20 April 2020

a student newspaper of the University of Tulsa

April 20, 2020 issue 24~ volume 105

Senior farewell letters,

cover by Emma Palmer

pg. 6

2020 TU sports in review, pg. 2 TU gives back, pg. 3 “Portrait of a Lady on Fire� worth your time, pg. 8

Sports

The Collegian: 2

20 April 2020

TU Sports 2019-2020: A Year in Review Sports journalist Hannah Robbins discusses some of the highlights of TU’s 2019/2020 sports season. Photographer James Taylor picks his favorite pictures of the year.

As in most years, Tulsa had high highs and low lows in sports. Our football team snapped winning streaks but missed a bowl game for the third time in a row, our men’s basketball team was almost ranked but fell apart in some key games and Tulsa’s esports teams began competing.

The first major upset in sports this year was Tulsa’s first conference win against UCF. UCF, the two-time defending American Conference champions, was poised to continue TU’s conference loss record, until Seth Boomer stepped on the field.

The Golden Hurricane came into the game down by 11 points, but then a perfect storm occurred.

First off, UCF was cocky. There were several fights on the field, but none of them between Tulsa and UCF. Instead, UCF was infighting as they slowly watched their lead (of the game and the conference) slip by.

Tulsa didn’t have the most yards or catches, but they won in what mattered: points.

That’s the best way they could win: Coming in as an underdog position, but with confidence in their abilities to win that propels them into the rest of the season.

It didn’t work, but it was worth a shot.

Then came the men’s basketball game. When No. 20 Memphis came to the Reynolds Center to play against TU, they were the favorites to win. Instead, they barely came to play.

While Memphis held the lead for a scant few minutes at the top

of the game, they lost it less than three minutes in and never got it back. Tulsa continued to coast up in points, watching as Memphis struggled to keep up in a game they should have won.

This 80-40 win was Tulsa’s largest margin of victory against a ranked team and that kicked the team into gear. They started to believe that they could win and did, against multiple ranked opponents.

This was the start of the men’s basketball team’s killer season.

Finally we get to the newcomers to sports this season: Tulsa’s esports teams. As their seasons continued amid COVID-19, TU’s “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” team earned a berth to an invitational tournament this month, capitalizing on their five-game hot streak they had during the opening of the esports lounge.

The school’s “League of Legends” and “Rainbow Six” teams have also had some strong finishes and upsets. As the only sport that can continue playing right now, it’s esports’s time to shine, and as it creeps closer and closer to the playoffs, the teams are grabbing some wins.

No matter how cynical TU students are about our sports teams each year, there’s no way to get past that this year we had some of the largest upsets in our school’s history in men’s basketball, beat conference champs in football, and the creation of an entire new set of teams with TU’s esports. The season might have been cut short for some of TU’s athletics, but our teams came to play (sports)ball.

Some of James’s favorite pictures of the year: a TU basketball player soars to the hoop (top), Crawford runs the ball into the endzone for a beautifully colored shot (middle), a stunning shot of a soccer player executing a kick (bottom).

photos by James Taylor

20 April 2020

News

The Collegian: 3

TU gives back to local community Amid this global pandemic, the University of Tulsa gathered and donated emergency funds and medical supplies.

Madison Connell News Editor Emeritus While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged resources for the healthcare system and people’s financial security, the University of Tulsa is not short of people giving back to its community. Among the many contributions, TU has rounded up emergency funds for students, reached out to those struggling from isolation and created and donated medical supplies.

One of the many students and faculty who have worked to give back to the local community is mechanical engineering senior Jacob Martinez. Since spring break, Martinez has used the Stephenson Hall’s laser cutter to forge plastic pieces for face shields for local hospitals. Other people and organizations have donated the other required elastic, padding and rubber bands.

So far, the senior has donated a few hundred, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“I never did this for publicity or recognition,” explained Martinez. “I started because I wanted to help out. Someone found out about what I was doing and it ended up on social media.”

In addition to Martinez, mechanical engineering student Tom Rendon also contributed to personal protective equipment parts by printing straps that allow the elastic of masks to hook onto at the back of the head,

photos courtesy Jacob Martinez Jacob Martinez (pictured left) created parts for face shields (pictured above) as just one example of TU students and employees giving back to the local community.

allowing a rest for the space behind the ears for frequent wearers of surgical masks. He has also contributed a few hundred so far, and the plastic straps have the words “Tulsa Strong” printed on them.

In a March 25 Facebook post, the University of Tulsa shared that the Department of Chemistry, the TU Hurricane Health Clinic and TU’s School of Nursing came together to donate over 400 surgical face masks, 500 pairs of vinyl gloves, 180 safety goggles, 70 disposable isolation gowns, nine N-95 masks and thousands of pairs of nitrile exam gloves, among other vital medical personal protective equipment. The supplies were split between Ascension St. John Medical Center, Saint Francis Health System and Hillcrest Medical Center.

Beyond physical supplies, the university has also organized emergency funds for students and hot meals for those in the medical profession. According to a statement from TU, alumni and other supporters have donated over $12,750 for students in need of financial assistance. The Tulsa Hurricane staff worked with Raising Cane’s to raise over ten grand so far, or almost two thousand meals for different health care workers.

Finally, Mandy Moore led the cause to help overwhelmed students connect to 70 employees across campus. Just a few of the departments involved include the Student Success Team, Career Services, Financial Wellness, Center for Student Academic Success, Violence Prevention, Veteran Affairs, Greek Life, Center for Global Engagement and the various colleges.

According to a statement from the University of Tulsa, “The purpose of the campaign is to express how TU cares for students and give them a chance to communicate with a person who can assist them though this challenging time. Students can ask questions, connect with someone on our campus during a time when we all feel isolated, match up with the appropriate resources to help their unique situation and receive a reminder that they are part of the TU community.”

In addition, an emergency food pantry is available to students and employees. The counseling center is open for staff. For more specific information on how to access these resources, email sheila-givens@utulsa.edu about what TU can do for students and faculty.

COVID-19 spikes Medical marijuana rates domestic violence cases get higher and higher Self-isolation and quarantine have made it more difficult for those in abusive relationships to spend time away from their abusers.

Anna Johns Satire Editor Amid the coronavirus pandemic, victims of domestic violence are stuck at home, placed in perpetual proximity to their abusive partners. The economic burdens and other stresses that accompany the crisis allow abuse to flourish. Domestic abuse cases have surged since the start of the shelter-inplace orders, leaving advocates and victims with fear and uncertainty in a crisis that experts believe was inevitable.

In the U.S., the threat is a cause for concern for advocacy groups for victims of domestic violence. Outside of the quarantine’s conditions, The New York Times writes “one in four women and one in seven men” face physical violence by a partner during their lifetimes. And as victims are trapped with their abusers, the ability to report domestic violence has grown harder, especially with the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19’s effects.

shelters, though they screen for symptoms of COVID-19.

The problem is not centered only in the U.S. According to The New York Times, the United Nations called for urgent action regarding the surge of domestic violence incidents. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges governments to pay attention and prevent a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” amid these public health measures. The damage is already done: various governments have failed to prepare for the way these public health measures will impact victims and create opportunities for abusers.

The statistics for other nations are troubling. The New York Times reports Spain’s number for domestic violence has “received 18 percent more calls in the first two weeks of lockdown than in the same period a month earlier.” The French police also observed a “nationwide spike of about 30 percent in domestic violence,” and the French interior minister asked officers to “be on the lookout for abuse.”

In February, a police station in Wuhan, while under strict lockdown, reported a “threefold increase in complaints” compared with the same period last year. India also experienced a “significant surge” in the months of March and April.

“Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges governments to pay attention and prevent a ‘horrifying global surge in domestic violence’ ...”

Kimberlina Kavern, the senior director of the victim assistance organization Safe Horizon, attributes the increase of the domestic violence incidents to the spike of unemployment numbers and other economic falters.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline’s (NDVH) reported “951 callers between 10 and 24 March who mentioned COVID-19” while describing their abuse.

Crystal Justice, the chief marketing and development officer at NDVH, told The New York Times: “We are hearing from survivors how COVID-19 is already being used by their abusive partners to further control and abuse, how COVID-19 is already impacting their ability to access support and services like accessing shelter, counseling, different things that they would typically lean on in their communities.”

However, reporting has decreased in some areas. The NDVH’s call, chat and text mediums have reported average numbers, but the hotline has seen an increase in victims who are “concerned with COVID-19 and how their abusive partner is leveraging COVID-19 to further isolate, coerce, or increase fear in the relationship.” Resources like NDVH are still available — people can still access other hotlines, legal advice, and

In response to these reports, many countries have placed mechanisms to protect women further, especially with the conditions built from lockdowns. According to Al Jazeera, the French government promised to open pop-up counselling centers and purchase hotel rooms for victims. Italy has launched an app for domestic violence victims to seek help without a phone call. The Scottish government has provided the Scottish Women’s Aid with £1.35 million.

