THROWBACK to our January 29, 2025, issue of The Oakland Post, except now Grizz has left the snow behind. Continue reading to see what OU students have been getting up to as spring approaches.
Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu
248.370.2533
PHOTO BY MATTHEW VIGELIUS
Coffee Hour with the Office of Global Engagement
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
The Office of Global Engagement hosted a Coffee Hour for students to enjoy a casual atmosphere to learn about study abroad opportunities on Friday, March 14, under Oakland University’s Elliott Tower.
The event was the perfect pick-me-up to start the classic Michigan spring of cloudy but warm weather.
“So, this is the Global Engagement coffee hour. It’s just for us to get a little more excitement about going and studying abroad,” Rebecca St. Onge, a student who has used the Office of Global Engagement’s program, said. “I’m here as a volunteer to just tell people about my experience studying abroad and to try and get them to join.”
Attending the event — which offered hot coffee, St. Patrick’s Day-themed sweet treats and games to partake in — was a representative of the nonprofit International Oasis organization.
“We only help the international students that only come to Oakland University,” Ira Sema Gonzalez said. “[International Oasis] was founded by two Indian couples, a Chinese couple and an American lady, and they were all international students at some point here or abroad. And they just live here, they’re older and just want to give back to the community,” Gonzalez said.
The Global Engagement office “promotes the global mobility of students and faculty and the worldwide visibility of Oakland University,” and they “believe in the transformative power of global
engagement and its positive impact,” according to their website. The office aids international students coming into OU or students who wish to have international semesters of years of education abroad.
Students have the option to pick from different faculty-led programs, exchange programs and partner programs. While faculty-led programs last between 10 days and four weeks over the summer, exchange programs enroll students at a foreign university for a full academic year. The Search Programs page is the perfect place to start browsing opportunities based on major, time of year and location.
“So, we spent, I’d like to say, just under three weeks [in England], and it was so cool. The infrastructure and the architecture there is just so different, it’s so beautiful. We studied a lot of performances, we went to see Shakespeare performances in all different settings, and we went to the globe, to a park and a castle in Oxford,” St. Onge said about her experience. “The biggest takeaway I got was just to be adventurous with your life and with your studies. I never would have thought to do this, and I came across it one day and it was awesome, it was amazing. I learned so much while I was there.”
Students can use the aid of the numerous resources the Global Engagement Office provides for scholarships, studying abroad programs, or welcoming in new international scholars. Just this summer of 2025, study abroad programs will be occurring in Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Slovakia, Morocco and Taiwan.
The Office of Global Engagement, room 328 at O’Dowd Hall, has walk-in advising hours in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday, when students can talk to advisers about coordinating the credit validation, financing and next steps. Every Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m. the office tables at the Oakland Center host students who have studied abroad who can answer questions and share insight into the experience.
To sign up for any of these programs and to find more information, the International Education page holds numerous resources to plan, finance and enjoy learning around the world.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE
Oakland University prepares for the seventh edition of GrizzHacks
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES Campus Editor
The Engineering Center is preparing for one of the biggest STEM events of the semester; GrizzHacks. The hackathon is a 24-hour engineering marathon to craft a STEM project with friends.
Starting on March 22 at 10 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., March 23, the EC will keep its doors open for anyone with innovative ideas, an interest in sharpening their STEM skills or a regular tech lover. The Grizz Hacks team explains their holistic approach to the seventh edition of the event.
“Oakland’s hackathon is student-led, studentrun and basically it’s a 24-hour programming competition,” Bethany Goss, GrizzHacks secretary, said. “You come up with a problem, and you come up with a solution and try to implement it. Afterward, you can present it to a panel of judges — usually OU alumni, staff or sponsors.”
The marathon will start with a sponsor fair where students can come in and network with industry partners. Four meals will be provided throughout the duration of the event, Chipotle being the first and favorite pick for OU students.
“We will have a CTF [Capture the Flag], we are creating an environment for people to go in and do specific challenges,” Goss pointed out as the first event outside of the main competition. “Some of them are open source intelligence related, web related or cryptography cracking challenges.”
FREE-WILi, OU Credit Union and 365 Retail
Markets will be giving Tech Talks about the latest innovations and opportunities for STEM students. The gaming guild will have board games available to destress alongside a video game room and a midnight trivia session.
“I always like to say it’s more of a ‘create-a-thon’ — your goal is to create something within 24 hours, not to hack something,” Kaeden Bryer, GrizzHacks coordinator said. “It’s as competitive as you want to be, you do not have to feel like you’re forced to just compete against the best of the best.”
The GrizzHacks team emphasizes that the event is more of a community-building opportunity rather than an intense competition. When projects are presented at the end, judges focus more on celebrating innovation
and highlighting improvement opportunities while students can put their knowledge to practice.
“No matter how good you are programming, you are good enough to attend Grizz Hacks, and you should attend GrizzHacks, because you will only get better,” Bryer said. He first participated for the first time last year and has been attending multiple hackathons since then, winning a prize at MSU’s hackathon.
Last year, OU students walked out with a Nintendo Switch and a Nespresso machine, among other prizes. Solos or groups of up to four participants can compete, with the opportunity of meeting fellow students on-site at a “formation hour” so people can exchange ideas, tag along and find a group.
“There are people who are like, ‘Oh, I don’t know what it means to program,’ or ‘I don’t know if I’d be able to even complete a project in time’ — project completion is not the goal,” Goss said. “The goal is to try new technologies, have fun, see what other people are doing and gather inspiration. The idea is to meet other people and find that collaborative element and see if there’s something else you’d like to do with your career.”
Students interested in participating can register at grizzhacks.org. The website also includes an FAQ’s section with information about fasting, code of conduct, prices and application deadlines.
“The energy at GrizzHacks is absolutely incredible,” Computer Science Special Instructor Kate Bowers said. “Especially in March, students tend to get overwhelmed with their coursework and learning becomes a grind. GrizzHacks is an opportunity to remind yourself why you joined this major and how fun it can be.”
Explore interdisciplinary career opportunities with an Archaeology minor
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
Although not many may be aware, Oakland University’s Golden Grizzlies are able to acquire a minor in Archeology thanks to Anthropology Professor Spencer-Wood. The department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice provides an additional minor to the Anthropology program in order to further student’s success.
The study of archaeology, which is the study of human activity through recovered material, is a subfield of anthropology, the study of human culture past and present. Having such a minor would allow for students of “majors in sciences, math, computer science, history, art or other non-anthropology majors who are interested in applying their major to archaeology,” the schedule catalog says.
“I found out about the Archaeology minor while choosing my concentration for my Anthropology major. I found out about the Anthropology program in May of 2023,” Alexandria Knox, an anthropology major, said. “I believe a student that loves history and does not mind getting dirty while exploring is the perfect student for this minor. You have to be very open-minded in this minor, as things change all the time, as new information is presented.”
Whether it is soil science in geology, chemistry in artifact dating or measuring isotopes in teeth to figure out when a person was born, Spencer-Wood explained that archaeology can be integrated to any major, opening career opportunities in museums, government agencies and labs that otherwise students wouldn’t have thought about.
“For me, I hope to work in the United States National Parks in preserving the importance of natural beauty, as Former President Roosevelt intended,” Knox said. Having a background in art, she has found that a minor in archeology would be incredibly helpful for the future of her career.
“This minor is useful in this career, as archaeology is all about preservation,” Knox said. The National Parks also preserve historical sites of famous people or important ones of those who came before us. This helps us and future generations learn about history in an unbiased and accurate way.
Spencer-Wood highlights that archaeology is a good way to create cultural bridges between people at a time of political tensions. This is because it allows one to understand the history of those around us and how modern worldviews have continued to evolve.
Spencer-Woods has taught Konx in various courses like archeological theory, human evolution
through archaeology and ancient civilization. She highlights curiosity as a key trait to succeed and enjoy the archaeology path.
“These classes are bursting with so much information that it’s almost impossible for her to share the extent needed,” Knox said.
Professor Spencer-Woods has shared that her wishes with this minor are for students who hold different majors like chemistry, biology, environmental science and graphic design can use archaeology to enhance their careers. For chemists to use data to identify prehistoric diets, biologists to study human remains, environmentalists to study geology and for artists to properly showcase what materials once meant to civilizations of the past.
Archaeology can be used as a manner to tie differentiating careers that focus on various fields to learn from the past. The world of archaeology, and its corresponding areas of knowledge, implement a level of resourcefulness in learning about the differences in cultures of the world. There is an advantage that can be used, regardless of one’s career, that comes from learning from the past.
For more information on how to achieve an archaeology minor, various classes and advisers can be reached through the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Criminal Justice.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GRIZZHACKS
OU Student Congress passes bill to almost double Club Sports’ funding
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
After three years of discussions, Oakland University’s Student Congress (OUSC) passed a bill that will increase Club Sports’ funding from the current annual average of $50,000 to a projected $98,000. The bill still awaits the student body’s majority vote and the Board of Trustees’ approval.
