Feb. 21, 2024 | The Reflector

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS • FOUNDED 1922 • INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA VOL.

102

I S S UE 8

reflector.uindy.edu

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Celebrating Black History Month at UIndy

By Derrick Jones STAFF WRITER

In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford formally recognized Black History Month after “Negro History Week” was celebrated throughout the late 1960’s, according to NPR. President Ford implemented the holiday to, “Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area or endeavor throughout our history,” according to NPR. The University of Indianapolis is celebrating Black History Month this year by showcasing young Black leaders in the community by hosting multiple different events across campus, according to Assistant Director of the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Title IX Coordinator Cari Freed. According to their website, the OIE governs the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence by building upon a comprehensive strategy to ensure equal access to educ ational qualit y, benefits & resources, workforce development & leadership opportunities, intellectual

& social development, and a welcoming environment for all members of the campus community. “ We have the Black Business Bazaar that's going to be put on by the Black Student Association, and what's really special about that is that it actually hosts vendors that are current students at UIndy,” Freed said. “It's an opportunity for you not to just celebrate all Black people from our past, but to also encourage and develop the Black people of today and to encourage and develop the Black community that we have here at UIndy.”

Freed said UIndy also plans to have other events to celebrate leaders on campus and throughout the greater Indianapolis community. Events include a barber shop talk, a poetry slam and other activities, according to Freed.

“We have a barbershop talk so young men can come and get their hair cut and listen to other inspirational black men who have done great things and persevered through challenging times,” Freed said. “We have the Mad Love Poetry Slam, which is an emphasis on self-expression and the

power of self-expression to help your mental health. Then we also have our Black Excellence Dinner, but that's always one of my favorite events of the year because it's an opportunity for us to come together, get a little dressed up, have a nice meal and then really talk to leaders and community members of our campus. This year, our theme is ‘For the Culture.’”

Advisor of the BSA and Student Experience Designer in OIE Selena Jackson-King, says the registered student organization will be holding activities throughout the year to showcase Black history and excellence. OIE also wants to celebrate Black History Month in the future by celebrating our present and future leaders, according to Jackson-King.

“We always like to uplift Black voices,” Jackson-King said. “We just had our [Ripple] gallery opening and one of our students, Samir, they were the photographer for one of our exhibit pieces and they're also in BSA. So, this

will be up all year round. We're just highlighting Blackness that way just by simply

being apart and b e i n g included.”

OIE plans on also celebrating Black history throughout

the year with a podcast series titled ‘Talk Tuesdays.’ Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., OIE will be discussing different current events and topics regarding black history and different issues around the world.

“We’re starting like a podcast called ‘Talk Tuesdays.’ Come in on Tuesday afternoons, I think around 3 p.m., and you guys could come in and sit and listen to Cari and I and also special guests talk about whatever issues that are going on campus and in the world around us.”

OIE’s office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and hosts many activities throughout the year for students to engage with one another, according to Jackson-King. She said OIE is the representative for all minority groups on campus and actively seek student involvement.

“Just come and check out OIE,” Jackson-King said. “One of the things I think people miss out on is that this is a collective space so they could come in and hang out with us or come in in the morning and do homework. But do visit us, we would love to meet you.”

Graphic by Breanna Emmett

School of Business embraces new era After being named dean in November, Karl Knapp is looking for many ways to enhance UIndy

By Michael Harrington FEATURE EDITOR

The University of Indianapolis School of Business is ushering in a new era with a new dean. According to UIndy 360, Karl Knapp was appointed as the Dean of the School of Business on Nov. 27. Knapp said he feels thrilled and inspired by the faculty on campus.

After serving as dean eight years ago, Knapp said he learned the managing aspect of the position and is now ready to focus on leading the school as a unit.

“I learned a lot of the internal processes in managing this organization— budgeting and the boring things that you just have to do,” Knapp said. “So I can step into those particular administrative tasks, but the real focus for me is leading the organization through these difficult,

competitive situations.”

According to Knapp, the role of the dean can be seen as a product leader. After learning AI programming language in 1986, Knapp said he was hooked on the idea of implementing AI into business, and even took a sabbatical to study it.

“I've been interested in it and implementing varying degrees of expert systems and AI systems for quite a long time,” Knapp said. “So the sabbatical was timely because that was right before ChatGPT blew up. I spent my sabbatical learning how those deep learning neural network systems work and I brought that knowledge back to our faculty.”

Knapp said he would like to see students work with AI ethically in the classroom, as it is a tool. While others may see AI as something negative, according to Knapp, implementing

AI in learning is like discovering the calculator.

“A lot of universities, our initial reaction was to ban it,” Knapp said. “… I want to teach my students how

He does what's right for the students, for the faculty and the university ..." to use this new, advanced technology ethically and appropriately. How to cite their sources, understand the pros and cons, what it's good at and what it's not good at.”

Professor of International Business and Marketing and long-term colleague

Photo contributed by Karl Knapp

Dean of the School of Business and Associate Professor of Business Administration Karl Knapp poses in Krannert Memorial Library.

Knapp served as Interim Dean before being named dean on Nov. 27 after an extensive and competitive search throughout November.

INSIDE: OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 8 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5 FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . . . 7

of Knapp Katharine Bohley said she has worked with him on curriculum design to prepare students for success post-graduation. According to Bohley, Knapp’s logistical approaches to issues were refreshing to see.

“There's never a decision when Karl wasn’t always fact-driven,” Bohley said.

“So every decision is made based on facts. … As a dean, everyone wants their program to feel like it's the most important one. He's always like, ‘Let's revert back. Let's think about what the data shows us and let's go from there.’

I think that's been very refreshing.

That's why when it came time for the dean's search, I prayed that he would get it because there have been so many changes at the campus.”

According to Bohley, while he has held multiple roles during his time on campus, Knapp always had the qualities of a leader. Going from peer to boss to peer again has not changed how comfortable with his fellow faculty members he is, Bohley said.

“We've had this kind of role switching back and forth. But I felt like no matter if he had the title or not, he was a leader,” Bohley said. “So it's not uncomfortable.

Sometimes a peer of years becomes your boss, it might be uncomfortable, but he's done that, came back and went back and is totally accepted, not just from me but from all faculty that were there in the different transition times.”

Knapp said his values come from his time working at Indianapolis Life Insurance Company where he learned valuable skills on how to serve the people around him.

“My mentor for years, her name is Carla Best. She was a senior vice president of human resources and I worked at a company called Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, and it was my first job out of college,” Knapp said.

“They were very ethical and how they treated people with respect, so I had a great model to learn from. … I serve the individuals who work for me. My job is to harness their passion, their ideas, suggestions and remove barriers for them.”

According to Bohley, Knapp treats the school as though it is a family where everyone is close to each other. While the school strayed from that relationship with its growth, Bohley said that Knapp not only brings that back, but he also balances having a more casual relationship with colleagues, students and the community alike.This is a quality of a leader, like a Dean, Bohley said.

“He does what's right for the students, for the faculty and the university, and juggling those three is a tremendous challenge—he worries about all stakeholders,” Bohley said.

Knapp said students can expect change in the master’s programs within the School of Business. While still under planning, the ideas are inspired by UIndy President Tanuja Singh, and her ideas.

“We're going to revise,” Knapp said.

“We're already in the process of revising all of our master's programs. I was somewhat inspired by our new president and some of her ideas.”

According to Knapp, the School of Business with still keep the same values despite the dean change. Due to all faculty in the school having a background in the field, their mission is to amplify the skills of the students with their passion for teaching business.

“I don't know that our attitudes would change,” Knapp said. “Our faculty are here because we've all had careers in the industry. We're here because we want to teach, we want to help young people be amazing. I don't see a big difference in how the school has operated. Dr. Belcher did, I thought, a fantastic job prior to me. The culture of the school is solid.”

Knapp said while he believes higher education is in a difficult situation, UIndy can adapt to whatever challenges it faces. The culture of the school is what is going to help serve the students in the future, according to Knapp. “... Higher-ed is in a challenging situation, but I really like where we're positioned,” Knapp said. “We have a changing and adaptive culture in our school and I think our university. So that'll serve us, I think, well going forward.”

GREYHOUND SURVEY

POSTSEASON PLAY

INDIANAPOLIS FIRST FRIDAY

One writer shares their thoughts on the current narrative regarding campus safety at UIndy. Check out Page 2 to see what they—and surveyed UIndy students—think!

Winter sports are starting to heat up! Check out Pages 4 and 5 to see how winter sports are doing as they approach the postseason.