Advocates are nonetheless committed to assisting victims with navigating a changed world — there has been discussion of emotional and physical safety plans. Lockdowns will end eventually, but the danger from confinement may intensify.

Domestic Violence Hotline’s advocates can be reached 24/7 via phone call at 1-800799-SAFE (7233) in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential.

If phone calls are not a safe option, there is also a live chat service available, found at https://www.thehotline.org/help/.

In the Tulsa area, the Domestic Violence Intervention Services can be reached at (918) 7HELPME ((918) 743-5763), and resources can be found at their website http:// dvis.org/.

After only a year and a half, Oklahoma ranks second most dispensaries per capita in the country.

Anna Johns Satire Editor Since medical marijuana’s legalization in Oklahoma in 2018, both card holders and dispensaries have rapidly increased. According to a study by Verilife, a dispensary situated in several states, Oklahoma ranks second in the country for most dispensaries per capita — even going on to beat states like California or Colorado, which are known for their available recreational use.

The study also looked nationwide to individual cities and how they ranked. As reported by Matt Zajechowski, the head of the study, Tulsa sits at 17th place “with about 10 dispensaries per 50,000 people.” Tulsa was not the only one that made the list: Broken Arrow, Lawton, Enid, and Midwest City are also in the top 30. Oklahoma has the most cities in Verilife’s top 30 than any other state.

Zajechowski theorizes Oklahoman dispensaries are so predominant because after the passing of medical marijuana, there was a lack of restrictions placed on how many other dispensaries could be built. Other states have these limits in place.

In October 2019, The Oklahoman reported that medical marijuana generated “more than $34.5 million in tax revenue through the end of September.” At the time, patient licenses exceeded 200,000, which, according to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), is much more than the initial projections of 80,000 cards in the first year. For comparison, at the end of 2018, patient counts were around 25,000.

Just in March of this year, cannabis dispensaries generated “7.8 million in total tax revenues,” according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission — this is the highest total in taxes collected in a month since the first report of tax dollars were given in November 2018. After a year and a half of operation, the steady growth in tax revenue shows the industry’s chances of further expansion.

With this expansion in mind, many promarijuana groups have proposed state questions that could be voted in November. State Question 807 seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for ages 21 and older, and the campaign currently waits for the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rule on whether the petition can advance. State Question 812 also proposes recreational marijuana, albeit for ages 18 years and older, and desires a decriminalization of marijuana. If passed, The Oklahoman reports this measure would require the Oklahoman Department of Corrections “to release all offenders serving time on a host of cannabis-related offenses.”

According to the Jacqui Ford Law Firm, a person who possesses more than 1.5 ounces of cannabis but does not have a medical marijuana license will still receive a misdemeanor charge with a penalty of a fine.

Under current state statutes, “the penalty for marijuana possession still has a max of one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.” Most common sentences are deferred sentence probation or only a fine.

An obstacle, however, stands in the way of legalization and decriminalization movements: COVID-19 will likely “make it impossible to qualify petitions” for statewide ballot this year, according to the organizers of these measures. The pandemic causes complications in gathering signatures, especially with shelter-in-place orders and potentially a voter’s shifting focus postpandemic.

“More than 5 percent of Oklahoma’s population has a medical marijuana card.”

More than 5 percent of Oklahoma’s population has a medical marijuana card. As of mid-November 2019, the state has “issued licenses for 2,168 dispensaries, 1,415 processors, and 4,931 growers,” according to the OMMA. The data is unclear if some of these licensees are operational, but if just 2.5 percent of that number of dispensaries were open for business, the OMMA estimates that the number of dispensaries would be equal to the ones that currently exist in Illinois. And, with these projections in hand, by the time the medical marijuana program has “matured,” the market could be worth up to $700 million.

Because marijuana has generated millions in tax revenue, the money goes to running OMMA, and excess revenues are split between the fund for education and the state’s program for drug and alcohol rehabilitation; this revenue increase leads to further discussion regarding the benefits of accessibility.

With the presence of COVID-19, the speed of reforms — with or without the public’s support — may slow down considerably, but the rising statistics of dispensaries and sales are leaving some pro-cannabis reformers feeling positive.

News

The Collegian: 4

20 April 2020

4:30 p.m.

Officers made contact with an individual at the Hurricane Track Complex. Officers determined the individual did not have authorization to the facility and escorted the individuals from the premises.

April 13 5 a.m.

Officers responded to the Student Union for a fire alarm. Officers searched the building and were unable to locate any cause for activation. Tulsa Fire Department was canceled and the fire panel was reset.

3:10 p.m.

Officers made contact with four individuals on the Multipurpose Practice Field and determined the individuals did not have authorization to use the field. Officers escorted the individuals off the field and informed them they could be issued a student conduct violation if they attempted to use the field again.

4:10 p.m.

Officers made contact with two individuals at the Hurricane Track Complex. Officers determined the individuals did not have authorization to the facility and escorted the individuals from the premises.

April 14 8:25 a.m.

Officers made contact with a student at the Hurricane Track/Soccer Stadium. The student informed officers they entered the track by climbing over the fence. Officers escorted the student from the track, and advised them they would receive a student misconduct if they enter the track, or other buildings on campus without authorization.

4:50 p.m.

Officers made contact with a student that needed to pick up a package from the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house. Officers could not gain access to the building. The student then forced a window open on the front of the building and Officers prevented the student from entering the building since it was determined they were not permitted to have access to Pi Kappa Alpha house. The student’s property is being held at campus security to be retrieved at a later date.

April 15 2:40 a.m.

Officers observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the University Square Apartments West parking lot. Officers made contact with an intoxicated individual who dropped off a student. Officers determined the individual was not a University of Tulsa affiliate and after a previous contact and warrant check was conducted, the individual was transported off campus by a third party.

April 18 2:30 p.m.

Officers made contact with three students at Kappa Sigma Fraternity and determined that two of the students did not have authorization to the property. Officers escorted the unauthorized students off the property and informed them they would be issued a student conduct violation if they enter another university building without authorization.

The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.

Chris Lierly Commentary Editor Emeritus Lindsey Prather Staff Writer Israel still doesn’t have a leader but now it’s up to parliament After holding over three general elections in a little over a year, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin asked the Knesset, Israel’s parliamentary body to choose the next Prime Minister. That decision, one that must be reached within three weeks time, comes after Rivlin’s prime minister designate, former military chief Benny Gantz, and current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to agree on a power sharing agreement. Those ill-fated talks were held with the hope that the two leaders could form an emergency government in order to better respond to the coronavirus.

This move potentially provides Netanyahu with more leverage than before, since Gantz no longer has the mandate from the president to form a coalition, and reports say that talks between the two have continued despite Rivlin’s lack of faith in the two leaders to find a compromise. Netanyahu has received formal endorsements from 59 members of parliament which falls short of the 61 vote majority he would need to overcome Gantz current obstinacy.

All coronavirus updates are taken from the utulsa.edu/archive/coronavirus-updates website. The email updates are in reverse chronological order and the date at the top of the updates reflects the date the updates were sent. Updates were not edited except for brevity.

Thursday, April 16 COVID-19 Financial Impacts: Furloughs Planned To date, TU’s unanticipated costs related to COVID-19 include $4.6 million in housing and dining refunds to students, lost athletics revenue and unexpected technology expenses. We anticipate an additional loss of at least $5.5 million in revenue over the summer and into the fall due to declining summer and freshman enrollment, reductions in student retention and the cancellation of the summer institutes and camps we traditionally host on campus. These losses, standing on top of a budget already operating in the red, could grow as our freshman class solidifies.

It is with deep sadness that I have to inform you that we have made the tough decision to place staff in offices and divisions disproportionately impacted by the university’s remote operations on an extended furlough and to place almost all other staff on a two-week furlough. While all corners of our community will be affected, we must acknowledge that some segments of our staff will bear a heavier burden. As you will see in the detailed information below, we have strived to make these decisions fairly and compassionately and are ready to offer our support and guidance.

There are areas of campus operations where remote work is difficult, if not impossible, and for which our staffing levels are higher than can be utilized in a remote environment. These areas of campus include: Gilcrease Museum (closed); Facilities Management (most of the campus physically closed); Housing (78% unoccupied); McFarlin Library (on limited operation); Collins Fitness Center (closed); and the Athletics Department (NCAA restrictions on winter and spring sports, as well as recruiting and practice).

