus living, most students can enroll in NAUFlex, which allows for fully-remote coursework after consulting with advisers. However, Cheng said the university’s faculty, chairs and deans created a list of classes that require face-to-face instruction and cannot utilize online attendance. For these specific studies, students can participate on campus or change their schedules to allow for online attendance. When asked about NAU’s plans to charge full tuition and fees for the upcoming semester, Cheng said most regular services will still be available to students — whether in person or online. For example, the Health and Learning Center will feature recreational activities, health services, counseling appointments, telehealth practices and other operations running under official guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cheng said the $275 health and recreation fee associated with the fall semester will provide funding for these services and the facilities themselves, which would make it “very difficult” to cancel. According to an article published by CNBC, 93% of college students surveyed said tuition should be lowered if classes are based online. For those who attend distinguished institutions, such as the Ivy League schools, paying full tuition for remote attendance can carry significant costs. “Prestigious schools such as Harvard University have committed to holding all of their classes online next semester and according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, 46% of colleges plan to hold some, or all, of their classes online,” the article read. “While many students have agreed that social distancing is vital, many have also raised concerns that they are still paying full tuition for what is now an online education.” Despite these concerns, neither NAU, ASU nor UA have announced plans to lower tuition accordingly. According to NAU’s website, instate students will pay $11,896 in tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 school year, while their out-of-state counterparts will owe $26,642. Although the fall semester is ending early — before Thanksgiving — NAU has not currently adjusted the dates for this spring. However, Cheng said the university is actively and attentively monitoring the situation, even if it is too early to make official announcements. “What I’ve learned with the coronavirus is never say you won’t have a different decision,” Cheng said.
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
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PHOTO SPOTLIGHT
Black Lives Matter
Top Left: A protester holds up a sign reading “Justice Now” outside Flagstaff City Hall, May 30. Middle Left: A child demonstrates during a protest outside Flagstaff City Hall, May 30. Bottom Left: A protester holds up a sign saying “#justiceforgeorge” at a demonstration outside Flagstaff City Hall, May 29. Center: Flagstaff resident Maribel Ocampo holds up her fist during a protest at Flagstaff City Hall, May 29. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack
Top Right: Flagstaff resident Elton Dunlap starts various chants over a microphone during a protest at Flagstaff City Hall, May 29. Middle Right: Protesters hold signs outside Flagstaff City Hall, May 30. Bottom Right: Flagstaff residents Cassandra Lockett (left) and Haley Mares (right) demonstrate outside Flagstaff City Hall during a protest speaking out against the death of George Floyd, May 29. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
NAU is delaying the inevitable Kyler Edsitty
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ack in March, NAU transitioned to online classes as the threat of COVID-19 rose. In mid-March, Coconino County reported 22 cases and now has reached 2,339. With the threat bigger than ever, transitioning back to in-person classes is putting students and faculty in danger, especially since Arizona has become a hot spot for the virus, according to ABC News. Although NAU is implementing changes to stop the spread of the virus, more cases are all but assured because students will not likely social distance and may struggle to get tested. The university seems to only be delaying the inevitable. In a statement from NAU President Rita Cheng, students and faculty are expected to do their part to ensure the safety of those around them. The statement read that it is required for students to be tested and have negative results before they return to campus, practice social distancing, wear masks and to use an upcoming smartphone app, COVIDWatch, that traces a users contact with other individuals. This app has not been realeased yet.
