“T.J. Eckert” on 14 Volume 114, Issue 9
the
VISTA “The Student Voice Since 1903”
Follow the Vista: UCentralMedia.com vistanews1903 @TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista Monday, March 27, 2017
Creating A Healthier Campus UCO Named Certified Healthy Campus Sixth Year in a Row
University of Central Oklahoma students participate in a cycling class hosted at the UCO Health Fair on Tuesday, March 23, 2017. Other events hosted at the fair included a yoga class and interactive tables on health and wellness. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).
Austin Moseley
UCO Preps for NCUR 2018, ‘Connection to Place’
@Austin_Moseley Sports Writer
The National Conference for Undergraduate Research brings thousands of students and participants from roughly 10 countries. (Provided/ NCUR).
Jessica Phillips @TheJessPhillips Reporter
The National Conference for Undergraduate Research is expected to bring 5,000 participants to the University of Central Oklahoma in 2018 with the theme of “Connection to Place.” This is the first time NCUR has been hosted by UCO. Two co-chairs and 21 planning committees are established and preparing for the conference set for April 4-7 of next year. “I would define the planning process right now as butterflies. It’s
an exciting time,” Dr. Gregory Wilson, co-chair and assistant vice president of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, said. “We’re now a year out, so things are getting real,” Dr. Michael Springer, co-chair and director of the Office of High Impact Practices, said. NCUR is an annual conference that attracts students and faculty from across the country and brings visitors from an average of 10 other countries, Springer said. Research, creative and scholarly activities are emphasized. See “NCUR” on 8
The University of Central Oklahoma was named a 2017 Certified Healthy Campus for a sixth consecutive year on March 1 for promoting health and wellness on campus. One of the major factors contributing to UCO remaining a healthy campus is the UCO Healthy Campus Initiative, which is a working coalition of students and faculty. This initiative has helped provide suicide prevention in academic classes, placed healthy vending machines on campus, and provides sexual health materials for students. “We are all working together to make UCO a healthier, more sustainable campus,” Brittany Criswell, the assistant director of Health Promotion and Outreach, said. To determine what areas of student health need more concentration, the UCO Healthy Campus Initiative uses UCO’s National College Health Assessment data, which they receive every two years through healthy life skills classes. “The NCHA gives us a snapshot
of our students’ health habits, values and behaviors,” Criswell said. The NCHA data this year determined that resources should go toward helping students mental health. “This year we have been focusing on helping students to decrease the stress and anxiety they feel during school, so we are working on mindfulness initiatives for students to help them relax,” Criswell said. One of those mindfulness initiatives is the Center for Counseling and Well-Being on campus. The counseling center is the hub for helping students through any kinds of stress and is a free service. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with walk-in hours of 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center in Suite 402 on the fourth floor. UCO also has programs specifically designed for employees such as the Go Exercise Together Encourage Motivate (GETEM) program. Departments who work with this program give their employees two 1-hour predetermined workout times a week, which can be anything from group fitness classes to specific exercise groups such as cardio and weights. See”Healthy Campus” on 8
2
The Vista
March 27, 2017
CONTENTS
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ONSITE OR ONLINE • OC.EDU/BOSS • 405.425.5562 Correction for Volume 114, Issue 8: The quote in the "State Bill to Affect LGBTQ+ and Athletics" by Chris Brannick was not a direct quote. It was intended to be a paraphrase.
CONTENTS Local...............................................................3
Editorial........................................................11
Around Campus..........................................4-5
UCO Hockey................................................12
UCOSA..........................................................6
Bucking Broncho.........................................13
UCO News.....................................................8
T.J. Eckert Feature........................................14
State News.....................................................9
UCO Golf Recap..........................................15
STAFF NAME AND POSITION
Kateleigh Mills Megan Prather Peter Agnitsch Siali Siaosi Cara Johnson M i r a n d a Va n M e t e r Elizabeth Spence Victor Quezada Jessica Phillips A . Suave Francisco Ryan Naeve Te d d y B u r c h
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Re p o r t e r Re p o r t e r Re p o r t e r S p o r t s Re p o r t e r Photographer Advisor
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The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both classified, online and print ads. Email your questions to: ucovista.advertising@gmail.com The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista1903@gmail.com.
