Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
Volume 120, Issue 18
VISTA The
Chelsea Cutler Page 8
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”
Volume 119, Issue 19
Lamb invokes state history in speech to faculty, staff
UCO President Todd Lamb (UCO/PROVIDED)
Sam Kozlowski Reporter
After becoming University of Central Oklahoma’s 22nd president in July, Todd Lamb said he aims to build upon the success of past presidents as well as fix any previously made missteps. “We must double-down on our efforts to make sure that our institution
has financial viability and stability for the years ahead, to bring in more students and to make sure this is a thriving, robust community,” Lamb said during an Aug. 15 speech to faculty and staff in the Nigh University Center. In his first two months at the university, UCO experienced a few early wins: this summer, Lamb granted faculty and staff a 3% pay raise, making it the first salary adjustment in over 10 years. In addition, UCO received its largest freshman class in its history, roughly 25 percent larger than last year. Dorms are at maximum capacity, correcting a trend since 2020 of falling enrollment during the COVID-19 crisis. Lamb stressed the importance of using his position to convene with local politicians to improve student experiences. “As president of this university, one role I think I have is to be an ambassador to the mayor’s office in Edmond and the city manager’s office,” Lamb said. Born in Enid, Lamb, 51, received a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma State University. He also attended multiple classes at UCO, and earned a Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University. Following college, Lamb became an assistant to Governor Frank Keating. Lamb later joined the U.S. Secret Service, serving from 1998 to 2002. While with the Secret Service, he was assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, was a lead investigator following the 9/11 attacks and protected Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. After his tenure with the Secret Service, Lamb worked as an agricultural representative in northwest Oklahoma for U.S. Senator Don Nickles. Lamb later successfully ran for the Oklahoma State Senate, representing Edmond from 2005 to 2011. He then served as lieutenant governor of Oklahoma from 2011 to 2019, under Gov. Mary Fallin. Lamb took on educational, financial and commerce-related issues during his time serving as both a senator and the lieutenant governor. Since 2019, Lamb has focused mainly on his private legal practice and other business ventures before becoming president. During his introductory speech, Lamb acknowledged the great deal of indigenous history and suffering in the state saying,“Native Americans were here way before anybody.”
Cont. on page 4
UCO voices weigh in on Trump’s Georgia indictment Jake Ramsey Managing Editor
Former President Donald Trump, along with 18 others, turned himself over to Atlanta authorities Thursday for charges related to the 2020 election, resulting in the release of his mugshot. “It’s an amazing visual display,” said UCO professor of political science Loren Gatch. When asked if this would harm the former president’s chances in the upcoming 2024 election, Gatch had this to say: “The people who like him are going to like him.” He also noted that “they love the idea that he’s standing up.” While Trump may be facing severe legal troubles and is missing key debates against the other Republican candidates, support from his party has not stopped. During a debate on Wednesday, “all of the candidates raised their hands when asked the question ‘Would you still support Donald Trump?’” stated political science student Gareth Morton. Morton appears to be of the same belief as Gatch that these charges are seemingly doing nothing to harm the former president’s chances for election, noting that “he’s using it as a fundraising tool.” The difference in belief between Morton and Gatch comes from which charges they believe are more damaging to Trump.
“The classified documents are the clearest proof he did something wrong,” said Morton. He believes that the federal investigation into the Mar-a-Lago classified documents will be the most harmful investigation to Trump. “If a Republican were to take office, the federal charges could be pardoned,” argued Gatch when asked the same question. Whereas in the Georgia case, it’s state charges being held against Trump, therefore “there’s nothing a future Republican president could do,” said Gatch. This is due to the lack of power a president can have over individual states, versus the power that president would have over a federal case. The charges in Georgia include violating the state’s racketeering act, conspiring to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiring to falsify documents, and more. Along with Donald Trump, 18 others have been charged including, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trump’s legal counsel, and former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadow. Despite the charges and allegations, Donald Trump still remains one of the frontrunners for the Republican party. He’s currently leading in the polls ahead of his colleagues in the party, which includes current Florida governor Ron DeSantis, as well as businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence.
Donald Trump’s mugshot released on Thursday. (Provided/Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)
Chelsea Cutler plays UCO Sam Royka Editor-in-chief
Chelsea Cutler performed Aug. 24 in Hamilton Field House to welcome in the fall semester at UCO. The event was part of Cho-Chella, which featured festival-style vendors and food trucks as part of stampede week. Cutler is from Westport, Connecticut. Her debut studio album, How To Be Human, peaked at no. 23 on Billboard charts after its release in January 2020. She got her start on SoundCloud, posting original songs beginning while in high school in 2014. Culter decided to follow the music full time in 2018. Her latest single “I Don’t Feel Alive,” released July 14, 2023.
