J U LY 13 -19, 2 0 16 | W E E K LY I N P R I N T | O U D A I LY. C O M | 2 0 15 O PA S E Q U O YA H W I N N E R
OU DAILY
VOL. 101, NO. 98 © 2016 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢
NEWS
BLACK LIVES MATTER HOLDS PROTEST IN OKLAHOMA CITY
PHOTO BY KATHRYN LYNN/THE DAILY
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A&E
POKÉMON GO TAKES OVER
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NEWS
• June 13-19, 2016
Lifestyle eatery to arrive at OU
Coolgreens set to open on Campus Corner MITCHELL WILLETTS @MitchBWilletts
Oklahoma-based restaurant chain Coolgreens is set to open its newest location on Campus Corner this Friday. Six years ago, the first Coolgreens location opened in OKC; since then it has expanded to Edmond and B ro o k h av e n V i l l a g e i n Norman. Its sixth location will soon be on Campus Corner.
In a move that was either daring or entirely accidental, the new store will be opening right next door to Chipotle, which some within the company see as their biggest competition. “Chipotle is our only real concern,” Alexandra Dinges, the assistant manager, said. “When it comes down to it, if you want to eat healthy, your choices are Chipotle or Coolgreens.” Providing a healthy menu for its customers is the primary goal of Coolgreens, a business that markets itself as a lifestyle eatery. “Our whole philosophy is
that if you can change your eating habits, you can change the rest of your life,” Dinges said. “Eating good is your first step and we want to help you in doing that.” Dinges believes that Coolgreens offers what Chipotle cannot, despite the former’s proximity to the well-established Campus Corner staple with a comparable menu. “We do cater to those needs of more vegetarian options,” Dinges said. “You can only make so many vegetarian options with Chipotle; with us, it’s endless.” Coolgreens isn’t exactly the
new kid on the block, either. It has thrived in the Norman community since arriving in 2011, and Dinges is confident this latest expansion will also be a success. “We don’t feel threatened. We have a good threshold; we have so many people from campus drive special trips just to Brookhaven already that we already have our regulars that we know will be coming in,” Dinges said. “We’re not really concerned about anyone.” Mitchell Willetts
mitchell.b.willetts-1@ ou.edu
LAUREN MASSING/THE DAILY
Coolgreens was originally scheduled to open in August of 2015 but will now open Friday, July 15.
Dorm assignment policy raises concerns
OU to comply with gender-sensitive federal suggestion MADISON ALBERTSON @Madisonnmaee
In mid-May, the Obama Administration issued a statement announcing that public schools and universities — like the University of Oklahoma — will either allow transgender students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity or face possible monetary punishment. T h e O b a m a Administration’s statement was meant as guidance for the schools; no legal action can be taken if there is a lack of compliance. However, OU later released a statement saying that it will be complying with all state and federal laws. The statement issued by
PAULA SOPHIA SCHONAUER PHOTO PROVIDED
Paula Sophia Schonauer is a transgender graduate student studying social work.
the university reads that it is “committed to universal design and maintaining a safe working and learning environment,” and that it encourages students to use the restroom “in which they feel safest.” The statement goes on to explain that an important
part of creating a safe environment and addressing the growing diversity on campus is by providing “safe” and “accessible” bathrooms. Paula Sophia Schonauer, a graduate student at OU studying social work, is a transgender woman. Schonauer said that despite a few “awkward moments,” her exper ience at OU has been primarily positive. When it comes to transgender students finding comfortable, safe housing, the policy is different. OU places students in the dorms based on gender, as well as a survey taken by incoming freshmen about their lifestyles. Amy Buchanan, director of marketing and communications for OU Housing and Food Services, emphasized the university’s commitment to its students.
