The Vista March 5, 2019

Volume 117, Issue 7

the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Committee on Diversity Needs Your Help Katie Standlee

@katiestandlee Managing Editor

At the request of University of Central Oklahoma President Don Betz, the University Committee on Diversity is inviting the UCO community to take a survey called the Diversity Initiative Inventory for the Spring semester.

This is in an effort to collect data on diversity initiatives and projects on campus, as well as to get feedback on what the university could do better to address diversity and inclusivity on campus. The survey is open to all current UCO students, faculty and staff.

“A lot of the diversity and inclusion work is started from the ground up, so the individual department or program may have a project that it is doing and outreach or some kind of training or Continued on Pg. 6

Diversity Round Table students gather to pose while attending the Summer Retreat on May 25, 2017 at the University of Central Oklahoma. (Provided/Jordan Broiles)

Former UCO Adjunct Killed in Double Homicide Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg Sports Editor

A former University of Central Oklahoma adjunct professor and his wife were found dead early Monday morning in Edmond.

According to Jennifer Wagnon, Edmond Police Department public information specialist, Edmond Police Edmond police has identified Michael Elijah Walker, 19, (left) in Monday’s double homicide. He is accused of shooting his parents, Rachel May Walker, 44, and Michael Logan Walker, 50. (Provided/Edmond Police Department)

OKLAHOMA NEWS

Trump Announces Need for 5G and 6G Technology

responded to a 911 call at 2:31 a.m. and found Michael Logan Walker, 50, and his wife Rachel May Walker, 44, dead of multiple gun shots wounds.

Officers encountered the suspect Michael Elijah Walker, 19, in the home with a weapon. Police communicated with Walker through the PA system on their cars and were able to talk him out of the home without incident. A handgun was located inside the home.

Michael Elijah Walker was placed under arrest and was interviewed by detectives. He was transported to the Oklahoma County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder.

Michael Logan Walker was also active at the UCO Jazz Lab. A juvenile, 17, was identified as the 911 caller who informed dispatch that he heard gunfire 10 minutes before the phone call and that his brother was still in the house.

“He is my brother and he shot my parents,” the 911 caller said.”My father is in his room on the floor and my mom is by the front door on the floor.”

The shootings took place near Bryant Avenue and East Covell Road.

While there was no known motive, Edmond Police Department is continuing their investigation.

BRONCHO SPORTS

Softball Wins Weekend Series

See Pg. 7

See Pg. 13

2

the

Mar. 05, 2019

VISTA

CONTENTS Grand Opening/Schools......................................................3 Around Campus ...................................................................4 Activity Fees/Schools............................................................5 Diversity/India......................................................6 Lord/5G............................................................7 Closing Procedure..............................................................10 Reappointment/Unity Bill.....................................................11 Dominate.................................................................12 Runs In...............................................................................13 Short............................................................................14 Bucking Broncho.................................................................15

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.

On the Cover:

Left: President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to the National Association of Attorneys General, Monday, March 4, 2019, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/ Jacquelyn Martin)

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.ads@gmail.com.

Right: University of Central Oklahoma outfielder, Lexy Dobson, celebrates with teammates after scoring during a game last season. Dobson and the Bronchos swept Oklahoma Christian University.

(Vista Archives)

Contents

STAFF Christian Tabak Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Tanner Laws Megan Thele Skyler Baldwin Vy Luong Michelle Pennza Yi Wen Wong Lauren Morris Madison Bolton James Jackson Derek Parker Samantha Karbelk Gerald Leong Teddy Burch Alex Brown

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Co-Copy Editor Online Editor Design Editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Sports Reporter Sports Reporter Photographer Photographer Adviser Advertising Specialist

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Grand Opening/Schools

Mar. 05, 2019

3

International Market Hosts Grand Opening Anthony Mellendorf @TheVista1903

Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma's Housing and Dining, International Affairs and Campus Enterprises offices unveiled the new International Market that features international cuisine on Feb. 21.

The International Market is in the Transformative Learning Quadrangle, or the Quad, which is located on the northeast side of campus. The Quad features pod-style living in addition to the new dining option for students.

The International Market joins the lineup of food options on campus at UCO, which includes offerings such as Buddy’s Cafeteria, 2nd Street Subs, Flatire Burgers, Broncho Sports Grill and 1890. It offers a variety of snacks from around the world and a rotating menu of hot foods such as ratatouille from France, kebabs from the Middle East, udon noodles from Japan and gyros from Greece.

Timothy Kok, director of International Affairs, said the opening went well, and he was happy to work with such good partners on getting the market opened.

“It was meaningful and nicely done, thanks to the effort by our colleagues

Students looking around inside the International Market on Feb.21 at the Quad located on the northeast side of campus. The market features international cuisine with variety of snacks and hot food around the world. (Provided/Lauren Bieri)

in the Campus Enterprise department, Chelsea Ratterman and Scott Monetti,” Kok said.

Former student Athena Gonzalez said that she wishes that there were more options when she was at UCO. “I remember that there weren’t enough food options, at least good ones, when I was attending the uni-

versity,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also said that because UCO is a commuter school, it needs to try and market better food options to commuter students.

“UCO is probably over 75 percent commuters. They do not do a good enough job of providing affordable and good food options to its students,

at least while I was there,” Gonzalez said. “It seems that may have changed, which is great for the university.”

Kok said he was not sure how many students showed up for the opening, but that Ratterman and Monetti are working to make sure that they evaluate the market and the food needs of students and faculty on campus.

Pathway to Greatness Closes 15 Schools Yi Wen Wong @TheVista1903 Reporter

The Oklahoma City Public School District's “Pathway to Greatness” program will be closing and repurposing 15 schools across the district, but the College of Education and Professional Studies has said closures will have little impact on University of Central Oklahoma teacher candidates.

James Machell, dean of CEPS, said the “Pathway to Greatness” program is a very comprehensive approach to improving learning opportunities for all students in the OKCPS District.

“I compliment Superintendent [Sean] McDaniel and other district leaders in making this bold move,” Machell said. “It will be a big change and will take time for everyone to adjust, but this type of large-scale change has been needed in the district for many years.”

