“Mariah Garcia” on 13
VISTA
Follow the Vista: UCentralMedia.com vistanews1903 @TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista
the Getting it in Writing: Volume 114, Issue 6
“The Student Voice Since 1903”
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
Controversial Abortion Bills Pass Committee Process
Oklahoma State Rep. Justin Humphrey prepares to speak before a Public Health Committee at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. Humphrey submitted House Bill 1441 requiring permission from the father before a woman gets an abortion. (Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman via AP)/The Oklahoman via AP)
The Vista
@TheVista1903 Staff Reports By Megan Prather, managing editor, and Kateleigh Mills, editor-in-chief.
A bill that would require women to obtain the permission from the father of the fetus in order to receive abortion services passed out of an Oklahoma Public Health Committee for a vote of 5-2 on Feb. 14. House Bill 1441 was written by Rep. Justin Humphrey from the District 19, representing the Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw and Pushmataha counties. Rep. Humphrey was elected in 2016 for the 56th Oklahoma Legislature, which has been in the first regular session since Feb. 6, 2017. The bill would require women to disclose the identity of the father to their physician and would require proof, in writing, that the father approves of the abortion procedure. If the person identified as the father is challenged as being the father, he can demand a paternity
test. The bill goes on to exclude women if the father of the fetus is deceased, women whose lives are endangered by the pregnancy and victims of rape and incest. Rep. Humphrey claimed that the father should have a say in what happens to the fetus while referring to women as “hosts.” “I believe one of the breakdowns in our society is that we have excluded the man out of all of these types of decisions. I understand that they feel like that it is their body. I feel like it is a separate — what I call them is, is you’re a ‘host.’ And you know when you enter into a relationship you’re going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don’t get pregnant,” Rep. Humphrey said in an interview with The Intercept on Feb. 14. The bill has been criticized by reproductive rights groups for being unconstitutional due to past rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court. This type of abortion requirement appeared in the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania V. Casey. See “Abortion Bills” on 3
Baker Sisters Unite to Write
Addison Baker, left, and Emilia Baker pose in front of Old North at the University of Central Oklahoma on Feb. 6, 2017. The sisters are currently writing a biography over former UCO professor and WWII survivor Dr. Hall Duncan. (Kateleigh Mills/ The Vista). (Kateleigh Mills/ The Vista). See “Baker Sisters” on 11 for full feature
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The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
CONTENTS
Rody Farrow, sophomore, was crowned Mr. Central at the Mr. Central Pageant at Constitution Hall in the Nigh University Center on Feb. 10, 2017. Contestants who competed were required to complete a number of tasks throughout the pageant to decide who would win. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
CONTENTS Local News....................................................3
UCO News/Op-ED.......................................11
Around Campus..........................................4-5
Baker Sisters/Election..................................12
National..........................................................6
Mariah Garcia...............................................13
Budget Shortfall.............................................8
UCO Basketball...........................................14
Public Safety..................................................9
Bucking Broncho.........................................15
Voices............................................16
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 K a t i e To w l e r 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 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 NEWS
Feb. 20, 2017
The Vista
3
Abortion Bills Pass through Committee The Vista
@TheVista1903 Staff Reports
Oklahoma State Rep. Justin Humphrey talks to reporters following a Public Health Committee at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. Humphrey submitted House Bill 1441 requiring permission from the father before a woman gets an abortion. (Steve Gooch//The Oklahoman via AP)
(Continued from cover) House Bill 1441 has also been criticized for being a waste of taxpayer money. The bill also fails to offer much clarification for victims of domestic abuse and currently lacks provisions that would require the fathers to help fund and raise the child. “The bills passed today send an alarming message to women that they are incapable of making decisions themselves. That the author of the bill requiring consent referred to women as ‘hosts’ is, quite frankly, unconscionable,” Julie Burkhart, the founder
and CEO of Trust Women Foundation said. House Bill 1549 also passed out of the House Public Health Committee on Feb. 14 that will make abortions that are sought out due to fetal defects unlawful. The bill was co-authored by Rep. George Faught from District 14 and Rep. Mark Lawson from District 30. Both of the bills will continue forward through the committee process until they either die or are reintroduced to the House Floor for approval.
UCO ROTC Plans Gold Bar 5K Run
Caitlyn Strider
@catestrider Contributing Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma's Army ROTC is having their fifth annual 5K Gold Bar Run on Saturday, April 22. The run will begin at 8 a.m. outside of the Liberal Arts building. Like most marathons, to run in the 5K you must sign up and pay a registration fee of $35, however, the fee for the ROTC 5K will benefit multiple organizations. One organization that benefits is the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and assistance to the families of those who have died or been disabled while in service to our country. It also benefits UCO's Native American Student Association by contributing to the UCO Native American Faculty & Staff Association Endowed Scholarship. The sole purpose of the run, however, is to aide the Broncho Battalion student organization which gives funding to ROTC student cadets. For the cadets, getting sponsorship for the Gold Bar Run is part of their curriculum. "The basis for the run is to get the cadets out and working within the community, to reach out to the public because they help us. We want to give off that hometown feel and to get people to be a part of the race who aren't just runners, like veter-
ROTC at the University of Central Oklahoma is hosting a fifth annual Gold Bar Run Saturday, April 22, 2017. The 5k will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).
