The O'Colly, Friday, July 14, 2023

Friday, July 14, 2023

Recent affirmative action decision will not impact OSU’s admissions process

The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding affirmative action will not impact the admission process at Oklahoma State University.

On June 29, SCOTUS decided, through a vote of 6-2, that racebased affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional.

Affirmative action, as it was previously upheld, meant that higher education institutions, in this instance Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, could consider race as one factor of many when admitting students.

“Many universities have for too long wrongly concluded that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned, but the color of their skin,” said Chief Justice John Roberts in the official

Supreme Setback

Court Blocks Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

In a move that left millions of student loan borrowers in uncertainty, the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan on June 29. While the ruling was a setback for those who were hoping for debt relief, protests have already begun in hopes of combating the decision.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that federal law does not allow the secretary of education to cancel more than $430 billion in student loan debt, a man that is responsible for loan burdens of over 40 million Americans.

The Supreme Court’s ruling has ignited heated and controversial debates, with reactions split along party lines.

The impact of this decision has reverberated throughout the country and many universities including Oklahoma State University. Students and faculty are grappling with the implications of the decision and what it could mean for the future of higher education.

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, OSU, like other universities, is now faced with the task of assisting its student population navigate the complex landscape of repayment plans. Financial aid offices are working to provide guidance and resources to its students.

“The Secretary’s plan canceled roughly $430 billion of federal student loan balances,

decision. “This Nation’s constitutional history does not tolerate that choice.” Cole Cirilo, a natural re -

source ecology and management junior, believes the decision is a great change.

See Admissions on 6

completely

erasing the debts of 20 million borrowers and lowering the median amount owed by the other 23 million from $29,400 to $13,600,”

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote to the public. “Six states sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree.”

The HEROES Act was a statute the Biden administration had relied upon to justify the debt relief program.

The Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan, which was launched in August of 2022, had aimed to provide an impact regarding relief for borrowers, particularly those with lower incomes. The program aimed to forgive up to $10,000 in student debt for eligible borrowers making less than $125,000 annually. Prior to legal challenges that paused the program, more than 26 million people had applied and/or already provided enough information to the Education Department to be deemed eligible.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, President Biden has given his commitment finding alternative avenues for providing relief to student loan borrowers. In a statement given on June 30, Biden stated “I will stop at nothing to find other ways to deliver relief to hard-working middle class families. My Administration will continue to work to bring the promise of higher education to every American.”

of

Yormark ingraining background into Big 12

that’s good,” said UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir. “From what we need and the transition for the four new schools coming into the Big 12 and being able to capture and monetize the exposure opportunities for the league. He was a perfect hire.”

The list of things he’s accomplished so far, is a lengthy, but impressive one.

ARLINGTON, Texas − Brett Yormark’s statement from last year is taking shape for the conference – younger, hipper, cooler.

Yormark had zero college athletics experience prior to his hire as Big 12 commissioner last year, but that didn’t stop him from changing the conference.

He’s steering the Big 12 from simply a student-athletic conference to a money-making business and entertainment company that supports its student-athletes, universities and communities to achieve desired goals.

So far, it’s working, and athletic directors around the conference are taking notice. “There’s no other commissioner like him in the country, and

Yormark most importantly secured the conference’s media rights deal with ESPN and FOX through 2031. The money for each school increased to more than $40 million – and that’s without Oklahoma and Texas.

He’s added conference events in New York’s most famous basketball playground Rucker Park and introduced Big 12 Mexico, which will allow regular-season games in basketball and women’s soccer to be played in the country. Yormark also introduced a Big 12 Pro Day with the NFL.

In Kansas City at the Big 12 basketball championships, Yormark brought former basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal to play

a DJ set in the Power & Light District. He got hip-hop legend Fat Joe to play a VIP performance during the tournament and had superstar Jordin Sparks sing the national anthem.

For the Big 12 football championship game, the Big 12 logos on the hash marks of the 25-yard line were colored in camo, highlighting a partnership between the conference and BAPE – a clothing brand short for A Bathing Ape.