LOCAL
March 27, 2017
The Vista
UCO Opera Serenades With "The Tender Land"
Jillian Falter
@JillianFalter Contributing Writer
The UCO School of Music and UCO Opera will present Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land” at 7:30 pm March 31-April 1 and 2 pm April 2 at Mitchell Hall Theatre on the UCO Campus. The opera focuses on Laurie Moss, a high-school senior living in Oklahoma during the Great Depression, as she questions what her place in the world will be after graduation. Graduate student Jessica Adkins plays Laurie. She empathizes with the emotions going through her character’s head during the show. “I’m also about to graduate, so I’ve been going through those same feelings. I also did Laurie’s main aria in high school, so I’ve known this show for a long time.” Adkins found that finding middle ground with her character helped her acting, and that made everything feel more real. “It’s been a challenge because you have to bring those real emotions without breaking down on stage. It’s about finding that balance.” The show features 25 undergraduate and graduate students from the vocal performance, musical theatre and music education departments in the school of music. Christian Luu, a Musical Theatre major, is also graduating this spring. He, like Adkins, relates to themes in “The Tender Land.” “I identify with the show’s themes of growing up and graduating. There is a line in the show that I relate to, ‘The closer I feel to this land, the more I want to see other lands.’ UCO’s Director of Opera for the School of Music, Dr. Robert Glaubitz, is directing “The Tender Land.” To him, the Copland production is different from most other operas. “The show is a different style of acting than people experience. It’s more like a play than anything else, but set to music. To really have to listen and react in a different way, it’s completely different.” Each year the opera department chooses two shows to present
(left to right) Amber Zuniga, Jessica Adkins, Troy Anthony Small, Michael Andreaus and Zach DeVault practice a song for The Tender Land, which will be performed in the Mitchell Hall Theater on Friday, March 31. (Ryan Naeve / The Vista)
in the spring. One show is presented at Mitchell Hall, while another show, referred to as the children’s opera, is performed in the Radke Recital Hall in the Center for Transformative Learning on campus, and at the CHK Central Boathouse in Oklahoma City. The children’s opera is presented as a condensed version of popular operas, such as Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” or “The Ring of Fettuccines,” and uses comedy to introduce children to classical and operatic music. This year’s show, “The Pirates of Penzance,” took place March 3-5. The children’s opera is also an opportunity for students majoring in Music Education to interact and get experience working with young kids. Alisha Lackey, a Music Education major, starred in “The Magic Flute” in 2015. She believes that it’s helped her grow as an educator. “I think it’s helped prepare me for getting into teaching, because it helps me think about what material I’ll use with kids. Especially with “The Magic Flute,” where the show was changed from this grand performance to something that would keep kids interested and entertained.” For both operas, rehearsals begin at the beginning of the spring semester, and for some performers, as early as the middle of the fall
semester. For “The Tender Land,” students have been rehearsing four days a week since February. Between the musical theatre department, choral department and opera department, the UCO School of Music puts on shows year-round. These shows provide students the chance to constantly grow as performers. “At UCO, you are given so many opportunities to go through the whole rehearsal process, being on stage. It’s one of my favorite things about the school,” said Adkins. Dr. Glaubitz noted that being in shows pushes students to better themselves. “You get this invaluable experience of taking leadership. Even if a student is just in the chorus, they are still taking leadership of their own character.” Glaubitz said that ultimately, when the show is over, he wants viewers to leave with a sense of optimism for America. “I want them to leave thinking ’No matter what comes, I’m going to look positively to the future.’” Tickets for “The Tender Land” are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and free for UCO students with a valid I.D. Tickets can be purchased at www.mitchellhalltheatre. com or by calling 405-974-3375.
3
ADP Donations
Rachael Vaughn @rachaelrox85 Contributing Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma’s American Democracy Project will continue taking donations through March 28 from the UCO community as part of its Help the Homeless program. The American Democracy Project is a student organization that teamed up with other local organizations to bring food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless in the Edmond and Oklahoma City areas. One of the groups ADP partnered with was Ice Angels, a program founded by Lenny and Mary Kaplan. Every week they take a trunk full of food and donated items to the homeless in specific locations. David Terry, a sophomore at UCO said, “This was a really cool part of the program… The homeless community was informed of which days and times to be there.” Terry also liked that the program was divided to help different groups in the local Edmond homeless population, such as students, veterans and families. “I love this program. We have probably helped hundreds of homeless since it started. A lot of people think the American Democracy Project is just a political organization, but it’s also about getting out and going into the community and making a difference,” said Jaclyn Jacobs, an ADP office worker. The program was founded by Rachelle Thibodeau, the assistant civic engagement coordinator for the ADP program, after her friend Katy Martin made care packages. For the last two years, they have been delivering care packages, including personal hygiene items and clothing. The response from the community has enabled the organization to expand this year and partner with Ice Angels and the Edmond Hope Center, which services 300 people per week. Those interested in donating items can bring them to Thatcher Hall’s room 121-C at any time and those interested in volunteering are urged to email ADP at adp@uco.edu. Ice Angels is also in need of donations of jeans, underwear, socks, toiletries and nonperishable food items, such as crackers, cookies or fruit rollups.
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The Vista
March 27, 2017
AROUND CAMPUS
AROUND THE CAMPUS Women’s History Month: March: The UCO Women’s Outreach Center will celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting con-
tributions of women and celebrating the empowerment of females. They are asking students to submit a letter online on OrgSync to a notable women in history by March 30, 2017. The WOC will also host other events to celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March.
Monday, March 27, 2017 Non-Traditional Student Support Group: Beginning at 11 a.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 415, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a support group for students who are having issues balancing school, work and family.
UCOSA Congress Meetings: At 1
p.m. in the Will Rogers Room on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center, UCOSA Congress members will have their weekly congress meeting.
Got Stress Workshop: The Center for
Counseling and Well-Being will hold a class on learning how to manage stress and college life in NUC Room 402 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Life Skills Around Eating: At 3:30
p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will be holding a free and confidential support group for those who suffer from eating disorders and symptoms that suggest eating disorders.
