Vol. 54, No. 2
All the fall fairs, festivals and fun this October What happened at Area 51? Page 5
The truth about vaping Page 7
Tulsa, Oklahoma • October 4, 2019 • oruoracle.com
Things to do in Tulsa Page 11 Photo by AlexAndria Ramirez
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U.S. Senator James Lankford visits ORU by Brendon Martin Sports Editor Senator James Lankford, Oklahoma’s junior senator, paid a visit to his constituents at ORU on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Students received an hour of the senator’s time, devoted to answering their questions about topics ranging from public policy to life and career advice. The 50-60 students, faculty and staff in attendance applauded Lankford as he entered the Fenimore Room in the Hammer Center. He smiled, sipped his Sonic drink and waved his hand in modesty to the crowd. Lankford opened the discussion briefly detailing his background in ministry, family life, and his role in the United States Senate. “You don’t know where you’re going in the days ahead,” said Lankford. “But make sure you’re ready when you get there that God can use you in whatever task that he has placed you in.” The first question of the afternoon came from a student in the back of the room who asked about the senator’s view on abortion. “I am tenaciously pro-life because I believe in the value of every single individual. I believe that every
person is created in the image of God; every person has value and worth,” he answered. Lankford further laid out his beliefs on abortion and the discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Senate. Another student, concerned with recent mass shootings across the U.S., questioned the senator about his actions on this issue. “This ultimately comes back to, over and over again, a family and a community issue— the devolving of families, the devolving of communities and the isolation of individuals,” Lankford explained. “Part of our role in community is to be able to engage with people that are hurting, that are isolated, and to be able to make sure we’re watching out for our own families as well.” The senator addressed specific legislation that he and his colleagues are working on to reduce gun violence across the country. Students proceeded to question him over his stances on education visas, human trafficking, and being a
Christian in politics. Lankford spent extensive time addressing the issues of abortion and living out his faith as a public official. “It’s my responsibility to be able to do my job well because I can’t hide behind the fact that I’m a Christian,” said Lankford. “I’ve got to also understand that everything I do is for the glory of God . . . that means I better do the best job.” Afterwards, Sen. Lankford took pictures and spoke oneon-one with students before heading to another townhall for his constituents. At the end of the session, ORU Convergence Journalism major Deborah Laker led the room in prayer over the senator. ORU Vice President of Advancement Laura Bishop presented him with a Praying Hands sculpture.
U.S. Senator James Lankford answers a student’s question about his perspective on abortion. / Photos by Matthew Simonson
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 3
ORU dedicates new dorm hall by Chisom Uche-Onyilofor Staff Writer
On Friday, Sept. 20, Niko Hall was dedicated at Christ’s Chapel, led by President Wilson and five students representing five continents, to symbolize ORU’s increasingly diverse student body. The dedication ceremony included students, faculty, alumni and guests of honor Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo, his wife Hermien Irawati and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. Niko Hall is the first building in ORU history to be named after an international donor. “ORU is in a season of incredible expansion,” said President Wilson during the morning Chapel service. “We completed our 50th Anniversary Comprehensive Campaign this month, raising just over $50 million. The campaign enabled us to build Niko Hall, an award-winning Global Learning Center, and the ONEOK Sports Complex.”
After the dedication, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place in front of Niko Hall. During the Chapel service, a group from Pastor Niko’s church, Gereja Bethel in Indonesia, led the student body in several worship songs. Pastor Niko preached a sermon about the Third Pentecost, which was translated by Tommy Smith. Gov. Stitt, who also spoke for the dedication, encouraged students to follow their dreams and visions just as Oral Roberts did. “I’ve got a lot of friends from ORU who have become great business leaders [and] church leaders in Oklahoma. It’s just unbelievable,” said Stitt. “It is really a beacon for our country, and we’re so proud that Oral Roberts University is located here in Tulsa.”
Left to right: Gov. Stitt, Lisa Wilson, President Wilson, Dr. Niko Njotorahardjo and his wife, Hermien Irawati. Photo by Matthew Simonson
Lilly Singh’s lands Late Night talkshow by Alejandro Contreras Staff Writer On March 14, during Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show,” YouTuber Lilly Singh announced that she was getting her own NBC late-night talk show. The Youtube star joined the big league with fellow talk-show hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, premiering her show called “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” on Sept. 16. She became the first woman of color to host a major American late-night talk show. The debut episode began with a monologue where she represented women, people of color, international people and other marginalized communities. The episode also featured appearances from the comedians Mindy Kaling and Rainn Wilson.
Spidey flies again
by Gabriel Jaggernauth Staff Writer
After contract disputes over the summer, Sony Pictures and Walt Disney Studios have teamed up again for at least two more Spider-Man films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), they announced in a press release Friday, Sept. 27. The third Spider-Man film, starring Tom Holland, will be produced by Marvel Studios and is slated to release July 16, 2021. Following the $1 billion success of “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” Disney attempted to renegotiate their deal for Spider-Man over the summer. In 1999, Marvel sold Spider-Man to Sony for $7 million, allowing Sony to produce the Sam Raimi trilogy, and eventually The Amazing Spider-Man reboot in 2012. Before Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, the television rights were returned to Marvel. Marvel also bought the merchandising rights for Spider-Man from Sony in 2012, allowing them to receive profits for the merchandise of the character.
