Feb. 17-23, 2020 by OU Daily

W E E K LY E D I T I O N | F E B R U A R Y 17- 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 | O U D A I LY. C O M

OU DAILY

NEWS

CULTURE

Comedic play ‘The Liar’ promises fun for audiences at OU Lab Theatre

‘Ida’s Law’ seeks to create tribal liaison for missing, murdered women

SPORTS

Two perfect 10s for Maggie Nichols cement OU’s big win at Lloyd Noble Center

Proposed Oklahoma House bill would attempt to solve jurisdictional issues to protect indigenous peoples

Gade steps down from class Gaylord professor will no longer teach course after use of racial slur JORDAN MILLER @jordanrmillerr

On Feb. 11, Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication director of graduate studies and Gaylord Family Endowed Chair Peter Gade compared a racial slur to the phrase “OK, boomer” in his journalism capstone class. According to a statement Friday from Gaylord College Dean Ed Kelley, Gade has since agreed to step down from teaching the capstone class. He will go through training on culturally competent communication and one-on-one meetings with OU’s

team in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Gaylord’s faculty and staff will also undergo similar training. “Dr. Gade also has agreed that this episode is a chance to learn and grow,” Kelley said in the statement. “This moment provides a point of reflection and opportunity for growth for the college as a whole.” According to multiple students in the class, when Gade used the slur, he was discussing changes in journalism related to technology and social media and made the point that journalism should stick to its more traditional roots. Gade then called on a student who said journalists have to keep up with the younger generations as they continue to change. Gade said the student’s comment was the equivalent of saying “OK, boomer” to him.

“Calling someone a boomer is like calling someone a n-----,” Gade said, according to students in the class. Some students left the classroom immediately afterward, and others left once class ended as Gade kept talking over the scheduled time for the class. Students present at that time said he told the class he was sorry if he offended anyone. “(Gade’s) comment and word choice are fundamentally offensive and wrong,” said interim OU President Joseph Harroz in a Feb. 11 statement. “The use of the most offensive word, by a person in a position of authority, hurt and minimized those in the classroom and beyond.” After the incident, OU’s Black Emergency Response Team said in a tweet that it expected “full action to be taken against the

professor and the college.” Janae Reeves, a broadcast journalism senior who was present in the class, said Feb. 11 that after the many racist incidents at OU over the past year, which saw few consequences for the students involved, the university should now take a harsher stance against racism to prevent further incidents. “Hopefully the right steps will be taken,” Reeves said, “because like I told them, an example needs to be made out of somebody.” Gade sent an apology email to students in the class that evening, calling his conduct “inexcusable.” “I realize the word was hurtful and infuses the racial divisions of our country, past and present,” Gade wrote in the email. “Use of the word is inappropriate in any — especially educational — settings. I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies. In the coming

weeks, I will strive to show you that I am an instructor and teacher who is trustworthy and respectful of all. Please give me that opportunity.” Kelley, Associate Dean David Craig and Assistant Dean Yvette Walker met with five students from the class later on Feb. 11. That evening, Kelley wrote in an email to Gaylord students the slur is a word that is “hurtful and divides us.” “I’m not sure that (type of language) does (have a place in the classroom),” Kelley told The Daily in a Feb. 11 interview. “Perhaps it did once upon a time. Perhaps he was using it as an educational tool. We have no record at all of Dr. Gade, a distinguished professor who’s been on the faculty here for more than 20 see GADE page 3

Master on mat, strings, pottery wheel Student, wrestler brings competitive attitude to orchestra, ceramics VIC REYNOLDS @vicareynolds

CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY

Redshirt sophomore heavyweight wrestler Eli Boulton plays the viola Jan. 22.

“Something definitely switched and the competitiveness in him really started coming out, and you could tell that he was becoming more focused,” Mark said. “It was a pretty big tournament, and he showed the type of wrestler he could be.” But even as he continued to grow and succeed as an athlete, Eli turned to a hobby that one might not expect from a kid who would go on to be a 6-foot, 285pound Division I athlete: the orchestra. His older sister, Santana, played the bass, and Mark said the two always shared a friendly rivalry and often tried to outdo each other. So when Eli approached Mark about wanting to take up an instrument, the only thing he didn’t see coming was the instrument in question. “We always did a lot with music,” Mark said. “And it was no surprise when he said that he wanted to do that. And the only surprise was the instrument that he picked because there weren’t many kids picking the viola. It’s definitely a unique instrument, and it’s kind of a forgotten instrument.” In a similar fashion to wrestling, Eli rapidly developed his talents and became one of the orchestra’s most important pieces. “He was a natural from the beginning,” said Wendy Tenney, his orchestra conductor at Lowell Middle and Lowell High. “He is a very intelligent and very

expressive person. Playing an instrument was a natural fit for him, and he became a leader quickly in the orchestra program.” At this point, Eli’s rigorous academic, artistic and athletic schedule became robust, and Mark and Eli’s drives around Michigan had them in gymnasiums and auditoriums.

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team.” His coaches and conductors said Eli was among the most crucial participants of his teams, which meant Eli often had to pick and choose between his passions. Toward the end of the school year, when wrestling duals and orchestra concerts began to conflict, he typically picked wrestling.

I just have to be very happy with where my son’s life is going if he can do things that he likes and do it all well. It’s truly a gift, and he’s a very lucky kid. I’m always amazed at some of the things he decides to do and he’s good at. -Mark Boulton, father of Eli Boulton

As a result, Eli’s social circle became more diverse than the average teenager’s, as he was splitting time between the athletes and artists of the school. “I was jumping back and forth from groups of friends. I had a group of friends that I really got along with through academics and through advanced classes,” Eli said. “I had music friends, and then on the weekends I’d be with the wrestling

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Eli Boulton spent a lot of time in the car growing up. Th e re d s h i r t s o p h o m o re heavyw eight wrestler ’s father, Mark, drove him all over Michigan, as Eli’s many talents had positioned him to compete in various fields across the state. Besides being a star on the mat, Eli shined academically, as a violist and as an artist. “That type of environment where kids are expected to excel is great and certainly put some pressure on (him), but winning is never what I put a lot of (emphasis) on,” Mark said. “I just wanted him to compete at his best, whether it was on the mat, in school or playing his viola.” Being hyper-involved isn’t what makes Eli unique — it’s his ability to quickly excel at whatever task he sets his mind to, from winning four consecutive state championships at Lowell High School, to being principal violist in his orchestras, to being among the best ceramic artists from his area, to now being a National Merit scholar and walk-on wrestler at OU. According to those who taught him what he knows, his naturally competitive spirit fuels his amalgamation of talents, each of which contributes to the other. “He just always tried to be the best,” Mark said. “He always wanted to be the first seat in the viola section, and he always wanted to be successful. And it’s something that his mom and I certainly weren’t going to argue with him about, trying to get really good grades or trying to excel in whatever it is you choose to do.” One of Mark and Eli’s first long road trips came around the time Eli was turning 10. They hopped in the car and drove nearly two hours southeast from Lowell, Michigan, to Ann Arbor, where Eli was set to compete at the University of Michigan. He had been wrestling for almost six years because of his father’s background playing and coaching the sport, but it was primarily for fun and nothing serious, Mark said. But on his 10th birthday, Eli won the tournament and lit a fire under himself that ignited the competitive attitude he’s had since.