Organizations all over Indianapolis host "First Friday" arts and entertainment events on every month's first Friday.

Head to Page 7 to read more about these events!

> See OPINION

> See SPORTS

> See ENTERTAINMENT

OPINION

2

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

THE REFLECTOR

Let's change the campus security narrative Conversations about universities' security should focus more on women's, minorities' safety

By Olivia Cameron ONLINE EDITOR

School safety has been a big concern for me since I was in elementary school.

I was only 10 years old when the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting happened in 2012. Since then, my anxiety has grown in tandem with the number of school shootings that happen ever ywhere in the U.S. According to CNN, there were 82 school shootings in 2023 including incidents at colleges and universities. However, I find some solace as a college student knowing that if a crime were to happen on campus, it's less likely to be a mass murder event—but that doesn’t mean I have nothing to worry about.

While I still live with the fear of a gunman on campus, the horrible truth is that school shootings mostly occur at elementary schools. According to the most recent statistics reported by Best Colleges, the most commonly reported crimes on college campuses in 2021 were burglary (23%), rape (21%) and motor vehicle theft (19%). Furthermore, 42% of all reported crimes on campuses qualified as Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA) offenses. L ooking specifically at UIndy in 2021 using the UIndy Police Department’s Annual Security Report, there were 13 incidents of burglary, four incidents of rape and

nine incidents of motor vehicle theft.

Safety did improve in 2022 in these categories, with seven incidents of burglary, zero incidents of rape and zero incidents of motor vehicle theft.

However, the data on VAWA crimes at UIndy during the same time is not as positive, per the 2021 and 2022 UIndy security reports. In 2021, there were 10 incidents of stalking, six incidents of dating violence and zero incidents of domestic violence. In 2022, there were five incidents of stalking, four incidents of dating violence and three incidents

UIndy—have better security in place.

Butler University’s website says that a university ID card is needed to access buildings, some classrooms, meeting spaces and offices. At UIndy, residence buildings always require an ID card, but most campus buildings do not require a swipe-in 24/7. In an anonymous survey I created asking about campus security at UIndy, students complained about a lack of accountability for people being let into residence halls. This makes it a lot easier for suspicious individuals to walk in unnoticed, which is an unsettling thought.

Looking at Butler’s Annual Security Report, the incidents of burglary and motor vehicle theft in 2022 are less than at UIndy. Yet, the VAWA incidents are similar or worse: 10 incidents of rape, 12 incidents of stalking, seven incidents of domestic violence and zero incidents of dating violence. I think I am noticing a trend here.

It appears to me that even when universities improve safety and security measures, the number of crimes committed largely against women remains high. And access to things like a Title IX coordinator, anonymous reporting and the Health and Counseling Center are not preventative but are there for when sexual violence has already taken place.

Sometimes, it feels like the online

training about consent and the Title IX presentations do more to remind me to be afraid than to remind people to respect women.

In the aforementioned survey, the popular sentiment was that security is fine on campus, but UIndy is just located in a dangerous neighborhood.

What is every other university’s excuse then? For some populations, it seems

they did not sit well with me at all. As being predominantly female. I think this someone who pours so much love into is because—in a vast majority of my stories and loves seeing this level the books I’ve seen featured— of love in the books I read as well, it the man is portrayed as loving was appalling to see how lazily these above all else. Sure, he might books were written. From the books be a mafioso or otherwise I have read to the posts I have seen dangerous, but the main from BookTok, it is abundantly premise of the book is often clear to me that these writers his adoration for the female care more about how many main character. If you tropes they can cram into are curious about specific a book than their plot or books, they are not hard characters. I won’t lie—I to find—just search am a sucker for a good “ BookTok” online friends-to-lovers or or take a visit to your rivals-to-lovers plot— nearest chain bookseller. but the way I see these The problem with this cliches portrayed is that it seems like through BookTok is there are just as many terrible. I have seen depictions of incredibly books lead off with toxic behavior disguised as a list of tropes love as there are depictions and overused of healthy relationships. Now, character I expect most adult readers can s va types differentiate fantasy from reality in their ue s-C e t rather relationships, but teenage girls—who are e Fl na than a a large demographic of readers, according ir a a yM to The Guardian—may not be able to. b c hi synopsis.

This, to This may cause young women who have ap r G me, is proof that there not experienced a healthy relationship is no real plot, or at least not a to latch onto the behaviors and actions well-constructed or thought-out one, of these fictional men because they are but rather the author trying to make the portrayed as appropriate and affectionate. book as marketable as possible.

This is incredibly harmful, and something There is certainly something to be that I do not see enough people on said about the BookTok community BookTok talking about.

The fact that these books are often targeted toward young adults poses another major issue—the smut. Most (if not all) of the books marketed on BookTok include several graphic sex scenes. I am not saying young adults should be sheltered from reading about sex, but I do think this also feeds into unhealthy and unrealistic expectations of real-life relationships. Of course, young adults should be educated about sex if they are curious, but if the only way they are doing this is through BookTok—that is a major issue. Young adults and other impressionable readers often lack the maturity to fully grasp what is and is not acceptable in real relationships, and BookTok makes it that much harder with the romanticization of toxic and harmful situations (again, think back to the mafia boss plus a vulnerable female victim love story trope). Even for adult readers, there is an overwhelming emphasis on the smut included in these books. In almost every TikTok video describing or previewing one of these books, the comments are full of people asking if there is any “spice” in it. According to PR Newswire, 90.74% of the women that were polled in a study regarding reading erotica said they read at least one erotica book per month. I do not think this is inherently a bad thing, but the overwhelming emphasis of it that I have seen on BookTok takes away from the actual literature. However, when erotica is not the main selling point for

... universities need to focus on active advocacy for the marginalized. of domestic violence. As a young woman myself, this data is incredibly discomforting. I was already uneasy while walking around campus before I even knew this information.

Of course, there is no college campus where absolutely no crime ever occurs.

However, not every college campus is located in Indianapolis, where the violent crime rate is higher than similarly sized metro areas in the nation, according to U.S. News. And it seems like those that are located in Indianapolis— with similar student populations to

that safety and security are rarely guaranteed. And I am not just referring to women—hate crimes on college campuses are on the rise, according to a recent report by the FBI, with Black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ students being the most targeted. While better security measures certainly do not harm college campuses, universities need to focus on active advocacy for the marginalized.

Graphic by Olivia Cameron

'BookTok' values profit over quality

By Olivia Pastrick

MANAGING EDITOR & NEWS EDITOR If you use TikTok and classify yourself as a bookworm, I am almost sure you have seen videos or promotions for what is known as “BookTok.” BookTok is a popular community on TikTok in which people—predominantly women in my experiences on the app—post about contemporary romance novels. I have always been a big reader and writer, and although my taste definitely lies in the classics, I originally thought BookTok was a great thing because it was a community in which women could share the books that they were reading and loved. However, after doing a few deep dives into the concept with my friends and taking time to dissect the intentions behind BookTok, I think the trend is one of my least favorite things to come from the app. Many of the books that are raved about on BookTok are written with little to no care and are focused way more on marketability than actual artistry. I think this, along with some of the stereotypes and tropes that are used in some of these books, makes the trend more harmful than it is positive.

In an attempt to have a fair opinion of the content I saw on BookTok, I read a few popular titles in my spare time.While these books were certainly easy reads,

a novel, I believe reading erotica can be a great way for women to explore their own sexuality. (The aforementioned study even says erotica can empower women sexually, but it is important to note the definition “women” may not inherently take into account “young women” or “girls” in a study.) Although I do not condemn readers or writers for engaging in erotica, I think the overall focus of a book should be on the plot and characters. However, I doubt that will change anytime soon: Smut apparently sells better than a book with a welldeveloped plot and motivated characters.

O verall, BookTok makes me disheartened for the future of art and literature. I have read countless books that are written beautifully which I have loved, but they likely won’t receive any praise or coverage from BookTok because romance and sex are not the primary selling points. I will never discourage people from reading what they enjoy and what makes them happy, but it does make me heartbroken to see poorly written literature that focuses on profit rather than art. But, in today’s society, where it seems like almost all forms of media are viewed as content to sell rather than art, it is not surprising that BookTok authors are as successful as they are. While there’s nothing inherently bad about reading for simple enjoyment, let’s not allow lazy and stereotypical erotica overshadow the immense value of a well-written novel.

Corrections "The Reflector" acknowledges its mistakes.

When a mistake occurs, we will print corrections here on the Opinion page.

If you catch a mistake, please contact us at reflector@uindy.edu.

The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of "The Reflector" staff.