For UCO students who are teacher candidates in the schools that are closing, there will be changes made on their clinical site assignments.

Machell said that this will not be a

major problem.

UCO alumni John Porter, who graduated with an Elementary Education degree, is currently teaching in Linwood Elementary School, one of the schools that will be closing according to the plan.

“Superintendent McDaniel said that they will have jobs for all highly qualified teachers; he plainly said that they are only rehiring highly qualified teachers, meaning that he does not want to rehire emergency certified teachers,” Porter said.

Porter said he believes that some change is needed in Oklahoma City Public Schools, but not this type of change. He said he dislikes the program and does not believe it will be effective.

“No transportation, no proof of how were going to save money, some schools are rumored to be over max capacity with the change, increased hardship on many families, closures of schools that have been successful for over 100 years and moving fifth graders into middle school,” Porter said. “I wish he would reduce the number of school closures to maybe five.”

Porter said Linwood has been open for 107 years and served around 500 students, one of the highest attendance rates in the Oklahoma City school district, so he did not understand why the school is closing.

“I personally asked our superintendent that question when I went to the meeting and he would not give me a direct answer,” Porter said.

Katie Friddle, part of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, said she is concerned about the program.

“For my child, she will be sent to a lower-performing school with no physical connection to our neighborhood, which is disappointing. I think from studying the documents that we will have thousands of children who currently walk to school, who will now be sent to a school that is too far to reasonably walk, but not far enough for the bus,” Friddle said. “I do believe students need and deserve the same resources and manageable class sizes district-wide, but I’m not convinced we’ll really get there.”

Friddle also said she believes that they have a large part of the population that remains uninformed and

has not been able to participate in the decision-making process. She said their district serves many families that have limited English and she is worried that they do not know much about the program.

“Again, all parents want their kids to have resources, small class sizes and qualified teachers, and if the district can achieve those things that will be great,” Friddle said. “But I worry about the toll the plan will take in implementation.”

Applications for transferring schools will start in March and the program will continue to develop until 2022.

According to OKCPS, the program aims to build a culture of learning and collaboration among teacher, promote stable and positive school cultures, enable better PK-12 curriculum planning for students, support educators to increase teacher effectiveness and establish necessary conditions for growth and success at our highest-need schools.

For more information about the “Pathway to Greatness” program, visit www.okcps.org.

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Mar. 05, 2019

Around Campus

Members of the University of Central Oklahoma Budo Club perform kendo, a tradtional Japanese martial art, at the Japan Night hosted by the UCO Japanese Student Association on Mar. 1 at the International House Ballroom (Gerald Leong/ The Vista)

Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2019 English Society Spring Bake Sale: The English Society will host a Spring Bake Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the College of Liberal Arts lobby. All proceeds will benefit the English Society and their upcoming 11th Annual Language and Linguistics Conference.

Women’s History Month 2019 Kickoff: The University of Central Oklahoma Women’s Outreach Center and the Association of American University Women at Central will host the Women’s History Month 2019 Kickoff at 2 p.m. in the Will Rogers Room of the Nigh University Center. The keynote speaker for the event is civil rights pioneer and educator Joyce Henderson. Henderson will share her experiences as a member of the NAACP, her experiences with Clara Luper and more.

Life Skills Around Eating: This free and confidential group meets from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Thatcher Hall Room 328. The group will discuss and focus on the affect regulation approach to eating disorders and will teach how to handle stress triggered by food.

UCO Baseball vs Oklahoma Baptist: The Bronchos baseball team will face off against the Oklahoma Baptist Bisons from 5-8 p.m. at the Wendell Simmons Field at the University of Central Oklahoma campus.

Sushi Rolling Night: The Asian American Student Association and

Japanese Student Association will host Sushi Rolling Night from 6-8 p.m. in the Grand Ballrooms of the Nigh University Center. The event will teach attendees how to roll sushi, how to dine with each ingredient and the history of sushi, as well as other Japanese cultural expressions such as a Japanese calligraphy demonstration and taiko drum performance by the Hibiki Drummers.

Anchor Weekly Meeting: Christian student organization Anchor will host their weekly meeting from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Cherokee Room 213. The event will feature food and activities.

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2019 English Society Spring Bake Sale: The English Society will host a Spring Bake Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the College of Liberal Arts lobby. All proceeds will benefit the English Society and their upcoming 11th Annual Language and Linguistics Conference.

This Month With SPB: The University of Central Oklahoma Student Programming Board will host This Month with SPB from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center.

Members will hand out calendars for the month of March so campus can keep with what the student organization is doing.

Athletes - Nutrition, Body Image and Performance Panel: The University of Central Oklahoma Peer Health Leaders will host a discussion nutrition and athletes from 1-2 p.m.

in Sports Performance Center Room 202. The discussion will address issues of nutrition, eating disorders among athletes and the impact these have on athletes before, during and after games.

Non-Traditional Student Support Group: This group is designed to help non-traditional students find support at UCO with others students who can relate to your life experience and share resources to help meet personal needs and ensure success at UCO. The meeting is from 2-3 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 322.

African Student Association General Meeting: The African Student Association will host a general meeting from 4-6 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 314.

College of Liberal Arts Book Signing Event: The College of Liberal Arts will host a book signing event featuring College of Liberal Arts professors from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Cherokee Room 213. The event will feature presentations on new books, an open question and answer forum for discussion and opportunities to open a dialogue with faculty.

Thursday, Mar. 7, 2019 Stress Paws: Come take a stress “paws” with therapy dogs from 3-5 p.m. on the Nigh University Center fourth floor.

Book Talk with Dr. Farina King: The University of Central Oklahoma will host a book talk with Farinah King, assistant professor of history at Northeastern State University, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Center for Transformative Learning Room 109. She will discuss her new book, The Earth Memory Compass: Dine Landscapes and Education in the Twentieth Century. Books will be available for puchase at the event.

Friday, Mar. 8, 2019 Chill Skills: This group works to reduce conflict in your life; identify triggers, patterns and purpose of anger; gather more tools for enhancing communication, boundaries and healthy relationships. The group meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Nigh University Center Room 322.