However, his choices never meant he lacked a passion for music. In fact, there was a point in his first two years of high school when he considered pursuing music in college. “I’d say wrestling was always a little bit more important to me,” Eli said. “But for a while (during my) freshman and sophomore year, I did think that I probably wanted to go to school for music.” After being a member of state

champion wrestling teams in his freshman and sophomore years of high school, Eli was given a bigger role both on the mat and as a leader. He was stellar in his junior season, as he reached the state finals as an individual and Lowell won a third consecutive state championship. “Ever ything that we ever would ask him to do, he would do,” said R.J. Boudro, Lowell’s wrestling coach. “He showed up to everything, really took lifting seriously and got big and got strong, and his technique improved so much.” But in his senior year, Eli picked up another hobby that he would go on to excel in: ceramics. He took ceramics classes again under the influence of his sister, and just like he did with the viola, he immediately showed the dedication and potential to be a future professional artist. “He had this deep desire to learn more than probably any ceramics students that I’ve ever taught,” said Susan Langford, who taught two of Eli’s ceramics courses at Lowell. “He truly became a master at what he was doing. He certainly surpassed my skills, and if he wanted to be a professional ceramic potter for his career, he absolutely could.” Eli’s penchant for wrestling, viola and ceramics is not entirely random, though. On the surface, a see BOULTON page 5

CULTURE

• Feb. 17-23, 2020

‘The Liar’ brings comedy, fun Small cast allows actors to let loose in OU Lab Theatre KELCI MCKENDRICK @kelciimack

One word echoes throughout the cast of OU’s Lab Theatre production of “The Liar” — fun. The small comedic play has allowed the eight-person cast to relax and build a close community behind the scenes. “It’s a rock-solid cast,” said Race Ricketts, an acting junior who plays Geronte, the lead character’s father, in the play. “It’s fun coming to rehearsal every day. It’s something to look forward to.” “The Liar” was adapted by playwright David Ives in 2010 but was originally written in 1644 by French playwright Pierre Corneille. Corneille borrowed the plot from a Spanish adventure story and turned it into a comedy built on “commedia dell’arte,” an early form of comedic theatre originating in Italy that was popularized in France in the early Renaissance era, according to Writers Theatre. Written entirely in iambic pentameter, “The Liar” follows the charming and handsome but hopeless liar Dorante after his arrival in Paris. He meets Cliton, who cannot lie, and then becomes smitten with a beautiful woman named Clarice, but mistakes her name for that of her friend Lucrece. Dorante then tells lie after lie, leaving the audience laughing as he attempts to find his way into the arms of Clarice — or Lucrece. A case of mistaken identity, a set of polar opposite

twins played by the same person, secret lovers and a few surprise twists set the tone for how lying affects everyone involved. Ives’ “translaptation,” as he called it, brings the play into a modern setting with a language that everyone today can enjoy. The production is directed by Judith Pender, a Weitzenhoffer endowed professor of performance and directing and the OU School of Drama’s performance area coordinator. “I’ve loved this play for a long time, and always kind of had it on my list of plays I wanted to do,” Pender said. “I love directing comedy. … It’s been a delightful and fulfilling experience.” Pender said “The Liar” is “delightfully written,” and wanted to bring the production to OU to give students the opportunity to learn the more difficult comic skills the play employs. “This was a really great opportunity for our students to hone their skills in comedy, and a particular style of comedy … it’s a comedy of words,” Pender said. This is the first time OU has performed “The Liar,” said Audrey HohertzSerpan, stage management sophomore and stage manager for the production. A s s t a g e m a n a g e r, Hohertz-Serpan makes sure everyone involved in the production is communicating. This is her third time being involved in stage managing productions. “It’s been really amazing,” Hohertz-Serpan said. “Everyone gets along so well and is so connected. … I learned a lot, and I’m coming away as a better stage manager.” “The Liar” allows cast

OU student actors Nick Hone and Clarissa Cozzoni rehearse for “The Liar” on Feb. 14.

members to step into less serious, more comedic roles that they may not be used to, which is what makes it enjoyable, said acting senior Madison Penzkover, who plays Lucrece, the shy friend whose name is mistaken for Clarice. “We’re making the jokes, but we’re also enjoying the jokes while we make them,” Penzkover said. Pender said comedy is more difficult to portray than drama, which makes the end result more satisfying. “(Comedy) requires more precision, the skills are more difficult to assimilate, and to watch and help my students get that done is really, really fulfilling,” Pender said. Ricketts said he likes to

Angela Davis to speak at Big XII Conference

VIA BIG XII CONFERENCE 2020 TWITTER

Activist to address social change, black identity MOLLY KRUSE @mollykruse98

The Big XII Conference on Black Student Government will host activist, scholar and writer Angela Davis as a keynote speaker on Feb. 21. Davis has been involved with the Black Panthers and the feminist movement, as well as numerous other social and political movements, said Miles Francisco, co-chair of the event’s speakers committee and political science and African and African American studies senior. Davis is also a professor and the author of multiple books on class, race and feminism, including Women, Culture and Politics, according to Biography.com.

Francisco said Davis exemplifies the theme of this year’s conference, “Generation Us: Unifying Blackness Through Social Change.” “Angela Davis is probably the best example of black activism throughout four or five decades, honestly,” Francisco said. Securing Davis as a keynote speaker required persistence and has been in the works for a while, Francisco said. “We sketched out a plan, a vision for what we wanted this conference to look like as far as the keynote speakers went,” he said. “We wanted to be really intentional about showing multiple issues in the black community, multiple identities.” The Big XII Conference for Black Student Government brings together black undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff from