What do you think?

Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to reflector@uindy.edu Editorial Cartoon by Breanna Emmett

NEWS

3

THE REFLECTOR

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

UIndy Police Department upgrades security UIPD adds new safety and security measures including additional AEDs, door barricades and NaloxBoxes

By Derrick Jones STAFF WRITER

The University of Indianapolis Police Department has implemented several new features in order to upgrade campus’ security and safety, according to an email sent out by UIndy Police on Jan. 24. These updates include additional Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), Nightlock Door Barricades and NaloxBoxes, according to the email.

University of Indianapolis PoliceChief and Director of Campus Security Brandon Pate said these upgrades were necessary to provide public safety and better prepare the campus for anything.

AEDs have been added throughout campus in more popular buildings, according to Pate. He said AEDs have pads that are put to someone’s chest in an emergency to provide a shock if they have an irregular heartbeat.

“We’ve had AEDs on campus and for athletics, they've been in the student center, officers have them,” Pate said.

“We put additional AEDs in spaces where students visit most commonly, so we added some AEDs to Schwitzer, added some to the library, and we make sure there's one in every police squad car.

There were some added in the Health Pavilion and then athletics had a couple that were upgraded.”

The AEDs were a necessary upgrade, according to Pate, in order for officers to have more lifesaving equipment so they do not have to wait for medics to arrive in case of a cardiac emergency. By equipping officers with more equipment like this, they will be able to respond better to issues, Pate said.

“It's just further strengthening our response and our stance on response to medical issues,” Pate said. “When you open it, it tells you what to do, which is great, you don't have to have any kind of specialized training. It will tell you step one, do this, step two, do this and then that AED will do an assessment itself of the citizen needing help. And it won't provide a shock unless it determines one is needed. So, you could press shock and

it's not going to do anything. The AED itself must pick up the need for the shock for it to happen. And they have both pictures and audible instructions on how to use the AEDs.” The night lock door barricades were a security upgrade inspired by student Audrey Walters, who is an advocate for better protection during lockdowns.

This was a passion project based upon safety which she brought towards the university leadership board, and the university has started by placing them in the Lilly Fitness Center and Esch Hall, according to Pate.

“What's great about that system is it's another one that needs very minimal training,” Pate said. “It's one piece, just a little ‘L’ bracket, that slides into a piece that's mounted on the door and it uses the stability of the floor to secure the door closed.The video that's out there on their website shows about a 40-minute breach time using Rams barricade, brakes [and] collagen tools. Kicking it takes a long time to break through that door because it's been engineered to basically use the strength of the floor to hold the door closed and it takes seconds to put it in place, so once you get the immediate notification to lock down, professors or students or staff or anybody, really, could close the door, grab the barricade, slide it into place and then hide.”

Another security upgrade brought to campus is NaloxBoxes which are used to stop drug overdoses. Associate Professor of the Phylis Lan Lin School of Social Work and Mental Health Counseling Stephanie Rudd collaborated with Overdose Lifeline to study addiction in Indianapolis and looked at ways to combat overdoses in southern Indianapolis, according to the email sent by UIPD. “There are overdoses in the South Side, there's Narcan news already in the city, there are just not enough NaloxBoxes,” Rudd said. “We decided to start working and partnered with Overdose Lifeline, through them the governor's office and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction provides the boxes and all of the supplies. We just really want the

community to benefit, meaning we want these boxes to be accessible to those on the south side as well as our student body, as well as faculty and staff, whatever it might be. So Chief Pate and I strategically thought through the areas in the city and the campus and kind of figured out there is a long line of foot traffic from the red line to the homeless encampment. We said we definitely want one over there.

We want to hit any good foot traffic so that everyone has access to the lifesaving measures of Narcan and then the fentanyl testing strips.”

There are five boxes on campus that will be refilled if needed through constant check-ins. NaloxBoxes are located in the UIndy Police Station, Health Pavilion, the 24-hour study lab, Schwitzer Student Center and Ruth Lilly Fitness Center, according to Rudd.

“We never ever want them to be empty, so I've worked with different contacts across campus to have either a daily or every other daily check-in reporting to me and then they have backups. …”Rudd said. “They're hitting their backups, then I order more, and it goes to them, and we just keep this process going essentially forever.”

The NaloxBoxes have already been installed at the locations listed, the AEDs have also been installed. The door suppressants are currently being installed in Esch, according to Pate. He said students can always become more involved with campus safety by reaching out to the police department. He said he and the other officers are always looking for opportunities to improve campus safety.

“Some stuff that we're looking at is how we communicate, where we can improve, getting that messaging out to students and staff and faculty,” Pate said. “… If anything that kind of comes across the desk that we see that can be approved on, we're going to look at education opportunities for students.

We're going to continue to provide those and try to provide more. We're really trying to get our grasp on a way to get student feedback so that it can be community-informed.”

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The University of Indianapolis has no current policy in place regarding the use of artificial intelligence on campus, according to the 2023-2024 student handbook. However, according to Chair of the Sociology Department Amanda Miller, the Learning Resource Committee, a campus faculty group, is currently working on developing a potential policy.

According to Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy Kenneth Shields, a standardized uniform approach to AI may not be the best way to deal with this issue. Shields said he was concerned about a general AI policy, emphasizing the diverse objectives, departments, classes and disciplines across various subjects might pose a challenge. “...I don't know if the university should have a one-size-fits-all policy, because that could cramp the style of different disciplines and what they're trying to do,” Shields said.

Shields said he has prohibited the use of AI in his classes. However, Miller does allow students to utilize some aspects of generative AI in limited circumstances because she said she does not believe AI will help students in these cases in her class.

“I actually have a policy that AI is only to be used with my permission,” Miller said. “But for the assignments that I give you, AI is not going to help you. It's one of those things that doesn't necessarily matter that much because you're gonna get a terrible score [using] AI anyway.”

Shields said over the past year, he has

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS

The Reflector is a student publication, and the opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of the University of Indianapolis. The Reflector is dedicated to providing news to the university community fairly and accurately.

Letters to the editor, suggestions, corrections, story ideas and other correspondence should be addressed to The Reflector, Esch Hall, Room 333, or sent via electronic mail to reflector@uindy.edu.

NOTE: To be considered for publication, letters must include a valid name and telephone number, which will be verified. Letters are subject

Advertisers: The Reflector welcomes advertisers both on and off campus. Advertising rates vary according to the patron’s specifications. For advertising, contact 317-788-2517.

Readers: You are entitled to a single copy of this paper. Additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Reflector business manager.Taking multiple copies of this paper may constitute theft, and anyone who does so may be subject to prosecution and/ or university discipline.

The CINTAS First Aid Kit and Bag contains an emergency tourniquet, bloodstopper compressor, trauma pads and cooling/heating pads. These can be found across campus.

Photo by Derrick Jones

CINTAS AEDs and CINTAS First Aid Kit and Bag recently installed in the basement of Schwitzer. CINTAS First Aid Kits have been installed in several buildings across campus.

AI to transform classrooms

By Brid Peoples

to condensation and editing to remove profanity.

Submission of a letter gives The Reflector permission to publish it in print or online. All submissions become the property of The Reflector in perpetuity.

Photo by Derrick Jones

experimented with new and different assignments to try and combat the issue of plagiarism. According to Shields, students getting a chatbot to write their work is no different from getting a friend to write it for them.

“I have no problem with students using those things—where it slips into a problem is when it's plagiarism, right?” Shields said. “If they were to copy a paragraph from one of those entries in the online philosophy encyclopedias or something, and then paste it into an assignment— well, nevermind ChatGPT—that's just cheating, right? That's just plagiarism.”

Shields also said he is concerned

It's our responsibility to learn how to work with it and how to work against it." students are relying on AI to format assignments, which means they miss out on developing some core skills related to philosophy that are applicable throughout their education. According to Shields, critical thinking is a skill that is potentially being hindered by overreliance on AI. Shields likened developing critical thinking to developing how to cook or skills in basketball or swimming. Shields said if students do not practice any of these things, they cannot expect to better their thinking skills “So, if you don't know what a basketball is, if you don't know where the gym is, if you don't know how to dribble, if you don't know the rules of

the game, if you don't have those facts in your head, you'll probably have a hard time learning how to play, right?

So, same thing for critical thinking and philosophical training,” Shields said.

Miller said technological advancement is inevitable, but currently, generative AI can only summarize other things across the internet at this stage. Miller said until we know everything AI can do, it’s only a novelty tool. She said the panic over AI in education is similar to the original aversion some teachers had with calculators in math classes back in the 1970s.