Many employees in these areas will be placed on extended furlough effective Sunday, April 19. These furloughs may last as late as July 31, depending on the progression of the disease. Affected individuals will remain employees, and the university will continue to provide health insurance. Employees who will be placed on the extended furlough have been notified by their supervisors. More details can be found in the employee FAQ. This is a very difficult decision but one made somewhat easier by the knowledge that for many of these employees – particularly those who make less than $60,000 per year, which accounts for 85% of those impacted – the federal and state unemployment benefits available due to COVID-19 may make total weekly unemployment benefits comparable to, or even potentially greater than, the weekly salary from TU. Our new employee assistance group stands ready to help employees in applying for these benefits, and additional information to support our employees can be found on the Human Resources portal.

As part of our approach, almost all administration and staff will be furloughed for a two-week period between now and the end of the current financial year. While it will difficult, the impact on us individually is lessened as it will be shared by us all.

These furloughs will fall into one of four windows, and supervisors will work with their teams to schedule them in a way that best accommodates individual needs yet preserves university operations. The only exceptions will be for employees whose roles we consider absolutely necessary in this current moment for the health, safety and integrity of our community during these remote operations.

TU’s Leadership Team, myself included, have also committed to participate in a reduction of the equivalent of two weeks of our salaries between now and June 30 while continuing critical university work during this unfolding crisis.

Friday, April 3 COVID-19 Presumptive Positive Test The University of Tulsa Crisis Management Team learned this afternoon of a student living in a campus apartment who has received a presumptive positive result for a COVID-19 test. As a result, this individual has begun working with TU health officials and is receiving medical attention off campus. In addition, we have notified those individuals known to us who have been in direct contact with the student. We understand that this is a difficult situation and ask that you respect the privacy of those affected during what is a difficult time.

All of the affected individuals have been quarantined and steps are being taken to amplify cleaning protocols. We will continue to take action to protect the health and safety of our community.

@TUCollegian

tucollegian@tucollegian.org editor-in-chief

Ethan Veenker managing editor

US-Russia space team lands in Kazakhstan At 11:16 a.m. on Friday, a joint space team made up of two American astronauts, Andew Morgan and Jessica Meir, and a Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Skripochka, landed in Kazakhstan after returning from the International Space Station (ISS). Though the team landed smoothly and on time, their reception was treated with caution due to their being on a space mission for the duration of the coronavirus spread.

Russian officials made clear their precautions by ensuring that the medical professionals who performed post-flight checks on the team had themselves been under close observation for almost a month before the landing. This marks a 272-day mission for Morgan and a 205-day mission for Meir and Skripochka, all of whom were taken to Baikonur before Morgan and Meir began a 190 mile car ride to Kyzylorda due to Kazakhstan’s limited international flight schedule as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pompeo and Lavrov discuss arms control Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has entered into discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to negotiate a new arms control agreement between world superpowers. President Trump indicated last year that negotiating an alternative for the 2010 New START accord would be a priority, and expressed his intent to include China in the new agreement. This previous pact expressly limited the number of permissible warheads for the United States and Russia in the attempt to limit the possibility of nuclear conflict between the two powers.

The START treaty will expire in February 2021, absent a new agreement or extension. However, the Trump administration has emphasized the need for China to be similarly bound to a nuclear agreement. China’s arsenal is currently undergoing a modernization process, and U.S. officials fear that the process could expand and refine their rival’s nuclear stockpile. However, arms control experts fear that the insistence to include China could entirely doom the negotiations in their early stages

Emily Every news editor

Madison Connell sports editor

Brennen Gray variety editor

Piper Prolago commentary editor

Chris Lierly satire editor

Sara Serrano photo & graphics editor

Emma Palmer

business & advertising manager

Brian Kwiecinski

social media & web manager

Anna Johns

distribution managers

Alaina Nauman Mary Bergwell copy editor

Hana Saad

The Collegian is the student newspaper of the University of Tulsa. It is distributed Mondays during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays and final exam weeks. The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state law. Inquiries regarding implementation of this policy may be addressed to the Office of Human Resources, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-9700, (918)631-2616. Requests for accomodation of disabilities may be addressed to the university’s 504 Coordinator, Dr. Tawny Rigsby, (918)631-3814. To ensure availability of an interpeter, five to seven days notice is needed; 48 hours is recommended for all other accomodations.

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Editing Policy: The Collegian reserves the right to edit all copy submitted by all writers. This editing may take place in many forms, including grammar corrections, changes in paragraph structure or even the addition or removal of sections of content.

Editorial Policy: Columnists are solely responsible for the content of their columns. Opinions expressed in columns may not represent the opions of the Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers.

20 April 2020

Commentary

The Collegian: 5

Administration has lost sight of TU’s purpose

The rollout of True Commitment created a campus climate that left many disheartened and angry.

Lindsey Prather Staff Writer Chris Lierly Commentary Editor Emeritus After the rollout of the True Commitment plan, The Collegian has attempted to report the continuous developments, changes and new information that has rapidly followed.

Throughout the duration of this coverage, we have written nearly 20 individual articles regarding the various updates to TU’s financial and academic health. We also have encountered some abysmal behavior from university officials, to the point of disillusionment with the University of Tulsa and what it stands for.

To set the tone of this article,we’ll begin with an email sent to us from a University PR official on Sept. 19. 2019 : It’s also been brought to my attention that Professor Jacob Howland recently referred to you and Lindsey as being on his ”team” following an article in last week’s Collegian. Furthermore, it seems that Lindsey agreed with that assessment. This activity raises concern for me. We would like to work with Collegian reporters and editors the same way we work with other reputable media outlets, but we need reassurance that the paper and its staff practice sincere, objective journalism.

What was this questionable behavior she refers to? Liking a Facebook comment. Yep. That’s it. The administration’s basis for objectivity had no grounds in The Collegian’s reporting but in a meaningless action on so-

cial media. So much so that this “like” warranted an email, and eventually a meeting.

During which we had to defend our objectivity in order to get an interview with the President and the provost — and to our surprise — two professors and the senior members of the PR team.

This embodies a theme that continued far beyond September and foreshadowed the very lack of sincerity bemoaned by this email. The best example of this behavior comes from multiple interactions we have had with vocal allies of the administration.

The worst of which involved a member of the PPRC shouting at the two of us after a Faculty Senate meeting regarding one of our articles. This same professor had called us the day before, and throughout the call — which we had recorded, with their consent — tried to convince us to alter the facts of the same article. It took another faculty member speaking to the chair of her department to get them to leave us alone.

Throughout this entire process, another defining aspect of how administration responds to questions and criticism has simply been: Don’t. In many cases, we and other members of the university community could not receive straightforward answers about anything. This was especially true about a plan that aimed to change many foundational aspects of a school we all loved, attended and/or worked for. In our experience, this often came in the form of hollow answers that either pivoted away from important questions or ignored them completely.

We also quickly learned that some university officials were unable to respond. Immediately following the announcement of True Commitment, the administration’s insistence of non-disclosure agreements came to light. Later, implied gag orders accompanied any vital committee appointment, and, in some cases, we saw firsthand how serious

this university is about limiting the knowledge and actions of students regarding their own institution.

The concerns of administration went beyond limiting student access to information and well into the suppression and silencing of students’ opinions, when they failed to agree with university’s newly proposed direction changes.

For a majority of this academic year, there has been an ongoing battle between university representatives and students that oppose the plan. Throughout this time, it became clear that, for this administration, “voting with their feet” is the ideal form of student participation — silent, passive approval.

We personally witnessed student protestors sit for hours watching their chalk messages in an attempt to expedite their ability to respond when it would inevitably be power-washed away. Campus Security would regularly stop those spotted with chalk. In one case, the students were told that the chalking couldn’t be stopped by the university “unless you started chalking something derogatory or racist.”

Although this statement was true, the actions following indicate that it doesn’t matter. In one particular case, protestors provided pictures of groundskeeping staff driving circles around Dietler Commons with a water tank, attempting to erase chalk as soon as it was written.

In another, several vocal supporters of True Commitment actively sought to impact the confidence vote in now Interim President Levit on Feb. 19. This involved instances of both University Ambassadors and a vice president of the university taking down flyers advertising the vote. Additionally, an aforementioned member of the PPRC was reported as doing the same before encouraging her students to tear down flyers and most importantly to not participate in the

confidence vote.

All of this behavior in order to defend a plan that was poorly researched, ill-advised and will not be implemented in the first place.

That’s right. Per the Board of Trustees’s decisions in March, the university has given up on various pillars of True Commitment, most notably the creation of a professional super college and a shift from academic departments to consolidated divisions.

The administration’s response to those developments has been to scrub some of the early more zealous remarks about the plan’s necessity and the process by which it was constructed from the university website.

This slight faltering of faith has not stopped the PR office from declaring that “the status quo is not an option,” but it does seem to have sucked the life out of any earnest belief that True Commitment will ever see implementation.

