The Oakland Post 11.9.22

THEOaklandPOST Oakland University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Rochester, Michigan

Volume 48 l Issue 11 l November 9, 2022

BASKETBALL IS BACK! Read our sports coverage starting on pg. 14!

WEST CAMPUS

SMTD students share concerns during Varner renovations PAGE 3

DESIGN BY MELISSA COLLINS

TOO EARLY?

Students weigh in on the best time to begin listening to X-mas music PAGE 6

PEOPLE OF OU

Student Maryam Khan’s experience as an immigrant in the United States PAGE 7

THIS WEEK 2 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EDITORIAL BOARD

Gabrielle Abdelmessih Editor-in-Chief gabdelmessih@oakland.edu Tori Coker Content Editor toricoker@oakland.edu Megan Parker Managing Editor meganparker@oakland.edu

EDITORS Christopher Estrada Photo Editor cestrada@oakland.edu Brock Heilig Sports Editor brockheilig@oakland.edu Arianna Heyman Features Editor aheyman@oakland.edu Gabby Gappy SciTech Editor gabriellegappy@oakland.edu Joe Zerilli Campus Editor jzerilli@oakland.edu

BIRD’S EYE VIEW A glimpse of campus from the Kresge Library.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE ABDELMESSIH

Bella Javier Arts Editor isabellajavier@oakland.edu

DISTRIBUTION Sam Poudal Distribution Director spoudal@oakland.edu

CONNECT ONLINE AT:

oaklandpostonline.com

COPY & VISUAL Lindsey Sobkowski Photographer Jennifer Wood Graphic Designer

Elizabeth Foster Graphic Designer Emily Iatrou Graphic Designer

Melissa Collins Graphic Designer Christopher Udeozor-Nweke Graphic Designer

Leticia Cezário Santos Marketing Director lsantos@oakland.edu

Melanie Davis Distributor

REPORTERS Payton Bucki Reporter Rachel Yim Reporter DJ Lester Reporter Olivia Chiappelli Reporter Autumn Okuszka Reporter Summer Weathers Reporter

CORRECTIONS CORNER: The Oakland Post corrects all known errors of fact. If you know of an error, please email editor@oaklandpostonline.com.

ADVISING Garry Gilbert Editorial Adviser gjgilber@oakland.edu 248.370.2105 Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu 248.370.2533

CAMPUS

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 | 3

SMTD students share experiences, issues during Varner renovations JOE ZERILLI Campus Editor

BELLA JAVIER Arts Editor

A little over two months ago, Oakland University’s West Campus (OWC) opened its doors to the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SMTD).

The theatre and music departments are mainly utilizing the OWC space, while also using Varner Hall and the Recreation Center.

Transportation was a problem which has already been addressed, but it stretches further than the SMART Flex vehicles currently available to students. Students are having problems trying to travel to classes on time between the different locations, in addition to facing parking issues.

“You’ve got to get back to your car and then drive all the way over to OWC,” junior Phillip Christiansen said. “That makes [back to back classes] not possible, especially if you need to take both classes — you really can’t as easily, because you’re going to be getting there late every time.”

“The Varner lot has always been jammed, but the added factor of all the construction workers parked there as well as the people from Meadow Brook at the scene shop parked where they’re renovating — it just takes up student parking,” he added.

For theatre majors like Christiansen — as well as theatre design and technology majors — their backpacks are heavy from things like costume pieces. They no longer have access to lockers to put away their bags and other belongings, so they have to carry everything around to each location. For junior Amanda Pordon, this means toting her stage management kit around.

“I was lugging a basket around wherever I went,” Pordon said. “[...] I was walking around campus, I was sitting in the OC — that was really frustrating, because I had to carry it back and forth.”

Having classes located predominantly at OWC makes it difficult for students like Pordon to get work done, as well as to get things together for classes. They don’t have access to printers at OWC, and the Wi-Fi is Baker’s Wi-Fi, which means students have to sign in everyday to use it.

Another issue is the lack of a cafeteria or food services at OWC, with the lack of lockers also meaning no food storage. Food trucks have been brought in, but they are expensive. Vending machines have finally been put in place.

Asides from technical problems, there have been communication issues for students and faculty regarding things like rehearsal spaces and missing pieces for shows. For the show “She Kills Monsters,” the space was being shared with the choir, so they would have to adjust on the spot — but with communication struggles, it wasn’t as simple.

“Every problem pretty much required a next day solution, [but] half the time they couldn’t be solved right then and there,” Christiansen said. “We’re in a completely different space than the places that we would make or create or solve these things.”

One solution to the problem was the addition of a digital callboard, a system where a message gets typed and shared with all those involved with a particular project.

The communication problems are still alive, but the faculty and students are trying. According to Christiansen, it appears everyone is “equally confused”

PHOTO COURTESY OF OU Oakland University’s new West Campus (OWC) is located at 1500 University Drive, just two miles west of the main campus. The building is a shared space with Baker College, and houses the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

in terms of miscommunication from everyone involved.

Students had to innovate with the running of “She Kills Monsters,” through efforts like turning a small kitchen area within the show space into a quick change area. The backstage space is bigger than Varner’s Studio Theatre, but it wasn’t just the setup that was different — the teardown differed, as well.

“The strike’s [deconstruction of a set] been a different process, because we have to cart things across the freeway instead of just taking it from one side of campus to the other,” Pordon said. “We only really have a small little trailer and part of a truck to move things.”

Christiansen and Pordon both agree the thing that has helped most during this process is the togetherness of the crew all supporting each other during these trying times. In addition to student support, the opportunity and experience are unmatched with all the problems students are facing.

The music department faced obstacles of their own in light of Varner renovations.

“As soon as they said the renovations were happening, it changed everything,” senior music education major Olivia Friedenstab said.

While the introduction of OWC creates more tension for all of SMTD, the department of music had to adapt to renovations immediately. Last winter, ensembles rehearsed in the Hillcrest multi-purpose space, prompting the department to move expensive equipment into an unfamiliar domain. Luckily, this was only temporary, and instrument ensembles got back their typical rehearsal space in Varner this fall — though this came with a set of challenges of its own.

Out of traveling to and from OWC comes an issue of tardiness. Similar to theatre students, music students find difficulties in making it to class on time. For music students in particular, the classes they are struggling to be on time for are ensembles which require the entire group to be ready by the start of class.

“For example, we have students coming over from West Campus to Wind Symphony,” junior music education major Jessie Pruehs said. “They can’t change when their class ends, but they don’t arrive early enough to be ready for rehearsal, and so our rehearsal doesn’t actually start at noon, it starts at 12:10 or 12:05 sometimes. It is what it is — we just have to keep going forward.”

Staff, however, are understanding of these new

circumstances, and thankfully students are not penalized for showing up late to classes as much as before. Still, five to ten minutes of valuable time being taken away from the group at large raises frustration, especially due to the nature of ensemble classes being dedicated time for rehearsal.

While music students make the weekly hike out to OWC for classes, lessons and studios, most of their challenges come as a result of the renovations happening at Varner. Much of the situation consists of inconveniences that music students learned to comply with, but issues such as the lack of proper soundproofing and central heating pose major risks for students and their instruments.

Not only do the renovations compromise rehearsal and performance spaces, but they also infringe on the sentiments these spaces bare. Typically, music students would have ample opportunities to perform in the Varner Recital Hall, but due to renovations this is something they are being deprived of. This is especially unfortunate for graduating seniors whose chances were shot in the heat of the pandemic.

