16 January 2017

Photo by Dalton Stewart

Graphic by Elias Brinkman

a student newspaper of the university of tulsa

january 16, 2017 issue 13 ~ volume 102

Sports

Miami Beach Bowl win caps off a strong season for football 10–3 The Collegian: 2

16 January 2017

The 55–10 win over Central Michigan was Tulsa’s 10th 10-win season and 10th bowl victory

TU 55–10 CMU

all photos by Dalton Stewart

Receiver Josh Atkinson (88) had 131 yards in Miami, which made him the 2nd Tulsa receiver with 1,000 yards

Receiver Keevan Lucas led the team in receptions (81), yards (1,180) and receiving touchdowns (15) Running back James Flanders ran for 1,629 yards and had 18 touchdowns

Quarterback Dane Evans became the leading passer in Tulsa history, reaching 11,680 passing yards

Sports

16 January 2017

The Collegian: 3

This was the first bowl win for Tulsa since their independence bowl victory in 2012

D’Angelo Brewer rushed for 1,425 yards this season as part of Tulsa’s rush tandem Tulsa’s offense compiled 4,460 total yards — fourth overall in the country and first in the AAC

Head Coach Philip Montgomery turned Tulsa’s program around in just two years, and recently signed a five-year extension

Tulsa was the first program in history with a 3,000 yard passer, two 1,000 yard rushers and two 1,000 yard receivers

Monday

Tuesday 16

No Events

17

Women’s Basketball vs. UConn 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 18

Men’s Basketball vs. Tulane 6:30 p.m.

Thursday

Jan 16 – 22

19 Men’s Tennis vs. Illinois State 1:00 p.m.

Men’s Tennis vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff 4:00 p.m.

Friday

Saturday

21 Men’s 20 Men’s Tennis Basketball vs. Texas @ USF 6:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Women’s Tennis Women’s @ Hurricane Basketball Invite @ UCF Track and Field @ DeLoss Invitational

12:00 p.m.

Sunday

22

Men’s Tennis vs. TCU 3:00 p.m.

Sports

The Collegian: 4

16 January 2017

What’s cooking on the Women’s basketball bleacher hot stove this season creature suffers losses Justin Guglielmetti is…

the

The Little Guy! While home for the holidays, I got to listen to Celtics color commentator Tommy Heinsohn orgasm on live TV as Isaiah Thomas hit a dagger three pointer to cap off his incredible 52 point game against the Miami Heat. Ok so maybe that first bit didn’t actually happen, but if you heard the old man’s exclamation of pure affection for Boston’s diminutive point guard, you wouldn’t think it was totally out of the question.

And look, Tommy’s not alone. Celtics nation (the Bleacher Creature included) has fallen head over heels for Thomas, dubbed “The Little Guy” by Heinsohn, in a way we haven’t for any player since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen arrived in 2007. What’s not to love about the guy? He’s listed at 5’9” but that’s only because he was wearing high heels at the draft combine. He’s an incredible ball handler and shooter, consistently bombing deep threes off the bounce, a skill in which he’s rivaled only by Steph Curry and Damian Lillard.

He drives to the rim with an apparent recklessness reminiscent of a young Dwyane Wade, only he’s incapable of finishing above the rim … so instead he punks fools by living off a ludicrous selection of unblockable scoop shots released from his hip.

Look, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but Thomas might be playing at a level as high as peak Iverson right now. 28 PPG and 6 APG at an efficiency that the Answer could only dream of? It’s time the rest of the league was put on notice.

Rodgers = Nostradamus = Illuminati Confirmed Green Bay’s improbable run from 4-6 to a division title behind the MVP-caliber play of Aaron Rodgers is one of the best stories of the NFL season.

But I’ve heard enough about the Packers’ QB “calling his shot,” vowing after his team’s 42-24 loss to the Redskins in Week 11 that they would not lose another game on their way to the playoffs. I mean was he right? Technically, yes, but … what was Rodgers supposed to say? “Yes, I think our team is looking outstanding! I’m fully expecting us to win four of our next six games and narrowly miss the postseason. Who else has a question?”

We should be able to appreciate the Packers’ success and the continual brilliance of Rodgers without making a vague affirmation of his team’s ability into some sort of prophecy.

courtesy afternoontea

I don’t want to say anything I’m not supposed to, but there are an awful lot of triangles in this picture. And since this phrase is how Rodgers “called his shot” I think there is definite proof of someone behind the scenes.

Give it a rest, Meryl This is not the place to get into politics.

I’m sure some Collegian readers probably people loved Meryl Streep’s thinly veiled criticism of Donald Trump at the Golden Globes, while others probably wished nothing more than for her to get off the stage.

And so, because I don’t want to offend anybody (and because this is the sports section) I only want to focus on one moment from Streep’s soliloquy: her abject and tonedeaf dismissal of football and mixed martial arts, which apparently “are not the arts!”

That remarkably ignorant statement was met with cheers from the crowd of self-aggrandizing Hollywood elites and maybe it’s true in the sense that sports aren’t considered to be a fine art.

But everybody already knows that, Streep was clearly trying to make a larger point.

She was attempting to categorize sports, perhaps two in particular that are violent in nature, as the pastime of choice for the ignorant rube of middle America.

Never mind that the level of hard work and natural skill that goes into professional sports is at the very least equal to that of acting, or that appearing in a commercially produced Hollywood film designed solely to make a profit (as was the case with most of the people in that room) is not enough to make a person a culturally important artist.

Even if it was, who are you to criticize how people entertain themselves in their free time? In this age of ever-increasing polarization, doubling down on divisiveness and attacking the great unifier that is sports probably isn’t the best idea.

With the long offseason quickly coming to a close, we take a look at where some of baseball’s biggest stars will play next year.

Justin Guglielmetti Sports Writer

Spring training is still more than a month away, but there’s been plenty of action in free agency across the baseball landscape.

Here are some of the big names that have exchanged uniforms, as well as one tantalizing slugger that remains on the market.

Edwin Encarnación: Cleveland Indians- With more and more teams favoring a new-age approach to roster building based around advanced analytics, versatility and youth, there wasn’t a huge market to be had for a 34-year-old plodding DH, even if that guy has been one of baseball’s best hitters over the past five years. Coming off a 2016 season in which he set or matched career highs in runs, homers and RBI, Encarnación will provide a potent right-handed bat and an upgrade from Mike Napoli to the defending American League champs.

Meanwhile, his former club, the Toronto Blue Jays, must have to be scratching their heads at their inability to keep their cleanup hitter, as Encarnación reportedly turned down Toronto’s four-year $80 million deal to sign one worth just three years and $60 million.

Aroldis Chapman: New York YankeesChapman may have struggled in the postseason by his own lofty standards, but that didn’t stop the game’s hardest thrower from signing the most lucrative relief pitcher contract in history at five years, $86 million.

It’s a bit of a puzzling investment given the current state of the Yankees, who before the signing had appeared to be buckling down on mediocrity and development of the “Baby Bombers” in preparation for emptying their coffers on the loaded 2018-19 free agency class.

Even for a team with pockets as deep as the Yankees, $86 million is a lot of money to spend for the possibility of a contending piece a couple years down the road, especially given the historically fickle long-term success of closers.

Ian Desmond: Colorado Rockies- One of the biggest surprises of the 2016 season, Desmond enjoyed a resurgent year for the Rangers despite moving from his natural position of shortstop to centerfield. It’s expected that he will continue to man the

cavernous outfield confines of Coors Field, a far more difficult task than playing in Arlington, but Desmond flashed Gold Glovecaliber leather in his first year on the job. He will join an already stacked lineup and the most promising Colorado rotation in years.

Don’t be surprised if the Rockies make a push for a Wild Card spot in 2017.

Dexter Fowler: St. Louis Cardinals- An unsung hero of the Cubs’ historic season, Fowler emerged as one of the best center fielders in the game, finishing with a careerhigh 4.2 WAR despite missing nearly 40 games due to injury. The 6’5” stringbean will take his great speed, glove and batting eye to the Cubbies’ biggest rivals in St. Louis, and while he may no longer be a World Series favorite, Fowler certainly won’t be lamenting his $82.5 million contract.

Mark Melancon: San Francisco Giants- It’s an interesting dichotomy in the world of analytics: even as we are placing ever greater value on bullpen depth and the increasingly rare inning-eating starter, individual relievers are making more than ever before. Melancon’s four year, $62 million deal was the richest ever for a reliever until Chapman and Kenley Jansen topped it a few days later. Melancon is a good pitcher to be sure; he’s got a whopping 98 saves over the last two years, a career ERA of 2.60 and is still in his prime at 31 years old.

And the Giants could certainly use some help in high-leverage situations, coming off a season in which they blew an unfathomable 30 saves. Still … it’s Mark Melancon. The guy isn’t exactly an all-time relief specialist in the mold of Chapman, Craig Kimbrel or Mariano Rivera, and we see anonymous relievers break out in spectacular fashion every year (Zach Britton of all people just turned in the greatest season by a reliever in history, for crying out loud!)

Even in the absolute best case scenario, it’s hard to imagine Melancon being worth this much in the end.

José Bautista: Unsigned- Bautista is a patient hitter with a thundering stroke, the face of the Toronto Blue Jays, and will likely go down as one of the best players of the decade. He’s also on the wrong side of the age curve at 36 years old, losing range in right field every year, and was plagued with knee issues that limited him to just 112 games in 2016.

Still, nobody denies Bautista’s talent and he will likely find himself on a team looking to cash in and compete right now. Possible destinations include the Indians, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Astros and Rangers.

Men’s basketball upsets Memphis and Temple The men’s team, while sitting right around five-hundred, are heating up right at the start of conference play with upsets over Memphis and Temple in back-to-back wins.

Matt Rechtien Sports Editor The men’s basketball team upset conference foes Memphis and Temple this week, improving their conference record to 3–1 and their overall record to 9–7.

Underdogs at home against the Tigers, the Golden Hurricane were able to spoil former coach Tubby Smith’s return to Tulsa with a 81–71 win on Wednesday. Smith coached the Golden Hurricane from 1991–1995.

Tulsa opened the game up taking an early lead and holding onto it for the first 10 minutes of play. The Tigers tied the game 24–24 at this point and the lead changed hands four more times before the end of the first half.

Junior Etou, a redshirt junior, retook the lead for the Golden Hurricane with just under two minutes left in the first half, sinking a three-pointer that was just the start to a 10–0 run for the Golden Hurricane. Headed into halftime the Golden Hurricane led 43– 36.

The second half started off similarly to the first with Tulsa holding onto the lead for the first 10 minutes, before Memphis retook it 55–54.

The lead changed hands a couple times here as Tulsa struggled to put points up — Tulsa didn’t record a field goal for almost nine minutes midway through the second half that allowed Memphis to get back in the game.

Tied late in the game 69–69, Tulsa’s offense found their rhythm, scoring 12 straight points to put the game away. The Golden Hurricane’s free-throw shooting was the largest contributor to their offensive surge as they made 7-of-8 shots and shot over 80-percent for the fourth straight game,

something that Tulsa has struggled with in past years.

Etou and Sterling Taplin led the Golden Hurricane with 23 and 17 points respectively, and Etou recorded his third doubledouble of the season. While Etou and Taplin were the big scorers for Tulsa, the bench is the reason for the win. Tulsa’s bench outscored Memphis’s 26–7.

The Golden Hurricane also took advantage of the 41–29 advantage in rebounds to put up 18 second chance points to Memphis’s three.

The Golden Hurricane next traveled to Philadelphia to take on the Owls, and this time were five-point underdogs. Temple took the early lead in this game and held it for the first ten minutes. At that point Tulsa’s Pat Birt nailed a three-pointer that gave the Golden Hurricane the lead which they held for the rest of the first half.

Temple came out ready to play in the second half, starting on an 11–2 tear. They held the lead — which was as high as 8 a few times — until seven minutes remained the game.

From there the Golden Hurricane scored 10 of the next 12 points to tie the game at 65, with field goals from Etou, Taplin and Jaleel Wheeler.