UCO Jazz Division: Donny McCaslin Concert: At 7 p.m. at the UCO Jazz Lab, the UCO Jazz Division will present saxophonist Donny McCaslin to perform. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.ucojazzlab.com or by calling 405-974-2100.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Social Justice Series: Intersectionality and Social Justice: Working Together to Create Change: From 9
a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Central Station (HES), the Office of Sustainability will meet once a month on a Tuesday to discuss different social justice issues as part of the 2017 Social Justice Series. The topic for this session will be about intersectionality and social justice. This session will discuss the political and social activism happening in the wake of the Presidential election. It will also discuss how to respect different opinions in order to work towards progressive social change. More information can be found on Facebook or by contacting Eric Hemphill at 405-974-3526. This is also a STLR-tagged event by the tenet Service Learning & Civic Engagement.
SPB: Look Out Time: At 11 a.m. members from Campus Activities will be out by Broncho Lake near the clock tower to help students design their own clocks for their homes. More information on this event can be found by calling UCO Campus Activities at 405-974-2363. MindStrength: At noon, in the Wellness Center Room 104, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a workshop for students faculty and staff to work on lessening anxiety, improving sleep, balancing emotions and improving the ability to stay calm in tough situations. More information can be found on OrgSync.com. SMART Recovery: At noon in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a SMART Recovery meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.
Anger Tamers: At 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give confidential and free support for those who struggle with controlling anger. Society of Women Engineers Monthly Meeting: Beginning at 3 p.m. in
Howell Hall, the Society of Women Engineers will have their monthly meeting to discuss volunteering, conferences and events.
Food Security Deliberation: At 3:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 320b, a STLR-tagged event will be held to provide an opportunity for students to be active participants with a food security deliberation event. Food security is related to the supply of food and an individual’s access to it. The STLR tenets include: Health & Wellness; Service Learning & Civic Engagement. More information can be found by contacting event host Susan Scott at sscott@uco.edu. BronchoThon Volleyball Tournament FTK: From 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the
Sigma Tau Gamma house located at 911 Washington St., Edmond, OK 73034, there will be a volleyball tournament to raise money for BronchoThon. The event will sell snow cones, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Nights: From 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Outdoor
Adventure Recreation Center in Edmond Park by Lake Arcadia, the Department of Wellness and Sport will offer various disability recreation opportunities on campus for all students, faculty and staff on various Tuesdays. All Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation nights are free for students with a valid UCO ID. For March 28 the sport will be cycling. Additional information can be found by contacting Heather Kohl at hkohl@uco.edu or 405-9743140.
S.I.S.T.A Circles: At 7 p.m. in Nigh University Center’s Room 202, the Black Student Association will have their ‘Sisters Inspiring Sisters Through Achievement’ discussion in fellowship circles. The circles will also be a time to talk about topics that are relevant while also creating a safe space to come up with solutions. SAFE Poetry Night: At 7 p.m. in the Radke Fine Arts Theater (CTL), the Student Alliance for Equality will have a public reading by poets Candace Liger and Lauren Zuniga. The event is open to the public and will serve refreshments in the foyer. More information can be found by contacting SAFE faculty J. David Macey Ph.D. at 405-974-5922 or email at dmacey@uco.edu. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 2017 Liberal Arts Symposium:
UCO’s College of Liberal Arts will host their annual symposium in the Liberal Arts building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is to offer students a chance to present their writing, research and other academic and creative activities to their peers. There will also be two keynote speakers at the event. Bruce Plante will speak in Pegasus Theatre from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and John Granger at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. The event is STLR-tagged by the following tenets: Global & Cultural Competency; Research, Creative & Scholarly Activities. More information can be found by contacting the event host Guillermo Martinez-Sotelo at gmartinezsotelo@uco.edu or by visiting the Liberal Arts website under the tab titled ‘Symposium.’
AROUND CAMPUS Mock Interview Day: From 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 338 for students to practice interviewing with a local metro-area employer. To sign up for a session, contact UCO Career Services in Room 338 or call 405-974-3346.
Seeking Strength: At 1 p.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold a free and confidential group for those dealing with trauma or substance abuse symptoms. The groups work on skills such as how to set boundaries in relationships, understanding triggers and learning how to self-care.
BGLTQ+ Support: From 2 p.m. in the NUC Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a support group for individuals thinking about coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or for people who have recently come out and are seeking support. These groups are free and confidential. Bringing in the Bystander: At 2:30 p.m. in the CTL Room 108, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a workshop to show the UCO community how they can respond safely to cases of sexual violence that they may witness. OrgSync 101: At 3 p.m. in the Adminis-
tration Building’s Room 101A, members from the Student Organizations Office will offer a training session on OrgSync for officers, advisors or members of organizations across campus.
UCOSA: Presidential Debate: At
6 p.m. in Constitution Hall (NUC) the three student body presidential candidates, Elsa Ruiz, Zachary Robbins and Stockton Duvall, will debate. The event will be moderated by Kory Atcuson, the chair emeritus of the UCO Student Congress. Questions will also include submissions from students. More information can be found by contacting the Interim Chair of the UCOSA Election Commission, Caleb Power, at cpower@uco.edu.
Thursday, March 30, 2017 Seeking Strength: At 2 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold a free and confidential group for those dealing with trauma or substance abuse symptoms. The groups work on skills such as how to set boundaries in relationships, understanding triggers and learning how to self-care. Central Improv Weekly Meeting: At 3 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Central Improv will have their weekly meeting to practice and improve their improv skills. The meetings are open to the UCO community.
