The Vista April 10, 2018

Volume 116, Issue 11

the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

UCOSA Votes To Change Bylaws

Student Government Still Required to Follow State Laws Katie Standlee @katiestandlee Reporter

Newly elected chair Tate Atkinson presides of Committee of the Whole to review new legislation before voting on whether or not to bring it to the floor. (Ryan Naeve/The Vista)

Legislation CB18-202 was passed with 15 votes in favor of the bill by the University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Association during a congressional meeting on April 9 that amends a section in the bylaws holding members accountable for violations.

“In the case that a Senator has a grievance against another Senator, including Congressional Leadership, legislation shall be drafted, which outlines the grievances,” Amended bylaws Chapter 2, Section 7 reads.

“This legislation must be passed through any committee, voted on and passed with a 2/3 vote of the UCO Student Congress. In the case of the on pg. 5

Rain, Sleet or Snow: The March for Education Presses On Katie Standlee, Christian Tabak @TheVista1903 Staff Reports

Educators from the Tulsa area continue their 110-mile walk from Tulsa to the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on April 10 to protest a lack of both teacher pay and educational funding in Oklahoma as the statewide teacher walkout continues into its second week.

More than 100 people, including teachers, parents and community members, began a 110-mile march

across Oklahoma on April 4 to call for more funding for the state’s schools and to gain the attention of state legislators who have been slow to respond to educators’ petitions for more funding.

Heather Cody, a third-grade teacher at Mayo Demonstration School in Tulsa and one of the walk’s 10 coordinators, said state Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, came out and walked with the group.

“If we’re willing to walk 110 miles, on pg. 3

BRONCHO SPORTS

OK NEWS UPDATE AROUND CAMPUS

Clay Molds His Future on pg. 12

on pg. 7

on pg. 4

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April 10, 2018

the

VISTA

Contents

CONTENTS

Teacher March....................................................................3 Around Campus...................................................................4 UCOSA Watch....................................................................5 Bronc hoThon.......................................................6 Title IX/Sinclair..................................................................8-9 Humor Column...................................................................11 Clay McKenzie/JoBi Heath.............................................12-13 Justin Brown.......................................................................14 Bucking Broncho.................................................................15

STAFF

Cara Johnson Elizabeth Spence Austin Moseley Regan Rosson Megan Thele Peter Agnitsch Michelle Pennza Christian Tabak Vy Luong Alejandro Gonzalez Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Dylan Brown Janessa Egler Gerald Leong Ryan Naeve Teddy Burch

THE VISTA

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Bottom Left: Runningback Clay McKenzie, No. 23, runs the ball during a game on August 31, 2017 at Wantland Stadium. (KT King/UCO Photo Services)

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On the Cover: Center Right: A participant of the Oklahoma Teacher Walkout holds up a sign outside the Capitol building on Monday, April 2. (Christopher Stum/UCentral)

shooting death of University of Central Oklahoma student and former football player Collis Walker on March 14, 2018. (Provided/Oklahoma City Police Department) Bottom Right: Geese rest near Broncho Lake on Monday, April 9.(Ryan Naeve/The Vista)

Teacher March

April 10, 2018

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Rain, Sleet or Snow: The March for Education Presses On Continued From Page 1 please walk with us; come out and join us,” Cody said. “That’s what we want, we want the legislators to come out and speak to us, come walk a couple miles with us.”

The march started at Webster High School in Tulsa, stopping at Kellyville High School, Bristow High School, Stroud High School, Chandler High School, Wellston High School and Jones High School, with the marchers planning to arrive at the state capitol by the end of April 10.

Cody said this walk took two weeks of planning, which included reaching out to donors for supplies in the Tulsa area. She said the idea for the walk came from Deborah Gist, superintendent for Tulsa Public Schools, and Patty Ferguson-Palmer, president for Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association.

“I just hope that people realize we are not greedy and that we want to do what’s best for kids,” said Lauren Evans, teacher at Hilldale Elementary in Tulsa. “Funding is what’s best for kids, giving them an education that they can leave the state and be competitive in anything they want to do; that’s what’s best for kids.”

Donations and community support have been a major part of the walk, with the teachers receiving donations from companies and anonymous contributors. While Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries has been coordinating most of the marchers’ meals, Cody said that many times the marchers would arrive at their destination to find the community had also arranged to provide meals.

“Last night [April 4], Kellyville Public Schools brought out dinner for us and then a man from Georgia called in to the Simple Simon’s in Kellyville, and he paid for 20 pizzas,” Cody said.

Support for the march has also extended beyond members of Oklahoma’s public K-12 system, with students, staff and faculty of Oklahoma’s higher education institutes both voicing support and joining ongoing demonstrations at the state capitol.

Last month, the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma emailed education students. The email provided guidance on how to complete their student teaching responsibilities during the school shut down and expressing support if students choose to participate in the demonstrations.