“The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing a safe and comfortable living environment that enhances the overall learning experience of our students,” Buchanan said. “There may be some circumstances when a student’s success at the University of Oklahoma depends on the ability to live in a specific type of environment. Students who are concerned that they will be housed in a situation that could impact their personal development, ability to sleep and/or study at OU can apply for special consideration.” A closer look at the OU Housing Polic y reveals that housing is assigned by birth gender unless the student has already completed a sexual reassignment surgery. “I’m concerned about t h e h o u s i n g p o l i c y ,”
Schonauer said. “It requires students to submit proof of medical procedures in order to have a nondisc r i m i nat o r y d o r m i t o r y assignment.” She went on to explain that most incoming freshmen are approximately 18 years of age and often have not had the chance to undergo reassignment surgery before entering college. “ I t ’s k i n d o f a d o u ble-binding issue. Except for certain exceptions, the University of Oklahoma requires incoming freshmen to live on campus,” Schonauer said. “Almost nobody, no transgender person, is able to have gender reassignment surgery before the age of 18.” OU does offer “gender sensitive housing.” This housing option is provided for students with “unique circumstances” and is
considered on an individual basis. Wording in the policy emphasizes that there is no guarantee an applicant will have their preferences met. Schonauer said she isn’t sure how the university does this without stigmatizing transgender students. “I’d like to know what that looks like,” Schonauer said. “I’d like to know how they pull that off without stigmatizing people. “I feel like that says what it needs to say. I feel more confident that I can use the restroom where I feel most comfortable.” Aside from restroom access, the university may also consider the process of getting transgender students into housing placements where they feel most comfortable. Madison Albertson mralbertson@ou.edu
NEWS
July 13-19, 2016 •
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Norman tap water passes tests 2015 Consumer Confidence Report released to public MITCHELL WILLETTS @MitchBWilletts
The recently released 2015 Consumer Confidence Report regarding drinking water safety shows that all wells providing water to Norman and Oklahoma City have chemical compositions within safe limits, although some barely meet EPA standards. According to the report, three separate wells contain chromium levels in the high 80s, nearing the EPA-instituted maximum of 100 parts per billion. Nearly each test showed some level of arsenic, ranging from 0.83 to as high as 8.2, just 1.8 ppb shy of what is deemed unsafe. The report notes that the arsenic found in Norman water is naturally occurring and not the result of human interaction with the environment. While the vast majori t y o f N o r m a n ’s w a t e r supply comes from Lake Thunderbird, which the O klahoma D epar tment of Environmental Quality considers to have “impaired water quality,” it is not the source of most potentially dangerous inorganic compounds. A lesser-known water source, the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, accounts for roughly 30 percent of the water flowing through the town’s faucets and is responsible for many of the higher arsenic and chromium levels. Groundwater source s s u c h a s t h e Ga r b e rWellington Aquifer a re m o n i t o re d b u t n o t
treated, which according to the laboratory manager, Geri Wellborn, is hardly irregular.
“There are a lot of questions to be answered about chromium and we need the community to understand that before we can do something, the science has to be clear.” GARBER-WELLINGTON AQUIFER LABORATORY MANAGER, GERI WELLBORN
making a decision on chromium limit change, there’s no logical way we can move forward with chromium treatment, simply because if we chose to do something, we could end up spending a lot of money on something that doesn’t comply with what EPA requires us to do,” Wellborn said. Wellborn believes all water reaching Norman, be it from Lake Thunderbird or the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, is perfectly safe and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future.
“Citizens can be proud of the work the water department does,” Wellborn said. “We make every effort to go “Cu r re n t l y , w e d o n ’ t above and beyond in terms treat groundwater at all,” of water quality.”
Wellborn said. “It’s not unusual in Oklahoma. Lots of cities have wells in Oklahoma that are drilled into the aquifer; they send them out into distribution untreated.” Wellborn said the Garber-Wellington Aquifer is unique in that it produces water that is both high in quality and in yield, and to take any further action to treat the water at this point would not only be unnecessary but potentially counterproductive. “There are a lot of questions to be answered about chromium and we need the community to understand that before we can do something, the science has to be clear,” Wellborn said. The science Wellborn refers to is the EPA standards regarding acceptable levels of chromium, a bar that is potentially on the cusp of being either raised or lowered. “Right now, with EPA not
Mitchell Willetts
mitchell.b.willetts-1@ou.edu
Norman Water • Tests show the arsenic levels range from 0.83 to 8.2 ppb • The GarberWellington Aquifer is responsible for 30 percent of the town’s water. • Many cities drill into the aquifers and sends water to people untreated. • EPA has not made a decision on chromium limits so companies cannot make changes. • Wellborn belives that all the water will be safe for the forseeable future.
JULIA HARTH/THE DAILY
Advertising freshman Maryellen Rayner sips water from a water fountain at Couch center.
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• July 13-19, 2016
July 13-19, 2016 • 5
NEWS
PROTESTORS PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY KATHRYN LYNN • @KATHRYNLAMONETT
KATHRYN LYNN/THE DAILY
A Black Lives Matter rally was held in Bricktown in Oklahoma City on Sunday, July 10. Following the march protesters gathered for a vigil.
