the
Volume 118, Issue 17
INSIDE
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Cafeteria Hours
Dining options return to UCO campus after being closed through the alternative learning period. See Pg. 6-7
Broncho Lake freezes over
Oklahoma dealt with record-low freezing temperatures for much of the last week and a half. Nearly a foot of snow covered central Oklahoma, including UCO’s campus. On Feb. 22 when students returned, the lake remained frozen. (TheVista/Bryce McKinnis)
Broncho Basketball
Sports writer Rudy Barnes breaks down last week in basketball. See Pg.5
Child Study Center See how children in the Child Study Center are handling COVID-19 health protocol. See Pg.6-7
Rising tuition creates barrier to higher ed. Jacob Silva
@jdsilva_ Editor-in-Chief
This story is the first in an ongoing series that will examine issues surrounding education budgets on a state and local level. Oklahoma college students are paying a larger portion of their income to get their degrees as state funding has been cut by 35.3% since the Great Recession, according to a recent study. Those cuts came before the pandemic with only Louisiana (-37.7%) and Arizona (-54.3%) cutting more from their education budget, according to the Center on Budget and Pol-
icy Priorities, a nonpartisan research group in Washington, D.C. Oklahoma reduced its higher education spending by 35.3% between 2008 and 2019 according to a statement by Oklahoma Policy Institute member Dave Hamby. That equates to each student losing $3,515 each year in tuition funding. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that only Louisiana (-37.7%) and Arizona (-54.3%) have cut more from their education budget. These cuts all came before the pandemic started. With state budget cuts pulling money from higher education, universities responded by increasing tuition costs
Students paymore than ever before for their education. (Provided/Pixabay) Continued on Pg. 4
UCO Vaccine clinic quickly reaches capacity Amanda Siew
@amandasiewyk Contributing Writer
Around Campus Students return to campus after a period of alternative learning and a week lost to icy weather! See Pg. 2
Passport Health is asking members of the University of Central Oklahoma community not to sign up for upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus unless they qualify for the selected phases. The announcement came shortly after UCO faculty, staff and students received an email notice about an
upcoming vaccine clinic Wednesday. This clinic would add groups under Phase 2 of Oklahoma’s vaccination framework that includes adults under 65 with comorbidities (additional medical conditions; see list of comorbidities below), and pre-K-12 teachers and staff. “The clinic filled up quickly, and Passport Health wanted to make sure there was no confusion on eligibility for this phase of distribution with the
addition of comorbidities,” said Adrienne Nobles, UCO vice president for communication and public affairs. Individuals who signed up for the clinic but do not meet the criteria below should cancel their appointment to avoid being turned away during the event: 1. Phase one health care worker providing direct inpatient care, first responders, medical technicians, and Continued on Pg. 7
2 | The Vista
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 Lunch and Learn Tuesdays: Through the Lens of Social Justice and What You Can Do Now will take place at the Melton Gallery between 12:00pm and 1:00pm. The UCO Counseling Center educates on hereditary, racial, and historical trauma. Admission is free and the event is hosted via Zoom. Dialogue with the Dean: Graduate Students Parenting Amid the Pandemic: From 2:00pm to 3:00pm the Dialogue with a Dean, hosted by Jeanetta D. Sims, provides insight on how to advance your professional and peronal lives. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 Chocolate Lovers Dessert Dipping Event: From 11:00am to 2:00pm, Ayers Kitchen will have pound cake cubes, strawberries, sugar wafer and sugar cookies to dip in chocolate in this event. Transfer Application Help and Next Steps: OCCC students looking to transfer to UCO can use these virtual office hours for all questions.
February 23, 2021
Around Campus
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021
Monday, Mar. 1, 2021
CEPS Dine-Out Fundraiser at 1844: From 3:00pm to 10:00pm The Railyard in Edmond will be donated 15% of its proceeds from dine-in or carry-out food orders to the UCO College of Education. This fundraiser will contribute to student scholarships.
UCO Opera for Children - Hansel and Gretel: UCO Opera will be performing Hansel and Gretel at 11:00am and 2:00pm. The show will take place in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre, CTL 120. The performance will be directed by Ron Glaubitz.
Virtual Employer Resume Critques : From 1:00pm to 4:00pm you may attend a virtual meeting to talk to employers about your resume, and what tips you may need to take with you into an interview.