Big 12 universities and other universities across the country to learn about leadership, participate in workshops and hear keynote speakers. Since different Big 12 universities take turns hosting the event, this is the first time it has been held at OU since 2012, Francisco said. Registration for the 2020 Big XII Conference is currently closed, according to the website. One hundred OU students are among those registered to attend, Francisco said. Davis will speak at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the event. “I think (Davis) just epitomizes the beauty of blackness, and the beauty of organizing and activism and radically imagining a better world,” Francisco said. Molly Kruse

molly.kruse@ou.edu

mimic dads, uncles and other older personalities through portraying his character Geronte. “I play a lot of older characters a lot of the time,” Ricketts said. “This time, though, I get to go make people laugh, and that’s always been a lot of fun — making people laugh is always a good time.” Rylan Price, acting junior, plays Alcippe in the play, Dorante’s childhood friend and the jealous secret fiancé of Clarice. “(Alcippe) will absolutely spin himself into a frenzy over a lie, and so being Alcippe is tiring sometimes,” Price said. While portraying Alcippe can be daunting and

difficult, Price said the overall production has been fun because of the community behind the scenes. “I couldn’t have cast it better with more talented, more hardworking people, and just all-around fun folks to be around,” Price said. Pender echoed the production’s behind-the-scenes fun environment, and said the experience gave the cast members a chance to learn “a relatively new set of skills.” “They’re incredibly talented … and the material is just so much fun,” Pender said. “They worked really hard, but it’s been a really good time doing it.” Pender said she hopes the audience members have a great time as they watch

COOPER LEE/THE DAILY

Dorante, Clarice, Lucrece, Geronte, Alcippe and other characters rhyme their way in and out of all the lies thrown at them. “It’s just a romp, and to have a good laugh, a good evening in the theater, come out smiling — that’s the whole goal,” Pender said. “The Liar” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, with additional showings until Feb. 23 in the Gilson Lab Theatre in Old Science Hall. Tickets cost $6 for students with ID and $8 for adults. For more information, call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at 405-325-4101. Kelci McKendrick

kmckendrick@ou.edu

NEWS

Feb. 17-23, 2020 •

Lobbyists ask for tribal liaison

‘Ida’s Law’ bill would help assign indigenous cases JANA ALLEN @jana_allen21

GADE: continued from page 1

years, of him ever using this term, much less any kind of other racially inflamed language.” On Feb. 13, the students in the capstone class met with Kelley, Craig, Walker, journalism area head Elanie Steyn, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Belinda Higgs Hyppolite, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students David Surratt during their scheduled class period. Some students from the class said in the meeting, they informed Kelley they would not attend class as long as Gade was the professor. The next day, students were told in an email that Craig would teach the class for the rest of the semester. WHAT SPEECH IS PROTECTED? In Harroz’s original Feb. 11 statement, he wrote that the professor’s comments were “protected by the First Amendment and academic freedom.” But First Amendment expert Clay Calvert told The Daily the 2006 Supreme Court decision Garcetti v. Ceballos established some protections do not apply to speech within a public employee’s official capacity. Calvert, who serves as director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida, said First Amendment protections would be more protective for the professor in this situation, not academic freedom protections — which are more relevant to how professors teach their classes overall. “The courts have made it clear that if what the professor says is germane to the subject matter, then it is generally going to be protected,” Calvert said. “(For example,) if I said ... in calculus, ‘Fuck this formula,’ that’s not really germane to the subject matter. But if I were talking about the ‘seven dirty words’ George Carlin case in

State flags wave in front of the Oklahoma Capitol building Jan. 20, 2019.

rate could underestimate the reality. The report also states that of the 5,712 MMIW cases reported by the National Crime Information Center in 2016, only 116 were logged in the federal missing persons database, NamUs. Ida Beard, the bill’s namesake, went missing in June 2015 from her mother’s El Reno home without a trace. The El Reno police found no leads, and it became a cold case over the years, said her cousin LaRenda Morgan. “She left one evening with friends and just never returned home,” Morgan said. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes is hosting a Lobby Day event for Ida’s Law from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 17 at the second floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State

Capitol building. The bill must be heard and passed by the House Judiciary Committee by Feb. 25 to move to the house floor, but it has faced some obstacles so far. Dollens said Feb. 10 the bill was scheduled to be heard in the committee at 3 p.m. Feb. 11. But on the afternoon of Feb. 10, Carmen Thompson, the president of the MMIW state chapter, and Morgan were told by Rep. Chris Kannady, R-91, the bill was being taken off the agenda and he did not want to meet with anyone regarding the bill. Kannady did not respond to The Daily’s requests for comment. “ W h e n I a p p ro a c h e d (Kannady), and he (saw) me, he said, ‘If this is about the MMIW bill, I’m not talking to anybody today, I’m not

talking to anybody until I talk to OSBI,’” Thompson said. Thompson, whose niece Emily Morgan was murdered in August 2016, was left in shock after attempting to help a bill she cares about get passed. Morgan, who is also governmental affairs executive officer of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, said Kannady had previously told her he didn’t want to meet with her about the bill, so Morgan had been focusing on lobbying other House members on the committee. But she said she wasn’t sure why Kannady would put the bill on the agenda and then remove it. Morgan said Kannady’s legislative assistant told her on Feb. 13 the bill was back on the committee’s agenda for Feb. 25.

a communications law class, and I said, ‘These are the seven words the court had to analyze — fuck, shit, whatever,’ then that’s germane to the subject matter.” Calvert said the Ceballos case cemented that if a government employee is speaking pursuant to their official capacity — like the professor speaking in class — they don’t have First Amendment rights of free speech. When employees are speaking outside of their official duty — for instance, on social media — that’s when the employee’s First Amendment rights enter more of a gray area. Calvert also said the professor could be disciplined — and even fired — if the university considered his use of the slur irrelevant to the subject matter. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, an organization that works to protect the rights of students and faculty at universities across the U.S., said in an emailed statement that OU was correct in referencing that the law “appropriately distinguishes between talking about racial slurs, including in class discussions, and directing them at others.” “Because academic freedom is protected by the First Amendment, public universities are generally barred from punishing professors for referencing a slur in an in-class discussion with a relevant pedagogical purpose,” the statement read. “Academic freedom protects the discussions between faculty and students that take place in classes, even when others consider those discussions unwise, foolish or offensive, and it requires breathing room to survive.” Eddie R. Cole, associate professor at the William & Mary School of Education and an expert on college presidents and race, said it is important colleges with repeated racial incidents address that the event is not just a oneoff when releasing statements like Harroz’s. “When you acknowledge that you have a consistent racial issue on that campus, your statement can then be used to move forward toward addressing said racial issues,”

Cole said. “It says something about the racial climate on that campus that the president’s statement has to address that when events occur.” In this specific incident, OU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion — along with Provost Kyle Harper, who is responsible for “academic policies and procedures and personnel actions involving faculty, students and academic support staff,” according to the OU Faculty Handbook — did not release statements separate from Harroz’s. Harper did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily on Feb. 11 and Feb. 14. In other instances, like last January’s incident of blackface by two former students, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion released a statement and plans moving forward. Cole said responses by university administrators typically vary based on what the incident is and its severity, but that it is pretty common to have just one statement.