Although there are many plans to bring students back safely, there seems to be few plans for how the university will run when students begin showing symptoms and eventually receive positive test results. The university seems to be relying primarily on the integrity of students when it comes to social distancing. Unacast is a company with a real-world graph and reference website that offers a Social Distancing Scoreboard, which grades states and counties on how well their residents are socially distancing. It does so by measuring nonessential traveling and how far people travel. Unacast has given Arizona a D- and Coconino County a D+. It is hard to imagine these scores going up after thousands of students from across the state will return to campus while living in such close quarters, especially when nonessential businesses are open. COVIDWatch could be potentially used to monitor the spread of the virus on campus. It does so by anonymously tracking people who are in contact
with a COVID-19 carrier and can also anonymously alert others when someone has tested positive. Campus Health Services (CHS) will also be testing students when they come back to campus. The CHS website says they are only testing asymptomatic people with limited windows of time to be tested. That forces symptomatic people to find another place to get tested, which could be challenging for people who do have symptoms but do not have transportation, because they shouldn’t be using public transportation if they are sick. The website also fails to acknowledge how long results may take to get back to a patient, which is concerning as the person who was tested could be unwittingly spreading the virus as they wait for results. NAUFlex is another way the
university is attempting to keep its students safe. This program allows students to alternate and choose between online and in-person classes to keep classroom attendance as low as possible. However, there is still risk because students and staff are continuing to interact with one another and are still exposed to the virus. NAU’s main reason for welcoming back students with open arms is, of course, revenue. According to the 2019 Annual Financial Report, NAU made about $35 million from residence life. The university could lose this money if they switched solely to online classes and students decided
not to live on campus. Although the pandemic has put life as we know it on pause, having access to education shouldn’t cost someone their life. It is possible to do another semester, or two, online because that is what we have already been doing since March. Online learning and its effects may be inconvenient, but it is necessary to slow the spread of the virus and to ensure the health of thousands. Despite the steps taken by NAU to mitigate the spread of the virus, the risk of contraction and spread is still concerning.
Photo Illustration By Scout Ehrler
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Illustration By aleah Green
Mount Rushmore is an anti-Indigenous monument kyler edsitty
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ince its construction concluded in 1941, Mount Rushmore has become a symbol of liberty for Americans. To Indigenous people, the stony immortalization of past presidents represents colonization and the erasure of history and culture. Like many other American monuments, Mount Rushmore was created on Indigenous land with opposition from Indigenous people. Before it was known as Mount Rushmore, it was called Six Grandfathers, named after the six directions in the Lakota culture, by a Lakota Sioux medicine man. The mountain is even considered sacred by the Lakota tribe. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are all carved into Mount Rushmore, but their racist actions aren’t as well-known as their sculpted faces. While the first president was fighting for freedom, he owned dozens of slaves with no intention of freeing them. In 1743 at 11 years of age, Washington inherited 1slaves when his father died. History.com indicated that by the time Washington died, he owned 123 slaves. Although he said that all of those slaves would be freed when he died, only one was freed immediately. The others were not freed for several decades. Lincoln is known as the president who abolished slavery, but many don’t know he allowed one of the biggest executions in United States history to happen during the Dakota War of 1862. In 1862, people from the Dakota tribe revolted against settlers for breaking treaties and taking away their resources, History.com stated. For revolting, Lincoln ordered that 38 men be executed, while only reprieving one person.
Roosevelt also supported policies that harmed Indigenous people. Indian Country Today reported that Roosevelt supported the Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, which divided Indigenous land and relocated the people who lived there. He also wanted Native Americans to assimilate to American culture by attempting to erase their cultures and forcing American values onto them through education. In 1886, Roosevelt gave a speech in New York and said “I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are the dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every 10 are.” During his presidency, Jefferson seemed obsessed with expanding West for resources and was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. Jefferson knew western expansion would be met with resistance from Indigenous people. Therefore, he devised a plan to force Indigenous people into debt by establishing trading posts. Indian Country Today reported that the only way for these people to pay off their debt was to give up their land, therefore increasing western expansion. Although all of these actions are in the past, their impact has rippled into today. Mount Rushmore is still a symbol of white supremacy and erasure, especially since President Donald Trump celebrated the Fourth of July at the monument, with opposition from Indigenous protesters who were calling for the removal of the monument. Trump’s actions in and out of office have caused harm to Indigenous people. Trump repeatedly mocks the alleged Native American ancestry of Sen. Elizabeth Warren by referring to her as “Pocahontas,” a Native American stereotype.