During stampede week, Cutler sang to an audience of Bronchos that showed the love in their faces. (The Vista/Jaydon Sims)
2
The Vista
ENTERTAINMENT
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
Weekly Horoscope
Sam Royka Editor-in-Chief
LEO
ARIES
TAURUS April 20-May 20
May 21-June 20
June 21-July 22
July 23-August 22
With the Pisces Full Moon transiting your twelfth house, prepare for sudden insight that may come out of nowhere. Keeping a dream journal is a good idea for 3 days before and after Aug 30, while the subconscious makes itself known. This is a result of the twelfth house creating comfort with those things that usually remain hidden. Additionally, a spike in your creative energy would be entirely in character with the current energies. Jotting those ideas down when they occur may save you time later! Your song for the week is Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi by Radiohead.
This Moon takes a trip through your eleventh house, sparking a fork in the road with how you relate to friends and connections within your network. You may find yourself becoming more strategically social if you’ve been in a season of introversion. In contrast, if you’ve been busy, things may now take a slowdown. With your ruler Venus in retrograde as well as Uranus retrograding in your sign, taking time to focus on quality rather than quantity will serve you well. There is no shame in protecting your energy. Your song this week is Friends by Lance Skiiiwalker.
While the Full Moon moves through your tenth house, your career comes to the forefront. A cycle is closing now! The planets in retrograde include your ruler, Mercury, sweeping up issues that needed to be addressed. Likely this has led to an increased awareness of your feet on the ground in the career world. As the moon wanes this month, think about what’s holding you back and boosting you up. What is worth it to let go of? Your song is small talk by Sophie Said.
Another Full Moon brings a sense of completeness to your world, Cancer. This tide passes through your ninth house, drawing attention to philosophy and travel. Watch out for car issues or canceled plans at this time, particularly if you are a Cancer rising. On a brighter side, a Full Moon in the ninth house presents us with an opportunity for expansion. Where in your patterns of thought are the beliefs that keep you stuck? You have always been good enough. Your song is open doors by Trevor Hall, Mrs. Jamr, Clo-Bugz, and Yoyo.
An exciting start to September could come with a spark as this Moon transits your eighth house. Read: Scorpio energy. This transit speaks of things once hidden bubbling up to be revealed. Besides prophecy talk, the transit encourages you to feel what your body is telling you beyond what your mind can put into words. Following physical senses and intuition goes far now. See what you can uncover! Your song this week is Strange by LP.
March 21-April 19
LIBR A
VIRGO
GEMINI
September 23-October 22
The Moon visits your seventh house this time around, bringing relationships to the forefront. A Venus-Jupiter square indicates some tension, while Mercury aspects bring luck and skill in communication. Attention will be focused on your closest connections, but conversations should flow to an easier place. Intentionally setting aside care for yourself will help make any processes easier. Your song is A Conversation by Community Girlfriend and Lennon Bramlett.
A sixth house transit comes your way with this Moon, taking a fine-tooth comb to your daily routine. Habits that increase tiredness and muscle tension have got to go! This Moon encourages you not to overcommit yourself. You may also find that a period of rest is on its way soon. Meditating, eating lunch, and stretching are always good, but you may just find that what works best for you is rather intuitive! The challenge is staying balanced. Your song is Patterns by S.C.A.B.
AQUARIUS
SCORPIO
December 21-January 20
This is a fun transit for you! The experience of leisure may come with a fork in the road this week. A Saturn-Sun opposition means you have an opportunity to learn something. Fifth house energy is all about play, creativity, romance, and eureka moments. You can critically review the way you play if that’s your style, but this transit is more about the feeling of it all. Either way, you’ll be tapped in when it’s time to listen. Your song is All For You by Janet Jackson.
Your fourth house is lit up by this moon, shining a light on your family and the people you live with. Conflicts with these people could resolve via communication at this time. Changes and natural shifts are likely as what you’ve been building falls into place. Actually, what have you been building? Call your friends to let them know. This week, your song is Runs in the Family by Amanda Palmer.
When the Piscean Moon takes on your third house, your mind might start buzzing. This could manifest in two ways. One, a flurry of thoughts could pile up like snowflakes. In this case, a journal could come in handy! Two, a more subtle intellectual shift could come in the form of new ideas. Google ‘meta-thinking.’ Prepare for something unexpected this week! Your song is BIG BRAIN by JACK.
PISCES
The second house rules stability, security, and dollar bills. A Full Moon here, with the current aspects, indicates an incoming challenge: how can we keep a secure mindset if things feel shaky? Push-and-pull energy keeps things interesting this week. Remember your inner stability! Keep an eye on your inbox and see what comes in. Your song this week is Solid Ground by Maps & Atlases.
This week slides into the DMs with a Full Moon in your sign, Pisces! It transits your first house, which rules self and identity. You may find that personal goals come to fruition the more you align with your intuition. If you feel called, a project like a self-portrait or vision board may help you see your future more clearly. An internal conflict is likely to come to the surface at this time, and it’s up to you how to move forward. Your song is Talking to Myself by Watsky.