LGBTQ Support: From 1-2 p.m. in Nigh University Center Room 322, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will host a support group for those considering coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and those who have recently come out. Anyone who identifies as LGBTQ, is questioning or unsure can meet and talk about various topics around sexuality, gender and other life issues.

A Life Worth Living: This group works on skills for improving boundaries and strengthening healthy relationships, enhancing sense of self and ways to manage distress. The group meets from 2-3 p.m. in Thatcher Hall Room 328.

Activity Fees/Free Speech

Mar. 05, 2019

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UCOSA Approves Bill to Split Activity Fees Lauren Morris @TheVista1903 Reporter

The University of Central Oklahoma Student Association approved a bill last week calling for a student activity fee increase to be split into two separate fees specifically for athletics and campus activities in order to make the student activity fee process more transparent.

On Feb. 25, UCO’s Student Association held their weekly session where they passed three bills: CR19-201, CFR19-206 and CFR19-207.

CR19-201 was a bill created by Congressional Chair Tate Atkinson to ask administration split the student activity fee into two distinct fees: one fee for a dedicated athletics activity fee and another for other campus activities.

Currently, the athletics cost is under student activities. Atkinson’s argument is that by making a separate fee for athletics and a separate fee for other campus activities, the current $14.50 fee that students pay every semester per credit hour will be more transparent.

“Forty-six percent of the student activity fee goes to fund our athletics teams on campus,” Atkinson said.

He also said this would not raise student fees unless administration decided to raise it; CR19-201 is only asking that the fees be divided up in a different way in hopes to be more transparent to students.

The bill was passed unanimous-

From left to right, James Limbaugh, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Jordan Medaris, congressional vice chair, Tate Atkinson, congressional chair, and Emily Grim, congressional secretary. Limbaugh speaks about bill CFR19-206 that passed for three organizations to receive money. (The Vista/Lauren Morris)

ly and the legislation will be sent to President Don Betz, president-elect Patti Neuhold, Vice President of Student Affairs Myron Pope, Provost John Barthell, Assistant Vice President Cole Stanley and Business Manager Teresa Metzger.

CFR19-206 was a bill created by the Ways and Means Committee Chair, Sen. James Limbaugh, to allocate money to student organizations.

The bill was passed unanimously.

CFR19-207 was a bill created by Senator Megan Watkins to allocate money towards campus organization Broncho Barkers. The bill was passed

unanimously.

In total, $13,550 was allocated in the meeting. Esports at UCO would receive $1,850 for their Heartland Community Showdown at Kansas State University. Tomorrow’s Alcohol and Drug Counselors of America would receive $200 for food and $500 for programming. The National Society of Black Engineers would receive $4,500 to go to ‍The National Society of Black Engineers' 45th Annual Convention in Detroit.

Broncho Barkers would also receive $500 for bandannas and name tags, $2,000 for printing promotion,

$2,000 for dog office items such as water bowls, leashes and dog beds, and $2,000 for a kick-off event that would serve as an introduction to the therapy dogs for students, faculty and staff.

By the end of next semester, Broncho Barkers has said they would like to have 10 therapy dogs. All of the funds that Broncho Barkers does not use will be given back to the Student Association.

The next UCOSA meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. on March 11 in the Will Rogers Room, Room 421, of the Nigh University Center.

Trump to Issue Order Protecting Campus Free Speech WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Saturday he would soon sign an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal resources.

Trump is highlighting concerns from some conservatives that their voices were being censored, whether on social media or at the nation's universities. He did not go into more detail about what the order would say, but his comments immediately drew scrutiny from those who noted that public research universities already have a constitutional obligation to protect free speech.

"An executive order is unnecessary as public research universities are already bound by the First Amendment, which they deeply respect and honor," said Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. "It is core to

President Donald Trump invites to speak in the podium to Hayden Williams, a field representative of the Leadership Institute, who was assaulted at Berkeley campus speaks at Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2019, in Oxon Hill, Md., Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

their academic mission."

Trump invited Hayden Williams to join him Saturday while he addressed activists attending the Conservative Political Action Conference. Wil-

liams was punched Feb. 19 while on the campus of University of California, Berkeley. He was recruiting for the conservative group Talking Points USA.

Two men approached and one punched him during a confrontation captured on student cellphones. University of California, Berkeley police arrested a suspect, Zachary Greenberg, on Friday.

Williams, who had a black eye, told Fox News that the men objected to a sign that said "Hate Crime Hoaxes Hurt Real Victims."

Neither Williams nor Greenberg are affiliated with UC Berkeley.

Trump told the audience Saturday that Williams "took a hard punch in the face for all of us." Meanwhile, Williams said many conservative students face "discrimination, harassment or worse if they dare speak up on campus."

Trump offered no details about what the executive order might say about what has become a thorny issue on college campuses.

6

Mar. 5, 2019

Diversity/India

Committee on Diversity Needs Your Help Continued from Pg. 1

curricular initiative, and we wanted to gather all of these in one comprehensive report,” said David Macey, assistant vice president for Global and Cultural Competencies.

Currently chaired by Macey, membership on the committee is appointed by the university's president and has representatives from every area of the university. The mission of the committee is to assess campus climate for inclusion and diversity, to make recommendations to UCO’s leadership about things that the committee should do to enhance that climate and to develop resources for promoting inclusion and diversity.

However, Macey said that this survey is made up of converging efforts from the committee, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Diversity Round Table.

The survey itself said that the inventory is designed to capture the multiple diversity initiatives occurring across UCO. The purposes of this survey are to provide a comprehensive overview of diversity initiatives at UCO, to foster collaborations

across departments working toward similar goals and to assist with institutional strategic planning initiatives.

MeShawn Conley, director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and a committee member, said that the committee is currently in the data gathering stage, but has been discussing the development of the diversity strategic plan. Conley is also coordinating and tracking responses to the survey.

“What we do know is that we have some really awesome programs at UCO that promote and support diversity in terms of preparing students to be culturally competent citizens, but what we want to make sure is that we continue to grow on that path,” Conley said.