“We receive $50,000 on average throughout the year, and our clubs take, according to one of my program assistants, around $343,000, which runs 24 clubs,” Sports and Recreation Program coordinator, Kyle Reece said. “The only way to start closing that gap is by raising our allocation. This is imperative, because if it is not raised, it is not a matter of if people will lose clubs, it is a matter of how many we will lose.”
On Monday, March 10, OUSC voted and approved bill C.B. 67-23, “to amend the Student Activity Funding Assessment Committee (SAFAC) allocation distribution and raise the Student Activity Fee,” Jimena Garcia, student body president, wrote in the document.
The bill is composed of three proposals:
To raise the Student Activity Fee (SAF) — a $27.50 fee included in tuition to fund organizations like SPB, Club Sports, OUSC and student organizations — to $40.
To decrease SAFAC’s Special Projects Fund from
1% to 0% and pass that percentage to Club Sports.
To decrease the allocation of the Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB) from 27% to 26% and increase Club Sports percentage by 1% of the SAFAC funds.
All OU students can vote yay or nay to this bill from March 31 until April 4 — OUSC’s voting season. If two-thirds of the votes are in support of increasing Club Sport’s current 6% to 8%, the bill will move along for the Board of Trustees’ approval, going into effect in upcoming semesters.
SAFAC and Funding Percentages
SAFAC is composed of presidents and advisers of OUSC, SAFB, Club Sports, SPB, Student Video Productions, Student Life Lecture Board, WXOU and The Oakland Post. They decide what percentage of the SAF money each organization gets.
“We were at 6%, that agreement was made by SAFAC, 11 years ago,” Reece said. “At the time, I can understand why they did it, we had 10 clubs. We’ve now more than doubled in 11 years, which is really good but it’s not enough anymore.”
SAFAC’s Special Projects Fund reserves 1% of the funds for special projects, whether for getting the goalposts at the soccer fields or a spontaneous need for extra money in case of emergency. The bill proposes the dissolution of this allocation as it has not been used in recent years and SAFAC organizations also have their own reserves for special situations.
SAFB finances student organizations, they approve budget requests for food at events, purchase items with OSI money and document the spending of student organizations. They currently have 27% of the SAFAC funds and will be giving 1% to Club Sports.
Projected Effects for Club Sports
“Taking 1% away, or about $4,000 over hundreds of clubs is going to be a very minimal effect,” Lance Markowitz, OUSC Commuter Support Chair and Division I ice hockey player, said. “I’m all in favor of every single club on campus being funded to the maximum, so it’s not like we’re putting ourselves in a position where clubs can’t get what they need anymore. Especially with all these three passing it will actually lead to a net increase in SAFB funding.”
The money will be used to allow students to go to national competitions, replace old hand-down uniforms and finance new gear for many clubs from equestrian to rugby, Reece said. Markowitz explained that for his hockey team, the increase in funding would mitigate the out-of-pocket money the players pay for gear, training and traveling — going from around $700 to $350 per player.
For more information on the bill and its projected effects, SAFB will host a financial information session on March 20 at 4 p.m. in room 126 of the Oakland Center.
Students and scheduling: Preparing for the fall semester
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
As the winter semester at Oakland University nears its end, students are actively preparing their schedules for the upcoming fall term. With final exams scheduled, students have limited time to finalize their course selections. Academic advisers recommend early planning to secure desired classes and avoid registration stress.
“Meeting with an adviser early ensures students can align their schedules with graduation requirements,” junior Faith Antonelli said. “I personally encourage students to prepare alternative course options in case their first choices fill up.”
Many students are balancing registration with endof-semester responsibilities like final projects and exams. This busy period often requires students to manage their time carefully to ensure both academic success and proper course planning. Some students express concerns about balancing course loads with extracurricular commitments.
“I try to schedule my classes early so I can prioritize my part-time job and volunteer work,” freshman Farah Alhasan said. “Having a clear plan helps me stay organized and reduces stress during finals week.”
Oakland University offers various tools and resources to support students during the registration process. Additionally, group advising sessions provide helpful insights on course selection strategies.
“Group advising is a great way to learn from other students and ask questions you might not have
considered,” Antonelli said. “Hearing others’ experiences has helped me avoid common scheduling mistakes.”
For seniors preparing to graduate next year, strategic course selection is especially crucial. Many prioritize completing major requirements while incorporating electives that align with their career goals. Advisers often encourage seniors to build flexible schedules to accommodate internships or research opportunities.
“I knew I wanted a lighter schedule during my final semester to focus on graduate school applications,” Antonelli said. “Planning ahead helped me secure the
classes I needed while leaving room for other priorities.”
Freshmen and transfer students may find the registration process especially daunting. Oakland University offers first-year advising services designed to help new students navigate course selection. These services aim to help students choose appropriate general education courses and map out potential majors early in their college careers.
“First-year advising helped me feel more confident about my choices,” Alhasan said. “My adviser made sure I knew which classes would fulfill multiple requirements. They make it mandatory to meet with them at least once a semester, but I personally try and meet more just because they really help with figuring out my credits, and provide good insight about my current classes, all to make sure I graduate on time and with the right credits.”
With course registration windows varying based on class standing, students are encouraged to check their registration dates in advance. By staying informed and organized, students can increase their chances of securing the classes they need. Advisers emphasize that early planning reduces stress and ensures a smoother transition into the fall semester.
“Taking the time to plan ahead can make all the difference,” Antonelli said. “It’s never too early to think about your academic goals. I am nearing the end of my undergrad, so making sure I have the right balance of credits and courses is something I really take my time with, and Oakland definitely makes it easier.”
For more information on how to schedule your next appointment, visit the academic advising webpage.
2025 Keeper of the Dream Award Recipient: Aliyah Spears
SOPHIA CURRAN
Features Reporter
The Keeper of the Dream Award recognizes outstanding students who have helped foster interracial understanding and goodwill. As an award that honors the work of Martin Luther King Jr., recipients chosen for the Keeper of the Dream Award must go above and beyond to carry a legacy of change. Aliyah Spears is a student majoring in Dance and has been awarded for her contribution and support to her local community.
Spears first heard of the award as a freshman when she attended the Center of Multicultural Initiates (CMI) Early Experience event. She was inspired to apply as the qualifications aligned with values she believed in.
“In my eyes, a viable contender for the Keeper of the Dream Award is someone who has a heart of giving and a spirit of change,” Spears said. “A contender must truly have a desire not only to seek change, but to forth valiant effort to be the change that they are longing to see.”
While applying to become a recipient requires an extensive amount of effort, Spears felt that her contribution to her community was enough proof to show that she was worthy of the award.
“I knew that the work that I had been doing in my local and school community was work that genuinely spoke to me and that I held close to my
heart,” Spears said. “Therefore, when it came time for me to share, I prioritized expressing the love and urgency behind my causes and trusted that the message would be delivered how it was meant to be delivered.”
In addition to having faith in herself, Spears also turned to her family and to the teachings of Dr. King to motivate her.
“I was apprehensive at first, uncertain if I was worthy of such an honor. However, my family lifted me up and validated that my causes were worthy,” Spears said. “Another key component in my preparation was taking time to truly examine the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I had to look intrinsically and determine how my efforts have aligned with the dream that Dr. set forth years ago.”
After applying and hoping to become a recipient of the honorable award, Spears was filled with emotions when finding out her hard work paid off.
“When I won the award, I was absolutely overwhelmed with disbelief, excitement, and sheer gratitude. Upon opening the letter, I was in instant tears after realizing that I was a winner,” Spears said. “There is something absolutely unforgettable about being affirmed that the work you are doing is valid and is making an impactful difference on your community. Being recognized for this is something that I will be eternally grateful for.”
Spears is currently working towards a Bachelor
of Fine Arts in Dance, as well as working towards a K-12 Dance Education Certification. She hopes to teach dance at a performing art school and open up her own dance studio as well to help create a new generation of dancers.
For more information on the award, visit the CMI OU webpage.
GRAPHIC BY AVA GUEST
2025 Keeper of the Dream Award Recipient: Nia Matthews
REAGAN REETZ Marketing Director
The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship is awarded to students who positively contribute to breaking down racial and cultural stereotypes as leaders on campus. Student Nia Matthews embodies this mission and honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through her activism focused on promoting racial understanding.
For Matthews, the first time she felt moved by the struggle of Black America was in middle school. Witnessing the arrest of Sandra Bland in a news media class led to a passion for raising awareness about racial inequalities.
“This made me want to fight for disadvantaged people of color and against the system that oppresses them,” Matthews said. “Ever since then, I’ve always tried to be an agent for change in my communities.”
Her desire to educate others through powerful narratives, especially stories involving injustice toward the Black community, is rooted in that early experience. As her passion for film developed, so did her vision for using it as a vehicle for change.