Week of 4/24/23 - 4/30/23
SUDOKU
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Difficulty: Medium
8
6 3 7
1 7
5 9 4 1 5 9 3 2 2 5
3 4 8 7 6
3 9 6 4 5
Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate
CAPRICORN
November 22-December 21
February 19-March 20
January 21-February 18
SAGITTARIUS
October 23-November 21
2
August 23- September 22
CANCER
HOW TO SOLVE:
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Answer to Previous Sudoku:
8 2 6 9 5 1 4 7 3 4 5 9 3 7 6 8 2 1 7 3 1 4 2 8 5 9 6 1 8 7 6 3 2 9 5 4 2 6 5 7 4 9 1 3 8 3 9 4 1 8 5 7 6 2 5 1 8 2 6 7 3 4 9 9 4 2 5 1 3 6 8 7 6 7 3 8 9 4 2 1 5
Under a heavy retrograde season, Week of 8/28/23 - 9/3/23 this Full Moon brings out a large amount of energy for review. This is a time for closing cycles. As always, let go to move forward.
The Weekly Crossword
by Margie E. Burke
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Imitate Pac-Man 14 15 16 6 Up to snuff 18 19 17 10 Napoleon's exile isle 21 20 14 Happen again 22 23 24 15 Rider's grip 16 Broadway 25 26 27 28 29 brightener 17 Arch rival 32 33 34 30 31 18 Inlaid with gold 35 36 37 38 39 or silver 20 Wound covering 40 42 43 44 41 21 Red blood-cell 47 48 45 46 source 22 Capitol Hill figure 49 50 51 52 24 Music for one 57 56 25 53, in old Rome 53 54 55 26 Prom decoration 58 59 30 "Most Wanted" 61 62 60 agcy. 32 Greek 64 65 63 philosopher 34 Justice symbol Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate 35 Bee, to Andy 37 Whirls DOWN 31 Insult, in slang 50 Yeats and Keats 39 Snake's warning 1 Salad greens 33 Relate (to) 51 Put into words 40 Rowing teams 2 Therefore 36 Cheated on 52 Installs in office 42 Appeals 3 Titanic, for one 38 Gown material 53 Altar spot 44 URL ending, 4 India's largest 41 Pie serving 54 Donkey's call sometimes city 43 Calendar abbr. 55 Rounded roof 45 Course taker 5 Get too nosy 46 Crude shelter 56 Not being used 47 Bath powder 6 Intensity 48 Tart, in a way 59 Objective 49 Stadium level 7 Hit on the head 50 Pathetic 8 Quarry rock Answers to Previous Crossword: 53 Relinquishment 9 Beguile F R O G R O A R S P R A Y of the throne 10 Infringe upon R A V E E G R E T L E G O 57 TV remote 11 Salacious look I D E M G R I M R E A P E R button 12 U2 frontman A C C U S E 58 Strolling site 13 One more time A I R S P E E D P I L E D R O T T E N 59 It comes from 19 Type of pitch O C T O G E N A R I A N the heart 21 Cooks eggs, in R E S E T A B A S H A N K 60 "Ditto" a way C A T E R S T E P 61 Pinball error 23 Word of advice T A L E A I M D O N U T S U E D E 62 Map inside a 26 Stadium T R A C I N G P A P E R map entrance M A T T E R A C I S M 63 Surveyed 27 Appetizer O P E R E T T A T R A N C E 64 Aces, follower A E O N sometimes 28 Word in a threat W A T C H S T R A P T I A R A S M O G I K E A 65 "Wayne's World" 29 Doctor's order T E R N S P L A Y E S P Y co-star 30 Clock front
ENROLLMENT
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
The Vista
3
Cars line the parking lot for the beginning of the fall semester (The Vista/Ethan Brown).
Full house: diving into the UCO enrollment boom Zakary Royka Reporter
The 2023 Fall semester has had the highest single-semester enrollment in UCO history, bucking the COVID-19-fueled trend of suppressed freshmen enrollment. We have around 800 more freshmen than last fall’s semester. At the time of writing, students can still add classes to their schedules. Consequently, estimates must suffice. When asked about this enrollment spike, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success Christopher Lynch stated, “We’re up over 25 percent. There is a huge vibe in the air this year. Kudos to admissions; there were a lot of changes made on what we do with admissions and how we recruit.” going on to say “Schools don’t do this. We are the outlier in the United States.” On-campus student housing is fully booked, with hundreds of students deciding to sign up for the convenience that spells. Undoubtedly, these drastic changes bring a great boon to the campus, with the liveliness of stampede week still in full swing. Music, food, plenty of events, and myriad extracurricular activities have made this first week remarkably lively on campus. Despite a smaller graduating class of Oklahoma high school seniors, UCO admissions buck the trend. A boost in enrollment brings much-needed student engagement
to the campus and facilitates a stronger Broncho community. However, this has not been a universal positive. This high enrollment has given an unwelcome stress test of the university facilities. Many essential items, such as engineering paper, have been hard to acquire at the campus bookstore. Some professors have only learned of the classes they are teaching during the first week of school. Furthermore, D2L crashed the first morning of classes, leading to a partly damped reception for the newly enrolled. There is no better example of this than parking. With the wave of student parking permits, finding spots near most buildings is difficult. Autumn Inman, a Kinesiology major, had this to say. “(Parking on campus) has been pretty rough, … I knew it was pretty bad from people telling me about it, but I get here pretty early. It’s still a struggle.” The Vista reached out to Campus Police and Transportation and Parking Services for comment but has not heard back. While this new wave of enrollment may present some bumps in the road, it has done more good than bad for the campus. With bustle and vigor unlike the past few semesters, ESE Vice President Lynch summarized it well; “This campus is aglow. There’s going to be celebrations, there’s going to be more students than you have ever seen.”
A move in day unloading zone (The Vista/Ethan Brown).
STAFF Sam Royka Editor-in-Chief Jake Ramsey Managing Editor Payton Scott Sports Editor Jaydon Sims Photo Editor Ethan Brown Photographer Matilda Harvey Copy Editor Tess Peters Graphic Designer Britton Summers Reporter Zakary Royka Reporter Sam Kozlowski Reporter Phil Rodriguez Sports Reporter
VISTA 2023-24 layout design by Kevin Davis Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions, contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
A UCO parking lot filled with cars (The Vista/Ethan Brown).
Fresh faces, familiar feeling Hannah Wagar Reporter
Fresh faces, familiar feeling: Campus activity surges as new UCO freshmen arrive With freshman enrollment up 25% from last fall, campus population is starting to bounce back after the COVID-19 pandemic. With this increase, campus life looks different from the last few years. According to the UCO Office of Institutional Research, the campus is seeing 1,898 first-time freshmen this semester so far. This closely resembles the pre-pandemic freshman enrollment of 1,932 in fall 2019 and 1,856 in fall 2020. The residence halls were the first to be noticeably impacted by the influx of incoming freshmen. Chelsea Ratterman, director of enterprise marketing at UCO, notes that historically, one-third of first-time freshmen chose to live on campus. With the increase of freshman, the resident halls are seeing the highest occupancy numbers since the 2019-2020 school year. “Our housing is nearly at capacity,” said Christopher Lynch, vice president of enrollment and student services. He said that with more students living on campus, we will see more energy, excitement, and overall interaction, filling campus with more “Broncho Pride” than has been evident since COVID-19. With the start of classes, on-campus dining also began seeing a change in student activity, with an .increase
in sales of both commuter and residential meal plans, Ratterman said. Additionally, the expansion of both Chick-fil-A and Starbucks in the Nigh University Center will increase capacity, helping accommodate the influx of students. The difference in incoming student enrollment is also being felt in the parking lots. Monday and Tuesday both reflected full parking lots across campus at midday, but they became less crowded as the week went on. “This was the first time I’ve ever worried about not getting a parking space,” said James Carrabbia, a commuter student who started at UCO in 2020. “I’ve been told it is normally this busy, but this is the first semester I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’m just glad it doesn’t look like this on the lighter class days, too.” Between housing, dining, and parking, the freshmen are making their mark on campus living, and the community is noticing it. For those who were present on campus before the pandemic, this change is starting to feel familiar. “This is great news for our campus,” said Lynch, noting that campus is becoming livelier again. With anticipation for freshman enrollment to grow in the coming years as well, Lynch continued: “We are just getting started.”
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903
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.
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.
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 Communications, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
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.
LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must
ADDRESS LETTERS TO: Editor, The Vista 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209 Or, deliver in person to the editor in the Mass Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.
4 The Vista
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
Lamb interview, meet-and-greet scheduled in September Continued from Page 1
“And quite frankly, they personified April 19, 1995, the ‘Oklahoma Standard’ way before statehood,” he said. “Oklahoma was settled in a unique way. Through tragedy by the forced relocation of Native Americans in the Trail of Tears. They walked barefoot, overcoming death of loved ones, trial and tribulation.” He said Oklahoma’s peculiar story of courage, diversity and unification mirrors our university’s six core tenets: discipline, cultural competency, health, leadership, research and civic engagement. “Roughly five times during the land runs, men and women, young and old, married, single, different races, creeds and nation-
alities rushed forward in a brand new land with new hopes, dreams and aspirations,” he said. Lamb said UCO perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Oklahoma, with students coming from every part of the world to flourish and thrive from the knowledge they earn in class. “No state was formed like our state and we will be reflective of that Oklahoma Standard,” Lamb said. “That grit, tenacity, stewardship and neighbor-taking-care-ofneighbor the Broncho way.” Vista Editor-in-Chief Sam Royka will sit down with President Lamb for an interview this week. A story will follow online at ucentralmedia.com and in the Sept. 12 issue of The Vista.
Lamb is scheduled to address faculty and staff in Old North on Sept 6.
This Week In Taylor Swift: LA, Nicki Minaj and Mexico City Matilda Harvey Copy Editor
This week in Swiftstory, Taylor Swift played four shows in Los Angeles on the Speak Now World Tour from August 25 to 28, 2011. On August 28, 2011, Swift was joined by rapper Nicki Minaj to perform Super Bass at Staples Center. At the American Music Awards on November 20, 2011, Minaj thanked Swift in her Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist acceptance speech. In 2023, Taylor Swift has just finished four shows at Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, on the Eras Tour with support from Sabrina Carpenter. At the 2022 American Music Awards, Carpenter presented Swift with the award for Best Music Video. Taylor Swift interacts with the crowd after the acoustic set on Night 1 of Eras Tour Mexico City.” (Provided/Billboard)
Former Swift manager faces multiple client departures LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scooter Braun is one of the most recognizable names in the music business for his singular work as an executive and entrepreneur. He’s managed many of your favorite artists, propelling the likes of Justin Bieber to stratospheric fame, and earned the ire of Taylor Swift and her legions of fans for his business practices. On Friday, rumors circulated online that Justin Bieber was leaving Braun, his longtime manager — and the man credited with discovering him. In the days that followed, speculation grew, and media outlets began reporting that some of Braun’s other hype-profile clients like Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato were also parting ways with him — all of which has yet to be confirmed. Braun hasn’t issued a public statement, but did tweet in jest, writing “Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself.” As the story continues to unfold, here’s everything we know — and everything we don’t — about what’s going with Scooter Braun and his powerful client roster. Who has Scooter Braun managed? Without confirmation from artists, their teams, or Braun himself, changes to Braun’s roster are conjectural. AP reached out to every artist listed as being managed under Braun’s company, SB Projects, on their official website and only heard back from a select few. A person familiar with SB Projects’ business dealings, who was not authorized to speak publicly, told the AP the artists on the company’s roster have day-to-day managers who are not Braun, and he consults with them. The person noted that no single person would be able to manage his roster of some of the biggest names in music on their own. The site mentions his company’s “past and present work” and includes artists Braun no longer works with, including Hilary Duff and J Balvin. Representatives for Carly Rae Jepsen, BabyJake, and Asher Roth
confirmed to AP that those artists no longer work with Braun and haven’t for quite some time. A person close to Idina Menzel told AP the singer is no longer managed by Braun but was not authorized to speak publicly. A representative for pop star Ava Max confirmed that she is still represented by Braun. OK, but why is Scooter Braun a big deal? In the early 2000s, Braun dropped out of Emory College to throw parties for elite musicians traveling to Atlanta: Ludacris, Eminem, even Britney Spears. Jermaine Dupri recruited him to become So So Def’s executive director of marketing. Later, in 2007, Braun started his own talent management company, SB Projects, where in 2008, he’d discover Justin Bieber on YouTube, growing the teen heartthrob’s profile by utilizing social media. SB Projects encompasses a few ventures: Management, which included clients like Bieber, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, and for a short-stint, Kanye West; Sheba Publishing, a joint venture with Universal Music Group Publishing; and Schoolboy Records, a record label first put on the map by Braun’s client Asher Roth and his 2009 hit “I Love College.” Braun operated his assorted companies under one entity called Ithaca Holdings. In the midst of his incredible success, in 2019, Braun bought Big Machine Records, the label that originally signed Taylor Swift and released her first six records. Its CEO Scott Borchetta stayed in place. With the purchase, Braun purchased ownership to Swift’s master recordings, which he sold to an investment fund the following year. As a result, Swift announced that she would re-record her albums to own her new masters in a project called “Taylor’s Version.” In April 2021, Braun sold Ithaca Holdings to HYBE — the publicly traded company formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, best known for creating the K-pop group BTS — in a $1.05 billion deal.
Scooter Braun previously managed Taylor Swift (PHOTO AP/PROVIDED)
According to the corporate filling, Braun would receive about 462,380 shares of the company (totaling $86.2 million) while his star clients Grande and Bieber would each receive 53,557 shares, or almost $11.0 million apiece. In January 2023, he became the sole CEO of HYBE America, having previously shared the title after the merger with Big Hit’s Lenzo Yoon. Back up — what is Braun doing with HYBE? When Braun’s Ithaca Holdings merged with the globally minded HYBE in April 2021, it became one of the largest music companies in the world. Just a few months later, in July, Bang Si-hyuk, the CEO of Bit Hit Entertainment/HYBE stepped down, Park Ji-won took over, and Lenzo Yoon and Scooter Braun were named co-CEOs of HYBE America. In January, Braun
became the sole CEO — which means he’s busy. There has been speculation that if Braun’s artists are leaving SB Projects management, it is because Braun is slowly placing his focus on HYBE America instead of acting as an artist manager. But so far, there’s been no confirmation that’s what’s happening. What does a music manager do? The role of a music manager is an elusive one, based largely on the kind of relationship between the businessperson and the musician. The best music managers — and we’re excluding business and tour managers here, whose specialties are in the title — are fiercely organized, dedicated to the success of their artist. They possess a deep understanding of the industry and the artist’s place within it. They work to ensure their artist’s projects run smoothly, connecting teams to reach a particular goal.
