the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
Volume 115, Issue 14
ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017
UCO to Break Ground at Liberal Arts Building Megan Thele
@1bigtimenicole Copy Editor
A groundbreaking ceremony for a $18.35 million expansion to the University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Arts building is set for Nov. 29 to mark the beginning of the renovations, expected to be completed by the fall 2019 semester. “The [groundbreaking] ceremony involves a series of speakers that cover the range of the project up to now,” said Catherine Webster, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on the south lawn of the Liberal Arts building. Speakers will include UCO President Don Betz,
The Liberal Arts Building expansion groundbreaking is set for Wednesday, Nov. 29. The expansion will be finished by the fall 2019 semester. (Ryan Naeve/The Vista)
See “Groundbreaking” continued on page 5.
Dream Act Oklahoma Holds Forum at UCO Christian Tabak @TheVista1903 Reporter
Local immigration reform advocacy organization Dream Act Oklahoma will host an immigration forum focused around their work with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act at 2 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Radke Theater of the Center for Transformative Learning. The forum features DAOK attorney Jesus Dario Elizondo, the case manager for the organiza-
tion’s Deportation Defense team. It is sponsored by multiple campus organizations, including the Latino Faculty and Staff Association and the Hispanic American Student Association. The goal of the forum is to raise awareness for the work DAOK is doing to help DACA recipients, according to Liliana Renteria, LFSA president and director of OKC Cultural Outreach and Diversity Strategies at UCO. “The LFSA is working to raise awareness of the issues that affect our DACA students on campus, and
members of the association are working with departments and offices across the university to find ways to assist our students," Renteria said. "There is a whole community behind our DACA students, and we want them to know we are here to support them." An affiliate of the United We Dream national advocacy network, DAOK’s work until now has largely been lobbying and advocating for the passage of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act that was originally introduced back
in 2001 under the Bush Administration. Since the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke DACA in September, the organization has taken up an increased role in advocating for the program’s renewal, as well as supporting families who have been impacted by the decision. “For 800,000 immigrant youth, DACA is a pathway towards achieving dreams," said Cristina Jimenez, executive director of United We Dream. "With DACA, immigrant youth have gone to college, supported See “Forum” continued on page 5.
UCOSA
Vice Chair of Congress Kalina Popova states her case to remain in office at the 2017 Vote of No Confidence on Monday, Nov. 27 in the Nigh Heritage Room. (Kateleigh Mills/The Vista)
on pg 3
WinterGlow
BRONCHO SPORTS
Luper’s Super Season
on pg 3
on pg 12
Nov. 28, 2017
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the
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CONTENTS
UCOSA/ WinterGlow..........................................................3 Around Campus/ Jumps from pg. 1........................................4-5 Service Animals/ UCO Jazz Lab.........................................6-7 Trump Tweets....................................................................8-9 Humor Column....................................................................11 T.J. Luper/ Volleyball......................................................12-13
Contents
The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both classified, online and print ads. For information or questions contact at: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
Chas Stallard/ Basketball Recap......................................14-15
STAFF Peter Agnitsch Elizabeth Spence Austin Moseley Cara Johnson Megan Thele
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor
Christian Tabak Vy Luong Kateleigh Mills Alejandro Gonzalez Jonathan Goudeau Dylan Brown
Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Sports Reporter Humor Columnist/Reporter
Michelle Pennza Ryan Naeve Hayden Barzditis Teddy Burch
Graphic Designer Photographer Photographer Adviser
ON COVER: Bottom middle: The University of Central Oklahoma invites the community to kick off the holiday season at its 20th annual WinterGlow from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, beginning with the lighting of Old North. Pictured, UCO students sing as a choir for WinterGlow 2016. (Provided/University Communications)
Bottom right: J.T. Luper, No. 2, avoids a tackle during the homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Wantland Stadium. Luper was recently named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Offensive Player of the Year. (Cara Johnson/The Vista)
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.
UCO
Nov. 28, 2017
3
UCOSA Votes Congress Confidence Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Reporter
The University of Central Oklahoma Student Association conducted the Vote of No Confidence, which decides whether or not to keep the UCOSA Congressional leadership in their positions next semester. Tate Atkinson, Accountability Reform and Transparency Committee chair for Student Congress, took over the last UCOSA Congress meeting of the semester on Nov. 27 in the Nigh University Center's Heritage Room. Atkinson asked UCOSA Congress members if they wanted to keep the UCOSA Congressional leadership, which consists of Chair Remington Dean, Vice-Chair Kalina Popova, and Secretary Mario Figueroa, in their positions. The Vote of No Confidence was held during the special orders portion of the meeting. Congress members voted to keep the leadership in their positions for next semester. UCOSA Chair Remington Dean said he plans to use his extended position to work on redefining the responsibilities of the vice-chair of congress during the fall and also working with the UCO Police.