As a film production student, one of Matthew’s biggest inspirations is Ava DuVernay, creator of the Netflix documentary “13th,” which examines racial inequality in the U.S. prison system.
“I am more appreciative of the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black people in history thanks to people like Ava DuVernay who are creating modern history,” Matthews said. “I have
other aspirations in film, such as adopting manga and webtoons into live-action or anime, but I think after watching this documentary, my interest shifted towards educational and provocative storytelling.”
Matthews sees film as a powerful way to bridge knowledge gaps. Her long-term goal is to educate people about often overlooked but highly influential Black leaders such as Assata Shakur, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Huey P. Newton.
“As an aspiring film producer, I want to teach the complete story of America’s history through film,” Matthews said. “People will have a deeper
understanding of the society around them and be inspired to advocate for causes that they are passionate about.”
Beyond the screen, Matthews is highly engaged on campus. She serves as the president of Entrepreneurs in Action, executive board co-chair of the Student Activities Funding Board and event coordinator for the Association of Black Students. Through these roles, she supports her fellow students and promotes inclusion. One of her proudest accomplishments with these organizations is helping fund many cultural events that foster understanding across communities.
“During my time as Assistant Chair for the Student Activities Funding Board, we have funded a multitude of cultural events and worked closely with Student Congress to promote inclusion and understanding,” Matthews said. “Entrepreneurs in Action promotes entrepreneurial ventures in communities that need it and has expanded its reach to a multitude of different cultures, such as African American, Indian and Asian.”
Matthews credits her parents with instilling in her a strong sense of cultural identity and determination.
“My parents have achieved greatness despite their circumstances, proving to me that anything is possible if you work harder than anyone else for it,” Matthews said.
For Matthews, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship isn’t just recognition. It’s a powerful validation of her work.
“To me, it means that the work and connections I’ve made matter,” Matthews said.
Putting in the work: Students react to Chappell Roan’s newest single ‘The Giver’
DANIELA
CESARIO
Features Reporter
Chappell Roan, who is celebrated for her vibrant pop anthems, has ventured into country music with her latest single, “The Giver.” Released on March 13, the song showcases Roan’s versatility by blending traditional country elements with her distinctive flair. This unexpected genre shift has garnered attention from both fans and critics alike.
“Roan’s transition into country feels both authentic and refreshing,” freshman Fadi Bashar said. “’The Giver’ captures the essence of classic country while infusing it with modern themes.”
The instrumentation in “The Giver” features prominent banjo and fiddle arrangements, paying homage to country traditions. This musical approach creates an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and contemporary.
“I think it is super unique for being mainly a pop artist,” freshman Allie Michewicz said. “Personally, it is something I definitely have to get used to hearing, but I’m sure her next releases will follow suit.”
To promote the single, Roan employed unconventional marketing strategies. She released an infomercial-style lyric video portraying various careers, adding a humorous touch to the song’s debut. Additionally, provocative billboards featuring a hotline number appeared across the U.S., sparking curiosity and engagement.
“The promotional tactics for ‘The Giver’ were super cool to see on the internet,” Bashar said. “By
blending humor with intrigue, she really captured the audience’s attention and enhanced the song’s reach.”
The song’s debut performance on Saturday Night Live in November 2024 surprised fans and showcased Roan’s genre versatility. This live rendition highlighted her ability to blend humor and heartfelt sentiment, setting the stage for the official release months later. The performance received
widespread acclaim.
“When I first heard it on Saturday Night Live a few months ago, I remember thinking it was different,” Michewicz said. “But I am excited to hear what she comes out with next, whether it is an album or another single I am sure it will take over Billboard.”
Despite this country venture, Roan assures fans that she isn’t abandoning her pop roots. She describes “The Giver” as a standalone exploration, allowing her to express a different facet of her artistry.
“She is definitely willing to experiment with genres which I can appreciate,” Bashar said. “‘The Giver’ is super unique, it even sounds a bit like an old western song by Dolly Parton.”
Critics have lauded “The Giver” for its authentic country sound and Roan’s confident vocals. The track’s witty lyrics and energetic delivery add a fresh narrative to familiar country themes. This reception highlights Roan’s successful genre crossover.
“I hope whatever she releases next will have a decent blend of pop and country,” Michewicz said. “New music is getting released so much recently, it is hard to keep up with all the changing styles, especially with how quickly she became famous.”
Chappell Roan’s “The Giver” exemplifies her artistic versatility and willingness to explore new musical landscapes. By infusing traditional country sounds with contemporary themes, she delivers a track that’s both nostalgic and innovative. This single not only broadens her musical repertoire but also enriches the country genre with fresh perspectives.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY NEWS
PHOTO COURTESY OF NME
Future Leader Dogs at OU: Pilot program’s first strides
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
This semester marks a new milestone for Future Leader Dogs at OU, as they are the first club of its kind to offer an in-house pilot program, allowing students to raise a future leader dog in the dorms. With the semester halfway completed, puppy raisers Stephanie Collino and Eleanor Kuntz have been raising their future leader dogs for the past couple of months in Oak View Hall.
The Honors College has had a good relationship with Future Leader Dogs at OU, offering the Laidlaw room in Oak View Hall as a puppy-friendly room for the club’s meetings. For this new pilot program, the Honors College and university housing have allowed dog raisers to move in with the Honors College students.
“The Honors College has always, since the program started, been very supportive. It was just a matter of working with the Honors College and housing, because even though the Honors College is the building itself, housing still runs the facility,” Collino said. “We’re very grateful for that collaboration because the two of us that are in the dorm are students that wanted to do this but wouldn’t have been able to without an indoor program.”
While it is a great stride getting the puppies in the
dorms, it doesn’t come without a hiccup or two.
“We were supposed to have the first two dorms on the very first level, right by the exit door, so easy in and out,” Kuntz said. “If [Kuntz’s puppy Pluto] is having an emergency, we can just go through a door and he’s outside to go to the bathroom, but we ended up being on the third floor on the very last corner door in the hallway, so we’re actually a lot farther from outside.”
With the pilot program taking place in the Honors College dormitory, students may wonder if they are required to be an honors student before starting the
program, and the unfortunate answer is yes.
“Originally, [University Housing] told me that I wouldn’t need to be an Honors student to make the move and be a part of the Future Leader Dog Program, and then housing changed their mind on that and said, ‘Actually, we would prefer if the students you chose for this pilot program were Honors students,’” Kuntz said. I had the grades to get in, and I met all the requirements, so it wasn’t a hassle for me to join the Honors College, but it wasn’t originally a choice I would have made for myself.”
Regardless of a few bumps in the road, having the puppy raisers living on campus is a monumental step for the club, creating great opportunities for students who want to raise a leader dog.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity for both me and Pluto,” Kuntz said. “The Future Leader Dog Club itself is very nice and very fun, and I was enjoying myself even before I picked up a Future Leader Dog of my own.”
With puppy classes once a month, a supportive group of puppy raisers, and a brand new in-house pilot program, raising a Future Leader Dog is more accessible than ever. For more information on how to get involved, visit the club’s GrizzOrgs page.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY BLACKETT
OUSC Elections: Meet the presidential tickets OUSC Elections: Meet the presidential tickets
On March 12, the Oakland University Student Congress (OUSC) announced the candidates for the upcoming election. Presidential slates can include a presidential candidate, a vice-presidential candidate, a speaker of the legislature candidate and a legislator candidate.
Voting will start on March 31 and run until April 4. Here are the three presidential and vice-presidential tickets, listed alphabetically.
Johnson-Matthews Slate
Marcus Johnson is the presidential candidate, Nia Matthews is the vice-presidential candidate and Mackenzie Smith is the legislator candidate.
Johnson is a junior majoring in political science. He has served as a legislator for OUSC since Sept. 2023 and currently serves as speaker of the legislature since Apr. 2024. Johnson has also held previous titles, including former legislative majority leader and parliamentarian.
Outside of OUSC, Johnson is a member of the OU NAACP Reorganization Committee, a student member of the Campus Master Planning Steering Committee and a member of the University Senate Committee on Classroom Use and Academic Scheduling.
Matthews is a junior majoring in film production and serves as the interim chair for the Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB) and served as the former director of outreach for SAFB. Smith is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and is a current legislator for OUSC and an assistant for the First Year Advising Center (FYAC).
“We’ve all been deeply involved in student leadership, from serving in Congress to working with student organizations, and we have firsthand experience with both the successes and challenges that students face. Whether by improving transparency, advocating for commuter support, expanding DEI initiatives, or enhancing campus resources, we are committed to ensuring every student’s voice is heard and valued. We’re running to build a student government that is accessible, action-driven, and truly representative of the diverse needs of OU students,” the slate said.
In terms of specific issues, key priorities include transparency and communication, equal opportunity and success for all, academic support and affordability.