place were “part of the vigorous engagement and robust debate that are central to what we do,” according to Inside Higher Ed, the professor ended up canceling the course of his own volition. More recently, when a professor at the University of Indiana was found to have expressed “racist, sexist and homophobic views” on social media, the university’s executive vice president and provost immediately called them out as such. The administrator explained in a lengthy statement that although the university could not terminate the professor due to First Amendment protections, the university would offer alternatives by not requiring any student to take classes with the professor in question and having the professor follow a double-blind grading procedure to ensure grades “are not subject to (the professor’s) prejudices.” Cole said Harroz’s Feb. 11 statement had some positives, as it was very explicit about the details of the incident — he said he most often sees statements with a much more generic tone — and it was also very explicit that the term was a racial slur that should not be used publicly or privately. But there was an opportunity to do more, Cole said, since the incident is “an extension of a series of incidents that continue to happen on the campus.” “A statement from the president has the opportunity to acknowledge that there’s a lot of trauma associated with racism on college campuses, and when that trauma is continuous, your statements need to acknowledge the continuation of such,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, this statement comes up a bit short in framing that this is an ongoing issue at OU that needs to be addressed.” Editor’s note: Multiple employees of The Daily were present in the classroom during the incident this story references and contributed to The Daily’s initial reporting.

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When you acknowledge that you have a consistent racial issue on that campus, your statement can be used to move forward toward addressing said racial issues. -Eddie R. Cole,

“

An Oklahoma House bill that would create a tribal liaison within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation will be considered soon — the bill is dedicated to Ida Beard, a missing member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. House Bill 3345, or “Ida’s Law,” would assign cases of missing and murdered indigenous people across Oklahoma to a new Office of Liaison, said the bill’s author Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-93. The office could consist of one person or multiple people, depending on funding. The bill comes amid the growing movement to raise awareness about the missing and murdered indigenous women epidemic. The office would help ease the uncertainty that stems from jurisdictional boundaries when a tribal member is missing or murdered, Dollens said — a prominent reason the MMIW epidemic exists. “If a crime happens in Indian country, and then the perpetrator goes back to State land, the district attorney can’t do anything,” Dollens said. “It has to go up to the proper authorities, usually the FBI, and sometimes that can get lost in the shuffle.” Oklahoma has the 10th most cases of missing and murdered indigenous women in the country, according to a report by the Urban Indian Health Institute. However, as acknowledged in the report, there is sometimes poor data collection by cities on these cases — meaning the reported

associate professor at W&M School of Education

Incidents involving professors’ First Amendment rights have resulted in varying consequences in recent years. At Princeton University in 2018, a professor repeatedly used the slur when introducing his course on cultural freedoms and hate speech, asking if it was worse to assault a black man or to call him the N-word, according to Inside Higher Ed. Although the professor was defended by the university, which said conversations and disagreements that took

Jordan Miller

jordan.r.miller-1@ou.edu

CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY

With Thompson and Morgan both having missing or murdered family members, they said this issue is very close to their hearts, and they will continue lobbying for the bill to committee members and other legislators. “The next step is to keep coming back and talking to state representatives and let our voices be heard for the families, and to help push Ida’s Law to be passed,” Thompson said. Morgan is Dollens’ constituent, and was the first one to talk to him about the missing and murdered epidemic and Ida’s case. Morgan said Dollens wanted to do something to help — so he went across the state to hear from tribal members and experts. Last summer, Dollens requested an interim study

on the MMIW epidemic in Oklahoma to see what legislation could be written to help. The study took place in the fall and resulted in Ida’s Law, along with a few other MMIWcentric bills that have been proposed by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-62, and Merleyn Bell, D-45, Dollens said. Morgan said because Dollens highlighted Beard’s case, and because of a story The Oklahoman published in July 2019, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has picked up her case. “They’re starting to investigate. … They were trying to pull her medical records and gather details about her, her dental records, medical records and anything that they could use to help them investigate,” Morgan said. “So if it had not been for (Dollens and the media coverage), it would still be sitting in the El Reno Police Department.” At the Feb. 17 Lobby Day, attendees will hear from several speakers, including Thompson, and see tributes to missing and murdered indigenous people. The program will end with lunch, and attendees will be encouraged to find their representatives to lobby for Ida’s Law, Morgan said. “Anybody who wants to support the legislation, or who thinks that this topic is important to them or they want to participate … I would encourage them to come,” Morgan said. “We don’t want it to sit in this committee and not be heard and not be voted on. Because really (the deadline) is quickly approaching and come that day, if it hasn’t moved, that’s the end of it.”. Jana Allen

jana.r.allen-1@ou.edu

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Letters and classics freshman and SGA external affairs committee chair Taylor Broadbent during an interview Feb. 14.

Students request budget increase Higher Education Day meetings allow for advocacy BLAKE DOUGLAS @Blake_Doug918

OU students traveled to the state Capitol Feb. 11, where they met with several state legislators to advocate for increased higher education funding. Taylor Broadbent, a letters and classics freshman and chair of the OU Student Government Association’s external affairs committee, said 30 students made up the delegation representing OU for Higher Education Day, an annual event promoted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Students present included SGA Vice President Dalton Gau, among other SGA members. “(The students) talked to legislators about the issues the Board of Regents gave us,” Broadbent said, “as well as their own personal experiences in higher education.” The state regents have requested an overall budget of $927.1 million for fiscal year 2021, according to the state regents’ website, a total increase of $125 million from

the previous fiscal year. The increased budget will cover state STEM workforce development initiatives, concurrent enrollment programs for high school students and a 3.5 percent increase in faculty salaries, among other objectives listed on the website. Groups of OU students were split to meet with several legislators, Broadbent said, including Speaker of the House Charles McCall, R-22, and Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-24. McCall was “very, very open” to meeting with the students, Broadbent said, and offered to return to OU and continue to answer questions as the current legislative session continues. Broadbent added that she felt the meetings were effective in influencing the legislature’s decision. “I think they were generally fruitful meetings,” Broadbent said. “Once they put a face to the numbers, it immediately becomes a more real experience for them, and they’re more willing to think about how they vote.” Blake Douglas bdoug99@ou.edu

NEWS

â&#x20AC;˘ Feb. 17-23, 2020

OU found not ADA-compliant

SGA learns most campus buildings fail US standards ARI FIFE @arriifife

The Undergraduate Student Congress heard discussion of on-campus buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compliance with ADA regulations in its Feb. 11 meeting. During the time for committee chairsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reports, campus outreach, safety and concerns chair Mark Mayes mentioned that his committee was almost done a ss e ss i ng bu i l d i ng s o n campus to see if they met Americans with Disabilities Act standards. With only 12 buildings left to assess, Mayes said his committee has found about 68 percent of on-campus buildings arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ADA-compliant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got a lot of complaints last session â&#x20AC;Ś that a lot of the buildings on campus were not accessible to many students, faculty members, staff members who were deemed as being handicapped,â&#x20AC;? Mayes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing right now is going through many of the buildings on the main part of campus and the research part of campus to see the status of all these buildings. So far, what we found out is the vast majority of these buildings are not up to code at all.â&#x20AC;? To determine the compliance of the buildings, his committee had to familiarize themselves with the ADA requirements. Mayes said his vice chair, Alexis Marvin,