“Our UCO education students

Teachers and supporters of Oklahoma Education line a bridge outside of the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday, April 2 in support of more funding for Oklahoma educators. The walkout began last Monday and continues with Tulsa teachers marching 110 miles from a Tulsa school to the state capitol. (Katie Standlee/The Vista)

have seized this opportunity as a transformative moment in which they are learning how to advocate for education, students and the teaching profession,” said John Machell, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Machell said that students, former students, faculty and staff members have participated in advocacy efforts at the capitol, although he stressed that none of the college’s participants neglected their duties or missed classes to participate in the advocacy attempts.

However, not all schools have been as supportive of the march. While Cody and Roselle are some of the teachers who are receiving support from their school’s administration to walk to the capitol, others are continuing to march despite their schools remaining open.

“My district is open and so a lot of us are sacrificing sick days and personal days to be able to go to the capitol,” Evans said. “I just feel like [the walk is] a good way to send a big message.”

More than 50 school districts across the state were shut down when the teacher walkout began on April 2 when legislators failed to meet the

demands of the Oklahoma Education Association to raise salaries for teachers by $10,000 and support staff by $5,000 over three years.

Ranked 48th in the nation for teacher pay, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma teachers have yet to see a pay raise in more than a decade and per student funding has decreased by 28 percent since 2008.

Machell said he believes that advocacy measures, such as the statewide walkout and the Tulsa teacher march, demonstrate how Oklahoma teachers’ efforts have been effective in informing the general public about the negative impact of extreme funding cuts over the past several years.

“Overall, teachers have made it clear that the current level of funding has degraded the quality of educational opportunity being provided for students in our state,” Machell said. “It has been affirming to see the high level of support from students, parents and community members in general.”

Although state legislators did approve a $6,000 pay raise for teachers at the end of March, the OEA has said that teachers will continue marching until the legislature makes

the decision to increase state funding for education overall.

The lack of funding to education has left classrooms without necessary supplies, with the lack often supplemented by teachers purchasing the items themselves.

“I am tired of asking my parents to give me Walmart gift cards so I can buy lab supplies, I am tired of spending my own money to buy lab supplies and I’m tired of having to bribe my students with extra credit so that they can bring in paper and pencils,” said Craig Hoxie, teacher at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. “We need the money to function.”

Educators are currently calling on state legislators to approve the allocation of an additional $150 million to the state’s education fund.

Educators claim funding would be generated by legislative approval of the capital gains reform initiative and the veto of the hotel tax repeal by Gov. Mary Fallin.

“The biggest thing that we want [legislators] to do, is put more money into the classroom,” Hoxie said. “We need more money in the general education accounts so that we can do the things we need to do.”

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018 SMART Recovery: In Nigh University Center Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being is hosting a meeting for those in recovery to learn tools for coping with urges and managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

The meeting takes place at noon.

Flash Mob Meditation: At 1:15 p.m. in the Quad Fitness Room, representatives from the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer meditation, tai chi, yoga and relaxation.

UCO counselor Jeff Jones will lead the group every Tuesday.

Connections Group: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold a Connections Group from 2-3 p.m. in Nigh University Center’s Room 402 to help students increase communication and social skills in order to connect more easily on campus.

UCO Softball vs. Cameron: At 2 p.m. in Broncho Softball Stadium, the UCO Softball team takes on Cameron University.

Knowledge is Power Week 2018: The Student Alliance for Equality is hosting a special program in the Nigh University Center Clara Luper Room at 7 p.m. as part of the Diversity Round Table’s Knowledge is Power Week.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 BronchoThon Blood Drive: Students and faculty can donate blood in support of BronchoThon from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Heritage Room.

SPBallin’: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower, students can fill out a bracket for the NBA Playoffs with SPB, shoot hoops and play arcade-style basketball games for candy.

Knowledge is Power – Latinx in Film: The Hispanic American Student Association is hosting an event at 12 p.m. in the Nigh University Center to discuss how Latinx culture in portrayed in the film industry. The event is part of Knowledge is Power Week 2018.

Stages of Change: In Nigh University Center Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a support group designed to help students learn how to make and clarify goals and begin lasting changes in their lives.

The group begins at 12:30 p.m.

Non-Traditional Student Support Group: The group is hosted by the Center for Counseling and Well-Being to help non-traditional students find support at UCO. Attendees can talk and relate their life experiences with one

April 10, 2018

another in order to help meet their personal needs. The group meets from 2-3 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Room 402.

Local Food Summit: From 4-6 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballrooms, the UCO Students for Sustainability is hosting a local food summit to raise awareness about local food sources in the OKC metro.

Miracle Madness Tournament: Students can sign up for a 3v3 basketball tournament that will take place from 4:30-9:30 p.m. in the Wellness Center in support of the Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City and BronchoThon.

Sexual Health Awareness Series – Consent: The next session of the Sexual Health Awareness Series is taking place at 5 p.m. in Quad 111W on the topic of consent.

Up All Nigh: Beginning at 8 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, SPB is hosting Up All Nigh.

There will be an open mic night in the Cherokee Room, Laser Tag in Ballroom C, a movie screening in the Mary Fallin Room and food in games in the Carl Albert Room.

Thursday, April12, 2018 Trauma Recovery: This workshop addresses topics like self-soothing, the mind and body connection, effects of trauma on relationships and healthy relationships. The event is from 2-3 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 402.

Stress Paws: UCO offers students a chance to take a pause from daily stress and visit with therapy dogs on campus. Each week, Stress Paws will be held in Nigh University Center Room 402 from 3-5 p.m.

Study Hall: The National Society of Black Engineers is hosting a study hall at 5:30 p.m. in the Max Chambers Library for members of NSBE to get advice and help from people who have taken their current classes.

Friday, April 13, 2018 Anger Tamers: From 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Nigh University Center Room 402, students can learn to identify their own anger triggers and gain tools to help reduce conflict in their lives.

The free and confidential group is hosted by the UCO Center for Counseling and Well-Being.

Grief Group: From 11 a.m. to noon, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being is holding a grief group for anyone grieving. Group and individual session will be in the Nigh University Center Room 402.

Life Skills Around Eating: This is a group that offers an affect regulation approach to eat-

Around Campus

ing disorders. The group focuses on skills that increase mindfulness and to teach appropriate emotion regulation. Life Skills Around Eating meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Fandoms Ball 2018: At 7 p.m. in the Central Plaza Ballrooms, Fandoms Anonymous is hosting an annual ball for dancing, food, games and fun.

Mr. and Miss UCO International: The International Student Council is hosting the Mr. & Miss International Pageant in the Nigh University Center at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 14, 2018 UCO Tennis vs. Angelo State: At 10 a.m. the UCO tennis team will play Angelo State at Broncho Courts.

BronchoThon: From 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Hamilton Field House, UCO students will be raising money for the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation at BronchoThon.

UCO Softball vs. Northeastern State: The UCO Softball team is playing Northeastern State at 2 p.m. at the Broncho Softball Stadium.

Monday, April 16, 2018 K-Cup Seedling Starters: The UCO Horticultural Club is selling Wildflower seedlings for $1 at 10 a.m. on the 2nd floor of the Nigh University Center.

I Heart Central Week – Celebrates BRock’s Birthday: SPB is hosting a celebration of BRock from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to kick off I Heart Central Week.

Adulting 101: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being is hosting a support group focusing on handling the difficult life transitions that come with being an adult. The group is held from 1-2 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 402.

LGBTQ Support Group: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being holds a support group for those who identify or think they may identify somewhere within the LGBTQ community. The group is held from 2-3 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 402.

Frisbee Game: The Recreational Ultimate Frisbee Club plays a weekly game of Frisbee in Plunkett Park at 4 p.m.

UCO’s Got Talent: Starting at 7 p.m. in Constitutional Hall, SPB presents UCO’s Got Talent for students to showcase their talents.

The event is hosted by famous juggler Ivan Pecel.

UCOSA Watch

April 10, 2018

5

UCOSA Votes To Change Bylaws

Student Government Still Required to Follow State Laws

Continued From Page 1 legislation passing, the Senator with grievances will resign.”

Remington Dean, UCOSA Chair was the sole author of CB18-202.

The legislation was reviewed by Internal Affairs and recommended for “Do Pass”.

“The thought behind this came in three folds. The first, section A of the current bylaw does not state who is supposed to contact the member in question. Secondly, section B states that only the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, of Chair of ART can write the legislation to expel the member,” Dean said. “This limits the power of all senators because the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and ART Chair may all be friends and not want to write legislation that expels one another.

The new version allows all senators to write the said legislation.”

As for the third fold, Dean said that the way that Chapter 2, Section

7 was written before the amendment made it sound like if a person were to get a speeding ticket then they should be kicked out of congress.

Specifically, Dean is referring to the wording “Oklahoma state law”.

Dean said that the new legislation is more focused on a due process system instead of relying on a single complaint complaint from one person.

“It’s [the legislation] currently taking something that is a solid stance on what constitutes removing somebody from their position,” said Colten Kidd, UCOSA senator, before CB18-202 had been voted on. “You have to violate specifically some Oklahoma law or one of the UCOSA governing documents. Whenever you say, ‘issue a grievance’, that opens it up to a grey interpretation, a very open interpretation.”

The original wording said that if a member of UCOSA had violated some Oklahoma state law, some UCOSA Constitutional Law, some

UCOSA Statute or some UCO Student Congress Bylaw then that member would simply be asked to resign as stipulated by the following sections A, B, C and D recommend.

Before being amended, section A said that the member would need to be emailed by UCO email and asked to resign, but it does not specifically name who should send that email.

“I agree that we could probably make it [Chapter 2, Section 7] more specific on who takes the initial step with that email,” Kidd said before the legislation was voted on. “We could definitely expand upon that, but this is not the way to do it.”

Kidd said he believes there are some necessary changes that need to be made to the bylaws because he finds it hard to believe that when the bylaws were first written that UCOSA got everything 100 percent right.

However, Kidd said that UCOSA needs to carefully consider any potential consequences before bylaws are changed.