ans." Suzanne Bare with the Military Science Department said. The proceeds that go to the Broncho Battalion enable the cadets to get more realistic training like paintball, ropes course and rifle training. It also goes toward updated uniforms and intramural sports, as well as toward a major event for the cadets - a trip to the Bataan Memorial Death March. The Bataan Memorial Death March is an annual event in White
Sands, New Mexico in remembrance of the service members who defended the Philippine Islands during the second World War; an event that the UCO ROTC cadets look forward to every year but would be most likely be unable to attend if it wasn't for the money raised by the Gold Bar Run. So far, this year the Gold Bar Run has received sponsorship from Chick-fil-A, Fairfield Inn and IHOP, but the cadets are still looking to find
more. Last year the run had a promising turn out of about 500 participants and they hope to increase that number this year. Every participant will receive an ARMY tumbler for participating. If you are interested in signing up for the run, you can visit the Facebook page created for the event at www.facebook.com/ucogoldbar5krunwalk for more information.
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The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
AROUND CAMPUS
AROUND THE CAMPUS
Your Inner Immigrant Deadline Feb. 21, 2017: Members of the UCO community are being asked to submit to D2L a 3 page essay on the stories of how their families came to the United States in order to receive STLR credit for global and culture awareness. More information can be found on OrgSync or by contacting event host Elizabeth Overman at eoverman@uco.edu. STLR tenet: Global & Cultural Competency.
Big Pink Volleyball Tournament Feb. 20- Feb. 23, 2017: The Big Pink Volleyball Tournament will be held in the UCO Wellness Center from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. through Thursday Feb. 23, 2017. The proceeds raised from the tournament will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Central and Western Oklahoma. The Big Pink Executive Committee aims to spread awareness to UCO community members about breast cancer and prevention efforts.
Monday, Feb. 20, 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.
American Democracy Project Meeting: At noon in Thatcher Hall’s lobby,
the American Democracy Project will have a meeting to plan spring events. ADP is looking for members who have ideas to encourage civic engagement on campus. Contact the American Democracy Project at adp@uco.edu for more information or RSVP to the meeting on OrgSync.
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 2-3 p.m.
Life Skills Around Eating: At 3:30
p.m. in 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. Big Pink Volleyball: At 4 p.m. in the Wellness Center, the philanthropic volleyball tournament will raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Central and Western Oklahoma. The proceeds will go directly to men and women affected by breast cancer in Central Oklahoma. More information can be found on OrgSync.com.
Safe Zone Ally Training Session: At
SMART Recovery: At noon in the Nigh
6 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 320C, the Student Alliance for Equality will offer a training session for student participants in order to create a more supportive and inclusive environment by providing a “safe space” for discussions. The training will also provide resources for expression, sexuality, gender and identity.
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. More information about the SMART Recovery can be found on www.smartrecovery.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017
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.
Social Justice Series: Issue to Action: 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: Issue to Action. The topic for this second installment will be about health equity in Oklahoma. Health equity is the “study and causes of differences in the quality of health and healthcare” across different areas. More information can be found on OrgSync or by contacting Eric Hemphill at 405-974-3526. This is also a STLR-tagged event by the tenet Service Learning & Civic Engagement.
Homelessness 101: From 11 a.m. - 1
p.m. on Feb. 21 - Feb. 23, the American Democracy Project will have several booths near the Nigh University Center’s cafeteria to discuss different issues involving the homelessness situation in Oklahoma. More information about the booths can be found on OrgSync. com.
SPB: Scrub it Up: From 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. near the clock tower by Broncho Lake, members from the Student Programming Board will be helping students create their own bath scrubs.
Anger Tamers: At 1 p.m. in the Nigh
ACM General Meeting: At 1:45 p.m.
in the Math and Computer Science Building’s Room 126, the Association for Computing Machinery at UCO will have their general meeting.
SAFE ‘Woke 101’ Panel Discussion: At 7 p.m. in Constitution Hall in the
Nigh University Center, the Student Alliance for Equality will host a special Black History Month event called ‘Woke 101’ where they will have a panel of members from the executive board of Black Lives Matter. The event is open for the UCO community and aims to discuss topics such as how to practice intersectional activism.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 NAACP Toy Drive: From 11 a.m. - 1
p.m. on the Nigh University Center’s second floor, members from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will collect toys to send to Children’s Hospital at the OU Medical Center.
AROUND CAMPUS 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. - 3
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.
African Student Association Meeting: At 4 p.m. the African Student Association will meet for their general meeting in the Nigh University Center.
Pornography Debate: At 5:30 p.m. in
the Will Rogers Room, the National Organization for Women will host a debate for students to discuss the pros and cons of pornography through health and wellness. Experts on gender and sexuality will also be at the debate.
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 Labyrinth Across Academic Disciplines: Beginning at 1 p.m. in the Health
and Physical Education Building’s Room 16, Dr. Rudebock will discuss the six tenets of Transformative Learning and also discuss the labyrinth and how it can be utilized. This is a STLR-tagged event by the Health & Wellness tenet. More information can be found by contacting the event host Melissa Powers at mpowers3@uco.edu.