For a moment, ignore your opinions on True Commitment. Is it concerning to think that a University Vice President can walk around and tear down flyers for no reason, aside from disagreement? Does it worry you to think that a professor could shout at you with no recourse, so long as they hold the correct opinions? These are not the actions of a low-ranking university affiliate. At a certain point, these actions directly communicate the priorities of those in charge at this institution, and it reflects poorly on us all.

You can’t claim to care about free speech, student success and critical thinking while also seeking to silence the student voices that disagree with you. The University of Tulsa administration has acted in ways that are at odds with the goals of faculty, staff and students and fostered a culture of secrecy and distrust in the wake of the True Commitment reorganization plan.

Chances of progressive policy Sanders’s exit shows a change revolution gone with Sanders in priorities for the better

The hope that Sanders’s campaign inspired is lacking in a TrumpBiden race.

Brett Tyndall Student Writer Bernie Sanders has decided to suspend his campaign for the Democratic nomination, meaning the lone progressive left in the race has bowed out. Delivering this message to supporters across all digital platforms as well as email a week ago, Sanders said he can’t in good conscience mount a primary challenge that would force voters into unsafe public conditions, especially when the odds of him winning are astronomically low. So, Joe Biden is the nominee.

If you’re anything like me, which for several reasons I hope you’re not, the Sanders exit reinforces all the cynicism young people have about politics. The people in charge don’t care. Just remember that as you blast “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.

Again, we are stuck with, let’s say, two less-than-ideal candidates for president. Obviously Trump is a walking, talking trainwreck. However, Biden isn’t without his baggage. While most, if not all of it, went unchallenged during the primary, Trump will not be as courteous. We can downplay Hunter Biden, Tara Reade or Joe’s mental faculties all day. We can call it illegitimate slander whether it is or not. Trump’s attacks are not based on facts or logic, so he’ll ultimately mention everything I just brought up, and you’d have to be foolish to think he won’t.

The Presidential debates are supposed to start Sept. 29. Given the current state of the country, this is likely not set in stone.

No matter the date or format of the debate, you can bet on one thing: Important issues Bernie Sanders campaigned on will not take up the forefront. They won’t be talking about combating climate change.

They won’t be talking about “Medicare for All.” They won’t be talking about ending “forever wars” or stopping pharmaceutical

companies from price-hiking life-saving drugs. All of that will fall by the wayside unless Sanders has more of a role creating the platform than most people think. Given that the Democratic Party did everything within their vast power to stop him, I see no reason why they would want to listen to him at all.

So what have we learned from this primary? The answer, and the hard truth, is probably nothing. Democrats have essentially nominated the old white male version of Hillary Clinton against an incumbent President.

This was the kind of primary that would make Noam Chomsky say “I told you so.”

The sheer power media outlets like CNN, MSNBC and Fox wield in this day and age is incalculable and all-encompassing. The act of manufacturing consent has never been more blatant. For months now, even before the Iowa Caucus, everyone said Joe Biden was more electable. Then he came in fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and a distant second in Nevada. But after Biden’s win in South Carolina, a state that Trump will undoubtedly win, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped out before Super Tuesday. Buttigieg was still ahead of Biden in delegates when he dropped out, making his departure unprecedented. Endorsements rolled around and the rest is history. Notably, it was found Biden did virtually no campaigning in Super Tuesday states. He didn’t need to. People on TV did it for him.

Joe Biden hasn’t earned one progressive’s vote, so he has a lot of work to do. He can’t run on his “Nothing will fundamentally change, but at least I’m not Donald Trump” message and expect progressives to fall in line. The way I see it, progressives have three options: Hold your nose one more time and vote for Biden, protest vote for the Green Party candidate, or leave the presidential ballot blank and vote for your preferred down-ballot candidates. Not voting isn’t an option.

Joe Biden will win the Democratic nomination, which means working-class issues will go ignored for another four years.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a single person Trump cares about other than himself.

Biden is too busy telling voters to “vote for someone else”, factory workers that they’re “full of shit” or that he has “no empathy” for the younger generation. What’s the solution? Having more than two viable parties.

For progressives, the GOP is downright nefarious. But it’s also clear that the Democratic Party doesn’t represent progressive values either ... at least not yet.

Sanders’s early choice to endorse Biden could swing the election and result in a more unified party.

Hannah Robbins Student Writer On April 8, Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic Primary. While dropping out is a familiar story for the Vermont senator after 2016, he delayed his endorsement of Joe Biden only five days after ending his campaign, endorsing Biden on April 13. With Clinton, Sanders held out about a month after Clinton earned the majority of delegates before giving her his endorsement. This difference in delay shows what Sanders’s real goal is in this election cycle: beating Donald Trump.

Before endorsing Clinton, Sanders wanted to ensure that his platform was a part of the Democratic platform. Sanders had influence and he wanted to use it. This time, he learned from his 2016 mistakes. Sanders has

his base himself. By delaying so long last time, Sanders showed his lack of faith in Clinton. Sanders doesn’t have that luxury this time if his main goal is to defeat Trump.

Some staunch Sanders supporters might call this selling out, and they’re right. By endorsing right away, Sanders lost his bargaining power in the eventual 2020 Democratic platform. Some might argue that the strong support for Medicare for All will end with some concessions due to the overall support of most candidates this primary season, a pragmatic and general election focused platform will look at the voter approval of the policy among moderates and independents and forget what the word progressive means.

For a party that is out of the White House, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are less progressive supporters than a majority of the Democratic Party (as we can tell from the primary results), let alone the entire electorate. In the time of COVID-19 fears, Sanders realized that there are some things more important than a revolution, and gaining control of the presidency trumps progressivism. Plus, unlike in 2016, Sanders is a key figure in the political mainstream, and he does not have to keep every bargaining chip in hopes that the party will listen to him. He saw how that worked last time, and he is needed on the front lines whipping votes.

“Sanders realized that there are some things more important than a revolution.” a significant following, and those supporters want to vote Sanders, not necessarily for the Democratic Party. This led some 2016 Sanders voters to not support anyone in the 2016 general election. That can’t happen this time if the Democratic Party wants to defeat Trump. Sanders has a base, and for his base to move to Biden, a moderate candidate that isn’t even in the same political room as Sanders, he has to start working on

Sanders made the smart choice in endorsing Biden relatively quickly. This move will help the party in the short run, so they can beat Trump, and himself in the long run, earning himself more political capital with the powers that be in the Democratic Party.

Did he sell out? Yes. Will it benefit everyone in the end? Only time will tell, but signs are pointing to yes.

The Collegian: 6

Commentary

20 April 2020

Productivity not the highest priority during a crisis

Some people will use the extra time to do more, but we should all keep personal health the priority.

Tori Gellman Student Writer We are all being faced with unprecedented times and subsequently unanticipated challenges. Socialization and interaction are such core facets of the human condition that it can be really easy to feel uncomfortable and upset with living isolated indoors. There are many individuals across the globe who

see these living changes as the ideal opportunity for self-improvement and productivity. That’s great for them. What isn’t great, and in fact is extremely detrimental, is trying to perpetuate the idea that being productive and overachieving is the only right way to be during this time.

In the last month, I have seen posts across social media commenting on this perceived correlation between more free time and greater productivity. On Twitter, The Washington Post posted: “During a pandemic,

started requiring employees to answer chat messages within a few minutes. Despite all this pressuring and posturing otherwise, the notion of “business as usual” is completely ludicrous right now.

Embrace Change founder, Cynthia Pong, stated, “There is a tendency in this country and in Western society and within capitalism to be self-critical, as opposed to being self-compassionate.” This type of thinking can lead to feelings of worthlessness if you are not constantly producing something that

“The notion of ‘business as usual’ is completely ludicrous right now.”

Isaac Newton had to work from home, too.

He used the time wisely.” Rosanne Cash similarly tweeted, “Just a reminder that when Shakespeare was quarantined because of the plague, he wrote King Lear.” Businesses such as The Wall Street Journal have

society recognizes as valuable. Monica Torres of Huffpost says that “you get to decide what’s an accomplishment worth celebrating right now,” and I couldn’t agree more. The New Republic writer Nick Martin echoed this notion that “this mindset is the natural

endpoint of America’s hustle culture — the idea that every nanosecond of our lives must be commodified and pointed toward profit and self-improvement.” Humans have cultivated this culture of constant growth and progress rather than embraced our need to take pause and recuperate from time to time.

The entire concept of time is a blur right now, and the idea that you have to channel structureless confusion into some sort of tangible outcome is absurd. Some people may thrive with all of this newfound time and channel their energy into creating and producing, but they should in no way claim that that is the only acceptable way to be.

Taking care of oneself is by far the most important thing, and if that means being conventionally less productive, I say so be it.

Find comfort in whatever feels good to you — whether that be keeping in touch with family through FaceTime, reading every single book in your house or taking time to meditate and relax. There is no wrong way to spend this time as long as you are being safe and courteous to others.