CNN reported that Trump signed an executive order that allowed the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline in 2017, which was previously stopped by Barack Obama during his presidency. This pipeline would be an assault on clean water and tribal sovereignty. Discrimination at the hands of the American leaders shows that Indigenous people have been fighting a battle for human rights since first contact centuries ago. Although removing these anti-Indigenous monuments erases some visible scars of colonization, there are many unhealed wounds that come from policies, inadequate education and land removal. Many people associate decolonization with the physical removal of non-Indigenous people. However, it revolves around adequate tribal sovereignty and representation in government. It is a task that will take years, but decolonization starts by opposing anti-Indigenous leaders, like the ones listed above, and by electing leaders who are Indigenous or ones that acknowledge Indigenous people and their cultures. Decolonization can also take place at a micro level. By preventing cultural appropriation and educating yourself on whose land you’re occupying and the resulting benefits, you can take personal steps toward decolonization. Financial support can come in the form of supporting Indigenous businesses and by donating to Indigenous charities such as the Black Hills Legal Defense Fund, which helps protesters arrested at Mount Rushmore.
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
With social distancing measures and remote instruction in place, it can be hard their careers at NAU this upcoming semester. So
Stories Compiled by Ash Lohmann, Ph
Natalie Ludwig
Kieran Lulker “I’m from Kapolei, Hawaii and I like to cook, play sports for fun and go on adventures. I’ll be living in Reilly Hall and my major is biology. I’m excited for a fresh start and for starting a new chapter in life. I want to make friends, so don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’ if you see me on campus.”
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“My name is Natalie Ludwig and I’m an incoming freshman here at NAU. I come from a small town in California that’s about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve been holding my breath this summer, hoping that NAU was going to move forward with letting us move onto campus. I’m staying in Wilson Hall with my super fun roommate. I can’t wait to meet new friends and explore Flagstaff. I have a love for photography, so much so that I’m majoring in it. I enjoy traveling and getting the opportunity to explore new cultures as well as surfing, sailing and of course, taking pictures. I hope this year goes smoothly and everyone stays safe and healthy.”
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Chloe Walker “My name is Chloe Walker and I am from Gilbert, Arizona. I love hanging out with my friends, going on road trips and finding fun things to do in the valley! I’m living in Sechrist [Hall] with my friend Meg. We both graduated from Williams Field High School. I am currently an exploratory major, but I want to major in either communication sciences and disorders or dental hygiene. “I’m super excited to meet new people at NAU and explore the city. I’ve only been to Flagstaff a couple of times, but I love the area and I can’t wait to call it home. However, one thing I’m worried about is the weather. I’ve never really experienced anything but heat, so having all four seasons and being able to see the snow will be interesting.”
FEATURES
d for students to get to know their classmates, especially the freshmen beginning o, why not start getting to know the class of 2024?
hotos Courtesy of Featured Students
Kaia Gieszler “I am from Goodyear, Arizona and my hobbies include traveling every chance I get, to hanging out with my friends, to simple things like taking walks and spending time alone. I will be in Tinsley Hall this year up at NAU, where I will be studying early childhood education and special education. I am so excited to get to meet new people and move up north. I can’t wait to make some more memories these next four years.” “Something I am worried about is the workload amount. College, I know, is very different from high school and that makes me a little worried, but I’m looking forward to getting used to it. I can’t wait to be a Lumberjack these next four years.”
Katelyn Mason “My name is Katelyn Mason and I’m from Las Cruces, New Mexico. I love all things music. I play violin, piano, ukulele and I sing. I also love to paint, sew and cook and bake things for my friends. I am in the Honors College and I am a music education major. I’m a little nervous to move away from my hometown to a place where I don’t know anyone, but I am super excited to live in Flagstaff and meet tons of new people.”