Thousands of people crowded into a small space in Bricktown on Sunday to hear their community leaders address the pain caused by recent events. “I can’t stay calm,” Karen Gaines’ shirt read. “I have a black son.” W h e n Ga i n e s d e c i d e d to make a Facebook event
called BlackL ivesMatter OKC, she didn’t know how large the event would be. O n Ju l y 7 , Ga i n e s w a s thinking about the deaths in Baton Rouge, La., and Falcon Heights, Minn., when she decided enough was enough and created the Facebook page. To her surprise, thousands of Oklahomans
responded; they showed up in droves on Sunday evening in the blistering heat in downtown Oklahoma City. “ I a m w a n t i n g u n i t y ,” Gaines said. “I just want people to realize that black lives matter too. ... That’s pretty much the ultimate goal.” Peace and unity were the foundation upon which
the event was built. It was a vigil and protest in honor of those who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement. Speakers included Sen. Connie Johnson; Ryan Kiesel, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma; Garland Pruitt, the president of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Oklahoma City; Rabbi Vered Harris, from Temple B’nai Israel; senatorial candidate Sean Braddy; Rev. Jesse Jackson, a pastor in Oklahoma City; Sen. Anastasia Pittman’s daughter, A.J. Pittman, who read aloud a speech written by
her mother, who could not at t e n d b e c au s e s h e w a s in Washington; and attorney Kim T. Cole of the Next Generation Action Network. “Are you sick? Are you tired? Are you angry? ... Are you registered to vote? That is the way we make a difference. That is the way we make an impact. ... Participate in
the process. ... Let your exasperation be your motivation,” Cole said. S e n . Jo h n s o n s a i d t h e movement was a reaction to violence in society, and much of what happens is a result of policies made by lawmakers. She had the crowd repeat the date of the presidential and state elections, Nov. 8.
The event centered around the condemnation of police violence against African Americans — some speakers directly appealed to the police to report their co-workers when they misbehave. “We’re not saying anti-police,” Pruitt said. “We are anti-injustice.” Throughout the event, any
potential disruptions were countered with chants of “peace!” or were ignored as events carried on according to schedule. Common elements among the speeches stressed the importance of civic engagement. “The one thing I want you to remember: Public policy
is shaped by public opinion, and we can’t afford to be quiet anymore. ... You gotta speak up,” Braddy said. Reflecting on the event, attendee Sidney Carter II said the turnout was beyond his expectations. “Seeing people from other races — I didn’t expect to see that many people who were
in support,” Carter said. “So I think that was huge, seeing that there was that many people not of your race that are willing to support, willing to put their reputation on the line, their face, their voice. Putting their voice out there as well. It was very encouraging and inspiring.” Johnson also spoke of the
event’s impact on the city and the state as a whole. “This was good for Oklahoma City,” Johnson said. “The number of people, the diversity of people, that’s what I’m pleased about. It’s not just black folks out here, or men, or old folks. There’s diversity, and that makes me feel very good.”
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CLASSIFIEDS
• July 13-19, 2016
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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker July 13, 2016
ACROSS 1 Lennon or Penn 5 Blacksmith’s workplace 10 Time machine destination 14 “To Sir, With Love� singeractress 15 Turn aside, as one’s eyes 16 Palo ___, Calif. 17 “While� attachment of old 18 La Scala’s place 19 Repair sock holes 20 Four front backers 23 Ocean land 24 Run with a marriage license? 25 Medical solution 28 Nursing home staff? 30 Not invitational, in tournaments 31 “Two wrongs don’t make a right,� e.g. 33 Not talking 36 Four front backers 40 Key grip’s workplace 41 Express feelings 42 Turkish military title 43 Man-goat of myth
7/13
44 Certain string player of old 46 Ceremony site 49 In progress 51 Three front backers 57 Foul mood 58 Modify, as the Constitution 59 Like a moray 60 Do some lawn work 61 The 100 in a pound 62 Chest rattle 63 Old Russian despot 64 Kicked in the pot, as chips 65 Places for pampering DOWN 1 Malamute’s load 2 Continental currency 3 “On top of which ...� 4 Fuel for the human body 5 Feuders on a game show 6 Like an old shepherd’s charges 7 Get a new tenant for 8 Neutral shade 9 Large part of Sicilian scenery 10 Table tennis item 11 Texas battle site 12 Guitar securer 13 1,000 kilograms
21 Certain psychedelic 22 Keep a subscription 25 Becomes inedible, in a way 26 Unsharpened sword 27 Where shots are put 28 Hospice offering 29 “Long ___ ...� 31 Author’s unknown byline, briefly 32 EPA concern of the 1970s 33 Adoring Biblical trio 34 Grunts of disgust 35 Part of many entrees 37 Considers, as a judge 38 Swift Aussie bird 39 Law firm elite
43 More lucrative, as a contract 44 Bullied (with “over�) 45 Thee, today 46 Item in the black 47 Generates interest? 48 Russian forest 49 Word with “press� or “free� 50 Stolen goods receiver 52 Snack of Spain 53 Word of approval 54 Tide type 55 Legendary Fitzgerald of jazz 56 Some breads
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
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Previous Solution
Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
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.