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The Undergraduate Student Congress meets on Oct. 3, 2018.

skimmed through the main parts of the ADA and outlined every condition buildings were required to meet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our committee is taking those conditions, marking them, going to buildings and marking down whether or whether not the buildings meet these conditions,â&#x20AC;? Mayes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is absolutely zero reason why any building on this campus in 2020 should not have full accommodations.â&#x20AC;? After the committee is done assessing each building, Mayes said they will send a report to the university administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(We want to) ensure that

they fix these problems because, in the end, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about fixing these issues for disabled students on campus,â&#x20AC;? Mayes said. During the meeting, the congress saw legislation appointing congress members to committees for this session and allocating funding to student organizations. Both acts passed with a rollcall vote of 26-0-0. The congress also discussed Gaylord professor Peter Gadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of a racial slur when comparing the word to the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;OK, boomerâ&#x20AC;? in a Gaylord senior capstone class the morning of Feb. 11.

Congress member Hennessey Chism brought up the incident during a time for student concerns during the meeting, and the issue was directed to the Human Diversity Committee. Chair Emma DeAngeli said sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappointed by the latest racist incident on campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best thing that we can do now is just to move forward and keep fighting the good fight that we are in congress,â&#x20AC;? DeAngeli said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And that was directed to (the human diversity committee), so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really looking forward to seeing what they do about it and following up

on that because it was really disappointing to see that another incident like that happened.â&#x20AC;? Before the congress meeting on Feb. 11, SGA President Justin Norris released a statement on Gadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of the racial slur, in which he said derogatory language and hate speech will not and should not be tolerated at OU. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the students directly affected by this incident, I firmly stand with you in this time of need,â&#x20AC;? Norris said, according to the statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To my fellow black students and students of color, I see you. We are not invisible nor

are limited due to our racial identities.â&#x20AC;? In the statement, he said this incident proves the OU community has more work to do to fight racism and derogatory language. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not the sole responsibility of students of color to continue to do this work alone, but rather it must be a truly united effort by all of us within our community,â&#x20AC;? Norris said in the statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can achieve tangible change together.â&#x20AC;? Ari Fife

ariani.s.fife-1@ou.edu

Abortion protesters clash at state Capitol New bill would abolish practice, stirs controversy JONATHAN KYNCL @jdkyn

Chants filled the cold morning air outside of the state Capitol building on Feb. 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with hundreds of people shouting â&#x20AC;&#x153;abolish abortionâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;SB 13â&#x20AC;? near

the Capitol steps. Roughly 500 people and speakers turned out to the Capitol to support Senate Bill 13, which would create the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act, according to the Oklahoma Legislature website. The Senate Bill 13 rally came after an Oklahoma County district judge ruled against having two laws on hold: a law that only allowed physicians â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not

nurse practitioners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to perform abortions and a law that requires all abortions to be done in person, not via telemedicine, KFOR reported. The anti-abortion or â&#x20AC;&#x153;abolition of abortionâ&#x20AC;? view has been gaining steam, according to supporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen a lot of local support here,â&#x20AC;? said Joma Boyd, who came from Mississippi to work this event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oklahoma seems

to be the greatest chance of getting it passed in the U.S.â&#x20AC;? State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, used a similar rhetoric when he spoke to the crowd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This movement cannot be stopped,â&#x20AC;? Silk said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This generation will end abortion, period.â&#x20AC;? The rally attendees were met with counter-protesters when they entered the Capitol. One of those counter-protesters was Susan

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 17, 2020 Editor in Chief News Editor Sports Editor Visual Editor Video Editor

Nick Hazelrigg Jordan Miller Vic Reynolds Caitlyn Epes Will Conover

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Previous Solution

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

ACROSS 1 Like a bad computer error 6 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shining ___â&#x20AC;? 10 Org. for Serena Williams 14 Echo voice 15 Preschoolerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taboo 16 Blueprint 17 Disperse 18 They may justify the means 19 Advanced, as money 20 Turkey hidden in â&#x20AC;&#x153;stomachâ&#x20AC;? 21 Be in agreement (see letters 5 to 7) 24 Egyptian canal 25 Sporty Mazda model 26 2019 Raptors star (3 to 7) 31 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hollow Menâ&#x20AC;? poet T.S. 32 â&#x20AC;&#x153;See if I ___!â&#x20AC;? 33 Pronoun for a ship 36 Trailing the pack 37 How kids often are on long drives 39 Like some coffee or tea 40 Chart type 41 Button whose image may contain an X 42 Become accustomed (to) 43 Chief helper (5 to 8)

2/17

46 Three-line poem 48 Website for crafters 49 Memphis road in a 2018 film title (4 to 7) 52 Place of pampering 55 Queen Bey : Beyonce :: ___ : Rihanna 56 Mushroomhumanoid in Mario games 57 Ancient Mexican 59 Thick Japanese noodle 60 Strong desire 61 Ambient ___ 62 Small bell sound 63 Little bit of doubt, metaphorically 64 Wrongful acts DOWN 1 Word before â&#x20AC;&#x153;asleepâ&#x20AC;? 2 High male voice 3 Time in office 4 Body spray choice 5 Court dispute 6 One may sound like â&#x20AC;&#x153;tissueâ&#x20AC;? 7 Muscle quality 8 Raggedy Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother 9 Fragrant herb used in bread 10 Transfer, like data 11 Wintry precipitation

12 Roberts of â&#x20AC;&#x153;That â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s Showâ&#x20AC;? 13 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s often upped 22 Slippery as an ___ 23 Whitewall, for one 24 Opportunity, informally 26 Large seaweed 27 Jai ___ 28 Smart, or just smartmouthed 29 Group of eight 30 Rapper Lil ___ X 33 Aquarium concern 34 Sister of Hades 35 Biblical paradise 37 Emperor for whom a summer month was named

38 Ultimate degree 39 Archaeologist Jonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nickname 41 Karaoke need 42 Like some gratification 43 Making mad 44 Listened to, as advice 45 Had fried rice, say 46 Swiss miss 47 Boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name near the beginning of the alphabet 49 Old Spice alternative 50 Ripped 51 Fuming feeling 52 Agitate 53 Ant or mosquito 54 Versatile blackjack cards 58 Where you might feed a giraffe

PREVIOUS PREVIOUSPUZZLE PUZZLEANSWER ANSWER

Braselton, a volunteer escort for an abortion clinic in Tulsa, who led the group of around 25 counter-protesters into the Capitol. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Our) main purp os e being here is to allow women to have decisions over their bodies,â&#x20AC;? Braselton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To not let it be a decision of politicians (about) what is acceptable and not acceptable for a woman to choose her own health care.â&#x20AC;?