Yormark announced an extension of the football championship game in AT&T Stadium and said there will be halftime show by a “major artist” starting next year.

The conference even added school-themed food to the menu at the basketball and baseball championships including a K-State Wabash Cannondog featuring a purple relish and a Stormin’ from Norman Oklahoma Taco.

All of this is proof that Yormark is changing the conference to hone in on the entertainment, fan-engaging and business side of the conference.

no other conference is doing.

See Yormark on 4

Courtesy of Jaiden Daughty

The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding affirmative action will not impact the admission process at OSU, said associate director of communications in the OSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions Rachel Eng.

Something

Courtesy

Davis Cordova

Athletic directors around the Big 12 praised commissioner Brett Yormark at Big 12 Media Days, citing his innovation in collegiate athletics.

Courtesy of Kevin Dietsch

The U.S. Supreme Court is pictured on June 30, 2023, in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness program in Biden v. Nebraska and also sided with a Christian web designer in Colorado who refuses to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections. students, but universities throughout the country.

News & Lifestyle Editor

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Tanner Kenyon Staff Reporter

sports

Gloom then boom TCU football shows quick turnarounds possible

ARLINGTON, Texas --

Before the 2022 season began, TCU coach Sonny Dykes didn’t expect much from his team.

Neither did people outside the program.

The Horned Frogs went 5-7 in 2021, and legendary coach Gary Patterson stepped down from the job during the season. Dykes came in with the program on the ropes and in need of a revival.

The preseason Big 12 media poll placed TCU at seventh in the league. Not even Dykes could argue with it.

“I probably would have picked us lower, honestly, than I think the media did,” Dykes said, “just based on what was coming back and the coaching change and all the stuff that transpired.”

TCU disproved those early projections and finished undefeated in the regular season and beat Michigan for a spot in the national championship, proving that things can change quickly, especially in this age of college football.

This year, the Cowboys were picked seventh after a rocky season, just like the Horned Frogs last year. Now, a TCU-like run to the College Football Playoff is a lofty expectation for OSU, but a fast turnaround is doable. The Horned Frogs were the blueprint, and other teams in the conference in recent years have quickly climbed the Big 12 standings within a year.

The Big 12 has shown doom and gloom from one season doesn’t necessarily carry over to the next, and expectations don’t always equate to reality in modern college football.

“The history over this league the last few years is look at it and nobody predicted what would have happened,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy.

Six different teams have appeared in the Big 12 Championship game the past three seasons. Oklahoma and Iowa State in 2020. Baylor and Oklahoma State in 2021. Kansas State and TCU in 2022. Several of those teams were projected to be in the bottom of the league.

Baylor finished 2-7 in 2020 and was projected eighth but ended up beating OSU for the conference crown. Kansas State was tabbed fifth in the preseason before winning the conference over an undefeated TCU. Of course, the Horned Frogs also overachieved their seventh-place pick.

Sometimes, coaches don’t even know what they have until

well into the season. The transfer portal brings unknowns into every season.

“When the season started, I felt like we were an average football team, honestly probably slightly below average,” Dykes said. “We won some games, got a little confidence, hit the second part of our schedule and started to win some games and became probably a slightly above-average football team.”

TCU improved its roster rapidly in the portal. It had key pieces on the team already in quarterback Max Duggan, wide receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller,

but it added leading tackler and top linebacker Johnny Hodges and safety Josh Newton, who was second on the team in pass deflections and interceptions, and starting tight end Jared Wiley.

Similarly, the Wildcats have increased depth through portal additions of safety Josh Hayes and quarterback Adrian Martinez a season ago, along with first-team All-Big 12 safety Julius Brents in 2021.

The Cowboys lost 18 players to the portal and gained a quarterback in Alan Bowman, several receivers and a potential starting offensive lineman. The ability to pick

up heaps of experience in the portal speeds up the rebuild process, which in turn contributes to the parity.