Feb. 20, 2017 Old North Grand Reopening: From
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the grand reopening for Old North will be held. There will also be docents on each floor to answer questions and provide historic context about the building.
Civic Engagement and Personal Mythology: At 3 p.m. the Quad W111,
Alumni Zachary Sumner will speak on the importance of civic engagement and also the challenges of being a first generation student. This event is STLR-tagged by the Service Learning & Civic Engagement tenet. More information can be found by contacting event host Kama King, kking51@uco.edu.
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. Leadership Film Series: Miss Evers Boys: At 6 p.m. in the Quad TV Lounge, the 1997 film starring Alfre Woodard and Laurence Fishburne, “Miss Evers’ Boys” will show as part of the Leadership Film Series. More information can be found on OrgSync. com.
The Vagina Monologues: At 7:30 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Building’s Pegasus Theater, UCO’s Women’s Outreach Center and the American Association of University Women will host Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” performed by UCO students, faculty and staff. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 Anger Tamers: From 9 a.m. - 10 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.
The Vista
5
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for more news stories, updates, features, reviews and more.
Blood Drive: At 9 a.m. in the Nigh Uni-
versity Center, the Athletic Training Student Association at UCO will have a blood drive with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to kick off the Athletic Trainer’s Month in March.
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.
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.
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The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
NATIONAL
Schools Across America Offer Kinesthetic Learning Options Erika Williams
@williams_erika_ Contributing Writer
Several schools across the country have begun implementing kinetic desks in classrooms. These desks have pedals attached to the bottom so children can move around and let out energy without distracting others. Edmond’s own Cross Timbers Elementary School has even started adding these desks and other active solutions to the learning experience. The health room at Cross Timbers features several different types of equipment that allow the students to learn and move around at the same time. The school’s health teacher, Keri Orsack-Byrd, named some of the equipment available in the health room. “We have standing desks, pedal stools, seated motion desks, Rockin’ Turtle Shells and strider desks.” Each piece of equipment has a different function and the children can move from station to station. “Variety is key to making this
classroom run effectively. Each child learns differently, so I noticed certain students gravitate towards certain pieces of equipment,” Orsack-Byrd said. “Turtle shells involve more of a quiet space; students curl up inside a read. Strider desk students are working in pairs to complete a project - word finds, questions about units of study. The standing desk is simply made for students who don’t like to sit.” Recent studies show that children actually learn better when they can move around. These types of desks have also been extremely beneficial for children with ADHD, allowing them to focus their brains and move their bodies as they please. Research shows that in adulthood, sitting all day, every day, can lead to heart disease, diabetes and muscle strain. Even children who sit for hours uninterrupted will show a reduction in vascular function. While these side effects do disappear after the children begin moving again, it can still be dangerous to promote a lifestyle that leads to more
serious health problems in the future. Kinetic desks and other active learning equipment give kids the opportunity to learn healthy exercise habits from a young age. When kids can break up their sitting time with a little activity, these negative side effects are non-existent. Cynthia Wilson, an occupational therapist, echoed the health benefits from this type of equipment and added that children are actually more engaged when they have the opportunity to move around. “I can tell you that sitting on [exercise] balls keep kids alert and it strengthens their core. One of my teachers has nothing but balls in her class, no chairs, and the kids are appropriate with them.” Research on the effectiveness of these kinesthetic classrooms is in the early stages, but so far it has been a hit with children across the country. When asked how the students at her school have reacted to the new learning techniques, Keri Orsack-Byrd said, “A classroom teacher told me, after leaving health, [my] students are A: always hungry, B:
always excited and can’t wait to tell her what they learned, C: always quiet and focused. She asked if she could have health twice a day!” Critiques of the traditional classroom setting are not new. From an early age, energetic kids are taught to sit up straight and stay still for hours a day. This may work for some kids, but for others being able move around is integral to the learning experience. School psychologist, Amy Pemberton explained, “Every child has their own learning style and if we can tap into that modality, that’s the best way to help a child. If you have a kinesthetic learner who has the opportunity to be in a kinesthetic classroom, that just opens up a whole new world for them.” These new kinesthetic classroom options are becoming more popular every day. As a healthy and unique alternative to the traditional classroom, it is no surprise why so many schools are working towards providing these options to all students.
The Future ‘Looks Bleak’ For Net Neutrality Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter
The net neutrality conversation is back on the scene, this time from the new Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai. Two years ago, Congress approved net neutrality to the United States. Net neutrality requires internet service providers to make it equal for every U.S. citizen to benefit from high-speed internet, instead of paying for faster service. The FCC explained that the restructure would help all providers gain a similar advantage in the broadband market. “The action from these internet services is the only thing I can’t deal with because of my job requiring it and I do not know what I would do if it slowed down.” Oklahoma resident Chris Jackson said. Net neutrality allows citizens to
include high speed internet as part of their utility bill. It is supposed to go in effect in 2018, despite the Republicans rejecting the original proposal in 2014, according to Wall Street Journal. The argument on the FCC’s side is that the market would become unfair for the startup companies competing with AT&T and Verizon with zero-rating publicity. The zero-rating policy, according to Fortune.com, gives the consumer a chance to use the streaming service of AT&T’s DirecTV or Verizon’s Binge On and use up no data as a form of competing with the small startup competition. “This new net neutrality approach is demoralizing in not only entertainment but as well as news websites,” UCO student Ellen Welander said. Snapchat had to invest $25 million dollars to compete with the free data that AT&T and Verizon served.