UCO Jazz Ensembles in Concert: At 7:30pm in the Nigh University Center Ballroom A, UCO Jazz will perform "big band jazz music featuring a wide variety of student talent." The event will also be livestreamed.
CRISP Kickoff: International students, alongside American families, can learn about the intertwinings of their cultures and how those cultures are represented at the University. The event takes place from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Nigh University Center.
Jazz Combos Concert: At 7:00pm, the Jazz Lab will host a concert that can be attended by students for free with a valid student ID, or for $15 by non-students. The event will also be livestreamed and the url can be found on calendar.uco.edu
Friday, Feb. 26, 2021
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021
Running in Silence with Guest Speaker Rachel Steil: Former collegiate cross country runner Rachel Steil speaks about her history with an eating disorder. You can register for the event at https://bit.ly.ucoNED
UCO Opera for Children - Hansel and Gretel: UCO Opera will be performing Hansel and Gretel at 11:00am and 2:00pm. The show will take place in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre, CTL 120. The performance will be directed by Ron Glaubitz.
UCO Virtual Office Hours for Tulsa Community College: Students attending Tulsa Community College can use these office hours for questions regarding attending UCO and how the transfer process works.
Admitted Student Day: 11:00am to 4:00pm, UCO students may bring a non-student as a guest to explore the campus, meet faculty, and get a sense of what it would be like to be a UCO student.
Monday, Mar. 1, 2021 Major Monday - Psychology: Interact with with UCO faculty and learn about what it means to pursue a degree in psychology at UCO.
Front Pg. Teaser Photos, from top: Provided/Pixabay Provided/Vista Archives Provided/Pixabay
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
the
VISTA
Staff
Jacob Silva Cory Bryce McKinnis Tanner Johnson Lyric Peterson Tanner Laws Cynthia Faulkner
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Digital Media/Copy Editor Photographer Adviser
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
Provided/Vista Archives
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 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 thevista@ucentralmedia.com.
eSports
February 23, 2021
The Vista | 3
BlizzConline changes Overwatch outlook
Ty Wallace
@HALTexe Contributing Writer
Blizzard released new information on the upcom- also glimpsed the art deco-inspired New York City ty. While massive changes were announced for the ing sequel to Overwatch Friday during Blizzconline. of Overwatch 2, a map that mixes a high-tech vibe tank role, many people have noticed that all the PvP BlizzConline is Blizzard’s annual convention, usu- with the familiar bodegas, fire stations, and mom ‘n gameplay only had one Tank per team, making the ally held in Anaheim, California, where the devel- pop pizza shops authentic to the city.” game 5v5 instead of 6v6. While this may not be fioper is located. The convention is usually held in While most of the new content in Overwatch 2 is nal, it is an interesting change. early November but was pushed back to last Friday PvE-related, there were some new announcements The Overwatch team is also working on changing and became an online event. BlizzCon always starts on the PvP side of the sequel. The three roles in how audio works in the game, with an opening ceremony, which covers each of Overwatch; Tank, Damage, and Support, are gain“From sound to visual effects to game design, the Blizzard’s games and their upcoming content. Over- ing additional passives to help each excel in their job way players experience combat has been overhauled watch, however, was not present in the hour-long on the battlefield. Tanks will have reduced knock- and modernized to make even the most minor of ceremony. back applied to them. Enemies who damage them melee attacks look and feel more satisfying and rivMy predictions were wrong, I will be the first, will receive less ultimate charge and allow tanks to eting. One of the biggest upgrades is the new consecond, and third to admit. I had envisioned that play aggressively. Damage characters will have a volution reverb system that has allowed the team to Overwatch would see a new hero released, possibly slightly higher move speed to help them flank more capture the acoustics of an environment and adjust even a mobile game along with it. It seems Blizzard efficiently. Supports will have automatic health re- game sound accordingly. Whether players are outis taking a different approach. generation after not receiving damage for a set doors, in an urban area, trailing their teammates Overwatch will continue its current path with no hero releases until the sequel, a couple of events with Released on Oct. 27, 2015, Overwatch found success in both sales, and its esports base. Players of the game have new skins (different costumes for your character) been wishing for more updates to the first game, but Blizzard continues to work on its sequel. (Provided/Creativeeach year, and balance patches coming out bi-week- Commons) ly. While this seems damaging for the health of the current competitive shooter, it is probably what is best for the upcoming sequel. The developers can amount of time. While these are still in development through