“It’s likely that the recital hall will not be finished before I graduate,” said Friedenstab. “I got to play in that space two, maybe three times — it really sucks [...] that I’m not going to be able to play at home one last time.”

Instead, performance spaces this semester are spread across various venues, including churches, high school auditoriums and the Macomb Community College Performing Arts Center.

Because of the distance music students needed to travel for their October concert, classes were canceled for the day in order to assist in moving equipment to and from the performance venue. On top of missing valuable class time, some students ended up having to drive an hour or so home after a long day of setting up, rehearsing and performing a concert — all of this on top of their usual classwork.

“It’s this balance of any musician should be able to take any space they’re in and work with it, but also, it’s just another thing that’s compounding our frustration with everything happening,” Pruehs said.

Music and theatre students alike acknowledge that the renovations are necessary, but can’t help but feel it stands in the way of the quality of education and experience needed.

CAMPUS

4 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

How OU students can celebrate Native American Heritage Month JOSEPH GORAL Contributor

Oakland University students and staff benefit from stolen land. In May of 2021, OU adopted a land acknowledgment statement to recognize the campus stands on Anishinaabe land — though several behind the acknowledgment recommend students do more to honor Native history this November.

How can students and faculty honor Native American history and culture?

Assistant Professor of English Megan Peiser — of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma — said students must learn about the land they live on because “our American education system does not do a very good job of educating us about being treaty people.”

One source she recommended students read is the 1807 Treaty of Detroit, which forced Native tribes to sell much of southeastern Michigan to the United States for about 2 cents per acre — for a total of about $10,000.

Two cents in 1807 equals 51 cents today.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one acre of Michigan farmland today costs $5,850 on average.

Similar relocation efforts continued throughout the 20th century and forced Native families into unemployment, low-paying jobs and discrimination, according to the National Archives and Records Administration.

“Detroit is one of the biggest urban Indigenous populations in the country because of the 1960s relocation program that bussed Native Americans away from reservations to cities and tried to assimilate us into white culture,” Peiser said. “So people like myself — I am a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma — these are not my ancestral lands, these are not my removal lands, but I am here and I am indigenous.”

Native families are still impacted by these programs today. One example of this impact is their having worse health outcomes than white families as a result of living in areas exposed to high levels of pollution, according to Assistant Professor of Public Health Mozhgon Rajaee.

These lasting effects are why Peiser and Associate Professor of English Andrea Knutson said OU students also need to learn about Native people, like the Anishinaabe, as people of the present.

“Native people are here — they’re CEOs, they’re in our classrooms, they’re running businesses,” Knutson said. “They’re everywhere. The problem is we have successfully relegated them to the past.”

Take boarding schools for example. These institutions kept many children hundreds of miles away from their parents, where some stayed for years at a time. Children were not allowed to speak their native language, were forced to attend church, experienced mental and physical abuse and often died at these schools.

In Michigan, one of these boarding schools remained open until 1983.

“Every Native person you meet today is either a boarding school survivor or the child or grandchild of a boarding school survivor,” Peiser said.

Rajaee said learning about Native people’s experiences is a way to become a better member of society — but it requires intentionality. This includes having a staff that starts with education.

“Students can demand that we have classes on Native American History on campus,” Peiser said.

“When students demand things, administrators sit up and listen. [Students] don’t have to just take the education that’s given to [them]. Why aren’t we all required to take a class on Michigan Indigenous history and culture?”

By learning a fuller history, Knutson said that students and faculty will push back against centuries of violence and harm.

How can students and faculty uphold OU’s land acknowledgement?

While OU’s land acknowledgement was an important way to recognize the land on which OU’s campus stands, Rajaee, Knutson and Peiser believe upholding it takes more than writing words on a page. Rajaee recommended students find ways to support initiatives that lift Indigenous voices.

One way Peiser, Knutson and Rajaee suggest students do this is by attending events OU will host to celebrate Native American Heritage Month during November. Each event is open to the public and is free of charge.

There will be five events including four Native speakers scheduled from Nov. 4 through Nov. 21, and a continuous screening of “Gather” in the Oakland Center from 4-10 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The speakers include Anishinaabe plant medicine teacher Joe Pitawanakwat, film scholar Dr. Gary Rhodes, public health graduate research assistant Tara Maudrie and Eric Hemenway, the director of repatriation, archives and records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian.

Knutson mentioned another way students can participate is by becoming involved in Native communities. One way to get involved is by emailing Megan Peiser (mpeiser@oakland.edu) to reestablish OU’s Native student group. “[I want] Native students at OU to email me so that we can reestablish OU’s Native American and

Indigenous student group,” Peiser said. “There is funds for [a] student group. I want us to have a safe place to be together, to use those funds to support Native students at OU and hopefully one day for that student group to work with allies on campus, as well.”

The student group would be able to use funds for anything. A few ideas Peiser suggested were offering people trips to their ancestral homelands, bringing guest speakers to campus, paying for students to take classes in their native language and paying for regalia.

Peiser also said OU can uphold their acknowledgment by creating an endowment for the acre of land the university designated for Native American educational, community and ceremonial use, noting that many corporations have started adding an annual endowment to Indigenous communities. The endowment money would be used to buy equipment essential for land practices, offering many urban Natives the chance to perform land practices for the first time.

In the absence of an endowment, students and faculty can find Native causes to donate to.

“If you have funds, you want to donate money to causes that are important and necessary for Native communities — causes such as language revitalization programs and funds for the recovery from the legacy of boarding schools,” Knutson said. “Giving money to an organization that heals trauma from boarding schools is really important for language revitalization.”

Through learning and action, Peiser, Rajaee and Knutson believe OU students and faculty can honor Native American Heritage Month and help create a better society.

“That’s how we’re going to build a different future,” Peiser said, “an Indigenous future where there will be a future for everyone.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEIGH DUBIE Left to right: Andrea Knutson, Megan Peiser and Ashleigh Dubie doing research while crafting OU’s Land Acknowledgement Statement.

CAMPUS

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 | 5

AAUW-OU hosts month-long menstrual product drive PAYTON BUCKI

“I think this drive is a good way to promote the spirit of giving,” Briggs said. “After all, the holiday season is just around the corner.”

Campus Reporter

The American Association for University Women at Oakland University (AAUW-OU) is hosting its annual menstrual product drive during November.

Feminine hygiene product donations will be collected and distributed to bathrooms across OU’s campus.

AAUW-OU is a student organization focused on advancing equality for all women through education, advocacy and research. The group aims to raise awareness for women’s issues while engaging in community leadership.

In order to support women on campus, AAUWOU offers various scholarship opportunities.

Additionally, members are given the chance to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders each May. “Our goal is for members to leave campus feeling confident and empowered,” AAUW-OU President Emily Briggs said.

This is Briggs’ first semester in the presidential role for AAUW-OU. She is hoping to get the organization more involved with the local community this year.

Briggs and the rest of the AAUW-OU executive board decided to host a menstrual product drive as their first event of the semester because they wanted to support women’s health. Additionally, current political issues surrounding reproductive rights served as motivation for the event.

DESIGN BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

For this menstrual product drive, the AAUW-OU will be collecting feminine hygiene products such as pads, liners, wipes, menstrual cups, tampons and pain relievers. The group also accepts monetary donations, which they will use to buy additional feminine hygiene products.

Donations can be brought to the Office for Student Involvement (OSI), located in the basement of the Oakland Center, from 8-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations will be accepted from Oct. 31 through Dec 1.