March 27, 2017 Stress Paws: From 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the
Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have therapy dogs to help students relieve stress every Thursday. Mathematics, Science Seminar Series: At 4 p.m. in Howell Hall’s Room 201 the assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Colorado Mesa University, Johanna Varner, Ph.D. will present “Pikas Under Fire: American Pika Ecology and Behavior in a Time of Global Change.” This event will talk about climate change and its effects that are forcing many alpine species upslope.
Financial Budget Crisis: At 5:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Praxis will invite the City Managers Association of Oklahoma on campus to discuss the current budget crisis across the state. SMART Recovery: At 5:30 p.m. at the
International House, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a SMART Recovery meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.
Alexander Lawrence Posey Speaker Series: Danez Smith: At 6 p.m. in
the Pegasus Theater (LAR) the New Plains Student Publishing Group, Department of English, SAFE, BSA, Black Male Initiative and Literature in Performance will present poz writer, performer and author Danez Smith. Smith has authored two chapbooks and has also won the Button Poetry Prize. He has been featured on Buzzfeed, Blavity, PBS Newshour and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. More infomation about Smith and the event can be found by contacting Dr. Iliana Rocha at irocha@uco.edu or event host Shay Rahm at srahm@uco.edu. The STLR tenets for this event include Global & Cultural Competency; Health & Wellness; Service Learning & Civic Engagement.
MSA and The Vista “We Are America” Forum: At 6 p.m. in the Mass Communication Building’s Room 120, the Muslim Student Association and UCO’s school newspaper, The Vista, will host an open forum for the UCO community to talk about the issues Muslims face, in media coverage, socially and politically, as well as discussing culture and common misconceptions. The forum will include a panel that will offer different topics and data for the audience to discuss as well as offer an opportunity for attendees to ask the panel any questions. Refreshments for the event will be served at 5:30 p.m..
Information gathered for ‘Around the Campus’ can be found on UCO’s OrgSync page, uco.edu, blasts.uco.edu, Campus Activities and from other organizations across campus.
The Vista
5
Friday, March 31, 2017 Anger Tamers: From 9 a.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give confidential and free support for those who struggle with controlling anger.
Grief Group: Beginning at 11 a.m. in the
Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a grief group to individuals who are experiencing grief.
Pi Sigma Alpha Meeting: At noon in the College of Liberal Art’s Political Science Department Office (Suite 102) members of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Politcal Science Honorary Society will have their monthly meeting. The honor society is open to students who have 10+ credit hours in political science and who also maintain a 3.0+ GPA in political science hours. Tie-Dye Event: Beginning at 1 p.m. by
Broncho Lake, the Society of Women Engineers will be out to have students buy one of their shirts to tie-dye.
ACM General Meeting: At 2 p.m.
members from the Association for Computing Machinery will have their general meeting in the Math and Computer Science Building’s Room 126.
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for more news stories, updates, features, reviews and more.
6
The Vista
March 27, 2017
Student Congress Passes Financial Resolutions and Replaces Bylaws Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Editor-in-Chief
The UCO Student Congress passed two financial resolutions and a bill that completely redrafted their bylaws during their eighth session of the 20th legislature last Monday. The congress bill, CB16-203, was an act that completely removed the current UCO Student Congress bylaws, the governing documents that detail the rules and procedures, and replaced them with an updated version. The updated version was authored by Senator Caleb Power, who is also the parliamentarian and Accountability, Reform and Transparency committee chair, and Senator Camilo Ulloa. “I didn’t feel that it (reworking the bylaws) was very tedious. I thought it was a good opportunity to foster conversations between people. It was exciting to see many people actively engage in discussion... It had been a discussion since 2013,” Power said. The new bylaws completely
UCOSA
UCOSA Dates March 29: UCO Student Association Presidential Debate in Constitution Hall at 6 p.m. *See Around the Campus on 4-5 April 10: Nominations for Congressional Leadership April 12-13: UCO Student Association Election for President and Vice-President.
Ways and Means Chairman and Senator, Wesley Barnaby, explains a finanical resolution to the UCO Student Congress on March 20, 2017. (Kateleigh Mills/ The Vista).
repealed the UCO Student Congress Standing Rules and changed the nomination requirements of Congressional Leadership to “only those who are currently or were at one time Active Members of the UCOSA Executive, Legislative, or Judicial Branches.” The financial resolution, CFR16206, listed the allocation of funds by the Ways and Means Committee to student organizations strictly under UCOSA for the 2018 fiscal year. The financial resolution was
introduced at the meeting by Senator Wesley Barnaby, who is also the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. The authors of the legislation include Senators Barnaby, Spells, Lowery, Running and Toves. The other financial resolution, CFR16-205, confirmed the funds as Sponsorship and Annual Funding for three organizations- UCO Breaking BarrierZ, the Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Electronic Dance Music (EDM@UCO) - as a one-time appropriation.
April 17: Congressional Leadership Election Breaking BarrierZ received a total of $500, the Society of Mechanical Engineers $300, and the EDM@UCO $2,200, for purposes such as food and programming. If the organizations do not use all the money allocated to them it will “revert back to the University on June 30, 2017.” The replaced bylaws and the financial resolutions can be found on UCOSA’s OrgSync page or by visiting their office located on the first floor of the Nigh University Center.