The platform is advocating for issues, including “Ensuring that students have easy access to Congress meetings and minutes, financial records, and initiatives; so they know what’s happening and how their concerns are being addressed … Strengthening support for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI), Gender & Sexuality Center (GSC), Disability Support Services (DSS), and Veteran Student Services … Advocating for 24-hour study spaces, midterm grade reporting, affordable course materials, and increased awareness of financial aid resources.”
“Our platform is built on action, accessibility, and accountability. We’re not just making promises; we’re advocating for real solutions that would directly improve students’ academic success, financial well-being, and overall campus experience … By voting for our platform, students have the chance to choose a leadership team that prioritizes transparency, community engagement, experience, and meaningful improvements to their daily lives at Oakland University,” the slate said. the slate’s website or
Smith-Cattanach Slate
J Cooper Smith is the presidential candidate, Malachi Cattanach is the vice-presidential candidate and Markowon Blocker is the legislator candidate.
Smith is a junior majoring in criminal justice. Smith has served as a legislator for OUSC since Dec. 2022 and is currently the majority leader of the legislature. Smith has served in roles including judiciary chair and parliamentarian. Outside of OUSC, Smith serves as the president and founder of the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Club and the supervisor for the recreational outdoor complex at the recreation center.
Cattanach is a junior studying finance, who has partnered with nonpartisan grassroots organizations to help student success in local communities. Blocker is a freshman.
“The Smith-Cattanach platform is built on a simple but powerful belief: students deserve a voice in the decisions that shape their education and campus experience,” the slate said. “We are committed to representing your concerns, advocating for your needs, and ensuring that Student Congress is truly a platform for your voice. Our leadership is dedicated to listening, engaging, and fighting for real change that makes a difference
Smith-Drzewiecki Slate
Rose Smith is the presidential candidate, Allison Drzewiecki is the vicepresidential candidate, Clover DeVore is the speaker of the legislature candidate and Marion Brumer is the legislator candidate.
resources, transparency, and policies that put you first. For far too long, many students have felt like their voices don’t get heard when it comes to the policies passed by OUSC, and we believe by engaging students on a more one-on-one basis, we can better adapt policy to fit the needs health resources, safer campus and also proud to intends to LOWER YOUR said it. We understand
Smith is a sophomore majoring in political science. She has served with OUSC since Feb. 2024, as a legislator and currently serves as the judiciary chair since May 2024. Outside of OUSC, Smith is the current president and founder of College Democrats of Oakland University (CDOU).
Drzewiecki is a sophomore majoring in International Relations and Japanese and has been with OUSC since April 2024 and serves on the Judiciary and Sustainability committees. Drzewiecki is the secretary of OU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America Chapter (OUYDSA).
DeVore is a freshman majoring in political science and has been a member of OUSC since Oct. 2024, serving on the research and review committee and the judiciary committee. DeVore is the president-elect of CDOU and a member of the executive board since Oct. 2024.
Brumer is a sophomore majoring in political science and is the current vice president of OUSC. She has previously served as a legislator and parliamentarian in OUSC. She is also the vice president for CDOU and a member of the executive board since Nov. 2023.
“We want to be able to utilize the skills we’ve garnered in our current positions in Student Congress to help the student body as much as we can,” the slate said.
budget priorities to prioritize student needs, and expanding access to
reduce the financial burden on students and make higher education
For more information, check out the slate’s Google Document or Instagram.
“In particular, we wish to highlight the issues of Affordable Course Materials, Dining, Safety, Transparency, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our platform. We believe our platform contains the best way forward for Oakland University’s student government and the best way forward for helping students in their day to day lives,” the slate said.
“We believe that students should vote for us because we intend to give them as much of a voice as we possibly can. We want to empower students in every aspect across the university and empower the change that the students seek! We know we don’t have the answer to every question or need the student body may have! This is why we want to ensure Student Congress has a more open dialogue with everyday students across campus, it’s important to seek out issues from students that we don’t hear from every day! Or from students that we don’t relate to and wouldn’t otherwise hear opinions from,” the slate said.
For more information, check out the slate’s website or Instagram.
iHeartRadio Awards: Posties predict the winners
MORGAN WARNEKE Content Editor
The iHeartRadio Music Awards will take place on March 17 at 8 p.m. ET, and PEOPLE has exclusively revealed that the awards show will be hosted by LL Cool J.
Some of the biggest artists in the world will attend and perform, including Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams and Nelly. The show celebrates musicians whose songs have been heavily played on radio stations throughout the year, with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift being just a couple of the artists who will receive special praise and recognition.
Nelly will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award for “inspiring and shaping culture over multiple decades.” Meanwhile, Lady Gaga will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, and Mariah Carey will take home the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award.
Taylor Swift will also be recognized for her record-breaking shows; with the Eras Tour being crowned the Tour of the Century. An exclusive performance from the tour’s opening night show in Arizona will premiere during the event.
Now, onto the most exciting part — the nominations. Country has made its mark this year, with Morgan Wallen being in attendance to represent the genre.
Wallen and Swift are tied with ten nominations each, while Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Sabrina Carpenter trail behind, each with nine nominations. Other nominees include Tate McRae, Benson Boone, Doja Cat and Hozier.
This year’s show will also include five new categories: Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite Surprise Guest, Favorite Tour Tradition and Favorite K-Pop Dance Challenge.
The event will also pay tribute to the rebuilding of Los Angeles after the tragic wildfires earlier this year.
“Our iHeartRadio Music Awards show is not a competition, it’s a night where we honor the incredible artists and songs that fans loved all year long – and this year’s show will shine a light on the devastating tragedy that impacted Los Angeles and enable us to deliver on our commitment to the
communities we serve,” John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises, and Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer of iHeartMedia, said. Even in difficult times, we can all come together and celebrate music. Here’s a list of the nominees in the most popular categories, followed by predictions from the Posties of who will go home with each award!
Song of the Year:
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
• “Agora Hills”- Doja Cat
• “Beautiful Things”- Benson Boone
• “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
• “Greedy”- Tate McRae
• “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
• “Lose Control” – Teddy Swims
• “Lovin On Me” – Jack Harlow
• “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• “Too Sweet” – Hozier
“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar had sweeping success in the Posties poll, with seven votes. Next is “Too Sweet” by Hozier with three votes, while “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” “Agora Hills” and “Espresso” each received one vote.
Pop Song of the Year
• “Agora Hills” – Doja Cat
• “Beautiful Things” – Benson Boone
• “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
• “Greedy” – Tate McRae
• “Too Sweet” – Hozier
According to seven Posties, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter might just win this award. “Too Sweet” by Hozier is the runner-up, yet again, while “Agora Hills,” “Beautiful Things” and “Greedy” show some potential, with one vote each.
Pop Artist of the Year:
• Billie Eilish
• Chappell Roan
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Tate McRae
• Taylor Swift
Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter have tied, with five votes each. Two Posties predict Billie Eilish, while one predicts Taylor Swift.
Artist of the Year:
• Billie Eilish
• Doja Cat
• Jelly Roll
• Kendrick Lamar
• Morgan Wallen
• Post Malone
• Sabrina Carpenter
• SZA
• Taylor Swift
• Teddy Swims
This is a packed category, but only four artists received votes. Billie Eilish comes out on top with five votes, while Sabrina Carpenter trails behind closely with four. Other predictions include Kendrick Lamar, with three votes, and Taylor Swift, with one vote.
Best Collaboration:
• “Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
• “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
• “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
• “Like That” – Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar
• “Miles On It” – Kane Brown and Marshmello “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars has been crowned most likely to win, with nine votes. However, “Fortnight” and “Like That” have tied, with two votes each.
Best New Artist (Pop):
• Benson Boone
• Chappell Roan
• Gracie Abrams
• Shaboozey
• Teddy Swims
Ten Posties predict that Chappell Roan will take the cake, while two others are rooting for Gracie Abrams and Benson Boone.
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year:
• Drake
• Future
• GloRilla
• Kendrick Lamar
• Travis Scott
Kendrick Lamar came out on top, once again, with 11 votes. However, two Posties predict that it just might be GloRilla’s year.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEEN VOGUE
PHOTO COURTESY OF VARIETY
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROLLING STONE
‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man:’ All new, all different
NOAH FRANCIS
Features Editor
Spider-Man has been through a variety of tv shows, dating back to 1967. Through the years, Marvel’s wall crawling hero has faced television through 2-D animation, 3-D animation, and live action, but has finally landed his very own Disney+ series.
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (YFNSM), originally titled “Spider-Man Freshman Year,” was made by Jeff Trammell and started off as the prequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s SpiderMan films, showing how Peter Parker got his powers, and showing his life as a vigilante before running into Tony Stark. Eventually, the show broke away from the pre-established canon set by the MCU, and turned into something new.
Setting and Story
This version of the Spider-Man story is something entirely new to Spider-Man media, as we get to explore what would happen if a shady and ruthless character such as Norman Osborn were to mentor Peter and become a role model for the young hero, and the consequences that come with having a questionable mentor.