The Golden Hurricane and the Owls traded points to go 68–68, but Taplin put up a last-minute layup to give Tulsa a 70–68 edge with 0:44 seconds left, and the Golden Hurricane held on for the win.

Etou led the Golden Hurricane with 15 points, while Taplin and Birt both added 14.

Tulsa shot over 50-percent from the field and converted over 75 percent of their free throws for the fifth straight game.

Roughly halfway through the season, the Golden Hurricane sit at 9–7, a worse record than they’ve had in the last two years, but these most recent wins are pointing them in the right direction and give Tulsa a strong start in conference play.

Tulsa will return home to take on the Green Wave of Tulane (4–12) on Wednesday night.

during tough season

The women’s basketball team has not had a great season, winning only five out of their 17 games so far, and last week was no different.

Matt Rechtien Sports Editor The women’s basketball team fell to USF and Temple in the last week and a half, and is now sitting at a 5–12 record halfway through the season.

The No. 22 Bulls outplayed the Golden Hurricane in the first two quarters of their game in Tampa, and while the Golden Hurricane forced early turnovers — and 14 total in the game — they couldn’t capitalize with points and trailed USF by 13 after the first half.

The Golden Hurricane kept pace with the Bulls in the second half, scoring 20 and 25 in third and fourth quarters respectively, but could not overcome the deficit from the first two quarters of play, and lost 84–68.

Kendrian Elliott led the scoring for Tulsa with 14 points, Ebony Parker and Shug Dickson both had 11 and Erika Wakefield scored 10. But this was not enough to stop the Bull’s top-two scorers, Kitija Laksa and Maria Jespersen, who had 37 and 20 points respectively.

Head Coach Matilda Mossman said after the game, “I thought our kids played hard. I thought we moved the ball well, took good shots and executed well, but unfortunately we couldn’t make shots and that hurt. Our kids did what we asked them to do and I’m proud of their effort.”

The poor shooting continued in Saturday’s loss against Temple. Early in the game, the Golden Hurricane only converted one of their 10 shots and only shot 36 percent for the entire game. The struggles in the early game again hurt Tulsa. Tulsa and Temple both scored 16 in the final frame, but the Golden Hurricane could not overcome their deficit from the first three quarters of play and fell 58–49.

Dickson was the highlight for Tulsa, scoring a career-high 21 points off the bench in the loss. Mossman said about her effort; “I thought Shug [Dickson] was really good at attacking, and that was the focus going into this game. We knew Temple was going to attack us so we couldn’t sit back on our heels, we had to go and attack back. I think for her coming in the 16th game of her career she was really good about attacking.”

The women’s next game will be against No. 1 UConn, who recently set the NCAA record for most consecutive wins (breaking their own previous record) with 91.

Hurricane Recap

Men’s tennis The men’s tennis team opened up their spring season with a 4–3 win over Wichita State on Thursday. Over the weekend though they fell to No. 19 Arkansas by a score of 4–3.

In the initial ITA rankings that came out last week, senior Or-Ram Harel was ranked 46th in the country, sophomore doubles partners Francois and Okkie Kellerman were ranked 36th and the Golden Hurricane were receiving top-25 votes after finishing ranked 24th at the end of last season.

Next up for the Golden Hurricane is matches against Illinois State and Arkansas Pine Bluff on Thursday at the Case Tennis Center.

Track and field The Golden Hurricane track and field team had their second meet, and first of 2017, over the weekend and finished with 12 top-five finishes ­— six on the women’s side and six on the men’s.

Freshmen Aaliyah Birmingham (200m), Allison Bailey (600m), Adrena Mazzei (1000m), sophomore Sabrina Monsees (1000m), and Baylor Reese (weight throw) and two relay teams took top-five finishes for the women’s side.

On the men’s side sophomores Bailey Stewart (400m), Robert Tully (600m), redshirt sophomore Ben Priesner (mile), redshirt junior Adam Roderique (mile) and junior Grey Howard (600m) all took home top-five finishes.

Freshman Aleks Rapp was the only first-place finisher for the Golden Hurricane when he won the weight throw event.

News

16 January 2017

The Collegian: 5

Kirk Smith wins Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford TU Presidential Scholar, athlete and mechanical engineering senior Kirk Smith was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for 2017.

Michaela Flonard News Editor In the fall, Kirk Smith will begin working on his doctoral degree in engineering science at the University of Oxford, in England, courtesy the Rhodes Scholarship. This internationally competitive scholarship, awarded to only 32 students annually from the United States, funds the students for two years as they obtain their degrees from the University of Oxford. He’s TU’s first Rhodes Scholar since 1988.

Smith credits Nona Charleston, director of nationally competitive scholarships at TU, with his initial interest in applying for the scholarship. While working with her

spring of last year on other scholarships, like the Goldwater, she told him the Rhodes Scholarship “helped you frame your graduate school applications...there’s so many qualified people who don’t win every year, but it helps you get your direction before you start graduate school.”

Of course, Smith didn’t have to apply for graduate school, as he was awarded the scholarship before he’d even decided which schools he was interested in. “I wanted to go West, either Colorado or California, or just the Rockies,” he said.

At Oxford, Smith plans to study storage of renewable energy. “One of the problems facing all renewable energy, but mainly solar and wind, is that it’s intermittent,” Smith explained. “The sun goes down, there’s clouds, and the wind isn’t constant all the time. So the resource is less valuable as a result, because when you need it, you might not have it.” As of now, there’s not a cheap way to store this energy, other than

hydropower, which is “pretty much used up and location dependent.”

To date, solving this problem involves either building more or building better transmission lines and getting the energy from some other place. Smith hopes to take promising storage technology from the lab scale and scale it up. Although he’s focused on solar energy during his research at TU, Oxford doesn’t have as much dedicated to that field, for weather reasons. They do, however, have a big focus on energy storage, as electricity is more expensive there, and, as a result, renewables are more prevalent than in the US. For his previous research experience, Smith went to Europe, although he’s never visited England. Last summer, he participated in Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE Germany).

There, he worked on solar thermal power, which is used to pre-heat water for domestic purposes.

Smith’s interest in renewable energy grew as a child. “As a kid I got really upset about climate change and the implications of that because I was very outdoorsy and environmentally minded,” he said.

“Obviously one of the natural solutions of that is reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.” During his freshman year at TU, Professor Todd Otanica came to talk to his introduction to mechanical engineering class about his work with solar energy. Smith took the opportunity to begin working in his lab.

Although the cross country and track and field teams were a “major pull” for Smith to come to TU, the variety of opportunities he was able to take advantage of while studying here — such as global scholars, undergraduate research and the low studentfaculty ratio — contributed to his studies.

Smith hadn’t decided, at the time of this interview, which professor he would work under while at Oxford.

Winter weather preview: expected conditions and advice

January may bring extreme winter weather. President Clancy advises students to take precautions and keep an eye out for campus closings.

Kayleigh Thesenvitz Social Media Manager

With its comically extreme weather patterns, it comes as little surprise that winters in Oklahoma are hard to predict. However, since class has resumed we should do what we can to stay warm and safe while the weather outside is frightful.

Meteorologists have shared varied predictions for winter 2017. Ari Sarsalari from The Weather Channel briefly explained the highlights of the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s’ winter predictions. Sarsalari said there will likely be “some below average precipitation in the south,” with a map that included Oklahoma and that “the central and southern part of the country will likely see above average temperatures.”

The research indicates that these weather patterns are likely due to La Niña patterns across the Pacific Ocean. However, meteorologist Dave Murray from Fox News St. Louis suggested that, “La Niña is not a player in January.” Instead, “A large area of warm water off the northwest coast into the Gulf of Alaska ... will result in a large ridge over the western United States and create a major dip in the jet stream over the eastern two thirds of the nation.”

“This will open the door to arctic air and

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

In 2011, a blizzard caused the university to close for four days, the longest known closing.

get winter going and going quickly in the month of January,” Murray said. “January looks cold from start to finish and may end up being a rather extreme month for cold weather.”

Murray agreed with NOAA’s prediction that it would likely be a dry month.

TU is prepared to handle adverse winter weather. President Clancy is responsible for closing campus in the event of dangerous weather and has said, “If there’s any reason to believe that a significant number of students, faculty and staff face a threat to their safety, administrators would close campus. This could include widespread ice, heavy snow, tornado activity or other severe

weather conditions that pose serious safety concerns.”

Historically the longest known campus closing was four days during a blizzard in 2011.

Extreme weather isn’t the only factor considered when deciding to cancel classes.

Clancy said, “Safety is always our priority.

Classes could be canceled in response to a credible threat of violence, a natural disaster or an accident such as a severed gas line that poses health risks.”

In order for you to stay safe and warm this winter, here are some important tips for your on-campus apartment, your car and you as you walk to class.

If you live in an apartment on campus, remember that you need to keep the internal temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep water pipes from freezing and bursting. If you notice that the heat isn’t working properly you can put in an emergency maintenance request through CaneLink. Also, remember not to be tempted to stay warm by using space heaters or candles, both are fire hazards and can incur serious fines from the housing department.

If you will be commuting in the cold weather, the CDC recommends servicing the radiator and maintaining the antifreeze levels in your car as well as checking the tire tread or, if necessary, replacing tires with all-weather or snow tires. It’s also a good idea to keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines and use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer. In addition you should prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you, well, you know, have a winter emergency. The kit should include: a cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries; blankets; food and water; booster cables, flares, tire pump and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction); a compass and maps; flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries; first-aid kit; and plastic bags (for sanitation).

While walking to class there are other ways to stay safe. TU’s tireless grounds crew does a good job of maintaining the walkways, but regardless, you should make sure you wear shoes with good treading so you are less likely to slip on icy patches. Be sure to bundle up, and protect your extremities from prolonged exposure to the cold.

New year, new study hideouts downtown to explore If you’re a nursing student who spends a lot of time downtown or an engineering major who just wants to leave campus, check out these neat places.

Giselle Willis Managing Editor After three years and 55 million dollars, Tulsa’s central library downtown reopened in October. The old building had been around since 1965, and although it had once been a state-of-the-art facility, by 2011, the building was rundown and outdated.

Now, it has reclaimed its spot as the jewel in the Tulsa library system crown. The central library has three floors and each floor is unique. The first floor features the media collection, a children’s section and a Starbucks. In lieu of a traditional front desk, there are a few self-checkout machines; the library employees roam around the different sections in an effort to make themselves more available. There is also a “Maker Space” with a variety of tools that would appeal to engineering and art students alike: a CNC carver, laser engraver, vinyl cutter, screen printing press, two 3D printers, sewing machines, knitting and crocheting hooks, soldering supplies and an audio lab for recording.

These tools are all free, but you need to

photos by Giselle Willis

The second floor of the renewed Tulsa public library hosts the main collection of books.

bring your own materials. Each floor also has a business center for faxing, copying, printing and scanning. To access the items, you need a Tulsa City County Library card, but to attain one you just have to live, work or go to school in Tulsa County.

The second floor houses the library’s main collection of books, but also has a section for using tablets and a wraparound balcony. Both the second and third floor have several study rooms available to reserve either upon arrival or in advance via phone call. The rooms can hold small groups, and the outside walls are windows. Additionally, the third floor is the reference section, which includes a computer lab and a whole room with materials just on Oklahoma and Tulsa.

The downtown library reopened in October after three years of renovations.

This floor also features a collage created by TU art professor Mark Lewis.

Fun Facts: Central library boasts an outdoor courtyard with a movie screen, seating and speakers. Dots and lines on the wall behind the screen are Morse code for “libraries change lives.” Every year, the library’s board awards distinguished author prizes of $40,000 to an author of merit, and you can listen to their acceptance speeches on the first floor. The library also collects rainwater to reuse for watering the grass, and there are solar panels on the parking garage.

Parking: Free for the first two hours or the length of a full library class. The easiest way to access it is to turn into the traffic circle in front of the entrance off of Denver.

All About Cha is a picturesque study spot.