“Recruiting is never ending. The transfer portal is never ending,” said Kansas State coach Chris Klieman. “There’s so many players switching teams, so you’re always going to have increased parity.”

TCU lost a lot after its huge 2022 season. Heisman runner-up Max Duggan is gone, along with seven other Horned Frogs who were selected in the NFL Draft. They have a lot to replace, as do the Cowboys.

Recent history in the

Big 12 suggests that teams can come out of nowhere to the top of the conference. Though OSU ended on a low note in 2022 and had a pile of question marks and unknowns heading into the offseason, it’s hard to count anyone out of conference contention.

“I’m not sure how anybody really comes up with who’s a favorite right now,” Gundy said. “I think one of the fun things about the Big 12 is we don’t really know who’s going to win based on what’s happened in the last few years.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Davis Cordova

Sonny Dykes didn’t have high expectations for his team last season, but with the transfer portal in the modern era of college football, anything can change quickly.

Braden Bush

Sports Editor

Gundy wants to revamp run game, avoid 2022 repeat

Wilson missed time with a lower leg injury, forcing additional shuffling on an offensive line that was already missing Cole Birmingham and periodically other starts along the front.

Gundy said although that could have just been a bad hand his team was dealt, the offense still needs to be better. That means revamping the run game.

Gundy’s fiery Bedlam Thoughts

conference realignment is there. It’s probably still going on. Wherever we all end up and whatever schedule they give us to play, we all play it and do the best we can.”

When OSU’s 2022 football season fell apart down the stretch, there were several places to point a finger.

Quarterback Spencer Sanders was less than 100% for much of the season. Freshmen Gunnar Gundy and Garret Rangel had to fill in earlier than Gundy would have liked. The defense was often leaky and allowed 215 rushing yards a game over the final eight games.

But Gundy pinpointed another major factor.

“We could have played better down the stretch if we had the ability to rush the football,” he said. “But we didn’t, so that’s what we get.”

The Cowboys averaged less than 93 rushing yards in their final six games, making the offense virtually onedimensional. At center, Preston

“We need to be as balanced as possible, in my opinion,”

Gundy said.

That begins with getting the offensive line back up and running. In the offseason, the Cowboys added 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive lineman Dalton Cooper from Texas State to do just that. Cooper started 36 games at left tackle for the Bobcats and was ranked as the fourth-best lineman in the Sun Belt Conference in 2022.

He enters as Eli Russ – one of Wilson’s backups at center, who transferred after playing in nine games last season – left in the spring. After Cooper’s transition to Stillwater in April, left tackle Caleb Etienne, who started all 13 games last year, also departed.

Wilson said he and his

team have committed to recovering and keeping their bodies healthy and prepared this offseason.

“My body is feeling great. Ultimately, it’ the best it’s ever been,” Wilson said. “I did a lot of recovery stuff this offseason. Honestly, did some stem cell injections, bone marrow in my hip… did a lot of yoga this offseason, as well. That’s something I became very committed to.”

The recovery efforts revealed great results, and Wilson said his flexibility is back and he’s the most pain-free he’s ever been, which bodes well for a refreshed offensive approach.

Gundy wants to place more emphasis on the run game – something the Cowboys have traditionally relied on – to avoid a repeat of last year. It was tough for him to watch the offense slide. If all else fails, he wants the run game to be there and ready.

A lesson learned from a season ago.

“I learned not to put myself in that situation again,” Gundy said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor

ARLINGTON, Texas – Well, Mike Gundy made his point abundantly clear again.

During Big 12 Media Days Wednesday afternoon, the OSU coach sounded off on rival Oklahoma heading to the Big 12, which was prompted by talk and questions of the final Bedlam matchup this fall.

“The Bedlam game is over because Oklahoma chose to leave the Big 12, period,” Gundy said. “It’s got nothing to do with Oklahoma State.

“Do I like that? No.