ÂŠ 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal ÂŠ 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com www.upuzzles.com

Conjunction Junction by Conrad Jones

Jonathan Kyncl jkyncl@ou.edu

HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last

to let uncertainty come between you and a chance to advance.

Greater participation will help you integrate into groups that have something to offer you. Energetically exploring new possibilities will prepare you for future endeavors. The more time you dedicate to matters you care about, the more abundant the rewards will be.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Mingle, learn and explore whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available. Make investments that will change your direction or location. Romance is on the rise and will improve your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- A sensitive attitude when dealing with others will help ward off frustration. Personal growth will encourage you to broaden your awareness of the possibilities. Live in the moment. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Reaching out to people or groups that share your concerns will be comforting. Your input will lead to an unexpected offer that will be hard to turn down.

2/16 2/10

Both sides of the argument were involved in a yelling match on the second floor of the Capitol, leading state troopers to step in the middle, but the event ended with rally attendees singing hymns on the fifth floor. The Senate bill is not yet scheduled to be heard in the 2020 session.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Adjust the way you do things. A change of attitude will help ease stress. Focus more on your goal and less on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happened in the past. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- A trip or a conference will change the way you do business. You will gain popularity if you put a unique spin on an idea that has potential. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You can prosper using your ingenuity, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make promises you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep. A partnership will be complicated. Trust issues will arise. Be direct, ask questions and take your time. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy away from something or someone because of unfamiliarity. Open your mind to new endeavors. Refuse

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Find the best way to approach what you want, and channel your energy into attaining the lifestyle you desire. Expect someone to use emotional tactics to change your mind. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Personal problems will lift if you are willing to adjust and comply with the necessary changes required to make life better. A relationship will take a positive turn. Romance is featured. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Your intuition and expressive way of presenting your ideas and plans will win the necessary support from someone who has something to offer. Make proposals, close deals and explore new possibilities. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Fix up your surroundings to suit your plans. A change of heart will encourage you to branch out and try something new. Listen to your heart, not to what an outsider has to say. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Stop thinking about making a change and do something. Refuse to let an emotional situation stand between you and what you feel is best.

SPORTS

Feb. 17-23, 2020 •

Riley talks new coaches, youth Press conference addresses recent hires, young staff CALEB MCCOURRY @CalebMac21

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley had to take a second to ponder the position he’s in as a 36-year-old at the helm of the Sooners. In a press conference Feb. 12, after the Tulsa World’s Eric Bailey asked him about being hired as OU’s offensive coordinator when he was 31, Riley talked about the journey he’s had and his hiring of another coach who’s barely in his 30s. When DeMarco Murray was announced as the program’s new running backs coach on Jan. 26, he was 31 years old. He just turned 32 the day of the press conference. It wasn’t too long ago that Riley, in 2017, became the then-youngest head coach in the FBS at 33. “I think about that on these days,” Riley said. “I certainly remember all of that. It’s kind of crazy to think all that’s happened in the time since then, all the success and the change of roles and all the fun that we’ve had, all the great things that have happened. It excites you because there’s a lot more of that in the future.” New outside linebackers and defensive ends coach Jamar Cain, who was hired on Jan. 31, had to clarify his age in the press conference, saying he was 40 despite the Sooners’ website listing him as 39. With the hiring of Cain and Murray, as well as the

GREYSON SIERP/THE DAILY

Running backs coach DeMarco Murray answers questions during a press conference at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Feb. 12.

departure of 61-year-old outside linebackers coach Ruffin McNeill, the program now has four coaches in their 30s and six in their 40s. Riley was the only coach in his 30s in his first season as OU’s offensive coordinator in 2015. This season, in a sport where age is considered the virtue of coaching, Riley’s hires have shown a trend in the opposite direction. “I think Lincoln hit the nail on the head, just the energetic factor of it,” Murray said of

being the youngest coach on an already considerably young staff. “Just the mindset of being here and being energetic, being competitive and having a lot of different avenues to get better and grow as a person, as a player and as a coach, I’m excited to be here and be on the staff.” Being closer to one’s playing days than retirement has its perks. Murray is just 11 years removed from playing in OU’s last national championship game. These perks

can also be seen most notably on social media. Riley also revealed just how savvy Murray is when it comes to paying attention to Twitter. He recalled a story where, amid OU’s running backs coaching position being open after Jay Boulware left for Texas, co-offensive coordinator Cale Gundy received a text from Murray with the eyes emoji. Murray also has the resume of a star running back at the college and pro level, which

in Tempe, the Sun Devils ranked No. 26 in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game with 125.1. In his two seasons with Fresno State, Cain had immense success with the Bulldogs, who tallied a 22-6 record and won a bowl game. With one year of OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s new, aggressive system in the books, Cain can contribute to a promising defensive end and linebackers corps that includes returning players in LaRon Stokes, Jalen Redmond, DaShaun White, Nik Bonitto and an impressive defensive 2020 recruiting class. Murray’s first year has returning star power in redshirt junior Kennedy Brooks, Trey Sermon — who suffered a season-ending leg injury earlier in the 2019 season — and Rhamondre Stevenson, who will start his 2020 season later on after he misses a few games due to suspension. With these two new hires, Riley said he couldn’t have been happier with how things turned out, and he will see his decision play out though the offseason and into the 2020 season. “I just don’t feel like we could’ve done any better,” Riley said of the hires. “Both (are) just the right guys, the right kind of people, the right kind of recruiters, coaches, at the right time. (They’re) exactly what our program needed.”

he’s just under three years removed from. High school kids, as Riley has pointed out, most likely grew up watching Murray play for the Sooners and in the NFL. Age hasn’t showed up in its physical form yet for Murray, who still looks fresh from of his playing days. He still walks the halls of high schools on recruiting trips signing autographs and taking pictures. Cain is coming off one year as Arizona State’s offensive Caleb McCourry line coach. In his lone season caleb.a.mccourry-1@ou.edu

Oklahoma breaks program record on vault Sooner victory at home sees Nichols rested, dominant MASON YOUNG @Mason_Young_0

Just a couple of days before No. 1 Oklahoma’s (13-0, 2-0 Big 12) win over West Virginia (6-6, 0-2 Big 12) and Texas Woman’s University (4-7) at the Lloyd Noble Center on Friday night, Maggie Nichols said that she believed resting from the all-around would help her “feel good toward the end of the season.” It benefited her in the short term, too. The star senior was but spectacular in the Sooners’ victory on Friday evening, notching perfect 10s on two of the three events she competed in after only competing on bars in OU’s previous meet and propelling the Sooners to a top national score of 198.400. Nichols’ first effort came on vault, as she followed strong scores of 9.975 from sophomores Olivia Trautman and Allie Stern, electrifying the crowd of just over 4,000 inside the arena.