Other good places to study downtown: All About Cha’s mission is to serve “Stylish Coffee and Tea,” but their menu also includes, breakfast, lunch/dinner, sushi and desserts. There is free wifi and a plethora of outlets. Since it can be a little expensive, it might be best as a meeting place for when you and your group members need motivation to start on a project due at the end of the semester.

Fun Facts: A small size drink is called a “Love,” and a larger size is called “Passion.” They also offer a type of drink called Freddo, which is similar to a shake.

Parking: You can park on the street and pay the meter (unless it’s after 5 p.m.), or in the parking lot across the street for $5.

Centennial Park might not be an ideal study spot right now with the weather like it is, but around March or whenever we get a random nice day, it has a lot of open green space and maybe not as many frisbee-throwing students. It may not have wifi or outlets, but if you’re in for an old-fashioned homework session and want to feel like Leslie Knope, it’s the place for you!

Parking: You can access the parking lot on the east side of the park by turning off of Peoria, or the parking lot on the western side by turning off of 6th Street.

News

The Collegian: 6

16 January 2017

TU student Kate Tillotson awarded Student Veteran of the Year

Since being elected president of TU’s SVA chapter, Tillotson has made an effort to reach out to millennial veterans.

Trenton Gibbons Variety Editor If TU student Kate Tillotson was surprised to have been nominated for the Student Veteran of the Year Award, one can only imagine her reaction when she won, beating out the competition of 1,300 SVA chapters nationwide. This is not to say she didn’t deserve it.

Tillotson has been credited with revitalizing TU’s Student Veteran Association which, upon her joining, had a decent attendance of about 10-15 veterans. The organization’s events were often limited to monthly luncheons. Tillotson, after being elected president of the organization, was motivated to do things differently. This was in part due to her desire for more diversity in the group, herself being the only female member. The association used social media, digital signage and flyers to advertise a tailgating event, which successfully drew in over 55 veterans. When that happened, Tillotson said, she realized the potential the VSA had.

“Let’s do something no other veteran organization in Oklahoma is doing — something for millennial veterans that’s actually fun and social. If we’re going to do stuff on campus as a group, we should go big or go home.”

This incentive would be paired with Tillotson’s mission to reach out not only to veterans on campus, but in the greater commu-

nity of Tulsa. Early on Tillotson noticed that the organizations that existed to help veterans were mostly intended for the homeless or Vietnam-Era veterans, not post 9/11-Era veterans. “It’s great to have organizations serving those populations,” she said, but “as a generation that has known nothing but war-time we have a lot of unpacking to do and that’s difficult to do when you’re doing it alone.”

The association soon decided to host their off-campus events in a way where millennial veterans, regardless of their level of education, could attend. “Slowly but surely, veterans from all corners of Tulsa started to trickle in. We have veterans who work within the VA or attend other institutions such as Spartan that come out and get a chance to socialize with other veterans. Spouses and significant others are the heartbeat of our group. When they feel welcome they bring their families and their veteran with them…My group is a very close knit family in a way.”

The groups come a long way since their humble beginnings; these days, some of the organization’s events gather a crowd numbering over a hundred, and they have yet to host an event with under 25 attendees.

Tillotson doesn’t take all the credit, of course. Besides her coworkers in the organization she named faculty advisor Cindy Watts as an essential part of TU’s support system for veterans. Watts sees every veteran who comes in, offering them a warm welcome into the SVA, and helps the association by spreading news wordof-mouth.

courtesy Kate Tillotson

Kate Tillotson, fourth from the left in this photo, invites students to attend events even if they are not veterans.

Outside the organization, Tillotson is pursuing a major in speechlanguage pathology. She admits that, in the beginning, job security played no small part in her decision to pursue SLP, but now, she views it as a fulfilling career. “The further I got into my studies is when I realized that I could work with adults and veterans. Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is common within the veterans who served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of those veterans come back dealing with the unseen wounds of war on top of having issues communicating. Being able to help someone get a piece of their life back is why I’m passionate about the veteran community and it’s the same with speech-language pathology.”

In response to a question addressing any possible improvements to educational aid for veterans across the nation, not just at TU, Tillotson emphasized “academic accommodations” as the “first hurdle and often the most impactful one.” Oftentimes, she noted, school officials ignorant of disability laws often refuse aid to veterans on the grounds that their federal disability paperwork or medical documentation isn’t enough. “The veteran they’re turning away,” she says, “or making the process unnecessarily burdensome for is the same person who had to watch their buddy die in a war zone, or had their convoy blown up by an IED or was sexually assaulted on the job. There’s nothing more disheartening for a

veteran than reaching out for help and not being taken seriously.”

To conclude, Tillotson invited any interested TU students, civilians included, to become involved in the organization simply by showing up to some of the events.

“We’re not as mean as the stereotypes would have you believe,” she joked. “Just because we’re veterans doesn’t mean we’re sitting around telling war stories all time.

We’re not the stereotypical angry veteran crowd. We’re friendly, we’re funny and we’re very accepting of new people.”

The Student Veteran Association will be having an Open House event in February, and all are encouraged to attend.

Clancy holds forum on budget crisis, answers employee questions President Clancy addressed employees’ concerns, such as the removal of retirement benefits, and discussed TU’s future in a recent forum.

Hannah Kloppenburg Editor-in-Chief On November 16, 2016, President Gerard Clancy held a forum titled “TU: A Force For Good” for all TU staff and faculty concerning the recent budget crisis and how the university plans to move forward. According to an article

by The Frontier, TU is currently facing a $25 million deficit. As a result, the Board of Trustees made money-saving decisions, the most drastic of which were the removal of retirement benefits and the decision to let 43 university employees go.

As university employees were arguably the most affected by the budget cuts, Clancy started the discussion off by directly addressing the group’s most pressing questions.

As a result of the budget deficit, all employees were affected by the loss of university-provided retirement benefits. Clancy addressed this first, saying that the board was working on a proposal to bring partial retirement benefits back to all employees by July.

According to The Frontier, Clancy sent a university-wide email to all employees on December 14, saying that “Beginning in July 2017, the university will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for your retirement, up to 4.5 percent

contribution from the university and 4.5 percent contribution from the employee…I know this does not bring us back to where we were, but it is a start in the right direction.”

Clancy stated that the board was looking into using the university’s endowment of more than $1 million to aid in the budget crisis. He also confirmed that they would be making a few strategic hires in the future to help grow programs that would lift the university out of the budget deficit.

“The administration and the deans made a lot of strong points to the board as we went forward that we cannot cut our way to success here. We have to grow,” he asserted. “It is not that we are insensitive to what has already happened as far as some people’s positions, but we have some positions that we need to add in the future to be able to grow.”

After addressing employees’ most pressing questions, Clancy praised TU for what it does well, explained the factors that led to the budget crisis and presented the university’s approach to moving through the tough times.

Clancy explained that a number of factors added up to result in the current deficit. Among these factors were a shift in demographics — he said that the baby boomers’ children have already gone through college and that there are 4 percent fewer 18-26-year-olds in the nation, meaning that fewer young adults are enrolling in universities across the nation. Energy prices and the slow comeback of law jobs have also affected previ-

ously popular TU programs, and international student enrollment has gone down, possibly due to political factors.

Clancy also explained that the TU endowment dropped by 4 percent while operating costs remained the same. In recent years, TU has had to spend more in order to ensure a safe and compliant campus.This includes hiring more security, installing cameras and similar efforts.

Enrollment also played a role in the budget crisis — while the number of applicants and admitted students has increased in recent years, the number of enrolled students has not, leaving dorms empty. Despite increases in tuition, TU’s generous amount of financial aid means that the university hasn’t seen a significant increase in tuition revenue.

The Frontier also notes that “an aggressive plan to add 1 million square feet of new facilities to the campus — some not fully funded — combined with increased spending on athletics, an expanded administrative staff and rising operations costs all contributed to the deficit.”

In choosing where to make cuts, Clancy noted that the board considered long-term stability, maintaining the student experience, maintaining academics and minimizing TU’s reputational risk as major factors.

Clancy presented the solution for TU’s budget issues in a threephase proposal. Phase I, lasting 12-36 months, involves improvements in revenues and costs. Phase II will focus on market-driven re-

courtesy The University of Tulsa

Lower enrollment, a shift in US demographics and outside factors such as energy prices have contributed to TU’s budget crisis, according to Clancy.

search, intending to improve enrollment and retention levels and explore alternate revenue sources in order to get TU back on its feet for the long-term.

Phase III will focus on longterm growth and envisioning the next generation of TU. Clancy mentioned that university students are increasingly diverse, with more minority students (especially Hispanic students) and more first-generation college applicants every year. Phase III would hopefully encourage this diversity and would also focus on the creation and growth of new types of majors and programs focused on the current job market.

While most of the forum focused on the budget crisis, Clancy

did take some time to highlight what TU has done well in the past.

He praised TU’s faculty-student engagement, well-rounded liberal arts curriculum, and the university’s growth in thriving areas such as engineering, computer sciences and health science.

Clancy emphasized that the solution to the crisis was taking the current system and reworking it to be more efficient and effective.

“I’ve got experience in healthcare in looking at how certain things are designed and trying to make it work better,” he said. “That’s what I’m gonna look at here.” The forum’s title, “TU: A Force For Good,” was ultimately intended to bring the focus back to TU’s strength moving forward.

A letter to TU students from President Gerry Clancy:

This is the first letter I’ve been asked to pen to TU students, and I appreciate The Collegian giving me this opportunity. Some of you know a bit about me since I served as a dean and vice president before taking on my current role late last year. I am a physician, an educator and a military veteran. I am husband to your new first lady, Paula Clancy, and father to a relatively recent college graduate, a current TU student and a high school student. I am a voracious reader and a believer in lifelong learning and community service. And, I hope, I will be the kind of university president you deserve.

I have attended and worked at several colleges, and The University of Tulsa is a unique place with special students. Your drive to put good out into the world is an inspiration. In fact, I’ve recently begun using your examples as I meet with colleagues, donors and friends and tell them about my new role at TU. Many people who are unfamiliar with our university ask me about our mascot, the Golden Hurricane. “What is that, anyway?” they say. Beyond the historical explanation of how the name came to be, I started thinking about that question in a bigger sense. “What is a hurricane, if not a mighty force?” And what makes our hurricane “golden?” Well, it’s the desire of students, faculty and alumni to do good works.

So was born a new catchphrase for my elevator speech: TU — and the Golden Hurricane — is a force for good. And I see that in action everyday I come to campus. In my short time at TU, I’ve witnessed research projects that seek to harness solar power and reduce mercury pollution and volunteer efforts that feed the hungry and care for the sick. You build bridges, solve problems and foster hope. Each day, your actions spur others to do their part to make our campus, our city and our world a better place.

I encourage you to continue to look beyond yourselves. Recognize opportunities and enlist others to help you reach your goals — academically, socially and professionally. Society responds to people who make positive contributions. Along the way, you will learn more than you could imagine about people, history, culture, diversity and the values that make life meaningful. You also will learn about yourself — your strengths and your weaknesses — and your capacity to be an inspiration to others.

Make your mark. Do your best. Be a force for good!

News

16 January 2017

met with three students who had their door egged. There was a trail of egg shells from the adjacent building. It is unknown who the suspect is. Officers searched the surrounding areas and found no other egg shells.

Nov. 16 3:10 a.m.

While on routine patrol University of Tulsa campus Security Officers came in contact with a minor walking around the McFarlin parking lot. The minor had been accidentally left by their family after falling asleep in the Wesley Center. The Communication Center was unable to make contact with the minor’s parents. Tulsa Police Department was notified and transported the minor home.

4:30 a.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to the Law School in response to a person laying in the grass.

Officers made contact with the individual and learned they stepped off the curb and hurt themselves. Officers called Emergency Medical Services (EMSA) to further evaluate them. The individual refused to be taken to the hospital.

10:10 p.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to the University Square West apartments to investigate a possible vandalism. Upon arrival, officers

Nov. 17 10:00 a.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to Lafortune Hall to receive found property. Upon arrival officers were given a check made out to a previous student. Due to there being no contact information for the previous student, the Communication Center contacted the company that wrote the check. The Communication Center learned that the check was fake after talking to the company. Officers filed a report and stored the check in the property room.

Nov. 18 10:20 a.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to an off campus property for a report of larceny. Upon arrival officers were informed that several items had come up missing. The victim stated that the roommate had stolen all of the items.

12:00 p.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers met with a student who has harassed another student. The student had been previously warned by Officers to have no contact with the other student. The student confirmed contacting the other student. The student was informed the contact was a vio-

Nathan Gibbons Distribution Manager Chinese officials warn against American intervention China warned the United States last week of “devastating consequences” if America continues to block Chinese access to islands located in the South China Sea. Satellite images show China has been building military facilities on the artificial islands, despite their contested waters being claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and others.

Last Wednesday, former ExxonMobil CEO and prospective US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson compared China’s actions to Russia’s invasion of Crimea and told US senators he would seek to block Beijing’s access to the islands. State-owned China Daily warned that “it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US” if Tillerson were to follow through.

Washington has consistently taken the stance that China’s actions threaten freedom of navigation and overflight. Some others argue that China’s actions only pose a large threat to the Chinese economy, and that provocation should be avoided in the risk of war.

Assange offers his extradition for Manning’s pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has allegedly agreed to extradition to the United States if Obama grants Chelsea Manning clemency, according to WikiLeaks Twitter.

Manning, a former Army intelligence analyst, is currently serving a 35 year sentence for leaking classified material. Many argue the sentence is unreasonable and was moreso a reaction to Edward Snowden’s leak than Manning’s.

Last Thursday, WikiLeaks’ Twitter posted “If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case.” Assange has lived in asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than four years, avoiding extradition to Sweden for sexual assault charges. Assange will likely face espionage charges if he is extradited to the United States. Chelsea Manning is reportedly on Obama’s shortlist for commutation, and many have argued it is less likely that Trump would commute her sentence.Pulse nightclub and a plethora of suicide bombings in the Middle East. Adnani’s death comes in a time when ISIS is suffering major reversals in its war efforts.

Syria accuses Israel of air strikes After a major military airbase was struck outside Damascus, the Syrian army warned Israel of “repercussions.” Footage from early Friday shows distant explosions and plumes of smoke rising from the Mazzeh Military airport compound. According to Syrian state television, the Syrian army saw rockets fired from northern Israel striking the compound of the airbase, which is used by President Bashar al-Assad’s Republican Guards. “Syrian army command and armed forces warn Israel of the repercussions of the flagrant attack and stresses its continued fight against [this] terrorism and amputate the arms of the perpetrators,” the army command stated.

In recent years, Israel is believed to have made multiple air strikes to destroy Syrian advanced weapons systems and positions that could be used by the Lebanese Hezbollah group in Syria. Lawrence Korb, a former US assistant secretary of defense, told Al Jazeera that Syria is unlikely to respond. “The last thing Syria wants to do is bring Israel into this war that the Assad government is waging against the moderate opposition and other armed groups,” he stated. “Meanwhile, the Israelis are sending a message that they don’t want Hezbollah to have weapons that they can use against Israel.” Israeli officials have voiced concerns that Hezbollah’s assistance in Assad’s efforts in Aleppo has strengthened the group.

US Congress looks to repeal Obamacare The House of Representatives passed a measure last Friday afternoon directing committees to start planning legislation that would repeal major pieces of Obamacare. Nine moderate and conservative Republicans voted against the resolution, which cleared 227198, and voiced concern that other Republicans would repeal the healthcare law without clearly laying out a replacement.

“The only thing I’ve ever asked for is that the replacement plan be fully developed before we take on the repeal issue,” Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pennsylvania said in an interview.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said a repeal would “definitely” be enacted in the next hundred days. Ryan also stated that any legislation repealing the law would be taken through the committee process. “We are not going to swap one 2700-page monstrosity for another … we are going to do this the right way. We are going to do this the way it was designed through the congressional committee system,” Ryan said during a press conference last Friday.

Democrats plan to counter Republicans’ efforts by bringing citizens’ who have benefited from Obamacare to the hearings, and blame Republicans for short-term thinking and playing politics. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, said that finding a replacement for Obamacare is too difficult. “All of the parts are like a puzzle that was carefully crafted and put together and you take a piece out and it no longer works. And that is what they are coming to realize. They have had six years to come up with something and they have come up with exactly nothing.”

lation of the student code of conduct.

Nov. 19 1:00 p.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to 4th and Harvard in regards to a suspicious individual harassing a parking attendant in the 8th and Harvard lot. Upon arrival officers met with suspect who was stumbling and saying that they were on their way to take care of their parent. Officers had our communications center check for any current warrants and there were none. Officers reminded the individual that they were trespassed warned from TU property and not to harass anyone on TU property.

Nov. 22 11:15 a.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to the Security Office in regards to individual calling into campus security about receiving inappropriate photos to their cell phone. The individual found out that the senders of the photos were getting their number from a flier posted around town.

Nov. 23 8:15 p.m.

While on routine patrol University of Tulsa campus Security Officers noticed three individuals by the north doors of Mabee Gym. The individuals were throwing a basketball into the ceiling tiles. The individuals stated that they were not related to any students, staff, or faculty. Officers explained to the in-

The Collegian: 7

dividuals that they were not allowed in campus buildings and they left without further incident Nov. 24 4:10 p.m.

While on routine patrol University of Tulsa campus Security Officers observed a shirtless individual trying to gain entry into the University School. Upon making contact with the individual their speech was rapid and mostly incoherent. TPD was contacted.

The individual stated that they had been to jail previously for burglary and a domestic assault and battery. There were no active warrants or previous contacts with the individual. TPD transported the individual to TCBH for evaluation.

Nov. 29 2:10 p.m.

University of Tulsa campus Security Officers were dispatched to a report of a individual walking near the law school with the handle of an axe/machete sticking out of their backpack. Officers located the individual walking by Boesche Legal Clinic and spoke with them. Officers asked for ID and the individual provided their OK Driver’s License. The individual was positive for one misdemeanor warrant with Tulsa County and was instructed of the boundaries of the University of Tulsa and trespass banned from campus property.

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

Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00pm Tyrell Hall, Lecture Hall Music and Food for the Soul A lecture in conjunction with Chamber Music Tulsa/Miro Quartet performance of Beethoven’s complete quartets This is the second part of a two-part lecture series connecting Beethoven, music and food.

T hursday, January 19 at 3:30pm to 4:30pm Helmerich Hall, 213 #Adulting 101 Series How to Create and Manage a Personal Budget Presented by Bianca Berry, Northwestern Mutual chief recruiting officer, and Omar A. Ahmadieh, Northwestern Mutual financial advisor/college unit director.

Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm Tyrrell Hall, Lecture Hall

Newspaper Indian TU Professor John Coward will discuss his new book, Newspaper Indian.

Friday, January 20 at 10:00am to 8:00pm Zarrow Center for Art & Education Re:Collect, A Benefit Art Sale The Re:Collect art sale features previously owned, original pieces generously gifted to The University of Tulsa by artists and collectors for the express purpose of supporting TU students. All donations of artwork and proceeds from the sale directly benefit scholarships in the School of Art Scholarship Fund.

Pieces will be offered at a wide range of prices and are a great way to start - or continue - collecting original artwork!

The sale will feature mid-century works on paper, including some from Eleanor Carmack, Michael Dwyer, Ninette Allen, Ruth Amstrong, Glenn Godsey, Virgil Lampton, Ruth Armstrong, Woody Cochran, Michelle Martin, Teresa Valero, Mark Lewis and more. Prints, photographs, paintings and few ceramics also will be available for sale.

Additional dates: Saturday, January 21 at 10:00am to 8:00pm Saturday, January 21 at 6:00pm Student Union TU Enlightenment Week: Interfaith Dinner The first of its kind on campus, TU Interfaith Dinner invites students to sit next to their friends from different religious backgrounds and talk on a deeper level to get to know each other better while enjoying a delicious dinner.

The dinner kicks off TU’s Enlightenment Week. A time to appreciate our diverse religious backgrounds here on campus.

The event will include interfaith prayers before the meals and performances from different groups throughout the night. The night is proudly organized by Malaysian Student Association (MASA TU), Student Association (SA), Sharp Chapel, University United Methodist Church, TU Catholic Students, Muslim Student Association and Hillel of Northeastern Oklahoma; media partnered by Association of International Students (AIS); and highly supported by International Student Services (ISS), Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry (TMM), and Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) The remainder of the Enlightenment Week activities include several open houses for different places of worship on campus. The week concludes on Friday, January 27.

Sunday, January 22 at 10:00am University United Methodist Church TU Enlightenment Week Open House: University United Methodist Church In conjunction of TU Enlightenment Week, University United Methodist Church opens its doors to all faiths and non-faiths to learn more about the congregation.

There will be a small discussion on Enlightenment on Christian Tradition at 10:00 am, followed by a worship service at 11:00 am.

Sunday, January 22 at 5:00pm Newman Center TU Enlightenment Week Open House: Catholic Newman Center In coordination with TU Enlightenment Week, TU Catholic Newman Center opens its doors to all faiths and non-faiths to learn more about the religion.

Students are welcome to participate or watch closely the mass being conducted at 5:00 pm, followed by a free dinner at 6:00 pm.

Be mindful that participants are not allowed to join the mass half-way through, however it is more than welcome to join the free dinner.

The Collegian does not produce all event descriptions in the Community Calendar.

Contact us at news@tucollegian.org with events.

News

The Collegian: 8

16 January 2017

Rep. Carol Bush discusses challenges and hopes for women The recently elected representative discussed the state of Oklahoma’s legislature, especially concerning gender.

Kayleigh Thesenvitz Social Media Manager According to pre-election data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Oklahoma is in the bottom six states for percent of women in legislature. Following the election, the percentage dropped even lower.

Combining both legislative bodies, Oklahoma has 19 women holding office, 13 in the House of Representatives and 6 in the Senate, making up 12.7 percent of the total available seats. The next two states are Mississippi with 23 female legislators making up 13.2 percent of the seats and Wyoming with 12 legislators making up 13.3 percent of available seats.

Recently elected first-term Oklahoma Representative Carol Bush was able to provide context for these numbers. Bush won in the primary against male incumbent Ken Walker, and won District 70 in the general election by 60 percent of the vote. The 2017 legislative session starts on February 6. Until then, Bush and the remaining freshman class (roughly one third of the entire House) are meeting with interest groups, government departments and nonprofits, all of whom are attempting to catch new legislators up to speed.

The first barrier to women in office in Bush’s view is that “You have to have extremely thick skin.”

“I think it’s different for women because we’re nurturers and pleasers. We want to make everyone happy,” Bush said. “Politics is mean. It’s a dirty nasty business.”

However, Bush thinks it isn’t something women should shy away from. “My opinion is that women can get stuff done. We’re a lot easier to compromise with. We speak a different language … All of us talking all of the time. You know the nuts and bolts. We don’t need to throw mud. We just want to get it done.”

Bush compared the atmosphere of the House floor to a fraternity.

For Bush this atmosphere was nothing new. “I’ve always worked in a man’s world. My first husband owned a bike shop. Then I worked with cops. I’ve never known what it’s like not to work with men,” she said, but noted that “if you haven’t worked in that environment, it’d be a bit overwhelming.”

Bush has had various careers throughout her life, but she never considered political office until recently. After 10 years at the Crime Commission Bush was burned out.

“I mean super burned out … I just couldn’t do it anymore and I didn’t quit that job to run for office, but to take care of my parents.”

“My dad died a month later and at that time I had to take my last daughter off to college. And at that time Jeannie McDaniel, who is an incredible legislator but terming out, she called me.” McDaniel was a former director of the Crime Commission before Bush, and tried to convince her to run for office. Bush seriously considered it and eventually teamed up with the Women’s League and Sally’s List, two organizations that hope to empower female politicians, who helped her find a campaign consultant and practice door knocking.