Do I like that conferences have broken up in the past? No, I don’t. But I also know that we have to control what we can control, which is

When the announcement of OU and Texas exiting the Big 12 came out, panic ensued. Now, though, a new TV deal and four new schools has the conference in a prime position to remain relevant despite the two powerhouses departing.

Like the Big 12, Gundy is just going to keep trucking on, with or without OU.

“Oklahoma State is not going to change what we do because Oklahoma chose to go to the SEC. They need to change what they do because they’re the ones that made their mind up to go to the SEC. So with all the talk from administration and people saying that Oklahoma State needs to do this and that, all Oklahoma had to do was not go to the SEC. So it is what it is,” Gundy said.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Davis Cordova

Mike Gundy reiterated his thoughts on OU leaving the Big 12 yet again at Big 12 Media Days Wednesday. “The Bedlam game is over because Oklahoma chose to leave the Big 12, period,” Gundy said. “It’s got nothing to do with Oklahoma State.

Courtesy of Davis Cordova

OSU coach Mike Gundy wants to focus more on the run game to avoid offensive struggles like the Cowboys had in 2022.

Braden Bush

Sports Editor

“OU chose to end Bedlam”

“As we look forward, we will continue to innovate, create and positively disrupt, living at the intersections of culture, sports and business,” Yormark said. “I am very happy with the progress we have made to date, but not satisfied. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Yormark seems to always be thinking about the future, and he said

the conference has a plan to expand. He said that he didn’t want to disclose the information on that plan, but said he wants to pursue it sooner rather than later.

Mohajir and other athletic directors said he pushes them to think outside the box and to think differently from other schools. It’s all part of the Big 12’s transition to focus on the entertainment and business side of the conference.

“His (leadership) has been great and I’ll tell you why, because he comes in with a non-traditional athletic background,” said Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor. “He’s made us (ath-

letic director’s) think outside the box, which I love, it challenges me as an AD, it challenges us all. It’s been fun learning from him because he comes from such a different background, he knows what he doesn’t know, he understands that he doesn’t understand all the nuances of college athletics, but he pushes us to think differently.”

Name, image and likeness is at the forefront of the landscape change in college athletics, alongside the transfer portal and conference realignment. Sometimes, it’s helpful to think differently from others when making decisions on items not well regulated, like NIL.

When others zig, Yormark zags. That’s what Big 12 officials like about their commissioner.

“During this extreme change in the world of college athletics, he’s the right person at the right time,” said Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham. “Because he’s thinking outside the box, he’s thinking about revenue, revenue generation, how that will help the students, how it will match up with all the change going on. So, there’s nothing about him that’s the ordinary way of doing things. We can teach him all of that, but what he does is he’s pushing us forward.”

Courtesy of Davis Cordova

athletic director John Cunningham said Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was the right man for the job at the right time.

OSU-COM clinical professor named AAO Journal editor in chief

The American Academy of Osteopathy Journal is now led by a face familiar to many at Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Leslie Ching, a clinical associate professor at OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been named editor in chief of the American Academy of Osteopathy Journal.

“The medical field is constantly changing with new diagnoses, genetic tests, medications, procedures and surgical approaches,” Ching said, “Our understanding of human anatomy and physiology is also constantly changing. Reading journals and research is helpful to change your views of diagnosis and management.”

The journal is distributed quarterly to over 7,500 osteopathic physicians, residents, medical students, colleges, hospitals and organizations.

Ching has been a physician with OSU Medicine and a clinical professor at OSUCOM for over eight years. She has been involved with The American Academy of Osteopathy Journal since she was a medical student and served on several of the journal’s committees and the Board of Governors, as well as reviewing and judging research posters.

In this new role, she will oversee the vision and scope of the journal and review all submitted articles and send them to peer reviewers before deciding what to include in each issue.

“I want to incorporate more pieces to reflect the experiences of physicians, residents and students who are interested in practicing OMM,” Ching said. “I’d like to in-

clude historical perspectives to encourage asking big questions about osteopathy and medicine in general.”

