“Following the Ink” on 8 Volume 114, Issue 8
the
VISTA “The Student Voice Since 1903”
Follow the Vista: UCentralMedia.com vistanews1903 @TheVista1903 thevista1903 The Vista Monday, March 6, 2017
State Bill to Affect LGBTQ+ and Athletics
Two Resolutions Dealing with Fees and Access Codes Pass
The UCO Student Association Executive branch, Kalina Popova, Caleb Shaw and Stockton Duvall preside over a UCOSA meeting on Monday, February 27. UCOSA meets every Monday in the Will Rogers room of the Nigh University Center. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista) See “UCOSA” on 3 for Full Story
Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter
The current Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) protects institutions and citizens that follow their own religious practices in the event of refusing service to gay people as well as firing them because of their sexual preference. The emergence of California universities not allowed to have a home-home series against the University of Kansas has drawn attention to RFRA. This happened by the dispute over RFRA as California does not approve of the ‘extreme’ discrimination among the gay community according to the Lawrence Journal-World. Currently Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Idaho, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Viriginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Arizona all follow the Religious Freedom Restoration Act barring some with severe restrictions.
Of the mentioned states, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Kansas are among the extreme. What makes the states above the most extreme is their allowance to openly discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and denying them assistance from any type of service industry. Although Oklahoma is not listed on the banned states to travel, the state is currently pending a legislative vote to introduce Senate Bill 197 to authorize the same rights the banned states are currently practicing, according to legiscan.com. The LGBTQ+ community is currently facing discrimination across the country both domestically and professionally in respects to housing and basic health care coverage, especially in the state of Oklahoma. The law has emerged with growing discrimination towards the community that universities across the United States have several offices that specifically serves them. The Title of the Oklahoma Senate Bill 197 was stricken as of February 21, 2017. See “RFRA” on 6
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March 6, 2017
CONTENTS
UCO students present to grand total of this year’s Big Pink Fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation to spectators at the Big Pink Volleyball tournament at the Wellness Center on Feb. 23, 2017. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
On the Cover: An unnamed protestor holds up a sign reading "No One is Free When Others are Oppressed" during the OKC Women's March on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Since then, bills have been pushed in Oklahoma committees and the Senate to limit rights for women regarding abortions, as well as impose pro-discrimanatory rights against the LGBTQ+ community. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista).
CONTENTS Campus News................................................3
Column.........................................................11
Around Campus..........................................4-5
Jon Kamies...................................................12
UCOSA/BronchoThon...................................6
Bucking Broncho.........................................13
Following the Ink...........................................8
Daytona/MIAA............................................14
BronchoThon.................................................9
Fossils..........................................................15
STAFF NAME AND POSITION
Kateleigh Mills Megan Prather Peter Agnitsch Siali Siaosi Cara Johnson M i r a n d a Va n M e t e r Elizabeth Spence Victor Quezada Jessica Phillips A . Suave Francisco Ryan Naeve Te d d y B u r c h
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Online Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Re p o r t e r Re p o r t e r Re p o r t e r S p o r t s Re p o r t e r Photographer Advisor
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The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista1903@gmail.com.
CAMPUS NEWS
March 6, 2017
The Vista
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Endeavor Games Makes New Additions
Lloyd Howard Jr., a former marine, takes aim during a target shooting competition during the Endeavor games at UCO on Saturday, June 11. Howard, who suffers from nerve damage, said he enjoys competing in the Endeavor games because it allows him to keep in touch with his fellow marines and continue their comraderie. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista).
Erika Williams
@williams_erika_ Contributing Writer
The UCO Endeavor Games are expanding and adding a new event. In partnership with Turnstone, UCO will host the recently created Endeavor Games Series, which gives athletes with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in a variety of sporting events. Turnstone is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1943 and is committed to helping people with disabilities gain independence
UCOSA
Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Editor-in-Chief
Two resolutions tackling student fees and access code issues passed unanimously through UCOSA Congress during the 6th meeting on Feb. 27, 2017. Both of the resolutions, CR16-206 and CR16-207, were authored by Stockton Duvall, the vice chair of UCO Student Congress, over three weeks ago; however were thought of last semester. Duvall said that the two words that he would use to describe the resolutions would be money-savers and accountability. "These are basically giving students more of a say on what happens," Duvall said. The access code resolution, CR16206, was written from personal experience that Duvall and other students he knew had with classes that required them to purchase expensive access codes for a low percentage of their overall grade. Duvall met with Dr. Charlotte Sim-
and live with dignity. Turnstone empowers people with disabilities by providing therapeutic, educational and wellness recreational programs. UCO is Turnstone’s first partner in creating the Endeavor Games series. The Endeavor Games have been offered at UCO for the past 17 years. In a press release, Katrina Shaklee, co-founder of the UCO Endeavor Games and senior director for the UCO Wellness Center said, “It has been a dream to expand the Endeavor Games model for several years.” Shaklee added, “When the Endeavor Games began in 2000, the
mons, the associate vice president of the Office of Academic Affairs, last semester to discuss what could be done about the issue prior to writing the resolutions. "After talking with Dr. Simmons, a big part of it was that faculty gets a choice of what they do in their own classroom," Duvall said. "What we kind of brainstormed was she said, 'probably the best you could do is ask each department chair to approve the access code.'" With that in mind, Duvall drafted two questions in the resolution for each of the department chairs to consider when they approve access codes. The first question asked if the "online access code required was beneficial to the class." The second question asked "does the online access code provide material that the professor cannot provide by him or herself?" CB16-206 begins by requesting that UCO Academic Affairs and each of the colleges at the UCO to consider the two options when determining if the costs of the access codes are worth it.