“We will put the donations we receive into bathrooms across campus,” Briggs said. “Last year, we collected so many donations that we were able to donate to nonprofit organizations in Rochester.”

Briggs also brought up the need for menstrual products in OU Housing. She explained that AAUWOU is looking into packaging menstrual products in brown bags to make available to students at the front desk of each dormitory.

“We would like to place brown bags for students in the dorms, because many do not have the means to obtain these resources themselves,” Briggs said.

“By packaging the products in brown bags, we will be able to provide these necessities to students in a way that doesn’t make them feel uncomfortable.”

This event comes on the heels of the installation of feminine hygiene dispensers in certain bathrooms around campus, a move initiated by OU’s Student Congress (OUSC). The project faced numerous delays due to miscommunication and scheduling setbacks with OU administration.

AAUW-OU has many plans for the future of their organization. In December, they plan to host a feelgood meeting for members by providing self care tips.

The club also hopes to host a “Women in the Workplace” open panel in April. At this event, female community leaders will be brought together to discuss their professional experience with students.

For more information on the AAUW-OU menstrual product drive, students can visit their event page. Students can learn more about AAUWOU by visiting their GrizzOrgs or Instagram.

Letter to the editor: East Campus Development? Bad for business.

MARIS FERGUSON Contributor

As a student in the School of Business, some may assume I would be excited about the idea of developing East Campus into a commercialized space.

Project leaders have been expressing that this could bring millions of dollars in revenue to the school and would ultimately be a good investment.

However, the keyword in that statement should be “school.” Oakland University is not a business, it is an educational institution that should be focusing on improving current services as well as implementing those that students have been demanding for years.

When the Student Congress finally got the chance to hear from Vice President of University Advancement, Michael Westfall (after persistently asking to meet since March), we asked about the plans for this revenue. He explained that a portion of the revenue could be used to support students, perhaps through an endowment.

While this sounds promising, the reality is that the University has been sitting on over $100 million in similar endowment funds while continuing to deny essential and demanded services including but not

limited to the bear bus, textbooks and course materials, student wages, restoring dining hall and library hours, etc. How can we trust the same Board of Trustees that shifted money to this project to ensure revenue goes back to students?

The administration has gotten confused about the purpose of a university, especially considering they have specifically said this would not be an area intended for students. If it is not an area for students nor can we be promised the revenue would be used for student services, why would this project belong on our campus?

Through my education here at OU, I have learned about the importance of intentional investment to ensure a strong future. This concept applies financially, of course, but also in other facets. If OU has the time and funding to invest in this project, they should have focused on the services students have actively been demanding instead of this development that very few of us even want.

Investing in education and student services will lead to higher retention rates, something the university has been struggling with over the past several years (shown by decreasing enrollment rates since 2015). It would also help OU in becoming a

university of choice for new students.

In order to remain competitive as a university, we must reinforce our value of education through our investments.

We need to leave the city planning to the cities and refocus on our goals as an educational institution, as the administration’s current actions (or inactions) are causing enrollment and retention to decline continually.

With my experience as the Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB) Chair, I have seen student organizations use their funding efficiently and effectively to put on amazing events and advance their personal and professional endeavors. We work to enforce high standards of fiscal responsibility with the organizations we work with in order to make sure we can do the most with what we are given.

When students have been successful in upholding these standards, why can’t administration do the same?

Another interpretation of the intentional investment concept can be applied to environmental sustainability.

As someone who plans on working in community development in the future, I am no stranger to sustainable design — in fact, I am a big fan of it. That being said, it is nearly impossible to ensure that this development would value sustainable

PHOTO BY MARIS FERGUSON

design to the extent needed both now in its development and in the years to come.

When asked about which projects they were looking into that would be more sustainable than leaving the land as it is, VP Westfall was unable to give any examples. In fact, he even said, “The most sustainable thing to do is not do anything at all.”

Personally, I think VP Westfall said it best himself: we should not do anything to this land. If you agree, please consider signing the petition put forth by Student Congress: https://www.change.org/p/ oakland-university-save-our-campus Signed, Maris Ferguson Student Activities Funding Board Chair

FEATURES

6 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

Students weigh in on best time to begin listening to Christmas music AUTUMN OKUSZKA Features Reporter

Nov. 1 marks the beginning of the holiday season — for some Oakland University students. For others, it’s the day after Thanksgiving, while still others feel the festivities truly begin on Dec. 1.

No matter what students believe, they each have their own reason for when they start celebrating Christmas — especially through mediums like listening to Christmas music.

Local radio station 100.3 WNIC began celebrating the holiday on Nov. 4 when their “80s to today” format changed to strictly playing Christmas music with the first song of the season —“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. It’s a tradition that both excites and angers listeners.

Some believe Nov. 4 is too early to listen to Christmas music, but it might be considered “too late” for OU senior Skye Traugott. She usually begins listening to Christmas music in September.

“I feel like people always say [it’s okay to begin listening] around the holidays, but they don’t say what holiday,” Traugott said. “Around Halloween counts — I think the earlier the better.”

Traugott’s birthday is the week of Christmas.

She has many memories of her birthday being closely intertwined with the holiday as celebrations included driving around with her family, looking at holiday lights and listening to Christmas music.

“It’s super cheesy, but we always sing Christmas carols,” Traugott said. “We’re really bad singers.

I just [enjoy] being with family and loved ones [during Christmastime].”

While the holiday season couldn’t come any earlier for Traugott, junior Caitlyn Lee doesn’t mind waiting until Dec. 1 to start listening to Christmas music.

DESIGN BY EMILY LATROU

“I would say the beginning of December [is a good time to start listening],” Lee said. “It’s so funny, because I was literally looking at a Snapchat I took last year with Christmas music already playing on the radio right after Halloween.”

Junior Brooke Butler is at the median between Traugott and Lee. The day after Halloween is the most opportune time for Butler to get into the holiday spirit.

“As soon as Halloween is over, it’s Christmas time to me,” Butler said. “Nov. 1 — I’m listening to Christmas music. I don’t know about it being ‘socially acceptable’ — most people would probably say [they begin listening] after Thanksgiving — but I listen to it literally right after Halloween, just because I love Christmas.”

Senior Navkiran Singh is also ready to listen to Christmas music, but she can understand why some people may choose to wait.

“People think it’s more [socially acceptable to begin listening] after Thanksgiving,” Singh said. “They want to have enough time to enjoy each holiday.”

With Christmas on the brain, Singh can’t wait to decorate a Christmas tree with her family while listening to her own holiday favorites.

“I always have my Christmas playlist on [while decorating the tree] and dance,” Singh said. “[My family and I] put the ornaments on and it’s just a good time.”

Students can listen to Christmas music — at their own pace, of course — now through Christmas on 100.3 WNIC, or through iHeartRadio.

Dr. Kenneth Mitton’s journey to becoming a U.S. citizen AUTUMN OKUSZKA Features Reporter

Dr. Kenneth Mitton, assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Oakland University, was preparing for the United States citizenship test before he knew he would ever be taking it.

Growing up in Canada, Mitton began learning about the U.S. in school from a young age. He had to memorize the capitals of every state — something that he believes is shocking, as unlike Canada, people born and raised in the U.S. are not as educated in world history.

“When you have kids and you see what the curriculum is — you realize that not everybody gets a world history [lesson],” Mitton said. “History classes in the U.S. for your kids start with George Washington typically, and then people who are interested in learning more will learn more.”

