Feeling the heat Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Willistean Bennett Staff Reporter
As summer begins to wrap up, temperatures on campus remain hot and humid.
Abby Cage
This year’s summer temperatures rise as a heatwave crosses Oklahoma. States across the country have issued heat advisories since the beginning of the summer. Oklahoma has issued heat advisories weeks on end since early June. According to the National Weather Service, “A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions… when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or higher for at least two days.” The high temperature for Stillwater, OK, in June was 100 degrees, in July it was 102 degrees and so far in August, it is 101 degrees. Although July was the hottest month ever recorded globally, according to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oklahoma State students are certainly feeling the heat. Kinsley Carter is a student at OSU, “(The heat) has made traveling to my classes a little longer and is physically making me exhausted.” Wyatt Love, another OSU student said, “The classrooms are pretty hot right now, especially in the Physical Science Center.” Climate change is a big factor in the heatwave, and human activity has impacted the environment in both positive and negative ways. Kristen Olofsson is a professor in the Social Sciences and Humanities division and specializes in environmental and energy policy. “The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that since 1850, human activities that release greenhouse gasses are responsible for a sig-
nificant increase in global temperatures worldwide,” Olofsson said. Along with heat advisories comes the risk of heat related illnesses and injuries, this includes heat exhaustion and heat strokes. To stay cool and safe during extreme heat conditions, the National Weather Services advises people to take extra precautions such as, drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing and check on animals when walking outside to ensure they’re comfortable in the heat. “Small changes cumulate to the greater good,” Olofsson said. “Turn off lights when you leave a room, limit your energy consumption, run your AC less, carpool instead of driving and grow plants. You can drastically reduce your carbon footprint through small life changes.”
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Group effort
Ellie Donowho
The Colvin provides many ways for student to stay fit.
Jax Thompson Staff Reporter
If you’re looking to stave off the freshman 15, look no further than the group fitness classes offered at the Colvin Recreation Center. These classes offer a smaller, more intimate setting to work out in, with more oneon-one attention and instruction than if you just went to the gym by yourself. They also offer a wide selection of time slots to suit students’ needs. Carley Long, a recent graduate from the veterinary medicine program, appreciat-
ed being able to attend classes at the time that worked best for her. “I loved that there are classes early in the morning. As a grad student it can be hard to get to the gym after a full day of class and clinics,” Long said. And the best part? It’s free. Hannah Bush is the graduate assistant in charge of the group fitness program. She oversees the instructors and classes, creating an efficient and accessible system. “It’s totally free, it’s included in your recreation membership, so all you have to do is sign up, and you can
go to any one of the classes for free,” Bush said. There are a variety of classes, such as spin, tai chi, yoga, barre, country-western dancing, Zumba, and strength training. Bush also teaches some of these classes. “My favorite class, honestly, to teach is spin. I like going to the music… It’s really fun because music is such a big component of spin class,” Bush said. Spin and strength training classes are some of the more popular classes, but there are also some interesting classes that aren’t as well known. Country-western dancing
is for those of you that want to exercise with cowboy boots. In this class you learn different forms of two-stepping with a partner. Zumba is a form of interval training that incorporates dancing through Latin and hip-hop music. Another under-the-radar class Bush recommends is the mindful meditation yoga class, a new addition this semester. “It’s more about slowing down and showing grace to ourselves, since we just spent an entire year in a pandemic,” Bush said. “You’re really thinking about yourself and thanking yourself for coming and showing up for a workout.”
Signing up for classes is simple, with access available at rec.wellness.okstate.edu. Class sign ups will open 24 hours before the actual start time of the session. The more popular classes such as spin fill up quickly, so those interested should reserve as early as possible. Spots will be reserved up until five minutes before the class. Classes are offered on a session-by-session basis, so there is no pressure to commit to a semester of classes, so students should just sign up for one and see what they think.
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