“There's this fabulous newspaper photo in black and white, so it's obviously a very old one, from years and years and years ago: It's math professors protesting calculators,” Miller said. “... Technology is always going to move forward. It's our responsibility to learn how to work with it and how to work against it.”

Shields said that an online discussion or class would be a simple and low-cost way to determine students’ opinions, and Miller encouraged students to talk to their professors if they had any doubts or questions about AI use in the classroom.

“Let's say that you have this great idea for using generative AI in the classroom to do a particular project,” Miller said.

“Go talk to your professor and say, ‘Hey, what if I use AI to do ‘X’ and ‘Y’ and then I did ‘Z’ on my own?’ … [AI is] not taking over the universe yet. As we learn a little bit more, we certainly will need to learn to work with it, as opposed to against it. But that's true of every form of your technology.”

Students can reference their different class syllabuses for current professor-toprofessor AI policies.

STAFF DIRECTORY EDITORS / MANAGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.....................MIA LEHMKUHL • lehmkuhlm@uindy.edu MANAGING EDITOR....................OLIVIA PASTRICK • pastricko@uindy.edu NEWS EDITOR............................ OLIVIA PASTRICK • pastricko@uindy.edu SPORTS EDITOR.........................CAROLINE KRAUCH • krauchc@uindy.edu OPINION EDITOR.........................HANNAH HADLEY • hadleyh@uindy.edu FEATURE EDITOR........MICHAEL HARRINGTON • harringtonm@uindy.edu ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR...............BRID PEOPLES • peoplesb@uindy.edu ONLINE EDITOR........................OLIVIA CAMERON • camerono@uindy.edu PHOTO EDITOR.................................... ALLISON COOK • cooka@uindy.edu ART DIRECTOR.........................BREANNA EMMETT • emmettb@uindy.edu BUSINESS MANAGER................... ELYSSA MERRILL • merrille@uindy.edu DISTRIBUTION MANAGER............ ELYSSA MERRILL • merrille@uindy.edu ADVISER....................................JEANNE CRISWELL • jcriswell@uindy.edu

THE REFLECTOR • 1400 EAST HANNA AVENUE INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46227

OUR MISSION

STAFF

The Reflector is dedicated to providing fair and accurate news and information for and about the campus community while upholding the highest standards of professional practice and ethical conduct.

MARIANA FLETES-CUEVAS..............fletescuevasm@uindy.edu OLIVIA HOGSETT.......................................hogsetto@uindy.edu DERRICK JONES...........................................dljones@uindy.edu

Contact Us: The Reflector office 317-788-3269 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 317-788-3269 after hours or fax 317-788-3490.

SPORTS

4 THE REFLECTOR

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Greyhound wrestling prepares for GLVC The wrestling team is getting ready to begin their postseason matches starting with the GLVCs

By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics/Jacob Walton

Trey Sizemore after winning a match against the Drury Panthers on Jan. 26 in the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center. As the wrestling team approaches postseason matches, practices will start to lighten up but there is still a strong emphasis on technique and conditioning.

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics/Jacob Walton

Transfer athlete and graduate student Trey Sizemore during a dual during the Midwest Classic on Dec. 17. The team began their Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament on Feb.18 against Maryville, marking the start of their postseason matches for the 2024 season.

The University of Indianapolis wrestling team is preparing for playoffs in the upcoming week.The team commenced their Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament on Feb.18 against Maryville, according to UIndy Athletics, marking the beginning of postseason matches.

Head Coach Jason Warthan has been leading the team for 15 years now and said wrestling is unique because the regular season has little effect on postseason.

Everyone in Division II wrestling gets the chance to compete at super regionals, Warthan said, and then based off of those results, the top three in each weight class go to the NCAA Division II Championship (nationals).The regular season results can help determine where wrestlers are seeded at regionals, according to Warthan, but they have little power to change anything.

“Your regular season determines your seed at the regional tournament in each weight class,” Warthan said, “But you could have somebody that has a losing record or didn’t have a good regular season that could make it to the national tournament, so a little different than other sports.”

When it comes time for regionals in the near future, Warthan said the 10 best athletes from each weight class will be taken to represent the team. After that, the top three wrestlers from each weight division advance to nationals. Warthan said the difference between regular and postseason is that for regular season, there is more room to assemble a lineup based on the opposing team and exposing their weaknesses.

In the postseason, the team’s goal is to have their best athletes competing and qualifying for nationals. Warthan said the main goal for postseason is making sure the athletes are peaking at the right time and stay as healthy as possible. As they approach closer to postseason, the team will dial back their workouts in order to keep everyone healthy, according to Warthan. In addition to this, the team tries to individualize their training right before postseason.

“But, just like any other sport, you’re trying to dial back the workload a little bit,” Warthan said, “Wrestling’s a little different because guys have to make weight.”

This means that the athletes must maintain certain weights depending

on their weight class. There are a lot of variables when it comes to wrestling, so Warthan said it is a challenge making sure the team maintains their discipline.

“They’re used to losing a certain amount of weight at practice so they have to be a little bit more disciplined with the calories that they’re taking in and be disciplined with what they’re fueling their body with, the amount of rest they’re getting, staying hydrated, that sort of thing. So it’s a little bit of a puzzle to kind of put together there.”

Warthan said as he has gotten more experience as head coach, he has gotten better at adjusting the team’s workouts depending on how far into the season they are. He said at first, he would focus on how hard the team was working, but now he is able to better differentiate between what the team needs to be doing and when they should be doing it.

“There’s a difference between working as hard as you can and getting better,” Warthan said. “So, just kind of watching and making sure that our focus is in the right place, and we’re ready to peak at the right time.”

One of the athletes he hopes will peak at the right time is Trey Sizemore, a graduate student on the team who transferred from the University of Illinois.

Even though he is new to the team this year, Sizemore said the team has a strong bond.

“I think we have a really good team culture,” Sizemore said. “Everyone on the team is pretty close, and a lot of teams I’ve been a part of growing up kind of had some cliques, but it feels like everyone on this team is pretty conjoined and tight with each other, a pretty tight-knit group.”

Sizemore says his biggest focus going into the postseason is staying healthy.

According to Sizemore, as the team approaches playoffs, they focus more on technique and keeping their conditioning up.This means different things depending on the athlete, but for wrestlers especially, it is not about changing anything but just perfecting instead, Sizemore said.

“Everything you’ve done leading up to this is to prepare you for nationals, so it’s kind of hard actually getting better other than some small tweaks to your techniques and stuff like that,” Sizemore said. “I’m not going to change my wrestling style right before postseason or anything, so I would say back off a little bit, maybe a little bit shorter practices and just kind of try to dial in.”

They begin Super Regionals on Mar. 2 which will be hosted at UIndy.

Streamlined success at conference

By Elyssa Merrill

those individual groups and that’s among men and women.”

BUSINESS MANAGER & Within the team, there is a wide variety DISTRIBUTION MANAGER of athletes, according to Noble. As the team recruits new people every year, the The University of Indianapolis Men’s team chemistry changes, but the coaching anThe University of Indianapolis Men’s team is committed to allowing each and Women’s Swim and Dive teams swimmer and diver to perform their best. competed at the Great Lakes Valley “Every year, every team has a little bit of Conference Tournament in Evansville, a different dynamic, but, ultimately, we’re according to UIndy Athletics. After a geared towards trying to give everyone the week-long competition beginning Feb. opportunity to perform the best they’re 6, the teams’ performances ranked well, able to. And everyone brings a lot of earning the title of GLVC Conference different value there, so they’re able to Champions for the men’s team and a pull from each other and push each other, close runner-up for the women’s team. motivate each other for sure,” Noble said.