A deal between Disney and Marvel was struck in 2015 that allowed Disney and Sony to share the Spider-Man rights; Disney would keep the profits, while Sony would produce the movies. Through the summer, fans held out for a miracle for Tom Holland and Spider-Man to return to the MCU. There were reports of a 50-50 split, with Marvel helping to pay for future Spider-Man productions while keeping him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and reports suggesting Marvel wanted a 25-75 split of the profits. Now, fans are relieved that the brands are back together and are looking forward to at least two more Marvel Spider-Man films. “I am thrilled that Spidey’s journey in the MCU will continue, and I and all of us at Marvel Studios are very excited that we get to keep working on it,” Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said in a statement. Illustration by Kara-Jo Barger
4 • Oracle • October 4, 2019
What happened at Area 51 Social media joke takes nation by storm
by Josiah Ingegneri Staff Writer Twenty-year-old Matty Roberts was about to find out how quickly a joke can become reality when he posted a Facebook event out of boredom titled “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.” The event to storm Area 51 was created at 2 a.m. on June 27 and gained 3,000 Facebook likes in less than a week. By mid July, over 2 million people RSVP’d to attend with 1.5 million “interested.” People were saying they believed Roberts to have come up with an ingenious idea to storm and expose rumored secrets of aliens and spaceships supposedly stored in the military base. Fifty-four percent of U.S. adults found it likely that the U.S. government knew more than it was telling the public about UFOs, a YouGov poll showed in June. “We will all meet up at the Area 51 Alien Center tourist attraction and coordinate our entry,” the Facebook event said. “If we Naruto run, we can move faster than their bullets. Let’s see them aliens.” As Sept. 20 approached, many YouTubers and enthusiasts drove toward Area 51 in anticipation of the event. YouTube’s LDG station, along with many others, live-streamed the event and people getting ready to storm, with many dressed in alien
costumes holding up cardboard signs like “Save E.T. from the government.” According to Mick Akers from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, about 100 people gathered and stood outside the gates of Area 51 beginning late Thursday night, Sept. 19, until early morning Friday, Sept. 20. The Area 51 raid became such a viral phenomenon that the U.S. Air Force issued a warning saying, “Any attempt to illegally access the area is highly discouraged.” “It’s public land,” said Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee. “They’re allowed to go to the gate, as long as they don’t cross the boundary.” According to the Nye County Sheriff ’s Office, 10 days before the raid two Dutch tourists were caught and arrested on charges of trespassing the Department of Energy land near Area 51. One person was arrested for public urination and another detained at a gate to Area 51 on Sept. 20, according to the Lincoln County Authorities. In a video tweeted by David Montero, a Los Angeles Times national correspondent, some participants of the raid were shown Naruto running—a style of run portrayed in a Japanese anime series—at the back gate, but none of them actually breached the security barrier. After Roberts got a visit from the FBI, the raid turned into an outdoor music festival called AlienStock in Rachel, Nevada. But with just over a week before the official date, Roberts canceled the festival. “Due to the lack of infrastructure, poor planning, risk management and blatant disregard for the safety of the expected 10,000+ AlienStock attendees, we decided to pull the plug on the festival,” said Roberts and his team. “We are not interested in, nor will we tolerate any involvement in, a FYREFEST 2.0.” Roberts instead planned a new free event called Area 51 Celebration at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on Sept. 19. Thousands showed up to the AlienStock music festival outside of Area 51 in the nearby town of Rachel, and about another thousand people attended the Area 51 Celebration hosted by Matty Roberts in Las Vegas. Illustration by Sterling Zoe Rubottom
Apple releases iPhone11 by Dillon Valencia Staff Writer On Sept. 20, Apple released its latest models for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. Apple is bringing back the familiar dual camera with separate lenses. One lens is set to capture the usual wide shot and the other is set to capture a new feature, ultra-wide, to show action outside of the frame—capturing four times more action outside of the scene. The iPhone 11 records videos in 4K at 60 frames per second. The night mode is a major new feature; it allows users to take photos in dark settings but still allows them to capture bright and illuminated photos without the assistance of flash. Another new feature on the iPhone is the 12 MP TrueDepth camera that allows users to take a ‘slofie,’ which are slow-motion selfie videos at 120 frames per second. These new releases mainly affect the camera. The majority of the interface is similar to the previous model. Jack Nash, a sophomore business administration major, shared his opinion. “I honestly think it’s too similar to the previous ones. I don’t really like it,” Nash said. “The only thing I do like is the wide angle camera and the night mode.” The iPhone 11 Pro includes everything the iPhone 11 entails plus an added lens. The Pro introduces the first triple-camera system in Apple history. The third lens introduces the telephoto feature, allowing users to zoom in from a far distance while still maintaining a smooth and crisp photo. The Pro can be purchased in its regular size or in the max size. “It’s the same phone that they make every year, just with a different camera,” said Gerardo Rivas, a junior criminal justice major. “I’ll get it for sure. I’ve never liked Android.” The iPhone 11 comes in six colors: black, white, yellow, green, red and purple. The Pro comes in four colors: midnight green, space gray, silver and gold. “I love photography. I sold my Canon camera when I bought the iPhone XS Max because of the camera on the iPhone,” said Ashley Jacob, a freshman elementary education major. “I would get it—it has a better quality camera and new features. Who wouldn’t want it?”
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 5
The impact of garbage on earth by ChaeWoon Yoo News Editor
The trend to “Save the Turtles” has been viral for the majority of 2019. People were encouraged to start using metal straws instead of the onetime use of plastic straws, as citizens became aware of the plastic build up in the oceans. A study done in 2015 by Jenna Jambeck and Miriam Perryman concluded that about 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic entered into the ocean in the year 2010 and another study by Laurent Lebreton, Joost van der Zwet, Jan-Willem Damsteeg, Boysan Slat, Anthony Andrady and Julia Reisser from 2017 estimates about 1.15 to 2.41 million tons of plastic waste enters into the ocean every year. There is currently an enormous pile of garbage floating in the ocean—
so big that scientists have named it the Great Pacific Garbage Patch— comprised of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. In 2013, around 299 million tons of plastics were produced and around 300 million tons of plastics were consumed in 2015, according to Worldwatch Institute. Yet for plastic products to decompose, it would take about 1,000 years to decompose fully in landfills. Plastic bags take about 10 to 20 years, while plastic bottles take around 450 years to decompose. Paper waste takes around two to six weeks to completely decompose in landfills, while cardboard usually takes about two months. Food waste has also become a critical issue in America. USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that 30 to 40 percent of the food supply
is being wasted each year. In 2010, about 133 billion pounds of food—the monetary value of $161 billion—was wasted. Food waste is the largest waste item going into municipal landfills and is the third largest source of methane release in the United States. An apple core or banana peel takes up to a month to decompose, while an orange peel will take about six months to decompose fully. “I thought that littering food was alright because it’s natural,” said Emily Franklin, senior biomedical chemistry major. “However, I read a study that said that littering food was not natural for the environment because each environment
differs in its ecosystem. If you throw out an apple core on the highway, apple trees may not naturally grow there. The environment might be changed.” While it is near impossible to not produce waste, putting waste in its correct receptacle helps stop waste going into oceans and unnecessary landfills.