When it comes to campaigns, “the most fun and most intimidating for most people was door knocking. I absolutely loved it. Was it exhausting? Yes, but I knocked on 11,000 doors,”

Bush said. Many times when she knocked on doors, people would ask who their current representative was, and promise to vote for her simply because she showed up, or because she was a woman.

Most didn’t even bother to ask where she stood on the issues.

Bush’s campaign consultant warned her to expect a four to five percent boost in votes simply because of her gender.

“I think some people voted for me because I was a woman. I think there were some sexist guys there that thought ‘she should be home having babies and cooking dinner.’ I know people voted for me because they know me from fighting crime with the Crime Commission. I know people didn’t vote for me because of my crime fighting.”

Bush thought the background people came from affected how they voted, and they really didn’t drill down into examining her platform.

Bush was saddened by the lack of general awareness among voters. “Your state legislature is making decisions that affect you everyday… more so than DC is, and really more so than even your city council or mayor are. There is a lot of power sitting over there in those seats.”

Voter apathy was tough to confront. More than any substantial question about her platform, Bush was asked what she thought she could possibly accomplish, as if the state were too messed up for anyone to be able to incite change.

Bush felt the attitude of the general election helped to further voters’ distrust of government and politics. “I understand the apathy.

I understand the disillusionment. I got into this because I really wanted to make a difference. You don’t do it for the money.”

“At a state level, we are going to

courtesy Oklahoma State Legislature

Female senators in the Oklahoma legislature. Top row, from left: Kim David, District 18; Julie Daniels, District 29; Kay Floyd, District 46. Bottom row, from left: AJ Griffin, District 20; Stephanie Bice, District 22; and Anastasia Pittman, District 48.

Democrat issues.

“We’re at critical mass, and all of us need to brave enough to stand up and say something, and fix it.”

However, “switching from candidate mode to legislature mode has been difficult.” Bush mentioned that throughout the campaign process she was thinking about the 38,000 people in her district. At one point State Treasurer Ken Miller asked Bush, “you realize that you’re one of 3.5 million

Whip; Elise Hall, Majority Caucus Vice Chair and Assistant Majority Whip; and Katie Henke, Majority Caucus Secretary and Floor Leader. Bush also has a leadership role as Vice Chair of Health Services and Long Term Care Committee.

In addition, Bush praised Senator Kim David, Chair of Senate Appropriations and Budget, who is the first woman to hold that position in the Senate. “I think it is so cool. It’s the first time in Oklahoma history we have a female

“Bush was asked what she thought she could possibly accomplish, as if the state were too messed up for anyone to be able to incite change.” have to be very comfortable with doing the uncomfortable. We have got to make some serious, tough decisions that are going to really piss off a lot of people for the long term good,” Bush said.. “Do we have the guts to do that? I know how I’m going to vote on things.

Will that make me a one-term representative? Maybe, but that’s the point.”

“We’re in this to actually make systemic change.”

Bush’s hope for this next legislative session is that legislators will realize the problems Oklahoma faces are not Republican and

people that makes the decisions in the state?” That was the ‘aha’ moment that made her realize the job she took on was more than she thought it would be.

Bush shared a positive outlook regarding what she and her fellow female legislators could accomplish. “These are smart, tough women,” Bush said of her colleagues, with emphasis on those who hold leadership roles. Some of these leaders include Leslie Osborn, Chair of House Appropriations and Budget and the first women to hold that position; Jadine Nollan, Chair of Higher Education and Assistant Majority

senator and a female representative heading the two biggest committees,” she enthused.

One of the primary reasons people cite for needing equal gender representation in government is that government is needed to address what are considered to be female issues. Bush’s general stance on the following topics? “Prevention, prevention, prevention.”

Bush said preventative measures could save Oklahoma money in many ways. One example: women’s incarceration rates.

Of those women incarcerated in Oklahoma, many are in for petty crimes and nonviolent drug of-

fenses. Bush said, “These are not bad women. We need to lock up those that hurt us, not those we are mad at.”

When it comes to health, “diabetes, obesity, smoking, all of these things that Oklahoma ranks so high in…those are diseases that are preventable.”

On prenatal care, pay for teachers and other state employees, preventive birth control and sexual health education Bush says, “all of these issues, if we would focus on preventing those, that would cost our state so far less. We just do treatment, and if they’re uninsured, if they’re poor, if they can’t pay their bills, guess who is paying for it?”

Bush’s concern is that party affiliation may play a heavier hand in deciding how to deal with these problems than open discussion will. “You just can’t lay down a law and enforce a law without having some dialogue about the reality of the law,” she said.

Her position on the Health Services and Long Term Care Committee helps her relate to the needs of those living in her district. “I respect them and they respect me … they know that I am going to bat for them.”

See legislature on page 9

courtesy Oklahoma State Legislature

Female representatives in the Oklahoma legislature. Top row, from left: Meloyde Blancett, District 78; Carol Bush, District 70; Regina Goodwin, District 73; Claudia Griffith, District 45. Middle row, from left: Elise Hall, District 100; Katie Henke, District 71, Cyndi Munson, District 85, and Jadine Nollan, District 66. Bottom row, from left: Rhonda Baker, District 60, Leslie Osborn, District 47; Tess Teague, District 101; Emily Virgin, District 44; and Tammy West, District 84.

16 January 2017 Continued from legislature on page 8 “They are trying to figure out how they are going to live because we are living longer on less income. How are their grandkids and great-grandkids going to survive? Those are things I can talk to them about and that’s our common ground.”

When it comes to Oklahoma’s future, and the future of its young women, Bush hopes today’s leaders can be an example. “It really hurts me to see girls who are not confident, and insecure and have low self esteem,” she said.

“Hillary said in her concession speech, you can do anything you set your mind to.

That was the example I tried to leave for my daughters.”

“I would hope that more girls…could

News look at somebody in their community, not just someone on TV in Washington, DC,” as role models.

Bush said that what she hopes girls see when they look up to her is three-dimensional: “She made some mistakes, she did some great things and she’s done some bad things, but in the end her whole mission was just to do right and make the world a better place.”

Bush has been candid about her mistakes in life in an effort to show that “even if you’re in what seems like a bad situation, you can pull yourself out and make something of yourself, and your goal needs be, ‘How can I give back to the community I live in?’ ‘How can I make it a better place?’

How can I make it so that somebody else doesn’t have to go through this?’”

The Collegian: 9

Bush also highlighted other female role models for girls in Tulsa, including City Councilwoman Karen Gilbert and 38th Mayor of Tulsa Kathy Taylor. “We as women in these leadership roles owe it to mentor and guide within the schools, churches, wherever these girls are, help them build their self-esteem and character so that they can become strong, independent, self-sufficient women that can make a difference.”

Bush is excited to be part of the 12.7 percent.

“I never dreamed I would do this. Ever since I was five years old I was going to be a criminal justice lawyer and I was going to solve cases of child neglect. Well, when I figured out I was never going to pass the LSAT, I switched over to business and marketing and opened my first business 9

months out of college. Within two years I had four stores.”

“I’ve had all these dreams that didn’t pan out, but now in my older years, at the age of 55, now that I look back, man I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to do some cool things.”

Bush has had eight different careers throughout her life and has done countless more in volunteer work, “but if I look back on it, it all lead to this point. Everything I’ve done has lead to this point, and I never ever thought I would be in politics or a leader in the state.”

“I wish more women would get into it. I wish more young people would have a passion for their community and giving back in this capacity. It’s so vitally important.”

Clancy talks with international students after election

tucollegian@tucollegian.org editor-in-chief

Hannah Kloppenburg managing editor

Giselle Willis Cuauhtle news editor

Michaela Flonard sports editor

Matt Rechtien variety editor

Trenton Gibbons commentary editor

James Whisenhunt satire editor

Sam Chott photo & graphics editor

Elias Brinkman

business & advertising manager

Paul Moses

social media manager

Kayleigh Thesenvitz web manager

Sam Chott

photos by Luke Lau

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, President Clancy called a meeting with international students in Tyrrell Hall. The goal of the meeting was to reassure students that TU would protect their rights and liberties while in the United States, and that their security on campus would not be threatened by the recent election of Donald Trump or potential harassment by their fellow students. Following Clancy’s address, the floor was opened for questions. Students from the Association of International Students asked what TU could do to work more with international students, and reminded their fellow international students that they had a home with AIS.

distribution managers

Nathan Gibbons, Adam Lux and Trenton Gibbons

@TUCollegian

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 accommodation of disabilities may be addressed to the University’s 504 Coordinator, Dr. Tawny Taylor, 918-631-3814. To ensure availability of an interpreter, five to seven days notice is needed; 48 hours is recommended for all other accommodations. Advertising Policy: Advertising appearing in this publication does not imply approval or endorsement by the University of Tulsa or The Collegian for the products or services advertised.

For advertising information, email the Collegian at advertising@tucollegian.org. The deadline for advertising is 12 pm on the Friday prior to publication. Letter Policy: Letters to the editor must be less than 500 words and can be sent to tucollegian@tucollegian, or dropped off at Oliphant Room 110. Under no circumstances will anonymous letters be published. The name of the person submitting the letter must be published with the letter.

We reserve the right to edit or reject all letters. The deadline for letters is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication. 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 opinions of the entire Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers.

the Collegian: 10

Variety

16 January 2017

Childish Gambino and the art of never being satisfied

Multi-talented artist Donald Glover continues to show his chops with an epochal third album.

center-stage, and it’s unlike how we’ve ever heard the man. His voice hits all the highs and lows, strained to its emotional extent and cracked with pain and love. Childish Gambino just dropped a soul song. “‘Awaken, My Love!’,” Childish Gambino’s third studio album, took an unprecedented move forward. Glover, distancing himself from his older works, turns himself into probably the only style of music that can sustain his emotional anguish throughout this album — and drops a modern soul album. Rest assured, that first single was no outlier. The album’s second single, “Redbone” takes the funk in a lighter direction.

It’s smoother, dancier. The beat is slow and steady, the synthesizer is light and restrained. The occasional strumming of a bass, though, keeps it just funky enough.

Glover’s voice is high to reflect the song’s female perspective. This effect, something I thought to be artificially obtained with pitch control, was proven organic by the song’s live performance on “The Tonight Show.”

I can’t imagine how much vocal coaching Glover went through for this album.

Moving away from the singles, however, the album has its fair share of bangers and the occasional track that falls short of expectations. “Have Some Love” solidifies the album’s identity as a soul piece with its looping drum break and gratuitous use of choir singers. “Boogieman” and “Zombies” take both Glover’s voice and the musical direction to exceedingly dark, if not funky depths. We’re not talking Swans or Xiu Xiu dark, but these songs paint Glover at his eeriest places. The album isn’t without its less enticing tracks. “Riot,” a two-minute track with admittedly impressive vocal performances, is little more than a boring instrumental loop paired with said vocals.

“California,” as well, seems to be the most divisive track on the album. Glover’s altered voice and the carefree instrumentation turn the song into a sort of reggae-soul hybrid. It stands as the cheeriest track on the album, an emotion that is woefully out of place on the otherwise grave record. That being said, it’s the track where Glover comes closest to rapping, so fans of older Gambino, otherwise turned off by this record, may find

enjoyment in this song.

On the final three tracks, “Baby Boy,” is another song sung from a female perspective with the bone-chilling chorus “Please don’t take my baby boy.” In one of the most emotionally profound moments on the album, Glover reads to his newborn son: “There was a time before you, and there will be a time after you. Though these bodies are not our own, walk tall, little one. Walk tall.” The feelings involved with these lines can not be accurately depicted through text alone the song itself forms the perfect environment for such a statement to grow and infect its listener with the most hopeful of emotions.

The next two tracks end the album in a wonderful fashion. “The Night Me and Your Mama Met” is a simple if not likable instrumental track with some wonderfully done guitar. It’s a song that doesn’t stand up well on its own; good thing it’s followed by the album’s closer, “Stand Tall,” a song in which Glover recites the advice given to him by his father: “Keep all your dreams, keep standing tall. If you are strong, you cannot fall. There is a voice inside of us all, so smile, when you can.” This final song has received a fair amount of flak for meandering its way through multiple forms with little-to-no connection between them. These sudden musical shifts, while jarring, don’t detract from the listening experience in too severe of a way. It could perhaps stand as a parallel to Glover’s constant uncertainty in life (an idea that is also represented in “Terrified”). The song’s ending, an unconventional cut-off in the middle of a note, with a few seconds of silence to display its deliberance, further presses this idea. Glover, while successful and a recent father, may still retain no semblance of where to go from here.

I’ll tell you where: nowhere but up. To paraphrase video-essayist Kristian Williams, Donald Glover represents an underrepresented characteristic in artists: dissatisfaction. From a glance, it would seem as though Glover’s entire career has been an attempt to outdo himself with constant ventures into new media. He’s a man I doubt this world will tire of hearing. He’s a man that serves as a glowing inspiration to aspiring artists the world over, myself included.

Donald Glover is a paragon. “‘Awaken, My Love!’” furthers his persistence in unending creation, a theme I hope he will continue to follow.

lines about previous crises in the parks.

The long and short of it is that I prefer “Westworld’s” campy approach to its narrative, but can’t help but admit that its presentation and execution fails to fulfill the story’s potential.

The original “Westworld” is a 1973 film set in a distinctly 70s view of the future, one in which robots can mimic humans flawlessly, save the skin on their palms, yet TV broadcasts are still grainy, ascots are in style, and the vacation of a lifetime costs no more than $1000 a day.

Our protagonists are decidedly average men, and this works well in a film about a theme park meant to make average men feel like adventurous gunslingers. One is new to the attraction, the other is experienced, and guides him through the machismo roleplay, helping him order whiskey, shoot down his first opponent, and hire escorts at the local saloon. The movie is dominated by these experiences, alternating with intentionally immersion-breaking scenes of the technicians that work behind the scenes.

The contrast between the boring tasks

of running the park and the scripted larger-than-life experiences that occur within make even the most stunning feat of our protagonists seem ultimately underwhelming. It isn’t until the end of the film that the two arcs seem to have any real impact on one another.

‘Spoilers’ for the original “Westworld” follow, but the only real spoiler I can tell you is that the conflict you went into the film expecting doesn’t actually occur until the last half hour. Sure enough, the park becomes fatally dangerous for both its guests and its staff, with the safeguards put in place to prevent the robots from harming the tourists suddenly vanishing. Yul Brynner plays the unnamed ‘Gunslinger’, a robot usually built to be killed to the content of the guests, but outfitted with superior firepower and aiming capabilities nonetheless. I’d be surprised to hear that Brynner’s performance did not, in part, inspire the character of the Terminator, but that’s pure speculation.

The final act has a few neat visual gags, as the protagonist ventures so far out of his designated slice of the park that he finds

himself racing through the neighboring ‘Romanworld’ and facing his pursuer in ‘Medievalworld’.

“Westworld” ends with an unexpectedly hard-hitting moment, but through the credits I couldn’t think of the film as being so successful of a think-piece as it was a campy science-fiction.

Starting the new HBO series, I was worried about everything one should be reasonably worried about when seeing a remake or ‘re-imagining’ these days. That it would be needlessly darker in tone (and often actual lighting), grittier, and more explicitly violent, trading in its charm for some shallow semblance of maturity.

Thankfully, the pilot episode seems to have taken my predictions and turned them on their heads in a few effective ways, mostly because the story does the same. The new series, to say the least, seems to be especially more interested in the technicians and robots than it is the guests. The plot’s fairly original, and while I doubt it will ever be as amusing a watch as the 1973 original, it seems a worthy revival of the franchise.

Ethan Veenker Student Writer A rapper, singer, writer, director, producer, comedian, actor and recent winner of two Golden Globes, Donald Glover is the modern artist. You may know him from the old sketch troupe “Derrick Comedy,” or maybe you’ve seen him in “Community” or “The Martian.” You’re likely to have laughed at a joke he’s written for “30 Rock,” maybe you’ve even seen his stand-up special “Weirdo.” Perhaps, more recently, you’ve delved into his FX show “Atlanta” or have been turned onto his music, the latter of which has an interestingly diverse history.

Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, a name garnered from the Wu-Tang Name Generator site, has seven mixtapes, two EPs and now three albums under his belt.

His musical career can be best described as rather divisive. His earlier mixtapes were received well enough, but his debut album “Camp” came with a stinging score of 1.6/10 from Pitchfork. His next album, “Because the Internet,” met a larger audience with better scores all around, but he was still just outside the hip hop in-group. Like any good artist, however, Glover decided it was time to take the plunge and do something no one expected, time to push the envelope in a different direction.

I try to keep anecdotal elements out of my reviews. While reviews are in and of themselves anecdotal at core, I mean that I leave things like “This song reminds me of my dad” out of my thoughts on an album.

That being said, when I heard Glover’s first single off of “‘Awaken, My Love!’,” the song “Me and Your Mama,” my jaw quite literally dropped. It started off kind enough.

There were some jingly effects, a nice ambient atmosphere. Soon, a calm beat kicked in with some female choir voices singing “I’m in love when we are smoking that la-la-lala-la” which is both haunting and enticing.

With close to no warning at around the two-minute mark, however, the song takes a drastic turn. Some fuzzy guitar replaces the jingling, the women are gone, and the beat kicks up. Glover’s voice comes rushing

courtesy Wikipedia

Critics consider “Awaken, My Love!” an improvement over Gambino’s previous work.

1973’s “Westworld:” sci-fi horror meets western pulp

As part of a recent late-night special showing, Circle Cinema screened the original “Westworld,” a film more entertaining than it is thought-provoking.

Trenton Gibbons Variety Editor

“Westworld”’s closest comparison is the infinitely more popular film franchise of “Jurassic Park”, and for more reasons than their notably similar premises. Both follow the dangers and moral dilemmas of running theme parks that exploit manufactured life for the cheap thrills of a few enamored tourists. Both were, in one form or another, made by Michael Crichton, a pulpy sci-fi author and occasional director whose work was often more surface-level than it was profound.

Finally, both recently saw their series’ revitalized in the form of soft-reboots, newer, darker, higher-budget films, both acknowledging their predecessors with throwaway

photo courtesy MGM and HBO, respectively

The antagonists from both interations of “Westworld.” (Left) Yul Brynner as a determined gunslinger in 1973’s “Westworld,” in contrast to Ed Harris (right), a mysterious sadist in the 2016 TV series, “Westworld.”

Variety

16 January 2017

the Collegian: 11

Comedy Parlor improv groups’ hits outnumber misses

courtesy Comedy Parlor

Besides comedy shows, the Parlor also hosts comedy classes and team-building workshops.

Despite some missteps, Comfort Creatures and Two Guys & Pie brought good chemistry and character work to their sets.

James Whisenhunt Commentary Editor Located next door to El Guapo’s at 1st and Elgin, Comedy Parlor was founded in 2013 with the aim of giving Tulsa “a theatre with (a) major focus on long-form improvisation.” Last Friday and Saturday, the Parlor kept true to that purpose by hosting two shows headlined by their in-house improv troupe, Comfort Creatures.

Improv, by its very nature, is often hit-ormiss. Apart from some basic rules of comedy and stage presence, every game depends on being able to roll with audience prompts and having good comedic chemistry with the other members of the troupe. Compared to something like a stand-up set, largely pre-written and meticulously practiced by the comic, improv requires a very different skillset and has much more potential to crash and burn on stage.

Despite the difficulty, both Comfort Creatures and the opening act, Two Guys & Pie, were able to look comfortable on stage and interact with the audience naturally when asking for prompts and asking follow-up

questions to get a bit more to work with.

The Saturday show began around 8:15 with Two Guys & Pie performing a longform game, in which multiple scenes are performed and build on each other to tell a larger story. An audience member gave them the word “crusty” as their prompt, and the two men painted a series of scenes surrounding a failing pie shop (despite their name, the guys claim this was their first show to actually center around pie).

The game began with a scene of the two owners agonizing over sending out a burnt pie to reviewers, which led to woes about the closing of Pie Pad #7 and how it has affected their romantic relationships. Eventually, a socially inept waiter takes the pie out to the food reviewers, who end up loving the pies and vowing to save the restaurant.

Though the individual scenes were all funny, larger plot threads didn’t get resolved by the end of the group’s 30-minute block.

Pacing major plot threads isn’t as important as making sure individual scenes get enough time to set up and land jokes, but a bit too much time was spent on the reviewers that could have been spent elsewhere.

Another point of improvement for the group may be their character consistency.

In a couple instances, one actor would take over a role that the other actor established and acted as in previous scenes. Though this isn’t inherently bad, it was a bit confusing at points because it wasn’t always clearly established that the character on stage was the

same from before. Despite these few flaws, the set was definitely funny and the actors looked comfortable on stage and had good back-and-forths throughout the set.

After Two Guys & Pie’s game, Comfort Creatures came on stage. Instead of one 30-minute set, they performed three 10-minute games. One thing that stuck out about these segments was how they used the prompts. Instead of the traditional approach, where the word from the audience is the prompt, the three members of the group would speak on stage for a few minutes about their experiences with whatever the prompt was, and those stories would serve as the basis for the games.

This method was met with varying degrees of success throughout the set. The first game stayed close to the original prompt: the word “panties” led to a skit about tensions between openly BDSM parents and their vanilla daughter. The second skit seemed to fall apart: the prompt “coffee” led to talk about pseudoscience regarding coffee beans on Facebook, and somehow ended up in a tasteless skit about a family with a mentally challenged child because they believed a Facebook article about the benefits of mixing bleach into their drinks. Thankfully, the third game ended the set on a high note: the word “carousel” prompted the actors to think of their youth and led to a surprisingly heartfelt segment about a grandfather and grandson reliving the past. Overall, I’m not convinced that this method is any better

than simply running with the prompt itself, but it wasn’t a detriment to their entire set and certainly provides a unique perspective.

One thing that could definitely be improved is the group’s flow between scenes.

When a scene was wrapping up, an actor would say “cut” or “freeze,” and then explain the setting of the next scene and any new characters that would be appearing.

This felt like a lazy way to switch between scenes, where that information could have been conveyed without breaking the flow by doing a stage clear and explaining the new setting in the first few lines of dialogue.

After the Comfort Creatures set, both troupes came on stage for a game of “Sex With Me,” a short game based on the phrase “Sex with me is like [prompt]: [punchline].”

This segment cycled through four or five separate prompts, each with a few hits and a few misses. On the whole, similarly to the long-form sets, the members of Two Guys & Pie outperformed the members of Comfort Creatures. In the future, it may be worth it for Comedy Parlor to consider switching the placements of these two groups if they perform together again.

Both sets were solid, and worth the asking price of $10 for about 75 minutes of mostly quality comedy. As the Comedy Parlor continues to grow and establish itself as Tulsa’s premier comedy club, it’s worth looking in the future for shows headlined by these troupes.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers spice up the BOK Center

The Red Hot Chili Peppers defied their age as they performed a quintessential rock and roll set at the BOK Center last Saturday.

Kayleigh Thesenvitz Social Media Manager

The Red Hot Chili Peppers aren’t exactly a young band. Thirty years in the spotlight have proven these men are not ageless, but their unassailable energy on stage, their relentless devotion to creating new art and the timelessness of their classics prove they have earned their title as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame syndicated geniuses.

They alluded to their extensive record well before the start of the show as concertgoers were just beginning to find their seats in the BOK Center.

“We’ve been coming to Tulsa since the ‘80s. We love to rock for you motherfuckers,” said vocalist Anthony Kiedis to those dedicated enough to be in their seats a half hour early.