YFNSM gives a much more grounded approach to Spider-Man than the MCU films did, making him more of the street-level hero he originally started out as, and keeping him away from the larger Avenger-level threats until later in his vigilante career.
“The big thing is setting up this world, and I don’t mind
CHELSEA
BOSSERT
Arts Editor
Carti is aiming to make pop out of rage.
On Christmas Day, 2020, Atlanta-rap artist Playboi Carti finally released his long-awaited sophomore record, “Whole Lotta Red,” to mixed reactions. Nevertheless, fans were itching for more of the now 29-year old rage rap pioneer’s unique sound.
Songs like “Sky” and “ILoveUIHateU” would almost immediately go viral on social media and amass hundreds of millions of listens on Spotify upon the release of the album. Carti would soon promise fans that a new album would be arriving soon.
This album would go under many changes and have a few different names. However, on March 14, 2025, “MUSIC” would arrive on streaming platforms early Friday morning. Much like “Whole Lotta Red,” the reaction to Playboi Carti’s third studio album has been mixed — fans frankly are not sure what to make of it.
“MUSIC” is a gigantic, sprawling, triumphant and truly maximalist musical experience. It is 30 tracks, just over 75 minutes and chocked-full of relentless energy.
Carti is trying to do a lot, all at once, by releasing “MUSIC” at all. Yet, something feels off. Carti is not coming off as the experimental auteur that “Whole Lotta Red” suggested he was becoming. Even the most pop-like and viral-bait songs on Carti’s last album do not explain what “MUSIC” ended up as.
It baffles me that a track like “POP OUT” was
branching out of it here and there,” Trammell said in an interview with ScreenRant. “As the show goes on, if we were to encounter other Spider-people, that could be cool. But, for the show in itself, for me, I think our sweet spot is keeping a street-level, grounded Spider-Man.”
While the main plot revolves around Peter working as an Oscorp sponsored Spider-Man, we have a second lead role, Lonnie Lincoln, who parallels Peter, but spirals down a darker path that slowly turns him into the notorious crime boss he is fated to become in the comics.
Characters
Spider-Man has always held a great cast of characters, and one of the most recognizable rogues gallery in super hero history. Keeping in line with the older Spider-Man comic look, YFNSM updates deep cut references to older and less commercialized villains such as Tarantula and Speed Demon.
YFNSM takes a note out “The Spectacular SpiderMan” animated series by setting up simple background characters to play a bigger role later down the line. Although a surprising amount of the web head’s rogues gallery have made an appearance, a more surprising amount of Peter’s normal supporting cast are nowhere to be found. Classic characters such as Flash Thompson, Liz Allen, Gwen Stacy and even Mary Jane Watson are missing in action. Instead, Peter surrounds himself with the likes of Amadaus Cho, Asha, Jeanne Foucault, Nico Minoru and Pearl Pangan, characters that normally would have no relationship with Peter Parker, but slide into his cast of characters with grace.
Conclusion
YFNSM is a remixed take on the classic Spider-Man formula. Where other shows walk a similar path to the web head’s comic origins, YFNSM isn’t afraid to break away from the path and tell a truly unique story with these characters. This Spider-Man may be all new and all different, but he is still the amazing Spider-Man that fans new and old adore.
Rating: 4/5 stars
selected to not only be on the album — but as the opening track. The mix is absurdly heavy and claustrophobic, with buzzing, industrial synths — along with loads of distortion. Carti’s vocals remain the only discernible quality of the track not muddled down by the cacophonous production.
However, “POP OUT” — like the other more experimental tracks on the record — are kind of anomalies. The majority of the tracks on “MUSIC” are either dedicated viral-bait attempts at pop hits, such as “RATHER LIE,” “BACKD00R” and “WE NEED ALL DA VIBES.”
Even the songs that do not entirely go anywhere, such as “CRUSH” and the Kendrick Lamar-assisted “MOJO JOJO,” still have a cleaner pop-appeal. Carti’s seemingly harder-hitting tracks, like “CHARGE THEM HOES A FEE” and “WAKE UP F1LTHY” use less of the rage-style approach to production, but rather focuses on a more palatable trap blueprint.
Carti’s artistic vision may not be entirely clear — or even on purpose — but one cannot deny that he knows how to make infectious music. The track “OLYMPIAN” is one of my favorite examples of this — Carti’s flow, creative cadence, lyrical tendencies and the production backing all of it is some of the boldest I’ve heard on a rage track.
“Life’s crazy, scary, oh, she bad, who you see?/ Michael Jackson, beat it, B/Seventeen on my jeans/Had the 9 on me/Don’t fall for the boss/If you bleed, then you raw/Shake the seeds, shake ’em off/Got ’em in, cut
him off,” Carti raps on the 22nd track, “OLYMPIAN.” Carti, unfortunately, has not been entirely accepted as a unique creative by his fans — and even his haters. There are currently allegations out there that claim that Carti and his team handling the production have been using AI to mimic vocals on tracks like the aforementioned, soon-to-be-hit “RATHER LIE,” featuring The Weeknd.
According to Kurrco, a popular hip-hop update account on X and Instagram, Playboi Carti’s newest record “is now the latest mainstream hip-hop release to incorporate AI vocals, with tracks like ‘RATHER LIE’ & ‘FINE SH*T’.”
Carti has allegedly privately denied the accusation, according to DJ Akademics, a streamer and well-known Carti-affiliate.
All of this recent news when it comes to “MUSIC,” the chaotic rollout and the discourse surrounding the record, leads me to come to one conclusion: Carti is about to make a lot of money.
“MUSIC” is an astounding success. Carti has retained his fans’ attention throughout the entire yearslong rollout and is now capitalizing on the hype — 30 tracks is not a small feat.
While I am not convinced that all of these tracks on “MUSIC” have artistic merit — or even staying power — I am sure that the direction that Carti is going in is one that will bring him a ton of success.
Even if he does not deserve it.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY+
‘Our Hidden Truths:’ Kaleidoscope’s third annual cabaret
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, Kaleidoscope Cabaret, an intersectional student musical theater troupe at OU, closed out their last of three shows this semester. This leg of performances, led by senior musical theater major and Kaleidoscope President, Tuger Xiong, centered around the theme of “Our Hidden Truths.”
This set of Kaleidoscope performances use a meta-narrative, navigating the lives of the performers themselves. The performance follows the narrative of Chris Brannon, Crystal Orser and Zena Kissinger as Kaleidoscope Vice President DeDe Gibson instructs them to reflect on not only their own experiences but learn more about the backgrounds of other members.
The musical numbers of Kaleidoscope’s performance are taken from various songs, films and musicals that have multicultural themes or identity. Almost all of the tracks are backed by live instrumentation, which adds to the DIY-atmosphere of the show.
The main three go forth with their task of mutual understanding and peer into the lives of the other members — who each play a part in their own performance.
The first true solo-number, “Inner White Girl,” which is performed by Yeshua Hardy and
choreographed by Xiong, tackles white privilege, bigotry, stereotypes and keeping up appearances. Hardy’s stellar vocal performance mixed with Xiong’s talented choreography skills, make our first look into the members of Kaleidoscope truly engaging and subversive.
Xiong and Gibson’s choreography, blocking and direction all come off as incredibly professional and refined. Some more standouts when it comes to these elements are “What is This Feeling,” performed by Ximena Perez and Bex Papazian, “Debut,” performed by Natalie Nguyen, Jazz Harris, Gibson, Perez and Xiong, as well as the tremendous duet, “Change,” performed by Gavin Carcamo and Aidan Riggs.
Xiong spoke a little about the directing journey and what it taught them.
“Being on the director’s side is so interesting, because now I am the one that has to lead everyone and I am not just focusing on myself. I got to focus on the big picture and make sure that each and every single actor is taken care of…” Xiong said. “It was such a wonderful experience with everyone’s different background, everyone’s different training, and helping them hone in on those skills and let it bloom into what we have now.”
“Our Hidden Truths” is not just about exploring other peoples different backgrounds and experiences, it is about letting our own experience guide us into the people we are today. It is about
being authentic and not holding back.
“I wanted to give people the chance to be able to tell their true stories and not have to hide them,” Xiong said.
Gibson, who is one of the assistant directors of the show, is actually an acting major. Her previous experience as someone who specializes in that different kind of performance has shaped how she views and understands “Our Hidden Truths.”
“When I get to do things like this, it allows me to kind of fit into that pocket that I thought I couldn’t fit in before,” Gibson said. “That’s what I believe Kaleidoscope also allows a lot of acting majors to do is step out of something that we don’t usually do all the time.”
Whether it be on-stage, in the production team or the directing role — Kaleidoscope has brought together many different kinds of performers for a common cause: understanding through theatre.
Xiong is graduating this spring and hopes to pass along their leadership of Kaleidoscope to a newer group of performers.