According to the Head Coach for both Senior student and first-year swimmer the Men’s and Women’s Swim and Dive Celina Schmidt competed at the teams Brett Noble, this was the biggest GLVC Tournament and walked away team meet of the with a gold medal year. in the 200-meter “We’re able to breaststroke along bring the whole with other notable So it doesn’t matter how group, so we had 84 awards, such as a you feel, you just go there competing: silver and bronze swimmers and in the relays through it for the team...” medal divers, men and she competed in, wom e n , ” No b l e according to UIndy said. “For most of Athletics. She said the team, it serves as the championship the entire team being there and cheering meet and the best performance of the for each other motivated her to perform year, what all of the training of the year the best she could. comes down to. And so there’s a lot of “Especially this week, it was like I swam pressure in that, of course, but definitely for the team, and I think this is why I was a lot of opportunity. We swam well, we so good on the 200 and on the other events dove well, we performed well.” too,” Schmidt said. “Also, when you swim Noble said the teams competed and on the relay, it’s kind of the same. It’s a trained towards improvement throughout team event, and you can do even more the entire season, culminating in the than you expect from yourself and you competition for the GLVC title.The teams can even achieve faster times.” have very different needs based on their Schmidt said she appreciates the events, so they train for such with their motivation and support the team gives teammates, he said. her, especially after she was sick at the “...We train very specifically,” Noble beginning of the tournament. Despite said. “You have distance swimmers and the fact that swim and dive tends to be sprinters and divers and breaststrokers. an individual sport, she appreciates the …You have groups that train within the team dynamics and the kindness they men’s and women’s teams daily together. offered during the tournament, citing a And then those compete for the same special chant that the team would yell for event. … So you form camaraderie within each other. The chant can be heard on the

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

First-year UIndy swimmer Celina Schmidt swimming the breaststroke during the GLVC Tournament. Schmidt earned a gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke, bronze in 800-meter relay, silver in 400-meter medley, and 4th place in the 100-meter breaststroke.

UIndy Swim and Dive ‘X’ account where they cheered “Oh go UIndy, oh go UIndy!”

“The moment I touched the wall and the 200 breast, I think that was my favorite moment because it was just a big relief for me,” Schmidt said. “Just to win and to see that I’m still able to swim good after all I’ve been through this week. That was just good for my mind. It was also good to look forward to nationals and what’s coming for me.”

Beyond the team motivating each other, the competition and the urge to qualify for nationals helps push the team to perform their best, according to Noble. While this was the last meet and epitome of what they trained for, Noble

said some of the swimmers and divers, like Schmidt and junior Cedric Buessing, have qualified for the NCAA Championships.

According to Noble, those that did not yet qualify for the finals participated in the UIndy Last Chance Meet on Feb. 16.

The meet is their final shot at securing a spot in the NCAA DII Championships on March 12.

For Schmidt, she said she is putting a majority of her focus into the NCAA Championship that she will be competing in. Knowing her abilities, she hopes that she can show her capabilities when the time comes, Schmidt said.

“I’m not looking at next year,”Schmidt said. “I’m just more looking forward to

nationals and seeing what I can do and hope for new [personal bests], maybe a new school record.”

Schmidt said that she has a supportive and caring team.. Regardless of what she felt and went through early into the competition, she found it easy to push through for her team, she said.

“I think a big takeaway is that you can achieve a lot even if you go through, say, issues or problems, and it’s nice to see that people have your back,” Schmidt said.

“That’s a big thing. And I think even if it’s an individual sport like this, GLVC is kind of like a team event. So it doesn’t matter how you feel, you just go through it for the team and try to do your best.””

SPORTS

5 FEBRUARY 21, 2024

THE REFLECTOR

UIndy Track and Field races into postseason

By Caroline Krauch SPORTS EDITOR

The indoor track and field season is wrapping up and the University of Indianapolis’s team is starting to prepare for the postseason. The team is set to begin the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Indoor Championships on Feb. 25 with the NCAA Championship the weekend of March 8, according to UIndy Athletics.

According to Interim Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Brad Robinson, the team is hoping to continue the success that they have experienced thus far in the season.

“The team has been pretty solid actually,” Robinson said. “I’ve been happy with the progress we’ve made, we’ve put ourselves into a good spot, I think even a little higher than I would have anticipated coming into the season. So we’ve had a few spots that have risen further than we anticipated, and just trying to keep that momentum going in the last two weeks before conference.”

Robinson said that there is a shift in dynamic once the postseason gets closer. Since track is scored individually,

he said that everyone is working hard to get in the best position for the postseason. According to Robinson, the atmosphere becomes more intense as well, because there is a rise of excitement and energy within the team.

“The sense of the purpose behind it [postseason competition] adds an extra energy that just raises the bar for everybody competing across the board,” Robinson said. “There’s a little more at stake when you’re actually truly counting the scores at that point in time. And you’re vying for titles and honors across the board.”

Robinson said that despite the individuality of the sport, the team works together to push the others around them. Their goal is to make it to the national championship level which means those who will not qualify still do their best to push the teammates who are competing at the higher level. With this higher level of competition comes changes in the practices and training of the team, according to Robinson. This means as the team gets to the postseason, they will focus on recovering and healing their bodies more, whether it is for the national competition or for the upcoming outdoor season.

Fifth-year graduate student Mariah Judy competes for the cross country team and the track and field team, focusing on the mile and 800-meter run. After back-to-back injuries last season, Judy did not get to compete in the indoor season last year at all. Being on both the cross country and track team means that Judy is competing from August to May due to how the seasons line up. Judy said despite the lower numbers on the team, spirits are still high going into the postseason. “[There were] definitely some really big performances we’ve had as individuals but I think that always makes us better as a team as a whole,” Judy said, “Even with smaller numbers this year on the team, we still bring some depth in certain events and different specialties of the track team.

It’s been cool just seeing everybody work together and support each other and cheer each other on.”

W ith talent also comes high expectations according to Judy, and that has been one of the challenges on the team this year. She said that because track is such a long season it is important for the team to not feel like all members have to perform their best all of the time. Much of the team’s focus has been making sure they reach their full potential at the right time.

“Just kind of knowing when to ramp up the training [is a challenge],” Judy said. “When to kind of stay even and consistent with mileage and workouts and peaking at the right time. I feel like for any athlete, that’s your end goal during championship season, whether that’s conference, nationals, or even beyond that. So as a whole team, just having that play out at the right time for the conference.”

Trey Arnold, a fifth year senior pole-vaulter on the team, said his goal is to make it to nationals. After qualifying for indoor and outdoor nationals last year, Arnold is hoping to return to that stage in his final year of competing. The team has been gearing up for their conference tournament For the last few weeks and, according to Arnold, it seems like the whole team is doing well in their preparation. When it comes time for their conference, Arnold said as a vaulter, they will jump less but also focus on their sprint work and lifting.

Arnold said the team has also enjoyed getting to compete at the Indiana State

Photo contributed by UIndy Athletics

Senior distance runner Mariah Judy running an event during the IUPUI Invitational on Jan. 26-27 held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Judy is also on the cross country team.

Photo contributed by Logan Wong

Fifth year senior pole vaulter Trey Arnold competing at the Marian University Indoor Invite held on Feb. 9 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Arnold hopes to return to nationals.

Fairground, the new home turf of the Track & Field Greyhounds.

The Hounds will begin their GLVC Indoor Championships at the fairgrounds Feb. 24 through 25. Arnold said this is a fun meet for the team so they are looking forward to competing on this stage.

“[I’m most excited for] just seeing how well the team is able to kind of put everything together,” Arnold said.

“Conferences are normally a really fun meet for us. [I’m] hoping that we can get some kids back and peaking at the right time. That’ll be, that’s kind of the end goal for everything.”

Coaches vs Cancer

UIndy men’s basketball head coach raises awareness with shoes able to catch it early, he said he felt very lucky that it was isolated and no additional chemotherapy or treatment STAFF WRITER was needed.

“I’ve dealt with this on a personal The American Cancer Society instance and now I’m gonna take part recently had their Suits and Sneakers in raising awareness for it,” Corsaro week as a part of the Coaches vs. said.

“I mean when you go through Cancer program. From Jan. 22 through something like that, obviously, it hits 28, basketball coaches from around home a little bit more, I think, than it the country wore sneakers with their would for someone who hasn’t. That suits on the sideline of their basketball was a really important time in my life. games. According to The American Fortunately, I’m still here today, and Cancer Society website, Suits and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Sneakers week is a nationwide event Rohrer said Corsaro does a good job where basketball coaches unite for the of utilizing his voice to talk to people common cause of ending cancer. They about cancer and getting screened. do this by having She said coaches that the coaches support Coaches wear the most vs. Cancer are also eye-catching I’ve dealt with this on a supporting the sneakers in American Cancer personal instance ... now I’m order to raise S o c i e t y ’s e f f o r t s awareness and going to raise awareness...” across the Country promote cancer such as Hope Lodge, screening. screening, research According to and road to recovery.

T h e Am e r i c a n C a n c e r S o c i e t y “And what he [Corsaro] is doing website, Coaches vs. Cancer is a is taking his story and telling others nationwide collaboration between that encourages them to get screened,” the American Cancer Society and the Rohrer said.

“Go to talk to a doctor, National Association of Basketball especially if you have high risk, and get Coaches (NABC) that originated screened.