Osteopathic manipulative medicine is centered around the interaction between the physician and patient. The patient-centered approach is something Ching explored at OSU through teaching the osteopathic philosophy to medical students and residents.

“Research is important

but trying to practice the holistic approach to caring for patients is equally important,” Ching said. “I feel the heart of medicine and healing is still the interpersonal relationship between the physician and patient. If you don’t have that, then you may get physical healing, but not healing of the mind and spirit.”

Ching is a Hawaii native who said there are a lot of similarities between where she

grew up and rural Oklahoma. She described herself as lucky to have found a second family at OSU.

Ching attended Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her family medicine residency at Doctors Hospital Family Practice in Columbus, OH, before coming to Tulsa for NMM/OMM fellowing at OSU Medicine. She is board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/

OMM and Family Medicine and OMM.

“I’ve done my medical training all across the U.S., and I think Oklahoma State University is one of the best osteopathic training sites in the country and is only getting better,” Ching said. “I’m really proud of working at OSU because of its demonstrated commitment to osteopathic medicine, rural medicine and tribal medicine.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU

Dr. Leslie Ching, a clinical associate professor at OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been named editor in chief of the American Academy of Osteopathy Journal.

Bella Casey

Staff Reporter

Admissions...

Continued from 1

“It was racist to admit someone based on the color of their skin, people should be judged by their achievements and merits regardless of how they look because you can’t change how you were born,” Cirilo said.

The deciding factors of admission to OSU are largely academic. For domestic freshmen, the assured admission requirements are a 3.0 GPA or better unweighted cumulative and top 33.3% rank in high school graduating class, or a 3.0 GPA

Setback...

Continued from 1

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling, borrowers are being advised to prepare for the resumption of their loan payments, which are set to restart in October following the lifting of pandemic-related forbearance. The total amount of federal student loans exceeds an overwhelming amount of $1.3 trillion, according to calculations provided by the New York Federal Reserve. Borrowers should ensure that their contact and overall information are properly set up prior to the payments restarting in October.

Like many universities across the country, OSU has a portion of its student population burdened with student debt. However, it has one of the lowest overall amounts of student debt in the Big 12, and that is something OSU takes pride in.

“Oklahoma State University is committed to keeping our world class education affordable and has one of the lowest levels of average student debt in the Big 12,” said as

sistant director of enrollment man

agement operations Charly Smith.

“As part of this commitment, for the second year in a row we will have no increases in tuition or mandatory fees. We remain focused on significantly increasing scholarship funding for our students, and we take a very fiscally responsible approach in managing the tuition dollars students and their families invest in OSU.”

This issue is sparking controversial debates, as it will drastically increase the financial pressures that are put upon, not only OSU students, but universities throughout the country. Some students who are uninformed regarding all the financial terms and implications college brings.

Pablo Jaramillo, a zoology sophomore, believes student loans are a major concern for everyone.

“The fact that the Supreme Court ruling decided against Biden’s forgiveness program shows that there is little care for the students and alumni who have struggled and are currently struggling with student debt,” Jaramillo said. ”Although student loan debt forgiveness is not sustainable and the long-lasting solution that Americans need, it is a start to fixing the issue at hand.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

or better in 15-unit core and 21 ACT/1060 SAT or better or a 24 ACT/1160 SAT or better. Domestic transfer students, international freshman and international transfer students have other criteria, but the requirements are still based on academics.

“Oklahoma State University’s goal is to provide a welcoming environment where everyone is valued,” said associate director of communications in the OSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Rachel Eng. “Our landgrant mission provides tremendous opportunities for students from all walks of life and backgrounds, and race is not a factor consid-

ered in admissions.” The decision has been greatly controversial, and some students are not happy about the decision, believing it will do more harm than good. Nadia Valles, a senior majoring in political science, is one of those students.