For more information about Kaleidoscope and where to find tickets. Visit oakland.edu/smtd/ performances-and-events/ or check out SMTD on Instagram @oumusictheatredance.
Second Palestinian protester arrested at Columbia University
MEGHAN BAREIS Political Reporter
On Friday, March 14, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that immigration officials had arrested a second pro-Palestinian protester at Columbia University and revoked the visa of another student.
Columbia University has had an influx of proPalestinian protests that have been largely exacerbated following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who was arrested on March 8 and is now being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while facing potential deportation.
Khalil was arrested just one day after the Trump administration cut $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University over what it described as illegal protests promoting antisemitism amidst the ongoing Israel and Palestinian conflict. Trump’s Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism contains the means for why international students are being detained, arrested and deported.
“It shall be the policy of the United States to combat antisemitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful antisemitic harassment and violence,” section two of the executive order states.
Columbia established a disciplinary committee that will perform investigations on students protesting against Israel, yet the federal government did not find this satisfactory enough.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) established a joint task force to combat antisemitism, notifying the Interim President Katrina Armstrong of Columbia University, that it would review the university’s contracts and grants, reviewing its eligibility for over $5 billion in federal grants.
One day before the second arrest, Armstrong gave an update on the current situation in regard to student protesting and the DHS involvement on campus. Two judicial search warrants were approved by a federal magistrate judge that permitted DHS to access private areas of the university and search two student rooms.
Armstrong acknowledged the legal actions that were taken while also trying to decrease anxiety over the unprecedented challenges the students and the university are facing.
“The University has a clear protocol in place. Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings. Tonight, that threshold was met, and the University is obligated to comply with the law … Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive,” Armstrong said.
Secretary of the Department of Education Linda McMahon met with Armstrong, expressing on X that she, “Had a productive meeting with Columbia’s interim
president Katrina Armstrong today. Look forward to working together to protect all students on their campus.”
McMahon has previously expressed her views in regard to the immense anti-Israel protest demonstrations that have taken place throughout the U.S.
“Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation and antisemitic harassment on their campuses — only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them … Universities must comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding,” McMahon said.
The situation in Columbia continues to raise questions of the legality concerning the Trump administration’s actions.
Famine Early Warning Systems Network collapses due to USAID cuts
MEGHAN BAREIS
Political Reporter
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a central component of international relief efforts, has come to an abrupt halt after extensive international aid cuts by the Trump administration.
The warning systems network has been a critical contributor in monitoring droughts, crop production, food prices and other indicators in order to forecast food insecurity in more than 30 countries. The impact of its shutdown amid other global humanitarian efforts has already had effects.
FEWS NET was established in the wake of the 1984 Ethiopian feminine, which caused an estimated 700,000 deaths. This took the world by surprise, prompting President Ronald Reagan to create a system that provides early warnings for food insecurity and other pertinent humanitarian issues to international relief efforts through massive amounts of data and research conducted worldwide.
Despite the website shutting down, its data serves extremely beneficial purposes by other governments, NGOs, IGOs and researchers worldwide in order to make informed life-saving decisions. The initiative no longer has ample funds to pay staff in both Washington D.C. and ground-working members in foreign countries.
Nicholas Enrich, acting administrator for USAID, released a memo articulating that USAID has not implemented life-saving humanitarian
assistance under a temporary exemption to the foreign aid pause authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He further condemned additional “obstacles” by leadership from the State Department and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Rubio has claimed that he has issued a blanket waiver for life-saving initiatives like food and medical aid.
PHOTO BY NBC NEWS
“It’s providing food or medicine or anything that is saving lives and is immediate and urgent, you’re not included in the freeze. I don’t know how much more clear we can be than that,” Rubio said.
Throughout the joint conference, Rubio reiterated the stances and goals of the Trump administration.
“I have long supported foreign aid. I continue to support foreign aid. But foreign aid is not charity. It exists for the purpose of advancing the national interest of the United States. Every dollar we will spend as long as I’m Secretary of State — and as long as President Trump is in the White House — is going to be a dollar that’s advancing our national interests,” Rubio said.
However, many USAID programs need federal contractors to cover costs upfront and then get reimbursed, but as of now, USAID isn’t currently processing any payments, virtually stalling all humanitarian assistance programs like FEWS NET.
Chris Newton, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, told NPR that FEWS NET has had persistent bipartisan support since its establishment, remaining untouched through multiple presidencies including Republican President George W. Bush.
“There certainly was a moral imperative to a lot of that thinking, but ultimately that support was established and sustained because there was continued agreement that it really mattered for the safety, security and prosperity of the United States,” Newton said.
The future of FEWS NET and other USAID funded agencies remain uncertain.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC NEWS
Trump administration to decide what news orgs partake in the White House Press Pool
SOPHIA CURRAN
Features Reporter
On Feb. 25, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump administration would be choosing what news outlets are allowed to interview Donald Trump in the White House Press Pool.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) was created in 1914 during the Wilson administration. They work to ensure that independent media outlets maintain the possibility of gaining access to the presidential Press Pool.
The White House Press Pool has been independently chosen by the WHCA since its creation after the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt. It has allowed news organizations and independent journalists to ask questions of their choice faceto-face, rather than wait for a response from the president or their administration.
“For decades a group of D.C.-based journalists, the White House Correspondents’ Association, has long dictated what journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States — in these most intimate spaces. Not anymore,” Leavitt said in a press statement.
Eugene Daniels, president of WHCA, responded to the decision.
“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States,” Daniels said. “In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.”
Daniels went on to criticize the decision made
by the White House, stating that they did not warn them of the decision before the press statement.
Other press associations have already responded to the decision. Many news organizations have faced restrictions if they do not legally comply with the executive decisions made by the administration.
The Associated Press is an independent, nonpartisan news organization that began reporting in 1846. They were recently banned from attending events at the White House after their refusal to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” when reporting on the body of water.
“It is alarming that the Trump administration would punish AP for its independent journalism,” the association said in a statement after announcing the ban. “Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment.”
The Associated Press has since filed a lawsuit against three Trump administration officials for an infringement on its freedom of speech.
Oakland University Special Lecturer Kim Madeleine has a life-long experience within the world of journalism on campus and in press associations.
Madeleine discussed how during the Biden administration, right-leaning news outlets were often left ignored by the administration, leading to a lack of representation when requesting important information. But, while he criticizes the bias past administrations had when personally choosing news organizations within the press pool, he does not think this new decision will be beneficial either.
“I understand why they might be doing it, but I still don’t want news organizations out of the room just for spite,” Madeleine said. “I think all organizations should be represented and so in that case, no, I don’t agree with the decision.”
Other press organizations have since filed lawsuits against the decision, as they feel it threatens their freedom of speech.
Grassroots anti-fascist demonstration in downtown Oxford
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
On March 15, the pedestrian bridge that intersects with downtown Oxford’s main street, usually adorned with Oxford Chamber of Commerce announcements was redecorated with pride flags and anti-fascist protest signs — an unusual sight for the traditionally red township.
The largest signs read “No kings save USA” and “This is not normal.” Brightly colored signs read “Protect the Department of Education” and “Democracy Needs You.” Others were less subtle with the “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” punk anthem.
As cars drove by, they honked in support or against the roughly 30 demonstrators, intelligible by obscene hand gestures or thumbs up sticking out of the moving windows. With some humor after three hours of demonstration, one of the participants counted around 60 instances of obscene gestures.
“The theme today was supposed to be against fascism, against what’s currently happening in our government,” Sheri Pramuka, an Oxford resident of 14 years said. “I’m in a couple of different Facebook groups, and we were here two weeks ago, and it came up in the groups that I’m in. But you know, there are other people here too that found out otherwise.”
While the demonstration was organized via Facebook, it was supported by the organization Indivisible, an activist organization “founded in response to Trump’s election,” the group explained on its website. However, many participants joined the demonstration without
prior knowledge of the organization or members.
“I was just leaving work, I work right here in downtown Oxford, I saw someone walking with a sign and I was like, ‘I gotta get out there,’” an OU student veteran who wanted to remain anonymous said. “People need to see veterans standing up for the rights of others who are more marginalized and oppressed than us.”
While the student veteran advocated for greater support mechanisms for veterans, he allied with the different initiatives included in the protest.
“I see signs for trans rights, for the LGBT community at large, and I served with a lot of veterans of varying gender expressions,” the OU student veteran said. “They were my best friends. They were brothers and sisters and people of varying genders that I would die for.”
Luke Johnson, an eighth-grader Oxford resident, was meeting his friend at the bridge to go biking and stuck around for the demonstration.
“He just saw, you know, a bunch of pride flags and he knows I’m all about queer rights, and he called me, he’s like, ‘Dude, get up here right now,’” Johnson said. “At least in my grade, there’s definitely a lot of bullying towards queer kids, you know, I’m dating a transgender boy, so there’s a lot of bullying.”
Like many of the young demonstrators at the Polly Ann Trail bridge, Johnson’s first protest was the “March for Our Lives” national movement in 2022 after the Oxford High School shooting.