Take care of yourself, listen in 1993. to your body—that’s his message. He Strategic Director for Coaches is utilizing his platform as a Division vs. Cancer at the American Cancer II basketball coach and telling people, Society Amy Rohrer said this year they ‘Hey, don’t be scared of the doctor, are celebrating 30 years of Coaches vs. go get screened.’

And that’s what we Cancer. Something special about the really, really appreciate about Coach event is that school’s are taking Suits Corsaro.” and Sneakers week and going further The sneakers Corsaro chose to with it. They are having events such wear for Suits and Sneakers week as ‘pink-outs’(where participants are are a pair of custom shoes given encouraged to all wear pink clothing to him by a f riend. His custom and accessories) to show support for shoes can be seen in an article by cancer awareness, according to Rohrer.

WISH-TV. UIndy Head Men’s Basketball “What makes my situation more Coach Paul Corsaro said he participates unique is just the fact that I have every year with especially personal UIndy-branded sneakers that were ties to the cause. At 15 years old, given to me as a gift,” Corsaro said.

Corsaro was diagnosed with cancer.

“Given to me as a gift by a friend for Corsaro said that fortunately he was

By Olivia Hogsett

Graphic by Breanna Emmett

my wedding, and I thought they would be really good for this week each year.

I just kinda made them my Coaches vs. Cancer sneakers every year.”

Rohrer said the event feels like Christmas morning when she checks to see what cool sneakers all of the coaches are wearing. She said during Suits with Sneakers week, she watches a lot of college basketball games.

“But what really warms my heart is seeing, I got so many pictures of youth teams, like third, fourth graders where their coaches wore a suit and sneakers,” Rohrer said. “So I love seeing that it’s impacting not only the Division I level schools, but Division II, Division III, youth basketball. Everybody’s having fun with it and really spreading the message that cancer screening saves lives, and that’s my favorite part.”

According to the Coaches vs.

Cancer Playbook, coaches can record a short video detailing who they suit up for. They can also engage the studentathletes and fans and create custom sneakers that are significant to them.

This event is unique because it’s for the basketball community as a whole, Rohrer said.

“That ’s what makes Suits and Sneakers so special,” said Rohrer, “Seeing coaches across the country who are rivals on the court, but coming together for that one cause and celebrating through a really snazzy cool pair of sneakers.

Those who want to take part and get involved can go to The American Cancer Society’s website and view their Coaches vs. Cancer Playbook.

Their website features resources for youth involvement, Coaches vs.

Cancer Council, Suits and Sneakers and more. If someone wants to reach out to the American Cancer Society for help, their toll-free number is 1-800-227-2345. Lastly, the American Cancer Society has a donation link set up in honor of Coaches vs. Cancer’s 30th year on their website.

6

FEATURE

PR students vie for award THE REFLECTOR

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

UIndy's PRSSA chapter, a student-led PR group, is competing for the 2024 Bateman Competition

By Elyssa Merrill

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER & BUSINESS MANAGER Public relations students on campus will be gearing up to compete this year as the University of Indianapolis Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter participates in this year’s Bateman Case Study Competition. According to The Public Relations Society of America’s website, the Bateman Case Study enables public relations students to utilize the knowledge they learn from classes and internships to create a full public relations campaign.The Cultrs Magazine website— which is the company being highlighted for this year's Bateman competition—says they have a focus on creating a deeper community and connection for many people including refugees, immigrants and Third Culture Kids.

UIndy Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in Communication Ray Begovich is the faculty advisor for the PRSSA at UIndy, and he said that the Bateman competition is a great experience for the students participating in the program.

According to Begovich, the competition gives students clients who are not those they may typically work with. This allows the students to use the time they have to be creative, while the company gets to benefit as well from ideas that the PRSSA chapters in the U.S. pitch, Begovich said.

“What happens is the national …

PRSSA office finds a client for students to work with,and it's always on a national level,” Begovich said. “It’s not like an Indianapolis client, which is another benefit of this. …

The client agrees to provide information in various ways to all the campus chapters and the campus chapters then do a public relations campaign. It benefits the

Photo by Allison Cook

University of Indianapolis junior data science major Varney Blamah sits for an interview with PRSSA members sophomore Evan Porterfield, senior Marissa Maxey and junior Emma Foutz for the Bateman Case Study Competition in the UIndy TV studio in Esch Hall.

companies out there because they get a lot of good creative ideas from smart young people. And it also lets a lot of smart young people know about their product and their service…. The most important thing is students get a chance to work on something that's not a classroom assignment, it's not a campus assignment project or it's not even local.”

According to UIndy’s website, the PRSSA chapter is a registered student

organization on campus. Due to this, the participation of the members and the board is entirely voluntary, Begovich said.

"It's so impressive to me because it's nothing they have to do,” Begovich said.

“They're plenty busy with school and with their personal lives,and they take this on.I'm kind of in awe of our students for doing this.” ccording to Begovich, UIndy’s PRSSA chapter is open to anyone—not just communication students specializing in

public—a bar,late-night bites—things like that. Then upstairs is an event space, and that event space can seat up to 250 seated or 400 standing.”

According to the Public Commission Row Concept Overview, the name for the complex came from the name given to South Delaware Street in 1863. The name came from farmers selling their goods through resellers who would charge commissions for their services,according to the overview.Newton said the development of Commission Row had to do with the timing of the NBA All-Star game being held in Indianapolis.

“They determined their opening date because they wanted to be open prior to the All-Star game,” Newton said. “A couple of years back, it was the Super Bowl.

Everything about Indianapolis was, ‘We must do everything to showcase the city for the Super Bowl.’Well,this year everything is about All-Stars, all and everything is about the swimming trials. So those are the two ways that we can showcase the city. And so they built the plaza, and the restaurant sits on the outer rim of the plaza, so it just completes the project.”

According to the Commission Row Concept Overview, the building is located in Indianapolis’s Wholesale District, right next to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite opening for the NBA All-Star game,

Cunningham Restaurant Group sees Commission Row as something that will benefit the city long-term, Newton said.

“On the Cambridge side where the Pacers play the field house, that side of town of downtown Indy, it’s just not as populated with things to do, restaurants, events, things like that,” Newton said. “It’s really nice that they're building out that portion of downtown. I think [Mass. Ave.] has been built out really well, and that has been a large part of Cunningham, as well.”

According to the NBA, Commission Row will stay true to its historical location by selling high-quality steak and seafood, such as Wagyu beef and caviar. This is the biggest selling-point along with the event center, according to Newton, as it offers a unique experience in Indianapolis.Newton said large events such as DECA, formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America, which attracts marketing students,could be served by Commission Row’s event center.

“The biggest thing is that they are extremely high-end steak seafood-focused.

So heavy on the steaks and seafood, and they have in-house pastry experts,”Newton said. “They're making pastry menus and dessert menus custom every day. And then in addition to that,if you were to book space for one of the events, you get the best of the restaurant or any other restaurant within the group so you can get access to the recipes.”

public relations.Additionally,Vice President of PRSSA, Firm Director of Top Dog and senior communication major Marissa Maxey said that she hopes more students will join PRSSA in the future because there are so many benefits.

“There's also internship opportunities, job opportunities and stuff like that and also [working in] the PR concentration in general,” Maxey said. “It's very handson. You meet with clients, you have client

meetings, you have deadlines, things like that, that's really important in the PR profession.”

On top of real-world experience for PR, travel is also an opportunity available to students. For example, Begovich and PRSSA members were able to attend a national conference in Nashville this past October. According to Begovich, they met with people who specialize in the PR field and other communication students, which was a useful experience.

UIndy PRSSA chapter currently has around 10 members, Maxey said, so the creation of the content relies on individual strengths. For example, PRSSA member and sophomore communication major Evan Porterfield utilized his experience and understanding of digital media to aid in their project. “...We're talking to each other trying to figure out how we can meet these objectives,” Porterfield said.“What would make us stand out is that we decided to do a documentary and we're also doing a couple of other things.

But that's kind of when I'm really in charge of the documentary part of it because I'm kind of the only one doing electronic media.

I'm taking care of the video editing, that whole process.”

Additionally, Porterfield said having a small team can be difficult when you are also a student.However,UIndy's environmenthas helped him set a foundation of learning for this competition, according to Porterfield.

“I don't know, it's a lot and since I'm kind of the only one that knows that area,” Porterfield said."...The fact that we're a small team can be difficult, but we're gonna get through it and make a good quality video and piece of work.”

Those interested in PRSSA or PR can learn more by contacting Begovich or by going to the Communication Department’s Public Relations track’s page at UIndy.edu.