Storm disasters sweep southern coast by Caroline Upthegrove and ChaeWoon Yoo
The 2019 hurricane season has yielded heavy devastation through Atlantic islands and along southeast U.S. states. On the Texas Gulf Coast, five people have died from Tropical Storm Imelda. According to the National Weather Service, Imelda dumped as much as 43 inches in southeast Texas. It is considered the worst storm in Texas since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Hundreds of homes were flooded and destroyed. “The entire American nation is standing by your side. We love you, we support you and we will be there every step of the way,” said President Trump in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 22. Trump stopped at the Coast Guard hangar in Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base the same day to answer some
6 • Oracle • October 4, 2019
questions and promised to make the Hurricane Dorian then hit federal government “totally available” Southeastern United States and for Imelda relief. Atlantic Canada. The extent of most of the damage was in the Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian was a Category ORU track athlete Sasha Wells is 5 hurricane that formed Aug. 24 and a junior history major from Nassau, dispersed Sept. 10. It was deemed New Providence in the second strongest “The areas I grew up in The Bahamas. While A t l a n t i c won’t be there anymore.” her home island did hurricane not get the brunt of in modern meteorological records the hurricane’s damage, her aunt and by the National Hurricane Center uncle’s homes were flooded in the with maximum sustained winds at Grand Bahamas. 185 mph. “It was very stressful and traumatic NASA’s satellite imaging system to get in touch with [my aunt and IMERG showed more than 36 inches uncle],” Wells expressed. “Luckily no of rainfall over the Bahamas and an one was physically harmed.” area off the coast of northeastern According to the Wall Street Florida, the largest rainfall recorded. Journal, the storm affected about Over the course of 40 hours, the 75,000 residents and more than 1,300 hurricane hit northwestern Bahamas, people are missing. killing at least 50 people and leaving Sherard McAlpine, senior finance thousands homeless, according to the major, is from Freeport, Grand Washington Post. Bahamas. Although his personal
home was not impacted, the eastern end of the island where he grew up is almost gone. “Cousins, grandparents, everyone lives next to each other on the same street. Everyone looks after each other,” said McAlpine. “When I go home for fall break or Thanksgiving break, the areas I grew up in won’t be there anymore.” McAlpine’s childhood region was not the only thing he lost; he lost a close friend from his high school who tragically drowned due to the flooding. Hurricane Dorian left around 70,000 people homeless and in need of aid, but with many companies like MercyCorps distributing food, shelter and supplies to families, McAlpine holds onto hope for the Bahamas restoration. “Bahamians! We are strong, we are resilient and we will bounce back. I’m excited to see what God has in store.”
The war on e-cigarettes by Kendall Brown Staff Writer On Sept. 11, the Trump administration announced it would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 530 reported cases of lung injuries, all of which had a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping, from 38 different states and one U.S. territory. More than 70% of the reported cases were male patients and about 67% of men between the ages of 18 and 34. Seven deaths have been confirmed in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon. Electronic cigarettes are also called vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems. Though they look different, Juul vaporizers are also a type of e-cigarette. Juul is a small vaporizer and has the appearance of a USB drive, while e-cigarettes often look larger like a phone. According to the New York Times, cigarettes mainly target adults, whereas e-cigarettes appear to target younger generations. Lawmakers, public health officials, parents and educators have been pressuring the White House and
The stopping and banning of vaping altogether the FDA due to the alarming popularity of vaping only induced the teens to shift from fruit among teenagers. flavors to menthol and mint flavors, which “E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to are still available. produce an aerosol that users inhale into their The New York Times reports that lungs,” stated the CDC. “The liquid can contain the summer reports of vaping-related nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and respiratory illnesses has reached more cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances than 500 cases in nearly three dozen and additives.” The New York Times has also been reporting states, and as mentioned above, is public outrage stoked by different accusations linked to six deaths. that Juul Labs were intentionally trying to get Recently, Michigan youth to buy their products. This led to the became the first state to company volunteering to stop shipping most prohibit the sale of flavored of the flavored pods to thousands of retail e-cigarettes, followed by locations around the country. Juul Labs hoped New York calling for a that by making flavored products less accessible, ban. Massachusetts and teenage use of Juul vaporizers would reduce. California are considering Instead, the New York Times reported that there prohibiting the sale, and has been an increase. earlier this year, San According to the New York Times, five million Francisco approved an minors in their high school years have admitted e-cigarette ban, which Juul to using e-cigarettes and one-fourth of the high Labs is lobbying to reverse school students in the U.S. have reported to through a ballot initiative vaping within the last 30 days in this year’s annual this November. Graphic by Jonathan Westcott survey—a 20% rise compared to last year.
Teachers walk out across America by Halle Richards Staff Writer The first teacher in history can be traced to 561 B.C., where Confucius was the first famous private teacher. Ancient Greeks hired teachers to educate their children; the pilgrims founded the first public school in 1635. A job that was once a simple, oneroom profession has turned into a national and complex education system. Over the past few years, the U.S. has faced an overwhelming number of teacher walkouts and strikes. On Feb. 22, 2018, teachers in West Virginia went on strike to lobby for higher pay and lower health care costs. On April 2, 2018, teachers in Oklahoma took part in a statewide walkout, protesting low pay, overcrowded classrooms and tax cuts that resulted in lower statewide education spending. On April 26, 2018, teachers in Colorado participated in a walkout due to low pay, low statewide education spending and mismanagement of the state teachers’ pension: On the same day,
teachers in Arizona also walked out to protest low pay and cuts to school funding. The walkouts forced school districts to shut down schools due to the lack of teachers, and for a few days, students were in limbo. According to studies done by The Guardian, teacher shortages are worsening across the U.S. for most states. Twenty-eight out of 41 states said they were experiencing teacher shortages and 15 out of the 28 states said teacher shortages had increased in the last year. Enrollment in teacher-preparation programs dropped from 691,000 in 2009 to 451,000 in 2014, a 35% decline, according to the study done by Lieb Sutcher, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Desiree Carver-Thomas called “A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand, and Shortages in the U.S.” “This research underscores the importance of offering effective incentives to keep our best teachers in the profession, contributing their expertise to help others,” said Sen. Lamar
Alexander, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. According to a survey done by the U.S. Department of Education, around 3.4% American students—about 1.69 million—are homeschooled. In the survey, the concern about the environment of other schools was the highest ranked reason that parents were homeschooling their children. In a 2015 survey, there were 50.4 million students enrolled in public school and 5.8 million students in private schools. Lily Stracener, a junior elementary education major, knew as a little girl that she wanted to become a teacher, and a big part that helped shape her dream was watching her mom teach. “I am not surprised about the teacher shortage. [Teaching] is not easy; you are working seven hours a day with kids from many different broken homes, and as a teacher you have to carry that baggage,” Stracener said. “It makes me sad all the stories about walkouts and shortages, but it also empowers me to do better.”