“I’ve lived in the same house in Oxford my whole life, I was also there for the shooting, and so that definitely impacted how I see the world,” an art student who wished to remain anonymous said. “But I
heard about this from a friend’s Instagram. I think it’s so great that, like, we’re seeing something like this in a smaller town like this, because usually we see protests in bigger cities.”
The art student carried a bag with self-made zines about their experience as a trans person during a time of numerous executive orders affecting the trans community.
“I’m also trans, and so it’s obviously a big part of my life and he’s trying to take away the fact that I can just basically exist,” the arts student said. “Now more than ever, it’s important not to just have protests, but it’s also important to have events to spread joy and empower people.”
The involvement of young people is imperative to democracy and activism, Shierley Tomson, an elderly Lapeer resident explained.
“I’ve been a political activist since the ‘60s, I cut my political teeth and the anti-Vietnam War and the civil rights movement,” Tomson said. “It’s pretty much the same, the anti-war movement got a whole lot of momentum to it, and this is getting momentum too.”
Tomson prepared for picketing at the Tesla dealership in Somerset Mall and for the Lapeer Library Board meeting to protest against Elon and book bans. Tomson, like Pramuka, ended her interview like the majority of the protesters did — calling for the fostering of a community.
“Just start, just make a post on Facebook,” Pramuka said. “I started a book club, I just made a post in another group, I said, I need to start a book club. I need community.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC NEWSCAPTION
Men’s baseball can’t handle No. 25 Louisville in 13-5 loss
EVAN BLANCHARD
Sports Reporter
It’s been a rough early season for the Oakland men’s baseball team as they have started 3-15. They earned their most recent loss Wednesday night against the No. 25 Louisville Cardinals in a 5-13 defeat, extending their losing streak to five games.
Both teams remained scoreless through the first two innings as starting pitcher Ethan Glassman diced through the Cardinals’ order with little trouble. It wasn’t until the third inning that the Golden Grizzlies would get on the board. After two flyouts, shortstop Brandon Nigh earned first base due to a hit-by-pitch. He then stole the next two bags on wild pitches before being driven home by a designated hitter Matthew McGann double.
Louisville came right at Glassman in the very next inning as catcher George Baker hit a home run as the leadoff batter of the frame. Glassman would surrender two more runs in the third before finally getting out of the inning with a groundout. The damage was done, and the Cardinals claimed their first lead of the game, 3-1, ending Glassman’s day after his three innings.
But the Golden Grizzlies’ offense finally had some run support for their starter. To lead off the fourth, OU catcher Ben Clark roped a double to left center right before centerfielder Taylor Tomlin singled to put men on the corners. Right fielder Trent Rice dropped a single into right field to bring home Clark, sending the
Cardinals pitcher back into the dugout early. Tomlin would score on a wild pitch to tie the game at three runs apiece. Left fielder John Lauinger singled before Nigh hit a double to drive home two more runs, taking the lead for Oakland 5-3.
Sophomore Austin Fisher came out of the Golden Grizzlies’ bullpen for the fourth inning. After giving up a leadoff walk, Fisher retired his next three batters. Oakland looked competitive and hungry, fighting to end their losing streak.
The Golden Grizzlies couldn’t get anything going in the top of the fifth and called on starter-turned-reliever Tanner Ware to pitch. Ware’s early season struggles were not fixed in this contest, unfortunately. The
junior was shelled in 1.2 innings, facing 10 batters and allowing five hits and four runs.
Gage Smith came out of the bullpen to get that final out in the sixth, but the Cardinals were relentless. The Louisville sluggers came to play and went 5-5 against Smith with three singles and back-to-back home runs. In the blink of an eye, a 5-3 lead turned into an 11-5 deficit.
Ethan Henry came in for Smith, and after walking his first batter, he struck out the inning’s last batter to end a nightmare frame for the Golden Grizzlies. At one point, the Cardinals had reached base in eight consecutive plate appearances.
The final three innings were all scoreless for OU. In fact, after their stellar fourth, the Golden Grizzlies went 2-16 in their plate appearances. They went 1-2-3 in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, failing to reach base in any of them.
In the eighth inning, Louisville tacked on two more runs off reliever Jaxson Easterling. At the end of the game, the Cardinals held a resounding 13-5 victory over the Golden Grizzlies. The win took the Cardinals to 14-2 on the year, with their only losses against No. 7 Texas and St. Johns.
Next up for Oakland is a road game against the Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday, March 19.
Wright State sweeps Oakland baseball in first conference series of the season
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies men’s baseball team suffered multiple conference losses this past weekend, losing all games in a three-game series on the road against the Wright State Raiders.
Despite staying in the first game until the very end, the Raiders were red-hot this series, as the team tallied 33 hits on 97 at-bats, good enough for a batting average of .340.
Game 1: Oakland 2, Wright State 3
The series’ first game was the most competitive for the Golden Grizzlies.
After five innings of no scoring action from both teams, Wright State got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a single from Hunter Warren, JP Peltier hit a home run, putting the Raiders up 2-0.
The Golden Grizzlies responded in the following inning, as Carter Hain and Taylor Tomlin made it to base. With two outs and two men on, Trent Rice singled to right field, bringing home Hain to make the ball game 2-1.
When the ninth inning came around, the Golden Grizzlies showed they weren’t going down without a fight. Back-to-back doubles from Tomlin and Aidan Schuck put Oakland back in the baseball game, tying the score up at 2-2.
However, with a chance to win the game without going into extra innings, Wright State did just that. With Peltier up to bat first in the final inning of regulation, he
hammered his second home run of the game, making the Raiders the winners of game one while handing Oakland its first conference loss of the season.
Game 2: Oakland 3, Wright State 13
Wright State came to play in the second game of the series, quickly scoring four runs in the first inning before adding another run courtesy of a Warren double in the second to jump ahead 5-0.
As the game continued, the Golden Grizzlies struggled to make contact with the baseball, only recording a single hit, courtesy of Jack Lux, in the fifth inning.
Meanwhile, the Raiders looked at building their lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Wright State notched three more runs after a double from Cam Gilkerson and a single from Will Cook. In the following inning, the Raiders scored again after a sacrifice fly from Gilkerson, extending their lead to 9-0.
The Golden Grizzlies managed to tab on three runs of their own in the seventh inning after a string of hits from Rice, Sam Griffith, and John Lauinger brought the score to 9-3. However, it didn’t deter Wright State from cutting Oakland’s afternoon short.
After the Raiders loaded the bases in the eighth inning, the runs continued to pour in, forcing the 10-run rule in the process while giving the Golden Grizzlies their second loss of the series.
Game 3: Oakland 10, Wright State 17
In the final game of the series, Wright State wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. The Raiders scored nine runs in the bottom of the first off of just four hits, leaving the Golden Grizzlies with lots of ground to make up the rest of the game.
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
Despite the large deficit to make up, Oakland kept themselves in the game, as the Golden Grizzlies scored in every inning following a Wright State score except for the eighth inning.
However, despite Oakland’s efforts, Wright State’s hot start was too much for the Golden Grizzlies to overcome, giving the Raiders a sweep.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will hit the road to play the Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday, March 19, before hosting the Northern Kentucky Norse for a three-game series at the Oakland Baseball Field starting Friday, March 21, and ending Sunday, March 23.
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
Oakland softball opens up conference slate 1-2 against Robert Morris
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
In the team’s first conference series of the season, the Oakland Golden Grizzly softball team went 1-2 on the road against the Robert Morris Colonials. The team won the series’ first match on Thursday, March 13, before losing both games of a doubleheader on Friday, March 14.
Throughout the series, there were some standout moments from the Golden Grizzlies. Taylor Carraway recorded a hit on all three of her at-bats, and Kenna Bommarito earned her second save of the season in the first game of the series.
Game 1: Oakland 3, Robert Morris 1
The Golden Grizzlies wasted no time getting on the scoreboard to start the series. Carraway and Jenna Johnston each tallied RBI singles in the top of the second, giving Oakland an early 2-0 advantage.
On the mound, Alyssa Balcom held firm, pitching a near-flawless first four innings by not allowing a single Colonial hit. However, Robert Morris eventually started to heat up in the bottom of the fifth, piecing together a couple of singles to get a single run on the board.
Still, the Golden Grizzlies closed out the game strong. In the top of the sixth, Storm Kentros added to the score with an RBI single, while Bommarito
made quick work of the Colonial batters, allowing just two hits and the final two innings to give Oakland its first conference win of the season.
Game 2: Oakland 0, Robert Morris 8
Despite the strong start to the series, Robert Morris came for revenge in the second game.
At the bottom of the second, some Oakland errors and the red-hot bats of the Colonials led to disaster for the Golden Grizzlies. Robert Morris tallied four hits in the inning and four runs to give the Colonials the upper hand.
In the fourth inning, the Colonials continued to give Oakland trouble. Following a flyout, Robert Morris tallied three straight hits before Mary Brant sent a deep shot home run to center field, expanding the Robert Morris lead to 8-0.
Offensively, the Golden Grizzlies struggled mightily in this game, finishing with just two hits, one from Kamryn Troyer in the fourth and another from Erin Mackin in the fifth.
With an eight-run deficit to make up, the game was called early after Oakland failed to score any runs in the fifth inning, resulting in the Golden Grizzlies’ first conference loss of the season.
Game 3: Oakland 1, Robert Morris 11
In the final game of the series, the Golden Grizzlies kept it competitive in the early stages, but the Colonials ran away with the game towards the end.
Robert Morris got on the scoreboard first, loading the bases in the bottom of the first before Jess Matheny sent all runners home with a double, giving the Colonials an early 3-0 lead.
The Golden Grizzlies responded in the third, as Alexa Kownacki got Oakland going with a double. After advancing to third following a groundout, Reese Ruhlman sent Kownacki home with a single, as Robert Morris still led 3-1.
Despite Oakland’s efforts, the Colonials turned the tables in what once was a close matchup. Matheney hit a two-run homer in the third to further expand the Robert Morris lead, while Courtney Poulich and Jaimee Hardy followed up with home runs of their own in the fourth and fifth, respectively.
With the game at 11-1 following Hardy’s homer, the game was called early in favor of Robert Morris, shifting Oakland’s conference record to 1-2 on the season.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will host the Northern Kentucky Norse for a three-game series starting on Friday, March 21, and ending with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22, at the Oakland Softball Field. This series marks the Oakland softball team’s first home games this season.
The Post evaluates the Golden Grizzlies’ rollercoaster season
EVAN BLANCHARD AND KURT SZYMANSKI
Evan Blanchard:
As a student manager who followed the team from the very beginning of the season in July to the end in March, I can’t say anything about this season besides calling it a disappointment. I love the guys and staff who were a part of this team, but I can’t help but feel like we left a lot on the table.
An 11-9 finish in the conference was not what this group anticipated during the summer. Sure, the early non-conference schedule was a gauntlet, but it isn’t anything new for a Greg Kampe team. The real disappointment came in the conference schedule, where Oakland struggled to succeed consistently. It seemed like the guys would play one fantastic game, then turn around and lay an egg in the next one.
After going 6-3 in conference play with a fourgame win streak in January, February was a measly 3-4 with wins over IU Indy and Detroit Mercy. This team struggled greatly to shoot the ball all season, shooting 30.5% from three throughout the season, dead last in the Horizon League. OU also averaged the third-least points per game, highlighting their offensive difficulties.
Looking ahead to next season, a lot relies on the decisions of Allen Mukeba, Buru Naivalurua and Isaiah Jones. Mukeba earned all-conference second-team honors and had a monster campaign. If he wanted to, he could potentially leave for a
much higher level of competition and earn a good deal of money. Naivalurua’s stock in the transfer portal may not be as high as it could be because he was left off the all-conference teams. For Jones, he struggled with a foot injury early in the year and didn’t experience the breakout junior year that he was bound to have.
If two out of three of them return, Oakland should finish in the top four in the league. If all three return, it’s championship or bust. With DQ Cole, Jayson Woodrich and Malcolm Christie all graduating, the Golden Grizzlies must reload on the perimeter with shooting. Freshman Nassim Mashhour showed great promise all season and will feature prominently on next year’s team, while fellow freshman Warren Marshall will play lots of valuable minutes after redshirting his freshman year.
Outside of those two, the cupboard is looking bare. Cooper Craggs could return for his junior season. Craggs played a handful of minutes here and there, but his ceiling is limited at this level. Deng Majak also could return as a backup big man. Majak greatly improved during the season; I imagine he will stay if one of Mukeba or Naivalurua leaves.
Seeing how the offseason unfolds with name, image, and likeness deals and the transfer portal will be fascinating. Oakland is very used to reloading their rosters season after season; this next one will be no different. Who knows? Maybe the staff will find the next Jack Gohlke or Naivalurua among the junior college levels.
Kurt Szymanski:
Ahead of the start of the regular season, I
wasn’t the most optimistic about how this Golden Grizzlies team would perform compared to the previous season.
In a preview to the season, I predicted the team would finish fifth in the Horizon League standings come the end of the regular season, which is slightly above average.
Oakland ended up finishing the season in sixth place, so despite not finishing in the top five in the league, I think the Golden Grizzlies put together a solid regular-season campaign, especially considering the shooting struggles the team dealt with at the start of the season and the complete roster overhaul Oakland had to go through.
When it comes to how the team did in the Horizon League playoffs, just on paper, the Golden Grizzlies exceeded expectations.
If the highest seed had won every matchup in the playoffs, Oakland would have been dropped off in the quarter-final. However, the Golden Grizzlies instead made the semi-final before losing to Robert Morris in overtime, backed by Mukeba, who was named to the all-tournament team.
However, the loss to Robert Morris stung. It was the last way any team would want to end its season.
To Golden Grizzlies fans, the season might be seen as a disappointment, considering Robert Morris ended up winning the Horizon League tournament, earning their berth to play in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.
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Breaking down the brackets: March Madness bracket analysis
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
It’s time for the madness. The NCAA selection committee has released their 2024-25 March Madness bracket for the men’s college basketball season. Let’s dive in and look at some of the more interesting matchups and placements in the tourney.
First, I always like to consider what teams were left out. According to the committee, the first four teams left out of the tournament were West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio State and Boise State. The committee instead chose to honor North Carolina (UNC), San Diego State, Xavier and Texas.
The inclusions of UNC and Xavier are especially troublesome to me, as UNC finished with a record of 1-12 against Quad 1 opponents, while Xavier went 1-9 against such teams. To my mind, I would’ve favored a competitive Boise State team over UNC, one that competed in a much tougher Mountain West conference over UNC’s Atlantic Coast Conference. Additionally, I would’ve inserted West Virginia over Xavier, as Xavier played in a relatively weak Big East conference.
Moving on to some interesting seed placements, one can’t help but be drawn to Michigan’s placement as a No. 5 seed compared to Wisconsin at a No. 3 seed and Purdue at a No. 4 seed. Michigan won the Big Ten tournament title less than an hour before the committee finalized their selections, beating Wisconsin and Purdue on their way to the title. Wisconsin and Purdue finished 14th and 19th in the
NET rankings, respectively, while Michigan fell to 25th. Still, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Wolverine fans wishing to avoid the dreaded 5-12 seed matchup. The Wolverines must now play a redhot UC San Diego team in the first round.
Another team I’m interested in is the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals. The Cards played topseed Duke tight in the ACC championship game and finished with a fantastic 27-7 record. Duke finished 31-3 and first in the NET rankings. Why is there such a huge disparity in seeds between the two? Both competed in a very weak ACC conference. The answer lies in Duke’s 16-3 Quad 1 and 2 record, while Louisville can only boast a 15-7 record in such contests. I’m still put off by Louisville being seeded so low, especially when they must play an old, experienced No. 9 Creighton team with lots to prove.
Perhaps the year’s biggest story has been the Southeastern Conference’s dominance over the rest of the nation. The committee awarded this historic success with a record 14 teams making the big dance. Highlighting the bunch is No. 1 seed Auburn, followed closely by SEC-champion Florida as a fellow No. 1 seed. Alabama and Tennessee both earned No. 2 seeds.
Now that we’ve canvassed the field let’s take a closer look at my biggest upset picks in each region.
Beginning in the South region, I see UC San Diego upsetting both Michigan and Texas A&M to advance to the Sweet 16. They came in 35th in the NET rankings, holding a strong 28-4 record for the season.
Michigan comes into the tournament very hot, but they struggled mightily as the season wound down. I am willing to bet that they stumble in the opening round to the upset-minded Tritons.
Moving on to the West region, I hate to be basic with the No. 12 seed upset picks, but Colorado State is primed to make a run here. They square off against No. 5 Memphis, who is missing one of their top players, Tyrese Hunter. The Rams will look to capitalize on senior Nique Clifford’s tremendous season, with averages of 19 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game on 50.7% shooting from the floor. However, it will be difficult for the Rams to contend with the Maryland Terrapins.
Another trendy upset pick will be the Drake Bulldogs at No. 11 over the Missouri Tigers at No. 6. Drake holds the best scoring defense in the country. At the same time, Missouri has the ninthbest scoring offense. It will be a battle of strength against strength.
In the East region, there are numerous upsets to choose from. Do you like No. 11 over No. 6 seeds? Take the defensive Virginia Commonwealth University Rams over the high-powered offense of Brigham Young University. Do you think Oregon doesn’t have the offensive firepower to overcome Liberty’s stifling defense? Go with the Flames. There is a trend with some of these lower seeds boasting incredibly potent defensive attacks. Liberty to the Sweet 16 could be a trendy pick.