William Guymon “Hi, I’m William Guymon and I was born and raised in Arizona. From a young age, my hobbies included football, video games and really just anything to do with my homies. I’ll be in Cowden Hall and I’m majoring in business at the current moment. I’m really excited to see the great weather at NAU and some parties. I don’t have any worries. I feel like we’re just going to have a fun time.”
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
Forming social connections in a socially distanced semester Ash Lohmann
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ne of the main challenges for students during the upcoming fall semester will be cultivating social connections while in classes. While study buddies seem crucial when finals roll around, turning classmates into friends can affect one’s mental well-being, especially now. Study buddies, comparing test scores and classmate homework help might be out of the picture for some NAU students this semester, as online instruction and distanced learning can make it seem impossible to find friends in classes. Schools across the nation are gearing up for a semester unlike any before with changes in place to protect the health of faculty, staff and students. While safety measures are being established to fight the spread of COVID-19, the mental well-being of many could be in limbo as social interaction is at an all-time low. Eylin Palamaro-Munsell is a psychology lecturer with a special interest in social interaction. The benefits of making friends in classes are the same as having friends outside of class, if not more helpful, she said. Making friends in classes is also a prominent way students are able to expand their social circle on campus. “You might not make friends otherwise,” Palamaro-Munsell said. “So, in this way, you get to learn with and from people with experiences and backgrounds that may be different from your own. Within normal, healthy social connections, both mental and physical health benefits exist, Palamaro-Munsell said Ultimately, she explained that people who feel socially connected will often live longer and happier lives as well as enjoy a better quality of life. “Also, having a friend in class can be supportive,” Palamaro-Munsell said. “Friends in class can provide practical support, like help with homework, as well as emotional support, such as encouragement. Especially in a challenging course, it can be great to feel like you are not alone.” Junior Kylie Wilcox is the president of NAU’s psychology club. She agreed that friends in classes offer support and are great for bouncing ideas off of one another, working together to understand course material and even finding someone with a common interest. Wilcox emphasized that there is great importance in having friends in one’s classes. “Psychologically, we are constantly looking for human connections and companionship,
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which can often be found in classroom settings,” Wilcox said. “Making those connections helps us to step out of our comfort zones by learning to deal with other personalities and grow as individuals.” Though now, there are additional challenges facing the search for social interaction, namely that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging social distancing. Nicholas Christakis, a social scientist and physician at Yale University, said that COVID-19 is challenging humanity to suppress our profoundly human urge to connect with others, according to an article published by Science magazine of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He explained that activities such as seeing friends, gathering in groups and touching one another are just a few ways people display their humanity. The article outlined how refraining from such social activities might have serious mental health consequences. The articles author, comma science journalist Greg Miller explained that over extended periods of time, social isolation can increase one’s risk for several health problems such as heart disease, depression and dementia. An analysis of scientific literature conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad at Brigham Young University concluded that chronic social isolation can actually increase one’s risk of mortality by 29%. Meanwhile, Palamaro-Munsell said that university students might have an even more difficult time through social distancing and isolation. “Socializing is such an integral part of the college experience,” Palamaro-Munsell said. “It may be particularly challenging for university students to adapt to our new reality.” Wilcox explained that college students might be struggling with the idea of a less social mode of education for various reasons. Many are having difficulties because they are worried that this will be the new norm, which can lead to a negative outlook on the situation. To combat worried thinking such as this, Wilcox suggested that students change their thought patterns in order to combat their worries and negative emotions surrounding lack of socialization. If students make a conscious effort to make the most out of the situation, they can have the best college experience possible, even in the face of an unexpected situation. Additionally, Wilcox described the switch to online and distanced learning as something challenging for university students because it
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Illustration By Aleah Green