Investigations into the companies for their unfair market advantage began two months ago, before the FCC dropped the investigation, according to the Wall Street Journal. Facebook recently had a proposal for free limited internet called FreeBasics in India, but it was denied because it provided a net neutrality dilemma in which the poorer citizens of the nation would be exposed to the limited internet, but would be bombarded with advertisements. FreeBasics is currently operating in 38 countries, including Indonesia and the Phillipines, according to The New York Times. The impact on UCO students goes further than being monitored by huge companies when taking advantage of “free” services. According to Slate.com, Facebook uses a database algorithm that allows free service to users in exchange for selling their
identities and cookies to advertisers, usually without the knowledge of the user. “The future looks bleak for smaller companies if that is what the current FCC Chairman is preaching about,” chair of UCO’s Association for Computing Machinery Caleb Power said. This type of action from the cancelled net neutrality would allow Comcast and Time Warner to grapple with the service providers by slowing internet and charging regular consumers for faster internet with almost no filter, according to TheHill.com. Time Warner Cable is currently facing a lawsuit by the Netflix and Riot Games f0r violating the current the net neutrality bill in which they purposely advertised their internet speed for these services before slowing down intentionally for negotiation purposes, as reported by Polygon.
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8
The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
BUDGET SHORTFALL
The Oklahoma Education Shortfall Cycle
Alicia Rubin
@lisha_rubin Contributing Writer
An $8.1 million shortfall for the month of February was released on Feb. 15 for Oklahoma Public Schools. This announcement comes a day before the scheduled payment of state aide to Oklahoma public schools. This shortfall follows last month’s shortfall of $9.7 million, totaling to an $18.1 million shortfall for the year so far and an estimated $50 million shortfall total for the year. Cash flow and available funding for state aid continue to be issues, due to the 1017 Fund, or Education Reform Revolving Fund, shortfall. The 1017 Fund consists of revenue from corporate and personal income tax, sales tax, revenue from House Bill 1017, a portion of cigarette and tobacco tax, tribal gaming and horse track gaming. In addition to the 1017 Fund shortfall, the Department of Education collects funds through the Common Education Technology Revolving Fund, which is usually fully funded by December but has only collected
61.54 percent of its usual total for this fiscal year. Due to the estimated funds being short for both funding formulas, Oklahoma schools are suffering monthly shortfalls. The overestimated budget continues to cause budget cuts each month. Joy Hofmeister, state superintendent of public instruction, stated through a memo released to school superintendents that a monthly evaluation of each month’s cash flow will continue to happen, with the necessary adjustments continuing to be made. As Oklahoma schools continue in their struggle for funds more and more teachers are forced to leave the state. This creates a demand for new teachers and a rush on teaching certifications. This rush of certification is putting less-qualified teachers into the open positions, while the shortfall is causing established teachers to lose pay raises. The next step in conserving funds is to get rid of 1,000 teachers and education staff, Executive Director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association Shawn Hime said. Hime
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin waves to her family before giving her speech at the start of the first legislative session at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. Fallin proposed a major overhaul of the state’s tax code on Monday, encouraging lawmakers to increase taxes on fuel, tobacco and sales as part of an effort to eliminate the corporate income tax and the state sales tax on groceries. (Jessie Wardarski/Tulsa World via AP)
explained that while this is a last resort, schools are already forced to share superintendents and other school staff. “This shortfall is going to affect day-to-day operations,” Hime said. The consistent shortfalls come during the proposal of House Bill
1114, which would give Oklahoma teachers a $6,000 pay increase over the course of three years. The cycle of budget shortfalls, the demand for teachers and the attempt to hire and keep qualified teachers continues to be a devastating cycle for Oklahoma education.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Feb. 20, 2017
The Vista
9
Lawmakers Jump the Gun With New Law Elizabeth Spence @lizzlynn Reporter
The state of Oklahoma has introduced a new gun law that allows residents to carry their firearm openly without a permit. Oklahoma’s gun laws currently only allow citizens to conceal carry a firearm if they possess a conceal to carry permit. For someone to conceal carry a weapon on their person it must be hidden under articles of clothing, in a purse, backpack or holster. “We’re in favor of the Constitution, obviously, but we’re not completely sure that open carrying, more and more guns openly being carried out there on the streets necessarily makes it safer in our community,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Paco Balderrama said. The new open carry law says that as long as the firearm is able to be seen on their person, a concealed carry permit is not necessary. This is a new law for the state of Oklahoma, but not the University of Central Oklahoma. It is illegal to carry any firearm onto campus unless
you are a police officer or have other permission from President Don Betz, according to UCO Chief of Police Jeff Harp. There was one more gun law from Oklahoma that was brought before Congress recently. It was a bill trying to prevent those with mental disabilities from purchasing and owning any firearms. According to an article written by the Washington Post it was an “Obama-era rule designed to keep guns out of the hands of certain mentally disabled people.” The Washington Post related the Sandy Hook shooter, Adam Lanza, 20, to the bill because he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. The gun rule was searched by Sen. Charles Grassley and his statements about the bill were “the regulation unfairly stigmatizes the disabled and infringes on their constitutional right to bear arms.” The vote was backed by the Senate 57-43 and the House passed the measure earlier this year. However, it was repealed by the Senate on Feb. 15th.