First Look at the Three Slates for Student Elections
Stockton Duvall and Madison Richard. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).
Zach Robbins and Caleb Shaw. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).
Thomas Patterson and Elsa Ruiz. (Provided/ Elsa Ruiz).
Two sophomores looking to get student voices heard at the administration level as well as improve accountability are running for the UCO Student Association’s President and Vice-President to be decided by April 13, 2017. Stockton Duvall, a Business Management major, chose to run for UCOSA President with Madison Richard, a Political Science major, as his Vice-President early this year. Both Duvall and Richard have been involved in UCOSA for over a year. Duvall is the Vice-Chairman of the UCO Student Congress and Richard is the chairwoman of the Public Relations committee. Some goals of the candidates are to work to save students money and to bridge the gap between UCOSA and the UCO community. More information can be found on ucentralmedia.com or by searching Twitter for @DuvallRichard17.
Two sophomores looking to enhance the UCO college experience by getting people involved are running for the UCO Student Association’s President and Vice-President to be decided by April 13, 2017. Zach Robbins, a Business Administration major, decided to run for UCOSA President with Caleb Shaw, a Biomedical Sciences major, as his running mate early this semester. Both Robbins and Shaw have been in UCOSA for over a year, Robbins working under the Public Relations committee and Shaw as the Chair of UCO Student Congress. Some of the goals of the Robbins and Shaw slate is to focus on working with other organizations across campus to increase diversity and to get more people involved in the UCOSA. More information can be found on ucentralmedia.com or by searching on Twitter for @RobbinsShaw17.
Two juniors looking to promote diversity and improve relations with Faculty and Staff Senate are running for the UCO Student Association’s Present and Vice-President to be decided on April 13, 2017. Elsa Ruiz, a Professional Media major, chose to run for UCOSA President alongside Thomas Patterson, a Strategic and Organizational Communications double-major, as her Vice-President early this year. Both Ruiz and Patterson have been involved in UCOSA for over a year. Ruiz is a senator and the chairwoman for the Human Diversity Committee. Patterson is part of the President’s Cabinet as the philanthropy director. Some goals of the candidates are to increase transparency in UCOSA as well as working to improve the Uber program. More information can be found on ucentralmedia.com or by searching on Twitter for @ruiz_patterson.
8
The Vista
NCUR
March 27, 2017
Healthy Campus
Jessica Phillips
Austin Moseley
@TheJessPhillips Reporter
(Continued from cover) The university was invited by NCUR to submit a letter of interest to host the conference. From the submitted letters, two institutions are selected to propose bid applications, Wilson said. UCO’s application was about 150 pages and included letters of recommendation from Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, UCO’s president Don Betz, provost John Barthell, deans of UCO colleges, members of the state legislature and other individuals. “A successful conference bid like this is really a community effort,” Springer said. “UCO will host the conference, but it really requires the support of the community.” Host institutions are selected three years in advance and work with the hosts that came before them. This year’s host is the University of Memphis. Representatives from UCO have met with the NCUR planning committee and University of Memphis staff to learn what they are doing and to share progress reports, Springer said. Wilson and Springer included a new aspect in the proposal to host NCUR at UCO. “One of the exciting aspects that we proposed when we sat down and started to think ‘What are our strengths as an institution? What are our strengths as a state?’ And [we] then compared that with what groups of students are underrepresented in past NCUR events,” Wilson said. Underrepresented students are those whose majors are not as involved in research, creative and scholarly activities, but who can still apply these practices to their work and present at NCUR. To help these students feel more included and to provide another educational resource, pre-conference workshops will be held on April 4, 2018. Five interdisciplinary tracks will look at the business energy sector, early childhood education through an international lens, American Indian studies, forensic sciences and interdisciplinary arts. Students can submit abstracts beginning in October and ending December 2 of this year. Abstracts may be in the form of posters, oral presentations, performance pieces or artistic displays. Those who are accepted will be notified in January. “The abstracts are reviewed. It is merit based and the best of the best get to present,” Wilson said.
UCO NEWS
@Austin_Moseley Sports Writer
The Wellness Center at the University of Central Oklahoma is open to all students, seven days a week. Fitness classes can be attended, as well as equipment for daily workouts, an indoor track, and outdoor equipment. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).
Reviewers have been recruited from across Oklahoma and outside of the state to ensure that abstracts are reviewed by individuals who are knowledgeable on that topic. NCUR also provides recruiting opportunities for employers and graduate schools. About 250 graduate schools will be at a graduate fair during the conference, Springer said. The Faculty Senate passed a resolution this month encouraging faculty to incorporate NCUR sessions into plans for classes that will be held during the conference. This is recommended, but not required. Instructors wishing to hold classes during the conference can still do so, but are encouraged to work with the planning committee to make classroom arrangements if necessary.
“It’s faculty’s privilege to adapt in any way they want in lieu of classes for those two days,” Dr. Chintamani Jog, a faculty senate member, said. The resolution was proposed by Jog, who is also an economics professor. He said he plans to direct his students to NCUR rather than have class. Eighty-nine UCO students are presenting at this year’s NCUR conference, April 6-8, at the University of Memphis. “It will bring the best and brightest to our community to see what UCO, what Edmond, what the Oklahoma City metro, what our state has to offer,” Springer said. The NCUR 2018 website can be found at uco.edu/ncur2018.