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 7
Get plugged in to ORU spiritual life
How to get involved in spiritual life at ORU by Jennifer Lupinacci Lifestyle Editor
As a chaplain, many times I hear students say they would like to grow spiritually or they sigh in exasperation that although the chapel speaker was good, they still do not know how to practically get to know God. Augustine Mendoza, ORU director of spiritual development, shared some of these practical ways to help students grow their relationship with God. The office of Spiritual Development places a great emphasis on discipleship. Mendoza says a disciple is “someone who is learning and engaging.” Mendoza believes a student who is spiritually alive and thriving will be “humble, teachable, but also bold and continuing to look like Jesus.” Spiritually alive students learn and engage in three ways: in scripture and spiritual disciplines, in community and in the secret place, and on campus and in the community. Here are Mendoza’s recommendations for getting involved in spiritual life while at ORU: Mentoring Groups If you like small groups, consider joining a mentoring group. This year,
8 • Oracle • October 4, 2019
there are seven groups including Dr. Boyd’s Timothy Mentoring Group, Koinonia, a woman’s only group with Brooke Simms, Adulting101 with Mendoza and his wife Allie, Men’s Discipleship, Coping Clinic and Exploring Faith. Chapel Make the most of chapel—lean in and listen up. Just like with fish: eat the meat and spit out the bones. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear what He’s saying. Leadership One of the greatest ways to grow in spirituality, in discipleship and in leadership on campus is to become an RA or chaplain. Applications open Oct. 1 and close Nov. 1. Not only will you have the opportunity to disciple others, but you will have a community of staff and students to pour into you spiritually. Prayer Movement Prayer Sets run from 4:30 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, partnering worship and prayer led by students in 90-minute increments. Worship auditions begin at the beginning of each semester, but the prayer team is always looking for members. This is a great place to learn
how to minister to the heart of God and hear His voice. Personal Time with Jesus “Spend time with Him, not just doing things for Him,” Mendoza recommended. The more quality time you spend with someone, the closer you two become; the same is with Jesus. Practice spiritual disciplines, commit a certain amount of time every day to prayer and find friends who are committed to growing with you and holding you accountable. Church While you are at ORU, visit multiple churches and expose yourself to different denominations, styles and sizes. Mendoza believes you will gain a greater appreciation of the Church as a whole and figure out where you will grow. Once you find a church, commit to it. Serve, join a small group or pick a certain section and service to attend— just be faithful to that commitment and watch the Lord grow in and through you. Conferences We recently had Fall Revival from Sept. 18 to 19, and there are two other
conferences that Student Development puts on throughout the year. The first will be Renew U. Similar to Fall Revival, this is a two-day conference with speakers and worship at the end of January. The second conference, Grow, started only last year as a one-day event focusing on practical leadership skills and spiritual development. If you are hungry for growing these areas, mark your calendar for Feb. 26 for the Grow Conference. Missions & Outreach Andrea Hyre, department head of Missions and Outreach at ORU, believes a student should get involved in Missions and Outreach because of how it will “challenge [one] to grow in theology and practical theology.” There are 44 mission trips spread between spring break and summer, with local outreaches all throughout the fall and spring semesters. If you would like to get involved, go to orumissions.com for more information.
“Spiritully alive students learn and engage”
The Planetshakers leading worship at Fall Revival on Sept. 19. Photos by James Adamski
People of ORU: Tobias
by Lauren Brewington Staff Writer
Two-hundred-fifty job applications and one white van later, Tobias Moreland now works as the primary shuttle driver for ORU, transporting students to and from the NEC building and campus. He sees his job as a God story. After Tobias graduated from Charles Page High School and joined the military. He was deployed to Afghanistan for one tour and soon realized that it is easier to talk about God when bullets are grazing past people’s heads. After the military, he settled down, but his “gypsy soul” decided to start driving trucks to satiate his desire to travel— having visited seven different countries and 48 states since the age of 17. Soon after, God showed him other plans for his life. “I grew up in a Christian home, but I had my awakening in July of 2014,” Tobias said. “It first hit me when I introduced my wife to the Bible.” Tobias knew after his awakening that he was determined to live a life for the Lord. Tobias and his wife have six boys ages one through 12. The oldest two, ages 12 and 10, are stepsons from his wife’s first marriage. He is also the sole provider for his grandmother, sister-in-law and nephew.
Tobias drives a Ford StarCraft that holds 34 passengers. / Photo by Gabriel Jaggernauth
Culture Fest by Gabriel Jaggernauth Staff Writer
Culture Fest has once again come and gone, but for the International Student Center, it was no easy feat, especially catering for over a thousand students. The event, spearheaded by ISC Manager Anxhela Rama, was a cooperative effort of Student Association, Sodexo, the music department and individual students who came together to host Culture Fest, each contributing unique parts. From the menus to the music, event planning started during summer vacation. When the semester began, decisions such as determining who would perform at the talent show, how they would decorate and how students could support staff during the festival were made. During the week of Culture Fest, Rama said the ISC “covered all the details that [one] cannot plan in advance” and made sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. In addition to the
Tobias owned two trucking companies—one that he ran by himself, and the other through a partnership. His company was thriving while the other was barely surviving when he said God told him to “pack his things and go home.” Tobias then applied to at least 250 jobs, but every opportunity fell short. One company called him back—ORU. He accepted the job at ORU and has been working since the beginning of the fall 2019 semester. Led by the Holy Spirit, Tobias says, he now has the opportunity to encourage students to pursue a relationship with God. “I enjoy the true freedom of speech here on campus and the opportunity to give glory to God without fear,” Tobias said. He and his wife started hosting a Bible study on Sundays, and they invite anyone who wants to attend. For more information, you can call his phone number listed on the NEC Bus Schedule, or visit “Fighting Lukewarm Christianity” on Facebook. Although he is only 28, Tobias has seen and experienced many things in his life. He now believes he is called to minister and hopes to attend school for apologetics. “Wherever I go, I will tell people about Him,” Tobias said. “I am nothing. God is everything.”