There is no deadline for the inventory, but Macey said throughout the spring semester the committee will be putting together the report and continually going back and looking at the results.

“At a certain point toward the end of the semester, we are going to need to be finalizing the report so that we can pass it along and present it to the current President Betz and to the incoming President Neuhold,” Macey

said. “However, part of our plan is to continue to have surveys and focus groups available on a regular basis, we are aware that campus climates shifts and changes to incidents and circumstances and we want to keep up to date on that.”

One of the first steps in this diversity strategic plan has been Diversity Discussions with students, faculty and staff. These have served as a focus group for UCO community members to voice their thoughts and concerns.

“These sessions have provided the opportunity for faculty and staff members and students to discuss their ideas of where we are at on campus and what they like that we are doing and what they would like to see different in what we are doing,” Conley said. “One part of that is the diversity initiative inventory, this is an attempt to try capture all of the diversity work that is going on across campus.”

The last faculty and staff Diversity Discussion was scheduled for last Wednesday but was canceled due to inclement weather. However, the focus group is rescheduled for Mar. 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the Liberal Arts Faculty Lounge.

Macey said the University Commit-

tee on Diversity will also meet Mar. 13 to begin reviewing and discussing the results received up to that date from the online survey and the focus group discussions. He said the committee will also continue to receive, review and discuss additional results as those come in after that meeting.

The last time the committee put out a survey of this magnitude was four years ago, and so Macey said a part of this is a routine look at how the university is doing in terms of diversity and inclusivity.

“A longer term goal is to repeat this process on a regular basis,” Macey said. “So that we have a way of mapping over time the progress that we are making, but honestly also the progress that we are failing to make so that we can address those.”

For those interested in filling out the Diversity Initiatives Inventory it can be found at uco.co1.qualtrics.com or at the web page for the University Committee on Diversity.

“I would just encourage everyone to please respond,” Macey said.

“These instruments and surveys are most valuable if the maximum number of people participate.”

UCO Co-Hosts Gender Conference in India Madison Bolton @TheVista1903 Reporter

The Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center at the University of Central Oklahoma is co-hosting a conference in Varanasi, India on March 7 over Gender Issues in the New Millennium.

“This is truly an international conference; participants from India and the U.S. will be discussing specific gender issues in their own countries and how to collaborate,” said Lindsay Churchill, director of the Center.

The Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center have been planning the trip since October 2018, when a professor that attended one of their conferences at UCO asked to collaborate.

“One of the people that connected me this group in India was a professor who had connections to Banaras Hindu University,” Churchill said. “He attended the 3rd International Gender and Sexuality Studies Conference in October 2018 and enjoyed our conference so much that he told his colleagues about this and we decided to collaborate and create a conference

together.”

Jennifer Phillips, a graduate student at the UCO, is one of the seven students attending and presenting her work at the conference in India.

“My presentation is [on] the history of human sex trafficking in the U.S.,” Phillips said. “It’s been kind of tricky to talk about the history of something that’s kind of a black-market thing."

Phillips is currently working on getting her master's degree with a focus on human trafficking in the Western hemisphere.

“I’m...talking about the laws we’ve put in place, how to help children because a lot of human trafficking has to do with child trafficking,” Phillips said. “[I'm also] talking about the money, the programs and organizations that are out there to help people that aren’t just local, but worldwide as well.”

Phillips will give her presentation on March 7 and on March 9 at another meeting, where Churchill will be giving a keynote speech about the future of women's studies.

“It's such a good group of people that are going to this and they are just excited,” Phillips said.

Jakey Reavis, Andrew Hedges,

Students from the University of Oklahoma prepare to catch a flight to India to attend a conference on Mar. 7 for Gender Issues in the New Millennium. (Provided/Asheley Middleton)

Marco Salas, Asheley Middleton and Joshua Arbital are the other six students who will be attending the conference, as well as presenting their own work.

“Josh has done a wonderful job working with the Center as a Sexual Health Ambassador, as well as a researcher (in collaboration with OU medical students) about diversity in the medical field,” Churchill said.

Banaras Hindu University has a vibrant women's studies community and feminist activist community, according to Phillips and Churchill.

“I hope to have an exchange with other students and scholars about their

gender programs and how they compare to what we are doing in Oklahoma,” Churchill said. “I also am excited to learn from scholars in the field of Women's and Gender Studies.”

There is already talk about next year's trip, according to Phillips.

However, Phillips said she is excited to experience the culture and take in as much as she can for now.

“I am honored that our students and the Women's Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center can be a part of this and co-sponsor such an event,” Churchill said. “These discussions are critical and having them in India will teach us so much.”

Lord/5G

Mar. 5, 2019

7

Lord Awarded with Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Lauren Morris @TheVista1903 Reporter

Wayne Lord, UCO professor, has received the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence, an award given to what the Oklahoma School Foundation for Excellence considers to be outstanding educators in public schools.

A University of Central Oklahoma professor received the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence, an award given to outstanding educators in public schools by the Oklahoma School Foundation for Excellence.

Wayne Lord is a forensic science and biology professor; he teaches classes in histology; parasitology; entomology; Oklahoma field biology; medicolegal forensic science; wildlife forensic science; crime scene processing and forensic interviewing.

The other recipients of the award were Catherine Adams at Piedmont Elementary School; Michelle Church-

well at Eisenhower High School; Rick Cobb, superintendent of MidDel Public Schools; and Keith Strevett at the University of Oklahoma.

Medal winners will receive the award at the Academic Awards Banquet on May 18 at the Renaissance Tulsa Convention Center. In addition, they will receive a $5,000 cash prize and glass “Roots and Wings” sculpture by late Oklahoman artist Ron Roberts and produced by Tim Brown of Edmond.

“Dr. Lord fully integrates his lifelong experience into his teaching,” said Dr. Wei Chen, dean of the UCO College of Mathematics and Science.

“He not only teaches his students textbook materials but also introduces students to real-world scenarios in the fields of forensic science or in biological science. He advocates real-world problem solving through practice.”