(Continued from cover) “Each group is different and it’s really up to them on which activity they want to do,” Health and Fitness Specialist Khari Huff said. Students and faculty can visit the Wellness Center every day of the week, where they attend fitness classes and sign up for more activities. UCO has been a Certified Healthy Campus, an Oklahoma based program, ever since the program’s creation in 2011 and this year received the best score possible—excellent—for implementing policies that encourage healthy lifestyles and for having facilities accessible for physical activities. Of the 31 Oklahoma campuses that were certified healthy, UCO was one of 14 to achieve an excellent score. The Certified Healthy Campus program seeks to encourage Oklahoma public and private colleges and career technology centers to promote healthy lifestyles for students, faculty and guests. The only requirement for applying to the program is that the campus is tobacco-free. UCO was also named a Certified Healthy Business for a third time. This program was started in 2003 and recognizes businesses for the same reasons mentioned above. Oklahoma currently ranks 45th in America’s Health Rankings and these programs aim to change that.
STATE NEWS
March 27, 2017
The Vista
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Wildfires Continue to Impact Oklahoma
Edmond is one of the few cities in Oklahoma that has not been affected by the wildfires so far. This is because of the exposure of moisture in the city, according to Deputy Fire
Chief of the Edmond Fire Department, Chris Denton. “We all have to urge the citizens to be more cautious of the coming month for the wildfire exposure and
to look out for the fire ban so far,” Denton said. About 1.6 million acres have burned since the start of March, mostly in the northwestern part of Oklahoma. Recently fires in Woodward were put out by the fire departments of Oklahoma City, Edmond and Woodward. “Everything we do for this state, we do for each other in time of crisis,” Denton said. “Edmond is close to work with the other fire departments in case of serious situations during the month of March.” Forestry.ok.gov shows the current counties under a burn ban are Tulsa, Alfalfa, Beaver and Woodward so far this month.
Sonny Baker escaped around 11:30 p.m. on March 16, along with Bryan Allen Moody and Mark Dwayne Robbins, also convicted felons. The three escaped through a ventilation system. Robbins turned himself in around noon Wednesday, March 22 and Moody was arrested on Luther Road at 6:30 p.m. the same day. The three split up immediately after escaping, according to Lincoln
County Sheriff Charles Dougherty. Following the escape, they stole two pickup trucks in the city of Chandler. “We have reason to believe that Moody had stolen the first vehicle within a mile of the jail,” Dougherty said. There were credit cards and a gun in the stolen truck that was found by authorities, but Baker is believed to
be in possession of the other stolen vehicle and one handgun is missing. The three were not convicted of violent crimes. Moody was in possession of a stolen vehicle, Robbins was convicted of unauthorized use of stolen property and Baker for possession of stolen property. “Sonny Baker is still at large, but we don’t think he has a violent agenda,” Dougherty said.
Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter
Wildfires have been ravaging the northwest part of Oklahoma in the recent weeks, leaving locals to brace for all possibilities. Todd Lindley, a science and operation officer for the Norman National Weather Service, said the wildfires should stop near the end of the month of March or the beginning of April. “The combination of fuel load necessity in the recent years and the drought occurring at the moment in Oklahoma is the main reason for the rise of wildfires,” Lindley said.
Convict Remains on the Run
Elizabeth Spence @lizzlynn Reporter
The manhunt continues for one of three convicted felons who escaped from Lincoln County jail, authorities said.
Firefighters from across Kansas and Oklahoma battle a wildfire near Protection, Kan. When wildfires scorched more than 1 million acres in early March cross parts of the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Kansas, weather forecasters used a new weather satellite to see the infernos developing, almost in real-time. (Bo Rader/The Wichita Eagle via AP, File)
March 27, 2017
EDITORIAL
The Vista
11
Fighting for the Future and Equality Women’s History Month Honors Strides and Struggles Alike
A group of women pose with signs during the 2017 March on Oklahoma, hosted in January 2017 following the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).