fashion show and flag parade, students helped out by manning the booths, some working behind the scenes as technical support and the media team. The students also provided information on the cultures behind each continent’s booth. The Culture Fest event involves a lot of work behind the scenes. The staff hopes to show excellence in the way they connect students with different cultures represented. Just as the ISC is grateful for student engagement and enjoyment, they appreciate feedback and support for their hard efforts. Culture Fest is all about celebrating the people of diverse cultures, most of whom had a hand in putting it all together. Students flaunted their traditional wear during the fashion show. Photos by AlexAndria Ramirez
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 9
Deep-fried fun at the Tulsa State Fair by Staci McCoy
Managing Editor
The final weekend of the Tulsa State Fair is upon us, bringing its deep-fried everything, wobbly rides and fuzzy petting zoo. Fairs are as close to American culture as it gets—over-priced things and diabetes-on-astick. No matter who you are, the fair holds an afternoon or evening that will differ from the rest of the year; treat yourself this fall semester by catching the last days of carnival lights and high calories. In town from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6, the Tulsa State Fair brought shows, concerts and the classics, saving some for the upcoming weekend. Events included Disney on Ice, the band Lanco, the band For King & Country, various dance groups and small competitions. On the Oklahoma Stage, Chris Janson will be performing Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., and
Whiskey Myers will be performing Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., both free with gate admission. If the idea of a “fair” does not have enough appeal to you, consider these students’ takeaways from their visits to the Tulsa State Fair. “Lanco was pretty sweet—a lot better than last year. The general admission pays for the petting zoo which is cool. I got to pet kangaroos, llamas, ducks and lambs. There were two cute, little goats snuggled up with each other.”—Manny Cruz “Disney on Ice was an absolute fantastic experience. It combined some of everyone’s favorite Disney movies, as well as Broadway-level dancing and ice skating to create an unforgettable performance. I recommend everyone go see it for themselves.” —Gabrielle Rhine “I personally enjoyed the petting zoo and
the birthing center where we got to see all of the baby animals. The little baby bacons, baby hamburgers and baby chicken nuggets were pretty cute.”—Keely Sparkman The gate admission for the fair is $12; attendees are allowed to park in the neighboring streets for free, or pay the $10 fee for parking on the fair ground. Individual ride tickets are $1.50 and the amount needed is dependent on which of the 37 major rides you wish to ride. The grounds will open from 10 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. Grab some friends and scarf down a funnel cake for a memorable time at the Tulsa State Fair—don’t forget to get a picture in front of the Ferris wheel. Visit tulsastatefair.com for more details.
Photo by AlexAndria Ramirez
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Upcoming October events by Caroline Upthegrove
Staf f Writer
First Friday Art Crawl
Oct. 4 from 6 —9 p.m. This is a monthly event every ‘first Friday’ night at the Tulsa Arts District, with unique modern artists and some of the best food trucks in town at Guthrie Green. Most museums and galleries will have reduced or free admission.
Lauren Daigle Concert
Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Enjoy one of the most famous Christian music artists and a Grammyaward winner Lauren Daigle at the BOK center. Tickets range from $30 to $100.
Hulu Picks October releases
MOJOfest 2019
Oct. 5 from 4—11 p.m. Enjoy good music, food and art hosted by the world-renowned drummer Jamie Oldaker and his wife. The festival is located on Studio Road at 3rd and South Trenton. Free admission.
Tulsa Oilers game
Oct. 12, 7 to 10 p.m. Kick off hockey season with a home game at the BOK center. The Oilers are playing the Allen Americans. Fan zone tickets are $17.
TRUCKTOBERFEST
Oct. 12, 4 to 9 p.m. Food trucks are pretty much every college student’s dream—lots of food and budget-friendly. With all types of culinary cuisine, this festival is dedicated solely to food trucks at the Gathering Place.
Turkey Mountain Camp Festival
Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to midnight This camped-out festival is hosted by River Parks Authority. Set up your own tent and vibe to amazing music with food and friends at Turkey Mountain Park. The cheapest tickets now are $65.
That 90’s Party
Oct. 12 from 8 —1:30 a.m. Rock your scrunchies and plaid shirts at Cain’s Ballroom and enjoy performances from the Starlite Troupers dance crew and DJs Robbo, Lynn K and Majda. maybe you’ll see the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! Pre-sale tickets are $15 and $20 at the door.
Tulsa Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-20 Get a snapshot of Bavarian culture this musical festival, with bands flown over from Germany held at River West Festival Park. General admission is $9. Children 12 and under are free.
60 Days In: S5 Watchmen* American Horror Story: S8 The Masked Singer: S2 Grey’s Anatomy: S16 Alien Encounters: S2-3 Paranormal Lockdown: UK* Sailor Moon: S4 The Dead Files: S7-8 UFO Conspiracies* Castle Rock: S2 *Series premiere Spotify offers a student discount package deal with Hulu, SHOWTIME and Spotify Premium for $4.99/month, with the first three months free. Sign up at spotify.com/us/student.
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 11
UWP album “Keep Hope Alive” is on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. / Photos by James Adamski
Review: Up with People
International musical group lifts Tulsa with song and service by Sterling Zoe Rubottom Editor-in-Chief With tours across 72 nations and 24,000 shows under their belt, the international musical educational program Up with People performed on a Tulsa stage on Sept. 7 for the first time in over 20 years. Up with People (UWP) was founded as a nonprofit in 1968 by WWII veteran J. Blanton Belk, purposed to spread joy during a decade of social and political turmoil. The musical tourist group was quickly popularized and performed at Vatican City, Carnegie Hall, the White House, four Super Bowls, six World Expos and West Berlin throughout the back half of the 20th century. With a revamped staff and structure, after a temporary suspension in 2000, UWP seeks to “unite and inspire communities, spark others to think more broadly about their world, and forge connections among diverse cultures” through art, volunteer service, travel and community engagement, as it states on their site. One hundred 17 to 29 year olds from around the world are selected from online applications to join the semester or gap-year program. Tuition costs $17,450 per semester that covers housing, meals and travel during the tour. Students find sponsors, fundraise and may be awarded grants or scholarships up to $4,000 based on need, merit, effort and diversity. In July, cast members began their four-week training at the UWP base in Denver, Colorado, then embarked on their 15-week world tour, scheduled to spend one week in 14 different cities across two continents until Dec. 5.
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The cast members stay with local host families, spending the week learning about the culture and volunteering at local outreach projects. At the end of the week, as a ‘thank-you’ to the city, they perform their two-hour production of Up with People: Live on Tour to inspire others to make a positive impact in their community. “The way we immerse ourselves in the culture [is] not from a tourist perspective, but from a community perspective,” said 19-year-old cast member Ashleigh Jaramillo, whose grandmother was part of the original cast in 1968. “We’re thankful for our host families who open their hearts, homes and fridges to us.” In the 1990s, Up with People established accreditation through universities so students could earn up to 12 hours of college credit while on the world tour. This semester’s show, “Up with People: Live on Tour” is comprised of 21 original songs “crafted to inspire people to make commitments to keeping hope alive in their communities,” as explained in the show program. The B19 cast—second tour of 2019— includes young adults from across the U.S., Kosovo, Belgium, Mexico, Australia, China, Norway, Bermuda, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan and The Netherlands. Tulsa is their second stop of the tour, preceded by Grand Island, Nebraska on Aug. 31. It opened at Kirkland Theatre in Broken Arrow, beginning about 30 minutes late due to technical issues. Youth from the National Cherokee Choir performed a cappella songs in the lobby as about 300 guests awaited open-doors
to the high school auditorium. Guests meandered around to five booths set up representing different continents, and Up with People cast members weaved through the crowds in colorful costumes to answer questions and connect with alumni in attendance. The show opened with an introductory video and recap of the service projects the cast participated in throughout the week, including Habitat for Humanity, ReStore and Up with Trees. A sea of performers then paraded the stage separated by red, blue and green outfits, flashing jazz hands and plastered smiles, singing the “Keep Hope Alive” theme “We will not be divided / We will rise above fear / We will stand up, united / We will move on from here.” Five strong vocalists led the two-hour show accompanied by a diverse ensemble performing international dances like Korean K-pop, South African gumboot dancing and Bollywood. Heartfelt anthems about environmentalism, racism, homosexuality and education were sandwiched between spirited musical numbers, which seemingly attempted to combat heavy controversies with frivolities. Although the performance itself—made up of mostly amateur performers—falls short of an impressive production, it earned my respect for the steadfast optimism and devotion to ‘keep hope alive’ through volunteer service in communities around the world. The UWP tour will continue through the U.S., followed by Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
Make running fun again Student athletes host first track competition for ORU community by Brendon Martin Sports Editor On Saturday, Sept. 14, as the sun beat down and wind whipped across the field, students lined up, took their positions and leapt off to the races, their feet pounding the pavement beneath them one after another. ORU’s Track and Field Day was a day for students, faculty, staff and alumni to grab their running shoes, brave the heat, and have fun competing with the community. Track and field athletes Bryce Choate, Maddy Palodichuk and Josh Tabla began planning this event in July along with the track and field committee, track team sponsors, Student Association and other departments.
“We wanted to provide [this] just as a way for students to get involved and raise awareness,” Audrey Goins, manager of the track team, explained. “We want to interact with you guys, get to know y’all and let y’all be involved with our team.” Attendees competed in a myriad of competitions including the 100-meter dash, a mile run, 4x100-meter relay, 400-meter dash, 4x100-meter faculty relay, shot put and long jump all at the ONEOK Sports Complex Track. “I was super pleased with everyone coming in. It was fun to see the student body come out and compete,” Maddy Palodichuk commented. “This isn’t a competitive event. This is a have-fun event,” fellow teammate Bryce Choate
encouraged students who might be hesitant to try their hand—or feet—at the next event. “This is just to show up, have some fun, compete, maybe get a prize, and if not just enjoy your time competing with other athletes, just to see what it’s like to be a track athlete and do this.” Around 50 students, faculty, staff and alumni joined the team on Sept. 14 to participate in the first annual Track and Field Day. Participants spent the afternoon face-to-face with the track team competing with one another, getting a small taste of the thrills and challenges of being a student athlete. “It was really cool getting to see all the students come out and participate,” shared Goins. “I’m sure it was fun for the students who did it in
the past to come back and get to do that again, and even for students who hadn’t done it before.” “I really want to thank everyone who participated. It means a lot to have the support from the student body, even when we’re not competing it’s always good to be in community. That was really one of our goals with the event, and we’re glad to see that is happening,” Josh Tabla stated. The track and field team will host a spring track meet at the ONEOK Sports Complex Track. To keep up to date with the ORU Track & Field team, follow @ ORUTrack on Instagram and Twitter along with “ORU Track & Field / Cross-Country” on Facebook.
On the left, ORU student Kevin Njoroge competes in the long jump. / Photos by Jonathan Rodriguez
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 13
Fantasy football for dummies by James Adamski Staff writer Football season is upon us—17 weeks of pure madness. From trades to injuries, it’s a crazy journey through an NFL season. Fantasy football is for fans of all levels, from the avid supporters to casual viewers. You can play fantasy football, a worldwide phenomenon where you and your friends can play either online or in-person to create the best team. “That is really where it’s changed –just how many people are playing [fantasy]. Even 10 years ago it was diehard sports fans [who played], and now the one friend you grew up with who wasn’t into
sports is playing fantasy football,” commented Michael Beller, podcast host and producer of The Athletic. Fantasy football is primarily an online game where you draft a team of 15 real NFL players and compete on a week-to-week basis against other online players in your league. A wide variety of mobile apps and websites offer a space to compete including Yahoo Fantasy Football, ESPN Fantasy Sports and NFL Fantasy Football. Your team will consist of nine starters which includes one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one flex player—a running back, a wide receiver or a tight end—one tight end, one kicker and one
defense/special teams unit—players who handle kickoffs and punts. Competitors score points based on the performance of the players in their lineup. Now, I bet you’re wondering how to choose the right players to beat your buddies. Analysts offer a wide variety of strategies ranging from selecting players on the same NFL team to choosing a mix of players. Both of these specific strategies require risk before yielding reward. If you choose all players from the same team and their team ends with an awful year, you’ll have a horrible year in your fantasy league. While the reverse is true with a great year, my advice would be to pick a mixture of players from a variety of teams and always have at least two players with two different bye weeks— the one week during the season when
a team doesn’t play a game. There you have it; there’s the basics for playing fantasy football. It’s a super easy and fun way to play and compete with your friends, now even more so considering how accessible it is. Gone are the days when you’d need a pen and paper and know every player’s stats from the previous year; it can all be done online with the help of a multitude of websites, including two of my favorites: ESPN Fantasy Sports and CBS Fantasy Sports. These two sites rank every player in the league, helping you know exactly who to choose for each week’s roster. Get your friends, your co-workers, your family or whoever to enjoy this timeless fall tradition of fantasy football. Who knows, you might be better than you thought!
From pickles to pickleball by Deborah Laker Staff Writer It is 7:50 a.m., and a group of sleepy-eyed college students are hitting a ball back and forth over a low-hanging net. Although the students are in a badminton HPE class, the sport they are playing is pickleball. Instead of using a netted racket, they are hitting a wiffle ball with a wooden paddle. Professor Lance Watson, the class instructor, describes pickleball as “a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton.” He chose to incorporate this new sport in his badminton classes because of its popularity across the United States. The 2018 Pickleball Participant Report reveals that the sport has 3.1 million players across the U.S. This is a 12% increase from the previous year, making pickleball America’s fastest-growing sport. Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, as they improvised a game to keep their children entertained. Using the badminton court at the Pritchard’s residence along with the equipment available to them, the two fathers created a sport that could be enjoyed by the whole family.