Oklahoma introduced a new gun law to allow the state’s resident’s to open-carry without a permit. However, regardless of the law, it is still illegal to carry any firearm on to the University of Central Oklahoma’s campus, unless the carrier is a police officer or has special permission from the president of the University, Don Betz. (Provided/ Pixabay.com).
UCO NEWS/Op-ED
Feb. 20, 2017
The Vista
11
Fighting For the Future of the Dept. of Education Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Editor-in-Chief
The same day that Betsy DeVos was sworn in to be the next Secretary of Education, a representative from Kentucky named Thomas Massie introduced H.R. 899, a federal bill that would work towards abolishing the Department of Education by Dec. 31, 2018. Rep. Massie has been in Congress representing District 4 in Kentucky since 2012. H.R. 899 was first introduced to the House of Representatives on Feb. 7, 2017. It has since been sent off to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “Unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. should not be in charge of our children’s intellectual and moral development. States and local communities are best positioned to shape curricula that meet the needs of their students. Schools should be accountable. Parents have the right to choose the most appropriate educational opportunity for their children, including home school, public school or private school,” Rep. Massie said on the day of DeVos’s confirmation. At the University of Central
Op-ED
Oklahoma, a member from the UCO’s Student Association wrote a resolution to ask the Oklahoma representatives and senators to vote against Rep. Massie’s bill if it ever made it to their floors. Caleb Power serves as the interim chair of the Election Commission, ART chair and parliamentarian. He authored this resolution on Feb. 15, 2017 and sent it out to start the committee process in the Public Relations Committee of the UCO Student Congress. “I wrote it because I believe the student body here would be directly affected by the loss of the Department of Education. I wanted to make sure our voices were heard and also wanted to make sure that the student knew this was happening,” Power said. The resolution highlights several key points for students that the U.S. Department of Education “facilitates federal grants and loans that students at the University of Central Oklahoma directly benefit from.” “They host a website that their research has yielded. Basically they have spreadsheets upon spreadsheets that show the number of students that have benefited from
UCO Senior Caleb Power, interim chair of the Election Commission, ART chair and parliamentarian wrote a resolution for UCO’s Student Congress in response to the federal bill that would abolish the Department of Education. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).
particular projects, such as the loan program,” Power said. The data shows how many students receive the Pell Grant or actual loans. The department has yet to publish the December 2016 data on their website. The resolution pulls information from the U.S. Department of Education’s website that says the department collects data on areas such as college costs, safety and bullying, special education and student demographics, as well as oversees research. This data and research is then shared with Congress, educators and the general public.
“It is possible and, from a personal stand point, that they [the Oklahoma legislators] are voting along party lines instead of simply regarding an issue,” Power said. “Unfortunately many people in that political side of the spectrum tend to scrap entire projects instead of fixing on specific issues.” If the resolution passes in the UCOSA Congress and the vice chair, an official will send the piece of legislation to other colleges around the state. The resolution ends by asking other higher education institutions in the state to take a stand against H.R. 899.
Keyanna Irby
What Does “What’s Next?” Mean to Me?
For over 200 years the African-American community has been enslaved physically, set free, tortured, beaten, given rights, enslaved institutionally - the cycle goes on and on. Civil Rights leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, W.E.B Du Bois, Asa Phillip Randolph, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Clara Luper and many more have fought so hard for our rights today. We’ve accomplished so much as a community and as a country and if it wasn’t for those selfless and dedicated individuals we wouldn’t be as far in life as we are right now. In November 2008, America witnessed its very first African-American president and family in the White House: the Obamas. Barack reminded us that his being elected wasn’t merely enough; with his campaign slogans on the heart
of many proactive African-American leaders, we were awakened from our slumber of complacency. It was time for a change. Obama ignited the same fire in our generation that Dr. King ignited in our parents and grandparents. No longer can we sit back and wait for change but as it has been said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” We all have the power to see a problem and put forth our best efforts to fix what is wrong while benefiting many and not just ourselves. So when asked what does “what’s next?’ mean to me, I say non-stop change and betterment for all. Change calls for action, passion and determination and in order for there to be an uprising of people who have these qualities. They need support from family, friends and mentors. At UCO the Black History Month task force had a combination of all these prerequisites and together we all created events to grab the atten-
@CentralBSA Black Student Association President
tion of the campus and community through educational and celebratory measures. “What’s next?” has an optimistic connotation associated with it and shows that we are ready for whatever tomorrow may bring. We are not fearful of tomorrow and we are preparing for a better life for all to live, thrive and succeed. It is also a reminder that there is always improvement and work to be done. We must take small and smart steps so that we are efficient and effective in the works that we do. I believe that one of the most impactful strides that we’ve made leading up to Black History Month 2017 at UCO has been the Clara Luper Room in the Nigh University Center that will be revealed and open for viewing next Friday, Feb. 24 on the third floor, Room 312 at 2 p.m. This revealing is open to the community because we want everyone to witness the greatness that has taken place to honor such a de-
serving civil rights activist, who led the first sit-in at the Katz drug store in downtown Oklahoma City. This not only pays homage to the incredible work she has done in history, but is now a part of UCO history, giving students of color a sense of belonging on this campus. I’m so grateful to attend a university that cares so much about me and the needs of minorities as much as every other student. Every single day that we’re blessed to wake up and see the sun shine we have the choice to make a difference or to simply do nothing. That’s exactly what message we wanted to send through our Black History Month programming. We’ve overcame so much in the Black community and we still are, but “what’s next?” The Black Student Association at UCO prides itself on loving all people and I know that is the same for all our fellow Bronchos. I know that we will set the example for everyone else to see.
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The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
Baker Sister Unite to Write Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Editor-in-Chief
(From Cover) Sisters Addison Baker and Emilia Baker are not only best friends, but also co-authors of an upcoming biography titled “Give Them My Love” about one of UCO’s living treasures, Dr. Hall Duncan. Addison Baker, 19, is a UCO sophomore majoring in English with a minor in Religion and Leadership. Addison first met Dr. Duncan at the beginning of the fall 2016 semester by being involved in the President’s Leadership Council (PLC). “I went to talk to a friend in PLC about my love for writing and my love for mission work and sharing the gospel. He said, ‘You have to meet this guy. His name is Hall. He wants a biography written about him and he is looking for someone and I think you’d be perfect,’” Addison said. After an interview with Addison, Duncan, 93, asked if she would be interested in writing his biography. Addison, who was the initial author of the project, said that she knew immediately she wanted to do it. She said she was inspired by Duncan’s 10 years of missionary work in Africa. “What he has done in his life is something that I hope to mirror,” Addison said.
Addison said that her career goal would be working as a missionary in a third world country, teaching English and sharing the gospel to children. Addison also said that it was important to her to have her parents’ blessing to write his biography. She said that her parents told her to weigh the pros and cons of taking on the project, since Addison and Emilia are both full-time students who already had full-time jobs. Emilia Baker, 21, joined in on the project with her sister last December, initially to help her with small tasks and deadlines, but later on became the co-author. Emilia is a student at Oklahoma City Community College and is currently taking general engineering courses. She already has an Associate of Art degree, but intends to go on to graduate school. “I’ve always been really interested in art and I love to write as well. Immediately Hall struck me as a really nice person and I like to spend time around really nice people,” Emilia said. “I wanted to help tell his story.” The sisters are planning on using a sort of loose chronological order of writing, while also incorporating flashbacks and lessons that Duncan learned through various significant moments in his life. They also plan to share letters Duncan wrote to his
BAKER SISTERS/ELECTIONS
father during the war and some of his journal entries to give a more personal touch to the biography. They are also still looking for a publisher that has a good relationship with UCO, because of Duncan’s career as a professor teaching cartooning and advertising design for 17 years. “We touch on his career at UCO and we want to write for people here, but we also want to write for everyone who could have an impact from his story,” Addison said. The pair meet with Duncan weekly to talk about his life as a WWII survivor, his missionary work, his travels and other parts of his life. The co-authors are now to the point of showing Duncan drafts that he can look at and approve. Duncan also gave the Baker sisters the full creative rights and any proceeds from the biography as a chance to jumpstart their careers. Since working together, the sisters say that they have learned a lot about working as a team, meeting deadlines, bouncing ideas off of each other, becoming more in touch with their faith and becoming more confident artists. “I think as far as our relationship goes, it has strengthened our relationship as sisters,” Addison said. “Sometimes people say ‘don’t work with family’ and I think that is completely false.”
Addison and Emilia also both agreed that they would definitely consider writing something else together, even if it isn’t a biography. “We offset each other in a way that is really helpful,” Emilia said. “She has, like, three different planners for everything. She is very organized, but sometimes she can get too wound up. I kind of help relax her and she kind of helps keep me focused.” Addison who describes herself as extremely extroverted and goal-oriented, and Emilia who describes herself as more introverted and observational, have learned to bring out each other’s strengths. “Emilia has always been someone that I could go to about life advice,” Addison said. “She has a very good intuition about people. She is always there to listen... She has just always been a really creative person and has pushed that on me in a good way, to be more creative.” The sisters said that they are happy that they can lead by example for their younger siblings. The sisters also both said that their family has been a strong support system in the process as well. The co-authors also plan to make a donation to UCO by cataloging all of the documents and research that they have collected for the biography as another way to keep Duncan’s accomplishments available to the public for many years to come.
Student Body Election Registration Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter
The student body election for the University of Central Oklahoma is April 12. The election will include voting in a new president and vice-president for the UCO Bronchos, taking effect in August. Caleb Power, UCO Student Association interim chair election official, detailed the election process and what each student has to do to become a candidate. “The election process starts with the qualification of a student having a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least one year of participating in a student organization,” Power said. “Any student can apply as long as they fit the qualification process.” Registration for students will end on Feb. 24. Students can also apply to be members of the UCO Student Congress, chair, vice chair or secretary of the UCO Student Congressor or a UCO Student Association (UCOSA) senator. “As a student body, I feel that we
all want a leader that is going to advocate for us and the changes we want to see on campus or even the things we want on campus,” Mayona Presley, UCO President of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said. “The two years that I have been here at Central, I have definitely seen a strong presence of the student government and that is something that I hope continues.” The hope, according to Caleb Power, is that students would be more proactive in the election process to further the responsibility of the title of president or vice-president and be part of the decision process of the current student government. The practice of being politically engaged creates awareness for how diplomacy works. Responsibilities of the student body president include being involved in board meetings with faculty and staff and being a voice for students on topics that include meal pricing and student organizations. The UCOSA executive board members also work with UCOSA
Now UCO graduate Brandon Reede, current UCOSA Vice President Macie Snowden, and current UCOSA President Cash Dietz listen to President Don Betz during an Aug. 24, 2015 Student Congress gathering in Constitution Hall. (Provided/ Vista Archives).
congress members as well as the the UCOSA judiciary. “The election process is probably the same to me because it doesn’t seem that different from the actual government,” Lindsay Looman, UCO student said. “I hope there is a way for us to be informed but it is all the same to me.” The available voting period has been decreased from three days to two days, due to lack of student par-
ticipation. Voting will begin April 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online voting will also be available during those times in hopes of encouraging more voting by students. The online voting will be available on UConnect. “We need the diversity of the students in our UCOSA,” Power said. “The following year could lend extra input for students.” Students that have the requirements can apply at OrgSync.com.
MARIAH GARCIA
Feb. 20, 2017
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The Vista
Mariah Garcia: Throwing Her Way To UCO History
Senior Mariah Garcia throws weights during a Fall 2017 track meet. Garcia has set indoor records for the University of Central Oklahoma, throwing 59 feet, 7 inches. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services).
Jordan Belew @JordanBelew Sports Writer
UCO track star Mariah Garcia has had a stellar senior season, breaking her own record two times just this season. “They’re just an accomplishment I guess. Every time you break one, you just want to better,” Garcia said. All of the senior’s records have come at the weight throw. As a junior, Garcia won the outdoor Division II National Championship in discus throw. However, this still is not Garcia’s favorite moment of her career. “The Olympic trials. That was like the best moment ever,” Garcia said. Garcia transferred to UCO from Wichita State. She had to sit out her sophomore season after a transfer rule that kept her on the sidelines. This season Garcia has already made waves. In December, the Mustang graduate took first place in the weight throw at the Crimson and Gold invite at Pitt State. She followed that up with a second-place throw at the Missouri Southern Invitation.
Earlier this year she participated in the J.D. Martin Invitational, a Division I meet. Despite not being able to contend for a medal, she still launched the weight throw over 50 feet. On Feb. 11, Garcia placed second place at the Gorilla Classic in Pittsburg, KS. The meet solidified her place atop the MIAA standings. While she is well aware of the place she is in, she knows there is work left to do. “I’m ahead in the conference right now and I just want to keep that lead,” Garcia said. The Wichita State transfer has hit a provisional mark in all four events she has competed in this season. The weight throw has proven to be her bread and butter as the season has gone on. She set her first school record last season throwing 57 feet 2 3/4 inches. Not one to settle, she broke that early on this season with a throw of 57 feet 11 inches. That one would not last for long either as the senior topped that mark, throwing 59 feet 7 inches last weekend in Pittsburg, Kansas. Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Garcia hopes that her throws
are good enough to earn her a provisional placement in the National Championships. “For indoor, I want to just PR [personal record] with my last indoor track meet with a 19 or 20,” Garcia said. For Garcia, these accomplishments mean more than just numbers. She considered giving up her track career three years ago. “Perseverance. I almost quit three years ago, so being here now, I’m just really thankful for it,” Garcia said. Garcia competes both indoors and outdoors for the Bronchos. She competes in the discus throw, hammer throw, shot put and weight throw. She has a favorite, though. “Definitely discus. Since I’ve been dabbling in hammer throw and weight throw, those get my mind off of discus and I enjoy them, too,” Garcia said. With one meet left until the MIAA Conference meet, the senior still has time to make more history. She has her sights set on winning the conference and another national title in outdoor.