SPORTS
July 13-19, 2016 •
7
Sooners named to watch lists
Preseason watch lists released, OU players noted
selection from the league’s coaches. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is annually presented to the top national defensive player. It was created to compliment the Heisman Trophy, which has historically only gone to offensive players. Outland Trophy Orlando Brown was named to the 2016 Outland Trophy watch list by the Football Writers Association of America.
DEREK PETERSON @DrPetey15
As preseason watch lists continue to trickle out, Sooners continue to see their own names. The National College Football Awards Association oversees the 22 different college football awards that are presented to players at the end of each season. Of those 22 awards, 17 watch lists are created before the season begins. Those watch lists are released between July 5 and 15. Maxwell Award On June 30, the Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for its annual trophy given to America’s College Player of the Year. The list includes Oklahoma’s starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and starting tailback Samaje Perine. Mayfield, a Second Team All-American last season, finished fourth in Heisman voting and threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. He enters the season with the fourth-best chance to win the 2016 Heisman Trophy. Perine also opens as a potential Maxwell candidate after rushing for 1,349 yards and 16 touchdowns last season en route to an All-Big 12 First Team selection. Semifinalists will be announced on Oct. 31, finalists will be named on Nov. 21, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 8 during the Home Depot College
TYLER WOODWARD/THE DAILY
CHRIS MICHIE/THE DAILY
Baker Mayfield runs for a 39-yard touchdown at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Sep. 19, 2015.
Senior linebacker Eric Striker and junior linebacker Jordan Evans bring down a Cowboy ball carrier during the Nov. 28 Bedlam game at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Football Awards Show. Chuck Bednarik Award The Maxwell Football Club also announced the watch list for the 22nd annual Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player. Linebacker Jordan Evans, defensive tackle Charles Walker and cornerback Jordan Thomas were all named as potential players to watch in 2016. This marks the second straight season that Oklahoma has sent three players to the Bednarik watch list — Eric Striker, Zack Sanchez and Charles Tapper were all named to the 2015 watch list. Evans and Walker were both All-Big 12 Second Team selections last season. Evans struggled with injuries in 2015 but still managed 83 total tackles and his
made a permanent move to the center position after the Sooners lost longtime center Ty Darlington to graduation. Alvarez joins six other Big 12 centers to be named to the Rimington watch list. The award will be presented at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Neb., on Jan. 14, 2017. Lou Groza Award Austin Seibert is on the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation’s best placekicker. Seibert, a sophomore from Belleville, Ill., led the Big 12 Conference last season by scoring 9.5 points per game and set an Oklahoma freshman record after drilling his first 10 field goal attempts without a miss. He finished the season 18-of-23 with a long of 46 and 70-for72 on extra point attempts. The Lou Groza award is
first career defensive touchdown. Walker registered 10 tackles-for-loss and six sacks despite not starting a single game. Thomas registered 46 total tackles last season as the team’s starting cornerback next to Sanchez. He recorded five picks and four pass breakups and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Rimington Trophy Oklahoma’s starting center, Jonathan Alvarez, was listed on the 2016 Rimington Trophy watch list. The award, which is given to the top center in the country, has never gone to a Sooner in its 16-year history. Alvarez started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in last season, but he made only one start at center. His nine other starts came at the left guard position. The 6-foot3-inch, 315-pound lineman
now celebrating its 25th anniversary. It has named 30 potential players to compete for the award next season, but all kickers will be eligible. Seibert was also named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, which is handed to the nation’s top punter. Bronko Nagurski Trophy Oklahoma defensive backs Steven Parker and Ahmad Thomas as well as defensive lineman Charles Walker were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list. It was announced by the Football Writers Association of America. Pa r k e r s t a r t e d a l l 1 3 games last season for the Sooners and was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team by ESPN. Thomas also started every game and earned an All-Big 12 First Team
The trophy is annually presented to the nation’s best interior lineman. Brown started every game last season as a redshirt freshman. He was named a freshman All-American by Sporting News and to the AllBig 12 Second Team by ESPN. Jim Thorpe Award OU safety Ahmad Thomas was named to the preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The trophy is presented each year to the nation’s best defensive back. Thomas was also placed on the Nagurski Trophy watch list. Thomas recorded 75 tackles in each of the past two seasons and grabbed three interceptions in a breakout campaign a season ago. Butkus Award O U l i n e b a c k e r Jo rd a n Evans was named to the Butkus Award watch list, given to the nation’s top linebacker each year. The senior has started in the middle of the Sooners’ defense for each of the last two seasons. He nabbed 83 tackles last year and 93 as a sophomore. Derek Peterson
Derek.R.Peterson-1@ou.edu;
8
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
• July 13-19, 2016
Pokémon swarm OU’s campus
Pokémon Go prompts warnings regarding safety TANNER OSBORNE @tannerosbear
On July 6, the global phenomenon that is Pokémon Go was released in the United States — and we were not ready. Pokémon Go utilizes “augmented reality” technology by placing a user’s avatar into a virtual world that’s geographically identical to our own. Players can walk around and search for different Pokémon in their area; then, when they find one, the Pokémon appears on their camera screen as if it were there in the real world. Once a user catches a Pokémon, he or she can use candies unique and specific to that type of Pokémon to level and evolve it. In this way, the user can create Pokémon strong enough to place in “gyms,” which are local landmarks pinpointed on the virtual screen and used by players as battle arenas.