BOULTON: continued from page 1

sport focused on physically dominating your opponent, one of the smallest instruments in most orchestras and an art form that began in the neolithic era may not seem to have overlaps, but in some ways they do. On the mat, the fine motor and mental skills he gained from ceramics and viola contributed to his grip strength and tactical abilities. “Eli is not your traditional wrestler as far as athleticism goes because he’s not gonna jump through the roof and he’s not super fast, so he’s very tactical,” Boudro said. “I have a feeling that with the way his brain works and how he can pick up notes and play music helped his mental side of the game and grip, which made

Her 20th career 10.0 put the exclamation point on a solid outing from a vault group that scored a program record 49.775 on the event. “The vault rotation was unbelievable,” OU head coach K.J. Kindler said. “These days it’s very difficult to earn a school record with the great athletes that have come through these doors and the great performances, so it means even more now knowing that you have to hit so high to get that school record.” On bars in the second rotation, as Nichols stuck another landing in perfect fashion, earning a second 10.0. With the sum, Nichols tied UCLA senior Kyla Ross for fourth place in NCAA history with 21 career perfect 10s. Additionally, freshmen Ragan Smith and Vanessa Deniz pitched in 9.9s to help OU extend its lead. Then it was on to beam, and Nichols vied for a third perfect mark in her final event of the evening. She wasn’t able to complete the triad of faultless tallies, settling for a 9.925 to end her night, but her work did serve as a rebound from her fall in her previous performance on the event against

said the rest she had received in previous meets was good for her, while also noting that the opportunities it provides are important for her teammates’ growth. “Just to take that break and to rest my body, it’s great,” Nichols said. “It’s also great to have my teammates step up and get that experience at other competitions, because it just shows how much depth we have.” Ultimately, Kindler was elated with the outcome of her team’s hard work, as the squad produced the third-best score in program history. “This team score is huge,” Kindler said. “We asked them to kind of be on fire tonight, and I think they definitely achieved that, so I’m really excited about this result and about the work that went into PAXSON HAWS/THE DAILY it.” Senior Maggie Nichols performs her vault routine during the meet against West Virginia and The Sooners’ next meet will Texas Woman’s University on Feb. 14. be against No. 25 Stanford in the Perfect 10 Challenge at Iowa State on Jan. 31. Nichols relied on her teamThe result was a blowout 6:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 21 “Beam is one of my favor- mates to close out the victory, victory for the Sooners. West at the Cox Convention Center ite events,” Nichols said, “so I as Smith led OU on beam with Virginia finished in second in Oklahoma City. was just excited to go up there a 9.95, while on floor a 9.95 with 195.575, while TWU and hit a really good routine, from junior Anastasia Webb took the third place spot with which I did, so I’m just really and a 9.925 from Deniz boost- 193.875. Mason Young proud of that.” ed OU’s total. After the contest, Nichols mason.e.young-1@ou.edu

him hard to beat.” In the concert hall, the repetition and discipline required for wrestling contributed to his willingness to perfect his viola skills. “I think it helps to be an athlete, somebody who’s dedicated and willing to use all of their power and self control, to be able to play strong and refined,” Tenney said. “And I think some of those skills that you need for wrestling, which require a lot of intensity and self discipline, are also skills that you need to be a string player to discipline yourself to learning the instrument and also play passionately.” In the studio, his ability to visualize his wrestling opponents’ upcoming moves helped him create a mental picture of what to craft on the potter’s wheel. “There’s some kind of a level of visualization in sports,” Langford said. “ There’s

definitely an understanding that you don’t just become an expert the first time you do something, right? You have to put training into it and practice into it. And I think all those are definitely life skills that translate from an athletic standpoint to ceramic standpoint. With his academic, artistic and athletic success, Eli’s college options were vast. He looked at some local schools, but another long car ride with Mark and his sister solidified his choice to move south. Years after his 10th birthday road trip to Ann Arbor, the Boultons drove over 14 hours to Norman to tour OU. Everything from the school’s academics to the potential to walk on the wrestling team led Eli to be a Sooner. “I just remember there being so much really nice green in the area,” Mark said. “I thought it was going to be

more dry southwest, but it was much more like the midwest countryside I was used to. ... We thought it was a really nice campus, and I think the tour pretty much made up his mind.” Eli chose Oklahoma in large part due to his relationship with Sooner assistant coach Nick Heflin, who he met at a high school wrestling tournament, but his decision was about far more than just athletics. Growing up he excelled academically as much as he did in wrestling, viola and ceramics, which helped him earn his National Merit Scholarship. He said the financial aid along with the prospect of being a Division I athlete was hard to pass up, but the increased workload both athletically and academically left him with less time to hone his ceramics and music abilities. “Time management has

definitely been an issue, but when it comes down to it, I have to make time for the things that I want to do,” Eli said. “And it’s gotten harder. Like after freshman year, I haven’t been able to take another ceramics class or really do anything with that, which has been unfortunate. But you just have to make time for the stuff you’re passionate about.” Even with a limited amount of free time in his life now, Eli has been able to find time for his three passions. He gets to wrestle regularly in practice and when he gets to compete in dual meets, which he has twice in the 2019-20 season. While he doesn’t get to make ceramics as often now, he furnished his kitchen with a set of dishes he crafted himself. And he still keeps his viola in his closet and a guitar next to his dresser for the fleeting moments when he finds time to play.

“I just have to be very happy with where my son’s life is going if he can do things that he likes and do it all well,” Mark said. “It’s truly a gift, and he’s a very lucky kid. I’m always amazed at some of the things he decides to do and he’s good at.” Reflecting on all the time spent in the car with his son — through road trips that lasted hours and weather that occasionally made driving unsafe — Mark wouldn’t have the results of his son’s life any other way. “ Those dr ives always seemed to be in the worst weather,” he said. “And I do remember there were some real tough drives where I was like, ‘Jeez, is it all worth it?’” “But at the end of the day, it definitely was all worth it.” Vic Reynolds

victor.reynolds@ou.edu

ENGINEERS WEEK 2020 The 107th Engineers’ Week — The Greats The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

GALLOGLY

WEEK OF EVENTS

THE LAWYER RIVALRY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

MEWBOURNE

Week-long Raffle

COLLEGE OF EARTH AND ENERGY

Join us at every E-Week event to pick up a free ticket to exchange for raffle tickets during the Awards Reception! Prizes include two (2) $500 cash prizes and more! No limit to how many raffle tickets each student can get