hope was simply to provide a quality athletic competition to athletes with physical disabilities. After 17 years, this has remained the driving force, and we will continue to broaden our reach so that we may serve as many athletes as possible.” Presented by Parkview Physicians Group, this year’s first event of the series will feature seven sports: boccia, air rifle shooting, goalball, swimming, sitting volleyball, track and field, table tennis and wheelchair basketball. There will also be sports clinics for all of the events during the game series. The Turnstone Endeavor Game Series will kick-off in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 21. UCO will host the second event in the series from June 8-11 on campus. The UCO Endeavor Games will feature ten sports: archery, cycling, powerlifting, air rifle shooting, 4-on-4 sitting volleyball, track and field, swimming, table tennis, 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball and the newest event, wheelchair softball. Registration for UCO’s Endeavor Games will begin in the spring and those who register before May 18
will be guaranteed their preferred size in T-shirt. Registration for an athlete includes: a t-shirt, one athlete credential, one welcome party ticket, one Saturday track and field lunch ticket, one athlete banquet and a swag bag. The “early bird” registration cost for athletes is $35, but starting May 18 the price will go up to $55. Those who do not wish to compete can register to take part in the sports clinics for a $15 fee. The clinic registration cost includes access to all the clinics offered and one clinic lunch ticket. Coach registration cost is $15 until May 18, but following that date the price will go up to $35. Coaches who register will be able to have access to their athletes during all of the events. If you are not an athlete or a coach, you can still attend the events and cheer on the athletes or you can help out by volunteering. For more information on how to get involved or to learn more about the games themselves, visit the UCO Wellness and Sport website, the Endeavor Games website or contact Heather Kohl at hkohl@uco.edu.
Although the resolution is more of an opinion of UCOSA Congress, Duvall's ultimate goal with the resolution is to have it adopted and put in to the Faculty Handbook. "I am currently working with Dr. Maisch in Faculty Council so that hopefully they'll see it and if they adopt it then we can bring it to the Faculty Handbook Committee," Duvall said. The student fee resolution, CR16207, came from a University Planning Committee (UPC) meeting that Duvall and Cash Dietz, UCOSA President, attended. The UPC serves as an advisory committee to Dr. John Barthell, the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Cynthia Rolfe, the senior vice president of Academic Affairs, that discuss institutional effectiveness and planning processes. Each of the deans have to present a proposal in UPC that deals with student fee increases which then have to be approved by UCO President Don Betz. "We were having some colleges proposing a 13 percent increase of [student] fees," Duvall said. "Some
of them that explained why we needed them, we were like 'okay, that's understandable' others were like 'you've got to be kidding me." Because of this Duvall drafted up the resolution that asks Academic Affairs and each of the colleges to consider to options about student fees. Duvall said that students should know why their fees are increasing and what the raise will be going towards. The first option is to adopt a student advisory board of 8 members that are consulted when there are fee increases. The second option that when the fees are approved, that the students in the college should vote on the increase as well. Duvall said that he hopes that at least one of these options will be adopted by the colleges to increase student input. "There are students that are out there that... they're on that line of 'am I going to drop out? or am I going to be able to go to college?'" Duvall said. "And we don't want that to happen."
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March 6, 2017
AROUND CAMPUS
AROUND THE CAMPUS
Women’s History Month: March: The UCO Women’s Outreach Center will celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting contri-
butions of women and celebrating the empowerment of females. They are asking students to submit a letter online on OrgSync to a notable women in history by March 30, 2017. The WOC will also host other events to celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March.
ICE Angels Donation Table March 6- March 10, 2017: The American Democracy Project will have a Donation Table under the
clock tower by Broncho Lake between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ADP will also accept donations in Thatcher Hall’s Room 121-C. ICE ANGELS donates hot and balanced meals, clothing, blankets and pet food to homeless individuals in the Edmond Oklahoma City Area.
Monday, March 6, 2017 Contemporary Ceramics of North and South: At 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the
Melton Gallery, artists that have spent 15 years documenting and collecting indigenous pottery from Ecuador will present an exhibition. The exhibition is intended to create a dialog between the traditional art of Ecuador and the contemporary American ceramics. For more information contact the event host Charleen Weidell at cweidell@uco.edu. This event is STLR-tagged by the tenets Global & Cultural Competency; Research, Creative & Scholarly Activities.
Non-Traditional Student Support Group: Beginning at 11 a.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 415, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a support group for students who are having issues balancing school, work and family.
Phi Alpha Theta Alumni Panel Luncheon: At 11:30 a.m. Phi Alpha Theta
will host an alumni panel luncheon that features the Department of History & Geography alumni across the community. More information about the event can be found on OrgSync.
American Democracy Project Meeting: At noon in Thatcher Hall’s lobby,
the American Democracy Project will have a meeting to plan spring events. ADP is looking for members who have ideas to encourage civic engagement on campus. Contact the American Democracy Project at adp@uco.edu for more information or RSVP to the meeting on OrgSync.
UCOSA Congress Meetings: At 1
p.m. in the Will Rogers Room on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center, UCOSA Congress members will have their weekly congress meeting.
Got Stress Workshop: The Center for
Counseling and Well-Being will hold a class on learning how to manage stress and college life in NUC Room 402 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Book Talk and Signing with Alumnus Justin Castro: At 3 p.m. in the Lib-
eral Arts Building’s Pegasus Theater, Justin Castro, an assistant professor of history at Arkansas State University, will be talking about and signing copies of his book, “Radio in Revolution: Wireless Technology and State Power in Mexico, 1897-1938.” Attendees will learn more about Mexico and the twentieth century’s technology revolution. This event is STLR-tagged by the Global & Cultural Competency; Research, Creative & Scholarly Activities tenets. More information can be found by contacting event host Patti Loughlin at ploughlin@uco.edu.
Life Skills Around Eating: At 3:30
p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will be holding a free and confidential support group for those who suffer from eating disorders and symptoms that suggest eating disorders.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 SPB Paracord Bracelets: At 11 a.m.
by Broncho Lake, members from the Student Programming Board will be out to help students make their own paracord bracelets or key chains.
This Month with SPB: At 11 a.m.
members from the Student Programming Board will be in the Nigh University Center to talk about the events they have planned for March.
SMART Recovery: At noon in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a SMART Recovery meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.
Anger Tamers: At 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give confidential and free support for those who struggle with controlling anger. Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Nights: From 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Wellness
Center, the Department of Wellness and Sport will offer various disability recreation opportunities on campus for all students, faculty and staff on various Tuesdays. All Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation nights are free for students with a valid UCO ID. For March 7 the sport will be wheelchair basketball intramural. Additional information can be found by contacting Heather Kohl at hkohl@uco.edu.
Family Fun Night: At 6 p.m in the Hu-
man Environmental Sciences Building, single parents and grandparents with children are asked to come to enjoy a dinner from the Nutrition and Dietetics Department and also take free family photos by the Photography Club. There will also be family educational games and a fashion show. Families who attend will also recieve information about cooking a budget conscious meal. The event is STLR-tagged by the Health & Wellness; Service Learning & Civic Engagement tenets. More information can be found on OrgSync or by contacting the event host, Larissa Boyd, at lboyd6@uco.edu.
SAFE Art Activity Night: At 7 p.m. in
the Art and Design Building, the Student Alliance for Equality will have an interactive art activity night that is open for more members of the community to attend.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 8K in a Day: This is an all-day fundrais-
ing event at the University of Central Oklahoma by BronchoThon members who are aiming to raise $8,000 in one day.
AROUND CAMPUS Safe Spring Break: At 11 a.m. in the Common’s Volleyball Court, students are invited to attend a program that aims to teach students about alcohol and substance abuse and violence prevention. The program will help students with making healthy decisions over Spring Break. The program is STLRtagged by Health & Wellness tenet. More information can be found by contacting event host Brittney Criswell at bcriswell@uco.edu or looking on OrgSync. SPB Energized with FNC: At noon
under the clock tower by Broncho Lake, members from the Student Programming Board will show students how to create their own protein filled snacks.
Seeking Strength: At 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold a free and confidential group for those dealing with trauma or substance abuse symptoms. The groups work on skills such as how to set boundaries in relationships, understanding triggers and learning how to self-care. BGLTQ+ Support: From 2 p.m. in the
NUC Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a support group for individuals thinking about coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or for people who have recently come out and are seeking support. These groups are free and confidential.
Democracy Dialogue: International Women’s Day: At 5 p.m. in the Center for
Transformative Learning Building’s Radke Fine Arts Theater, an event which will have a panel of women who will talk about their experiences with making laws. The panelist will also be open to answering any questions. The event’s sponsors include the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center, American Democracy Project, and Democracy Dialogues. This event is STLR-tagged by the Leadership tenet. More information can be found by contacting event host Susan Scott at sscott@uco.edu.
Design Movie Night:Urbanized: At 7 p.m. in the Center for Transformative Learning Building’s Radke Fine Arts Theater, an event hosted by the design department will feature a free design related documentrary film for UCO students, faculty, staff and other members of the UCO community. The event is STLR-tagged by Global and Cultural Competencies, Health and Wellness; and Service Learning and Civic Engagement tenets. More information can be found by contacting event host Mandy Horton at ahorton4@uco.edu.
March 6, 2017 Glamazon: At 7:30 p.m. in the Nigh
University Center Ballrooms, an event that will allow the UCO community to learn more about the art of drag by showing how the artists prepare for shows, why they do the performances and also highlighting the difference between drag and transgender. The event is STLR-tagged by Global & Cultural Competency tenet. More information can be found by contacting event host Caleb Cash at ccash3@ uco.edu.
Thursday, March 9, 2017 Seeking Strength: At 2 p.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold a free and confidential group for those dealing with trauma or substance abuse symptoms. The groups work on skills such as how to set boundaries in relationships, understanding triggers and learning how to self-care.
Central Improv Weekly Meeting: At 3 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Central Improv will have their weekly meeting to practice and improve their improv skills. The meetings are open to the UCO community. Stress Paws: From 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have therapy dogs to help students relieve stress every Thursday. Native Americans in Sciences Talks: At 3:30 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Building’s Pegasus Theater, Dr. Ruben Michael Ceballos will present “Global Science and the Native American Scientist.” Following Dr. Ceballos will be Dr. Joshua Ovila Marceau who will address ‘From Reservation to Dissertation: What Does it Take to Succeed in Academia?” This event is STLR-tagged by the Global & Cultural Competency; Research, Creative & Scholarly Activities tenets. More information can be found by contacting the event host, the Office of the Provost, at 405-974-3371. SMART Recovery: At 5:30 p.m. at the International House, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a SMART Recovery meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.
Information gathered for ‘Around the Campus’ can be found on UCO’s OrgSync page, uco.edu, blasts.uco.edu, Campus Activities and from other organizations across campus.
The Vista
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Friday, March 10, 2017 Advisor Network Breakfast-Student Development: At 8 a.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Cherokee Room, the Student Organizations Office will offer the new Advisor Network Breakfast which will cover important topics for campus organization advisors. Attendees must reserve their spot through OrgSync. More information can be found on the UCO Events tab on OrgSync. com.
Anger Tamers: From 9 a.m. in the Nigh
University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give confidential and free support for those who struggle with controlling anger.
Grief Group: Beginning at 11 a.m. in the
Nigh University Center’s Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer a grief group to individuals who are experiencing grief.
ACM General Meeting: At 2 p.m. members from the Association for Computing Machinery will have their general meeting in the Math and Computer Science Building’s Room 126. March 13 - March 17, 2017 UCO Spring Break: The University of Central Oklahoma will be closed for Spring Break. Classes will resume on March 20, 2017.
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The Vista
March 6, 2017
LGBTQ+ NEWS
Trump’s Move on Transgender Rights Causes Concern at UCO Siali Siaosi
@sialisiaosi Online Editor
The Trump administration’s recent decision to roll back federal bathroom protections for transgender students has the University of Central Oklahoma’s LGBTQ+ community concerned. A directive issued last year by former President Barack Obama allowed transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identities rather than their sex at birth. President Trump revoked that initiative in late February, suggesting the matter should be handled at state and local levels. While UCO’s inclusive policies prevent the school from being impacted by Trump’s order, it nonetheless has created a chilling effect among LGBTQ+ locals, said Dr. David Macey, assistant vice president for global and cultural competencies. “It’s a source of very great concern,” Macey said. “The kind of measure that’s been taken sends a very powerful signal that trans people are not welcome or not accepted.”
RFRA Victor Quezada @VicQ87 Reporter
(Continued from cover) Dr. David Macey, assistant vice president for Global and Cultural Competencies, said the new bill would not entirely impact the campus of UCO because it is protected by the Oklahoma metro policy of any sort of discrimination, according to Student Community Service Officer Program. However, the outrage would exist from an undesired result of the legislative vote. After several attempts through email, voicemails and senate capitol visits, Both Sen. Joseph Silks and Sen. Joshua Brecheen did not wish to comment on this story. Last Friday at the State Capitol, two different employees stated Sen. Silk’s executive assistant is out with an illness and Sen. Silk does not come in on Fridays. Sen. Brecheen’s executive assistant said he would not be in his office due to several meetings. “This is a terrible tragedy that impacts more than our LGBTQ+ community,” UCO SAFE President Gabrielle Glidewell said. “Students
Macey, who also is the faculty adviser for the Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE), said forcing transgender people to use bathrooms based on their birth sex can be dangerous. “Overall, coupled with the fact that we see a lot of legislation at the state level that seems to be in many ways targeting the LGBTQ+ community, there’s a strong sense of really being challenged and unwelcome.” UCO freshman and musical theater major Donald Fortner, 19, who asked to be called “DJ” and identifies as genderfluid, said the bathroom debate overcomplicates a simple task. DJ doesn’t ascribe to a set gender identity and dresses masculine or feminine depending on the day, but said it’s easier to use a male restroom because it causes less conflict. “The few times I used a female restroom, I’ve had nasty experiences,” DJ said. A woman once chased DJ outside of a women’s restroom and into a parking lot. “She was really, really nasty about it,” DJ said. “She went on a tirade and followed me to my car.”
From then on, DJ has chosen to only use men’s bathrooms in an attempt to avoid future confrontations. Dr. Loren Gatch, political science professor and faculty adviser to the College Republicans of UCO, said the bathroom debate is more symbolic than practical. While Gatch admits some conservatives are culturally and socially opposed to LGBTQ+ people, he said Republicans are more concerned about federal overreach. “There’s a broad resistance of extending the meaning of Title IX beyond its original focus on [biological sex],” he said. “That initial understanding has now been turned into sexual orientation and sexual identity.” Most conservatives are more uncomfortable with government encroachment than sharing a restroom with a transgender person, Gatch said. “There’s a discomfort among conservatives with the idea that executive power is being used to stop states from doing what they want,” he said. “Conservatives tend to be more
need to know that this is a progressive country that does not live in the past but instead should focus on moving forward.” Not only is the LGBTQ+ community not allowed in the states mentioned above to be expressive about their sexual preference, they are also subjected to being discriminated by the public. “Currently seeing this go into a vote is disturbing considering how far the United States has come to equal rights regardless of preference, race or religion,” Macey said. Currently this proves to be a dilemma if the other states should follow suit in either the banned travel states for more schools to get behind, or if other universities join California in their protection of the LGBTQ+ community, according to getreligion. org. This sort of crime has been considered a federal intervention after an incident in Texas related to this issue. After the decision by California on Jan 1, 2017 the issue is growing mildly where it will truly impact the LGBTQ+ community’s beliefs. The affected are schools that are public. The list of schools that UCLA or Cal will not play include: the North Carolina Tar Heels, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, Tennessee Vol-
unteers, North Carolina State WolfPack, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, East Carolina Pirates and Appalachian State. A similar outburst of this resulted in the bathroom law in the United States that conflicted the gender issue a year ago where the All-Star game was forced to change location from the state of North Carolina as well as the national championship for men’s NCAA basketball, according to Greenvilleonline.com Of these states that support the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, California public universities are banned to travel because of their state fund being cut by going to Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee, except private universities. The rules were once forced by former President Bill Clinton after an incident with a Native American in Oregon after being fired for doing his religious customs according to TIME.com. UCO is considered one of the most diverse universities in the country according to Forbes.com. Washburn, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and Fort Hays State University all follow the same discrimination under Kansas state laws. These schools are in the same conference of the MIAA as the University of Central Oklahoma.
cautious — if not downright resistant — to using government power in order to force people to act in certain ways.” Macey said individuals at UCO are free to use whatever facilities they please, including locker rooms and restrooms. There currently are a few gender-neutral restrooms on campus, including the Nigh University Center, with plans to create more, he said. For transgender students who might feel isolated or afraid, Macey said there are plenty of resources to help — including SAFE events, the UCO Center for Counseling and Well Being and countless other LGBTQ+ groups around the Edmond and Oklahoma City area. DJ said today’s contentious political climate is an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to fight for their beliefs. “Now is the time to go against the norm and advocate for yourself,” DJ said. “Though it’s hard and can be frightening, stand up and speak out.” The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments regarding transgender bathroom rights later this month. “It is unfortunate that we (colleges in Kansas) get wrapped in these kind of political situations since we have no voice in the passage of laws,” Athletic Director of Emporia State University Kent Weiser said. “I’d hate to see the actions of politicians have a negative effect on the experiences of our student-athletes.” Currently, Kansas universities are required to inform students about the RFRA policy and all that entails during each athletic event. Equality Kansas, Freedom Oklahoma and Oklahomans for Equality have formed to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community being led by Greg Wilson for Freedom Oklahoma and Troy Stevenson representing Oklahomans for Equality. “Although the issue is not yet affecting the state of Oklahoma at the moment, we still take this issue seriously as it develops in the next MIAA meeting,” Chris Brannick, UCO director of sports media relations said. After several attempts, UCO Athletic Director, Joe Muller, did not wish to comment on this story. Currently the legislative vote of Senate Bill 197 is stricken but will be evaluated by Oklahoma Congress. UCO will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the LGBTQ+ community from their area of being in a progressive state of Oklahoma.
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March 6, 2017
Following the Ink
FOLLOWING THE INK
An Inside Look on the Process of Getting a New Tattoo
Aryn Robinson @oharyn
Photographer
Above: Anastassia Menshikova, a local tattoo artist at El Tigre in Oklahoma City, works on client Thomas Graham to create a tattoo of an eagle gripping a timepiece on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Top Right: Menshikova dips her tattoo gun into ink during the tattooing session. A tattoo of this size is estimated to use almost all of the five containers of ink that are on the table. Right: Client Thomas Graham keeps his arm rested beside him. Clients must remain as still as possible to ensure even lines and shading throughout their tattoo. “The most painful part is the shading, but it’s worth it in the end,” Graham said.
Above: Menshikova repositions Graham in order to work on a different angle of the tatto during the same session on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Overall, the tattoo takes roughly five hours to complete over a total of two sessions. Right: Thomas Graham poses to show off his new tattoo after it is finished on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. After completion each tattoo takes a different amount of time to heal depending on size and the clients skin, as well as the amount of shading inside the tattoo. All artists provide clients with instructions on aftercare to ensure the tattoo doesn’t get infected or damaged during the healing process. All Photos: (Aryn Robinson/ The Vista).
BRONCHOTHON
March 6, 2017
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The Vista
BronchoThon Benefits Children’s Hospital Foundation
The BronchoThon leadership team poses for a group photograph outside of the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma City. BronchoThon is intended to raise money for kids from the hospital that will go towards research and education programs. (Provided/ UCO BronchoThon).
Jessica Phillips @TheJessPhillips Reporter
BronchoThon is a year-round fundraising effort to benefit the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation, which supports pediatric research, education programs for children’s health and medical groups throughout the country. BronchoThon’s hashtag is #FTK For The Kids. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma City.
More than 600 individuals and 28 teams are registered for BronchoThon. These individuals and teams are holding various fundraisers including bake sales, T-shirt sales and benefit nights at local restaurants. The executive board is organizing a basketball tournament and will offer golf cart rides in exchange for donations, in addition to hosting other events. UCO student Thomas Patterson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child. He said
he was treated for the cancer at the Children’s Hospital. “That hospital was the one that saved my life and so now I want to be able to give back to the hospital,” Patterson said. Alpha Tau Omega has about 60 members participating in fundraising. “We saw it was an amazing opportunity. We love the philanthropy,” member Ashraf Mohamad said. The fraternity is hosting weekly car washes and tables in the Nigh University Center to collect donations. They do not have a set goal, but are raising as much money as they can. “I’d say $10,000 would be really, like, that’s what we’re aiming for. And if we go higher, we go higher. If we go a little bit lower, I mean that’s fine, we still raised plenty of money for the kids,” Mohamed said. The main event, a dance marathon, will be on April 8. The director of dancer relations, Chris Miller, said the goal is actually to stand for eight hours rather than dance for that time. The university has adopted a group of children to sponsor. These children and families are invited to events on campus and will be invited to the main event. “During the dance marathon,
they’re rock stars. You know, they’re celebrities. They’re the ones who did it and they’re the ones we’re partying for,” Miller said. The event is to celebrate the fundraising done throughout the year. This is also when the total amount raised for the Children’s Hospital will be revealed. Miller said the fundraiser goal is being kept private. While this is the first year of BronchoThon, similar fundraisers and dance marathons already exist at 300 other universities. “The big reason that we picked it up is because it’s a philanthropy with the goal of uniting the university,” Miller said. “We want to connect the university to the cause and our cause is the Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.” Registration is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. The fee is $25 which includes a fundraising web page, T-shirt and a meal during the event on April 8. Anyone wishing to participate in BronchoThon can register at any point throughout the year at http:// sites.uco.edu/student-life/cae/bronchothon.asp. Upcoming fundraiser events can be found on BronchoThon’s OrgSync portal.
COLUMN
March 6, 2017
Changing the Beat
The Vista
Hip-Hop Shifts After Trump Election
President Donald Trump gestures from the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Peter Agnitsch
THANK YOU You generously gave more than $19.1 million in a challenging economic environment. Your contributions will impact the lives of more than 800,000 central Oklahomans.
StandUnitedOKC.com
@PeteyPete33 Sports Editor
Hip-hop artists have often celebrated and admired billionaires and millionaires with lyrics talking about how they want to be just as rich and powerful. The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has been one of the most frequently mentioned people in the world of music. According to CNN, Between 1989-2016 Trump has been mentioned at least 318 times in rap lyrics. If you only listened to hip-hop before the election campaign, you would perceive Trump as an all-powerful, rich business man. The music industry before the election campaign rarely revered Trump in a negative light by not addressing any of his shady and failed businesses like Trump University, Trump’s Taj Mahal Casino, USFL and who could forget about Trump Steaks? Rapper Mac Miller titled one of his main songs in 2011 “Donald Trump” where he says in the song “Take over the world when I’m on my Donald Trump s*** look at all this money ain’t that some s***? We gonna take over the world why these haters get mad.” Trump didn’t like the song due to
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the fact he wasn’t making any money off of his name being used. In 2013 he even tweeted out “Little @MacMiller- I have more hair than you do and there’s a slight age difference.” Trump even went so far to threaten to sue the rapper. “Little @MacMiller, I’m now going to teach you a big boy lesson about lawsuits and finance. You ungrateful dog!” tweeted Trump. The feud between Miller and Trump had calmed down for a few years, until recently when Miller decided to bring it back up. “ I f---ing hate Donald Trump. When he started running for president I was like, oh, F-- this is horrible, I have a f-cking song with this dude’s name and now he is being such a douchebag,” Miller said to Complex magazine. Just like Miller, other rappers have changed their stance on Trump as well. “I’m so appalled Spalding ball/ Balding Donald Trump taking dollars from y’all.” said Kanye West in his song “So Apalled” in 2010. After the election, West was seen with Trump at Trump Tower, where each of them spoke very highly of the other, with West even doing the unthinkable by postponing his own presidential campaign from 2020 to 2024. There goes my vote in the 2020 election. During the election, most rappers and musicians have had negative things to say about Trump, whether it be on Twitter or Instagram. Adele’s camp even went so far as to send Trump a cease-and-desist letter, banning him from playing her No. 1 hit “Rolling in the Deep.” However, the Presidential Inauguration Concert was one of the loudest messages the music world sent to Trump, with many of musicians refusing to perform for him. Bands such as Green Day and A Tribe Called Quest have both performed on national TV with songs that detest Trump. Green Day did theirs by performing their hit song “Bang, Bang” with different lyrics that said “ No, Trump. No KKK. No fascist in the USA.” performed at the American Music Awards. A Tribe Called Quest’s performance was on one of music’s biggest stages - SNL. They performed “We The People...” where they addressed Trump’s policies over immigration and other topics. While we don’t know if Trump can actually “Make America Great Again,” he sure is giving musicians fuel to keep music great.
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The Vista
March 6, 2017
JON KAMIES
UCO Baseball’s Leader of the Stampede Nathan Baldwin @nbaldwin05 Sports Writer
Jon Kamies, captain of the UCO Bronchos baseball team, has been playing extremely well so far this year. He hopes to lead his team to success in the 2017 campaign through hard work and good team play. “I just want to win,” the 6-foot-2inch, 220-pound senior said. The Bronchos are 10-2 after the first month of the season and Kamies is a major contributor to the team’s record with a batting average of .463 and a slugging percentage of .805. “I swing the bat well,” Kamies said. Kamies has also leads the team in runs batted in (15), home runs (3) and on-base percentage (.566). “Just work hard every day,” Kamies said. “Whatever I can do to help the team win.” In the 2016 year, Kamies posted a .390 batting average on his way to an All-American season. If there was any question on whether there is any added pressure this season Kamies said, “I don’t have anything to prove individually.” The only thing on his mind this season is winning. Being successful at the plate is
Senior Jon Kamies swings the bat to hit the baseball at the UCO vs Fort Hays State baseball game at the Wendell Simmons Field on Friday, Mar. 3, 2017. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
something Kamies has had to work at over the years. “It’s all mental,” Kamies said. “I finally got over the hump last season.” While hitting is Kamies’ strength, he admits he isn’t without weaknesses. “Trying to be a better all-around
player is important,” Kamies said, which includes fielding ground balls and continuing to be a leader. Before Kamies was playing for the blue and gold of UCO, he was a member of the Independence (Kan.) Community College baseball team.
After spending two years at the junior college honing his skills, Kamies made the Second-team All-Jayhawk Conference in his sophomore year. After this he decided to take his talents to UCO for his final two years. “It was very different for me at first,” Kamies said. “ But I came in and started working hard to help the team.” Now in his final season playing collegiate baseball, Kamies wants to continue winning and possibly compete for a championship. A key piece for that is his ability to lead. “These guys look up to me,” Kamies said. “It’s a lot of pressure, but I know I can handle it.” Being a leader on and off the baseball diamond is no easy task, but the team stands behind Kamies this season and it shows in their current record. “Being around a good group of guys like this makes it a lot easier,” Kamies said. Kamies is hoping to end his UCO career by attempting a run deep into the postseason. “This is my last chance,” Kamies said. “We got a really good shot at being a contender this year.”
Senior infield/outfield player John Kamies, 21, bats during the Feb. 22, 2017 game against Southwestern Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. The Bronchos baseball team won the game 12-11. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
BUCKING BRONCHO
March 6, 2017
The Vista
The Bucking Broncho
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Westbrook Over Harden For MVP A. Suave Francisco @SuaveFrancisco_ Sports Reporter
In a season that was supposed to be predictable and rather boring due to the talent gap between the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and the rest of the NBA, there’s been another storyline that has been a constant conversation topic throughout the season. Who’s the MVP -Russell Westbrook or James Harden? These two players have had individually historic seasons and it’s just a shame that it’s happening at the same time. Russell Westbrook’s season: 31.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 10.3 assists. James Harden’s season: 28.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 11.3 assists. Westbrook should be this season’s MVP, despite James Harden’s unbelievable season. Yes, the Houston Rockets (43-19) have a better record than Oklahoma City (35-25), but it’s simple; Russell has done more with less. The Thunder are also seventh in the Western Conference, but only one game behind fifth and one and a half games out of fourth, which would place them right under the Rockets with a less talented team. Neither team is necessarily strong without their star player, but the Thunder are currently in the midst of a four-game winning streak while starting two rookies that average a combined 12 points per game. Before the All-Star break, they had a very below average bench as well. The Rockets have more shooters and six players averaging double figures in scoring this season. The Thunder have four averaging double-figures in scoring and are the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA. Nevertheless, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double for the first time since Oscar Roberson did it in 19631964, more than a half-century ago. No NBA player and only a few NBA coaches were alive to experience that themselves. He is transcending the point guard position, showing that on an average night he can lead his team in scoring, assists and even rebounds. He also currently ranks ninth in re-
Houston Rockets guard James Harden, right, drives as Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. The Rockets won 122-103. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
bounds and is the only point guard in that category’s top 15. Harden has done a ton as well, turning this franchise around from last season’s (41-41) record, while breaking multiple individual records of his own, but as stated earlier, he’s gotten more assistance. Last season, the Thunder won 55 games with Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Dion Waiters on the team three guys that averaged right around 50 combined points per game. This season they’re on pace to win 51 games. Being four games back from last season’s team that was one game shy of an NBA Finals appearance is the most obvious reason as to why Russell Westbrook should win this season’s MVP award.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
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The Vista
March 6, 2017
DAYTONA/MIAA
UCO’s Season Ends Falling to Central Missouri Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Writer
The UCO Men’s Basketball team’s season ended Thursday afternoon after losing to the Central Missouri Mules 59-54 in the MIAA quarterfinals. The Bronchos were led by senior forward Corbin Byford who had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Josh Holliday was the second leading scorer for UCO, pitching in 13 points on 5-5 shooting from the foul line. UCO turned the ball over 20 times; with Central Missouri racking up 14 steals in the game. In a tightly contested MIAA matchup with both teams failing to hit their shots, the difference resided at the free throw line. UCO got to the line 20 times, but only converted 13 free throws. Central Missouri on the other hand made 17 of their 24 free throw attempts, in a game that would only be decided by five points. UCO struggled shooting the ball throughout the game. The Bronchos shot 36 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point territory in UCO’s final game of the season.
As a team, the Bronchos combined for 10 turnovers in the first half of play, with every player committing at least one except for center Jake Hammond. Despite the offensive lapses, UCO led Central Missouri 28-27 heading into halftime behind the Bronchos smothering defense. UCO held Central Missouri to 36 percent shooting in the first half and also forced nine turnovers. The Bronchos also outrebounded the Mules 24-14 in the half. Coming out of halftime UCO was hoping to rid their offensive struggles from the first half, but what they got was much of the same. In the second half UCO was 8-22 from the field and shot only 12 percent from three-point range. Josh Holliday and Corbin Byford combined for 20 of the Bronchos 26 points in the second half, but they couldn’t help UCO overcome Central Missouri. The Mules shot 40 percent from downtown in the second half to go along with 10-13 shooting at the free throw line. Even with all of their offensive struggles, UCO still had a chance to
Daytona 500 Experience Jordan Belew @JordanBelew Sports Writer
Most sports wait until the end of the season for their marquee event, but for NASCAR the season begins with the Daytona 500. The third week in February marks the beginning of “Speedweeks”, a week’s worth of racing events that all lead up to the Daytona 500. The sleepy beach town comes alive as racing fans come from around the world to take in NASCAR’s biggest race of the season. Take one drive down the beach’s main road and its clear there is something big in town. Every storefront and hotel is marked with a banner that welcomes race fans. Drive three miles west of the beach and you’ll come face to face with the 2.5 mile behemoth that is the Daytona International Speedway. A monster 100,000 seat grandstand spans the entire length of the front stretch and the infield is lined with RVs and campers to create an atmosphere that like that of a state fair combined with a football game. The race began as a challenge not
only to see who has the fastest car, but which cars can last the test of endurance. The early races take place on the beach, literally on the sand of Daytona Beach. Those first races are 200 miles on a 4.1-mile course split between the Daytona Beach and the highway next to it. In 1959, the Daytona International Speedway was opened and the race as we know it today took form. It quickly grew to become the biggest event on the NASCAR schedule and today its one of the crown jewels for drivers around the world. On race day, the highway in front of the track is like a parking lot. Traffic begins as early as 6:00 a.m. as race fans look to find a parking spot and begin tailgating. The race day festivities begin well before the drop of the green flag. A pre-race concert takes place on the grass between pit road and the front stretch. After this driver are introduced and fans get an up-close look at the stars of the sport. As the National Anthem concludes, a flyover from the Air Force’s Thunderbirds put an exclamation point on the prerace.
Senior Corey Alpough makes a slam dunk into Emporia State’s basket at the UCO vs Emporia State Men’s Basketball Playoffs game at the Hamilton Field House on Feb. 27, 2017. (Elizabeth Roberts/ The Vista).
tie Central Missouri at the end of the game. With 13 seconds left Holliday drove and took an off-balanced layup, but he couldn’t get the basket to fall. The Bronchos beat Emporia State
Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the MIAA tournament before falling to Central Missouri. UCO ends the season at 17-12, improving upon last year’s record of 16-14.
It’s tough to describe the feeling of 40 cars screaming by at 200 mph. The noise alone is deafening. Daytona presents a different feel and type of racing than most tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The rules are special for this race in that NASCAR requires a modification to the engines that limits horsepower, known as the restrictor plate, which makes the cars stay in one large pack. This racing causes intense action, as well as large wrecks, to happen on
the track. This year, fewer than 10 cars finished the race without some sort of damage. Kurt Busch, a veteran driver and former champion of the sport, took the checkered flag this year. He outlasted the field on fuel and managed to keep his car clean. The race is special to NASCAR fans and drivers. It marks the beginning of another season and adds to NASCAR history.
FOSSILS
March 6, 2017
The Vista
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4 Billion Year Old Fossil Soup Emily Smith
@eaasmith Contributing Writer
Following the recent discovery of several new planets, scientists have now discovered what they believe to be the remains of the oldest creatures to ever roam the Earth. Researchers published their findings in the journal Nature, stating that they have found fossils of what could be the earliest creatures on Earth, embedded in rocks that are at least 3.7 billion years old. In a NPR interview with Matt Dodd, a biogeochemist at the University College of London in the UK said, “These rocks are some of the oldest — if not the oldest — sedimentary rocks on Earth today.” Dodd has been studying these ancient, strangely-shaped rocks, saying they look like “strings of iron” or like tubes and spirals. These rocks are similar to the microbes one might find around volcanic vents in the ocean - rusty-looking gelatinous mats full of bacteria. “A spongey kind of gloopy soup, if
you like,” Dodd said. The “gloopy soup” contained the shapes that Dodd and his colleagues spotted in these rocks. According to Dodd, the fossils have the chemistry one would expect to find around living organisms; lots of carbon and phosphorus. “It provides us with this high degree of certainty that these structures are indeed biological microorganisms that were living and thriving around hydrothermal vents billions of years ago,” Dodd said. While the discovery could give us better insight into when the world began, many are skeptical about the fossils and their authenticity. “I’ve got 14 queries and problems that need addressing before I’ll believe it,” Roger Buick said, a geobiologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. The rocks were found in Isua, Greenland, where researchers have worked for years to find signs of life dating back billions of years. The skepticism over the fossil findings is due to the fact that these rocks are some of the most physically dam-
This microscope image made available by Matthew Dodd in February 2017 shows tiny tubes in rock found in Quebec, Canada. The structures appear to be the oldest known fossils, giving new support to some ideas about how life began, a new study says. (Matthew Dodd via AP)
aged rocks on our planet. According to Nature the rocks “have been squeezed and heated over billions of years as crustal plates shifted. The pressure and heat recrystallizes the
rocks, erasing much of the fine-scale detail that researchers normally use to identify fossilized stromatolites.” This fact has also caused the rocks to trigger many debates.