Lord has a bachelor's degree from Eastern University in Pennsylvania, a Master of Science from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of

New Hampshire. For almost 30 years, Lord served as an FBI agent in the New Haven and Metropolis Field Divisions and came to UCO to teach in 2008 after retiring from the agency.

Brenda Wheelock, director of Communications and Development at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, said that the process takes about two and a half months. Anyone is allowed to nominate someone for the award (a student, administrator, colleague, parent or someone in the community), which is due in November. After a board, led by Tulsa attorney Teresa B. Adwan, makes their picks, the recipients are then named in February.

The only criteria for professors, according to Wheelock, is that they are full time.

“Teaching is the most important profession in our society, yet it has not received the recognition and respect that it deserves,” Wheelock said. “By creating the Medal for Excellence in Teaching Awards, we want to send a message that we value Oklahoma public school teachers and honor the

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has named Wayne Lord, Ph.D., professor of biology and forensic science at the University of Central Oklahoma, as one of the winners of its 2019 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence award.

(Provided/UniversityCommunications)

important work they do. We also want to recognize them as role models who encourage others to aspire to excellence in their profession.”

UCO Students Working on 5G Technology with Community Madison Bolton @TheVista1903 Reporter

President Donald Trump announced in a tweet on Feb. 21 that he wants to see 6G technology as soon as possible in the United States alongside 5G as "it is far more powerful, faster and smarter than the current standard."

“5G is the fifth generation of cellular services,” said Nesreen Alsbou, professor in the University of Central Oklahoma's Engineering and Physics Department. “So, we started with 1G, which is the first analog phone, then we went to 2G where we used the SMS messages. Then we went to 3G where we had the higher data transfer and then with the 4G and 4GLTE, what we are currently using, is smart phones and their various capabilities.”

According to Alsbou, many are marketing 5G to be twenty times faster, as well as a high bandwidth that would let users be able to do several things at a single time.

“Currently the maximum data rate that we have is 100 megabits per second. With 5G they are currently promising us up to a maximum 10 gigabits,” Alsbou said.

This will be a huge improvement, according to Alsbou, and will let users download anything in a short amount of time.

“You will be able to download a movie in a split of a second,” Alsbou said. “Fornite, what kids and adults are playing, with 5G they are promising it will be a completely different world with augmentation reality and virtual reality.”

Alsbou said the transfer into 5G poses some advantages and disadvantages. The high bandwidth that would allow users to do more than one thing at a time online, in a matter of seconds, is an advantage for 5G. However, the higher range of frequencies this takes would be a disadvantage.

“To go to higher frequencies for the signal to be transmitted you will need the towers to be very close to you,” Alsbou said. “Therefore the disadvantage is they need to install cellular towers between houses.”

According to Alsbou, this could mean that there would be a cellular tower located every four or five houses.

“There would be so many towers everywhere, they would also be putting antennas in the stop signs, ads, signs for churches, signs for schools,” Alsbou said. “There are different groups that are worried about all these different electromagnet waves and fields to be everywhere around us.”

The cellular towers for 5G do not have to be very high, according to Alsbou. As of now, the cellular towers for 4G and 3G are high because they

cover a large area.

Companies have already started working on making the transition.

There are currently ongoing 5G trials in Oklahoma City as it was chosen as one of 12 cities in the United States to the 5G for AT&T customers in December.

“For customers of AT&T they selected different residential areas where they gave them a hot spot router at no cost for the first three months and asked them to try 5G,” Alsbou said.

Last year Verizon was one of the first international and American companies to get 5G up and running, according to Alsbou. They are running trials in four cities and now heading to a fifth city.

“It is going to be really expensive; like for Verizon, they give the router free for the first three months but after that, you have to pay $500 for the router,” Alsbou. “For the data itself, it’s going to be limited, it will be 15 gigabytes.”

4G data is unlimited, so if a user wanted to make the transition to 5G, Alsbou said it depends if customers want less data or faster internet.

“There is a different feeling about it; do people want the data to be limited again?” Alsbou said.

Internet of Things is a research and technology development lab on campus that is currently developing de-

vices to take advantage of 5G. The smart system would send a notification to the parents, or owners of the car and if they do not respond in time, the notification would be sent to your local fire department to take action, according to Alsbou.

Other projects that IOT’s research lab is working on include building a microwave imaging system and correction of image artifacts in medical images with the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, carto-car communication and collision avoidance systems with the Department of Transportation and they are also working on a project with the largest trucking company in Oklahoma.

Albou said these projects require very high internet speeds, and although 4G can work, 5G will make the projects perform a lot faster.

IOT’s teaming up with these companies and working on projects with them has created many opportunities for the UCO engineering students involved. Alsbou said they are opening the lab up to a UCO students and the Oklahoma community for ideas IOT can work on and make happen.

“I think with 5G will change our life in many ways where IOT will be integrated more and play a bigger role in our daily activities by having faster internet and the ability to run many applications at once,” Alsbou said.

10

Mar. 5, 2019

Closing Procedure

UCO Defrosts Winter Closing Procedure

Vy Luong

@vy169 Online Editor

As the University of Central Oklahoma has closed three times and delayed opening once in the last month due to inclement weather, students have expressed frustration over social media regarding the process by which the university decides to close campus.

According to Adriene Nobles, assistant vice president for University Communication, the president makes the decision on all campus closures.

They base the decision and its timing on current conditions, weather forecasts, information from UCO staff including Public Safety and Facilities Management, other campus and school district responses to conditions and in consultation with others as may be needed.

“The factors that are really important is can the campus conditions be brought to a safe condition in time for our staff and our students to come to work and enter into class,” said UCO President Don Betz.

On Feb. 27, the university announced all classes and offices would be closed at noon with a message sent out at around 11:15 a.m. Earlier on Feb. 19, a Central Alert was sent out at noon to announce the closing at 2 p.m. and on Feb. 7 the university announced its closing at 5 a.m.

“An important variable is personal judgment based on the conditions you have where you are,” Betz said.

“Your individual safely begins with a personal decision.”