The Vista
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
5
Auditions begin for 2023-24 Mitchell Hall Theatre season
Destini Pittman Contributing Writer
UCO’s Department of Theatre Arts will host auditions for its upcoming season 6-9 p.m. Aug. 29 in MCOM Room 120. Auditions are for “12 Angry
Jurors,” an adaptation of Reginald Rose’s “12 Angry Men,” and Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”. Alongside “12 Angry Jurors” and “Our Town,” UCO will also include Tracy Letts’ “August: Osage County,” Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”,
and Kimberly Bellflower’s “John Proctor is the Villain,” a new play offering an empathetic look at the lives of young women in the 21st century. “I feel this season features a lot of theater classics,” said senior theater performance and APO president
Ian Wehrenberg. “ August, an dOur town are bothe theater classics and John Proctor is the Villain is a twist on a classic.” This year’s theater will host two shows directed by UCO theater performance students. Through the theater organization Alpha
Psi Omega (APO) students Cole Shoemaker and Cutter Acker will direct “12 Angry Jurors” and “A Doll’s House,” respectively. Performances of “August: Osage County” are Sept.r 21-24 and September 28October 1 in the Mitchell Hall main stage.
‘Red Dead Redemption’ receives refresh and remaster Britton Summers Reporter
It’s finally happened. Fans have clamored for years and finally Rockstar has caved – by barely changing a thing and not giving fans the Outlaw Collection. I won’t pretend that I wasn’t disappointed that Rockstar decided to take the easy and lazy way out. They did this by porting the original Red Dead to the Playstation 4, instead of remastering it in the engine in which they created “Red Dead Redemption II.” I am glad that we now have it on PS4. “Red Dead Redemption” was a game changer. It introduced the western genre to a new generation of people, and showcased the potential of the genre for the medium of video games. It also showcased Rockstar’s values of storytelling and immersive world creation. While most may know them for the wild and wacky “Grand Theft Auto” series, Rockstar is underrated for its storytelling prowess and complicated moral choices that they force on their characters. “Red Dead Redemption” is no different. But how does it hold up? Does it still have the same magic even after all of these years? Why yes. It still
Rockstar recently released its remaster of ‘Red Dead Redemption.’ (ROCKSTAR/PROVIDED)
holds up very well. “Red Dead” is one of those games where it’s surprising that this game was made more than a decade ago, as the visuals, voice acting, and the landscapes that Rockstar created still hold up today. The visual artists even went to the real life locations that were the inspiration for the landscapes in the game. The detail in this game paid off. The writing, dialogue, and storytelling are top notch. Whoever writes the dialogue at Rockstar should get a raise. “Red Dead
Redemption” showcases the storytelling prowess of Rockstar, as we follow the story of John Marston as he attempts to track down his former brothers in arms from his old gang. Red Dead grapples with themes of finding redemption. It explores if John can find redemption, and the encroachment of civilization, as well as how civilization is often built on blood. As violent as John, Dutch, and the other outlaws are, many of the people who promote civilization are just as vio-
lent and conniving. No one comes out clean in “Red Dead,” and as Marston says, no one gets forgiven. There are criticisms to be made. This new port is buggy, and it’s not entirely infrequent. There was one point where the game wouldn’t let me advance to the next part. There were moments where I had to reload the game in order to make sure that it was playable. Luckily this wasn’t a game killing experience. Was it frustrating? Sure. But it didn’t break the game.
“Red Dead Redemption” is one of Rockstar’s crowning achievements, alongside “Grand Theft Auto IV,”“V,” and the prequel to this game “Red Dead Redemption II.” It is a game that showcases all that video games can do as an artistic medium, but it’s also an entertaining game where you can live out all of your cowboy fantasies. Despite the controversy over the remaster, I still think that “Red Dead Redemption” is well worth the play.
The Vista
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
6
UCOSA to focus on campus engagement in 2023-24
A sunny-day view of campus including Broncho lake, the blue tent, and Old North as students move across the lawn. (Provided/UCO Official)
Mariah Vanzant Contributing Writer
The UCO Student Association’s goal for the 2023-24 school year is to educate UCO students about the processes of UCOSA by being more present for the student body. UCOSA is UCO’s student government association. Its purpose is to address student concerns and manage student organizations. “Before COVID, students used to be a lot more involved and know a lot more about what UCOSA was and how it functioned and we really want to get back to that point,” said UCOSA Chair of Student Congress Izzi Barry. She said that if students do not know they can bring their concerns to UCOSA members, it creates a barrier between students and UCOSA. UCOSA cannot do its job if students do not know where to express their concerns. For this year, UCOSA wants to prioritize being present for students and letting them know they are there for them. They want students to know that they are a resource. “We are really big on coordinated community,” Barry said. “We want to be there for events people are hosting.” Barry said she hopes that being present for students will help educate them on what UCOSA does and how they do it. As an example, UCOSA senators write bills that pertain to student life. If UCOSA approves the bill, it moves to the appropriate committee, and if the committee passes the bill it will be
brought up during the next meeting. UCOSA Secretary of Student Congress Ethan Noble said that UCOSA is also in charge of approving budgets for student organizations. Any UCO student can write a bill as long as they have a co-sponsor who is a senator. “Congress is open to everyone,” Barry said. “Every single meeting we have is open, so students can come at any time and voice any
concerns they may be having.” Barry also expressed that all students should come to the meetings. “We are very lucky on this campus to have people in departments that really value what students have to say and want to hear from us,” Barry said. UCOSA holds a meeting every Monday at 4
p.m. in the Will Rogers room on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center. was recorded on a camcorder by four friends on a camping trip. “Based on cheesy B-movies, it was filmed in the perspective of a camera because one of the characters, April, is vlogging,” said Logan Hobart, composer for “The Woods.” Things take a turn for the worse when the four realize they are being followed by something in the forest. “The Chainsaw Puppies,” directed by Olivia Miller, is about a newly-formed band navigating through their first concert gig. Miller also directed the short film “I’m Melting.” “Ayúdame” is a shorter-length documentary about the life of Kaleb Gonzalez’s grandfather and a song that he wrote in the past. His grandfather’s story won a first place award for the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association’s short documentary category. “Val the Boxer” is Kaleb’s second documentary to be featured, which won a National Award of Excellence and another first place for the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association in the long documentary category. It’s about a college student dropping out to become a professional boxer and the relationship with his father. UCO Film Club welcomes all to their screening and is encouraging students to bring their friends as well. More cinema will be showcased by the UCO Film Club in the future.
