The Vista, Oct. 19, 2021

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the

Volume 119, Issue 07 -

VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021

UCO rolls into Homecoming

INSIDE

Sports

A comphrehensive update on all active sports on campus. Football has a three-game win streak. See Pg. 7

The University of Central Oklahoma is illuminated with decorations around campus from various student organizations. New changes with “Broncho Royalty” highlight the significance of inclusion on campus. (The Vista/ Madalyn Nix)

Luke Barnard and Hollye Carroll

Jazz Diversity

Contributing Writers

The diverse origins of jazz transcends into the modern-day jazz program at UCO. See Pg. 4

Movie Reviews

October brings new spins on classics: characters James Bond and Micheal Myers return in “No Time to Die” and “Halloween Kills.” See Pg. 8

Around Campus Music events are highlighted this week with Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony concerts. See Pg. 2

University of Central Oklahoma’s 104th Homecoming Week began Sunday and this year’s theme is “Wonders of Central.” The week kicked off with a dodgeball competition and while UCO will continue with traditions like the Homecoming Talent Show, Bronze and Blueberry Breakfast. There are still big changes including the second annual YELL event—

where the 2021 Royal Bronchos will be crowned at 8 p.m on Friday. Jamie Hardison, executive director of homecoming, said one of the biggest changes this year is that there’s not a homecoming king and queen for candidates. “We are no longer titled king and queen for homecoming candidates. We now have two Royal Bronchos, and they represent what it means to be a Broncho at UCO,” Hardison said. “This could be anyone regardless of gender or how you identify.”

The UCO Homecoming Playbook states: Following the changes of last year’s royalty process where the terms “King/Queen” were changed to “Homecoming Winners”, we are extending the inclusivity further. All organizations will be allowed one candidate to nominate for a Royalty Court spot, no matter the identification of gender. This nominee must meet all the qualifications in the Royalty section of the playbook. Once the panel Continued on Pg. 3

Downward enrollment trend continues at UCO Emily Grim

Contributing Writer

Since 2017, UCO enrollment has decreased by 2,729 students. There were 882 fewer students enrolled in Fall 2021 than Fall 2020, which is the largest drop in the last five years. The number of students enrolled in colleges nationwide has been steadily declining since 2010. Many students are also taking a gap period or working before they begin college. Inside Higher Ed reported that students who wait before enrolling in college are 64% less likely to complete their bachelor’s degree. UCO’s Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success

Christopher Lynch told Oklahoma Watch,”I know it has everything to do with the pandemic.” There were many obstacles added to a “typical” college experience since the beginning of the pandemic, including the transition to all-virtual education, lack of access to campus resources such as campus housing and meal plans and Wi-Fi, less communication with professors and advisors, and more. Many barriers arose that were especially difficult for first generation, low income, and disabled students including: not having in-person college tours and enrollment events, lack A volunteer helps students moving in to the Transforof access to college mative Learning Quadrangle this fall. However, the Continued on Pg. 3

pandemic limited the “typical” college experience and affected enrollment. (The Vista/ Madalyn Nix)


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