“I do not agree with this decision whatsoever,” Valles said. “It will be creating great harm to bipoc (Black, indigenous and people of color) students. Educational institutions are already systemtically white spaces even with affirmative action, and this decision will hurt various communities and fail to make education accessible.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Rachel Eng

Questions regarding race and ethnicity in the OSU admission applications.

Courtesy of Jaiden Daughty

This issue is sparking controversial debates, as it will drastically increase the financial pressures that are put upon, not only OSU students, but universities throughout the country.

Threads has rocketed to 100 million users in less than a week, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday, July 10,

The new app on campus

Instagram Threads is a new app introduced by Mark Zuckerberg that allows individuals to share text updates and join public conversations.

The creative minds behind Threads share that the vision behind the app is to take what Instagram does best – allow individuals to connect and converse through photos and videos –and expand that into a text version.

Threads is set up similarly to Instagram in that the app uses the same account used for Instagram, allowing the individual signing up to log into their original Instagram account and connect with their original followers.

Threads allows users to post a text of up to 500 characters and can include links, photos and videos of up to five

minutes in length. Threads is a brand-new app, meaning some have already begun to take part in text conversations while others are still learning about the new platform.

Instagram Threads is catching quickly in the college town of Stillwater and with hundreds of students arriving in less than a month, one question remains: will Threads replace Twitter?

Kallie Chapman, a junior and psychology major, said that Threads is great because it is a fresh start for a social media platform.

“I think the success of Threads will depend on if Twitter does fall off or if it remains afloat,” she said.

Chapman said there is a good chance Threads will catch on in Stillwater, especially if the app becomes popular with the rest of the world.

While Chapman has joined the

trend and downloaded Threads, there are some individuals who have decided not to download it and some who have not even heard of the app yet.

Junior Haley Kidney, nutritional sciences allied health major, has chosen not to download Threads. Kidney said that she sees no point in downloading Threads because there are not enough changes in the features of the platform to differentiate it from Twitter.

“I think Threads is just another Tik Tok,” Kidney said. “I think it’s new and trendy and that college kids will immerse themselves in the app and what’s happening in the community, as well as spending even more time on their phones and social media… But, since there is nothing significant that we haven’t experienced on social media before, I think it (Threads) will eventually die out.”

Kidney chooses not to partake in

Threads because she is familiar with the app, but there are those out there who are unfamiliar with Threads and do not know what the app is.

Kristyn Fields, a senior and political science major at OSU, was unaware that Threads was a new social media platform. After doing some research, Fields said that she chose not to download it because she does not need any more social media apps.

“I think it is something that will die out,” said Fields. “I don’t think it’s necessary, there’s already Twitter.”

With Threads being such a new platform, it is unknown if the app will replace Twitter or not. It seems as though many believe there is no use for Threads since Twitter does exist and is already successful and popular, but there are those that believe Threads is a new beginning for social media.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Dreamstime

2023.

Lauren King Staff Reporter

Lifestyle

Oklahoma State University students share their summer shenanigans

Emi Norton Staff Reporter

OSU’s own, reflecting on their summer so far and looking forward to the upcoming semester.

Other than spending much needed time at home with family, summer brings with it a season for traveling, new job opportunities, social life and a variety of other ways in which students spend their time away from the classroom. Keeping that in mind, Junior elementary education major, Paige Ely, has successfully spent her summer taking strides towards her career choice using her degree.

“I work 40 hours a week with kids at a summer camp at a school I used to attend,” Ely said. “I’m teaching kids I went to school with so it’s very special to me.”

Other students, like first year finance major Jason Nguyen, have also initiated learning opportunities by taking advantage of the traveling season. He hopes to take his experiences within cultures that are different from his own and expand his personal interrelations.

“This summer I’ve gotten to experience life in multiple other states and have networked out to meet a lot of different people living life opposed to what I’m used to,” Nguyen said. “Seeing how people live from a different point of view and being able to see cultures in other places was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had this summer.”

While students highlight the ways in which they have spent a lot of their summer preparing for the upcoming semesters at OSU, being able to relax and maintain their social lives is not at all forgotten. Senior aviation management major, Caymon Severs, has spent his time off getting to meet with old friends and further the development of his landscaping company.