a warehouse tail, or in a tight tunnel, the put all of their focus into Overwatch 2, making it and could change before release, they are a sight for sound of a hero’s weapon reacts to the area around faster and better. sore eyes. it, creating an immersive and responsive combat exWhile Overwatch was not present during the perience,” according to Blizzard entertainment. opening ceremony, there was a 40-minute preview Overwatch 2 will also bring significant changes to As for PvE content, Overwatch 2 will bring Hero video of new features in the sequel. Jeff Kaplan, the the Tank role outside of the new role passive. Tanks Missions. These missions can be played again with game’s director, along with others, narrated the vid- in Overwatch 1 lean more towards being defensive, different game modes and variations, totaling huneo detailing the progress they have made. Starting using large barriers with massive health pools to dreds of missions to play. Each character will get a with the new maps, Rome, and New York City. protect their teams. This leaves tank players only talent tree like Borderlands, with three build types to The article from Blizzard’s news page reads: “One holding a shield up and tank damage. Overwatch 2 help push your character in the direction you want. of the locations the team is most excited for players is looking to rework the tank role to have a much Blizzard revealed the new hero designs for Reaper, to experience is Rome, a map that marries roman- more aggressive and brawlier playstyle. Reinhardt McCree, Widowmaker, and Pharah, all characters tic old-world architecture and emblematic locales is a hero they used to show these changes, with will have a new design at launch. like the Coliseum and the Seven Hills with futur- much less shield health, but an extra charge for his At the end of the behind-the-scenes look, there istic tech in a uniquely Overwatch style. Players Fire Strike and more control over his Charge abili- was no information regarding a release date.
An example of an esports arena before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the scene to an online setting. Overwatch remains popular in esports. (Provided/ Creative Commons)
4 | The Vista
February 23, 2021
Tuition /Dining
Rising tuition creates barrier to higher ed. Continued from pg. 1
directly in correlation with reduced funding. Between 2008 and 2019, four-year colleges and universities raised tuition by 31.8% in Oklahoma. Black and Hispanic students are paying a higher portion of annual income for their education, according to the study. In Oklahoma, tuition makes up for 41% of the household income for black families, and 32% for Latinx families. Tuition accounts for 26% of the household income for white families for comparison. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average wage gap between black and white families has gotten worse over the last twenty years with the average gap being a 26.5% difference in wages. In the 1980s, colleges and universities received about 75% of their revenue from the government, so students only contributed to the remaining 25%of revenue by paying more affordable tuition. Fast forward to 20192020 and students now cover half of a university’s total revenue by paying a much higher tuition than previous generations. State and local governments cut the education budget, and the solution to bridge that gap is to make students pay double or more than double what they would have in the late 1980s. Does the federal government play a part in local and state education funding? Looking at 2020 to now, the CARES
act was passed by the federal government in order to provide economic supplement to places like universities that could not operate in a normal way due to COVID-19. $14 billion was allocated to colleges and universities with the CARES act, and it missed the mark. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains: “The CARES Act formula allocates 75 percent of funds based on an institution’s share of all Pell Grant students nationally, and the remaining 25 percent on its share of all non-Pell Grant students nationally. This directs funds to the institutions educating the greatest shares of low-income students. “A less equitable element of the formula is that it is based on the number of an institution’s full-time-equivalent students, which counts two half-time students as one. As a result, community colleges receive less money because they have a large number of part-time students, despite typically serving a greater share of Pell Grant recipients than four-year schools.” Another relief package was passed in December 2020, which brought another $22.7 billion to higher education across the country. It had been estimated by the American Council on Education that higher education actually needed $120 billion. Community colleges are often used as an alternative to pursue a two-year degree, or as a more affordable starting point with the intent to transfer
(Provided/Vista Archives)
to a university for a four-year program or other degree. Tuition prices for community colleges have risen significantly. 2008-2019 saw a 47% increase in community college tuition price, further raising the barrier to en-
try to begin higher education. For the University of Central Oklahoma, the story is no different. In the next article from this series, I will break down how the university has been impacted by these struggles.