is so unlike what they have experienced before. Since this semester will look so different from traditional ones, many might be uneasy in the face of such a big change. Wilcox said that this unease might make it so that many are hesitant to make friends within classes, even when opportunities present themselves. “With the switch to online schooling, I am expecting there to be many barriers when it comes to making friends in classes,” Wilcox said. “Since preschool, we have been conditioned to expect certain routines and norms when it comes to going to school. This includes a basic level of in-person socialization with fellow students.” Palararo-Munsell explained that because people are generally social creatures, even the most introverted and shy people tend to look for social connections. Though it may seem challenging, there is always a place to start — especially when it comes to trying to find social connections in classes. An article published by ASU Prep Digital, titled “4 Tips for Making Friends in Your Online Class,” details ways students of any age can connect with people in their online classes and even socially distanced classrooms. The article suggests students in online classes do the following: connect on social media, join or start a virtual club, use the resources available through the class and plan time to talk to classmates outside of class. By taking these additional steps when being instructed remotely,
or distanced within a classroom, students might have a better chance of connecting with their classmates. Palararo-Munsell agreed that students can take such opportunities to connect with classmates, even if their instruction is primarily online. She said the main way in which students can try to make friends within their classes is to take every opportunity for interaction to see if one has something in common with another. Additionally, instructors can do their part to ensure students have those key opportunities for interaction within their remote and distanced learning environments. “Introductions work as a starting point in both in-person and virtual environments,” Palararo-Munsell said. “This can be challenging in large classes, of course. In a virtual learning environment, discussion boards or small group video chats at the start of the semester are a great way for students to introduce themselves to one another. Opportunities to exchange ideas and work together throughout the semester increase possibilities for connection, whether in person or online.” Though Wilcox said professors often encourage their students to speak to one another in in-person classes, she hopes that they will try to foster extra opportunities for students to get their social fix in the virtual and distanced classroom. Continue reading on jackcentral.org
CULTURE
Students reconsider on-campus events Katelyn rodriguez
‘The Umbrella Academy’ is back in action Warning: This article contains spoilers.
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hen “The Umbrella Academy” first launched on Netflix in 2019, it became an overnight sensation. I can personally attest to binge-watching the available episodes in the span of a day or two. The series was originally created as a comic book series and was then adapted into a Netflix show. Gerard Way, lead singer of My Chemical Romance, wrote the comic and also played a key role in making the show. Following a series of twisting events, the first CAMILLE SIPPLE season of the show ends with Vanya, Number Seven, losing all control of her powers, which Hargreeves ASSISTANT NEWS had kept hidden from her for years. The intense wave EDITOR of vibrational frequency that Vanya creates with her newfound powers sends out a blast so powerful that it shatters the moon and sends it flying toward Earth, precipitating the end of the world. Season two of “The Umbrella Academy” opens with each sibling coming through the portal in various years and months between 1960 and 1964 in Dallas, Texas. The first few episodes depict the new lives that each sibling has begun living within their respective time periods. Luther, Number One, has been working for a 1960s mob boss as his personal muscle and winning boxer. Diego, Number Two, has been placed in a mental hospital after he tried to warn everyone of President John F. Kennedy’s impending assassination. Allison, Number Three, has found her place as a civil rights activist alongside her new husband. Klaus, Number Four, has accidentally started a cult that worships him by the nickname The Prophet. Ben, Number Six, has been dead since season one of the series, so he remains a ghost that can only be seen by Klaus and therefore follows him. Vanya has become a live-in nanny on a farm with no recollection of her life or her siblings other than her own name. It is quickly conveyed to Number Five because he is the final sibling to exit the portal, that another doomsday awaits because the siblings have once again endangered the fragile timeline of human existence. As I watched the first half of season two, I honestly found myself less interested with each episode. My experience was in stark contrast with the first season, which held my attention the entire time. However, by the end of season two, I was just as enthralled, intrigued and emotional as I was in season one. Overall, I believe the only major pitfall of the second installment of this hit Netflix series is that it required a lot of build-up before the main action begins, which may cause a loss of interest in some viewers. Despite the slow start to the season, the aforementioned building episodes were also extremely important to the final and overall plot points within the show. Although my interest dwindled at first, there were plenty of twists and turns along with a major character death in this season that shocked me and
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ince March, events worldwide have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some events have returned without crowds, like MLB and NBA games. However, with the fall semester upon us, NAU and SUN Entertainment have yet to announce if on-campus events, like weekly movies at Prochnow Auditorium or Homecoming, are set to take place.