Betz said that when the weather turns bad, he and other staff start to connect with each other at around 4 a.m. and try to make the decision by 5 a.m., which will allow students and faculty to have enough time to adjust their schedules. They also monitor the

A water fountain is seen partially frozen outside of Old North on Jan. 26 at the University of Central Oklahoma. (Sarah Lauffenburger/The Vista)

weather overnight to have an overall look at the condition.

“The idea is to make it to the decision as early as possible with as much information as you possibly could have so you can make an accurate decision,” Betz said.

Betz said Norman Nieves, director of UCO Emergency and Management services, will get in touch with weather stations locally and nationally to get an accurate forecast.

“It's very hard to predict the weather in Oklahoma any time, but especially hard to do so in the winter and that's because conditions change so dramatically,” Betz said.

UCO Police Chief Harp contacts other schools in the metro areas while Fred Fieth, UCO facilities manager, will make sure the staff salts and cleans the sidewalks and parking lots.

“We make our decisions independent of others, but their perspectives are useful for us to review,” Betz said.

“There has not been a circumstance in

Broncho Lake sits behind an old bicycle on Mar. 3 at the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO has had three closings for all classes and one delayed day. (Sarah Jekel/ The Vista)

recent years where all of our fellow universities in the region closed, and we remained open, though the exact timing of the closures may vary.”

On Feb. 27, there were 26 wrecks reported to the Edmond Police Department, according to EPD Public Information Officer Jennifer Wagnon.

The Oklahoma City Police Department posted on their social media that there were at least 46 injury accidents that morning.

While around 60 percent of UCO students commute to class, Betz said that around 4,000 to 5,000 students and faculty live on campus or close to campus that walk to school. He said the crews usually start to clean the sidewalks and parking lots early in the morning before most others get up. Betz and other staff also monitor the road conditions when they drive to campus.

“The institution makes decisions, not on the worst-case scenario for the student live the furthest away, but on what safety factors we have in mind to make sure that the campus is functional,” Betz said.

The university also encourages students to contact their instructors and professors if they do not feel safe going to class. While many students express that some professors do not accept weather as an excused absence, Betz said he have discussed the issue many times with the faculty.

“I know there's always going to be exceptions and it's never going to be perfect, but the faculty are strongly encouraged to appreciate the safety concern,” Betz said. “I do understand this issue and we will continue to have discussions with the faculty senate executive next week.”

As stated on UCO website, UCO does not follow public school systems. While public schools build snow days into their annual schedules, UCO does not extend the school year when days are lost. The loss of class period affects academic programs at the university, therefore universities are less likely to close for inclement weather conditions.

The Oklahoma City Public School District has a policy that a temperature of 10 Fahrenheit degrees, or a wind chill of five Fahrenheit degrees or below, would prompt administrators to close schools for the day. On Mar. 4, the wind chill in Edmond was minus 1 Fahrenheit at 11 a.m., according to the National Service Weather website.

“OKCPS has a wind chill review threshold because of the students waiting outside for buses; not an issue for us,” Betz said. “No other universities in the metro region have closed [Mar. 4] due to the low temperatures.

Universities are a more accurate frame of reference for us at UCO as they also serve adult learners not bussed to the institutions as happens in the school districts.”

Betz said the university usually closes campus during the breaks between classes and they monitor to know how many students are at school at each hour. He said students can contact the Office of Academic Affairs or himself if they have any questions about the closing decision.

Nobles said based on university reports, since 2016 there has only been one delayed opening, one complete closure and seven early closures, with six for winter weather and one for severe spring weather.

Reappointment/Unity Bill

Mar. 5, 2019

11

Stitt Drives Rhoades Reappointment Jorge Gil

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

The reappointment of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner was put on hold due to an investigation involving the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Rusty Rhoades of Choctaw served 28 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and was appointed as commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety by former Governor Mary Fallin in 2017. Rhoades was reappointed as commissioner after an investigation involving an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain.

The investigation began internally before being overseen by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter. The investigation was over the accusation that OHP Captain Troy German blackmailed Rhoades to receive a promotion or to set a political appointment at the state level.

German allegedly threatened to reveal information of improprieties involving Rhoades and OHP Chief Michael Harrell in the promotional process of Captain Brian Orr. Rhoades was threatened with this informa-

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signs the permitless carry bill into law, as legislators look on, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

tion by German himself when they met at two locations.

These two meetings were held last September. The first meeting was held at a northwest restaurant, and the second meeting was held at a coffee shop in Midwest City.

The OHP Facebook page released a statement regarding the investigation.

“The indictment of Mr. German is the culmination of a thorough internal investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol into not only the blackmail allegation by Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, but also a rigorous and com-

prehensive inquiry into all statements and evidence provided by Mr. German regarding alleged improprieties in the promotional process within the agency,” the statement said.

Attorney General Hunter conducted his own investigation, which then went to trial with a grand jury.

“OHP cooperated fully with Attorney General Mike Hunter and his staff in their independent review of the internal investigation, and fully supported the decision to escalate the matter to the grand jury,” OHP said.

German pleaded not guilty but was

found guilty on one charge of blackmail at the Oklahoma County Court.

Rhoades, Harrell and Orr are not facing any criminal charges.

After the investigation, Governor Kevin Stitt reappointed Rhoades as commissioner of public safety; Stitt also reappointed Major General Michael Thompson as adjutant general.

“Both are deeply committed to the safety and protection of the state and people of Oklahoma, highlighted by their impressive depth of experience and passion to serve,” Stitt said.

is set to be heard by the Senate in the coming weeks.

The bill, authored by House Majority Leader Jon Echols, institutes guidelines for seed-to-sale tracking, inspections and testing for pesticides, metals and the potency of marijuana products.

Edmond resident Carol Peterson goes to a dispensary twice a week as the caretaker for her disabled husband.

Peterson said she hopes the new guidelines help patients get what they think they are paying for.

"Many dispensaries are selling products that have the potency marked on them, but it's hard to get dosing right for my husband when the numbers are made up," Peterson said.

HB 2612 passed through the House on a 93-5 vote. Aaron Cooper, communications director for the Oklahoma Senate Pro Tempore, said there was a lack of partisanship.

"There hasn't been a great deal of dissent on this, and I think that is largely because both sides of the aisle are working to address concerns like public safety and bank laws," Cooper said. "Nuanced issues like this require bipartisan cooperation."

A public safety concern among both supporters and opponents of medical marijuana is gun ownership. HB 2612 adds language to SQ 788 that allows licensed medical marijuana patients to legally carry a firearm.

Rep. Shane Stone, D-Oklahoma City, is one of the five to vote against HB 2612 and said he fears that clarifying language for gun ownership could be a slippery slope, as it goes against

federal drug and firearms laws. He also has concerns about where patients are allowed to consume and grow cannabis.

HB 2612 clarifies where a cardholder can smoke or vaporize marijuana in public, allowing consumption anywhere tobacco use is permissible.

However, according to Stone, regulations for private cultivation and consumption as a tenant fail to cater to the patient's best interest.

"This bill gives landlords the ability to discriminate against tenants who wish to grow and use cannabis at their residences," Stone said.

Page 31 Section C of the bill has language that protects a residential or commercial property owner that chooses to prohibit the consumption of medical marijuana via smoking or vaping. Other forms of consumption like edibles would still be allowed.

Also in HB 2612 is language that further defines "safety-sensitive" jobs, which have been some of the biggest concerns of those who oppose the bill.

The Senate Rules Committee is set to meet Mar. 5 to review the bill. If approved, it will then be voted for on the Senate floor.

Unity Bill Clears the House Floor Jeff Elkins

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

Oklahoma House Bill 2612, also known as the "Unity Bill," which adds clarifications and regulatory substructure for the state's medical marijuana program, cleared the house floor and

In this Nov. 7, 2018 file photo, an attendant weighs marijuana at the Far West Holistic Center dispensary, in Detroit. The Oklahoma House Bill 2612, passed on Feb. 25, adds clarification and regulatory substructure for the state’s medical marijuana program. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

12

Mar. 05, 2019

Dominate

SPORTS

Bronchos Dominate Home Finale

University of Central Oklahoma guard Madison Lee dribbles during a Feb. 21 home game against Fort Hays State University at Hamilton Field House. The senior led the Bronchos with 17 points in her final home game. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)

Ryan Dunn

@TheVista1903 Reporter

The University of Central Oklahoma women’s basketball team had four players score in double-digits that resulted in a win against Emporia State University on Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos hit 14 3-pointers on 46.7 percent shooting from behind the arc to help close out their third straight win to wrap up the regular season.

“We came out aggressive and got off to a great start,” said head coach Guy Hardaker. “Things are a lot easier when you’re knocking down shots, but I thought we did a nice job moving the ball. Our defense and rebounding was good as well, especially in the first half.”

The Bronchos held ESU to 27.3 percent shooting from the field and

at one point in the game, UCO was up by 30 points. UCO also controlled the boards as they out-rebounded ESU 49-41 and tacked on 24 assists that accounted for 30 made baskets.

UCO came out shooting from behind the arc to start the game, hitting six of their first eight 3-point shots in the first five minutes to jump out to an 18-2 lead.

Ireon Smith hit the first two-pointer in the game, followed by four more points to give the Bronchos a 24-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bronchos pushed their lead to 24 points after a Micayla Haynes made 3-pointer followed by a fastbreak layup to end the half with a score of 44-20.

UCO came out of the half hitting consecutive 3-pointers and were quickly up 30 points (50-20).

Emporia tried to comeback, scoring 11 unanswered points, but the Bronchos responded with a 9-0 run

after a Haynes’ 3-pointer and backto-back layups by McKenna Pulley.

Emporia outscored UCO 25-15 in the final quarter but the Bronchos

“Things are a lot easier when you’re knocking down shots, but I thought we did a nice job moving the ball.”

Guy Hardaker closed out the regular season at home with a win at 78-62.

Madison Lee led the Bronchos as she scored a season-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Smith

followed as she had 16 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

Haynes contributed with 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Blake Blessington had a night to remember as she moved into the No. 20 place on the UCO all-time scoring list and No. 8 on the UCO all-time rebound list as she scored 12 points and six rebounds.

UCO finished the regular season with a record of 18-11 and finished 9-10 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play.

The Bronchos finished seventh in the final conference standings which earned them a spot in the MIAA Tournament. UCO will play Missouri Southern State University in the first round at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. with tip-off at 8:15 p.m.

Runs In

Mar. 05, 2018

13

Softball Runs In 12th Straight Win

University of Central Oklahoma infielder JoBi Heath prepares to swing during a home game this season at Wendell Simmons Field. Heath hit a two-run double at the top of the tenth inning to break a scoreless tie and a an eighth inning two-run home run in the win. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)

James D. Jackson @JamesDJackson15 Sports Reporter

The University of Central Oklahoma continue to pour onto their streak as they have now won 12 in a row.

On Friday, the No. 15 ranked Bronchos topped Oklahoma Christian in their double-header at Tom Heath Field.

The Bronchos, in the two games combined, outscored OC 9-6.

“Those were two intense, hardfought games and we were fortunate to come out on top both times,” said UCO Head Coach Cody White. “Our girls just battle. They compete every inning and refuse to give up.

In UCO’s first matchup, with Oklahoma Christian the Bronchos would storm back in the sixth inning to overtake the Eagles 7-5.

After trailing 4-1 through the first three innings, the Bronchos would score one in the fifth and then three in the sixth to take the lead. Oklahoma Christian would tie it backup in the bottom of the seventh.

The Bronchos forced two runs over the plate in the top of the eighth with a Jobi Heath homer scoring her and Bailey Thompson who opened the inning with a single.

The Bronchos as a team recorded 13 hits as Lexy Dobson batted 3 of 4 and Allie Eicher, Carli Jones and Hazel Pueumpel all had two hits. Halley Randolph led the team in RBI’s with four.

“Those were two intense, hardfought games and we were fortunate to come out on top both times. Our girls just battle.”