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Interestingly, the game was named after the congressman’s dog, Pickles, who was known for running off with the ball. One of the reasons for the sport’s growing popularity is that it is relatively inexpensive to play. The necessary equipment includes a wooden paddle, a pickleball and a small, plastic ball with holes, typically costing between $50 to $150. On a court similar in size to a traditional badminton court of 20 feet by 44 feet, both a doubles team or a single player can engage in the paddle sport. Most matches are played on repurposed tennis courts. Players could dedicate half an hour to lowering the portable net at a neighborhood park to 36 inches and putting tape on the court so it fits the necessary dimensions, and all will be set for an epic game of pickleball. Apart from being affordable, pickleball is a fun, fast and friendly game—a sport that both young and old can enjoy, for it is not cardio-intensive. Professor Watson emphasized that the movements involved in this sport are easier on the joints. Compared to tennis, pickleball players can keep active for longer periods with ease due to the smaller court size and shorter racket. The game also strengthens players’ hand-eye coordination.
Presently, students are allowed to explore pickleball in the badminton HPE classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. Since many of the students introduced to the game have enjoyed it, the ORU Department of Health, Leisure and Sports Science will be adding a pickleball class in the spring semester, held at 7:50 a.m., 8:50 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Professor Watson anticipates that the pickleball classes will fill up fast. Therefore, he urged students to “sign up early” to join America’s fastest-growing sport.
Illustration by Jonathan Westcott
New rules, same game? Soccer rules updated to protect the flow and integrity of the game by Brendon Martin Sports Editor Beginning this summer, the game of soccer as we know it evolved under new laws of the game. The significance of the rule changes introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has yet to be fully witnessed. Implemented on June 1, 2019, the changes to soccer’s Laws of the Game sparked commentary from fans, players, coaches and referees around the globe. Examining the IFAB’s reasoning helps clear up the commotion. 1. Penalties - During a penalty kick, the goalkeeper must have at least one foot either touching or in line with the goal line. Just as an attacker can “stutter” his run, it is reasonable to allow the goalkeeper to anticipate the shot. 2. Free Kick - Before a free kick, if the defense forms a wall of three or more players, no attacking players may be in the wall or within one yard of the defensive wall. Attacking players in or near the wall often creates “management problems and waste[s] time,” according to IFAB.
3. Goal Kick - The ball is in play as soon as the kick is taken; it is not required to leave the penalty area. This allows for a quicker, more dynamic restart of play. 4. Substitutions - A player coming off the pitch must exit at the nearest point rather than the halfway line, unless the halfway line allows for a quick exit. This change was implemented to cut down on the prevalent slow exits of players leaving the pitch at the halfway mark. 5. Coaches - Yellow and red cards will now be issued to coaches guilty of misconduct. If an offending player or team official cannot be identified, the senior coach in the technical area will receive the yellow or red card. The experiment of booking coaches has proven successful and beneficial to referees attempting to deal with difficult coaches and staff. 6. Handball - When the ball strikes an attacker’s hand or arm and enters the goal, no goal will be awarded. “Football does not accept a goal being scored by a hand/arm (even if accidental),”
stated IFAB. 7. Dropped Ball - Dropped balls will no longer be competitive. If play is stopped in the penalty area, it will be restarted with a dropped ball to the goalkeeper. Anywhere else, the ball will be dropped for one player from the team that last touched the ball at the location of the last touch while all other players must be at least 4.5 yards away. This will prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage and reduce aggressive confrontations. IFAB enacted several other relatively minor changes to the Laws of the Game. “I count 12 significant law changes. They had a major overhaul three years ago when they took out 10,000 words from the Laws of the Game, so this is the biggest overhaul since then,” commented Mark Geiger, director of senior match officials for the Professional Referee Organization (PRO). While the rules of the game have changed, it remains to be seen exactly how the game of soccer will change from match to match under the new laws.
Kelli Keller playing against Kansas State. / Photo by Jonathan Rodriguez
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 15
Learn to love your education
Hannah Nelson Staff Writer ‘If you try hard enough—anything is possible.’ This seemed to be my study motto in the past. I viewed education from what I’ll call a “checklist” point of view. For a long time, I forced myself to do things I didn’t want to do because I thought they would be good for me. I viewed education as doing
what you needed to do to get an A. But I recently read an excerpt from James K. A. Smith’s book “You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit” that changed my view of education and transformed how I study. Smith discusses how people’s desires—what they love and worship—will ultimately shape their identity, and he advocates for people to use the power of habit to shape their desires. He argues that our loves and desires should guide the process of learning, not the other way around. Smith’s argument in a nutshell is that our habits shape our desires and our desires shape our actions and identity; therefore, we should use the power of habit to guide ourselves to desire virtue. Habits like imitating others and practicing integrity will develop and “recalibrate” our desires until we become people who live out virtues. I began applying this philosophy to how I study— focusing on developing habits that would make me
a good learner, instead of focusing on what I could do to get an A, and I experienced transformational results. Within the first week of changing my mindset, I already enjoyed studying more. I started setting time for myself to study my questions and curiosities, even if they were outside of the designated course material. I put less pressure on myself to get assignments done as fast as possible. After a while, I realized it is far better to put effort into the inward goal of truly learning the material rather than the external goal of a good grade. Yes, not everything will be enjoyable—we will sometimes be required to study what we don’t love to study. Ironically, I have an assignment I’m avoiding right now as I am writing this. But if we develop powerful study habits, we will become life-long learners, regardless of the subject content. We will experience the pleasure of developing an education that spans beyond the to-do list in a syllabus. Only then will you see education as it is—a joy.
Letter from SBP: Excellence is a habit
Aleah LaForce Contributing Writer We hear all the time that we should set goals, write them down and conquer them, but rarely does anyone talk about the work and consistent discipline necessary to accomplish said tasks. No one truthfully achieves success without constant failure and continual try. As I push myself to choose dedication over motivation,
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I face head-on the realities of my everyday habits. Am I setting myself up to succeed daily, weekly, monthly or for years to come? With some accountability from friends and some well-needed self-reflection, I realized my lack of habitual habits hindered me from excellence. As a natural free spirit, I sometimes fail to acknowledge an unhealthy lack of boundaries. This causes me to take on everything that comes my way as I lose sight of the power in saying no. We must begin acknowledging which habits will benefit our overall goals for success on a smaller scale, adding larger scales overtime. Success is defined differently by the everyday individual, but it must be defined. Once we have defined success, it must be paired with excellence. We cannot
settle for ordinary, easily achievable or comfortability. We must push ourselves to reach levels that we know are going to take disciplined, habitual and structured behaviors to reach. These habits may look like waking up earlier, using digital or printed calendars, having accountability partners, writing out detailed goals and an action-plan needed to reach them. Ultimately, in order to maximize results, efficiency and productivity, it takes one step—beginning. Finding the will power to start is oftentimes the largest barrier. It begins with declaring it in our minds, wanting it enough to put in the necessary time and discipline, making excellent habits more than just a habit but rather a lifestyle of excellence.