All-Star bites: Commission Row opens

By Michael Harrington FEATURE EDITOR

Editor’s Note: Commission Row is a venue that sells alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

Indianapolis residents, students and tourists alike can visit 110 S.Delaware Street for a new upscale downtown Indianapolis experience. According to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Commission Row is a steakhouse, seafood restaurant, speakeasy and event center that opened its doors on Jan.24.Commission Row is part of the new Pacers Sports & Entertainment Complex’s Bicentennial Unity Plaza, according to Commission Row’s website.

First announced in April 2023, Commission Row was designed and constructed by Shiel Sexton and RATIO Architects and Design, according to the NBA’s website. Cunningham Restaurant Vice President of Marketing Carissa Newton said Commission Row is managed by two entities: Pacer Sports and Entertainment and Cunningham Restaurant Group.

“It's owned by Pacer Sports and Entertainment, and then it's operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group,”Newton said. “The first piece is a restaurant on the main floor—on the ground floor.

Downstairs is a speakeasy that's open to the

Photo contributed by Jonathan Adams

As a part of the new Pacers Sports & Entertainment Complex’s Bicentennial Unity Plaza, Commission Row has a pubic speakeasy, a bar and an event center seating 250 people.

While the target audience may not be college students, Newton said, students can still take advantage of the employment opportunities resulting from Commission Row. According to Newton, one of the jobs she had in college was as a valet driver, similar to the ones available for Commission Row. There are also times when students may want to celebrate at the venue with each other or their family, Newton said.

“I think one is employment opportunities because students that's very common is valet service jobs,” Newton said. “I know that's how I survived college was service jobs... I think the other piece is when your parents come to town and they want to take you somewhere really nice to celebrate, that's where I would pick. That's where I'd want to go. I'd want to go to a game and then go to the restaurant.”

Headline graphic by Hannah Hadley

By Derrick Jones STAFF WRITER

The University of Indianapolis is offering a new Spring Term study-abroad course this year which explores the culture of the Navajo Nation, according to a Spring Term flyer on campus. This trip is aimed at teaching students the traditions and customs of the Diné Native peoples, according to the flyer UIndy Instructor of English Kristine Newton says this Spring Term was created after attending a conference back in 2022 and becoming friends with one of the speakers from Navajo Technical University. After having the speaker for one of UIndy’s faculty series, Newton said she was invited to bring students to Navajo Tech University.

“I went to a conference back in 2022 in May and I heard this woman from

Navajo Tech University speak and I was really impressed with her,”Newton said.“I talked with her at lunch and we just struck up conversations and we got along really well and I actually had her as a keynote speaker for a webinar event that I held last year, and then from that we decided to see if we could partner up to have students go out to the reservation because there was so much interest generated from that webinar.”

Newton said students who are attending the Spring Term trip will be visiting places on the reservation like Crowne Point, New Mexico and different museums and sites of Arizona.

Students will also be engaging in different activities while attending the Spring Term, according to Newton.

“When we go, it'll be a week that we spend there at the university. So we fly out there and we stay on campus, and you will meet all types of people that

live in the area,” Newton said. “They're students, doing all different types of classes and activities.They'll learn another whole language. Then we will have cooking lessons. They will herd sheep, visit museums and so forth. We’ll even go to the market so they can practice

They've contributed so much which has been silenced for so long ..." bargaining and speaking Navajo. It will be a transformative experience and I'm really excited about it. I think the students will be excited about it, as well.”

According to Associate Professor and Graduate Programs of English Leah Milne, the Navajo Nation call themselves

the Diné. The Navajo peoples are one of the only tribes to have ancestral land overlapping their reserved land, according to Milne “Diné means ‘the people,’” Milne said.

“Essentially, the Navajo define themselves by their people, but they also have a large territory and they're one of the few, if only, native tribal nations in our country that have reservation land that overlaps their traditional homelands.A lot of native tribes have been kind of pushed into reservations and have been kind of moved away from their traditional homelands and it's one of the only who have reservation lands that overlap their tribal traditional homelands.”

According to Newton, this Spring Term trip is important because of the opportunity to learn the culture and history of Indigenous People and the effects of colonization. Learning from past mistakes and acknowledging those affected by systematic racism is important,

Newton said.

“It's important for everyone in America to learn the history and culture of the Indigenous people,”Newton said.“I mean, they've contributed so much which has been silenced for so long...Also there's still a lot to learn from each other, especially when it comes to environmental issues and so forth because systemic racism and it has really affected society and the communities, not just in New Mexico but all over the U.S." The Spring Term is named Immersion: Sovereign Nation Spring Term 299, and the maximum number of students able to register for this Spring Term is 12 students, according to UIndy Registrar. The course duration is two weeks,from May 6 through 24, according to the registrar “I welcome anyone who has any questions or would like to sign up and invite all your friends,” Newton said. “It's a great, great experience.”

ENTERTAINMENT

7 FEBRUARY 21, 2024

THE REFLECTOR

Lunar Lessons: Lecture on eclipse

By Brid Peoples

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The University of Indianapolis hosted a lecture regarding the upcoming solar eclipse titled “Eclipses: Awe and Wonder Across Cultures,” on Feb. 7. The lecture featured a number of speakers across the Religion, History and Physics departments.

Assistant Professor of Physics & Earth-Space Science Sarah Reynolds created the event and invited the other speakers: Assistant Professor of Practice Philosophy & Religion James Willis, and Professor of History James Fuller. Reynolds said she thought it would be interesting to bring someone in from a Religion studies background as historically, a lot of people have turned to religion to understand or explain celestial events.

“Eclipses aren’t something that is just about science, right?” Reynolds said. “They impact people in so many different ways, they have historically impacted culture, and [impact] society in a wide variety of ways, [so] I think that means that there’s really so many different areas of study that you can look at eclipses through.”

According to Willis, people of ancient civilizations used religion and

mythology as a way to make sense of in terms of travel and navigation, and cosmic events in a world without scicalendar, timekeeping, all of those ence. Willis said more people need to things, [depended upon] understandtake a charitable view of ancient reliing the motions that we see up in the gions because they did not have access heavens and the sky.” to the kind of data and knowledge that According to Willis, students we do now. can enjoy the solar eclipse in mod“Mythologies about solar eclipses ern times because society can underare instructive and even entertainstand scientifically what is going on. ing, but they also However, Willis demonstrate how said that society people cope with should cultivate We’d love to hear from their anxieties intellectual huof these cosmic mility, because students if they have ideas what we believe as events that align or questions” with our prior stotrue today may be ries,” Willis said. viewed differently According to in the future.

Reynolds, astronomy has a rich and “The things that we take for grantcomplex history across the centued as being pure facts, will at some ries. Reynolds said there are records point in the future be seen the same stretching back to the earliest periods way that we view people hundreds of of human history which feature the thousands of years ago,” Willis said. sun and moon prominently in their “When you go outside in April and cosmology. you look at the sky… think about “But across all of that … we find it from a scientific viewpoint. How there are some common features that amazing is this? How amazing to be science tends to have across cultures alive at this time.” across times, even back in periods that According to Reynolds, if there we don’t usually think of as scientifare any students curious about the ic,” Reynolds said. “Astronomy is one eclipse or astronomy in general, there of the oldest subjects that we know are opportunities to learn more about has been studied in a fairly scientific the topic through local interest groups fashion. So much of what people do such as the Indiana Astronomical

Society. Reynolds also teaches a 200 level class in the fall on astronomy.

“Here on campus, we’re starting to have a lot of students that are interested in astronomy and astronomy topics. So we usually have fun with it in the classes in the fall, and then we’re trying to create more opportunities for it,” Reynolds said.

The Noblitt Observatory is also on campus, and is located in Lilly Science Hall. Reynolds said that she is hoping the observatory will be able to open a few times each semester, to afford students the opportunity to engage in presentations and classes while observing the stars.

Reynolds and a few of her students have set up an email account for anyone to contact if they have general questions about the upcoming eclipse, which is eclipse@uindy.edu. Reynolds encourages students to reach out and engage, even if they believe the sciences are not for them.

“We really kind of hope that the eclipse is something everyone can be involved in as well,” Reynolds said.

“So we’re going to have, you know, the event on campus, we’re going to have some things kind of leading up to it.

We’d love to hear from students if they have ideas or questions or they want to do some part of that.”

Photo by Allison Cook

Photo by Allison Cook

Assistant Professor of Practice Philosophy & Religion James Willis speaks at the lecture event “Eclipses: Awe and Wonder across campus,” held on February 7th.on campus.