The bill had passed after a debate with Kidd and Sen. Camillo Ulloa against, and Dean and Sen. Joshua Barnett for the legislation and then it passed on a roll-call vote.

“I think that because of this legislation passing, it shows the integrity of UCOSA,” Ulloa said after the

bill was passed. “Which I feel that I would probably rather resign as a senator because we are talking about law. It’s black or white. Follow the law or not.”

Before Monday’s meeting, UCOSA violated the Oklahoma Meetings Act by not posting the agenda outside of the UCOSA office or online for the April 9 Congressional Meeting within the appropriate time frame.

“In addition to the advance public notice in writing required to be filed for regularly scheduled meetings, all public bodies shall, at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meetings, display public notice of said meeting, setting forth thereon the date, time, place and agenda for said meeting, such twenty-four (24) hours prior public posting shall exclude Saturdays and Sundays and holidays legally declared by the State of Oklahoma,” OMA Section 311 under A, 9.

The agenda for April 9 was uploaded to UCOSA’s OrgSync page April 8 at 2:12 p.m., but without posting it publicly outside of their office in 24 hours before the meeting, excluding weekends and holidays, then it was a violation.

Newly elected chair Tate Atkinson presides of Committee of the Whole to review new legislation before voting on whether or not to bring it to the floor. (Ryan Naeve/The Vista)

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April 10, 2018

BronchoThon

UCO Hosts Second Annual BronchoThon Megan Thele

@1bigtimenicole Copy Editor

On Saturday, April 14, the University of Central Oklahoma is hosting the second annual BronchoThon dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“BronchoThon is a yearlong philanthropic movement which unites the Broncho community in raising awareness and financial support for the Children’s Hospital Foundation,” said Charles Spells, executive director of BronchoThon. “Our finale event is a celebration of the yearlong effort our campus has made and the lives of our miracle children.”

The eight-hour dance marathon is held in Hamilton Field House from 2-10 p.m., with each hour broken down into segments of different types of dances and themed music.

An opening ceremony serves as the event kickoff, followed by the themed hours until the closing ceremony and fundraising total at 9:30 p.m. The hourly dance themes include Disney, school spirit, love, wild kingdom, power hour and rave.

Other activities will also take place throughout the event.

“During the event, we have different activities to do, from an art auction to Zumba, and you can dare your friends to do things too,” said Thomas Patterson, vice president of fundraising for BronchoThon.

Miracle families from the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Oklahoma City will be in atten-

dance to speak at the start of each hour and share their stories and miracles.

All funding goes to the local children’s hospital and directly helps patients, including the miracle families present.

“A miracle family is someone who has benefited directly from the funds raised by a dance marathon,” Spells said. “Through the efforts of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and programs like BronchoThon, they were able to receive the care and treatment they needed right here in their home state.”

Spells said any miracle family can participate in the dance marathon and any other events throughout the year. There are currently 16 miracle families involved with BronchoThon.

All of the money donated through the year stays local and online donations go directly to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Donations help the foundation bring in new doctors and support research for the hospital.

Student and Greek organizations that register as a team compete for the Miracle Cup. “Any organization can compete for [the Cup] and there are different ways to earn points, from fundraising to hosting an event,” Patterson said.

Other donation events through the year add to the grand total revealed at the closing ceremony. Some of the events include restaurant nights, donation cans at sporting events and 14K In a Day. On March 14, BronchoThon’s 14K In a Day events raised $20,846.19 through small events

UCO students celebrate raising over $60,000 at the first annual BronchoThon in 2017. The second BronchoThon takes place this Saturday. (Provided/BroncoThon Twitter)

and donation periods throughout the day. The day consisted of donation blitzes, video game tournaments, breakfast and lunch donations, karaoke, a dare table and an end of the day rave.

“I got involved with BronchoThon because I believe that every child should be able to receive the care they need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay,” Spells said. “Our local hospital is making miracles in so many ways and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Spells’ personal experience stems from a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Texas, where he was treated as a child. Although he wasn’t a miracle child, Spells believes the care he received was a miracle and wants to help others get the same care.

Children’s Hospital Foundation is the only non-profit organization

in Oklahoma focusing solely on the advancement of pediatric research and education programs to improve children’s health, according to the BronchoThon OrgSync page.

Students can get involved with BronchoThon by registering to be a dancer for $25, creating a fundraising portal or making a donation.

Participants at the event can receive STLR credit in the Health and Wellness, and Service Learning and Civic Engagement tenants.

While BronchoThon 2018 is coming to a close, applications for next year’s board are open. The executive council, leadership team and big committee applications are on the BronchoThon OrgSync page and close April 16.

Suspect Sketch

April 10, 2018

7

OKCPD Releases Murder Suspect Sketch Christian Tabak @CaffeineWallace Reporter

Oklahoma City police released a sketch last week of a man suspected to be involved in the March 14 homicide of University of Central Oklahoma student Collis Walker.

Police describe the suspect as an African-American male in his 20s who is of average height and average weight. The sketch of the suspect was released by the Oklahoma City Police Department April 2 and authorities have said that he is believed to have been in a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

“We’re currently not releasing any information on the homicide, but the Public Information Office has the current information on the case,” said OKCPD homicide detective Doug Hurst.