Mitton realized Canada and the U.S. had a close relationship when watching the television program “Sesame Street” — which was customized for Canadian viewers. “‘Sesame Street’ got customized for Canada because a lot of people were worried that television [that] was also American [would pronounce letters of the Canadian alphabet wrong],” he said.

“Canadian kids were starting to say ‘zee’ instead of ‘zed.’ So if something’s sort of said differently, they re-record the same sequence and they’ll say the other word for the other country.”

Mitton lived in Canada until he completed his PhD in Jan. 1994. He then relocated to the U.S. for his postdoctoral research and thus began his longlasting relationship with visas, green cards and naturalization tests.

Mitton worked on visas in the U.S. for a long time until a border patrol agent suggested he get a green card to make life easier.

“He said, ‘why don’t you just get a green card?’

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR.KENNETH MITTON

I’ve always just had these visas and stuff,” Mitton said. “So I did that and then I had a green card for a couple of cycles.”

After having a green card for a while, Mitton began to look at the possibility of becoming a U.S. citizen. Thinking of the family he created with his wife — who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and is a dual citizen from birth — he realized that he likely wants to stay in the U.S. after he retires.

Another motivating factor was the presidency of Donald Trump — who had an anti-immigration platform. “[I heard from a friend] that as Trump was cruising along, especially into his last year, that there were things going around about maybe making it hard to renew green cards,” he said. “It never got into policy, but my friend said, ‘why don’t you get yourself a citizenship while you can?’”

Following the election of Joe Biden, Mitton officially applied for naturalization. He thought the process would take so long that he would be unable to vote in the upcoming election on Nov. 8 — but on July 20, Mitton was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

“In the morning I became an American, [my wife and I] had a quick snack from Tim Hortons, and at about 1:30 p.m. — I voted in the primaries,” Mitton said.

Mitton is happy to officially be a U.S. citizen so he can participate in acts of democracy like voting.

“It’s been tough not being able to vote,” Mitton said. “[As we were] going into 2022 I thought — ‘I got to make sure I’m an American so that I can vote here, for the betterment of my kids, my grandkids and their grandkids.’”

FEATURES

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 | 7

Student Maryam Khan’s experience as an immigrant in the US AUTUMN OKUSZKA Features Reporter

Oakland University senior Maryam Khan grew up in Pakistan until 2011. When her parents separated, Khan’s mother decided to relocate to the U.S. — not only because her family resides there, but because she wanted to support her daughter as a single parent. “[In Pakistan] — being a single mom is kind of looked down upon,” Khan said. “[My mom] wanted to move and give me a better opportunity to learn and become somebody.”

Khan’s mother was a housewife one day and the sole provider of her daughter the next, which made Khan more confident in herself as a young girl and gave her someone to admire. “[Living in the U.S.] taught me and my mom to learn how to be more independent and take care of ourselves instead of being taken care of,” she said.

The experience was anything but easy. Khan and her mother had to leave behind the familiarities of Pakistan for a foreign land with a different language and an entirely different governmental system.

“In a [middle school] class, I had no idea what the two main forms of [political parties were],” Khan said. “[My teacher] got so mad at me. She said, ‘this is basic knowledge.’ It took me a few years to catch up.”

Khan didn’t have help in learning about America’s government, but she did have a secret weapon when it came to learning the English language — television. Specifically, Disney Channel shows such as “Hannah Montana.”

“[Watching television] was really helpful, because you can pick up on accents and the way you pronounce certain words,” she said. “I would watch with subtitles and I would read what they were saying and listen to how they’re saying it.”

Khan believes the most difficult challenge she had to overcome was the pressure she felt — not only as an immigrant, but as a preteen — to conform to society’s standards in the U.S. “I still had an accent, which is not the end of the world, but to me — it was kind of making me stand out, and I did not want to stand out,” Khan said. “I wanted to blend in, so I worked so hard to get rid of my accent — which is sad.”

After moving to the U.S., Khan thought she

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARYAM KHAN OU senior Maryam Khan during her recent trip to Pakistan.

would never travel to Pakistan again. That was until her family decided a reunion was long overdue, and Khan returned to her homeland during the first two weeks of October 2022. “[We reunited with] my aunt, my cousins,” she said. “We saw some extended family members that we haven’t seen in years [and] old neighbors we lived near, because [my extended family and I] all grew up in the same area.”

Much like how she felt moving to the U.S., Khan was nervous to go back to Pakistan.

“I was nervous at first because it’s been so long for me,” Khan said. “From what I was hearing in America, [Pakistan] is so different now than it was back then. I was nervous that it wasn’t gonna be what I thought it was gonna be.”

Khan’s fears were partially proven wrong when she saw how much Pakistan had changed — as she says, “for the better.” “[In the U.S.] we work to live, and over there people live to work,” she said.

Visiting Pakistan made Khan reminisce on her days as a child before moving to the U.S. to become the person she is today. When Khan first moved to the U.S., Miley Cyrus was her hero. Today, Khan realizes that the heroes of her childhood have changed. “[My mom] is my hero, because she came to a foreign country and despite all the hardships, all of the discrimination, the language barriers and the cultural differences — she managed to still stay strong and raised me to be an independent woman,” Khan said.

Powerlifting Club offers welcoming environment

PAYTON BUCKI Campus Reporter

Powerlifting at Oakland University is a new student organization which seeks to provide a welcoming environment for lifters of all experience levels.

Christina Johnson, an OU freshman majoring in exercise science, began organizing the club at the beginning of the fall semester after recognizing the lack of a community for powerlifting groups on campus.

Johnson began her powerlifting career in high school after placing a priority on her physical and mental health amidst the pandemic. She competed in various USA Powerlifting (USAPL) competitions throughout her senior year, placing seventh in the Michigan High School State Meet (varsity 165 lbs. weight class division) and 16th overall at High School Nationals.

After high school, Johnson considered competing with the Penn State Powerlifting team but ultimately decided OU would be the best fit for her. Upon making this choice, Johnson made it a priority to integrate her passion for powerlifting into the campus community.

Carolina Martinez, an OU senior majoring in biomedical science, was informed of Johnson’s interest in beginning a powerlifting group on campus early in the fall semester. Martinez shared a passion for lifting, which made her eager to get involved.

Martinez took on the role of vice president of the

club, and also currently serves as secretary of Girl Gains at Oakland University, another new student organization which supports female health and fitness.

“My powerlifting journey has been long and hard,” Martinez said, “but I have fallen in love with feeling stronger.”

Johnson and Martinez describe their planning process as difficult yet rewarding. The pair has spent several months becoming certified as a student organization and finding a practice space.

DESIGN BY EMILY IATROU

“We recently found a great gym to hold our practice at,” Johnson said. “I am very excited to finally move this club forward.”

The first official practice for Powerlifting at OU will take place on Nov. 14 at Rochester Performance Gym from 6-9 p.m. The group will be practicing regularly at Rochester Performance three times a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m.

Members will be required to pay membership dues to cover the cost of their gym and USAPL memberships (if they plan to compete). This will also allow members to utilize gym amenities outside of scheduled practice times.

“Powerlifting is an expensive sport, but we have figured out ways to make our club more inclusive,” Johnson said. “We will have two divisions, D1 and D2.

D1 will lift and compete, while D2 is for casual lifters.”

Johnson and Martinez have big plans for Powerlifting at OU, hoping to make it an accepting place for lifters of all abilities. They point out that the powerlifting journey is typically long and difficult, though one that is worthwhile.