People of color will bear biggest burden from pandemic

Structual inequalities mean black Americans often lack the resources neccesary to access health services.

Tori Gellman Student Writer By now, anyone keeping up with the rapidly evolving pandemic is aware that there are groups who are at higher risk to contract the virus and have more severe symptoms.

These groups largely include those with preexisting health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease and numerous autoimmune disorders. What people may not know is that these conditions disproportionately affect people of color, and subsequently people of color are at a much higher risk of contract-

ing COVID-19.

CNN reported that while the state of Michigan has a 14 percent African American population, 34 percent of COVID-19 cases and 40percent of deaths are in African Americans. Although Chicago only has a 29 percent African American population, 70 percent of Covid-related deaths have been African Americans. Similarly, in Louisiana, 70 percent of individuals infected are black.

Structural inequalities, including housing discrimination, medical access, effective

In terms of occupation, black Americans are far more likely to be working jobs classified as “essential” — such as bus drivers and postal workers. Devan Hawkins of The Guardian explains that “despite this high degree of risk, black workers often have lower access to benefits that could potentially mitigate the risk or protect them if they do become sick.” She goes on to describe how the jobs that employ more African Americans are also more likely “to be vulnerable to the economic fallout of this pandemic.”

“This is about correcting the systemic inequalities that African Americans are consistently plagued by.” care and occupational segregation are contributing to these high rates of infection and mortality. There are also numerous regional factors that play into these statistics such as African Americans being more likely to live in Southern states where their governments haven’t responded to the virus in an appropriate, timely fashion. Additionally, black Americans tend to live in more urban locations, which have been hit harder than rural areas.

Rev. Michael McBride of Berkeley, California, is one of the lead coordinators of Masks for the People. This is a group dedicated to reducing the number of black people dying from COVID-19. Their initiatives include raising money for the production and distribution of medical masks, but also providing accurate information to black individuals; particularly those in hard-hit areas such as urban neighborhoods and jails.

McBride told NBC, “It is, quite frankly, a

sign of utter privilege to be shocked by what has happened.”

This isn’t only about protecting African Americans during the pandemic. This is about correcting the systemic inequalities that African Americans are consistently plagued by. African Americans have long been drastically more affected by pandemics, not simply due to the severity of the illness, but because of the historical discrimination they’ve faced. Dr. Crystal Cene, a physician and associate professor at UNC School of Medicine claims that the core disease at play here is white supremacy. She continues with a list of immediate things that could be done to help the situation. She suggests doubling drive-up testing centers as access points for financial services, food and space to socially distance from ill family-members. She also proposes utilizing medical students and sociology scholars to contact vulnerable individuals and provide them with accurate information and locations of affordable medical care. There is no perfect plan, but there are several steps the government could take to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and to provide the resources and support to the populations most affected.

Sports and people make the world Thanks to the people and concerts

Brennen Gray Sports Editor Emeritus Sometimes goodbye is just too inadequate of a word. Nothing sums up the human condition as well as inevitably saying goodbye to the people and things you love.

And yet we never did come up with a good way to do it other than those two sorry syllables did we?

But before I officially sign off, I wanted to talk to you all about the power of journalism. When nothing is true and everything feels like a bad joke, there is no greater goal for a civilization than to accurately record what is happening outside the news office.

For example, I think back when I started at TU as a freshman, in August of 2016. If anyone had said that by the time you graduate, Donald Trump will be president, the Nazis will be back, TU will cut dozens of degrees from your school and you’ll be writing your senior farewell letter from home because a deadly pandemic caused a government shutdown, I would have found them insane.

Not only are all of these real events, but the first two of that list are equally as real to me as the last two. Yet, I never saw the inauguration nor have I ever been to Charlottesville. Journalism is our window into the world; it is how we know what is real. And since I can look back at headlines from the previous years, I can know what is true.

As Sports Editor, many might consider my position the least vital to a paper. I tell no earth-shattering news, I review no art, I make no one laugh and I have no suggestions to improve our lives.

Part of the fun of sports is that they have low-stakes: when the scoreboard lights turn off we can all go home and forget about the

game if we wish. And yet, I still go in there and pitch sports articles that are printed a few thin sheets of paper away from pandemics and wars and presidential elections.

I have made this point before in my Bleacher Creature column, and again I will say sports will be necessary as long as humans exist.

Competition is innately human for a reason. And not just because of the physical and intellectual benefits of coevolution.

While we indeed benefit from pushing each other to be better, the joy that comes from victory is something everyone deserves to accomplish. Especially when it comes after many crushing failures.

Sports is how we fight without war. It’s a theater in which the power of drama is purely within the hands of the actors, so there can be no flaw in writing or direction. And it is the purest form of audience participation, with a crowd affecting but not truly changing the outcome of the story.

And so, yes, we will still have a section for sports.

Now that I have made my point, I can get back to saying goodbye. The Collegian has given me some of the greatest times in college. I inherited the section when it had no writers and little interest. Up until this pandemic we had nearly a dozen writers and photographers. The student dedication to this section is unbelievable.

I have had so much fun working for this paper. The other editors are all great people and incredible writers and editors. Every time I see a picture of me picking up Chris or of me and Sara doing something stupid for satire it brings me joy. Madison has been a dear and loyal friend always. Ethan and Emily have been incredible leaders. Emma is a talented artist, and Anna has been one of my favorite parts of The Collegian. Hana has an incredible talent for editing, and Piper is going to be an incredible asset to this paper. And Brian has kept me paid so that is pretty cool too.

This has been a gift in my college career and in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And so goodbye and good luck everybody! I love you all.

Tori Gellman Student Writer I owe The Collegian a great deal. My time at TU, like many others I’m sure, has been riddled with hardships, changes and growth.

Between changing my major four times, and now graduating with three minors as a result, I feel as though I definitely made the most of my time in college academically. I’ve participated in a multitude of organizations, some of which became staples of my college career, and some that I was only with for a fleeting moment. Though I haven’t been as heavily involved with the paper throughout the past four years as I have this last one in particular, I definitely credit a lot of my intellectual and personal growth to the time I’ve spent as a student writer.

Through a variety article I wrote last fall, I acquired my best friend. Alyssa Williamson and I worked together in McFarlin Library’s Special Collections department, and though we sometimes were on the same shift, we hadn’t really spoken much. I was covering The Goo Goo Dolls concert at Brady Theater the weekend of her 20th birthday, and, having no one I really wanted to ask to accompany me, I thought I’d see if she wanted to make it a birthday celebration.

Though Alyssa has never written for The Collegian, after that night she became my journalistic sidekick in all things culture and entertainment. Before writing this, I hadn’t really given the paper enough credit for emboldening me to ask someone, essentially a stranger, to be my friend. Of course I didn’t realize at the time that that one concert

would lead to the relationship Alyssa and I have now, but I definitely owe that opportunity a world of gratitude because without it, I’d never have the confidante I have today.

I’ve been fortunate to write about topics that amuse me, inspire me and infuriate me. I’ve talked about real problems on our campus, including sexual assault, mental health resources and toxic student culture.

I’ve gotten to spend more weekends than I can count in the orchestra seats of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center watching incredible shows such as “Bandstand,” “Cats” and “STOMP.” I’ve gotten to interview artists, performers, administrators and my peers.

Through all of this, I have felt myself being woven into the fabric of Tulsa and the community of TU. I never expected that The Collegian would come to mean so much to me. It has provided me with countless opportunities to explore the city of Tulsa, to attend beautiful theatrical performances and jam out at concerts in downtown. Much more importantly, however, my time with The Collegian has given me a voice. It’s made me feel confident in calling myself a writer and has made me realize that I have important things to say. I’ve become more capable of expressing myself and owning my opinions. I’ve interacted with my incredible peers — many of whom I probably would have never met otherwise.

Thank you to every single person I’ve met in Oliphant 110. Thank you to Piper Prolago for editing so many articles for me and for always encouraging me to explore anything I want to explore. Thank you to Chris Lierly for supporting my ideas and letting me add some non-political material to the Commentary section. Thank you to Brennen Grey and Ethan Veenker for being two of the most supportive and loving friends, and fellow writers, anyone could ask for. I’ve looked forward to 5 p.m. on Mondays more than I’ve looked forward to any other time of the week. I only hope that in graduate school, I can find something that evokes that sense of longing and excitement the way The Collegian has.

20 April 2020

Commentary

The Collegian: 7

It never really felt like work TU can change, the students won’t

Chris Lierly Commentary Editor Emeritus Writing and working for The Collegian has been the defining factor of my last two years at TU, and I couldn’t have hand-picked a better time to it. I started writing for sports at a time that my favorite sports team, Liverpool FC, hit their best run since before I was born. The White House began exercising a white supremacist ideology unseen since the Nixon administration at a time that I got the oppurtunity to start airing my often knee-jerk opinions about it. And, maybe most pertinent to my time at TU, the university administration began trying to rapidly and incompetently reforming the university just as my co-writer and closest of friends Lindsey Prather and I began to write news articles at an almost weekly pace.

Those articles and the countless hours, emails and conversations that it took to produce them will always be what I consider my most important work on behalf of both The Collegian and the University of Tulsa.

That said, Lindsey was at all times the more

inquisitive reporter and the more eloquent writer.

We spent hours in that office hashing out every line to make sure we did not end up on the wrong end of an administration or PR office email. However, I spent more hours in that office on Sundays formatting the paper than I did on Saturdays writing articles almost 24 hours after deadlines.

Those days spent formatting our sections fostered some of the TU memories that I’ll never forget. Like honestly, can any of us forget, or for that matter remember, the “Death of Stalin” shot for shot night? No, in both cases. That incredible catastrophe, like many other memorable but necessary jokes and stories would never have existed without those 5-9 hours that we spent a week in what might be the most asbestos-corroded building on campus.

Walking in to write about soccer last September remains one of my best decisions, but without a certain RA/Sports Editor it wouldn’t have happened. Time spent working here with Brennen and every other editor made Sundays something to which I always looked forward to and something I have missed these past few weeks of social distancing. If there’s one takeaway from all of this, then it’s to cherish the time you can spend working in an office with great people. We’ll all be able to do that again (hopefully not too soon), and when we do, it will feel that much more important. Until then we’ll stay inside and to ourselves …”Because that’s what heroes do.”

Hannah Robbins Student Writer As I count down the days to graduation (and wonder when I get to clean out my dorm room), I can only look back at the end of my journey at the University of Tulsa and realize how fleeting it really was. While I spent four years (technically three and a half?) in the Sooner State, it both feels like the only thing I’ve ever known and a dream.

I’ve gone from a naive little freshman to an equally short, (somewhat) knowledgeable senior.

My time at The Collegian began my junior year as a way I could talk about figure skating to my heart’s content and get paid for it. My love of niche sports brought me in the door, but it was the people and the ability to go from hard hitting to joking in the space of one satire article that made The Collegian one of my favorite on campus activities. Through my time at the paper, I wrote about everything from literal fights on the basketball court to using Tinder to

elect a president. Each story and interaction was a new way for me to inform or rant or make someone laugh, and each was special.

I feel like I found a voice I couldn’t have anywhere else at TU, and the conversations at pitch meetings are things I will treasure.

The University of Tulsa has changed so much in my time on campus. From a new president to True Commitment to Interim President Levit, the administration has changed, and with it the direction of the university, but through it all, the students haven’t. We each had our own goals and desires for our time in college, and at the end of the day we had one final mission: Graduate (and find a job). Some of my peers have not made it to that goal, and I wish them the best, but to those that I have grown up with and will graduate with: I am thankful for you. You have made my time at TU not just about learning from books but about learning how to be a better person and help others, and you’ve been instrumental in making me the person I am now.

As I add my picture to the ENS slide deck, I know that this is not the graduation I had in mind, but that the goal has been achieved. I came, I saw and now I’m moving on. With the world in a state of social distancing and sheltering in place, however, most of my stuff is still on campus, so don’t worry, I will be back. I also still have a library book checked out, which begs the question: Will I get my diploma with an outstanding library book?

♪♪♪ Suck it ♪♪♪

Michaela Bueche Phantom of the Office Dear fellow comrades, The place, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The time, night. The weather, dark and stormy like my eyes.

It started out just like any other Monday night. That’s when she waltzed into the office wearing a classic pairing: jeans and a t-shirt. She had a glint of mischief in her eye and legs for days. OK, maybe like two days.

They’re not very long.

But back to the story. She took a seat in

the back with the others and waited for the show to begin. By she, I mean me, and by the show, I mean the Collegian meeting.

She was there for one thing, and one thing alone. She was there to infiltrate the StateRun Media, and she succeeded with flying colors, if I do say so myself.

Now that’s all over. The State-Run Media has finally overthrown the overbearing tyrant known as … drum roll, please …

The Collegian. And now I must say so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu. Adieu, adieu to you and you and you.

But seriously, I’ve had a blast thanks to my best friend, Chris. After a year and a half of begging he finally wore me down, and I agreed to go to a meeting. I had so much fun that I’ve been back every week since. I want to thank Sara for being the best satire editor a girl could ask for and Lindsey, Tori and Brennen for existing.

OK. I’m done now. You can stop recording.

Also, I’ll give $2 to every editor that can correctly pronounce my last name.

This paper made TU for me

Ethan Veenker Editor-in-Chief Emeritus A consistent problem I’ve had in my time at The Collegian is that I write too much.

Probably one one of the most important lessons to learn in journalism is not just to clearly say whatever you want to say, but to do it concisely.

That’s all to say that I’ll be keeping it short here in my farewell. I’ve been regretting the idea of writing one of these since I first read the letters from the departing seniors my freshman year. That dread grew after reading the letters sophomore year, then junior year — now I’m the senior and I get to write the letter. Hooray.

There is something so unbearably depressing about the passage of time. I don’t mean anything particularly deep by that: I just get sad when things inevitably change.

I nearly teared up when I moved out of my dorm room; same with the room I stayed in the year after that. I just get overly attached to things. I apply sentimentality to everything around me. I bury myself in the status quo.

And while it’s been more-or-less easy to deal with change for the last four years, this is a change I’m totally unprepared for. This is a change in the midst of a terrifying pandemic with no obvious job prospects and a feeling that maybe things won’t be OK. I’m so constantly anxious that I barely have time to feel sad about moving on.

But I do. The Collegian has absolutely defined my time at TU. From student writer my first year to Editor-in-Chief my last, I don’t know where I’d be without this paper.

It’s pretty much scored me every internship I’ve had in college, and I’m leaning on it a lot to get me a job as well. I’ve witnessed so

many of my favorite people leave that office door for the last time that I’m almost glad I’m spared the same fate. Instead I’m sitting at home, staring at my PC, saying goodbye to my coworkers through Discord. There is no last supper, no group picture, no hugs.

It’s just … ending. And maybe it wouldn’t feel so bleak if I had the impression of a new beginning on the other end.

For better or for worse, my time at the University of Tulsa has fully shaped me into the person I am today. And after about 16 years of nonstop schooling, it’s going to be absolutely bizarre to live in a world without assignments. No more essays. No more dozing off only to snap awake upon realizing I’ve got homework to do. No more class participation points. It’s all done in three weeks from the time of print, and a little bit after that I’ll get my diploma. Sure, there’s the prospect of future grad school, but who knows where we’ll all be in a couple years?

Maybe I’ll find I don’t need it. Maybe this pandemic will crush the funding for higher education.

I’m veering into “too long” territory again, so I’ll wrap it up.

I wish I had something nice to put at the end here. A few years ago, thinking about what I might write here, I kind of thought I would have something. Maybe some song lyrics or some newly dredged wisdom with which to face the future head on. But I’ve got none of that.

All I can say is I’ll miss it. Thank you to everyone at The Collegian. Thank you to Noah Beard and Brennen Gray for being steadfast friends whom I could trust with anything. Thank you to Tori Gellman and Cheyenne Green for making me part of a group when I desperately needed one.

Thank you to Emma Palmer and Emily Every for helping me feel normal when I’m most disassociated. I’m changed by all of you — for the better, mostly. And if I didn’t leave your name here, it’s not because you didn’t change me too. It’s only because it hurts to keep typing.

I hope everyone stays afloat in the coming months, and I hope in a year’s time I can read this again and wince a little at how overdramatic I’m being. Goodbye, everybody.

Count this as all of us ringing the bell.

courtesy utulsa.edu

Some insights and farewells

Madison Connell News Editor Emeritus As I write my letter on the last Sunday of compiling for The Collegian, I think of how grateful I am for this experience, and how I should have appreciated it even more while I had it.

First, I need to thank Raven Fawcett for introducing me to the amazing powerhouse that is The Collegian. Raven was one of my resident assistants my freshmen and sophomore years, and Raven’s gentle persistence for me to try out a meeting eventually led to me anxiously sitting in one of our dusty old couches. As I listened to my first few meetings, I eventually decided to settle on writing a satire article.

I had no experience, no real knowledge of how to write an article, but The Collegian still welcomed me with warm arms. A few months after my first satire article, I was to become the satire editor — or, perhaps better known, the head propagandist. I took to satire quickly, learning to fuse my creative writing skills with my working knowledge of article writing. I gained confidence in my own ideas, and learned how to pitch them to a room full of eager comics.

But perhaps more than anything, my position as the head propagandist brought me to my real passion: writing news. The position on The Collegian staff allowed me the confidence to branch out to satire’s objective counterpart, where I unearthed about the power of covering real world issues. The next year I was to become the News Editor.