Stitt visits U.S.-Mexico border with other GOP governors Mariah Vanzant Contributing Writer
Gov. Kevin Stitt joined governors from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota on Aug. 22 at the southern border in Texas for a press conference regarding the border’s current security status. In June 2023, Stitt and 12 other Republican governors sent Oklahoma National Guard troops to the southern border between El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, to “provide aid” to border patrol agents. While in Texas, Stitt was a guest on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” where he spoke about his time visiting both Oklahoma National Guard troops in El Paso and parts of the southern border with Texas Governor Abbott. “We need to get the politicians out of there, and let the guys [border patrol workers] do their job,” Stitt said.
Stitt previously called this a nonpartisan issue, that safety at the border is a security issue and not a political one. “The sending of Oklahoma National Guard troops to the Texas border is a bit of a political theater,” said UCO Political Science Professor Loren Gatch. “They’re not authorized to enforce federal immigration law.” Some Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives voiced their opposition to Stitt sending troops to the border. “It is irresponsible to use members of the Oklahoma National Guard to pander to partisan politics and to propel himself to the national spotlight. Political stunts like these are a waste of Oklahoma taxpayer dollars,” said Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma House Democratic leader. Stitt has not announced when or if he plans to withdraw the troops. Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa (AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Gov. Stitt addresses the crowd at a campaign rally with his wife Sarah at right. (AP/Sue Ogrocki)
Gov. Jim Pillen of Nebraska (AP/Anna Reed)
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
WELLNESS
The Vista
Shots fired at first Choctaw football game
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Jake Ramsey Managing Editor
Shots were fired during a Friday night football game at the Choctaw High School stadium, killing one 16-year-old student of Mid-Del Schools, as well as injuring five others. The victim of the shooting has been identified as 16-year-old Cordae Carter. No shooter has been found yet, but three people have been detained, it has yet to be revealed by police if they were involved with the shooting. It is believed by police that an argument is what sparked the shooting, but it is still not yet confirmed. Among the injured includes an unnamed 42-year-old man who was shot in the chest and transported to a local hospital for surgery, an unidentified girl who was shot in the thigh and has since been released from the hospital, and others who reported injuries such as a broken wrist and leg which happened during the rush to cover, according to officials on the scene. An off-duty Del City police officer was on the scene and is reported to have also opened fire during the shooting; it is currently unknown if the officer struck anyone with his weapon. The incident began during the third quarter and took place at the northeast side of the stadium. As shots rang out coaches, players and others on the field began running for shelter. Many Oklahoma officials including Governor Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters released statements regarding the shooting. Stitt stated, “Sarah and I are heartbroken over the news of the senseless violence at Choctaw High School last night. We are praying for everyone involved.” Walters would also say, “Last night’s event in Choctaw is tragic. Violence of any kind has no place at our school events, and anyone who would threaten our kids must be swiftly brought to justice.” Students of Mid-Del returned to school Monday with an additional police presence, as well as mental health professionals on school grounds, and new guidelines for visitors. The investigation into the shooting is still on-going.