“If you are debating on joining the club, I think you should do it regardless,” Johnson said. “We welcome members of all skill and experience levels.”

On Nov. 10, Powerlifting at OU will hold a Zoom meeting for members to learn how the club will be conducted, as well as what is expected of lifters.

To learn more about the organization, visit their GrizzOrgs or Instagram page.

Midnights

Mayhem with the Swifties of OU

On Thursday, Oct. 27, the Swifties of Oakland University hosted “Midnights Mayhem With Us” to celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s tenth album “Midnights.”

The listening party marked the first event for the group — started by President Chiara Nava — after Swift’s surprise announcement of “Midnights” presented the perfect opportunity for the club’s inaugural event.

Nava originally started the Instagram account @ swiftisofoaku about a year ago after noticing the popular wave of other college Swiftie-dedicated accounts taking off.

“As [the account] got a lot of interaction, I thought, ‘what if we just made this a club?’ because people were messaging and saying ‘This would be so fun! I want to meet other people who like this!’” Nava said.

Right away, Nava was surprised at how many people followed the account and began joining the club on GrizzOrgs, prompting her and fellow board members to create a GroupMe for club members to interact.

Lots of Swift-centric TikToks are sent in that GroupMe, discussing theories about songs and music videos and keeping track of the endless easter eggs that Swift is known to incorporate into her work as a special gift to fans.

Overall, the goal of this specific event was to bring that sense of online community to the real world of a college campus.

“[The goal of this event was to] build a bigger sense of community,” Nava said. “It’s not just about the artist or the music — not everyone loves [Taylor Swift] or to the same degree — I think it’s just about letting everyone know they can come hang out at a fun place to meet people.”

And build a bigger sense of community they did. From people arriving in exact recreations of iconic music video looks of Swift’s to dressing up as her cats, the Swifties showed up. Someone even donned a trash bag and cruised around on a scooter in reference to Swift’s infamous feud with Scooter Braun.

As for the future of the Swifties of OU, they already have their second event planned for Nov. 15th in the Habitat, where they are going to screen Swift-centered media and concert films alike.

The club is also hoping to incorporate smaller events in the future, like coffee chats, as we enter the winter months, where people can meet up to study with Taylor Swift as their soundtrack.

You can follow the Swifties of Oakland University on Instagram at @swiftiesofoaku to keep up to date with future updates and events, and you can join the club on GrizzOrgs at “Swifties of Oakland University.”

Story by Olivia Chiappelli | Photos by Lindsey Sobkowski | Design by Megan Parker

SCITECH Students present at Virginia research conference 10 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

GABRIELLE GAPPY

Science and Technology Editor Ten students from various biological disciplines and one faculty member (Dr. Sandra TroxellSmith) from Oakland University’s chapter of the Scientific Research Honor Society Sigma Xi traveled to Alexandria, Virginia Nov. 3-6 to attend the International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRe) powered by Sigma Xi. This year’s conference was centered around “Science Convergence in an Inclusive and Diverse World.”

“Attendees [took part] in a variety of multi-track sessions which explored the strength of scientific research when diverse minds converge, as well as ideas that conquer the challenges of increasing equity and inclusion in the research community,” Sigma Xi’s event description said.

The weekend was marked by student research presentations, sessions with leaders in various fields and receptions. Examples of talks given include “The Time is Now: A Critical Need for Diversifying the STEM Professoriate” by Lola Enola-Adefeso, PhD, “Why addressing racism in the academy will bring more impact, power, and quality of life to ALL of us” by Kelly Stevens, PhD and “Harnessing Synthetic Biology and Deep Learning to Fight Pathogens’’ by James Collins, PhD. Another very informative session was “Story Collider: Science Communication Through Personal Storytelling” by Edith Gonzales, PhD, who described her goals of making science accessible to

DESIGN BY THE OAKLAND POST

the masses through bridging it with the humanities.

Each OU student competed in either an oral or poster presentation competition with students from across the country, describing their research in their respective fields ranging from biochemistry to eye research. OU came home with several award winners, listed below: • Javier Menéndez, graduate student, PI: Dr. Washington — Interdisciplinary Poster Award and Second Place Student Voting Poster Award

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• Cody Howe, graduate student, PI: Dr. Rhee — Best Overall Graduate Oral Presentation Award • Morgan Markel, graduate student, PI: Dr. Madlambayan — Graduate Interdisciplinary Poster Presentation Award in Microbiology and Molecular Biology • Yasmeen Hassan, undergraduate student, PI: Dr. Zhang — Interdisciplinary Oral Presentation Award in Biology and Biotechnology • Siobhan Branfield, graduate student, PI: Dr. Washington — Graduate Interdisciplinary Poster Presentation Award in Physiology and Immunology In addition to attending conference events, the group was able to get out to Washington, D.C. and see classic sites such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

“I had a great time learning about the research topics students from around the nation are studying, and a little bit about our nation’s history, too,” Esme Lowry, an undergraduate participant working in Dr. Wu’s biochemistry laboratory, said.

Research conferences are an opportunity to learn how to properly prepare a scientific presentation and how to effectively communicate results with various audiences. They allow participants to hear from and have conversations with other members of the scientific community.

The next Sigma Xi Student Research Showcase, similar to this one, will be held in 2023 in Long Beach, California.

OU’s Sigma Xi Chapter inducts new members each year through nomination.

SCITECH

11 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

College students, major targets of crowd crush — How to survive RACHEL YIM

Science and Technology Reporter There is one commonality between Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival in Nov. 2021, a football game in Indonesia and Halloween party in Seoul, South Korea last month: excitement turning into horror and tragedy with countless injuries and death.

A crowd crush refers to when a large group of people are packed into a confined area or space and pressed tightly together, which creates a domino effect if someone falls. For those who fall, it is harder to get up again amongst the huge crowd, leading to suffocation medically termed “asphyxiation” and eventual death.

“Cardiac arrest simply means the heart stopping,” Dr. George Williams, a critical care anesthesiologist with UTHealth Houston and LBJ Hospital, said. “In a situation like that, when the lungs are squeezed like they are in a crowd situation, oxygen levels drop very quickly, and because of that, the person loses consciousness, and their heart is not able to function like it should.”

Another commonality from these three tragedies is that a large portion of the victims included younger people, such as high schoolers and college students. Scott’s Astroworld festival in Houston, Texas left ten people dead, with the youngest of the victims being only nine years old.

The Seoul Halloween tragedy killed over 150 young people, mostly women, and the victims included 19 foreigners. The Indonesian football game led to 125 deaths and at least 320 injuries.

Due to the fact such crowd crushes occur at large gatherings including concert venues and sports stadiums where mainly young groups of people are involved, it is more important now than ever to be aware of how to protect our own bodies from such incidents that may happen or repeat in the future.

The following is a list of tips to stay safe at crowded events that physicians gathered: • Don’t panic, stay on your feet and use hand gestures to communicate • Don’t fight the crowd and keep moving with it at all times • Try keeping your arms up to your chest in a boxer stance, with feet apart • If you do fall, curl up into a ball with your arms over your head • If there’s a fire or smoke, crouch down low.

That’s because smoke rises up and could cut off your oxygen supply in tight crowds and make it harder to breathe.

• As you enter, make a mental note of all the exits. If there’s a stampede, you may not be able to get to the one closest to you.

• If some needs help and you are in a position to be able to provide help, do the followings:

•

For those not breathing, perform hands only CPR at 100 beats per minute • For those hurt, apply pressure directly to would until help arrives Crowd surges are incredibly dangerous and unfortunately, relatively common. It is better to be prepared than to be thrusted into a situation like this blindly in order to prevent ourselves and others from further tragedies.

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

OUWB medical students’ effort to raise awareness about breast cancer RACHEL YIM

Science and Technology Reporter Oct. was breast cancer awareness month.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 290,560 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, along with an additional 51,400 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is the presence of abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast. Therefore, breast cancer remains the most common cancer type in women apart from skin cancers.

Given the opportunity of community service through Make a Difference Day on Oct. 22, around 15 to 20 OUWB medical students volunteered at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event.

As the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement, this event involves the three to five-mile noncompetitive walks and serves the purpose of raising life saving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers throughout their journey.

The walk took place at the Rochester Municipal Park, with student volunteers gathering to cheer the breast cancer patients and survivors on as they passed by.

One of the OUWB medical student volunteers of the event, Froslida Pushani (M1), said one of the greatest motivators for her to take part in this

meaningful activity was her grandmother, who passed away from a battle with breast cancer.

“I wanted to give back to the community in some way,” Pushani said. “When I saw the need for volunteers at this event, I jumped at the opportunity and recruited some of my classmates who I thought would really enjoy this event, as well.

Pushani’s grandmother passed away as a result of breast cancer as a young person living in Albania.

“We didn’t know what it was at the time because of poor advancements in technology in the country,” Pushani said. “At the time, we thought it was liver cancer, until we learned differently. This prompted many women in my family, including myself, to become more aware of breast cancer and early signs.

It felt extremely rewarding honoring those who have been through this cumbersome experience, including my grandma.”

As an individual who experienced her family member’s fight against breast cancer and her support for all breast cancer patients and survivors in the world, Pushani hoped to deliver a message.

“You are not alone,” Pushani said. “We support you and your fight and only hope to become the future physicians who you can trust and confide in.

You are loved.”

In addition to the students who participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, approximately 60 other OUWB medical students volunteered at different facilities such as Capuchin

PHOTO BY NATIONAL TODAY

Conner Center in Detroit, The Baldwin Center and Lighthouse in Pontiac.

“Get involved in your community and help your fellow neighbors,” Pushani said. “With so many societal and health injustices in the world, in order to make a real difference, we have to work together and start locally. Be kind, spread positivity.

Sometimes all a person needs is knowing that someone supports them.”

ARTS

12 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

Yeah, Sofia Coppola cast Jacob

‘The School for Good and Evil’ —

Elordi as Elvis

Does it work?

Olivia Chiappelli Arts Reporter

Ever since it was announced about a month ago that Sofia Coppola’s next film “Priscilla” was going to be an A24 adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s 1985 biography “Elvis and Me,” starring Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and — wait for it — Jacob Elordi as Elvis, I have not stopped thinking about it.

If you feel like this casting was totally out of left field, you are not alone. I know what you must be thinking: “What does Kissing Booth boy know about playing Elvis Presley?” or ”What did Nate Jacobs from Euphoria do to get this role?”

And to those questions, I have to say I have no idea. However, I do think this casting has an opportunity to be camp (what I label the things that I want to outwardly enjoy but everyone else dunks on.)

If anyone has seen Vogue’s “24 Hours With Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi” video, you would know that this man is dying to be in movies — like, sitdown-in-the-cinema movies where he can watch himself on the silver screen.

And for someone whose dream was to be a James Dean — but until this point has been exclusively relegated to streaming services — imagine his day when he found out he would be playing Presley in a Coppola movie.

Now imagine how it must feel for it to be announced that you are playing Presley three months after the release of Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed “Elvis,” for which your ex girlfriend’s new boyfriend will undoubtedly win the Oscar. Yeah, that’s right, there’s some lore here.

It all started on Halloween of 2020 when Elordi and Kaia Gerber dressed up in a couples costume as Elvis and Priscilla Presley — with people already ripping on his non-Presley features and fake tan.

In another timeline, Austin Butler was already shooting the real “Elvis,” quarantined in Australia with Tom Hanks without a clue in the world about how his Wikipedia page would update from just “Vanessa Hudgens’s boyfriend.”

Flash forward about a year, Elordi and Gerber break up, and like a month later, Butler and Gerber start dating.

“Elvis” comes out, Butler is praised, Gerber’s kissing him on the red carpet in Cannes, and I — quite frankly — am winning.

Butler has now reentered my celebrity hot list following his disappearance after 2013’s iconic The Carrie Diaries — I digress.

Butler is now Presley in the eyes of old people everywhere, and now Elordi has the pleasure of trying to compete with Butler’s newfound legacy. This is like old Hollywood levels of celebrity mess, and as a pop culture fiend I am living for it.

We have already seen a first look at Elordi filming as Presley, and my only thought I had when seeing those paparazzi photos of him was ‘wow, I have never seen a giant Elvis before.’

I guess this is the first time where being 6’5” is not an advantage.

However, this movie did prompt offline queen Coppola to officially join Instagram, and she is already dropping throwback unseen set photos and curated Spotify playlists.

So thank you, Elordi, for playing giant Elvis so I could be given Coppola’s Instagram account — the biggest gift of all.

PHOTO BY PEOPLE MAGAZINE Jacob Elordi on the set of Sofia Coppola’s next film “Priscilla”

D’Juanna Lester Arts Reporter

The question of book to screen adaptations has been a very hot topic in the Internet book communities, especially in this age of consistent book-to-screen adaptations being announced.

“A Court of Thorns and Roses,” “Seven Husbands”— adaptation after adaptation is being announced.

“The School For Good and Evil” has been the newest addition to this chain of books being turned into movies. The question is: Is it a good adaptation?

There’s a difference between a good movie, and a movie that’s a proper adaptation of a book. That’s been the question with this movie.

The film based, on the book series

by Soman Chainani, stars Sofia Wylie as Agatha and Sofia Anne Caruso as Sophie. The story follows the two characters as Agatha is dropped into the School for Good and Sophie into the School for Evil. Problem? Sophie believes she is destined to be good.

The film follows the first book, with the journey of the two protagonists as they try to get Sophie into the School for Good by winning true love’s kiss from the son of King Arthur, Tedros.

The series explores the themes of complexity and how you can’t simply split the world into good or evil.

Wylie and Caruso deliver spectacular performances as our main leads. You can feel their bond as best friends in this story, as well as with their romantic interests.

The film is visually stunning, with the costumes and settings feeling like something out of a fairy tale. It’s a stunning film with a star-studded cast, including Kerry Washington and Charlize Theron.

While the cast and performances make the film a decent watch, many readers of the series beg to differ.

According to fans of the books, the

film left out several details that were key to the characters and the story as a whole.

Many people are in agreement that the book should’ve been adapted into a television show instead of a movie in order to better flesh out the story.

There was not enough time to squeeze everything in — so many important moments in the book were cut out.

The movie was good as a film, but lacking as an adaptation.

This begs the question of how to write books into an adaptation for the screen. A common argument is that if a book is going to be adapted, it should be split into a TV show instead of a movie. Movies only have a certain amount of time to fit everything in, often leaving die hard fans of the stories deeply disappointed.

The book series is a very popular fantasy series, and the aesthetics, as well as the cast, capture that. The film was not well-received by those diehard fans, however.