UCO
Home Games this week: Wednesday: UCO WTEN vs. Cowley County Wednesday: UCO BSB vs. SWOSU
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The Vista
Feb. 20, 2017
UCO BASKETBALL
UCO Women’s Basketball:
Loses Fourth Straight Game Falling to 20-5 Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Writer
The UCO Women’s basketball team lost their fourth straight game as the team fell to the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers 73-59 at home on Thursday. Marley Anderson led the Bronchos in scoring with 13 points, followed by Melinda Murillo, who contributed 12. UCO (20-5) shot 37 percent from the field during the game to go along with 20 turnovers, which turned into 19 Loper points. “We really struggled offensively tonight,” UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. The Bronchos defense kept the team in the game for the first half, but a hot third quarter shooting performance from Nebraska-Kearney blew the game open and UCO wasn’t able to recover. “They made a bunch of threes and most of those were off second-chance opportunities,” Hardaker said. The Lopers made 11 of their 21 3- point attempts and made 94 percent of their free throws to help extend their winning streak to three. Although they had a stout defensive first half in which they only gave up 23 points, UCO allowed the Lopers to score 50 points in the second half. The first quarter saw both teams struggling to shoot the ball. Both the Bronchos and the Lopers shot 3-16 from the field, with UCO also losing
Senior guard Marley Anderson, 11, takes the ball to the opposing side at the UCO vs Nebraska Kearney game at the Hamilton Field House on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
the ball six times in the quarter. The defensive-minded first quarter ended with UCO trailing Nebraska-Kearney 9-7. The Bronchos were able to get rid of their shooting woes in the second quarter as the team shot 50 percent from the field, while holding the Lopers to 43 percent shooting. Though the Lopers were not shooting well from the field, their 3-point
shooting helped them lead the Bronchos 23-20 with under a minute to go. With the game clock winding down in the second quarter, Blake Blessington pulled up from deep 3-point range to nail a shot, which tied the game 23-23 heading into halftime. Marley Anderson and Blake Blessington each had five points at the end of the second quarter.
As a team, the Bronchos committed 11 turnovers in the first half. The third quarter was a struggle for the Bronchos defensively, as the team had trouble stopping anything the Lopers threw at them. Nebraska-Kearney shot 71 percent in the third period and were four of five from deep. Luckily, UCO’s defensive issues were offset by a hot shooting quarter of their own. The Bronchos scored 21 points in the third quarter on 64 percent shooting. At the end of the third, UCO trailed Nebraska-Kearney 49-44. From the five-minute mark in the third quarter to the eight-minute mark in the fourth quarter, the Lopers completed a 19-4 run that blew the game wide open. UCO tried to mount a comeback by sending Nebraska-Kearney to the free throw line, but the Lopers’ shooting success transferred to the line, helping them seal the game. UCO will aim to snap their fourgame losing streak against Fort Hayes State University at Hamilton Field House on Saturday. Junior forward Megan Womack waits as the ball is shot into the hoop at the UCO vs Nebraska Kearney game at the Hamilton Field House on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
BUCKING BRONCHO
Feb. 20, 2017
The Vista
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The Bucking Broncho: Willy T. Ribbs A. Suave Francisco @SuaveFrancisco_ Sports Reporter
2000s and he retired in 2001. His success in a sport that blacks weren’t, and in most cases still aren’t, acAlong with multiple other things, cepted is impressive and it sends a when you think about a NASCAR message to the black youth that you driver, you automatically assume can do whatever you want, not just they are white. Although this is pertaining to sports. mostly true, there are a few excepReaching outside of your comfort tions. Willy T. Ribbs was the first African-American Formula One race zone and doing something that you have a passion for trumps all. car driver. Throughout his career, he received Ribbs was born in 1955 and began harsh criticism for his “over-bearing” racing when he was 18 years old, personality, sometimes even from during a time that was still hard for blacks in America. Immediately after fellow African-Americans in auto racing. Car owner Leonard T. Miller graduating high school, he started driving Ford cars in Europe and won felt that Ribbs wasn’t the best to repthe Dunlop Championship in his first resent the black community due to his outspoken nature, a mindset that year. still stands today. A year later he moved back to Too many of us in our culture America and won the Pole Position choose to submit to whatever the at the Long Beach Formula Atlantic common opinion is just to fit into a race. In the following three years, certain lifestyle or group of friends. Willy T. Ribbs, former NASCAR driver, drives a DeAtley Motorsports Chevy Camaro Ribbs won 17 Trans-Am races and at the Portland International Raceway in June 1983. (Provided/ Wikimedia.com). competed in two NASCAR Winston Those who speak out on injustices and try to create change make the Cup races and won two races at Coblacks across the nation. After shooting clays, and his son Theodore lumbus and Sears Point in the IMSA difference. Ribbs was a misunderstood but retiring, he turned into a professionRibbs, is an aspiring sport shooter as series. influencial black athlete who touched al shooter, with a specialization in well. Ribbs’ career carried into the early
VOICES
Feb. 20, 2017
The Vista
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Left: “A lot of people in my grad program told me I would never amount to anything; I would never get a job,. I would never be a post doc. I would never amount to anything, and they didn’t even know why I was a grad student to begin with. I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t smart enough. I wasn’t all of these things... I am the only graduate of my graduate program that has a ten-year track job immediately when I got my dissertation.” - Nora Gayzur, Psychology Professor at UCO Below: “What motivates me is my family. and trying to get my Psychology degree so I can help people and become a therapist.” -Kurt Roberts, freshman at UCO.