Cody White Freshman Pitcher Bailey McKittrick improved her overall record to 6-0.

In UCO’s second matchup, with OC McKittrick started again and threw 152 pitches striking out 11.

McKittrick went the full 10 innings not given up her first hit until the seventh.

As the game was scoreless in the 10th inning, Heath would again score

the two winning runs, this time with a double.

Heath batted just 2-10 throughout both games. Her two hits both giving the Bronchos the lead in each game.

“JoBi didn’t have a great day at the plate overall, but she came through with two big-time hits when we really needed them,” White said. “She’s just a clutch hitter. And Bailey was incredible. OC has a really good offense, but she just shut them down.”

OC would score one run in the bottom of the tenth but McKittrick would

then end the game with a strikeout.

The Bronchos are 16-1 on the season their only loss coming by a then No.9 ranked Texas A&M-Commerce.

The Bronchos will hit the field again Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. as they battle NorthWest Missouri in a double header.

The Bearcats are 3-5 overall on the season as they did not start their season until February 9.

In the 2018 season the Bronchos fell 1-2 against Northwest Missouri State overall.

University of Central Oklahoma pitcher Bailey McKittrick prepares to throw a pitch during Saturday’s home game against Oklahoma Christian University. The freshman threw 152 pitches in UCO’s 7-5 win. (Provided/BronchoSports)

14

Mar. 05, 2019

Short

Men’s Basketball Falls Short On Senior Day

University of Central Oklahoma forward Adarius Avery, No. 10, drives to the goal during a Feb. 21 home game against Fort Hays State University at Hamilton Field House.

Avery led the Bronchos with a season-high 37 points along with 11 rebounds in their 100-95 loss. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)

Marcus Powell

@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma men’s basketball team fell to Emporia State University 100-95 to end the 2018-19 season.

Adarius Avery led Central with a

season-high 37 points and added 11 rebounds and went 16 of 22 from the field. Colt Savage added 16 points, going two-for-four from the threepoint line. Josh Holliday added 13 and Dashon Bell added 10.

The Bronchos shot well from the field with 54.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-

point range.

“I’m proud of our guys for the tough fight,” said head coach Tom Hankins. “They battled the entire game, and although we didn’t come out on top for our final game, I can’t say enough about this group of guys and how they continued to fight and play hard every game.”

“I’m proud of our guys for the tough fight. I can’t say enough about this group of guys and how they continued to fight and play hard every game.”

Tom Hankins

University of Central Oklahoma guard Colt Savage shoots during a Feb. 21 home game against Fort Hays State University. Savage scored 16 points in the Bronchos 10095 loss to Emporia State. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)

The game went back and forth in the first half, neither team keeping the lead too long. The Bronchos took the lead with five minutes left when Holliday hit a long three-pointer.

The Hornets answered, but their lead was short-lived. Bell took his man one-on-one to score the easy

layup. Savage hit a three deep in the corner and UCO was up by seven.

With a little over a minute in the first half, Avery took it in the paint and scored a contested layup to move the Central lead to nine. The Hornets scored on their end, and the Bronchos had a foul with just seconds left. ESU hit both free throws to shorten UCO’s lead to five at halftime.

In the second half, both teams went back and forth, with UCO leading until 14 minutes left in the second half when the Hornets scored two free throws. With a little under 10 minutes left, Marquis Johnson took it into the paint and missed, but Avery was there to tip it in.

The Hornets led most of the second half. With over a minute left in the matchup, Holliday knocked down two free-throws to chip ESU’s lead to four. The Bronchos found Avery for a dunk with a minute left and left ESU up by two.

ESU knocked down a shot at the end and got the foul, hitting the free-throw to top off the game. The Bronchos continued their fight but came up short as Emporia State won by five.

The Bronchos end their season with a record of 11-17 overall and 4-15 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Bucking Broncho

Mar. 05, 2019

15

NBA MVP Race Heats Up Down The Stretch The NBA is in peak form right now and teams are battling for control over the conferences.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers are all grappling for control over the West, with the Milwaukee Bucks ahead in the East, followed closely by the Toronto Raptors.

Amidst all the chaos of the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and LeBron James lead the way for the MVP race.

Antetokounmpo has lived up to his nickname of “the Greek Freak” thus far, averaging 27.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists in his campaign for the King of the East.

Since James’ exit to the Western Conference, Antetokounmpo has taken clear control as the best player in the Eastern Conference, leading the Bucks to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 48-15.

The Greek Freak has only continued to improve in his short time in the league. If the 24-year-old continues to improve on his numbers in the coming months, the MVP race won’t be close.

Curry has been unconscious so far and his only downside this season has been injuries. He injured his groin Nov. 8 in a loss against the Bucks, and has since returned on a tear to insert himself into MVP consideration.

He is averaging 28.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season and is third behind only to James Harden in points, who is averaging 36.7 points per game, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George who is averaging 28.6. Curry is averaging .435 percent from three-point range, yet another astounding stat for the greatest three-point shooter of all-time.

If Curry can stay healthy, he could make the MVP race interesting.

James has been leading the Los Angeles Lakers into Western Conference contention by sheer will.

The 33-year-old is averaging 27

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry reacts after a foul was called against him during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists in his 16th year in the league.

Unbelievably, James has shown no sign of slowing down anytime soon, despite his colleagues from the 2003 NBA draft dropping off left and right.

The King’s claim to fame this year will have to be leading an average Lakers team to the playoffs. However, his numbers aren’t going to be good enough to compete with Antetokounmpo’s. James is going to have to turn this Lakers squad around and climb the Western Conference to secure his 5th MVP trophy.

Maybe the biggest testament to James’ talent is his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who sit at 16-48, 14th in the Eastern Con-

ference, after making the Finals just the year before. The Lakers are currently sitting at 10th in the Western Conference at 30-33, after finishing 26-56 for the 14th seed in 2017.

Ultimately, there’s still a ton of season left. Things could change, players could make surprise runs at the trophy, or fall off. As it stands, the Freak, the Chef and the King are your league leaders.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Richaun Holmes during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)