According to SUN Entertainment’s page on the NAU website, there are currently no events scheduled for the semester. The only major event that’s been announced thus far is the virtual Welcome Week concert, which took place Aug. 10. NAU junior Cedric Gammon attended numerous sporting events and club meetings during prior semesters. However, in regard to COVID-19, Gammon thinks this semester should be approached very carefully. “I do not think events should be held on campus,” Gammon said. “I think club events and meetings are examples of possible exemptions.” Gammon said, although events could be held in ways that promote social distancing while keeping students involved within the campus community. He thinks promoting smaller clubs this semester could be beneficial to the student body to participate in, instead of large-scale events. Although Gammon sees on-campus events as being catalysts for social relationships, he thinks it would be wise to move all events to a virtual setting. “We need to recognize that the pandemic punishes instant gratification, so we need to wait it out in a safe manner,” Gammon said. Junio Gabriela Torres participated in open mics during the fall
2019 and spring 2020 semesters and attended the Prochnow movie showings. She said her favorite events include hip-hop week and the annual spring concert. However, when it comes to events being held this semester, Torres thinks precautions should be taken. “I think some events could be held but only things where social distancing could be practiced and not too large of a crowd,” Torres said. “Off the top of my head I think Wingo could still happen and Prochnow movies if seating is blocked off.” Torres also said that the events held on campus add to NAU’s culture by allowing students to feel like they’re a part of the NAU community while allowing them to strengthen connections with their peers. NAU junior Haylie Koester is a former SUN Entertainment employee. She said she attended most on-campus events held through Prochnow and SUN. When it comes to the pandemic, she thinks any on-campus events planned for both fall and spring semesters can be adapted to allow students to attend. “I think that small-scale events could still be held as long as limited numbers are in place, as well as socially distancing,” Koester said. “There could also be the potential of creating reservations for said events and having time in between sessions to sanitize the area, and allowing for a full reset.” With the possibility of events, like concerts, being moved to virtual formats, Koester said she thinks they can be fun, if developed correctly, and that the difficult part is the
lack of community surrounding the virtual setting. She suggested that events like paint night could be held through a virtual format fairly easily, especially if there is a way for students to pick up supplies if they registered for the event. When it comes to attending potential scheduled events this semester, Gammon said he doesn’t plan on attending any. However Torres and Koester said they will attend some events on campus. “I will still attend some events, but if things get too crowded I will probably leave,” Torres said. “For health and safety reasons, I think holding events virtually is a good idea and I would happily attend those.” Although it’s currently unknown if events will be canceled altogether or moved to a completely online format for the time being, there are still numerous ways in which events can take place safely, as mentioned by the above students.