Assistant Professor of Practice Philosophy & Religion James Willis, Assistant Professor of Physics & Earth-Space Science Sarah Reynolds and Professor of History James Fuller.

An immersive cultural experience Downtown Indy offers a showcase of art, food and entertainment during First Fridays

By Olivia Hogsett STAFF WRITER

On the first Friday of each month, if you’re out exploring the Indianapolis area you may come across one of nine local First Friday locations.

First Friday is a year-round, widespread event across Indianapolis where galleries, studios and culturallyoriented businesses celebrate the arts throughout the city.

F irst Fr iday is nothing ne w to Indianapolis, according to UIndy Financial Aid Counselor a n d f re q u e n t F i r s t Fr i d ay go e r L e z z a H a r m a n - L i n e b ac k .

Harman-Lineback said this event has been around for over 10 years.

First Friday is happening all over the countr y and it began when different art collectives wanted to feature the local art community and support small businesses, according to Harman-Lineback.

It eventually evolved to what it is today: a monthly event that features artisans, vendors, musicians, games, food, drinks and much more, she said.

“You just never know what you’re going to experience at these places and that’s like part of the fun of it, because it’s just kind of whimsical and unexpected,” Harman-Lineback said.

“And, like I said, everything you would think of in the art world, they have such creative ideas.”

One of the most enticing things about First Friday is that it is free to attend, according to HarmanLineback. If students or anyone in Indianapolis are looking for something affordable and fun to do on the first Friday of every month, this is a set of events which can appeal to anyone, according to Harman-Lineback.

“Sometimes they even offer little snacks, sometimes they offer free drinks.

That’s a little bit more rare, but it’s definitely worth it to have, a cheap or free evening. And if you were gonna

spend, I don’t know, $15 to go to a movie, you could buy some work for $15, or support an artist for $15, and you get a whole experience,” she said.

According to Harman-Lineback, Garfield Park (which is only five minutes away from campus) has five First Friday locations including the Garfield Park Arts Center, Big Car Collaborative’s Tube Factory artspace, Yoke Pavilion, Pen and Pink Vintage and Skosh.

Fountain Square (which is also relatively c lose to campus) has T h e M u r p h y A r t s C e n t e r, a n d v a r i o u s Fo u n t a i n S q u a r e businesses offer extended hours and events during First Fridays.

In downtown Indianapolis, there are events at Circle City Industrial Complex, Harrison Center and The Stutz.

First Friday features art; However, if someone isn’t interested in art,there is still something there for everyone, according to Circle City Industrial Complex.

Harman-Lineback said these are

well-rounded events. The Circle City Industrial Complex website said visitors can explore wood and metal shops, enjoy beverages at Centerpoint Brewing or 8th Day Distillery, experience live music or dance and much more.

Harman-Lineback said that events like First Friday benefit the community in several ways.

“It shows to our community that art is a priority to us and that it’s important.

I feel like that if the community supports art, it shows that that ’s important,” Harman-Lineback said.

“If Indy Parks and these other art collaboratives keep promoting items like this and then the public supports it, it’s kind of like, ‘Okay, so they want it, so we’ll give it, and we’ll give it because they want it,’” Harman-Lineback said.

“It also gives a microphone and a spotlight and a stage to voices that might not be heard.”

Those interested can find First Friday event schedules at Do317.com/ FirstFriday.

Released on Feb. 1, 2024, “Turn the Lights Back On” continues the familiar and captivating vibe Joel has curated over his extraordinary musical career. The love ballad reminds me of “Honesty” and “You’re My Home,” two of my favorite classic Joel love songs. The song is extremely catchy and emotionally moving. Additionally, Joel’s voice is as beautiful and pure as ever, which I can personally attest to from listening to him at his concerts.

Joel said he retired from songwriting and producing new music after his 1993 album “River of Dreams” catalog did not get as much attention as his previous work, and he had run into a drinking problem, according to People Magazine. Although I am sad “River

of Dreams” discouraged Joel from stop making music for so long, I am so glad he has “turned the lights back on” in the recording studio and turned his drinking issue around. His fans have truly missed his work and are genuinely excited to have a new song on our playlists.

In addition to being a passionate love song, “Turn the Lights Back On” also feels like it is an apology to Joel’s fans for his absence from the studio.

The chorus says, “I’m late, but I’m here right now / And I’m tryin’ to find the magic / That we lost somehow / Maybe I was blind / But I see you now / As we’re layin’ in the darkness / Did I wait too long / To turn the lights back on?” I love how Joel decided to give his ballad

a deeper meaning which speaks to fans directly, as I think it is a nod to how much he appreciates us.

And to Mr. Joel, directly: Your fans eagerly accept your apology. Please keep making and releasing new music.

And, I’d love more songs to sing along to at my fourth (or is it fifth?) concert of yours!

Billy Joel: The Piano Man sings another melody

By Hannah Hadley OPINION EDITOR

It’s safe to say Billy Joel is my favorite musical artist—I have seen him three times (and counting) in concert, of course. Some of my fondest memories include listening to “Uptown Girl” on my iPod and my brother and I singing our hearts out to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” when Joel visited Notre Dame University in 2022.

So when the “Piano Man” announced he was releasing his first song in almost 20 years, one can just imagine my immense excitement. Ultimately, Joel lit a flame of nostalgia inside of me with “Turn the Lights Back On.”

‘Prelude to Ecstasy’: Poetry with guitar riffs

By Brid Peoples

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR British Indie band The Last Dinner Party had their breakout year in 2023, with their debut single “Nothing Matters” going viral. The G uardian recentl y c alled them “The year’s most hyped band,” and similarly, I agree with the statement that their debut album “Prelude to Ecstasy” “totally delivers.”

The group was formed in 2021 in London and consists of five female friends: Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies and Aurora Nishevci. The most striking thing about the band is their eclectic and cool style, a mixture between gothic horror and 19th century poetry. Their sound is equally maximalist, with dazzling orchestral music and intense guitar solos.

T h e L a s t D i n n e r Pa r t y h a s recently won the BBC Sound Of… poll and the Brits Rising Star award, and through most of the songs on ”Prelude to Ecstasy,” it ’s not hard to see why. The album opens with the title track, “Prelude to Ecstasy.”

It is one minute and 35 seconds of pure over whelming baroque orchestra. I have never listened to an indie/rock album and the opening song was entirely orchestral, but it immediately sets the rock tone.

“Burn Alive,” the second song on the tracklist, is similarly decadent and horror-infused.

The album and the band very much lean into feminism, with lead singer Morris yearning to be one of the ‘greats’ of ancient times in “Caesar on a TV Screen.” Morris sings “No one can tell me to stop / I’ll have everything I want,” and describes feeling like an “emperor” when she was just a child. “The Feminine Urge ” continues this vein of political non-conformism, although it is one of my least favorite tracks on the album.

Sometimes it all just feels a bit too much on the nose.

“On Your Side” plays with the idea of how cannibalism is used in some media to portray female l o v e a n d i n t i m a c y, w i t h l i n e s such as “This blood on my face / Where your teeth sunk in / Bite me again.” This is perhaps more of a trend in film and music lately (think “Yellowjackets,” the female teen survival drama, nominated for several Emmy awards).

The seventh track “Gjuha” is perhaps the most bizarre. Sung entirely in Albanian, it reminisces on language and the loss of culture by not knowing your language and heritage. However, the punkgothic feel and tone of the song is very much still there, with rich harmonization through the use of the choir.

Overall, there are only a few minor faults to this delightful album. It feels like the image and sound of the band have already been formed, with strong lyricism and even stronger vocals and guitar riffs. The band and album feel very modern, with its female focus and rich imagery. The lyrics of most songs have strong queer undertones, with its radical-feminist themes apparent. It leaves me with the feeling that the band members are staking their c laim in the traditionally male-dominated rock industry. This is summarized in the opening line of “Beautiful Boy” and throughout the track: “The best a boy can ever be is pretty.”

Tone: 9/10 Lyrics: 10/10 Sound: 8/10 Flow: 9/10 Overall: 9/10

Overall: 10/10

The Goods: • Strong vocals, stronger lyricism • Well developed sound

The Goods: • New Billy Joel music is back!

• A beautiful love ballad Immensely nostalgic The Bads: • I am begging he releases more than just one song this year

The Bads: • Morris’ voice is at times overwhelming, perhaps there should be a mixture of singers • The album feels like a jumbled mix of genres.

8 THE REFLECTOR

NEWS FEBRUARY 21, 2024