The UCO Student Congress posted a congressional resolution on the meeting's agenda, CR17-101, that worked with the UCO Chief of Police, Jeff Harp, to promote a Blue Box Initiative, which helps students feel safe on campus by providing a way for them to contact the campus police if they feel immediate danger. "They ran out of funding to go ahead and finish installing them," Dean said. "The resolution was pretty much saying that the UCOSA thinks it is in the best interest for the students to have these installed." Both Dean and Figueroa mentioned in their speech to congressional leaders before the vote that the Congress has improved in following the Open Meeting and Open Records laws by posting the agendas and legislation on time. Figueroa said he wanted to continue to work on UCOSA Congressional Leadership "I have a learned a lot this semester and I want to continue learning," Figueroa said. Dean said the resolution, which is likely to be discussed and voted on next semester, is to encourage administration executives to find
ART Chair Tate Atkinson, left, hands a voting paper to Sergeant of Arms Jacob Robertson during UCOSA’s Vote of No Confidence in the Nigh’s Heritage Room on Monday, Nov. 27. The Vote of No Confidence is held each Fall to decide whether or not Congressional leadership will remain in their positions for the following semester. (Kateleigh Mills/The Vista)
funding for the project, which lost funding a couple years ago. The meeting was the 11th meeting of the 21st Legislature this semester. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 22 in the Nigh, with a time change to
4 p.m. on Mondays. Meeting places and agendas are posted on the UCOSA's OrgSync page and outside their office, Room 143, on the first floor of the NUC on Fridays.
WinterGlow Kicks off Holiday Season Dylan Brown
@DylanTaylorBro Reporter
The holiday season has begun and the University of Central Oklahoma invites the community to kick it off at its 20th annual WinterGlow festival on Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. This year, guests will have the chance to decorate one of 200 wreaths for the organization Wreaths Across America (WAA). WAA aims to remember, honor and teach through the coordination of wreath-laying ceremonies at veterans’ graves across the nation, including the Arlington National Cemetery. WinterGlow Executive Director Chelsea Thompson said students should be excited for this year's events. "This year we have a lot of the traditional things that we've always brought to WinterGlow," Thompson said. "Especially this year, we have reindeer coming on Friday. [Tuesday] we will have a late-night skate
at Mitch Park, where you can skate for free and have carriage rides. We will also be accepting donations to the City Rescue Mission and they are in need of things like hygiene products." WinterGlow 2017 features fun and free activities for the entire family and will begin with the lighting of Old North, located on the west side of Central’s campus. Following the lighting ceremony, the festivities will continue with a winter carnival in the Nigh University Center. Activities will include face painting, games, photo booths, a
“This year we have a lot of the traditional things that we’ve always brought to WinterGlow,” –Chelsea Thompson
UCO Ride of Lights train ride, a live reindeer, a kids choir and more. "Friday we will kick off the event with the lighting ceremony, bring in the live reindeer and also there will be Caroloke, which is basically karaoke but with Christmas songs," said Thompson. Also, in exchange for the donation of a new, unwrapped toy, guests are invited to have their photo taken with Santa Claus and letters can be written
to Children’s Miracle Network families to support BronchoThon. The WinterGlow coloring contest winners will be announced later in the evening, with entries submitted by second, third and fourth grade students from various Edmond elementary schools. For more information about WinterGlow, visit www.uco.edu/winterglow, or contact the Office of Student Engagement at 405-974-2363.
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Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 ADP Homeless Care Packges/ Clothing Donation Drive: UCO’s American Democra-
cy Project will be accepting donations for ICE Angels through Friday, Dec. 1. The ADP is looking for winter gloves and hats, socks, hygiene products, snacks, etc. to be made into care packages. Students can drop off donations in the lobby of Thatcher Hall outside of the ADP office.
Lessons in Leadership: Executive Director of
OCAST Michael Carolina: Lessons in Leadership will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. in Constitution Hall for a lecture. The presentation is open to the entire student body.
Bronchos Got Your Back: Bringing in the Bystander Training: At 11 a.m. in the Henry Bellmon Room (NUC 314), UCO Peer Health Leaders will host a bystander intervention workshop to teach students how to safely and effectively prevent instances such as sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking.
SPB: The Person in the Mirror: SPB will
host a craft at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower for students to decorate a mirror on canvas, writing positive things about themselves. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Flash Mob Meditation: At 1:15 p.m. in the Quad Fitness Room, representatives from the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer meditation, tai chi, yoga and relaxation. UCO counseler Jeff Jones will lead the group every Tuesday. Guest Speaker - Michael McBride III:
UCO's Pre-Law Society will host Attorney General of the Seminole Nation and Director of Crowe and Dunlevy, Michael McBride III to discuss David Gann's New York Time's Bestseller "Killers of the Flower Moon", as well as Native American Law. The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. in the Troy Smith Auditorium of the College of Business.
Filtered History: At 4 p.m. in NUC Room
320B, students will be able to learn more about the 1889 Land Run, including its impact on Native culture, past and present. This is a STLR-tagged event.
SAFE End-of-Semester Celebration:
The Student Alliance for Equality will host their end-of-semester celebration at 7 p.m., with the location still to be determined.
WinterGlow Week - Late Night Skate with SPB: SPB and WinterGlow will host a Late
Night Skate at the Mitch Park Ice Rink in Edmond from 9-11 p.m. Students are asked to bring personal hygiene products or school supplies to be donated to City Rescue Mission.
Nov. 28, 2017
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 WinterGlow Week - Snowmen Tea Light Ornaments: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students can make snowman tea light ornaments and decorate holiday cookies at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower.
Dream Act Oklahoma - Call to Action: The Hispanic American Student Association will host Attorney Jesus Dario Elizondo to speak on behalf of Dream Act Oklahoma about immigration reform and DACA. The event will take place in Radke Theatre in the Center of Transformative Learning at 2 p.m. Non-Traditional Student Support Group:
The group is hosted by the Center for Counseling and Well-Being to help non-traditional students find support at UCO. Attendees can talk and relate their life experiences with one another in order to help meet their personal needs. The group meets from 2-3 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
SPB Crafts for Your Crib - String Art Edition: At 6 p.m. in the NUC Heritage Room, SPB will host a craft night for students to make string art.
Around Campus
mindfulness and to teach appropriate emotion regulation. Life Skills Around Eating meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Native American Heritage Month Closer:
At 11 a.m. in the Chickasaw Plaza, the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe will perform as the final event for Native American Heritage Month.
Boeing Tech Talk: Students will have the opportunity to learn about Boeing and its opportunities. The event will take place in the Howell Hall Atrium at 6 p.m. Movie Yoga: Fandoms Anonymous will show a
movie and host yoga at 6:30 p.m. in the West Hall Lobby.
Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 Grief Group: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being is holding a grief group for anyone grieving. The Group and individual session are from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 President's Club Children's Christmas Party: Student sponsors of the President's Club
Children's Christmas Party will be giving gifts to children from the Edmond Community Christmas, helping them meet Santa, make crafts and meet UCO celebrities. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the NUC Ballrooms.
Life Skills Around Eating: This is a group that offers an affect regulation approach to eating disorders. The group focuses on skills that increase
Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Support:
The Center for Counseling and Well-Being and Mosaic Mental Health are teaming up to offer a gender affirming therapy group for UCO students. The group offers attendees a chance to connect with others having similar experiences. The session is from 3-4:30 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
UCO
Nov. 28, 2017
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Dream Act Oklahoma Holds Forum at UCO Continued from page 1
Christian Tabak @TheVista1903 Reporter
their families with good jobs and have strengthened their communities and the entire country.” With an estimated 800,000 DACA recipients nationwide, Oklahoma ranks 25th with only around 7,500 recipients, according to a March 2017 report from U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services. The Trump Administration announced in September that the program would officially be rescinded in March 2018, but permitted recipients whose DACA status would expire prior to March to reapply by October 5. While DACA does not provide a path to citizenship, it has provided immigrant youth with renewable two-year periods of deferred action from deportation as well as providing them eligibility for a work permit. While the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education report that less than one percent of Oklahoma’s
A group of UCO students hold signs and listen to speakers at a DACA rally hosted under the Blue Tent on Sept. 13. UCO will host a forum on Wednesday featuring DAOK attorney Jesus Dario Elizondo. (Cara Johnson/The Vista)
public higher education students are DACA recipients, Renteria said that the impact on students is still a real concern. “Allowing their employment authorization permits to expire will add a level of financial stress as they struggle to find the means to pay for college. The uncertainty of deportation may also affect their wellbeing and ability to focus in their studies,”
Renteria said. “Having to worry about deportation and breaking up their families can be overwhelming.” Along with HASA and other organizations, such as the American Democracy Project and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, the LFSA have been active in facilitating the conversation for immigration reform and supporting DACA students. Since September, HASA and LFSA
in particular have been responsible for hosting several rallies as well as forums, discussions and campaigns to contact legislators on the issue. “LFSA’s mission is to advocate for efforts, programs and policies that promote the understanding of Latino issues,” Renteria said. “Keeping the DACA conversation at the forefront ties directly with our mission.”
UCO to Break Ground at Liberal Arts Building Continued from page 1
Megan Thele
@1bigtimenicole Copy Editor
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Barthell, Dean Webster, principle architect Don Beck, and Tom Lippert of the Lippert Brothers construction management team. "Virtually every undergraduate student passes through the halls and classrooms of the Liberal Arts building on their journey to gaining the foundational learning that is critical to our mission," Betz said in a press release. "The disciplines taught here will now have adequate space needed for teaching and learning, for collaboration, and for formal and informal gatherings; the space that will reflect the College of Liberal Arts' central value to the university." Webster said the 55,000-squarefoot expansion will include 30 new faculty and staff offices, 15 new classrooms, a coffee bar, informal meeting and study spaces, museum exhibition cases and a 200-capacity theater that doubles as a storm shelter. “According to the timeline, [construction] will get started over winter
Rendering of the new Liberal Arts Addition, to be completed by Fall 2019. (Provided/ Beck Design)
break,” Webster said. “We intend to open the fall of 2019.” Student course fees over the past few years helped the college raise $3 million and bonds provided an additional $14.5 million to fund the renovations. The remaining funds to improve safety, quality, and fundamental things in the current building are coming from the provost, Webster said. Improvements include a new sprinkler system, generator, elevator improvements and restrooms.
"The longer run of the project is to renovate the existing building," Webster said. “One of the challenges of the college [building] is that we couldn’t update because it wasn’t up to fire code.” The expansion will have eight classrooms on the main floor and seven on the second floor. Some of the new rooms will be smaller for capstone courses, larger seminar-style rooms and rooms with computers to accommodate writing
courses. The Modern Languages Department will move over from Thatcher Hall and the Criminal Justice Department will have larger classrooms. “The goal is to have some of the classrooms equipped for more writing-intensive courses,” Webster said. “Criminal justice [for example] needed bigger classrooms, so some are intentionally more seminar style.” “In compliance with State Title 61, bidding for subcontractor work was conducted and deemed successful, so as to allow the project to move forward, on time and within budget,” said Kevin Tero, assistant director of UCO Architectural and Engineering Services. The main construction on Pegasus Theater will be over winter break, according to Webster. None of the current building or classrooms will be closed during the construction. "The new space is scheduled to be open for use in the fall of 2019," Tero said. Remarks will be followed by the ceremonial groundbreaking and a reception with light refreshments.
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Nov. 28, 2017
Service Animal
Service Animals on Campus Evelyn Stewart @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
Scarlet Petrucci, a criminal justice major at the University of Central Oklahoma, always has her service dog by her side. Boss is a 3-year-old German shepherd who loves nothing more than his owner, Petrucci. He is what Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, calls a service animal. When Petrucci's body starts to shut down, Boss is there to alert others and to keep her calm, mentally present and conscious. If distracted, he cannot do his job. There are quite a few issues Boss often faces when assisting Petrucci. People run up to him, yell things at him, try to touch him and bother him in various ways. There hasn't been a single time that Boss has been in public without being heckled. The other main issue Boss and his owner run into is people who bring their emotional support animals or regular household pets into stores, restaurants, etc. Emotional support animals are not allowed inside of stores. Untrained animals constantly drag their owners over to Boss, barking and trying to get at him. This upsets Petrucci, which makes Boss concerned about her safety. While out, Boss wears his vest to travel anywhere in public with Petrucci. He travels with her to work while being leashed to her hip, and every now and then he travels with her to class. While on campus, service animals like Boss are able to go everywhere public with their owner. They are not required to register with the Disability Support Service, DSS, unless living with the owner on campus for safety reasons. However, some people do not
Sammie, a service dog, lays on a student’s leg on Sept. 21 during the Stress Paws program hosted by the UCO Center for Counseling and Well Being. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
require an animal trained to do such tasks. These animals are what the ADA calls assistance animals, or Emotional Support Animals (ESA). Assistance animals are not required to go through training. They assist their owners emotionally with comfort and support. ESA's do not have the same access rights as a service animal, and aren't allowed in public places that don’t allow pets. The exception to this rule is rental properties. Residential areas are not able to deny a person from their ESA, even if they have a no pet policy. Shadow is a 6-year-old lizard ,registered as an ESA to Brylea Lind. Lind suffers from severe anxiety and manic depression due to genetics and a hormone imbalance that is rooted in thyroid
disease, which is classified as any dysfunction of the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. Shadow has been with Lind for four years after being saved from an abusive situation, but has only been Lind's ESA for two years. Lind said her therapist was amazed at how a small lizard could have such a therapeutic effect on her. Even though ESA's are not allowed to travel like service animals, Shadow is allowed to go to Lind's work. Lind works at a pet store chain and is allowed to have Shadow after receiving permission from her boss. While on campus, Shadow can accompany Lind as long as it's out on public grounds. Lind has to carry a prescription from her therapist to have an ESA, as well as the written permission from the Office of Disability Support Services on campus to distinguish herself from those who do not have an ESA. Sharla Weathers, director of DSS,
Service dog Abby lays on the floor of the Nigh on Sept. 21 during a session of the Stress Paws program. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
says that you have to register your animal, both ESA and service animals, with DSS if you wish to live in housing. The school follows the federal policy under ADA. Petrucci said to treat service dogs and their owners with the same amount of respect. She also said that it's okay to compliment the animals in passing, but not to strike up conversation because of them. "It's very emotionally draining and mortifying for a person with a disability to have strangers constantly pointing at them, trying to photograph them and yelling things at them," Petrucci said. UCO does not currently have a nopet policy. For students who do not need a service dog or an ESA, there is a therapy dog who is always on campus, a greyhound named Kevin, who can be found in the counseling office.
UCO Jazz Lab
Nov. 28, 2017
7
Play That Funky Music, Bronchos
UCO Jazz Band students perform in the Jazz Lab during the spring 2015 semester. (Provided/Vista Archives)
Travis Orcutt @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma's Jazz Lab hosts live performances throughout the year and is the home of the Jazz Studies Division of the School of Music. “If you're a trumpet player, trombone player, sax player, guitar, you take your lessons over here,” said UCO Jazz Lab director Clint Rohr. Musically inclined students may use their talents to obtain an undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies, utilizing the Lab's state-of-the-art recording studios, which at one point were used for commercial recording. The Jazz Lab has a New Orleans-style aesthetic complete with a stage for live performances. “Part of the original vision was to have open to the public performances by professional bands on the weekends,” Rohr said. On Tuesday, November 28, Director of Jazz Studies Brian Gorrell is headlining the Jazz Lab's Faculty Artist Concert series. Gorrell's performance will feature his own original music and a classical sonata. “It's a big deal for me...I get to work with a lot of great people,” Gorrell said. The Lab features professional artists in the genres of jazz, classic rock, and blues. From Sunday through Thursday, most of the featured performances are comprised of students.
"We've got something for everybody,” Rohr said. “We try to focus on jazz and the roots of jazz which is blues, but there's also rock, soul and R&B.” Rohr said the reason why the Jazz Lab was built is due to the exceptional academic program. “By the time I came to school here there were three jazz ensembles, compared to much larger universities that have one or two depending on the year," Rohr said, "Now we have four.” The last jazz ensemble of the year will perform Dec. 4. “It's always very well attended, sold out actually," Gorrell said. "We cram people in there until we can't fit anyone else.” Gorrell said he encourages everyone to attend shows at the Jazz Lab, describing the performances as true art. “The best part of my job is working with our students and sharing the passion that myself, the students and faculty have for the art form," Gorrell said. "There is a distinction between the way pop culture views music and the way music is viewed as an art." Student ensembles from the Jazz Lab have won many awards in international compettions, which has helped the program grow. For more information about the Jazz Lab and its upcoming events, visit www.ucojazzlab.com
UCO Musical Theatre students perform Cabaret in the Jazz Lab during the spring 2016 semester. (Provided/Vista Archives)
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Nov. 28, 2017
Editorial
The Art of the Tweet Peter Agnitsch @peteypete33
Editor-in-Chief
“My use of social media is not Presidential - it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!” President Donald J. Trump tweeted on July 1, 2017. The question many Americans are asking about President Trump's tweets is, "what does that mean?" How should citizens reflect on President Trump's tweets? In what kind of light should they be viewed? Twitter has many different types of accounts. News, politics, humor or just normal people with a desire to be heard. The social media site has changed the way most Americans find and digest their news, consequently giving politicians a new platform for campaigning and marketing. President Trump, arguably, has used it more than any other politician, tweeting twenty-thousand more times than former President Barak Obama. Trump's presidency has brought a new element to Twitter, aiming to become a first-hand news source by having the power to make change and voicing it out through Twitter. If American citizens are going to see President Trump's Twitter as a legitimate source, his account must act as one. News companies are meant to provide the facts with unbiased commentary, giving their readers a chance to analyze the story on their own to find their own personal truth. “Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named “Man (Person) of the Year,” like last year, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot. I said probably is no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!” President Trump tweeted Nov. 24, 2017. In President Trump's Nov. 24 tweet citing a phone call from TIME magazine saying he was "PROBABLY going to be named 'Man (Person) of the Year'", he said he passed on the opportunity. However, a day later, TIME Magazine tweeted a response saying that the President was incorrect, and they do not reveal the choice for "Man of the Year" until the publication date. “The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6.” The TIME’s twitter account tweeted Nov. 25, 2017.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before speaking with members of the armed forces via video conference at his private club, Mar-a-Lago, on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
If we can't trust whether or not what the President is saying is factual, how can his Twitter feed be viewed as a legitimate news source? Is he actually trying to break some sort of information, or is he just another person trying to publish his opinion of what he deems right or wrong? To determine authenticity, Twitter users almost always need to know whether or not the president has a previous conflict of interest on the subject. For example, President Trump's tweets about the National Football League's player protests during the national anthem: “The NFL is now thinking about
a new idea - keeping teams in the Locker Room during the National Anthem next season. That’s almost as bad as kneeling! When will the highly paid Commissioner finally get tough and smart? This issue is killing your league!.....” President Trump tweeted Nov. 22, 2017. President Trump has had previous run ins with the NFL. First, when he was an owner in the United States Football league (USFL) and sued the NFL for monopolizing football. Second, when his attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014 failed. Since the President may have a grudge against the NFL, people could see his tweets and wonder if he really wants a change, or if he just
President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One with first lady Melania Trump, left, and Barron Trump, 11, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The president is en route to his Mar-a-Largo resort in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
has a vendetta against someone. So, when it gets down to it, we can't look at President Trump's Twitter as a news source, and we can't assume his opinion as fact. Does this mean we look at his page as a humor account? Seeing as he is the President, the answer is obviously no. That doesn't mean he can't be funny, but we do have to be able to discern between serious and not. “Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail.” President Trump tweeted Oct. 1, 2017. While Trump's Oct. 1 tweet calling Kim Jung-Un "Rocket Man" may be funny, it is blatantly attacking a foreign power that has the potential to push the U.S. into a nuclear war, and that could have been the remark that flicked the domino. Whether or not we like Trump's Twitter account, it doesn't look like he will be changing his style anytime soon. “We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!” President Trump tweeted Nov. 27, 2017.
Trump Tweets
Nov. 28, 2017
9
In this Nov. 21, 2017 photo, President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House, in Washington for a Thanksgiving trip to Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., as first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron wait. President Donald Trump will not campaign for Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore before the Dec. 12 special election, a White House official said Monday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
(Screenshots from Twitter page of President Donald J. Trump, @realDonaldTrump)
President Donald Trump greets supporters on the tarmac after stepping off Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Humor Column
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Nov. 28, 2017
EICLU’s Thanks For Nothing Awards Warning: This is a Fictional Column Intended for Satire Edmond Ivy League College University held their annual ‘Thanks For Nothing’ Thanksgiving award show Saturday, giving thanks to the families that made their student’s Thanksgiving one to be forgotten. Austin Farraday hosted the award show and said he gives thanks every day to people in his life and that this award show is about saying thanks to the people who don’t deserve it. “Students have family members that make their Thanksgiving the worst, from awkward uncles to cousins that you are positive have warrants out for their arrest,” Farraday said. “This award show recognizes the effort those family members go through to make sure this wonderful holiday is full of wondering how they are related to you.” The night’s events began with a drunk aunt leading everyone in a prayer and followed by a speech from uncle Jack, who sounded really drunk, but hadn’t had a drink since arriving. After uncle Jack’s weird speech, the students sat at the tables labeled ‘kids table’ and the family members made their way to their seats, which were old loveseats with the leather peeling off. The first award was to great-uncle Jimmy for ‘Never Saying One Word During The Entire Thanksgiving Day.’ This award was given to him for his achievements in going almost 23 years without talking to a single person during Thanksgiving. “I don’t care about them, I care about football,” said Jimmy in response to his win. The next award was for ‘Birthing the Most Amount of Kids Since the Last Thanksgiving,’ which was awarded to cousin Rachel. “They are just all blessings from heaven,” said Rachel. “All eight of them are like little puzzle pieces that make up my heart.” Cousin Rachel also won the award for ‘Not Caring at All That Your Kids Are Doing Stupid Things.’ This award is given to the parent who best exemplifies how little they care about how horrible their kids are being. Farraday gave away many more ‘Thanks For Nothing’ awards, in-
Pumpkin pie is a staple of Thanksgiving meals, just like the ‘Thanks For Nothing’ Award show is a staple at the Edmond Ivy League College University. (Provided/Pixabay.com)
cluding the ‘Giving Unwanted Life Advice’ award, the ‘Why Aren’t You Married, You’re Getting Too Old And Unattractive And Need To Find
Someone’ award and the award for ‘Mentioning Donald Trump at All and in Any Conversation Ever.’ “While everyone was filling their
stomachs, they were also filling their lives with anger towards distant family members,” Farraday said. “That is what the holidays are truly about.”
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Nov. 28, 2017
Sports
SPORTS
Luper’s Super Season Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg
Sports Reporter
After sitting out last season due to academic violations, University of Central Oklahoma wide receiver J.T. Luper returned to the football field and won Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Offensive Player of the Year. "It was a wake-up call," Luper said. "I learned that there are other things outside of football that is important." This is the first time a UCO player has won the award since joining the MIAA conference in 2012. "I felt ecstatic, excited, but not accomplished just yet," Luper said. "I love the support of the people who have been watching and following the journey." Luper's journey began at Sherman High School in Sherman, Texas where his size was first brought into question. "I've always been considered undersized," Luper said. Luper started his career as a defensive back before coaches saw what he could do with the ball in his hands prior to the start of his junior season.
J.T. Luper, No. 2, leaps to catch a pass from Chas Stallard near the sideline Oct. 28, in Wantland Stadium. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
"I played defense until they saw me run and saw my ball skills," Luper said. "After that, they moved me to receiver." Luper succeeded at wide receiver as he caught 81 passes for 1,470 yards and 23 touchdowns his senior season. He was named district MVP and an honorable mention All-State pick. Despite this, major scholarship
offers did not come. "All the bigger schools were telling me we want you as a preferred walk-on, ‘we want you to gain more weight’. It was tough," Luper said. Luper was advised to take the junior college route, so he enrolled at Tyler Community College in Tyler, Texas to gain more exposure and work on his skills. After his final
Senior wide receiver J.T. Luper, No. 2, breaks several tackles on a 75-yard reception from Chas Stallard against Fort Hays State on Sept. 16. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
season where he caught 16 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown, he headed for Edmond. "Coming from a JUCO to a fouryear university mid-year was rough," Luper said. "It was a grind, but I was able to make the transition." Luper made an immediate impact his first year, totaling 1,425 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. After sitting out last season, he returned to the gridiron with a vengeance hauling in 101 receptions for 1,544 yards and 12 touchdowns, all single-season school records. He leads all divisions in receiving yards and leads Division II in receptions. "I wasn't aware I was breaking them," Luper said about the records. "Us winning and our record being on the positive end is all I worried about." The 5-foot-9-inch Sherman native recently accepted an invitation to the seventh annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl where he will have a chance to show all the coaches who passed on him what they missed. "Knowing that it's a big stage with primarily Division I players is what I've been ready for," Luper said. "This is a great opportunity to show what I'm made of."
Sports
Nov. 28, 2017
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Bronchos Make National Tournament UCO Volleyball Receives No. 7 Seed in Central Region Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sports Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos are heading to the Division II Volleyball Championships, as they enter the tournament as the No. 7 seed in the Central Region. “More than earned, more than deserved and it’s very special because we have seven freshman on the roster and most of them, if not all of them, have been involved throughout the season,” head coach Edgar Miraku said. The tournament takes place Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 in Marshall, Minnesota. The Bronchos, who finished the season 29-5 and 15-3 in conference, face No. 2 seed, the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. This is UCO’s sixth DII Volleyball Championships appearance, and their first since being eliminated in the second round in 2015. The Bronchos are 3-5 overall in their playoff appearances. The Golden Bears finished their regular season 28-3 and 19-1 in conference play. Concordia-St. Paul has won the DII Volleyball Championships eight times, including last year. The Golden Bears won seven straight national championships from 2007-2013. “I think they are a very beatable team,” Miraku said. “I think we need to play our A game, but based on film and everything else we’re doing and preparing, we just need to go play as equals because we’ve had just as good as matches as they have and records.” Miraku said that for the Bronchos to beat the Golden Bears they have to play aggressive and eliminate unforced errors. If UCO beats Concordia-St. Paul, they still have to go through what Miraku said is the toughest region in the country. “Eight out of the [last] nine times the national champion has come out of this region,” Miraku said. “So chances are pretty darn (sic) good that whoever gets out of this region wins the national championship.” The Central Region consists of seven teams ranked in the top 15, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Over the regular season, Miraku said he is proud of what his team has accomplished, which included a 17-game win streak in the middle of the season. “I’m very proud of them,” Miraku said.
Ericka Scholl, No. 4, dives for a dig in the second set during UCO’s victory over Emporia State on Thursday, Nov. 9 in the Hamilton Field House. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
Two of the Bronchos five losses this season have come within the past five games, but Miraku said he’s not worried about his team’s performance over the past couple of weeks. “The few [losses] we have endured, this season and the previous three or four for that matter, they just come with tough opponents,” Miraku said. “That’s why you play the next match no matter what as if you lost the previous one and that’s our goal over here.” The Bronchos are led by outside hitter Taylor Bevis, who has 514 kills this season, and is 4th in the country in kills per set with 5.04. Bevis earned First Team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2015 and was an All-American last year. Miraku said he has been just as impressed this year. “Taylor has played amazing all year,” Miraku said. Miraku said that Bevis has been playing with a torn meniscus all year. She was given the option to have surgery, but Miraku said that she declined and wants to wait until the season is over. “That tells you right there how much this team and volleyball means to Taylor and how much Taylor is willing to sacrifice for UCO volleyball,” Miraku said.
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Nov. 28, 2017
Sports
Stallard’s Stellar Season
Ryan Jackson @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
"It’s been five years and I’m just grateful for the time I had here at UCO," said University of Central Oklahoma quarterback Chas Stallard. Senior quarterback Stallard will leave the University of Central Oklahoma as the all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and total yards in a single season. "It's neat, but a quarterback should be judged by winning games and the offense moving like it should," said Stallard. The quarterback finished the season with 3,719 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and completed 65.9 percent of his passes. Stallard said that he gives all the credit to his playmakers. "We got guys like J.T. Luper, Josh Crockett and some of those guys that are fun to watch when they got the ball in space," Stallard said. The Bronchos lost three of their first five games, but then finished the regular season on a five game winning streak. "A lot of those games we lost by one possession," Stallard said. "I think all those games could have swung our way if we made a couple of plays here or there, but we didn’t let that get our confidence down and we played confidently through the end of the season."
Bruce White, No. 22, receives the hand-off from quarterback Chas Stallard, No. 7, Saturday, Oct. 22. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
Stallard's season went hand in hand with Luper's record-breaking season. Luper was named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Offensive Player of the Year and finished with 101 catches, 1,544 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.
"That dude plays and he’s got a big heart, " Stallard said. "He fights for every ball you throw to him and he’s the guy you can count on every game to come ready to play. That guy deserves all the rewards and I’m really happy for that guy."
The Corsicana Bowl, Dec. 2 against Tarleton State, is Stallard's last game in a UCO uniform. "I’m excited to play someone outside of our conference," Stallard said. "Three out of the 4 years that I've played, we've played in a bowl game and played someone outside our conference and that’s always an interesting challenge because you’re not playing somebody that you’re used to." Stallard's legacy will be remembered in UCO record books, but he hopes to be remembered for more. "I’d like people to remember that I was a good teammate, someone that can be trusted, depended upon, and someone that competed everyday no matter the situation," Stallard said. "I just wanted to go out and play hard and do everything I can to help my team. If I’m remembered by any of those things that is something that I’m proud of."
Quarterback Chas Stallard, No. 7, scrambles for his 15-yard touchdown early in UCO’s game against Fort Hays State on Saturday, September 16. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
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Sports
Nov. 28, 2017
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UCO Extends Winning Streak Bronchos Move to 5-1 After Fourth Straight Win Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Sport Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos men’s basketball team has won four straight games after Saturday's 86-60 win over Oklahoma Baptist. “We continue to improve,” head coach Tom Hankins said. “We’re excited about where we are and where we’re headed.” The Bronchos have won their past two games by at least 20 points, beating Jarvis Christian 79-59 last Tuesday. Hankins said he’s really impressed by how his team has been playing recently as they are now 5-1. “We’ve got a number of new guys and their starting to gel and get to know each other better,” Hankins said. “It’s good to be able to do that and also win at the same time.” The Bronchos held their opponents to a combined 34.3 shooting percent-
age from the field and 21.6 percent from the 3-point line during the two game stretch. “That’s just something we emphasize,” Hankins said. “These guys have taken the preparation extremely serious and we don’t have a whole bunch of lapses when the game starts.” The Bronchos bench was a major contributor in both games. Against Oklahoma Baptist, UCO scored 44 points off the bench, with Phabian Glasco leading the way with 12 points. Against Jarvis Christian the Bronchos received similar production from their bench, as their reserves produced 33 points. This time it was Jordan Hemphill who led the bench with 14 points. “We think that our depth is one of our strengths this year,” Hankins said. “There’s an adjustment period that you go through and I think they’ve done that and found out what they need to do in order to come in
Anthony Roberson, No. 0, dunks the ball against Oklahoma Baptist University Saturday, Nov. 25. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
the game and help us win.” Forward Corbin Byford led the Bronchos with 14 points in each game. Guard Anthony Roberson, who played in his fourth game this season after suffering a broken hand in early November, contributed a total of 23 points and 13 rebounds in the two games. “He’s just a really good all around player,” Hankins said. “He’s not a guy whose gonna score 20 points every night, but he’s gonna impact the game every time he’s on the floor.” Moving forward Hankins said he wants his team to learn how to handle pressure better whenever the other team presses. “We’ve been pressed a couple of times late in games when we have leads and we’ve let the other team get back in the game,” Hankins said. “That’s probably our biggest weakness right now.” The Bronchos play Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. on Thursday
before traveling to Maryville to take on Northwest Missouri. “It’s time for conference play, so all of this prepping we’ve been doing we’re gonna see where we are,” Hankins said.
“We continue to improve. We’re excited about where we are and where we’re headed.” – Coach Tom Hankins