Illustration By Aleah Green
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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CULTURE
Album art courtesy of J. Cole
Album art courtesy of Earl Sweatshirt
“Quarantunes” Vol. 4: July’s hottest tracks Nathan Manni
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he socially distanced summer is coming to a close, but was filled with many releases from notable artists across all genres. Some are highlighted in the conclusion to this series, “Quarantunes,” where five songs were showcased each month from May to August. “The Climb Back” — J. Cole The great Jermaine Cole of Fayetteville, North Carolina is back with a friendly reminder: His skill set is to be mentioned among the elite in today’s field of hip-hop. On July 22, he released “The Climb Back” and “Lion King On Ice” as the first two singles to his upcoming album, “The Fall Off.” Cole, 35, is especially witty on “The Climb Back,” filling the initial verse with supreme wordplay and multiple flow switches. He touches on the importance of mental health and gun violence in his home neighborhood, wishing for a hotline for people to call if they ever feel the urge to get violent. “The Climb Back” is classic J. Cole: thought-provoking,
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introspective and subtly boastful. “Are You Even Real?” — James Blake James Blake first snatched the world’s attention with his soft, echoing and effortlessly pretty voice with “Assume Form” of 2019, an album that contained the Travis Scott-assisted “Mile High.” The English artist has quickly become a sought-after feature in the industry — bringing ice to a brash song’s fire — and his impressive ability as an engineer and beatmaker often go overlooked. “Are You Even Real?” is a gentle, but electric tune that sounds like it originates from a dream-like state. The beat’s layered vocals make Blake’s voice sound even more relative to the psychedelic trip he sings about: “Cracking seals, guilty, no appeal / Trip down the hill, strawberry fields / Are you even real?” Blake is incredibly versatile, multi-faceted and unique, and he has many more quality projects to come. “Care” — beabadoobee Beabadoobee’s “Care” is colorful and danceable. She has a voice that could soundtrack
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a cheesy Netflix original series about teen love, reminiscent of Clairo or Rex Orange County. “Care” was released July 14 under the English Dirty Hit label, home of acts such as The Japanese House, Pale Waves and The 1975. In a press release, she said “This song has end-ofa-90s movie vibes, like you’re driving down a highway. It is pretty much me being angry at society, or people around me who I just don’t think know me and don’t care.” Beabadoobee’s debut album, “Fake It Flowers,” is expected to release later this year. “GHOST” — Earl Sweatshirt (feat. Navy Blue) This song’s instrumental sounds choppy, but it oddly works to rapper Earl Sweatshirt’s advantage because of his poetic cadence. The looping soul sample is the song’s brightest feature, putting the listener into a trance for a short while. Featuring a verse from Navy Blue, who collaborated with Earl on “The Mint” in 2018, “GHOST” is a brief track where Earl is again vulnerable. “True indeed, I see you creeping / Oh, what else you need to know? /
Truancy was when I left, when I was needed most / Gold noose, I learned to see the ropes,” repeats Earl throughout multiple choruses. “GHOST” is one of two new songs included in the deluxe version of “FEET OF CLAY,” Earl’s 7-song EP from last year. “Move Ya Hips” — A$AP Ferg (feat. Nicki Minaj and MadeInTYO) All Harlem rapper A$AP Ferg knows to do is entertain. With countless club bangers under his belt, he calls on Nicki Minaj and revives MadeInTyo for yet another one, with the latter handling an easy-to-digest, catchy hook. Ferg comes out swinging, packing his verse full of flashy flexing and his signature, funny ad libs that everyone has come to adore. As great as Ferg is, Minaj completely snatches the spotlight and outshines him, further validating her selfproclaimed narrative of being the queen of rap. After her flaming verse, Minaj and Ferg trade lines, which is the highlight moment of the track. Just like the “Plain Jane” remix, Ferg and Minaj created another memorable track with unmatched energy.
CULTURE
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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SPORTS
Arizona pro sports continue to fade
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he Phoenix Suns sold their NBA G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns, to the Detroit Pistons. To add insult to injury, the NAZ Suns will be playing games in Phoenix instead of their home of Prescott, which has hosted the affiliate since 2016. On the surface, this may be a move that occurred due to financial impacts from COVID-19. However, when you look into Arizona professional sports through recent years, there seems to be a fading interest from the state’s residents, and the higher-ups have done little to improve the state of the franchises. According to attendance statistics from ESPN, not one Arizona-based pro CAMERON sports team cracked the top half of average RICHARDSON home attendance. The Diamondbacks were the closest to hitting the top half as ASSISTANT SPORTS they were 17th out of 30 teams in 2019. EDITOR The Suns were ranked 27th out of 30 NBA teams when fans were allowed to attend games earlier in the 2019-20 season, the Cardinals were 27th of 32 NFL teams in attendance during the 2019 season, and the Coyotes were 28th of 31 NHL teams. It also does not help that only one Arizona pro sports team has advanced to the postseason since the D-backs in 2017. The Cardinals have not reached the playoffs since 2015. The Coyotes, thanks to the newly formatted Stanley Cup Playoffs for this season, advanced to their first postseason since 2012, and the Suns have failed to reach the playoffs since 2010. Arizona sports have two major issues: Fan interest is low and the teams are not performing. There have been numerous rumors of these teams relocating to different areas. Let’s not forget that the Coyotes lost their general manager John Chayka during the NHL season’s pause, after he was pursuing a job with the New Jersey Devils. How about the time when 90-year-old Greta Rogers roasted Suns owner Robert Sarver for costing the city hundreds of millions of dollars for renovations at Talking Stick Resort Arena? “He’s so tight, he squeaks when he walks,” Rogers said to Phoenix City Council. Arizona professional sports are a train wreck, which is a shame because the state boasts some of the best sporting facilities with a plethora of baseball stadiums that not only host spring training for Major League Baseball, but also inspire youth to pursue their baseball dreams through numerous annual tournaments. It’s time for a culture shock in Arizona, if they want to save their professional sports teams. A few great minds need to take ownership of these dwindling franchises to keep them in the state. The NAZ Suns may just be a developmental team, but with how easy they were sold and shipped, it’s only a matter of time before the next team is off to another city if no change happens.
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Photo Courtesy of Big Sky Conference
Big Sky halts football until Spring Cameron Richardson
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ast week, there were multiple reports that the Big Sky Conference would be canceling the fall 2020 football season. However, it took until Friday, Aug. 7 morning for the conference to make an official statement regarding the situation. “Due to the continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Big Sky Conference is postponing its fall 2020 football season to spring 2021,” the statement read. The Big Sky’s decision, along with the Pioneer League’s decision to cancel football Friday, crosses the 50% threshold of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences halting football for the fall. This means there will be no FCS Playoffs at the end of the season, unless some schools from either conference declare themselves as independents and play a nonconference schedule. “We will now shift our attention to doing everything within our power to provide our football student-athletes and coaches with a conference schedule and a championship opportunity in the spring. We have already begun actively engaging our fellow FCS conferences and the NCAA to join us then for what will be a unique opportunity to return to competition and compete for
an FCS championship,” commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. While a decision has been made for football, other sports such as women’s volleyball and cross country are still undecided whether or not they will have a season during the fall. NAU head coach Chris Ball addressed the news during a virtual meeting with media members. “[Obviously] we can’t really control the outcome of all this, but we’re just going to keep moving forward as a football program.” Ball said. “We are gonna take advantage of the time we have to be out there, [the conference] made an attempt to try to work it out and finally they came to a decision. Unfortunately, we don’t have any control over that decision, so it is what it is.” Ball also commented on how the team is handling the news. He said that the team should not focus on things they cannot control. “You know we go with the attitude, we talk about red light, green light.” Ball said. “Red light is stop worrying about stuff you can’t control, because we can’t control what’s going on with this thing. Green light is stuff that we can control, your attitude, your effort, your energy and your confidence. I think our kids have done an incredible job with that.” The team will now attempt to shift its focus to more of a camp style practice schedule in the fall in hopes of playing a potential season in the spring of 2021.
SPORTS
A look back at NAU football 2019
Left: Freshman wide receiver Hendrix Johnson (10), catches a touchdown pass against the University of Northern Colorado at the Walkup Skydome, Oct. 5, 2019. NAU defeated Northern Colorado 41-23 Top Right: NAU redshirt sophomore Nate Perkins intercepts the ball in the back of the end zone, Oct. 26, 2019. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack Bottom Right: NAU head coach Chris Ball talks to his team after practice, Aug. 24, 2019. Photo Courtesy of NAU Athletics
MARCH 27, 2020 – AUGUST 13, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
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