I have to echo the sentiment that books should be split into a TV show in order to properly flesh out what the book did. Take “Shadow and Bone” for example — the show is eight episodes long, instead of a two and a half hour long movie.

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

ARTS

13 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

‘Abbott Elementary’ is reviving the

‘My Policeman’: A tragically

network sitcom

relevant period piece

Tori Coker

Content Editor Picture this: it’s a Thursday night in 2010. You’re kicking back on the sofa after a long day of work or school, and you flip the channel to NBC to spend the evening enjoying their primetime comedy lineup: “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office” and “30 Rock.”

Can you believe all of that excellent television was part of a single primetime lineup?

I should note that, as a part of Gen-Z, this was not at all my viewing experience. Unfortunately, my nine year old self was not sat before the television waiting to see what was new at Greendale Community College or with the Pawnee Parks Department each week — though fortunately, thanks to a handful of streaming services and even some DVD boxsets, these fictional settings grew to feel like a second home to me throughout my teenage years.

Before this pristine lineup were the days of “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” two other NBC treasures that act as timeless tokens of the 1990s zeitgeist and have an ongoing impact on both pop culture and syndicated programming which feels like it will last several lifetimes.

More recently, shows like “Modern Family” generated similar acclaim and watercooler conversation — though since its finale, the network comedy landscape has been drawing considerably less attention.

Enter Quinta Brunson with Emmyaward winning, critically acclaimed savior of the network sitcom, “Abbott Elementary.”

Since premiering in Dec. 2021, the ABC sitcom has garnered plenty of attention from the Emmy’s and audiences across social media, with the show’s second season premiere amassing 7 million total viewers in a week across premiere day and subsequent streaming viewership.

The show follows a group of teachers working to give their students the best education possible in an underfunded Philadelphia public school. Between a district that doesn’t properly invest in its schools and a hilariously outof-touch and underqualified principal in Janelle James’s Ava, this ensemble has the odds stacked against them time and again, though nothing seems to dissuade them from fighting the good fight.

Protagonist Janine Teagues (Brunson)’s relentless optimism and well-intentioned meddling often act as the catalyst for each episode’s plot, with the varying eccentricities of the supporting cast enhancing Teagues’ journey to a lesson learned with humor and heart.

From Lisa Ann Walter’s toughas-nails and comically resourceful

Melissa to Chris Perfetti’s endearingly corny Jacob to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Emmy-winning portrayal of the ardently resilient Barbara Howard, the writing powering the personalities in “Abbott Elementary” feels brilliantly intentional and breathtaking (and believe me, the laughs will leave you breathless.)

Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams), a substitute turned fulltime teacher with dreams of assuming the principal position one day, is the richest source of dry humor on the show. Eddie has already offered dozens of GIF-worthy stares into the camera à la Jim Halpert, and his learning to love working in education through bonding with colleagues and students is one of the show’s most heartwarming themes.

Eddie and Teagues have had a classic sitcom slowburn relationship developing from the pilot onward.

While the rate things are going suggests we’re far yet from one of them actually making a move, Brunson and Williams infuse every interaction with the most knee-weakening, heartwarming, electrifying, Ben and Leslie from Parks and Recreation-esque chemistry — so bring on the wait.

It’s like “Abbott Elementary” saw the gaps in the network television landscape and decided to deliver everything audiences ached for and thensome.

Its sharp humor sizzles the way it does because every character is rounded out with that aforementioned intentionality, so the writers can forgo over explaining every joke — audiences know what is funny and why because they feel close to these characters.

(Story continued on our website)

PHOTO BY IMDB

Olivia Chiappelli Arts Reporter

It was 7:58 p.m. on a Thursday and I was dissociating in a Panera Bread when I got the Twitter notification: “It’s out in 2 minutes.” I had no idea what the “it” in question was, but with one click my night was changed.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the entirety of Harry Styles stan Twitter freaking out because his new movie “My Policeman” was about to drop on Prime Video at 8 p.m. I was shocked.

The film originally premiered in select theaters on Oct. 21, but I decided I was going to wait until it was released on Prime Video in lieu of going to the theater, because I knew I could not handle watching it in public.

From what I read online about the tragic love story at its center, I knew this was going to be a bury-myselfin-blankets-in-the-comfort-of-myown-home type of movie. I was preparing for my inevitable emotional breakdown — and right I was for that.

“A tale of forbidden romance and changing social conventions, “My Policeman” follows the relationships between three people — policeman Tom (Styles/Linus Roache), teacher Marion (Emma Corrin/Gina McKee) and museum curator Patrick (David Dawson/Rupert Everett) — and their emotional journey spanning decades,” the film’s official synopsis said.

Obviously, the thing that first introduced me to this film when it went into production was the fact that Styles was going to be in it — given that I am a well-documented fan — but the other casting choices also really piqued my interest.

I was so taken by Corrin’s portrayal of Princess Diana in season four of “The Crown”— which earned them a Golden Globe — and was very intrigued at the thought of seeing them grace my screen once again.

I also knew Dawson from “The Last Kingdom”— unlike most Styles fans, given their initial reactions on Twitter when his casting was announced — and was so excited to see him play Styles’ love interest. Now that the film is out and Styles fans are making fan accounts for him, I just want to say: I was there first.

Another fun casting surprise was to see the inclusion of two of my favorites from the Julia Roberts rom-com universe — Gina McKee (“Notting Hill”) and Rupert Everett (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”). This

film, however, had the opposite of Roberts rom-com vibes.

Styles had previously talked a lot about how this film explores the tragedy of wasted time, and that is truly the best way to sum it up — with the narrative structure of the film flashing back and forth between the 1950s and the 1990s expertly heightening the devastating nature of a love lost due to outside forces.

But while this film was set in the 1950s, director Michael Grandage expressed the importance of telling this story today, when we are at risk of returning to those societal confines everyday.

“The world is at a very fragile place with gay politics generally,” Grandage said in an interview with Film Companion. “I have watched a fantastic advancement in England, since 1957, over my lifetime. But I also think we’re in a very fragile period in America and in England, where people want to discuss once again whether gay marriage is a good idea,” When promoting this film, Grandage emphasized how he hoped this story would serve as a reminder for younger generations to keep fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and hopefully foster a sense of hope for the future — something that feels very topical right now.

5/5 stars

PHOTO BY AMAZON VIDEO

SPORTS

14 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

OU defeats Rochester in second exhibition game with 10-point comeback SUMMER WEATHERS Sports Reporter

The men’s basketball team closed out a tight game with a 66-64 win against the Warriors of Rochester University in an exhibition match on Nov. 1.

Garth Pleasant Arena was packed, and the Warriors came out of the gates early, shooting 3-pointers. The Golden Grizzlies’ Chris Conway responded, and he knew what he had to do, coming in with big-time shots, scoring on three straight possessions.

Conway’s excellent offense is exactly what the Grizzlies needed, but with the Warriors’ 3-point shooting still on display in the first half, they led by nine to end the first 20-minute half 39-30.

Coming back from halftime, the Grizzlies started to spice things up.

Transfer student from Mississippi State and junior guard, Rocket Watts, looked to get the ball rolling.

Watts is tough, showing all the attributes of an elite guard. His great offensive plays helped the Grizzlies out, scoring layups through contact and pulling up, knocking down some impressive shots.

The game grew even more intense after that point, and things came down to the wire. The Warriors were still feeling it, but the Grizzlies

executed better. They stepped up on the defensive end, contesting shots, and it showed. This resulted in the Warriors losing their rhythm as their shooting percentage declined from 50% to 25%.