Megan Prather
Jimmy
WE DELIVER! TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM ©2017 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
@meganthefeline Managing Editor
Since 1995, the month of March has been designated to reflect on the contributions made to our society as well as the strides towards equality made by badass women, past and present. We remember the sacrifices made by these women and the struggles they faced that allow us the rights we enjoy today. The Women’s Rights Movement began in the United States with the first women’s rights convention held in Seneca Falls, N.Y. in July of 1848. 200 women came together demanding to be “represented in the government “ that they were taxed to support, while reevaluating the role of women in society. This convention sparked other women’s rights conventions that took place in the the following weeks propelling us into three waves of feminism. During the first wave of feminism, which took place during the 19th and early 20th century, we watched women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton marching for our right to vote. During the second wave, taking place from the 60’s to the 80’s, we watched women fighting for our sexual and
reproductive rights. Today, in what is referred to as the third wave of feminism, we watch as women continue to tackle issues of gender inequality that continue to persist in patriarchal societies around the world, the United States included. We acknowledge women like Malala Yousafzai, who continued her fight for women’s education in Pakistan despite multiple death threats and a murder attempt, which resulted in her being shot in the neck, by the Taliban. She is also the youngest person in history to receive a Nobel Prize at the age of 17. We also acknowledge women like Angela Merkel, who, on top of having a PhD in Physical Chemistry, is the first female Chancellor of Germany and was named Forbes third most powerful person in the world in 2016. During this month, along with recognizing the strides women have made, we recognize the issues that have yet to be overcome. We recognize that there is still the issue of the gender wage gap with women earning an average of 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. According to AAUW, “at every level of academic achievement, women’s median earnings are less than men’s median earnings.” We recognize that political representation is not equitable. We recognize that women’s reproductive rights are constantly under threat. The state of Oklahoma, for example, is currently attempting to prohibit abortion in a bill that, while being a blatant attempt at control over a woman’s body, lacks consideration for victims of rape and incest. We recognize that all women are different, and that different intersectionalities cause us to face different problems that need to be addressed as well. We recognize the issues facing women of various geographical location, class and race such as child marriage, human trafficking, education, female genital mutilation, etc. We must let the celebration of the amazing accomplishments made by amazing women inspire us to keep pushing. We must keep fighting for the rights of all women, all over the world.
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The Vista
March 27, 2017
UCO HOCKEY
The Beginning of a Dynasty UCO Hockey Wins National Championship
UCO’s Kurtis Johnson, 9, takes the puck during the Jan. 13, 2017 hockey game. The UCO Hockey team recently won their second Division I National Championship in three years. (Ryan Naeve, The Vista).
Nathan Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Writer
For the second time in just three years the UCO Hockey Team won the ACHA Division I National Championship with a 3-0 victory over Ohio University. The Bronchos entered the tournament ranked fourth in the nation with a 28-7 record. By getting a top four spot, they were able to obtain a bye and easier path to the big game. “It was huge,” UCO’s head coach Craig McAllister said. “It gave us a day off in between [the tournament] days.” In the early part of the first game of tournament, the Bronchos was down 2-0 against Illinois University. It didn’t last long though as UCO came back and ended the game with a 7-2 victory. “It took us a while to get rolling, but once we were able to get rolling it was huge,” McAllister said. With the first win under their belt, UCO was able to rest before the next game. The rest seemed to have helped as UCO swept through the next round against Iowa State. With a score of 6-1, the Bronchos had their offense under control. “It was just great team play,” junior forward Brandon Formosa said. “Everybody stepped up in areas they
didn’t have to.” The biggest test for UCO came in the semifinal round against first-ranked Minot State. Who had a league leading 30 wins over the course of the regular season Minot State. Once again the Bronchos fell behind early, but were able to rally back, bringing the score to 6-3 in the third period. Minot State attempted a comeback, but it was too little, too late as UCO completed the upset winning 6-5 and advancing to the
championship round. “We didn’t panic,” McAllister said. “We just went to work, then we were able to gut it out.” After escaping with a 6-5 win, the Bronchos faced their last opponent, Ohio University. The ACHA Division I tournament was held in Columbus, Ohio - only 20 minutes away from Ohio’s campus. “We knew it was going to be a good game going in, but overall we were confident,” junior forward Don-
“It really helped bring the name of our school out there.” Junior Forward, Donny Danroth
ny Danroth said. Confidence prevailed as UCO scored a goal in each of the three periods of the game, finishing a long and hard season hoisting the National Championship trophy. With their performance, this year along and with their 2014-2015 season, UCO Hockey has seemed to have put UCO on the map. “People know who we are now,” Brandon Formosa said. Larger Division I schools as well as major hockey programs have begun taking notice of this team. “It really helped bring the name of our school out there,” Danroth said. This win helps solidify UCO as a national power in the ACHA league. “It proves to everybody that two years ago wasn’t a fluke,” McAllister said. “We’re building something here.” Next year, players like Formosa and Danroth expect to repeat these wins. Although they will be losing six key members, UCO is excited to see everyone continue to improve. “It’s a championship or bust season for us,” Formosa said. Only time will tell how the Bronchos do next season, but one thing is for sure - the 2017 National Champions will forever belong to the University of Central Oklahoma.
BUCKING BRONCHO
March 27, 2017
The Vista
13
The Bucking Broncho
Is Resting Players Hampering The NBA’s Reputation? A. Suave Francisco @SuaveFrancisco_ Sports Reporter
There’s been plenty of conversations circulating through the NBA circuit about how soft the league has become over the past few years. There are multiple examples that can support that statement, but teams that have been resting marquee players recently take the cake for most annoying. This is something NBA Commissioner Adam Silver decided to speak on a few days ago and his statement was rather strong, calling the resting of marquee players “an extremely significant issue for our league” in a memo he sent to all team owners. This originally started with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich over a decade ago, which was just as annoying but overlooked because it was “just a Spurs thing” and they aren’t known to be an overly exciting team to watch in the first place. It didn’t become an issue until it became widespread throughout the league. There are multiple reasons why this practice has become a travesty and embarrassment to the highest level of basketball.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, left, LeBron James, center, and J.R. Smith, right, watch from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fans overpay to watch these superstars compete, especially on the road, and have been continuously let down
when players like Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard sit out for “rest.” These athletes make a ridiculous amount of money to play basketball and are still able to take shortcuts like these. The athletes of 2017 run circles around athletes of previous decades physically and technology has improved a great deal as well, therefore, the “soft” and “entitled” label that has been put on the NBA holds true. There are four MVP candidates this year: Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard. Two of those have missed five or more games simply so they can rest, which waters down both of their impressive stat lines. Russell Westbrook and James Harden are two of the most physical players in basketball and in Russell Westbrook’s case, size isn’t necessarily on his side to match his bruising style of play. Those two play every game they are
physically able to play, regardless of how tired they may be from the previous night and they still manage to orchestrate some of the most enticing performances the NBA has seen in a half-century. They have led their teams to solid spots in the playoffs, even with subpar rosters. The hard-nosed era of basketball is over. Players are stronger physically but mentally weaker. This story on thesuavereport.com discusses the source of this growing problem that has changed the entire culture of the NBA. Owners and coaches will likely do what they can to find an avenue around Commissioner Silver’s statement, but hopefully he’s just as passionate about this topic as we all are and will hold firm to what he originally said.