“Summer vacation is

vital for a college student,” Severs said. “I continued my work with my landscaping company and finally got to visit my buddy’s hometown in California. I got to meet their family and friends which was super exciting and definitely had a much needed vacation.”

Summer vacation is the break that students get in order to refresh from the stress that goes hand in hand with the load from two semesters of course work. With two and a half months of time off from collegiate duties, students have

a chance to do the things they might not have time for in the fall and spring.

Haylee Rooks, junior business management major with a minor in management information systems, is an advocate for the benefits that the break provides for students.

“I really think that summer vacation is necessary as a college student because we need time to recoup and relax, especially after the spring semester,” Rooks said. “It’s a time when people can go home and spend time with their

families and hometown friends that they might not get to see as much during the academic year.”

With that, Rooks is not the only student who feels this way, as Tatyana Curry, a senior pre-nursing major shares the same opinion. She is expecting new opportunities inside her field of practice in the near future, and is appreciative of the mental break this summer has allowed her to take advantage of.

“I’m a little nervous for this upcoming semester,

so I have used this time off to really reset and focus on something else,” Curry said. “I spent time working at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, and devoted the rest to getting my sister ready for her first year at college. Besides that, you can catch me enjoying my days at the lake.”

Whether it is traveling, spending time with family and friends, relaxing or continuing educational progress, students at OSU are all in all grateful for the break.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Haylee Rooks

Haylee Rooks, junior business management major with a minor in management information systems, is an advocate for the benefits that the break provides for students.

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown

Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Houses for rent

Spacious 1100 sq. ft

2 bedroom home. Recently remodeled, CH/A, wood

floors, nice yard. 2214 E. 6th Ave., Scarlett Bus Route. 405-372-7107.

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (07/14/23). All for one and one for all this year. Disciplined practices expand explorations into exciting discoveries. Domestic bliss flavors the autumn, before a winter team transition phase. Adapting around a challenge at home empowers your career to new heights. Combine forces and pull together.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Stay focused. A hidden danger could arise. Diplomacy helps you communicate around a misunderstanding. If an invitation goes against your grain, turn it down.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Stick to steady, reliable income sources. Despite distractions, profitable work energizes your efforts. Avoid risky business. Plug any financial leaks. Produce valuable results.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Doubts or cynicism could appear. Avoid self-sabotage. Choose who you want to be. Take charge for what you want. You can have what you work for.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 6 — You could feel especially sensitive. Take extra time for yourself. Balance emotion with reason. Don’t get lost in negative thoughts. Slow to enjoy the scenery.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Share support with a community or team challenge. Find creative solutions together. You can move mountains. Diversity provides much needed strength. Savor peaceful rituals.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Advance a professional project by reinforcing foundational support structures. Adapt for a hidden opportunity. Integrity provides workability. True your course for ease and strength.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Professional obstacles could cause delays. Assess the situation carefully before advancing. Explore from your own backyard. Adapt studies and research to explore virtually.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Hunt for hidden inefficiencies or financial leaks and plug them. You can get what’s needed. Discuss the situation and pull together for common gain.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Collaborate for ease and efficiency. In the face of challenging circumstances, your partnership deepens. These circumstances too shall pass. Provide and share stability.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Physical action gets satisfying results. Focus on your work, health and fitness, taking one step at a time. No need to hurry. Choose stable footing.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Creativity and romance could spark spontaneously. Things may not go as planned. Strengthen basic infrastructures. Communication reveals harmonious solutions. Choose love and playfulness.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Home draws you in. Savor domestic comforts and flavors. Avoid travel or traffic. Discuss the domestic changes you’d love. Settle on practical ideas.

ACROSS

1 Email option that protects privacy

4 Hands down

9 Syrup source

14 “There it is!”

15 Compact cosmetic

16 Build a new room, say

17 “Da 5

Solution

Ella Dershowitz

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk