The Vista Oct. 31, 2016

Special Election Issue Inside Volume 113, Issue 23

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Local Bilingual Election Coverage only at UCO Queila Omena @queilaomena Reporter

UCentral anchors sit around the table during the first Super Tuesday broadcast of the Presidential Election of 2016. UCentral plans to coverage the final election night, broadcasting in English and Spanish. Photo by Jessica Sanchez, The Vista.

UCentral News, the University of Central Oklahoma’s newscast and media outlet, is organizing a fourhour election coverage on Nov. 8 from 6- 10 p.m. The newscast will feature political experts, representatives from political parties, guests, a UCO professor and a section with Spanish coverage.

The newscast will be displayed on Cox 125 for UCO students and the Edmond community.

The live coverage newscast is organized by students from the Mass Communication Department; four classes are involved in assisting the event: Producing, Video News I and II, as well as TV participation.

See Election on 5

UCO Student Raises $28,000 for Local School Queila Omena @queilaomena Reporter

Alumni and current student at the University of Central Oklahoma, Lisa Gray, collected over $28,000 in donations to implement a new playground at Horace Mann Elementary School (HMES). After two years of elaborating and acquiring donation money, the school opened the new playground Monday, Oct. 24.

At the ribbon cutting celebration, hundreds of students were amused as they pulled off the covers veiling the playground. Students at HMES

were on fall break when the new playground was placed and properly installed.

Gray’s son currently attends the school and will be able to use the playground before he moves to high school next year. Though, she said she didn’t implement the new playground for her son, but rather for the future generations that will be able to access the new innovation.

HMES Principal, Mitchel Ruzzolli, said that Gray saw the need to help other students, instead of just helping her own child.

See $28,000 on 5

Mitchel Ruzzolli, principal of Horace Mann Elementary School, speaks to his students about the new playground under the tarp on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. The playground was unveiled shortly thereafter. Photo by Cara Johnson, The Vista.

Have a Political Opinion?

Here’s Your Chance to Share it Join The Vista for an Open Forum discussion on Wednesday, November 2nd @ 6 p.m. in Room 120 of the Mass Communication building for in-depth conversation of the issues that matter to you.

CONTENTS

2

CONTENTS UCO Forensics...............................................3

Fall into Fashion............................................6

Around Campus.............................................4

Broncho Basketball........................................7

Election/$28,000............................................5

Bucking Broncho...........................................8

STAFF NAME AND POSITION

Kateleigh Mills Alex Brown A . Suave Francisco Cara Johnson Ta y l o r M i c h a u d Elisabeth Slay Elizabeth Spence Megan Prather Queila Omena Peter Agnitsch Ike Wilcots Ryan Naeve Te d d y B u r c h

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports 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 Re p o r t e r S p o r t s 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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UCO FORENSICS

3

Retired OSBI/FBI at UCO's Forensic Science Institute Elizabeth Spence @lizzlynn Reporter

The Forensic Science Institute is one of the newer buildings on the University of Central Oklahoma campus and according to the Director of the Forensic Science Institute, Dwight E. Adams, it provides the finest forensic science education in the country.

“I believe the institute has positioned itself to be the finest forensic science education in the country, and that is because we’ve got great facilities but even more importantly we’ve got a wonderful faculty. With that faculty, we have created not only the best but the largest forensic science program in the country," said Adams.

Adams also said that UCO’s program is the only in North America accredited in all disciplines in forensic science. For example, UCO’s program was the first in the United States accredited in digital forensics, according to Adams.

“I think we have shown through that accreditation process that we are the best and that we have something

here to offer our students that they’re not going to just find anywhere," Adams said.

The funding for the building was provided in the support of grants from the Department of Justice as well as the AAT&T Corporation and the provided grants allowed the institute to buy equipment that is used in professional crime laboratories all around the world.

"Our students here at UCO are able to train on the latest equipment in all Forensic Science disciplines from DNA Analysis to Crime Scene Processing to Blood Stain Pattern Analysis," said Adams. "We try to emulate what they will find in their work by creating mock crime scenes— exercises that our students can take part in."

One thing that is required as part of the degree in the Forensic Science Institute is an internship or practicum. With an internship being required, the students spend a semester with a law enforcement agency and work with professionals in a professional agency.

It gives students a real-life set-

The Forensic Science Institute features a central atrium area that can be seen from outside. The Forensic Science Institute at UCO opened in 2009. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

ting— a vision— of what they will be doing in their future career.

Something that sets this building apart from the others is that most of the faculty are retired from the FBI

or the OSBI. “When the Forensic Science Institute was created, I was fortunate to be able to hire a very experienced faculty and I believe that not only do we have one of the finest facilities that one could want, we have even a better faculty," Adams said.

Adams said that the Forensic Science Institute has faculty that were the former heads of the FBI’s explosives unit and behavioral analysis unit, former member for the child abduction serial killer unit, former head of the OKC PD Crime scene unit and the OSBI digital forensics lab.

Adams also worked with the FBI for 23 years, was the director of the FBI laboratory and was part of the research team that developed DNA technologies in the middle 1980's.

Adams was also the first agent to testify about DNA in a court of law.

“The bottom line is, our experienced faculty, provide our students with something that you don’t get from a textbook but you get from years and years of experience that we bring to this institution,” Adams said.

The Forensic Science Institute is one of the first sights that many UCO visitors when entering campus from 2nd Street.

The Forensic Science Institute. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

AROUND CAMPUS

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AROUND THE CAMPUS

Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP: From 11-

Tuesday Nov. 1, 2016 BRONZE AND BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST: From 9-10 a.m. in

12 p.m., UCO’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being will host a support group for nontraditional students who struggle to find a balance between school, work and family. The group assists students in making a habit out of practicing self-care and other healthy habits of success.

Plunkett Park, the Homecoming Activities Board will hold the traditional breakfast for UCO faculty and staff, at which the faculty and staff Homecoming king and queen will be announced, and winners will be chosen for the most creative golf cart and most decorative office.

UCOSA: From 1-2 p.m. the University of Central Oklahoma’s Student

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: In Constitution Hall, from 9:30- 10:45 a.m., students will be able to hear from local business owners and leaders on their leadership experiences.

Association will meet for their weekly congress meeting in the Will Rogers Room located on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center.

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 2-3 p.m.

UCO-SA GENERAL MEETING: From 2-3 p.m. in the Liberal Arts

building, Room 115, the Socialist Alliance at UCO will host their general meeting.

ISC GENERAL MEETING: The International Student Council will host a budget meeting, followed by a general meeting from 3-5 p.m. in the Nigh University Center to discuss events and updates, as well as other necessary information.

LIFE SKILLS AROUND EATING: At 3:30 p.m. in NUC 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.

ETHICS CLUB MEETING: From 4-5 p.m. in the Troy Smith Au-

ditorium, located in the College of Business, the Ethics Club will host their monthly meeting.

HOMECOMING TALENT SHOW: The Annual Homecoming Talent Show will take place in the Nigh University Ballrooms from 7-9 p.m., hosted by the Campus Activities Council.

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 GEAR UP FOR GAME DAY: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Homecoming staff will be at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower to “gear up for game day” with UCO goodies.

BGLTQ+ SUPPORT: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being will

be in the NUC Room 402 at 12 p.m. 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.

SEEKING STRENGTH: Beginning at 1 p.m. in the NUC Room 402,

the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a workshop to reduce trauma and substance abuse symptoms, as well as including boundaries in relationships and other topics. The workshop is both free and confidential.

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE KICK-OFF: At 2 p.m. in the Will Rogers Room, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will celebrate Native America with keynote speaker Chance Rush.

HOMECOMING COOK-OFF COMPETITION: From 4- 6:30 p.m.in the Human Environmental Sciences Kitchen, a baking competition will commence between UCO organizations participating in homecoming.

Judges will be from UCO and Edmond Mobile Meals.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR POLITICAL OPINION: The Vista will

host an open forum for opinions and questions to be shared on national and state issues, state questions, and candidates.

HOMECOMING COMEDY SHOW: At 8 p.m. in the UCO Ball-

rooms, the Homecoming Activities Board will bring in a comedian to perform for students to destress.

EMOTIONAL FITNESS: From 10:30-11:30 a.m. in NUC Room 402,

the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have a free and confidential support group offering tools to be more mindful and regulate emotions.

SAY CHEESE FOR GAME DAY: At 11 a.m. at the Broncho Lake

Clock Tower, the Homecoming staff will be giving away grilled cheese and taking Polaroid pictures with students.

SMART RECOVERY: At 12 p.m. in NUC Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will host a meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.

ANGER TAMERS: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give

a confidential and free support from for those who struggle with controlling anger from 1- 2 p.m. in NUC Room 402.

PANEL OVER STATE QUESTIONS: The American Democracy

Project will be going over important information on preparing to vote in the Center for Transformative Learning Radke Fine Arts Theater at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 HOMECOMING CRAFTERNOON: The Homecoming staff will

decorate mugs to prepare for the bonfire from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower.

SPB FIND BUDDY: The Campus Activities Council will hide a stuffed Buddy somewhere on campus. The student who finds them and returns him to the CA Office will receive a Broncho Pride Bundle.

STRESS PAWS: In NUC Room 402 from 3- 5 p.m., the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will have therapy dogs to help students relieve stress ARTWORK FROM THE MELTON LEGACY COLLECTION:

The Melton Gallery will be exhibiting artwork from the U.S., Great Britain, France, Norway, Spain, Holland, and other countries originating in the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries.

SMART RECOVERY: At 12 p.m. in NUC Room 402, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will host a meeting for those in recovery to learn skills to stay balanced and motivated in staying healthy.

BALLOT INITIATIVES DEBATE: In Pegasus Theater from 6:30- 8 p.m., a debate regarding the Right to Farm and Sales Tax for Education initiatives will be held.

Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 ANGER TAMERS: The Center for Counseling and Well-Being will give a confidential and free support from for those who struggle with controlling anger from 1- 2 p.m. in NUC Room 402.

ARTWORK FROM THE MELTON LEGACY COLLECTION:

The Melton Gallery will be exhibiting artwork from the U.S., Great Britain, France, Norway, Spain, Holland, and other countries originating in the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries.

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ELECTION/$28,000

Election Queila Omena @queilaomena Reporter

(Continued from cover) Over 60 students are involved in the election coverage and will be able to have a hands-on experience with election coverage.

“We can’t do it without the students. The students do most of the work on it. They are working hard.

They all have their own role and their own content area they are working on. Not only they can take what they learned in class, but they can actually have their own creative ideas,” Desiree Hill, professor and UCentral advisor, said.

According to Hill, students from her producing class will be organizing the event, selecting what needs to be included in the election coverage, as well as producing and directing the show. Students from the other classes will support and assist the election coverage, as they were given assignments in advance to help the content of the newscast.

“Students learned how to produce a show. They learned about breaking news. They learned about election content. With the election coverage, they actually get to learn by doing it. They are constructing their own learning,” Hill said.

A constructionist approach to learning takes place when people learn about a topic and have the opportunity to make or do what they learned, Hill said.

The live newscast will also display information in Spanish as a way to facilitate the Hispanic community to understand some important topics in the government. UCentral News will be the only broadcaster in the state of Oklahoma to display an election coverage with both languages, English and Spanish, according to Hill.

After placing calls to multiple Spanish speaking broadcast news stations in the metro area, they stated that they will display election results promptly, but won’t be covering it the results live.

“It’s very convenient to have [the newscast] in Spanish because there are a lot of Latinos out there that aren’t able to speak or understand English. So having it in Spanish gives them the ability to understand what’s going on,” said Ricarda Ar-

Students work in the control room during UCentral’s first Super Tuesday coverage of the 2016 Presidential Election. UCentral will be offering coverage of the election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 in two languages: English and Spanish. Photo by Jessica Sanchez, The Vista.

royo, producing student at UCO. “[The Spanish portion of the newscast] will give Spanish-speaking students the opportunity to practice. . . It gives that student a special opportunity. Also, it gives our audience an opportunity. We know there are people that prefer to get their news information in Spanish, so for viewers in the Edmond area who may have that preference will get that opportunity,” Hill said.

The newscast will display updated election results, a look at social

media from candidates and the communities, live reports from both the Oklahoman Democratic and Republican parties and background stories prepared on state questions and issues on the presidential campaign. The coverage will also discuss an overall idea of what is happening in our society as it pertains to this year’s election.

For more information on the live coverage visit https://twitter.com/ ucoelections or follow the hastag #RollVotes16 on Twitter.

$28,000 Donation Queila Omena @queilaomena Reporter

(Continued from cover) Ruzzolli said he believes Gray has a passion to help the community, and to improve people’s lives.

Gray’s journey to utilize the new playground started when she was promoted to President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at HMES two years ago.

One of her goals and ideas was to replace an outdated and out-regulated playground that wasn’t fulfilling the students’ expectations, she said.

“One of the reasons why I’ve seen a need for [a new playground] is that we are actually a healthy lifestyle school. They fund us well for the kids to be active, but as a parent, I felt if the school is doing their part in providing and pushing the healthy lifestyle skills, what can we do as parents to help?” Gray said.

After taking her role as the president of PTA, Gray decided to look for playgrounds and was shocked by their high cost. The original one she was looking costed $70,000. After several weeks of research, she found a company in Florida with fairer prices that was willing to ship the playground pieces to be installed here

at Oklahoma, she said.

According to Gray, a considerable number of parents got involved with fundraisers and became disciplined into raising money to improve the students’ school breaks.

The playground was purchased in May of this year, but money was still needed to establish it in Oklahoma City. According to Gray, foundations came together offering to pay for the installation costs of the playground.

The Aldridge Foundation, Cresap Family Foundation, Breit Company, along with the help from members of the community, Toby Tindell, Gregg Long, and Holly Freeman donated to the school and were engaged in the installation process.

After the donations, Gray decided to implement two soccer goals to the school.

“It was amazing that once people started hearing what we were doing here they were coming forward and had no problem helping with that.

I’m very appreciative. Not only it helped the children get a new playground, which I know they are going to be super excited about, but it made me feel just a little accomplished because I made it my personal goal to make this project done before we left here,” Gray said.

The graduate student believes it’s

Principal Mitchel Ruzzolli, UCO student Lisa Gray, members of the Aldridge Foundation, students from Horace Mann, and others take part in cutting the ribbon at the unveiling of the new playground on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Photo by Cara Johnson, The Vista.

important to give back to the community and help others succeed.

In June of this year, Gray started working at UCO at the Student Support Services-Lameta as a Retention Specialist helping students achieve their goals to their fullest academic potential.

“I love helping students. I was very appreciative that I got that job, because now I’m able to help students at UCO. We help and cater to students that are first generation or are in financial need. To be able to do that at a university, for me it’s

amazing. Because we have students that come in and this is the first time dealing with college. And their parents actually never dealt with it,” Gray said.

Gray said she hopes to continue helping students at UCO, and students at other schools. She graduated UCO with a General Studies degree, and is now pursuing her second Bachelor’s in Psychology.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community. I like to give back to students,” Gray said.

FALL INTO FASHION

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UCO Fashion Majors at 7th Annual Show Abbey Elliott

@abbeyelliott Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma’s fashion marketing majors prepared for their 7th annual Spring Creek Fashion on Oct. 27. Local Edmond businesses contributed to help the students deliver a thoughtout show.

The fashion show benefited Children’s Miracle Networks Hospitals by giving proceeds to the Children’s Miracle Network. This year’s show displayed this season’s top fashion trends. The clothes were from local stores in the Spring Creek Plaza. The fashion show not only served as entertainment to Edmond citizens, but also advertised for the local clothing stores involved.

Fashion Marketing professor, Dr. Susan Miller, said that the show is a great resume builder for the students involved, and in the past students have received job opportunities for participating.

“This is a service project for the students and offers a transformative learning experience to work with

A model poses at the end of the runway during the 2015 Fall into Fashion show in Edmond, Okla. This Fall, the show is hosted by UCO students, and benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. (Photo provided by Vista Archives.)

real people and be thrown into real life situations,” Miller said.

Stores featured in the show included: Runway Seven, Chicos, New Balance, Ann Taylor Loft, Lucca and a few others. There were also models of all types to show

how diverse the clothing was.

The Spring Creek Facebook page and Twitter page served as sources for updates for the show for the well-populated area in Edmond.

Along the lines of social media, the Spring Creek Twitter account also

posted updates.

The student-run and student-led show, was a way to be updated on what is going on in the fashion world was also a reflection of the Fashion Marketing Department at UCO.

Women in the crowd chat before the 2015 Fall into Fashion show, hosted by UCO students.This year, the show benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. (Photo provided by Vista Archives.)

7

BRONCHO BASKETBALL

Broncho Basketball:

MIAA Preseason Ranking for Men’s & Women’s

A. Suave Francisco @SuaveFrancisco_ Sports Editor

Believe it or not, basketball season starts in a few days and the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll is out. The University of Central Oklahoma men’s basketball team was picked seventh in the league, announced on Wednesday.

This ranking is fair, considering the season the Bronchos had last year. It’s sort of a neutral ranking because it’s right in the middle of the conference at 7 out of 14 potential teams.

The Bronchos are in a complete rebuilding stage, only returning five players from last season. The seniors being Corbin Byford and Corey Alpough.

Junior Garen Wright, and sophomores Josh Holiday and Jordan London.

The 2016-2017 season will be Tom Hankin’s second. Last season he finished with a (16-14),(1111) record.

Coach Hankins expressed his view of this team entering the season as having an interesting balance of fresh faces and seasoned Bronchos. Also, that the age of his team will assist in the integra-

tion of 11 new players.

This ranking could go either way. The season’s fate is highly dependent on the newly acquired 11 players and the leadership ability of the five returning. Especial Byford, Alpough, and Wright.

They will open the new season hosting the MIAA/Great American Conference Crossover Nov. 11-13. They will face Northwestern Oklahoma State on Friday, and Southeastern Oklahoma State on Sunday for game two.

The University of Central Oklahoma women’s basketball team will enter the 2016-2017 season ranked sixth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Conference according to the coaches’ poll, announced Thursday.

This will be head coach Guy Hardaker’s 11th season as head basketball coach for the Bronchos following a (19-11) season last year. He will return half of last season’s team.

Redshirt senior Hayley Bryan will attempt to return following a hip surgery last season when she had to redshirt. With her healthy, and on the active roster, she brings a much-needed addition to the team at the stretch-four position. Her athleticism could present roadblocks for opposing teams.

Women’s Prediction 2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll (First-place votes in parentheses) 1. Emporia State, (12) 168 2. Pittsburg State, (2) 156 3. Washburn, 132 4. Fort Hays State, 127 5. Missouri Western, 124 6. Central Oklahoma, 96 7. Nebraska-Kearney, 95 8. Central Missouri, 89 9. Missouri Southern, 83 10. Southwest Baptist, 75 11. Northeastern State, 43 12. Lindenwood, 40 13. Northwest Missouri, 31 14. Lincoln, 15

Senior Olivia Mason is also a stretch four that can, and has created problems for teams in the past. She’s the leading returning scorer for the Bronchos as well.

Marley Anderson is also a senior and has played in almost 90 games in her three seasons, giving this rather inexperienced Broncho team some leadership from the guard position. Ashley Stephens tops out the seniors for UCO, but she’s also planning to return from an injury-filled junior season.

That’s four seniors for the Bronchos, which gives them a pretty even balance of experience with fresh faces.

Coach Hardaker mentioned that he isn’t aiming to be one of the top-four teams in the conference this year. He stated that they must aim towards the top spot in the MIAA and that it’s a very reachable goal.

Just like the men’s team, the Bronchos will begin the season at home, hosting the MIAA/Great American Conference Crossover Nov. 11-13. They will play Northwestern Oklahoma State on Friday, Nov. 11 and Southeastern Oklahoma State on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Men’s Prediction 2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll (First-place votes in parentheses) 1. Northwest Missouri, (13) 169 2. Washburn, (1) 147 3. Fort Hays State, 129 4. Lincoln, 123 5. Missouri Southern, 111 6. Nebraska-Kearney, 104 7. Central Oklahoma, 94 8. Pittsburg State, 93 9. Central Missouri, 92 10. Lindenwood, 72 11. Emporia State, 55 12. Missouri Western, 45 13. Northeastern State, 22 14. Southwest Baptist, 18

8

BUCKING BRONCHO

The Bucking Broncho:

The UCO Faithful... or Unfaithful?

Students cheer on the Bronchos from the stands at the first football game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. Games following the first of the season typically see less and less attendees as the semester goes on. Photo by Ryan Naeve, The Vista.

A. Suave Francisco @SuaveFrancisco_ Sports Editor

Football games used to be the highlight of the week for the University of Central Oklahoma’s students, but recently that hasn’t been the case.

Other than the team not producing quality records, everything is the same as the past, but at the same time, there’s a drastic difference.

My father rants and raves about his four years at UCO back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. He also voices his disgust with the direction it has gone in since he’s graduated.

Seemingly, the excuse for the lack of attendance is the lack of campus life and a small number of enrolled students actually living on campus.

It’s always been like that. Well at least for the past 35-40 years. The only difference is that students cared about their university.

It wasn’t just a place to get a degree, it’s students supported the Broncho name like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State students support

their school.

There was pride in this institution being the “OKC metro’s university.”

Somehow, the school spirit dissolved over the years.

The easy excuse would be the team’s 63-72 record over the last decade. The honest assessment of this program during that time period has obviously been below average to average.

Losses historically don’t attract crowds, but at the same time, a great deal of sports teams’ success relies on support and the crowd’s involvement. Football specifically, due to it being a sport highly reliant on momentum.

Wantland Stadium seats approximately 10,000 people according to D2Football.com, which means the home side presumably seats somewhere about 7,000-7,500. In UCO’s latest win over Missouri Southern State, the total attendance of the game was 1,985, including the visiting team’s fans, according to UCO’s athletic department.

For UCO to have the 16th largest

stadium in division two football and tied for the largest in the conference, this is an embarrassment and probably a quarter of the reason why this program hasn’t performed at a high level.

I’m not in the marketing profession, and I’m not sure how UCO can attract more students to games other than the first game of the season and homecoming, but something needs to give.

It shouldn’t take bribing, or an unbelievable recruiting class to draw students to the games, the desire to cheer for their school should be enough. But since that isn’t happening, UCO has to come up with some strategic advertising techniques to fill the seats again.

Talking to former members of the football team, and even current members of the basketball team, they almost all say the talent is there, they just don’t have the support needed to build momentum in games. The momentum that builds confidence, and confidence that turns into successful seasons.

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