Watts really had the Warriors on thin ice after a nice pull-up 3-pointer, bringing the Grizzlies closer and closer to the victory towards the end of the second half. Coming to the final minutes, fans started to get on their feet, but that didn’t seem to be a problem.

6-foot-6 forward Trey Townsend put the icing on the cake, scoring six points and a crucial layup that finished things off. Oakland closed out this exhibition match with a 66-64 win over the Warriors.

After an incredible performance by Townsend, who led the Grizzlies with 20 points, he had some things to say on how he and his teammates kept the momentum going.

“This is a tough environment coming in — as you can see, it’s sold out,” Townsend said. “They were going to come out, and this is a big deal for them; it’s a big game. It was great for us to be able to play on the road and really test that chemistry that we’ve been building over the summer, and as you could see, times got rough out there, but we were able to come together.”

“I think Blake [Lampman] did a really great job really vocalizing,

leading and getting everyone together, bringing us into huddles and that really had everyone locked in those last two minutes and realize, it’s not over until it’s over,” he continued.

Townsend did not necessarily feel the Grizzlies had their best game, but attributes their victory to their united front. “[The Warriors] played great and really showed us what weaknesses we have so far, and the biggest one is obviously rebounding — but being able to come together and have each other’s backs on the defensive end really helped us get stops at the end,” he said. “That’s what’s going to get us that winning season — just being locked in.”

Townsend is more than ready for this upcoming season.

“Personally, I just want to up my rebounding,” he said. “I feel as long as I am able to stop my man from rebounding, that is one thing I’m looking forward to — helping my team on the defensive end.”

Townsend also hopes to be on the “All-Defensive Team” this year, perfecting his three point throws.

Coach Kampe also had some things to say as his squad pulled through with the win.

“I think that they really had all the momentum,” Kampe said. “This was a big deal for them, it was a packed house. They came out, they were on

fire and they played really well. They kind of had us on our heels, and I was really pleased with how we handled the second half.”

“We guarded really well, we got some stops in a row in the second half and then we did all the things we had to do down the stretch to win,” Kampe continued. “I think we handled it very well, especially with all the adversity that came out.”

Kampe encourages students to show up with passion during the team’s string of home games against Defiance College, Bowling Green and Oklahoma State on Nov. 7, Nov. 11 and Nov. 13, respectively.

“It’ll be an exciting first week,” Kampe said. “I hope the Grizz Gang comes out — we need you. You can see what fans do to help teams, you saw that here today.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE WILLARD

Women’s basketball ready to prove doubters wrong BROCK HEILIG Sports Editor

It’s definitely been an interesting 12 months for the Oakland University women’s basketball team.

Just one year ago, head coach Jeff Tungate and the Golden Grizzlies were picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll, and the team was ready to prove doubters wrong. However, the season did not go how the fans, players or coaches would have liked. Just a few weeks into the season, Tungate was removed from the team due to health concerns.

Tungate underwent back surgery and spent a majority of the season without any communication with the team. In fact, according to Tungate, there was a significant amount of time in which he couldn’t communicate verbally at all.

Interim head coach Ke’Sha Blanton took over for the absent Tungate, and the team finished out the season.

A semifinal appearance in the Horizon League tournament capped off a strange season, and the offseason officially began for Oakland.

Blanton left for an assistant coaching position with Eastern Michigan, and a large number of players entered the transfer portal, too.

Now, the Golden Grizzlies are picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League, and not many media members are putting their belief in Oakland.

The Golden Grizzlies return a preseason second team All-Horizon League player in Breanne Beatty. Beatty will undoubtedly be Oakland’s most important player this season.

The 5-foot-8 senior averaged just shy of 10 points and five rebounds per game last season as a junior.

Now, as a senior, Beatty will be expected to lead the team both on and off the floor.

Oakland also brings in UL Monroe transfer Linda Van Schaik. Van Schaik is originally from the Netherlands, and she brings plenty of experience to

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA DRUMM Jeff Tungate has returned to lead the Oakland women’s basketball team once again.

a rather young Golden Grizzly squad.

In three seasons with UL Monroe, the 5-foot-10 forward appeared in 76 games, 29 of those coming last season as a junior. She averaged just under five points and four rebounds per game.

Another player that will be expected to make a big jump this season is Aaliyah McQueen. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 5.1 points last season in 19 games as a sophomore. The Flint native spent one season in the Big Ten with the Illinois Fighting Illini before she moved back closer to home to play for Tungate and the Golden Grizzlies.

Brooke Daniels is a player that wasn’t around last season, but the freshman is expected to make an enormous impact in her first year with Oakland.

Daniels is a freshman forward from Macomb, and she was a very highly rated recruit. She was the fifth-ranked player in the state of Michigan coming out of high school and received numerous accolades for her efforts.

The Golden Grizzlies will begin their season on Monday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. at the O’Rena. They will then host Central Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.

Prior to Big Ten play, they will make trips to East Lansing to take on Michigan State, Champaign to take on Illinois and Vermont to compete in the TD Bank Classic.

15 | NOVEMBER 9, 2022

East Campus Downfall D’JUANNA LESTER Arts Reporter

In case you haven’t heard, East Campus Development has been a huge issue on campus lately. For some reason, East Campus Development is an idea that Oakland University wants to invest in. The reason, of course, is profit.

The gist of this project is that OU’S East Campus Development will ruin public lands and lease campus land to private entities for the purpose of a “boutique hotel.”

What could this possibly do for students?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No part of this project is intended for students.

OU is a college, not a strip mall. The purpose of any college should be focusing on the benefit and wellbeing of the students, not to be a playground for the rich. Colleges are intended for students to come and grow and receive an education.

Money and initiatives should be put into the students and their needs, so a project of this caliber that does nothing for students should absolutely not move forward. If anything, this project has the capacity to hurt students. Frankly, it’s unacceptable.

Traffic is bad enough as it is, let alone if OU goes down this path. We’re notorious for horrific traffic and parking issues — that’s how it is now.

Imagine what it will look like when there’s a whole flourishing hotel. Have fun getting to class!

Hypocrisy at its finest is on full display here.

For a campus that puts so much emphasis on how “sustainable” it is, why invest in this project?

Even discounting the issue of the trees, there’s no way to frame this project as sustainable. It feels like a monetization over sustainability issue.

If everything else wasn’t enough, safety is a big

PHOTO BY CHRIS ESTRADA Student demonstrators protested the East Campus Development project during a speech on sustainability from Pescovitz on Oct. 4.

OPINION concern. Strangers with zero affiliation to OU will be present on campus.

In a year where on-campus safety seems to be an afterthought, I can’t believe an idea this unsafe is even up for debate. Well, I can believe it — that’s the worst part.

We’re struggling with safety as it is, and campus policies like smoking and firearms won’t even apply to this grand hotel idea. OUPD’s jurisdiction over the leased land will be revoked if the East Campus Development goes through. How does anyone think this is a good idea?

There’s no way that this plan could benefit OU in any form. How is anyone supposed to guarantee the revenue this project could gain would go where it should — to the students?

Students should be the focus of a college campus, but our administration continues to show how little they care. Students are not a priority, and our money is going to the wrong places.

This project cannot go through. There is no benefit to this development. The only thing to come from this project would be harm. Safety, sustainability and everything I’ve talked about would go out the window.

We have to say no to East Campus Development.

OU’s Student Congress has started a petition to oppose the project, and I encourage everyone to sign it.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 | 16