Kiedis reintroduced the band’s original drummer, Jack Irons, back on the stage for a four set drum solo that ushered in what would grow to be nearly 12,000 attendees. Irons pounded away while synthetic electronic tones and psychedelic imagery played behind him, setting the stage for the throwbacks to follow.

An upbeat ska band took the stage next, named for the lead man, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. The spectacular use of brass instruments got the crowd visibly riled up. Shorty’s palpable enthusiasm and sinful trumpet skills were a perfect segway into a night of dancing.

After an intermission so brief you couldn’t lose the excitement if you wanted to, the ever exuberant and iconic bassist, Flea, jumped onto the stage and shouted, “We love Oklahoma!” The resulting roar of approval shook the very air, and the stadium transformed into a hot conglomeration of unbridled glee.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers at one of their 2016 performances. The band’s sets are just as vibrant as ever.

The current drummer, Chad Smith, followed closely behind with drum sticks raised as if he had already won the night.

Lead guitarist Josh Klinghoffer entered as well and the three launched into an intro to welcome Kiedis onto the stage.

Not only did the crowd go wild, but to see the grown men beside me weep with excitement was an astonishingly salient vibe. The stage set came alive with hundreds of lights dangling above the band and audience, moving in time and pulsing with the music.

The band immediately jumped into their 2002 hit “Can’t Stop,” and played a quick succession of crowd favorites, culminating in their newest hit “Dark Necessities” from their 2016 album “The Getaway.”

The next few songs were newer as well,

and fewer people were singing along. However, when the opening bars to “Californication” were heard, the party resumed. Flea and Klinghoffer continued to shred and jump around the stage as if they weren’t a day over 22.

“Californication” was immediately followed by another 90’s classic “Aeroplane” at which point the very intoxicated middleaged man seated directly in front of me seemed to lose his shit.

They played another song from “The Getaway,” and then the anthem of the hard-core 90’s teenager, “Suck My Kiss.” After a few more songs which I was not an aggressive enough fan to recognize, they ended their initial set on the 2002 hit “By the Way.” The brief intermission before the obliga-

courtesy Wikipedia

tory encore was beautiful. Nearly every phone in the auditorium with a flashlight app came alive, and danced across the crowd like stars. Flea returned to perform a duet with the piano man called Goodbye Angels that fit beautifully with the dancing lights.

Smith, Klinghoffer and Kiedis came back as well, Kiedis hobbling from a leg injury he sustained at some point in the show. The band closed the night out with the energetic hit “Give it Away,” in what ended up being a wonderful, upbeat send-off.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers proved once again why they are counted among the greats of rock and roll, and just how timeless their 30-year reign has been.

The Collegian: 12

Commentary

16 January 2017

No on-campus meals Students still have food options on breaks during break unfair

When residence halls are open, students should be able to easily find food on campus.

Raven Fawcett Student Writer

During breaks in the school year, the Student Union turns into a desert. A tumbleweed can be seen if you squint a bit and the lights are low, I assume. This winter break, only Subway was open.

As delicious as a sandwich can be, meals lose their charm when they’re your only option for weeks on end. Students without cars have to rely on friends to take them to the store or to restaurants. Residents with cars have to buy their own groceries or spend more money to eat out every day.

All of which is fine, if you ignore the fact that the university has a mandatory meal plan for students who live on campus, and that Hardesty, Fisher West Suites and LaFortune remain open over the breaks. Campus as a whole might shut down, but the metabolism of students does not. If a meal plan is required when living on campus, students should be able to use that meal plan every day that residence halls are open.

Carlie Wiseley, a junior communication major and residence life staff member, finds the lack of food over breaks inconvenient, noting the University of Tulsa’s high international student population, many of whom stay on campus over breaks and must go off of campus to find their food.

Freshman Madison Connell had similar feelings. “I’m fortunate enough to have a car to drive and some extra cash set aside to eat out,” she explained, referring to her time spent on campus over winter break, “but I have some friends that were stuck with no money and no ride.”

Connell went on to talk about a friend stuck at school over break and their disbelief over the lack of food. “I really think that TU should consider either having a reduced cafeteria or some more options at ACAC open for students.”

Madison Connell and her friends are not alone in their thoughts on food availability over winter break. Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma keep many of their on-campus restaurants open during their winter breaks.

Clearly, food scarcity over breaks is not the same on all campuses.

While both colleges are much larger than the University of Tulsa, our system ought to be able to work in similar ways, just adjusted for size. Failing that, there are a number of ways that the university could better provide opportunities for student dining when the university is not fully operational.

Food availability could be improved through more restaurants open for longer during breaks, or the cafeteria offering limited meals. To be more cost-efficient, the school could implement a limited meal plan for winter break, which they already did for Thanksgiving break this year. Residents could sign up in advance for a given amount of meals, and pick up the meals from the Student Union at the beginning of break.

No unnecessary meals are made and then thrown out, residents have the option of remaining on campus to eat without having to worry about weather conditions or how to get to their food and only minor adjustments have to be made to the system as it currently stands. If residents wanted other food, that would still be an option for them, but the university would have made an effort to accommodate those staying on campus and in need of a meal that isn’t ramen.

Keeping restaurants open doesn’t make sense financially and any inconvenience can be remedied by options near campus.

Michaela Flonard News Editor

From December 23 to January 2 the University of Tulsa’s campus was officially closed. Besides Subway, all on-campus food choices had been closed since the last day of school, the 15th of December. Of course, not all students were off campus; some stayed in halls, fraternity row and apartments are available over break. No matter the presence of students, more on campus food options should not be open during break.

graphic by Elias Brinkman

It may be difficult for students to plan around the lack of restaurants on campus during breaks.

“As delicious as a sandwich can be, meals lose their charm when they’re your only option.”

If on-campus options were open over break, it could be easier for students to get food, certainly, but the university is not situated on a desolate road, miles from civilization. On 11th street, there’s a multitude of fast food and convenience stores, from QT

to Lone Wolf. There’s even a Subway right across from the USA West to replace the one in ACAC. In addition, grocery stores, like Warehouse Market, are within a 20 minute walk away — and that’s counting from Reynolds Center. While the weather wasn’t always pleasant during the past winter break, there were a few days that broke 60 degrees. That long of a walk is not unreasonable — I did it for an entire semester abroad. If one has a car, or access to a bus or taxi, the options are even greater. For those not inclined to walk, delivery is an option; last year, living in Hardesty Hall, I saw people ordering pizza when Pizza Hut was minutes away.

The number of students on campus, too, is likely very small. According to Mona Chamberlin, the halls were accessed 300 times over the three weeks of winter break; many of these are probably repeat visits, for if one lived in the dorm over break, presumably they’d need to leave and reenter multiple times. Those in apartments or fraternities generally cook for themselves and don’t rely on on-campus food to survive.

This low number of students means it’s unprofitable for the restaurants to stay open over break. If it was profitable, Sodexo would keep them open, as more money is never a problem. But staying open requires paying electricity, for lights, heat, cookware and other necessities, as well as water, foodstuffs and, of course, salaries.

But only four out of ten of the restaurants in ACAC are open by dinner time during the normal school year, suggesting that, for the majority of places, not enough students are willing to stop by during dinner to keep them in the black. How much less traffic would these places see over break if the majority of the population has gone home?

Keeping these places open doesn’t make sense for Sodexo. Even over summer break most of them, with the exception Subway and limited hours at the Pat Case Cafeteria, are closed, because of a similar trend.

Closing these restaurants also means the employees have a break. Those I talked to this week, from cafeteria and ACAC workers to professors, expressed how nice it was to relax and take a break for a few weeks — something almost any student would agree with. Although Americans in particular are notorious for not using all of their vacation days, various studies agree taking a vacation is better for one’s health, productivity and overall enjoyment. The reactions of these employees demonstrate these studies, and if restaurants were forced to stay open — which would be negative financially for the company, potentially decreasing the number of people they’re able to employ — these employees wouldn’t get a break.

Before I’m written off as heartless, I have stayed on campus during various breaks when all food places were closed. I went to buy food at grocery stores or the fast food restaurants nearby. It wasn’t as quick or easy, but my quality of life didn’t deteriorate too much from a mild inconvenience.

The costs of keeping these places open over winter break far outweighs the benefits.

Hofmeister’s education budget request should be approved

The additional $221 million for state education should be a top priority for Oklahoma.

Nathan Hinkle Student Writer At a budget meeting on Wednesday, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister put forward a new funding request for the fiscal year of 2018. This funding request was for an additional $221 million dollars to be added to

the requested budget of $2.6 billion.

Hofmeister has stated that “she wanted to reprioritize to meet the most critical needs of the state and invest in our future education.” This funding is needed to support the needs of Oklahoma’s public schools in the upcoming year. Without this money, Oklahoma’s education budget would have to be cut down past its original position.

With the low price of oil and gas, the Oklahoma state budget has taken a hit from its previous income. There is currently a $870 million budget shortfall for 2017. This is a serious source for concern and the major reason behind the lack of money in departments such as Education and Corrections.

This is a cause for alarm as these two departments are very important in Oklahoma.

This lack of funding for education has caused serious problems for Oklahoma as compared to other states. According to a study by Education Week, a group that grades state schooling, Oklahoma was given

a D+ for its overall state grade on education.

With its score of 68.2, it ranks 46th on the list. On this list, Massachusetts sits at the top with a B+ and Mississippi is last at a D. Because of the issues involving education in Oklahoma, Hofmeister’s requested funding is desperately needed to support the growing amounts of students entering the school system at this time. In 2015, according to Oklahoma’s Department of Education, 4,000 more students entered the public school system, and student enrollment numbers are on the rise.

Schools need more money to support the larger amount of students. Education is extremely important because it provides the tools people can use to support themselves in the future. Without proper education, it is extremely hard to make a living in the world. Even as Oklahoma goes through a rough time, education needs to be considered a priority.

courtesy Ballotpedia

Hofmeister calls for more money to address growing student population.

16 January 2017

Commentary

The Collegian: 13

A two-tier system would be ideal for REAL ID

Oklahoma should move toward REAl ID compliance with a twooption solution for state citizens.

Brennen VanderVeen Student Writer 2005’s REAL ID Act is a federal law that, according to the Department of Homeland Security, establishes “minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.”

The phrase “official purposes” basically refers to admittance to federal facilities (like military bases and federal courthouses), airports and nuclear facilities. However, it is also defined as “any other purposes” that the Secretary of Homeland Security dictates.

The law was adopted in accordance with the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation.

To be clear, there are certain things the law does not cover. Places primarily under state jurisdiction (like the state capitol and non-federal courthouses) do not need REAL ID Act compliant IDs unless a state specifically requires it.

One does not need a REAL ID Act compliant ID in order to vote or to receive federal benefits. Also, one does not need one for federal facilities that do not require an ID in the first place.

There are numerous standards that the REAL ID Act sets. Among them are what appears on a state license, what documents are required to obtain a license, how states go about verifying those documents and how long the documents are retained. Of those, the documents required for a license would probably be the most obvious to the public since everything else happens “behind the scenes.”

For an adult in Oklahoma who is obtaining a license for the first time, one just needs two forms of identification, a “primary” and “secondary” document. The primary document is usually a birth certificate, and the secondary document is usually a social security card. However, there are many other documents that can be used, they just are not as common.

In contrast, the REAL ID Act requires evidence of one’s current address and of having lawful status in the United States. It also requires a photo ID, but an ID without a photograph would still be acceptable if it had both one’s full name and one’s date of birth, so that “requirement” is not all that different than a birth certificate.

The law is being implemented in stages, largely at the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, states can be given extensions. However, by October 1, 2020, all air travelers will need a REAL ID Act compliant ID. However, even if a state is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act by then, that does not necessarily mean that its citizens will not be able to fly. Other forms of ID are currently accepted by the TSA and would continue to be. Examples are passports, passport cards, military IDs and tribal IDs. However, these are all usually harder to get than a driver’s license, so while flying would still be possible, it would be much more inconvenient to get the necessary documents.