Dining options return to UCO after break Yu Xiang
Contributing Writer
With many University of Central Oklahoma students returning to campus this week, dining options are also returning. In the Nigh Food Court, Pegasus Café is open from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. closed Saturday and Sunday. 1890 Café is open from Monday to Friday 7:30-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. closed Saturday and Sunday. The food court at Nigh University Center includes retail dining such as Chick-Fil-A, Sushi with Gusto, and Second Street Subs all open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Social distancing required with COVID-19 has made it difficult for students to grab a quick bite while staying safe. “The hardest area is the food court when all the students are here, be-
cause it’s really crowded in this area,” said Vel Murphy, NUC cleaning staff. Students wear masks on campus when around other people, but masks need to come off while eating, this increases the potential risk of exposure. Stepheny Smith, a UCO staff member, came into the NUC market to have a coffee recently. She said her concern is during the partial closure of UCO and the food court is closed so that “students living on campus” without transportation do not have dining places to go in the NUC area. Sidelines Sports Grill which was only offering late night and to-go only options, is now open from 6-11 p.m. Monday to Friday and 5-11 p.m. Sunday, Ayers Kitchen is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. “I do like the options we have here
on campus,” Tyler Whitehead, a UCO student, said. “I like the Bausher Place. It’s a really good place if you want something a little bit different, but I usually just stay here in the cafeteria, get Chick-Fil-A. But usually if I am off campus, I will go to another Chick-Fil-A because the one here is little bit more expensive than the one that will be off campus,” Students also have another safe dining option they might not be aware of on campus. Central Station is in the Human Environmental Studies Building, and they also serve hand-made beverages from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. According to Susan Woods, UCO Central Station coordinator, Central Station’s kitchen is also the food laboratory for her class in the Human Environmental Studies Building, Room 111. Nutrition students make the food and drinks to serve as another dining option in UCO. “This is a facility inspected by the
Oklahoma County Health Department. As part of the class, students are required to plan and implement a menu. Each day Central Station is open, is a student implementing their project and gaining hands-on learning,” Woods stated. Woods said they are taking additional safety precautions with the food because of the pandemic. “Another thing we have to do because of COVID was to make sure we have face shields. We’re wearing masks, we’re wearing gloves and just making sure we’re as safe as we can, following university guidelines and things like that,” Woods said. According to Central Station’s Broncho Blogs, the menu is posted weekly on the website. People may place the order by calling 405-9745506 or emailing centralstationcafe@ uco.edu.
Broncho basketball
February 23, 2021
The Vista | 5
UCO gets double-digit wins vs Rogers State Rudy Barnes @rudybarnes15 Contributing Writer
Men's basketball: The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team had five players score in double figures in a 9383 win over the Rogers State Hillcats Thursday. Jaden Wells led the team with 24 points. Shemar Smith tacked on 18, Callen Haydon finished with 16, Cam Givens added 15, and Isaiah Wade had 11. “I’m giving them the freedom they need, there was a possession where everybody touched the ball and ended with a 3-pointer,” UCO head coach Bob Hoffman said. “I told the team this is the first of six games in a NBA
style back-to-back, we all need to get involved to win these games.” Both teams accumulated a total of six technical fouls with four of those going to the Hillcats. The Hillcats head coach Justin Barkley vocally showed his frustration to the officials and was ejected with three minutes left in the game. Hillcats guard Jett Sternberger 18 points. He finished with a career-high of 28 points in 38 minutes. In the second half, the Bronchos started to pull away and had a lead as high as 15 points. The lead was highlighted by several dunks from Bronchos forward Shemar Smith. In the final minutes, both teams exchanged a series of technical fouls resulting in a lengthy period of free throws until
the end of the game The Bronchos improved their record to 10-7. Women's basketball: The University of Central Oklahoma women's basketball team held the Rogers State Hillcats to 30% shooting in a 77-59 win. Bronchos forward Kelsey Johnson led the team with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She is second in both of those categories in the MIAA conference. “Kelsey just can’t be stopped when she catches and shoots. Kelsey is a very skilled player,” Bronchos head coach Guy Hardaker said. “Kelsey can score almost every time she gets the ball.” The first half saw the Bronchos go on multiple runs with the biggest be-
ing a 12-0 run. The Bronchos ended the first half with a 37-20 lead. Kelsey Johnson with 12 points and 7 rebounds. “We played good and aggressive, the intensity level was high and we got a lot of touches,” Hardaker said. The second half the Hillcats Samariah Thompson scored 18 points, but the rest of the team wasn’t able to make shots; they shot 32% in the second half. “We were up and I took them out of the press, we started to turn the ball over a lot and Samariah started to get hot. I told them this might get close,” Hardaker said. “I put them in the zone to try to stop their comeback.” The Bronchos improved their record to 12-6.
UCO men, women split games vs Northeastern State
UCO forward Kaci Richardson searches for open teammates on Feb. 20 vs the Northeastern State Riverhawks at Hamilton Field House. (Provided/Broncho Sports)
Rudy Barnes @rudybarnes15 Contributing Writer
Women's basketball: The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos won their last home game of the season against the Northeastern State Riverhawks 86-68. Senior forward Kaci Richardson was honored before the game and didn’t let the emotions of the last home game of the season affect her performance. Richardson scored a career-high 20 points. “My main focus was to come out and have fun tonight and play for my team,” Richardson said. Richardson had tied her career-high of 14 points at halftime and added onto it in the second half until the lead was big enough for the Bronchos head coach Guy Hardaker to bring in the bench. “Just looking at the smiles on my
teammates' faces and the crowd being very vocal helped me stay focused to get the good looks and put shots in,” Richardson said. At the end of the first half, the Bronchos had a 43-31 lead and shot 48% from the field compared to 30% from the Riverhawks. The Bronchos also had made seven 3-pointers coming from their starters. “I was really happy with our performance. Kaci was hitting her shots. She can make shots but it’s been a long season and finally everybody can see what she’s capable of doing,” Hardaker said. “The team played well in the first half. We moved the ball around, got good looks, and the ball went through.” In the second half, the Bronchos continued to outscore the Riverhawks on the way to the win. Bronchos forward Kelsey Johnson dominated the boards and ended with another double-double of 18
points and 18 rebounds. She is second in both of those categories in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Johnson is averaging a double-double for the season. “Kelsey is phenomenal and she is a force when she’s out there. We just have to keep feeding her the ball and great things will happen,” Hardaker said. Men's basketball: The Northeastern State Riverhawks beat the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Saturday 84-72. The Bronchos honored their two seniors before the game, forwards Isaiah Wade and Alex Ogunseye. Wade is the second leading scorer on the team, averaging 13.7 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounding with 9.2 rebounds per game. The game was a close and contested affair in which both teams took leads and answered each other's runs. The Bronchos Callen Haydon and Cam Givens tied the team in scoring with 21 points each. The Riverhawks Troy Locke led his team in scoring with 20 points, but the team also had four other players with double digits in points. The deciding factor for the game was the Bronchos shooting only
37% to the Riverhawks 53%. UCO was averaging 89 points per game through seven games in February, but they shot just 36 percent Saturday afternoon. “We had good effort, just not good decisions. They played harder than us, and they got us tonight,” Bronchos head coach Bob Hoffman said. The Bronchos trailed at halftime 43-37. Isaiah Wade played only three minutes due to being in foul trouble. “Wade was in foul trouble early, so I had to take him out. I tried to get him some minutes here and there,” Hoffman said. The second half saw the Riverhawks as a team contribute on both ends of the floor to go on big runs to get the lead up to 16 points. The Riverhawks big men Obi Agu and Trey Sampson were able to control the paint, stop drives, and also get easy looks for scores. The addition of the Riverhawks’ long-range shooters getting open shots was just too much for the Bronchos to reduce the lead. The loss puts the Bronchos record at 10-8. The Bronchos have not yet clinched a playoff berth and have four games remaining all on the road. UCO forward Cam Givens looks to start the offense against the Northeasten State Riverhawks Feb. 20 at Hamilton Field House. The junior from McKinney, Texas scored 21 points in the 84-72 loss. He is the third-leading scorer on the Bronchos. (Provided/Broncho Sports)
6 | The Vista
February 23, 2021
Counseling/Art
More students utilizing virtual counseling
Counseling Center continuing online service during pandemic Lilli Myers Contributing writer
The University of Central Oklahoma Counseling Center continues to offer its services online and through Telehealth. The counseling center has been holding virtual appointments since March in response to COVID-19. The virtual walk-in hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Students seeking counseling services must complete an online request before being seen by a clinician. After the form is completed, one of UCO’s clinicians will call the patient to talk about what they are experiencing and what could be a helpful solution. More students have been using the counseling services during COVID-19, said Laressa Beliele, an associate professor and chairperson of the Donna Nigh Department of Advanced and Special Services. Beliele, who has been working for UCO full time since 2011, said the clinic she supervises “The clinic I supervise “serves not only UCO students but also their family members as well as persons in the community. ” “The pandemic and consequent isolation has been difficult on the mental health of our students,”
(Provided/Pixabay.com)
Beliele said. “Although there is a great variance, relationship feeds the emotional needs for everyone.” “This affects the ability of students to progress mentally and physically,.” Beliele said. One of the greatest challenges to virtual counseling is the inability to reference body language, Beliele said. “Building rapport between the client and the professional becomes even more important,” Beliele said. ScienceNews.org writer Sujata Gupta wrote a sto-
ry in January regarding mental health among college students during COVID-19. “Even before the emergence of the novel coronavirus, U.S. college students struggled with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders at higher rates than the general population,” Gupta wrote. “Many college students are grappling with a new social environment, struggling to figure out their careers and worrying about finances, says Matthew Browning, an environmental psychologist at Clemson University in South Carolina.” Although online counseling has brought with it new challenges, Beliele said, some positive things have come out of it for the counseling center. “This venue,” Beliele said, “has also allowed the clinic to reach clients who would not be able to attend face-to-face.” The counseling center says on its page, “Please know that no matter what the recommended steps, we can move up or down the steps with you so that you can achieve the goals you set for yourself.” The counseling center’s clinic letter says it “serves a tri-fold mission: “1) to provide training for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling; 2) to provide counseling and services to individuals and families in Edmond and the surrounding areas; and 3) to advance knowledge in the fields of counseling.”
Melton Gallery explores themes of social justice and race Christina Bass Contributing writer
Social justice, the divides between us, and the Tulsa Race Massacre are all themes of upcoming events at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Melton Gallery. The “Ada Trillo: La Caravana Del Diablo,” gallery features Trillo’s photo documentary series of the migrant caravans traveling through Central America to the Mexico-U.S. border. The free exhibit is open now until the closing ceremony 5-7:30 p.m. on March 4. Another exhibit coming to the Melton Gallery is “The Spaces Between,” which features Eyakem Gulilant’s photo documentary series and independent short films from the Oklahoma Cine Latino Film Festival. “The Spaces Between is about the larger or more macro view of the barriers we place on people whether that be physical boundaries between countries or barriers we place on people’s achievements when we seek to marginalize them,” said Veronica Cianfrano, Melton Gallery’s Curator. Gulilant’s photo series documents the remnants and thriving occupants of north Tulsa and Boley, Oklahoma, and in part of his series he uses appropriated stills of news and reality TV footage of immigrants and migrants seeking to cross the border. “I researched the film festival and the work of Eyakem in my search to find artists and arts organizations whose work links thematically to social justice issues,” Cianfrano said. This exhibition opening ceremony will be 5-7:30 p.m. on March 11, and it is free and open to the public with an RSVP email to Melton Gallery.
Oklahoma-based photographer Eyakem Gulilat’s “Site Unseen” photo series, “The Spaces Between” exhibition, will be on view in March 11-April 22 at the UCO Melton Gallery (Provided/ Eyakem Gulilatvv)
There will be a gallery talk with Gulilant 6-7 p.m. on March 25. The closing reception is 5-7:30 p.m. on April 22. The exhibit also honors the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. “The Tulsa Race Massacre is one of many examples of white supremacists destroying a community and killing black people for achieving financial success, Cianfrano said, “and to this day, much of the historical accounts taught in school particularly surrounding race and white violence do not paint an honest picture of events.” On May 30, 1921, a Black teen named Dick Rowland was falsely accused of raping a white woman. An inflammatory report in the May 31 edition of the Tulsa Tribune spurred a confrontation between
an armed mob of white people and Black people. The white mob gathered around the courthouse where the sheriff and his men had barricaded the top floor to protect Rowland. On June 1, 1921, the Greenwood District was looted and burned by white rioters. They burned businesses and homes over an area of 35 city blocks and historians estimate that 300 people were killed. Cianfrano will have three of Eyakem Gulilant’s documentary photo series in the exhibit including Site Unseen, which investigates the history and violent erasure of Black Wallstreet, The Promise Land, which documents the parallel lives of the inhabitants of Boley, Oklahoma, and In His Security Theater, which are appropriated stills of news and reality TV footage.
Masks/Vaccine
The Vista | 7
February 23, 2021
UCO child center adjusts to changes Lillian Meyers Contributing Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Child Study Center is a half-day program where students and faculty can take their kids at a discounted rate. Cristy Smith has been the director for the Child Study Center for 19 years. Smith maintains the center to meet regulations for DHS child care licensing and accreditation, enrolls new children in the program, supervises UCO students in the classroom as they participate in working with the children, and helps teach in the classroom. Because of COVID-19, the Child Study Center has reduced the number of children they take from the normal 20 to 10 for this semester. The Child Study Center has also had a decrease in enrollment. Smith stated: “Some families who were scheduled to attend the program decided to keep their child home due to other family members who have medical concerns or just wanting to stay safe in their own bubble.” Children are required to wear masks. Just like most schools, even young children wear masks throughout the day at school apart from when they are eating or drinking. Smith stated: “They are doing a great job of wearing a mask and know that there is a virus that can make us sick. We talk about germs frequently and remind each other about hand washing.” Because every child is distinct, they will all react differently to wearing a mask. A document released in August by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Funds, advises: “It is recognized that children may reach developmental milestones at different ages and children five years of age and under may have the dexterity needed to manage a mask. Based on the do no harm approach, if the lower age cut-off of two or three years of age is to be used for recommending mask use for children, appropriate and consistent supervision, including direct line of sight supervision by a competent adult and compliance need to be ensured, especially if mask wearing is expected for an extended period of time.” The “do no harm” approach is to remind the public
Children may need more accomodations for mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.(Provided/Pixabay)
to consider childhood developmental milestones, compliance challenges, and autonomy required to use a face mask properly when requiring masks for children according to WHO and UNICEF. Baylee Driver is a student at OSU-OKC and young mom to a 3-year-old. Driver said that her daughter has no problems wearing a mask. Driver stated: “Even if she complains about it, I don’t have an issue with that. She pulls it down sometimes but never makes a fuss when I pull it back over her nose. I don’t plan long outings with her so she’s comfortable in the mask while we are out.” While some children have no issues wearing a mask, it affects other children differently. “Several studies found that factors such as warmth, irritation, breathing difficulties, discomfort, distraction, low social acceptability and poor mask fit were reported by children when using masks,” according to WHO and UNICEF. Riley Bogle is a special needs paraprofessional at
Yukon Middle School. She works with special needs children who have a variety of needs “It was a constant challenge keeping the masks on,” Bogle stated. “The children range from behavioral issues to sensory sensitivities. It can be very overwhelming for even us to have our face covered. Think of everything being amplified for our special needs kids.” School for a special needs child offers more challenges than a child with no disorders. Things like wearing a mask may look different. According to WHO and UNICEF, “Children with developmental disorders or disabilities may face additional barriers, limitations and risks and therefore should be given alternative options to mask wearing, such as face shields Policies on masks should be adapted for children with disabilities based on social, cultural and environmental considerations.” Bogle stated: “Lots of people don’t understand what our friends go through unless they experience them firsthand.
UCO vaccine clinic quickly reaches capacity Continued from Pg. 1
paramedics. 2. Individuals 65 or older. 3. Adults 18 or older with comorbidities, including asthma, cancers, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and/or suppressed immune system. 4. Teachers and staff working in a pre-K-12 setting. 5. UCO Nursing and other health care staff with direct patient care in their roles.
Appointments can be canceled using a link in the confirmation email provided by Passport Health or by contacting them at myclinic@passporthealthok.com or 405-563-8961. There has been no evidence of any ineligible people who have signed up and/or received the vaccine at previous campus clinics, Nobles said. Phase 2 was introduced Monday, meaning that over one million Oklahomans would newly qualify for the vaccine. Due to the large population, sign-ups for the clinic were full barely an hour after it was announced. “If Passport informs us that there
are open appointments, we will communicate that to the campus community,” Nobles said. “It does not appear that they have a waitlist option available.” The upcoming vaccine clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the former location of St. Mary’s Church at 312 E. Main St. (corner of Main and University Drive). Those who are eligible and have registered for the clinic are asked to bring a completed consent form (https:// www.uco.edu/coronavirus/uco-vaccine-clinic), proof of age, school identification and proof of employment (if
applicable). Participants who bring a copy of their health insurance ID card will receive the vaccine free of charge. Those who do not have health insurance must present a valid driver’s license or social security number to receive the vaccine for free. Face masks are required at the appointment. UCO and Passport Health plan to hst weekly vaccination clinics until the end of the spring semester, according to Nobles. Future details will be sent out via UCO email.