Atlanta Hawks players wait on the bench during the final moments of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Atlanta. Portland won 113-97. (AP Photo/John Amis)
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The Vista
March 27, 2017
T..J. ECKERT
From the Gridiron to the Links
UCO Quarterback T.J. Eckert Joins Golf Team Jordan Belew @JordanBelew Sports Writer
Following his senior season as the Bronchos’ quarterback, T.J. Eckert, decided to join the golf team. “I went and talked to Coach Fosdick, who didn’t really have time to go out and get a recruiting class. He came on in June or July, so there was only six guys on the team. So I just asked him if I could walk on,” Eckert said. Eckert not only brought with him the experience of leading a team, but some added age to the golf team, as well. “I am the only senior, so that’s something, but there is a certain amount of leadership you get from the quarterback position and I try to bring that to the team,” Eckert said. Eckert ended his football career at UCO following the 2016 season. His two and a half years as a starter led to some of the best statistics in school history. Eckert is the all-time UCO leader in career passing, throwing for 6,279 yards. He has the most yards in a single game with 467. He has also notched a couple of big wins along the way. “Last season we went into Pitt State and won. Pitt State usually has a big crowd that’s loud and raucous. We went out and scored on the first three drives and shut them up. That was fun,” Eckert said. The two sports are vastly different from one another -football is a team
Former quarterback for the UCO Bronchos football team, TJ Eckert takes his skills to the golf course during the March 2017 tournament in Oklahoma City. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).
sport that requires cohesion to be successful, but with golf you’re out there alone. “Football is definitely more of a team sport. A whole bunch of guys from different backgrounds and different stories competing for one goal,” Eckert said. “Then on golf we only have ten guys, so you get really close to all of them. I feel like I’ve brought an element of team sport to the team.”
TJ Eckert prepares to putt the ball during the March 2017 golf tournament hosted in Oklahoma City. The former UCO football player began playing golf following his senior season on the football field. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).
Eckert was a two-sport star in high school, although golf was not one of them. He played football and baseball for the Bixby Spartans, but it was his success in summer tournaments that led him to asking for a walk-on position with Bronchos’ golf team. Despite all of his success, Eckert remembers where he comes from. “My dad has only missed one game. He’s a police officer and it was to work the Terence Crutcher incident. My mom has never missed one. So, in five years my parents have missed one game collectively,” Eckert said, “I think your family
plays a big part of who become and my parents have done a really good job of keeping me on the straight and narrow with morals and decision making.” Eckert is learning valuable lessons that he can take to other aspects of his life. He is wrapping up his degree in mass communications and is hoping to be a sports broadcaster. “You are having to balance sports, school and job. Being able to balance those things will really help me in my career,” Eckert said. Eckert graduates in May and will leave behind quite the legacy in more than one sport.
UCO GOLF RECAP
March 27, 2017
The Vista
15
UCO Golf Places Third in Broncho Invitational Jonathan Goudeau @goudeau_jdg Contributing Writer
A strong performance by junior Cody Troutman led the University of Central Oklahoma golf team to a third-place finish in the Bronchos Invitational by RCB Bank. Troutman finished a three-underpar scoring a 69 in the second round with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole. He then birdied the par-5 hole to get to one-under in his final round. He exchanged bogeys and birdies the rest of the way to finish with a twoover-par 218 total, taking third. “Really it was his ability to handle the 36-hole day on Monday” head coach Josh Fosdick said. “He is still rehabbing a bad lower back and this was his first attempt at 36 in a day. During the second round, it started to tighten and spasm a little, but he hung in there and then came out and played solid the next morning on short rest.” The Bronchos finished the 2-day, 54-hole tournament at Gaillardia Country Club with a 903-total score.
Junior Cody Troutman watches the ball after his hit during the Broncho Invitational in Oklahoma City on March 20, 2017. Troutman helped the UCO golf team in finishing third at the tournament. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).
Central Missouri won the 17-team tournament with a total of 875. The Bronchos found themselves in a tie for fifth after the first round, but after a strong round moved up to third
where they finished. “I like how they battled back from a bad start Monday” Fosdick said. “They also did a good job of handling me not being there, due to
running the event. They handled it beautifully.” The Bronchos play next in the Patriot Invitational April 3-4 in Dallas, Texas.