Police report that they found Walker, 22, shot dead inside a vehicle at a parking lot near N.W. 122nd and Pennsylvania Avenue

shortly before 8 p.m. on March 14.

While police are searching for the suspect, they claim the circumstances surrounding Walker’s shooting still remain unsolved.

“Anything our office would say on the matter does not differ from the official statement,” said M.Sgt. Gary Knight, OKCPD assistant information officer.

Walker’s shooting is the 17th homicide investigation in Oklahoma City of 2018. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting or the person depicted in the sketch to call the Homicide Tip-Line at 405-297-1200.

Sketch of the suspect believed to have been involved in the shooting death of University of Central Oklahoma student and former football player Collis Walker on March 14, 2018.

(Provided/Oklahoma City Police Department)

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April 10, 2018

Title IX

Title IX Offers Religious Exemptions Emily Grim

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

While there is legislation to ensure equal protections for all students on college campuses, it is still legal, in some cases, for colleges and universities to freely discriminate against certain individuals.

Title IX, the 1972 law that originally prohibited discrimination against women in federally-funded educational institutions, states that schools that discriminated against students based on sex would lose federal funding. In 2014, it was extended to include protections on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

There is, however, an exception.

Colleges and universities can request a waiver on the basis of religion. The U.S. Department of Education’s website shows that 106 institutions either hold or have requested a religious exemption from Title IX. Of those colleges, nine are in Oklahoma.

“Yes, we were granted an exemption and we are proud of it,” said Oklahoma Wesleyan University President Everett Piper.

After Title IX was expanded in 2014, the number of applications for waivers rose quickly. In 2015, 43 institutions applied.

All of them have received, and continue to receive, federal funding.

Institutions that do not hold Title IX waivers have been investigated or sued for alleged discrimination or participation in anti-gay practices or programs. Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City does not hold a Title IX waiver, but expelled a student after marrying a same-gender partner in 2014.

Other schools without waivers have been called into question as well. Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California asked a transgender professor to leave and was sued over an alleged cover-up of anti-gay violence. Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan refused to allow a bake sale’s profits to go to homeless LGBT youth, and Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts denied a professor a promotion presumably because she supported LGBT rights.

In addition to Title IX waivers and discrimination of or infringement upon equal treatment of LGBT students, presidents of some institutions have signed or upheld the Nashville Statement. This evangelical Christian statement decried homosexuality and

A group of students walk east across campus. The University of Central Oklahoma was the first four-year college to include protections for LGBT students. (Ryan Naeve/The Vista)

transgender people, as well as claiming that any support of the LGBT community is a sin.

Anti-gay sentiments from other students have been a concern for LGBT students as well. Many students worry about treatment from professors and colleagues after coming out, especially if they are involved in student organizations, live in student housing or are involved in religious sororities or fraternities.

“Having a religious background myself, it’s hard trying to be a part of religious organizations on campus whenever you know that when I do show my true, genuine self, those organizations might not be as kind to me as they are right now,” said a UCO student, who asked to remain anonymous. “Experiencing homophobia while in the closet can be harmful to closeted LGBT youth.

They openly use homophobia and a lot of slurs that they don’t know offends me because I’m not out of

the closet.”

The Association of American Universities reported that LGBT students are also at a higher risk for sexual harassment and assault. An AAU conducted survey found that three in four LGBT college students reported experiencing sexual harassment and nine percent reported being raped.

Though many colleges and universities have been accused of bigotry against the LGBT community, there are some that have worked to address anti-LGBT sentiments on college campuses and openly support all students.

The University of Central Oklahoma was the first four-year institution in Oklahoma to include LGBT students as a protected class, and continues to work to support students through the Student Alliance for Equality and the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center.

“I think housing does all they can to make people comfortable because

this is supposed to be your home, obviously you want to feel comfortable in it,” said Sydney Martineau, resident assistant at UCO. Martineau said that all RA’s must undergo two weeks of training on campus policies and resources.

“We have different speakers come in to share their knowledge as well,” Martineau said.

Dr. David Macey, assistant vice president for Global and Cultural Competencies and SAFE’s faculty advisor, said some faculty and staff members at UCO are currently working on resources such as gender identity and expression on applications, gender neutral housing and the ability to list preferred names and pronouns on attendance or roll sheets.

“I think the most important thing, to the extent you can do so safely and comfortably, is to be out about who you are,” Macey said.

Sinclair

April 10, 2018

9

Sinclair Broadcast Group Under Fire Vy Luong @vy169

Reporter

A video released last week revealed many anchors from different local TV stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group read an identical script to criticize biases and false news as a promotional campaign.

Sinclair is the largest operator of local TV stations in America. The company owns almost 200 stations in over 100 markets, including KOKHTV and KOCB in Oklahoma City and KTUL in Tulsa. Sinclair is also in the process of acquiring Tribune Media, which is the current owner of 42 more stations, including KFOR in Oklahoma City.

The script, as transcribed by ThinkProgress, says that “some media outlets” publish “fake stories” that “just aren’t true, without checking facts first.” It warns that some members of the media “use their platforms to push their own personal bias and agenda” to control what people think. The script also says “this is extremely dangerous to democracy.”

Deans and department chairs from 14 universities across the country have signed a letter to Sinclair to express their concern about the promotional campaign. The letter states that “Sinclair’s use of news personnel to deliver commentary” may erode “the trust that viewers put in their local television stations.”

University of Central Oklahoma Mass Communication professor Desiree Hill said the words are of concern and derogatory to all media.

Hill said she questioned which media Sinclair was criticizing, whether it be local media, national media, Fox News, CNN or print journalism.

“It casts a wide negative net that hurts all members of our profession,” Hill said.

Hill has worked in the broadcast industry for almost 30 years. She said she knows many journalists have signed contracts which dictate what they can and cannot do within the company, so it gets difficult for them to speak up.

“The best newsrooms foster spirited conversations and debates. All voices are heard and decisions develop from there,” Hill said. “In the

In this Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, file photo, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.’s headquarters stands in Hunt Valley, Md. President Trump is jumping to the defense of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is under fire following the rapid spread of a video showing anchors at its stations across the country reading a script criticizing “fake” news stories. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark, File)

Sinclair model, voices are silenced regarding political topics, which has a detrimental effect on the journalism coming from Sinclair stations.”

Sinclair has been doing things like this promotional campaign for many years. They have hired a former Trump campaign adviser, Boris Epshetyn to be their political analyst.

“Stations are required to carry his commentary, which, to no one’s surprise, is pro-Trump,” Hill said.

“Like many journalism companies, most of the executives at the top are

non-journalists. They did not come up in the business learning about a code of ethics.”

Hill said the choices Sinclair is making are making it increasingly difficult for her to recommend students to the company. However, if a student is hired, she advises them to keep the code of ethics close.

“Good journalists are not robots.

They argue. They question. They have done their research,” Hill said. “There is nothing wrong with challenging leadership with a wellthough-out argument.”

Humor Column

11

April 10, 2018

Job Listings That Pay More Than OK Education Teachers are the foundation of this country. You don’t have to be Bob the Builder to know that. If you have a weak foundation, that means that you don’t have a strong house. America is the house that we live in and we only know that because we were taught by hard-working, dedicated and loving teachers.

However, as we’ve witnessed, teachers in this state get paid next to nothing. That means that replacing those teachers will not be an easy task, unless one thing is done: funding education throughout Oklahoma.

So, let’s look at the positive aspects of the situation. There are so many other jobs which are paid more than an Oklahoma teacher. That’s exactly what this is, a list of the jobs making more than a teacher.

Therapist:

Couldn’t you have guessed it? Yes, a therapist in the state of Oklahoma gets paid more than a teacher. Stretch your minds and then stretch your wallets.

My Ex-Wife:

It’s a 24-hour job and somebody has got to do it. Oh, and yeah, the job pays more than a teacher in this state.

A Robot at Hardee’s:

The machines are replacing humans, and at Hardee’s, it’s already begun. The robot cashiers are now making more money than Oklahoma educa-

A Puppeteer:

Kids at the Lemonade Stand:

They really know how to turn a profit and they make way more than teachers.

A guy who talks through dolls? Yup, paid more.

The Guy Who Picks up Pennies that Aren’t Right-Side-Up: My Ex-Wife:

She’s worth mentioning again, this woman is the worst. Oh, and she makes more than Oklahoma teachers. It’s disgusting.

Yeah, this guy actually has found enough unlucky pennies that he now makes more than teachers.

So, there you have it. There are plenty more jobs that make more than teachers here in the state. I mean, if you want to find one, just look all around you.

12

April 10, 2018

Sports

SPORTS

Clay Molds His Future Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg

Sports Reporter

University of Central Oklahoma running back Clay McKenzie said he was devastated after hearing the news regarding his knee injury.

“Whenever it happened I didn't believe it,” McKenzie said. “Until I went into surgery, I didn't believe it.”

Coming off back-to-back AllMIAA seasons, McKenzie’s 21 carries, 96 yards, one touchdown performance in the season-opening win against Lindenwood, looked like the start of a third straight AllMIAA season. The Bronchos were 1-0 for the first time since 2014 and McKenzie was on the verge of cracking into the top 10 in multiple program categories. However, a season-ending knee injury against Pittsburg State in the second game of the season ended that hope.

It looked like it ended his UCO career as well.

“I didn't know what I was going to

Senior runningback Clay McKenzie, No.23, rushes into opposing players Thursday August 31, 2017 in the University of Central Oklahoma’s home opener win in Edmond, Okla. McKenzie rushed for a net total of 94 yards. (Vista Archives)

do,” McKenzie said. “I knew I had the opportunity to come back for a sixth year, but at the same time I

Senior running back Clay McKenzie, No. 23, runs upfield during a game against Lindenwood University on August 31, 2017 at Wantland Stadium.(Provided KT King/ UCO Photo Services)

was graduating in December.”

After giving it some thought, McKenzie came to a decision.

“I thought about it and decided that I couldn't pass up one more opportunity to play the game that I've played for so long,” McKenzie said.

After successful surgery, McKenzie got to work rehabbing, finishing ahead of schedule. With spring practice underway, McKenzie is back on the field.

“I'm cleared for everything but contact,” McKenzie said. “I've been running and cutting and testing it out. It's doing really well.”

McKenzie said that while being forced to watch from the sidelines was tough, it helped him from a leadership perspective.

“It made me step back and appreciate the game more,” Mckenzie said. “I was focused on my job and put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect. I didn't do a good job of coaching the younger guys. It made me understand that I need to help the young guys because they are the

future of our program.”

McKenzie currently ranks top 10 in program history in numerous categories. The sixth year senior is tenth in all-purpose and rushing yards. The senior running back is also sixth in scoring and owns the single-season record for 100-yard games with eight, while also recording the third most yards in a single game with 248.

While McKenzie said he is aware of where he sits, moving up is not his goal entering the season.

“Whatever happens, happens,” McKenzie said. “I've had a great career here and I loved every minute of it. I don't pay attention to records during the season, but it means a lot to have my name in the record book.”

McKenzie has one goal for his last season in a Broncho uniform: have fun.

“I'm excited,” McKenzie said. “I'm excited to go out there and have fun one last time and enjoy it.”

Sports

April 10, 2018

13

JoBi Heath Moving On Up Derek Parker @D_Park2

Contributing Writer

JoBi Heath, the starting third baseman for the University of Central Oklahoma softball team and one of the top batters in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, is continuing to help lead the Bronchos during her junior season.

The Bronchos are 23-14 on the year, and 12-4 in MIAA play.

Heath was a four time All-Conference, All-District and Edmond Sun All-City pick in high school. While at Edmond Santa Fe, Heath played shortstop and was picked for AllState as a senior, batting .431 along with nine home runs.

Softball was not the only sport Heath played in high school. Heath was a multi-sport athlete, starting on the Wolves state-championship basketball team as a freshman, and earning All-State honors in golf her senior year, finishing 6th in the state tournament.

Currently in her junior season at UCO, Heath is in new territory as she switched positions to play third base. Heath started in left field the past two years, starting all 119 games for the Bronchos in her freshman and sophomore seasons, and earned second-team all-MIAA in each season.

While some players might have difficulty playing a new position, Heath said she has embraced the opportunity.

“I played infield in high school and I love the challenge” Heath said. “I like being right in the middle of the action. I just like being able to play where the team needs me.”

In her freshman season, Heath batted .333 at the plate and finished tied for a team high 14 homeruns. That same year, Heath lead the team in at-bats with 204, which ranks fourth most in a season in UCO history.

In her sophomore season, Heath improved on her batting average, posting a .351 on the year, along with eight home runs and 53 RBIs. Heath was ranked in the top 10 in six MIAA offensive categories in 2017. Rounding out her sophomore season, Heath finished third in both RBI’s and at bats, fifth in hits, tied for fifth in runs scored, tied for seventh in doubles and tenth in slugging percentage.

In a game against Washburn in 2017, Heath posted a seven-RBI

Junior third baseman JoBi Heath, No. 13, fields a ball during a game against Nebraska-Kearney University on March 9 at Broncho Softball Field. (Provided KT King/ UCO Photo Services)

game, which is the second most in a game in UCO history. In her junior year, she finished with 19 multi-hit games and 14 multi-RBI games in 2017.

Heath is currently on pace to break into the top 10 all-time in both RBIs and home runs for UCO. But for Heath, she said records are just part of the game.

“I just try to play the game and do what I can each time I step up to the plate,” Heath said. “If the records come then that’s just a bonus.”

Now in her junior season, Heath has improved upon nearly every one of her statistics. Currently Heath is ranked among the top two in eight different offensive categories for the Bronchos. At the plate, the junior third baseman is batting a personal best .416, seventh in the MIAA, and has a slugging percentage of .717, which is first on the team.

Heath is tied with Morgan Heard for first in runs scored with 25. The Edmond native leads the team in RBIs (35), doubles (16), and total bases (81), while also recording the most hits on the team with 47 and tied for the most homeruns with six.

The Bronchos are currently on a four game win-streak and Heath has played a big part in that. UCO looks to push their win-streak to five when they take on Cameron University at the Broncho Softball Field today at 2 p.m.

14

April 10, 2018

Sports

What Can Brown Do for UCO Justin Brown Leads UCO to First Place in Conference Derek Parker @D_Park2

Contributing Writer

The Bronchos baseball team is 2610 this season, first in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, and senior Justin Brown is leading the way.

Brown is the returning starting shortstop for UCO, and he has improved on his stats from his junior season. The senior shortstop played and started in all 59 games as a junior.

Brown posted a .951 fielding percentage and finished with 166 assists and 86 putouts. Playing shortstop, Brown receives a majority of the hits in the field and last year finished with 13 errors in 59 games.