Only twenty-four states are in full compliance. One reason for states waiting to comply is that there is controversy about the law. There is concern that it would constitute a de facto national ID because the standards are national and the state databases are required to be linked. Under America’s federal system, the power to issue IDs for driver’s licenses has always been understood to be a state power.

A national ID also concerns both groups on both the right and the left, for increasing the power of the federal government and for civil liberties concerns, respectively. The Oklahoma Republican Party platform states that the REAL ID Act “is unconstitutional and amounts to an unprecedented grant of power to government in general, and the federal government in particular.”

As part of a 2008 statement against the law, the Maryland ACLU stated that the REAL ID Act “places no limits on potential required uses for Real IDs. In time, Real

IDs could be required to vote, collect a Social Security check, access Medicaid, open a bank account, go to an Orioles game, or buy a gun. The private sector could begin mandating a Real ID to perform countless commercial and financial activities, such as renting a DVD or buying car insurance.

Real ID cards would become a necessity, making them de facto national IDs.” It should be noted that it is difficult to assess the law at this point. It was passed to improve security, and in a more interconnected country and world, having some federal standards makes sense. However, most states are not even fully compliant, so any improvement in safety would necessarily be in the future.

be to create a two-tier system of IDs. The main tier would be REAL ID compliant.

This would allow those citizens who aren’t worried about the threat of a national ID, or at least not enough to stop flying, to have an ID that will allow them to fly and to go to federal facilities.

However, a second tier of ID that is not REAL ID Act compliant would allow those citizens who think that the act is either unconstitutional as it is or that it creates a slippery slope to continue to drive, even though they could no longer fly.

Also, since having lawful residence is a requirement for a REAL ID Act compliant ID, undocumented immigrants would be unable to get one. Assuming that a state is

“By October 1, 2020, all air travelers will need a REAL ID Act compliant ID.” On the flip side, fears of the REAL ID Act leading to a de facto national ID policy are largely fears of it growing in scope to be required more often than the REAL ID Act requires. Expansion is not the only fear, but it appears to be the most prominent. Such fear should not be dismissed, either. It is the tendency of government authority to expand (especially when a single bureaucrat, the Secretary of Homeland Security, has the authority to decide when such IDs are required). Still, fears of expansion are fears of what the law will become, not what it is.

No matter the controversy, though, there does not seem to be any momentum in the federal government to repeal the law. So, what are states to do? The best option would

going to offer driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants in the first place, the only possible option would be the second tier. This two-tier system is specifically allowed in the REAL ID Act. The second tier just has to have a special marking that it is noncompliant.

For people who fully oppose the REAL ID Act, such a system is still probably far less than ideal, especially since states would still have to keep their information in a database. However, a two tier system at least allows those who don’t care enough to stop flying to have a compliant ID. Stopping the larger principle behind the REAL ID Act would require repeal.

courtesy dhs.gov

Green states are fully compliant with REAL ID law. Yellow states received an extension for compliance, and red states are non-compliant.

Meryl Streep’s speech was justified by her activism

At the Golden Globes, Streep stood up for the same issues she has been supporting for years.

Claudia Conaway Student Writer Meryl Streep made a call for public decency at the Golden Globes this year while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award for her acting, referencing Donald Trump’s apparent mockery of a disabled reporter while on his campaign trail. She also called for the media to step up and be vigilant about unethical behavior from our public leaders.

Her speech has turned into somewhat of a controversy, with some saying celebrities should stay out of politics and others saying that Streep is an iconic goddess that can do what she wants (or something like that).

While I think celebrities should be encouraged to speak more about world-affecting issues they care about and less about hair products and diet pills, and I will defend this position any time I’m asked to, I don’t see Streep’s speech as a purely political one.

The campaign season is over. There is nothing to be won here except common decency.

She spoke not of left politics versus right politics, but of bullying versus empathy, of using your power for good versus using it for bad. As President Obama said during his farewell speech on Tuesday, “That, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit, but to make people’s lives better.”

Streep spoke about bullies, and a specific bully with arguably the highest position of power an American can have, not in an effort to turn everyone into a Democrat, but to remind the unempowered that they have supporters and to remind the empowered to have empathy.

In terms of quality, her speech’s commitment to the idea of form mirroring content makes it hard to ridicule the words. The fact that she chose to give a speech that could’ve been solely about her own acting skills and gave her time instead to people that don’t have a Hollywood stage to speak on shows true genuineness on her part about the very topic she tackled.

She supports a number of charities, including foundations for female empowerment such as Chime for Change, Women in the World and Girl Up. Streep is a woman who spends her life using her money and power to speak out whether it is in charities or in movies, so why should she be silent about that aspect of her life while accepting an award for her publicly visible and applauded work? I was reminded of Leonardo DiCaprio’s speech at the 2016 Oscars when he brought focus to the importance of acting on climate change. It’s hard to say that DiCaprio should’ve stayed quiet about the controversial topic when he has been working with his namesake foundation

since 2007 to actively fight against climate change and environmental damage. Celebrities are American citizens too, with passions and opinions like citizens have (or should

have). I say good on the ones who give a voice to disenfranchised people and causes they care about, thus encouraging viewers and fans to do the same in their lives.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Streep’s call to action was a source of controversy, but unsurpising given the organizations she supports.

16 January 2017

The State-Run Media

the

State-Run media America’s most __________ news source since ______ adjective

year

17 ways to technically honor “new year, new me” The new year has just started, and it’s time to revamp your entire life. Try these ideas, so at least you can say you tried.

“twenty-one plus” Custom cocktail creations and accompanying critiques presented by TU’s own hobbyist mixologist.

Sam Chott Non-functioning alcoholic Bourbon Apple-rita 2 apples, diced 1 cup sugar 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 1 oz lime juice 2 oz bourbon .5 oz triple sec In the middle of winter, we usually spurn the sweet, cold cocktails that got us through summer, in favor of bold, full-bodied dark flavors like bourbon and red wine, just like you might have been spurned by a former lover. We can always add some fresh, fruity elements to our drinks, though, so we decided to bring you a winter cocktail with just a hint of the flavors of summer — a hint similar to one that someone could have dropped before leaving their boyfriend for their tennis instructor.

Drink this if: You’re ready for summer to come back but you want to enjoy winter while it lasts, or if you’re dehydrated from crying — say, after a bad breakup.

1. Add apples and sugar to saucepan, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. While you’re waiting, go on Facebook, and see if any relationship statuses have changed. Huh — there have been some changes. That was fast!

2. Add cloves and cinnamon to a medium saucepan, and cook for 10 minutes or until soft and fra-

grant, stirring occasionally. Take out your phone again and look at your friends’ pictures. Don’t look at anyone’s in particular, because that would be weird, but do go ahead and see what your friend and their tennis instructor have been up to. Looks like they went skiing together — neat!

Adam Lux Moving to Hawaii 1. Do more than half of load of laundry every 2 weeks.

2. Just say no to the homeless person asking for money rather than pretending you “don’t have any cash on you.”

3. Buy 2% milk instead of whole.

4. Call your grandmother, but at a time you know she’s probably asleep.

5. Hold the door open for people, even if they’re not attractive.

4. Add bourbon, triple sec, lime juice and two tablespoons of the apple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until frosty, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Taste the bourbon, to see if it’s good. Take a pull off the bottle.

Take a couple — you’ve had a long day, and you deserve it.

5. Garnish with a thin slice of apple. Realize as you go to grab an apple that you drank a lot more than you meant to. Drink more bourbon. Forget about the cocktail, and lay on the couch scrolling through your shared Facebook history. Ignore any calls from concerned friends.

Unused apple syrup can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

courtesy Pixabay

State-Run Horoscopes

Cancer: Someone close to you will ask you for a favor; it will have unexpected rewards. Tonight, home is where the heart is.

Leo: We have your son. Bring $40,000 in unmarked, nonconsecutive bills to the State-Run office.

If you tell the police, we disappear forever.

Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces: That goes for you too– snitches get stitches.

graphic by Elias Brinkman

Top 10 budget items TU has cut

The State-Run budget – specifically, the graphics budget – was a victim of university cuts.

We hope that this list of university cuts is useful in explaining some changes you might have noticed around campus.

1. Christmas lights. This is the big one. One of the University’s largest expenses each year are the few strings of blue lights that dec-

Aries: You’ll get a gift from an unexpected source; keep an open mind this week. Tonight, go out with a close friend.

Taurus: This week will be good for your love life, but stay in your comfort zone. Tonight, stay in with a good book.

Gemini: Jenny, break up with him. He’s no good for you, and you don’t have to put up with what he did. Other Geminis, try something new tonight.

work problem before looking it up in the solution manual.

11. Eat an apple… covered in caramel.

12. Purchase an overpriced article of edgy clothing. Wear it once then hide it in the back of your closet.

13. Go to the gym. Spend 40 minutes stretching then 10 minutes on the elliptical.

14. Only post actually funny memes into the group chat.

15. Wear something besides sweatpants to class, but only on Mondays.

Ok, every other Monday.

16. Quit drinking…. On Tuesday nights.

17. Stop looking up ways to pretend you’re improving yourself without actually making any significant changes.

3. Take apple mixture off heat, and strain. Go to your contacts list, and hold your finger over the “delete” button for a few minutes. You know that you should probably get rid of their number, but what if they want to call you? What if there’s an emergency, and you need to know who’s calling? You should probably keep that number.

Sam Beckmann Fired after writing this article

Please drink responsibly.

6. Fake your own death in a freak “forklift accident.” LayLie low till after the funeral then get a new identity from that one kid in grade school you always knew was going to grow up shady. Promptly kill them. Move to a new city, somewhere small and near a coast.

Grow or cut your hair and gain or lose some weight. Get used to being called Jordan.

7. Give a sizable, yet insignificant amount of money (like $50) to some charitable organization without doing any research into possible ethical violations the organization might have. Wear the T-shirt they give you at least once a week.

8. Buy your own Netflix.

9. Finally give back that nice pen you “borrowed” from your friend.

10. “Attempt” to solve a home-

orate the area around McFarlin Library. Each of the light strips costs $9.99 each, which was slightly outside TU’s price range.

2. Snow days. TU made the tough decision to reschedule the ice storm from Friday to Saturday last week, so they were not forced to declare a snow day.

3.

Landscaping.

Walking around campus, you may have noticed longer grass and unkempt landscapes. This is another result of campus cutbacks. Every blade of grass is now trimmed only once per day.

4. Vending machines that accept dining dollars. Out of all the budget cuts, this one has hit me hardest. It seems every time a vending machine is replaced or upgraded on campus, the replacement does not take my fake Presidential Scholar money. If this trend continues, I may be forced to confront a reality where I must pay to receive food.

5. Basic Human Decency. Honestly, cutting this was a no-brainer for the school. Who needs pension plans or benefits anyway?

6. Collegian top 10 lists.

major, while shovelling dirt out of a hole. “It’s like getting a full-time job or your own health insurance.”

Not everyone was convinced.

“She didn’t even know what to do with the body,” said one of her friends, undecided sophomore Joel Stevens. “She showed up at my apartment and was all like ‘What do I do? Help!’”

“She didn’t even have her own shovel,” he said, while duct-taping a tarp around the corpse. “She had to borrow that one from me,” he added.

There are some who have expressed doubt about the ethics of

Hopkins’ formative experiences.

“Did you just say that there was a murder?” asked Hank Williams, a TPD officer. “You legally have to tell me if you have any information about a homicide.”

Hopkins was undaunted by the skeptics. “I think that this is just a really great opportunity for personal growth,” she said while patting down the earth over the body.

“Like, I’m taking responsibility for my own actions and stuff.” She paused, and started laughing. “Oh my god, I totally sound like my mom.”

“OMG, we’re such adults,” says student while hiding body

A TU student recently noted that she was “totally grown up” as she buried a corpse, just like a real adult.

Sam Chott Keeps a tarp in his trunk just in case

Reports indicate that on Thursday, a local student realized that she was like, totally an adult now, while hiding a dead body.

“I just realized that it’s such an adult thing to do,” said Kelly Hopkins, a junior energy management