I joked that I was going from the fake news media to the real news.

Shortly before my reign as the news editor, the University of Tulsa announced True Commitment, sparking what I imagine to be one of the most tumultuous times at this university. Over the past year, there have been

almost constant methods of protest, updates on the original plan and uncertainty, to name just a few responses.

Then, this semester, coronavirus pushed itself to the forefront of our minds. I remember Chris Lierly and Lindsey Prather covering the first reports of coronavirus in China in their Eye on the World section months ago; now, it’s hard to believe how little we concentrated on what would become all we can think about. If it weren’t for The Collegian, I wouldn’t have found a passion for staying up to date on current events, but I still couldn’t have anticipated what would come.

Although there’s been no shortage of stories to pitch and write about with these two major events, the transition to more focused hard-hitting, breaking TU-specific news at The Collegian combined with the transition to telecommuting left little time to sit back and appreciate all that I’ve learned during my time here. If it weren’t for a few editors taking an interest in me, I don’t think I would have discovered what I now anticipate to be my forever career.

It’s through The Collegian where I realized just how much of an impact a single article on accessibility concerns on campus can bring. I’ve learned not only from writing, but mentoring other writers, and witnessing a community’s reaction to the media. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to push to find the story, and other times you need to just sit back and let a story tell itself to you.

It’s a fight to win the public’s trust, but it’s a fight that must continue to be had; without the media, so many stories would be lost, and so many injustices not brought to light.

And on a more personal note, on my last day, I realize how much I’ll miss all of my fellow editors; I know I should’ve savored these friendships more while we’d been together: from Sara Serrano’s Great Alexa Prank, to Brennen Gray’s wax, to our Fresh/ Stale v. “Freak/Don’t Freak” charts, to so many more memories we wasted time creating, I am so grateful for my time with these amazing peers. I know every single one of them is set to do great things.

I’m sure there are so many more insights that I haven’t even realized I’ve gained for many more years to come. But for now, I’m appreciative for what I have learned. Stay diligent, fellow collegiates.

The Collegian: 8

Variety

20 April 2020

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” emotionally charged Sciamma’s 2019 drama offers audiences a mesmerizing performance.

Justin Klopfer Student Writer Now that many theaters are closed due to the pandemic, cinema-lovers’ only respite is the endless mediocrity that is streaming sites. However, good movies are not impossible to find buried within the boring original series and cringe-inducing sitcoms. That is exactly the case with Céline Sciamma’s 2019 drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” now streaming on Hulu.

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” details the complex relationship between Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a painter, and Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), the young woman she must paint. Héloïse’s mother commissions the portrait to give to her daughter’s prospective husband, whom Héloïse has never met.

The relationship between Marianne and Héloïse progresses from cold formailites to an intense and tragically forbidden love.

Both of the lead actresses are absolutely mesmerising in their performances. They have both mastered the technique of suggestive glances; so much can be conveyed without words between the pair. We feel their yearning and passion at every step of the film. An intense closing shot holds on Haenel as she gives one of the most authentic crying scenes ever put to film.

The film is very much in the vein of Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona,” detailing the lives, struggles and sexuality of women.

The 1966 film also depicts a pair of women living away from society on an island while their inner conflicts are exposed to the viewer. An initially cold relationship based on professional need evolves into something deeper and more profound. Both films deal intensely with motherhood and the struggle of women who are unready to become mothers. They are also both deep reflections

on the nature of art, albeit art from vastly different time periods.

“Portrait” closely details the nature of the artist and the subject through Marianne’s process of painting Héloïse. Sciamma seems to be inspired by the advent of female portraitists in the late 18th century, using women’s art to represent not only their societal progress but their life perspective and freedom to experience. Marianne initially uses traditional techniques in her work, but Héloïse rejects this portrait for not truly cap-

turing her essence. Héloïse, as the subject, is being deeply appreciated by her artist, but it is ultimately for the appreciation of a man she cares not for.

Sciamma utilizes a style of cinematography that seems to resemble classical portraiture. Medium shots of the actresses centered in the frame are incredibly common, resembling these types of paintings. The lighting and set design is close to perfection, with the actresses always appearing almost ethereal in their lonely estate on an island.

Of course, the film is not perfect. It lacks the extremely complex nature of a masterpiece like “Persona.” Héloïse and Marianne’s relationship ceases to be interesting once it is fully realized; the magic and suggestiveness of it is completely drained. A loving relationship is beautiful (especially how Sciamma shows it), but it leaves little room for thematic development if there is nothing deeper to it. Sciamma repeatedly compares her film to a theme park ride in interviews, and this seems a particularly apt comparison. “Portrait” is a beatiful, thrilling and fresh ride, but it leaves little lasting impact.

That being said, the film more than deserves its showering of awards and accolades. It’s a beautiful tale of intense and tragic love. “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is well worth a viewing, and is available on Hulu now.

courtesy Pyramide Films Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel star as forbidden lovers in “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”

Quarantine opportunity to practice self-improvement With an abundance of free time, quarantine allows us to explore new hobbies or expand old ones.

Karelia Alexander Student Writer During this time of uncertainty, it’s normal to feel anxious, even overwhelmed.

There is no longer a mundane Monday, waiting for coffee and looking forward to the weekend. It feels like time has completely stopped, living day in and day out. It’s even gotten to a point where the days don’t have a name anymore — even the weeks seem countless. It’s like this is never going to end.

As we are confined in our homes, we don’t have the same opportunity to see our friends and loved ones physically, only through a camera. We can’t go to class and have the same learning outcome that we were certain of having at the beginning of this semester.

We have so much time on our hands, yet it feels like it’s slipping right through. Nev-

ertheless, it doesn’t have to feel this way.

There is a hopeful silver lining to this cloud of despair: because of the extra time quarantine has given us, this is an opportunity to take up a hobby and to clear your mind.

Developing a hobby and sticking to it can be simple, just to keep yourself occupied.

This can mean anything, from knitting,

have the option to do certain things, because of certain personal limitations, don’t worry.

The list is endless. It’s just about finding what you would like to do and easing your way into it. With an open schedule, this serves as a great opportunity to get organized, whether it’s your personal life, school work, employment or home.

“Though there is a push to stay occupied, it can feel daunting.” reading, watching movies, cooking, (watching cooking videos) or discovering new music — either by learning an instrument or by listening to a new genre of music. It can be challenging, even motivating, such as exercising more or learning a new language.

With the time allotted, you can pick up whatever you want in the comfort of your home and look forward to it. If you don’t

However, if you have already taken up a hobby (or multiple for that matter) and you want to take a different direction, you can use this time to perfect your craft and make good use out of it. You could possibly turn it into an acquired skill that can be used later on in your education and career. You can always concentrate on the positives of your life and better yourself as a student, friend,

If you’re feeling love-stricken:

employee and overall as a person. It doesn’t matter, as long as there is something, there will be a positive outcome. This is an opportunity to do stuff that we normally wouldn’t do.

Though there is a push to stay occupied, it can feel daunting. It’s okay to take a step back and say, “I just want to relax. I don’t want to do anything until I am ready.” With the situation going on, it’s not a bad idea to retreat to your personal space and breathe deeply. As we are quarantined, the last thing that should happen is feeling overwhelmed with what we should do in our own privacy.

Think of it as an observation period — use this time to focus on yourself, rest and appreciate what you have. It’s that simple.

Whether it’s having a hobby or taking a break from a busy lifestyle, there is a way to have a positive outcome. We might not know what is to come in the next few months — let alone control it — but the one thing we can do is better ourselves in the long run and make the best of the current situation.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed: If you’re feeling outrageous:

courtesy Atria/Keywords Press

courtesy Vintage

Tori Gellman Student Writer

Yes, I do realize that I just recommended a Gabriel García Márquez book two week ago, but seriously he can get me through anything. Not only does this story feel particularly topical, but it’s also incredibly romantic and heartwarming at times. A couple falls in love in their youth, but eventually go their separate ways. The woman marries someone else, and the heartbroken man dives into business endeavors and sexual promiscuity. Though he gets around a lot, he claims to reserve his heart for his original love. As always, Gabriel García Márquez has an uncanny ability to make me feel so many damn things. There’s love, there’s heartbreak, there are unexpected situations. It’s a story of two lives, with elements throughout that are unique and also universal. I think this book is an exquisite work of art.

courtesy Tin House Books

I am floored by this book — in the best possible way. Just from the premise, I knew I was going to read something unique. I just didn’t imagine I’d enjoy it quite so much.