At the end of his junior season, Brown posted a .271 batting average with 199 at bats. The .271 batting average was 86th place in the MIAA. Now during his senior season, Brown has jumped 50 spots, with a batting average of .319. Brown is over halfway to the amount of hits he had last year (54), with 30 hits, in 94 at bats.

“Being around the program last year really helped me,” Brown said.

“I've matured a lot and grown a lot, I’m feeling comfortable.”

In 36 games this year, Brown has 24 runs, along with 17 RBI’s and he leads the Bronchos in triples on the season with three. On the defensive side, Brown has a .952 fielding

Senior shortstop Justin Brown, No. 2, prepares to throw the ball in a game against Southeastern Oklahoma University on February 13 at Wendell Simmons Field. (Provided KT King/ UCO Photo Services)

percentage, while making 14 doubles plays along the way. Brown has statistically improved on both sides of the ball this year, he attributes his success to his confidence, which has grown is his time at UCO. Over a three game stretch in the season, the senior hit two walk-off RBI’s to seal two wins for the Bronchos. The first sent the Bronchos to a win over Central Missouri. Brown hit a walk off single to deep left cen-

Senior shortstop Justin Brown, No. 2, swings at a pitch during a game against Lindenwood Universtiy on March 30 at Wendell Simmons Field. (Provided KT King/ UCO Photo Services)

ter to score Caleb Peters and lead the Bronchos to a 7-6 victory.

Two games later Brown stepped up yet again. Down 0-2 in the count, Brown, delivered a shot up the middle to cap that gave the Bronchos a 4-3 victory over the Lindenwood Lions.

Brown said he believed he was just the lucky one to come up to the plate in each game, and was very confident in his teammates.

“If any guy was in that spot they would’ve done the same thing,” Brown said.

UCO is 26-10 overall, and 18- 4 in

MIAA conference play. Last year, the Bronchos finished fifth in the MIAA with 20 conference wins. Winning 18 conference games this year, UCO has another 14 games of conference play left. With a team filled with seniors, the Bronchos are looking to win now.

“I wouldn’t say its different than any other year, but we really want to win with this group we have,” Brown said.

Brown and the Bronchos look to build on their first place position in the MIAA, as they take on Northeastern State Wednesday April 11th at 2 p.m. in Talequah.

`

Bucking Broncho

April 10, 2018

15

NBA Wrestles with Drama Drama, what most associate with teenage girls fighting over something, but what most don't know is that it has helped professional sports reach a popularity that it has never seen before.

Nobody has done a better job at utilizing drama better than the Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment and they proved that Sunday with Wrestlemania at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Now, the WWE is not considered a real sport because of the matches being predetermined, but it has layed out the blueprint on how to exploit emotion and stories in sports. While it is fun to watch the in-ring competition, what keeps most watching is their story telling and the drama that lies within them.

Out of all the professional sports leagues, the National Basketball Association has followed the WWE blue print the most. They both contain dynamic duo's, underdogs, comebacks, villains, champions and entrances.

When tag teams form in wrestling, they are surrounded by a million questions like: can they work together?, who is better than the other? and when will they break up? The NBA has had a history focusing on duo's: Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant and

Shaquille O'Neal, and Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant (maybe that was still too soon to say in Oklahoma).

The current tag team champions in the NBA would be Chris Paul and James Harden. They have been through it all this season with the preseason chatter of why they couldn't work together, to now, where they are a top of the NBA with their team having the best record.

Their teaming up together is a lot like the WWE's “Power Trip” which teamed up Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H. One of the most important things when developing a wrestler is their how they go into a match. They have to be able to come out to the ring and look like champions. Nobody did that better in the NBA than the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason.

When the Thunder acquired Paul George from the Indiana Pacers they threw him one of the biggest parties for a player joining a team. Then when they added Carmelo Anthony fans flooded Will Rogers Airport to support him.

This hyped up the Thunder before the season, with some already calling them the second or third best team in the NBA. The Thunder came into the season looking like Ric Flair, but boy do they not win like him.

Every great story needs a villain

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, right, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons, left, of Australia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 6, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

for people to hate. For every Stone Cold Steve Austin, there has to be a Mr. McMahon and for the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are the current Mr. McMahon (or at least just in Oklahoma). The Golden State Warriors were once the baby face of the NBA, but when they signed Kevin Durant, it was one of the greatest heel turns in NBA history. This was the NBA equivalent of Hulk Hogan joining the NWO. What both companies have lacked last year and this year is the perfect main event to end their stories. Wrestlemania's 34's worst match arguably was its main event between Uni-

versal Champion Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, where fans chanted "this is awful " during the match.

Wrestling fans have grown tired of watching Brock Lesnar be the champion, but at the same time don't want Roman Reigns to be the new face of the WWE. This is exactly what is happening in the NBA, where fans have grown tired of watching LeBron James in the Finals every year, but don't want Kevin Durant to be the new face of the NBA. Whether it's the WWE or the NBA they both utilize sports entertainment to tell their story.