Sam Burns, right congratulating by Cameron Young after winning tournament. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Photo GoFundMe/Provided
UCO counseling and well-being center puts mental health first Taylor Chase Contributing Writer
At the University of Central Oklahoma, more students are looking for help with anxiety, depression and other mental health difficulties throughout their college experience. The UCO center for counseling and well-being staff provides services to help treat internal difficulties and improve oneself to reach their potential. In recent years, the number of students seeking treatment has increased, leading to an expansion of options for counseling and well-being, including Fostering Student Success, Project Speak, Tao SelfHelp and Health Promotion. Each service allows students to target their area of focus. This is a way for students within UCO’s program to experience effective and efficient help. Virtual walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Contact UCO CCWB directly at 405-974-2215 or by email at ucoccwb@uco.edu. The CCWB offices are located in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
Photo by Jake Ramsey
Understanding the link between long COVID and mental health conditions Laura Williamson Associated Press
Researchers have long understood that people with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, are at increased risk for depression. The same may be true for people with COVID-19 symptoms that linger for months and sometimes years. An estimated 28% of U.S. adults who have had acute COVID-19 infections say they have experienced long COVID at some point, according to the latest survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Long COVID occurs when a constellation of symptoms persist following the initial illness. It’s more prevalent among people who are older, female, hospitalized and unvaccinated. Symptoms vary but may include fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gut problems, heart palpitations, sexual problems, change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, muscle twitching and the worsening of symptoms after any type of physical or mental exertion. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in June issued an advisory warning that long COVID can have “devastating effects on the mental health of those who experience
it, as well as their families,” stemming from the illness itself, social isolation, financial insecurity, caregiver burnout and grief. It has been linked to fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other conditions. “Depression is the most prominent symptom we see,” said Dr. Jordan Anderson, a neuropsychiatrist and assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and neurology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Diagnosing depression in someone with long COVID takes a more nuanced approach than diagnosing the condition in the general population, Anderson said. That’s because symptoms often associated with depression – such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, changes in appetite and concentration – also are associated with long COVID. These symptoms alone “might not truly reflect how depressed someone is,” he said. Instead, he looks for signs a person is no longer deriving joy from things they used to enjoy and are still capable of enjoying. He also asks about feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts.
Dr. Anna Dickerman, chief of consultation-liaison psychiatry and associate professor of clinical psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, said rates of depression and anxiety in people with long COVID appear to be higher than in the general population, just as they are among people with other chronic illnesses. The virus that causes COVID-19 may be contributing to a person’s mental state in a variety of ways, she said. The person may have experienced prolonged isolation or they may be dealing with physical limitations directly related to their illness, such as being easily fatigued and unable to function normally. Such limitations may have even led them to lose their jobs. “That can affect you in your day-to-day existence,” Dickerman said. “If a person has low energy, they may want to stay in bed all day. But doing that might make you feel even more depressed.”
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The Vista
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
POP CULTURE
Cutler rocks Cho-Chella for UCO Stampede Week
Chelsea Cutler, who was scheduled to perform at the 2020 Coachella Valley Music Festival before it was canceled due to Covid, performed live for UCO audiences on Aug. 24 at the Hamilton Field House. Cutler’s latest album is 2021’s When I Close My Eyes. (PHOTO JAYDON SIMS/THE VISTA)
LISTEN UP FOR LIVE SHOWS
Sylvan Esso performs Sept. 13 at The Jones Assembly (LOMA VISTA/PROVIDED)
AUGUST Bully, Aug. 29, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Led Zeppelin 2, Aug. 30, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Lalah Hathaway, Aug. 31, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com AJJ, Aug. 31, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com SEPTEMBER The Steel Woods, Sept. 1, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Thee Sinseers and The Altons, Sept. 1, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com The Venomous Pinks, Sept. 1, The Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson, okcbluenote.com Authority Zero, Sept. 2, The Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson, okcbluenote.com Poppy and Pvris, Sept. 3, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Spacecowboy, Sept. 7, The Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson, okcbluenote.com Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter, Sept. 8, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Matt Williams, Sept. 9, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Ginger Minj, Sept. 9, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Jay Light, Sept. 9, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com GW2 and DJ Vision, Sept. 11, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Black Joe Lewis, Sept. 12, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Johnny Manchild, Sept. 13, The Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson, okcbluenote.com Sylvan Esso, Sept. 13, The Jones Assembly,
901 W. Sheridan, thejonesassembly.com Chastity, Sept. 13, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com True Widow, Sept. 14, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Soft Hands, Sept. 15, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Dust Bowl Dolls, Sept. 15, Ponyboy, 423 NW 23rd, ponyboyokc.com Iguana Death Cult, Sept. 15, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Rage Against the System, Sept. 16, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Keathley and the Burning Bras, Sept. 16, Res-
onant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead. com Prof: High Priced Shoes Tour, Sept. 17, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Being Dewad, Sept. 18, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Broken Social Scene, Sept. 18, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Unwed Sailor, Sept. 19, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Model/Actriz, Sept. 20, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Uncle Lucius, Sept. 20, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Sleep Token, Sept. 20, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Myron Elkins, Sept. 21, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Beth Orton, Sept. 22, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com Mad Honey, Sept. 22, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Ian Moore, Sept. 23, The Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson, okcbluenote.com The Criticals with Labrys, Sept. 23, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Yungatita, Sept. 23, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com Switchfoot, Sept. 24, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com The Midnight, Sept. 25, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Heartless Bastards, Sept. 26, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com The Gaslight Anthem, Sept. 26, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com Little Image, Sept. 26, Resonant Head, 400 SW 25, Suite A, resonanthead.com
Model/Actriz performs Sept. 20 at Resonant Head. (DANGER COLLECTIVE/PROVIDED)