Jessa Morton is tasked with taking over her father’s taxidermy business after he commits suicide inside his shop. Doesn’t sound particularly enjoyable, does it? But I promise you, this book is full of quirkiness, wit and dark humor that I just haven’t felt in anything else I’ve ever read. It’s also a beautiful exploration of family and the intricacies of relationships, as well as a really awesome look into the state of Florida (my homeland) and the people that inhabit it.

YouTube sensation, Dodie, tells all in this beautiful little gem of a book. From discussing her childhood to talking about her songwriting process, this book allows fans and readers to really connect with Dodie in new ways. Titled after one of her most popular songs, this book is almost like a high-end diary; filled with song lyrics, doodles and pictures. One of my favorite elements of this book are Dodie’s random musings on the world around her. She also tackles really hefty issues such as mental illness and sexual orientation, but her brief tidbits about random individuals on the street, and for seemingly inconsequential yet inescapable rememberings from middle school are to me what make this work so inviting and compelling. I think this book could be extremely useful for anyone feeling “less than” in this time of uncertainty and frankly, panic.

The State-Run Media

the

20 April 2020 (nice)

State-Run media Just say no!

Harassing profs in the age of social distancing

My dearest subjects, It is a very bleak day indeed.

When I awoke this morning — a pounding in my head beating out of sync with my aching heart — I breathed a deep sigh of sorrow for my nation.

We all have felt the change in the air, an aura of foreboding emanating from something we all would rather just forget.

Something we all knew would come one day, inevitable but ultimately dismissed.

How naive we were. Blissful to believe it could never happen here, to us.

And so it has fallen to me, your ever faithful leader, to bring you the truth you’ve known for a year now.

I am stepping down as Head Propagandist.

Hold your tears! They will only sully my written words. And it is imperative that you understand what comes next.

Yes, I am relinquishing power, but that does not mean I will be leaving you alone!

How could I expect you to manage by yourselves? Navigate through the current state of media, parsing the fake news from the truth? No, you need a guiding hand to help you understand what to believe, what to think.

And so I announce my successor: Anna “Iron Fist” Johns. She is firm, but fair.

Traits solely needed in these troubling times.

I trust that she will lead The State-Run Media with the strength and courage to bring you the news the liberal media would rather keep from you.

As I bid you all my final farewell, I press that you not mourn my leaving; your cries will do no good. Instead, raise your head and stand tall against those insidious forces that seek to destroy us.

And whenever you see an oil pumpjack out on the plains, think of me.

The very best of luck to you all, Sara Serrano The Former Head Propagandist

Where were you when the ‘Rona hit?

Where I was when campus closed, or 17 stories about how COVID-19 affected my semester.

Michaela Bueche Remembers the Alamo TU’s campus was recently closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, many students have been affected due to displacements and other stressful encounters. We at The State-Run Media wanted to get eye witness accounts, so we pulled a “Billy on the Street” … virtually. We combed through Discord servers, Zoom and even Collaborate searching for students who had survived this tragesty and could name a woman. Obviously, they were unsuccessful, so we continued with the less important question. We asked them to recount to us where they were when they heard that the coronavirus had infiltrated TU. These are the responses we received.

“Hi. My name is Dave. I’m a freshman and I like … oh we’re not doing icebreakers?

OK, so here’s what happened. My buddies and I had just started our ‘D&D’ campaign for the week when Billy walked in late, as per usual, and told us to check our emails.

Apparently, Levit had decided to transition to online classes. This was great news. I could wake up one minute before class and log into my laptop instead of getting up 10 minutes before and racing across campus.”

— Dave Johnson, freshman MechE “It was bloody brilliant. I was getting emails from my profs all night cancelling class for the rest of the week since they

didn’t know how to use any of the online stuff. I even got to start my spring break trip early! I had a nice flight to Italy where I spent a few days touring the wine country.

Then I flew to Florida and had a banging time with my friends. You may have seen my interview on the news while I was there.

I’m famous!” — Molly Higgins, senior Marketing “Am I allowed to cuss on here? Oh, cool.

Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to switch to online classes without preparing the professors or even warning us this could happen? I was supposed to have a test the next day. My professor refused to answer my emails all night about whether we were still having the test and how. The next morning he finally responded. Luckily, he pushed the test until after spring break so he could figure out how to give it, but this has caused me so much unnecessary stress.” — Jeanine Hickenbocker, sophomore Poli sci “When I found out, I was in the middle of a lab. At first, I was fairly indifferent about the whole thing. Yeah, it was inconvenient that I had to stay for the rest of lab, but I went home as soon as it was over. I didn’t really get pissed until they pulled that bullshit at the end of Spring Break. How am I supposed to get a flight from Toronto without notice to come back and get my stuff? And then I’m not even allowed to keep my key so I can come back some other time when there’s no one on campus? It’s ridiculous!”

— Emilia Everton, junior Biology Each student had a lot more to say than we thought, so we couldn’t fit all 17 stories in this short article. You can find the rest of the stories at administrationsucks.com/rona

Stare into your professor’s house until they break down.

How to make a last ditch effort to raise your grade without getting COVID-19.

Michaela Bueche In your yard Everyone knows the tale. At the end of the semester you realize that you’re on the cusp of getting a higher letter grade. Whether that be a B to an A or a D to a C, there’s only one way to get over that hill. No, it’s not studying profusely for the final or turning in your homework on time. The only solution is to go to your professor’s office and beg, plead and maybe even demand for them to raise your grade.

However, if you didn’t already know, this is no longer possible because you’re at your home, they’re at their home and the only way to contact them is to email or, surprise, go to class. And by “go to class” I mean open your laptop and scroll through your phone while they blab about 1980s politics, integrals or some other crap.

So now it seems the only way to raise your grade is by emailing your professors.

But how are you supposed to beg through email? There’s no way to convey emotion in those things. They’ll never be convinced.

I guess you could go through the trouble of figuring out where they live and then go-

graphic by Emma Palmer

ing there. I guess you could also stand outside their window and scream your reasons.

If you yell loud enough, they’re bound to listen ... or call the cops.

Now, do you really want to go to jail for the possibility of a measly three point bump? Are you kidding? I’m at the top of my game. I’m right up there with the big dogs. Girls, come on. Leave the free world to the men? I don’t think so. I don’t think so.

There may be one other option, but you must swear to never tell anyone else. It will only work if it’s kept on the down-low. We can’t very well have swarms of people joining in because then the higher ups would catch on. That would fuck it up for everyone.

This very secret other option is … drum roll please … taking everything pass/fail.

Then it doesn’t matter if you turn in any homework or show up for tests. That’s how that works, right?

Now you can spend all your time on more important things like maintaining your “Animal Crossing” island or baking your tenth loaf of bread for the week. You could even do that laundry you’ve been putting off since you got home. Well, that last one’s not as important since we all know you’ve been wearing the same clothes all quarantine.

You don’t even have to decide just yet.

The deadline isn’t until like right before finals. But choose wisely. We wouldn’t want you to spend another year in this dump.

Quarantine lifts May 1 In trying to help us, President Trump has only screwed us more.

Hannah Robbins Can, in fact, read Of all Trump’s of coronavirus briefings, only one has brought life back into my dark, childhood room. In this magical briefing, the sole one that seemed real in this era of fake news, Trump said the words we were all waiting to hear: “The United States will soon be open again.”

However, as we have come to recognize from our esteemed leader, there is always a price for what we want. The government has finally got on the same page with every state and agreed on a time to reopen the country. With the economy looking like my bank account right now (rip my savings, yay impulse buys), Trump knows he needs to turn this all around. So, he has decided to reopen the country on May 1.

Wait. Scratch that. May 1, 2021. Trump, who is usually crystal clear, kinda mumbled that part, and I definitely missed that year the first time around. And apparently so did everyone else. I know Trump really wants to get out of his teeny tiny house but this isn’t the way to do it. Lie and say things under his breath so that Mom (the press) wouldn’t

2021

hear the lie and catch his fingers crossed behind his back. How ridiculous. We all know Trump has bad handwriting but that’s no excuse when there are still computers to send out press briefs in the White House.

The country is a straight up mess right now. The DOW is going down faster than sugar in a Fall Out Boy song, and the stimulus check missed my bank account and my parents’. Plus, I love my family and all, but I am an actual, legal, alcohol-purchasing, voting adult, and it would be cool to, I don’t know, go live somewhere else before next year. But we all know that Trump always does the right thing at the right time, and apparently he actually listened to experts this time? I mean he tried to make everyone happy by mumbling it, but what the hell man?

Next year????

I mean at least this way we do get to walk at graduation in May of some year, but as much as I’d hate a Homecoming graduation, at least that one still took place in 2020. And since Trump was so eager to get May 1 as the date of opening, we’re now stuck with a full additional year of this! Trump went from making a decent move to screwing us for another 365 days, all because he assumed no one would pay attention. It hasn’t worked for Trump before, it isn’t working for him now and now we’re all paying the price. So once again, thanks Trump!