REMAIN AWARE, AND REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO USE YOUR DISCRETION PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION OFFICER OF NORMAN SARAH JENSON
The gyms are team-specific. Each user picks one of three teams when he or she reaches level five in the game. The goal is to catch all the Pokémon in the game as well as to battle other teams’ gyms so the user can eventually fly his or her
chosen colors there instead. Although this is just a quick summary of the game, there’s much more that goes into it, such as incubating eggs by walking around in the real world and gathering the “star dust” that’s needed to level up a Pokémon. The app caught on and spread like fire from an angry Ponyta. The servers that were meant to keep the game running smoothly crashed just hours after the app’s release in the United States and before its release in China or the United Kingdom. Niantic, the app’s creator, has addressed the server issues, but the crashes may still occur while users attempt to catch Pokémon or hatch eggs. That isn’t the only problem with the app, though it may be the most frustrating one. Just a few days into the app’s existence, it was implicated in a number of crimes around the country. News outlets across the country are reporting accounts of users encountering all kinds of mayhem: people have been playing the game while driving, causing wrecks; robbers have been using “lures” — a way to attract Pokémon to a specific area — drawing in players and robbing them; and one user stumbled upon a corpse. These are real events actually happening because of the game. Sarah Jensen, public safety information officer for the City of Norman, said that plans for dealing with the app have been informally discussed at the Norman Police Department. Jensen said law enforcement’s fears mostly regard accidents involving vehicles and Pokémon trainers on the hunt, because — drivers or not — they aren’t paying attention.
DILLON HOLLINGSWORTH/THE DAILY
ABBIE SEARS/THE DAILY
The new mobile app, Pokémon Go, has taken the gaming world by storm.
A map of OU campus as seen in Pokémon Go.
Jensen also mentioned the possibility of older citizens wondering why hordes of young people are on their property. “There is a definite generational gap; most people don’t know what Pokémon is, unfortunately,” Jensen said. Jensen warned that it is important for users to remember that laws still apply to them when they’re playing the game. Following the warning that appears when the app starts up, everyone still needs to be aware of their surroundings.
edge, making friends and enjoying the game. The app is getting people off their couches and into nature — it’s bringing them together, even if they still have their phones glued to their faces. There is rivalry among the app’s users, however. One player declined an interview request because he refused to speak to a member of Team Valor. Whether it’s being played at the Duck Pond, the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium or an anthropology research lab, Pokémon Go has
“Remain aware, and remember that if you are on private property to use your discretion,” Jensen said. Even during the summer — when the OU campus is mostly empty — this game has taken over student life. A stroll down any part of the campus will reveal a number of students, faculty, and other Norman residents enjoying OU’s vast abundance of wild Pokémon and Pokecenters. It’s not unusual to see 50 or more users congregating at the Duck Pond after 6:30 p.m., sitting around the water’s
Norman’s full attention. The game, of course, goes far beyond Norman and the state of Oklahoma. Its introduction in the United States has helped raise Nintendo’s stock by $9 billion. At least one Pokémon player in Norman — who was overheard at the Duck Pond — still has things in perspective, saying something along the lines of it’s not worth catching ‘em all if you get hit by a truck. Tanner Osborne
Tannerosborne84@yahoo.com