The rivalry between engineers and lawyers is one of our most time-honored traditions. The beginning of the rivalry at OU can be traced back to 1915, when a group of engineers “confiscated” a cannon and fired it to honor St. Patrick. The firing destroyed every window in the Law Barn, and so began the rivalry. Although engineers have clearly shown their superiority through the years, lawyers have had their moments. In 1919, a female law student gained entrance to the Engineering Banquet and managed to spike the coffee with a mixture containing pepper, castor oil and other assorted ingredients. The combination caused considerable gastric distress among the guests. Some guests caused an interruption due to their nausearelated exit.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Kickoff Cookout

Sponsored by Phillips 66 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Devon Atrium Join all engineers and kick-off Engineers’ Week with free food and plenty of Engineering spirit. Hosted by Engineers’ Club and Society of Petroleum Engineers

Trivia Night

Sponsored by Olsson and CP+Y 7 – 9 p.m., REPF 200 Students, faculty and staff form teams in this trivia contest covering knowledge of engineering concepts, history of the college, and so much more. Hosted by American Institute of Chemical Engineers and Triangle

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Engineers Got Talent

Co-sponsored by Koch Industries and CEC 7- 9 p.m., REPF 200 Students showcase their non-technical talents for a chance to win cash prizes. Hosted by Engineers Serving Others and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Stress E-liminator

Sponsored by Shell 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., REPF 200 An afternoon for students, faculty and staff to put aside classes and relax. Massages, video games, puzzles and healthy snacks are available for stress relief. Hosted by Association of Women in Computing, Environmental Science Student Association and Society of Plastics Engineers

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Casino Night

LEGEND OF ST. PAT St. Patrick’s Day is drawing near, and it will once again be time for the engineers to pay homage to their patron saint, St. Patrick, who is revered through legend as the oldest engineer. In modern times, we do this by crowing the Engineering Royalty, and consuming healthy portions of green brew. In the spring of 1903, the University of Missouri began construction of a new engineering building. While the construction crew was digging, a large stone with a faint inscription was unearthed. The stone told the adventures of St. Patrick and his ties to the engineering profession. Later that year, a geology instructor from Missouri brought a small piece of the stone to Oklahoma where OU engineers kept it. Each year thereafter, graduating seniors would survey their way into the woods, bury the stone, and leave their calculations for the next year’s seniors to locate and rebury the stone. From the ideals and values set forth by St. Patrick, each year a student is elected Knight of St. Pat. Their fellow students acknowledge that student’s devotion to the engineering profession and to the Patron Saint of Engineering, St. Patrick.

Sponsored by Northrup Grumman 7 - 9 p.m., REPF 200 Las Vegas-style games that encourage strategic thinking to win various prizes. Hosted by the American Indian Society of Engineers and Scientists and Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 LKOT Fireout

5:22 p.m., Carson/Felgar Lawn Faculty, staff, students and alumni gather to see the College’s loyal servants revealed.

Fluid Dynamics Lab

Sponsored by Boeing 6 - 11 p.m., O-Connell’s on Campus Corner The study of movement of low viscosity, green, effervescent fluid into human oral cavities. This faculty/ staff/student celebration of our Irish background includes a beard & hairy leg contest, and singing of our famous engineering songs. Hosted by Engineers’ Club

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Awards Reception

6 -7 p.m., Beaird Lounge, OMU Outstanding students, faculty, staff and corporate sponsors are recognized, coronation of Engineering Royalty commences, and event winners are announced.

Engineers’ Ball

Sponsored by Chevron 7 - 10 p.m., Molly Shi Boren Ballroom, OMU Join us as we wrap up E-Week 2020 in style with the Engineers’ Ball! Hosted by Society of Women Engineers Shirts Sponsored by BP Mugs Sponsored by Williams

ENGINEERS’ CLUB Engineers’ Club was founded in 1910 and has grown to become the largest engineering program in the state.

In 1926, the owl on the Law Barn received the first of many future coats of green paint, which have continued to this day. In 1980, engineers posing as construction workers poured a cement footing on the lawn of the new law center in broad daylight. Later that night, a large concrete tombstone was erected on the footing with the inscription, “IS THE RIVALRY DEAD?” Due to extremely cold temperatures, the tombstone was not fully cured and was found the next morning on the engineering lawn upside down with the words “HELL NO!” spray-painted on its face. In 1982, a couple of fine engineering students attached a green dye injection system to the law center’s water supply. Every time a fountain was turned on or a toilet flushed, green water “mysteriously” appeared. That E-Week the law center was ceremoniously decorated each night with green toilet paper. A few years later, a “Lawyer” mannequin was found buried face-down (with only his feet to be seen) on the engineering lawn. The epithet classically read: Here lies the poor lawyer His legal work undone He mouthed off to an engineer When he should have run During the winter of 1985, a profuse growth of winter rye grass in the shape of a shamrock adorned the north-side lawn of the Law Barn. Accusations were made but what do engineers know about gardening? In 1989, engineers were once again blamed for a law school computer malfunction that resulted in letters being sent to more than 500 law students informing them that their records had been lost due to computer error. Fearful that they would not graduate, they proceeded to call the 24-hour hot-line listed on the letters; good thing it was the law dean’s home phone number. Rumor has it law students don’t have what it takes to play with engineers anymore. Don’t be disappointed; there’s always the business college …

ROYALTY CANDIDATES

With more than 3,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students, it is the largest student organization on the University of Oklahoma campus. E-Club’s purpose is to promote fellowship among engineering faculty and students and to help students develop leadership skills to supplement their technical expertise. There are several opportunities for students to become involved with Engineers’ Club. Annual events include the Fall Festival/New Engineers Welcome, Engineers Week and several philanthropy events throughout the year. Additionally, E-Club’s members can be found in the Engineering Quad selling homemade burgers before every home football game.

Rachel Hubbard Industrial and Systems Engineering

Preston Johnson Mechanical Engineering

Jared Isaacson Chemical Engineering

Jarod Manning Aerospace Engineering

Serving the engineers since 1910, E-Club’s purpose has surpassed even its most lofty goals. E-Club now serves as a hub for all engineering student organizations and competition teams, actively promoting the hands-on engineering and leadership experience that sets OU graduates apart from the competition. Engineers Week is celebrated nationally each spring as a time for students to escape the pressures of the classroom and have fun with fellow engineers. At OU, the tradition and history of St. Patrick and the spirit of engineering is showcased in grand display throughout the engineering campus during this week-long celebration. As evidenced by Engineers Week and all of the many events throughout the year, the principles of dedication, perseverance and hard work, on which E-Club was founded, are still apparent today and guarantee its enduring future.

ELECTIONS link.ou.edu/eweek2020

GCoE and MCEE students login to OrgSync, to vote on Royalty, Outstanding Faculty, Senior and Staff awards! Polls open Thursday, Feb. 13 at 12:00 a.m. and close Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:59 p.m.

SALES

Sales will be available at all events until sold out – cash or checks only please. T-Shirts $5 • Mugs $5 • Engineers’ Ball Tickets $5

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Printing funded by SGA. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact (405) 325- 4005. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo