Volume 116, Issue 15
the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
FSI Receives Wildlife Conservation Grant Megan Thele @1bigtime
Copy Editor
The W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute received a $150,000 grant through the Kirkpatrick Foundation to create a DNA sequencing network for wildlife research, protection and conservation. The DNA sequencing network will be the first of its kind, known as the Rapid Online Wildlife Identification Network. It will become the first wildlife forensics DNA sequencer that can be accessed globally and compiles data from researchers around the world. “The ROWIN project has been an ongoing project in my lab for two years and we are still in the process of developing the technology,” said James Creecy, assistant professor of The external of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Institute on June 18 before any work has been done. The UCO Forensic Science Institute recieves a $150,000 grant from the Kirpatrick Foundation for wildlife conservation research (Katy Kortemeier/ The Vista).
Continued on page 4
UCO Plans One Stop to Combine Them All Christian Tabak @CaffeineWallace Editor-In-Chief
After years of existing as a department without an official office, the Broncho One Stop will finally a find a home this fall in the University of Central Oklahoma’s Nigh University Center. Renovations to the south end of the NUC’s first floor will combine the Undergraduate Academic Advisement office and the Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment office into one unified office space, according to Dallas Caldwell, senior director of Enrollment and Financial Services at UCO.
“We are in the middle of the process now, in terms of shifting our mindset and our approach to improving customer and student service,” Caldwell said. “The exact layout and composition is still being discussed as we try things out and gauge student reactions over the summer.” One Stop will combine the offices of Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Student Records, Academic Advisement and Graduation Support Services. It will also create a new “SelfHelp” area for students to receive guided help at workstations for issues such as online course registration or digital transcript requests. Elimination of students having to
go from office to office waiting in line to solve issues with enrollment or financial aid during the university’s peak periods of activity in January and August is the project’s primary goal, according to Dallas “For some of the more difficult issues, we love the idea of a student who is sitting with her or his advisor being able to pull in a financial aid counselor for a few additional questions, rather than having to set up a separate appointment or go down the hall and wait to be seen,” Dallas said. To aid in this goal, One Stop will also include a new queue management system. The system will allow students to virtually join the line for One Stop’s services from anywhere
Outside of the Financial Aid office on the first floor of the Nigh University Center a poster hangs to tell students and faculty they will soon be moving locations. (Regan Rosson/The Vista) Continued on page 3
OKLAHOMA NEWS
BRONCHO SPORTS
OCPA Officially
Meet UCO’s Greatest Export
Opposes SQ788 on pg. 4
on pg. 6
2
June 19, 2018
the
VISTA
CONTENTS
ACM/One Stop..................................................................3 SQ788/Forensic Grant........................................................4 Luper.................................................................5 Martin/Draft Preview...........................................................6 Bucking Broncho.................................................................7
STAFF
Christian Tabak Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Regan Rosson Megan Thele Alejandro Gonzalez Evelyn Stewart Rani Spindle Austein Brown Savannah Melher Cici Simon James Jackson Derek Parker Teddy Burch
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Sports Reporter Sports Reporter Adviser
THE VISTA
LETTERS
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.
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On the Cover:
Bottom Left:The Oklahoma State Capitol in downtown Oklahoma City. (Regan Rosson/TheVista)
Bottom Right: J.T. Luper, 2, pulls in the ball and dives for the end zone. (Vista Archives)
Contents
ACM/One Stop
June 19, 2018
3
ACM Students Take on OKC Music Scene Cici Simon @CiciSimon Reporter
Over time, Oklahoma has become a hotspot for musicians and Academy of Contemporary Music students at the University of Central Oklahoma have taken new leaps in downtown Oklahoma City. Lauren Cheney, booking agent at Aorta Music and UCO music alumni, said being in the music business is both stressful and rewarding. “I had dreamed of helping with festivals and live events since I was in middle school, so being in it and doing my part as an adult is very fulfilling.” Cheney said. Cheney said UCO was a significant help when searching to join the music industry. “Learning from performers and industry professionals who have done it all their life gave me a realistic view of the industry and the options available,” Cheney said. According to Cheney, this experience also deepened her love of music in areas like listening techniques. While Cheney has found a career she is passionate in, she thinks Oklahoma’s music scene still needs some changes, especially in attendance. “It is embarrassing to attend shows
in the state that hardly or don’t break even, while the same artists can easily sell out shows in other states,” Cheney said. “I think the scene has become more friendly and accommodating and accessible, but we need more crowds of people interested in art and music in our state.” Cheney thinks that Oklahoma City does not have the developed scene for all genres. “[It becomes difficult] when I do book a band and there’s no crowd and no money for them at the end of the night,” Cheney said. New music and new artists are what Cheney said she wishes more people cared about. “As an agent/promoter, I feel responsible and terrible when this happens, but it does happen sometimes,” Cheney said. “Especially trying to book weeknights on a less-frequented side of downtown.” As Cheney continues to help Oklahoma’s music scene, the state’s musical numbers only continue to increase. For UCO alumni Chase Evans, he still finds connections even after leaving the music industry. “I was in school for record production, but I started working in the music equipment industry while
Outside of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Music Building, where many students involved in the Edmond music scene have class. (Samantha Karbelk/The Vista)
I was still in school,” Evans said. “While that wasn’t quite what I was going for, it was an amazing place for networking and meeting a ton of new people.” Evans said he feels Oklahoma is afraid to push boundaries. “No one is willing to tell someone ‘Hey that song isn’t as good, maybe try this instead,’” Evans said. “We, at times, are complacent with mediocrity because we don’t know what we
actually need to work on.” Evans said the recording scene in Oklahoma has amazing studios. “Bell Lab, Blackwatch, 33rd Street, have amazing producers, but on the reverse side, there are some insanely unprofessional studios being run here,” Evans said. “I know budget plays a factor in where you can record, but sometimes it’s worth [it] to work somewhere unfamiliar with other producers.”
UCO Plans One Stop to Combine Them All Continued From Page 1 while informing them of their wait time at regular intervals. The queue management system will also provide One Stop with usage reports and other user analytics, as well as a phone-based survey on the student’s experience with One Stop. “If we notice a trend that students are coming in greater volume during June to ask specific enrollment questions, we can shore up our staffing and refresh training ahead of that time to make sure that our services are operating at peak efficiency,” Dallas said. The new One Stop will also provide offices such as Financial Aid an opportunity to focus on processing student applications while still addressing student needs, according to Financial Services Director Susan Prater. “The One Stop staff’s main purpose is handling student’s questions about their financial aid eligibility and providing a high level of customer service in providing answers
and resolutions,” Prater said. “This allows our financial aid processing staff to focus on the processing of student financial aid applications more efficiently and effectively.” Renovations for the new office space will begin in September and construction is expected to last approximately six to eight weeks. The final cost for the project is still unknown, although Caldwell said the expenses will be allocated from a mix of one-time sources and existing operational budgets. While the idea for a single office where students can address all their needs has been a popular topic in higher education for several years, Caldwell said he was first exposed to it during a strategic enrollment management conference seven years ago. “Our current One Stop is more an ethereal representation of what has been our goal for a long time now,” said Caldwell. “It is, effectively, a call center that operates for most areas of Student Affairs and is currently housed in the back of what was the Financial Aid office.” Specific inspiration for UCO’s One
Stop came from Johnson County Community College in Kansas, along with consideration of the models of other schools that have transitioned to a similar model over the last five years. While some campuses have been able to dedicate entire buildings to a One Stop service, Caldwell said that UCO’s primary limitation at this point is a lack of space to contain every service a student might need
for enrollment. Other offices that could be integrated into the One Stop model in the future include Veteran Student Support Services and the Career Development Center. “As we move forward, we want to make sure that what we are doing works and is what our students want,” Caldwell said. “The possibilities are only limited by our imaginations and our willingness to adapt.”
On the first floor of the Night University Center at the Center for Undergraduate Academic Advisement, a worker helps a student with setting up an advisement appointment at the university’s current One Stop on June 18. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)
4
June 19, 2018
SQ788/FSI
OACP Officially Opposes SQ788 Katie Standlee @katiestandlee
Managing Editor
Legalizing medical marijuana in Oklahoma is one of the state questions that Oklahomans will vote on June 26 in the primaries, but recently the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police released a press release opposing the statute. Steve Emmons, Executive Director for the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police said the department had four main concerns with SQ788. “There is a lot of vagueness to it there’s lot of officers that are uncertain of what the ramifications are going to be because they don’t address several different issues in there [in SQ788],” said Emmons. The first concern OACP has is the potential increase in traffic accidents with injuries and deaths. The way SQ788 is written exempts prescribed patients from Oklahoma’s Zero Tolerance Law. Emmons said this means that if someone were to get pulled over under the influence but is a prescribed patient that the officer will have to make enforcement decisions on the
spot. OACP’s second concern is the difficulty in being able to detect the levels of THC in blood. Emmons said as of right now there isn’t something similar to the breathalyzer for THC testing. “That’s one of [the problems] is the unknown for the officers, more people on the street that are going to be intoxicated and not being able to have a simple measurement process for that such as we have with alcohol,” said Emmons. The third concern for OACP is the possibility of patients with prescriptions going to work while under the influence of marijuana. Emmons said the measure does not currently allow an employer to act on someone testing positive for THC. “There are going to be some labor restrictions, I assume, that are going to come into play here, but right now those things don’t exist with marijuana. Especially marijuana and a prescription for usage that’s the unknown part of it.” said Emmons. A higher concentration of the chemical agents causing intoxication is the fourth concern for OACP. Emmons explained this as the potential
for someone to make a stronger strand than what was grown decades ago with the main concern being that this could result in overdoses. Despite OACP’s concerns after a statute is passed it can be rewritten and some these concerns could be changed. John Wood, UCO political science professor, said there are people who are concerned with how medical marijuana would be set up in Oklahoma, but pointed out that there are 30 examples of other states who have
er that is needed to make ROWIN work.” As the first global network, researchers at UCO will work with national and international partners and researchers to create a DNA trail and thus reduce illegal plant harvesting and animal poaching. “The use of ROWIN will aid in the enforcement of the laws that protect endangered wildlife,” Creecy said. “ROWIN removes a lot of time and effort from the analysis of DNA from casework samples, and therefore more samples can be processed and, in theory, more poachers will be caught and prosecuted.” Students and researchers will be able to work with the DNA sequencer in the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Research Center after it opens in the fall. The Kirkpatrick Foundation annually funds about $3 million in grants and charitable activities in the Oklahoma City area in the arts and culture, historic preservation, education, environmental conservation and animal wellbeing fields. “Because of this grant from the Kirkpatrick Foundation, our students
will be able to train on the newest DNA sequencing technology available,” Creecy said. “This is not limited to students in the FSI, but also students in the CMS. I fully expect to see this instrument being used in laboratory classes.” The Center for Wildlife Forensic Science and Conservation Studies was created two years ago as a collaboration between the Forensic Science Institute and the College of Mathematics and Sciences. Creecy said this partnership is the backbone of their recent success and he believes it will continue to produce
had this set up some being conservative like Kansas. “I think it is doable, I think that there is a lot of fear though, people think that this is going to be a way to justify recreation on it,” Wood said. According to SoonerPoll.com the approval rate for SQ788 is at 57.5 percent and the opposing rate is at 29.6 percent. If SQ788 passes Oklahoma would be the 31st state to legalize medical marijuana.
A yard sign is displayed outside of a house near the University of Central Oklahoma’s campus in favor of State Question 788. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)
FSI Receives Wildlife Conservation Grant Continued From Page 1 biology with the FSI. “The standards in the field of Forensic Science are very very high, as they should be. So, our focus now is improving the process and making sure that when it is fully released that it will stand up in court.” Creecy said that while the technology in ROWIN is new to wildlife forensics, it is not new to science as a whole. The technology has come into use for forensics much later because it is now being used to solve crimes through next-generation sequencing and a DNA purification protocol. “It is a series of bioinformatic programs that are used to determine the species of a biological organism,” Creecy said. “In the end, we get figures and statistical data to support the identification of a species.” The grant will go toward the equipment needed for the wildlife research. The UCO Center for Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Studies will use it to link specific genetic information to endangered plant and wildlife species for the network. “The grant funds will be used to buy an Illumina Miseq,” Creecy said. “This is the next-generation sequenc-
high-quality science in the coming years. “The passion that CFACS, FSI and CMS have for wildlife conservation and protection is a huge part of why we work to solve these problems,” Creecy said. “I also feel that the past successes of the FSI and CMS gave the reviewer's confidence that UCO knows how to manage these types of grants. And finally, I would like to think that ROWIN is a creative and important project. The size and scope of our project has the potential to change how Wildlife Forensics is done all over the world.”
“The use of ROWIN will aid in the enforcement of the laws that protect endangered wildlife,” Creecy said.
Sports
5
June 19, 2018
SPORTS
Meet UCO’s Greatest Export
Former UCO wide receiver J.T. Luper catches a pass over a Central Missouri defender during an Oct. 28 game at Wantland Stadium. He now catches passes for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. (Vista/Archives)
Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Editor
Former University of Central Oklahoma wide receiver J.T. Luper can’t believe he’s a professional football player. “It’s a great honor and something I’ve always dreamed about from the moment I picked up a football,” Luper said. “I feel like it’s good to show people that no matter how hard your situation is that there can be a positive outcome.” Following a standout senior season that saw him finish with 101 receptions for 1,544 yards and 12 touchdowns, all single-season school records and led all divisions in receiving yards and Division II in receptions. Luper waited for 256 picks, but didn’t hear his name called. “It was anxious and nerve racking,” Luper said. “My feelings were everywhere.” That all changed after he received a phone call from the Tennessee Titians. “It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders,” Luper said. “It was an opportunity to make a name for myself on such a big platform.” After the three-day rookie mini-camp the Titians chose not to sign Luper.
“It was fast paced and a first taste of the NFL and how they do things,” Luper said. “Within the three days I was there; I learned a lot. It’s not so much a game anymore as it is a job.” On May 25, Luper posted a picture on his Instagram story waiting at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with his passport in hand and Canadian flag emojis across the screen. He was headed to Edmonton to play for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. After arriving to training camp late, Luper was forced to take mental reps in the first preseason game. However, in the second game he quickly made his presence felt. “I got my first action in the second half and almost took back the kick return for a touchdown on my first touch,” Luper said. “I’m still learning the game but picking it up real fast.” There are some major differences between the American and Canadian game. For starters there are 12 players instead of 11. There are three downs instead of four. The field is wider and the field goal posts are in front of the endzone instead of the back. “The rule changes on special teams and the different motions are the
most difficult things I’ve had to pick up here,” Luper said. In the CFL a single point, or rouge, is awarded to a team who prevents a returner from escaping his own endzone. There are no fair catches. A rouge is also awarded in cases of missed field goals if the kick crosses the goal line. Offensively, all receivers can be in motion before the snap and defenders must be a yard behind the line of scrimmage. Luper is also adjusting to life off the field in a new country. “I’m still dipping and diving into
things for the most part,” Luper said. “It’s very different from the states. Every day I’m learning new things.” He credits UCO for helping him prepare for this moment. “The way we did things from a terminology standpoint and how we ran things portrayed the way it’s done at the professional level,” Luper said. Luper and the Eskimos won their season opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-30 in a game that lasted a CFL record five hours and 40 minutes due to lightning delays. He didn’t see any action.
Former UCO wide receiver J.T. Luper Smonton holds up football at the end of a game. (Vista/Archives)
6
June 19, 2018
NBA/Cross Country
NBA Draft Lottery Preview Travis Wilson @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
With the NBA draft fast approaching, teams are vigorously reviewing their draft boards and scouting reports in hopes of picking the right fit for their franchises. With continued talks of the traditional ‘big man’ disappearing from the NBA, mainly due to the recent success of small ball, this year’s draft could become a possible step toward ending that discussion. The latest mock draft, according to insider Jonathan Givony, has either pure centers or players who can play both center and power forward positions going within five of the first six picks. At the top of every teams’ list is Arizona’s Deandre Ayton. The 7-foot-1-inch center is a physical specimen who provides both size and talent in the post. Ayton also shows potential to develop an outside game. Nonetheless, he should be able to contribute from day one. Professional scouts and all NBA mock draft boards have Ayton going to Phoenix, which has the number one overall pick. He would provide the Suns with a ‘big man’ to build around. The Sacramento Kings have the second pick of the draft and are expected to select Duke’s Marvin Bagley III. Bagley, a six-foot-11-
inch power forward, was the Atlantic Coastal Conference Player of the Year. The power forward could be a small-ball center, while potentially grabbing a high volume of rebounds. Another ‘big man’ high on draft boards is University of Texas center Mohamed Bamba. At 7 feet tall, Bamba is long and can block shots. He finished last season ranking second in the country in blocked shots, averaging 3.7 blocks per game, and fourth in total blocks with 111. Bamba is already being compared to the likes of shot-blockers Rudy Gobert and Clint Capela. Draft boards have him landing at the six spot with the Orlando Magic, which is desperately in rebuilding mode. University of Missouri freshman Michael Porter, Jr., despite suffering a back injury that limited him to just three games with the Tigers, is fifth on the mock draft boards and is presumed to land with the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the wariness, he is a pure shooter. Just under 7 feet tall, along with his length, Porter, Jr. can be a valuable weapon. The top 10 draft order is: Phoenix, Sacramento, Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, Orlando, Chicago, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia. Oklahoma City does not have a first round pick. The 2018 NBA Draft will take place June 21, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (No. 13) shoots in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado, in Tucson, Ariz. Ayton could be the Phoenix Suns choice with the No. 1 pick in this month’s NBA Draft. (AP Photo/Rick
UCO Coach Runs off to Retirement Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Editor
After 14 years, University of Central Oklahoma cross country head coach J.D. Martin announced his retirement, effective June 30. “I feel very fortunate to have done this for so long,” Martin said. “I think UCO is a great school and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. It’s a first-rate school and a great place to work. But it’s time for me to go.” Martin came to UCO in 2004 after seven years of retirement. He retired from the University of Oklahoma after 33 years of coaching both cross country and track and field. He was tasked with establishing a year-old program. “I said I’d help them get things going and maybe stay on for a couple of years,” Martin said.
He showed immediate results, leading UCO to a runner-up conference finish, earning coach of the year honors in the process. He quickly realized he wanted to stay for more then a couple of years. “I was enjoying coaching and enjoying being around the kids,” Martin said. “UCO is such a good place to be and the only thing I had to do was coach the girl’s cross-country team. It was a great fit and I really enjoyed it. I knew I was here to stay.” Martin also doubled as the team photographer. “I’ve been enjoying that hobby since high school,” Martin said. “I’ve got just a ton of old photos and scrapbooks with so many pictures. It was really special to me that they put that together.” This season his team finished 19th
in regionals and had three top-five finishes in six races. “I’m going to miss that so much. I kind of do already,” Martin said. “But there is never a chance to have
a clean break. There are always going to be new kids that you get attached to. At some point you just have to walk away. That point is now.”
Cross Country coach J.D. Martin lines up his camera for a picture. He announced his retirement June 12. (BronchoSports)
Bucking Broncho
7
June 19, 2018
Sports with Derek Parker
Sports Reporter
@D_Park2
NBA Teams Courting the King It’s happening again. Lebron James, one of the greatest players of this generation or possibly any generation, has another decision to make. James has been one of the most prolific athletes of this generation. He is one of the most dominant players in any professional sport, making the NBA finals for 9 straight years. However, every four years James has a decision to make. In 2010, James had to decide whether to stay in his home state of Ohio with a less-than-adequate Cleveland Cavaliers team, or team up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. The Heat’s ‘Big 3’ went on to win back to back titles in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, James made the decision to return to the Cavaliers and team with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. In 2016, the Cavaliers became the first ever team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, defeating the Golden State Warriors. In 2018, the Warriors completed a 4-0 sweep of the Cavaliers, and James has another decision to make. Welcome to The Decision: Part 3. James has options. Not many teams can say they don’t want one of the greatest players of all-time. James basically has his pick of whatever team he wants to join, but only a handful of teams have a spot in the Lebron James Sweepstakes. The Cavaliers, despite making the NBA finals, had a disappointing year. They revamped their team mid-season, adding several fresh faces. Despite the revamp, the Cavs seem to have lost the trade. If Cleveland doesn’t add a big superstar for James, they’re in danger of losing the greatest player in the league. The Lakers have one of the biggest markets in the NBA. They have the second-most titles by a franchise with 16, and have a long history of all-time greats. James could soon be added to the list alongside Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. So far, the Lakers have cleared enough cap space for two maximum contracts, meaning they can pay even the biggest stars the money they need to
Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James shoots over Golden State Warriors’ JaVale McGee during the first half of Game 4 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
bring them Los Angeles. They are gunning for James and Paul George. Paul George could opt to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join another superstar in his hometown. Kawhi Leonard, star forward for the San Antonio Spurs, has recently expressed his discontent with the organization, and has requested to be traded, preferably to the Lakers. If the Lakers land James, George and Leonard, a new super-team could be forming in the Western Conference. This year, the Rockets took the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals. They’ll soon have the reigning MVP James Harden, and a veteran point guard, who happens to be one of James’ best friends, Chris Paul. If James is looking to win and win now, the Houston Rockets is the way to go. If the Rockets could add James in free-agency, but signing the threetime champ will take its toll on the bench. While the Rockets would have a superstar trio in James, Paul and Harden, the rest of the squad would be a hollow shell of the 2018
team. The 76ers are one of the youngest soon-to-be contenders in the NBA, and it just so happens James and Ben Simmons are close. If James is looking to play off-the-ball with much less responsibility, Philadelphia has that option. In his 15th year, James was just as active as he was his rookie year. As a point-forward, he takes the ball up the court, despite being 6’8. With the 76ers, James could play a true forward position alongside Joel Embiid and Simmons, who also plays the point-forward role. James going to the 76ers is one of the less-likely scenarios, but interesting none the less. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off a disappointing season. While adding James to OKC is among the least-likely scenarios, it would be a ton of fun. Having two of the most athletic and explosive players in Russell Westbrook and James, alongside Paul George, would create a ‘Big 3’ of their own in OKC. James coming to Oklahoma City and winning a cham-
pionship, something Kevin Durant couldn’t do, is definitely a decision everyone could get behind. The Decision: Part 3 will affect the entire NBA. Wherever James lands will automatically shoot the team into title contention. James is set to make his decision July 1st.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James shoots over Golden State Warriors’ Nick Young during the first half of Game 4 of basketball’s NBA Finals. (AP Photo/ Tony Dejak)