Where ORU’s student body president can share news, answer questions and offer perspectives. Graphic by Staci McCoy
Simulating a culture of fear
Chisom Uche-Onyilofor Staff Writer Since April 20, 1999, there have been recurring events of school shootings all around America. The situation has only spiraled downhill with many recent cases. This has pushed 66% of public schools to establish a shooting-simulation system, according to the Government Accountability Office. With the recent events of shooting being the present— and possibly the future—of America, the shooting simulation’s effect on children is debated. Initially, I took sides with schools because I felt
it was a good attempt to protect the children and prepare them for possible catastrophe. Upon further research, I noticed how much harm is being done on the children, making them always on the lookout for those whose mission it is to end their lives. There are many simulations that have been conducted throughout American history. In 1951, during the Cold War, “schools began implementing the now infamous ‘duck-and-cover’ drills, during which teachers would scream ‘drop!’ randomly during the school day and students would dive underneath their desks, simulating what to do in case of an airstrike,” reported The Week. The Cold War simulation would never have worked. The likelihood of being crushed by the weight of the building was high, and numerous lives would not make it. New York officials were aware of how much of a failure the drill was, causing them to spend over $159,000 on dog tags to identify their students. Some worry that shooting simulations will make it easier for the shooter to target victims, since the pattern of most shooters has been fellow classmates. These shooters are not only harming others and taking lives, they also instill fear in the hearts of
every American child. In 2018, a Florida high school conducted an unannounced drill that caused some students to suffer asthma attacks and vomit from fear, while others texted their parents goodbye, according to the New York Times. A shooting simulation should not be conducted, but instead a drill should take its place. In a fire simulation, places would be set on fire or smoked out, but a fire drill creates an avenue where the precautionary steps are practiced by the members of the school. Steps should be provided; it is unnecessary to go around with a fake shooter causing a panic attack. ORU security administered a whole process for school shooting. There is an emergency alert system that alerts if there is an active shooter via a messaging chain, along with alerting of dangerous weather conditions. All the teachers have been trained, and all the locks on the doors have been changed from outside the classroom to inside. There is a new lecture in the GEN 150 curriculum, a required freshman course, that gives insight on what an individual should do during a shooting.
Guns: A God-given right?
Writer’s Name @Twitter Josiah Ingegneri Staff Writer Constitutional carry becomes effective in Oklahoma on Nov. 1. The “constitutional carry” bill, signed into law by Gov. Stitt in February, allows those 21 and over, and not otherwise restricted, to carry a firearm without a permit, whether or not they conceal it. It also allows the same for those 18 and older who are members of the
U.S. National Guard, armed forces or reserves. “It was also apparent to me that the road we were traveling down—that constitutional carry was something the people of Oklahoma wanted,” said state Sen. Kim David, a sponsor of the bill in the Senate. Sen. David made sure to emphasize that businesses and institutions of higher education still maintained their right to restrict people from carrying firearms within their property. Neighboring states Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas had already passed constitutional carry. “Because we have reciprocity in Oklahoma, those states could come to Oklahoma and carry without a permit—they had more rights than our own citizens did,” Sen. David said. “I don’t believe you should have to pay the government in order to
exercise your rights,” said state Sen. Nathan Dahm. Our elected representatives in Oklahoma are protecting our Godgiven rights to life, liberty and property. The second amendment states, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This protects our right of self-defense against potential aggressors and tyrants. Although the state cannot infringe on our right to bear arms, it is the right of private property owners to choose what they will allow on their land. A CDC study from 2013, which was commissioned by President Obama, found that the evidence for the effectiveness of restricting gun use was inconclusive, while the proof of the efficacy of right-to-carry laws also remains debated. That same study shows that the number of annual
defensive gun use at least equals the number of negative use, despite estimates ranging from 108,000 to 3 million defensive gun uses. Alternatively, the evidence that people deserve the right to self-defense is conclusive. In Federalist No. 46, James Madison defended the right of the people to keep and bear arms. He said, “The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country, does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twentyfifth part of the number able to bear arms.” Madison clarified that an armed citizenry would be able to defend itself against a tyrannical government. This right to defend ourselves is a right to carry. We should not sacrifice this fundamental liberty for a false sense of security.
October 4, 2019 • Oracle • 17
Caspian’s guide to getting the girl
Caspian Cavalier, translated by Elora Dodd Contributing Writer
Women. Mysterious creatures. Strange. Hypnotizing. Dangerous. Many men fear to approach women and rightly so. As the most popular male on campus, I am often asked, “How do you get the ladies?” So here are my top tips. 1. Make contact. Sitting and staring at a woman— without ever introducing yourself— will not get you a girlfriend. I have found a foolproof way to meet women: sneak up behind her and lick her ankles. Women are
pleasantly surprised and charmed by this display of affection. 2. Put your best foot forward. Be polite and respectful. Women are like black widow spiders—if they do not like you, they might bite you. And for the love of all romance, avoid Axe body spray. Women have been known to leave the country and change their names when confronted by a man wearing Axe body spray. Instead, try sniffing around for a good patch of mud—or better yet, goose poop—and roll around in that. Women adore men who are down to earth. 3. Ask her out on a date. Find a common interest, and invite her to partake in that activity with you. Be sure to offer to pay—women love free stuff. A great date for beginners, which I often use myself, is an afternoon of fetch. Let her throw the toy, then run after it as fast as you can and retrieve it for her. This is fun for everyone and has the added benefit of demonstrating to the lady just how athletic you are. 4. After a few dates, ask the woman to be your girlfriend. Be sure to be understanding if she says no—remember that black widow thing. If she says yes, congratulations! Your next trick is working toward Ring By Spring.
Caspian Cavalier is a second-semester service dog major with a concentration in snuggling. He enjoys making friends when he is off-duty, so say hello if you ever catch him without his vest on. Photos by AlexAndria Ramirez
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