A student newspaper of the University of Tulsa
March 15, Issue 20 - volume 106
TU opens new oUTdoor space for sTUdenTs, p. 5 women’s basketbaLL season in review, p. 2 pro act a boost to Labor’s power, p. 6
cover by Emma Palmer
LocaLLy owned bookstores to check out in tuLsa, p. 7
Sports
The Collegian: 2
15 March 2021
TU women’s basketball finishes difficult season, looks to future Looking back on months filled with tough opponents and disappointing losses, Tulsa sports writer Tommy Reid analyzes the complete season and beyond. ricane players Maya Mayberry and Wyvette Mayberry earned accolades from the AAC. Maya was named to the AAC third-team allconference and Wyvette was named to the AAC all-freshman team. Throughout the regular season, Maya had a team leading 14.3 points per game and a fourth ranking 22 assists per game and 20 steals per game. Wyvette, throughout the regular season, achieved a second-place team ranking 12.3 points per game, a team leading of 55 assists per game and a second-place ranking thirtyone steals per game. Coach Mossman was excited about both accolades. Speaking of Maya’s achievement, she remarked, “Maya has been a coach’s dream – she comes to work every day, never
Tulsa opened their season with a 69-62 win at Oklahoma State on December 13. This was after the first four games of the season were canceled due to the delayed start of the NCAA season this year. After a postponed game against Wichita State, Tulsa entered a series of three consecutive losses to close out 2020 against the University of Central Florida (UCF), Temple and the then number 21 ranked University of South Florida (USF). In each of these games, the Golden Hurricane lost by over ten points. The first scheduled game of 2021 was against Southern Methodist University (SMU), though it was postponed. Tulsa won their next game against Cincinnati by a score of 62-57, and following this, they won their game against Memphis by a score of 72-68. Two losses followed with one against Houston and the other against Tulane. Back at home, Tulsa beat East Carolina University 68-59. On the next road trip, they lost to Memphis and then beat ECU 68-59, putting them at this point at a record of 4-5.
complains and treats her teammates with the utmost respect. She has put in the work to be named as one of the elite players in the AAC.” Discussing Wyvette’s achievement, she stated, “Teams have guarded her with their best defender, they’ve tried to take the ball out of her hands, and they’ve switched defenses on her to take her out of rhythm. She has received everybody’s best shot, yet she has led our team in assists and been our second leading scorer all year. She is just getting started.” With Maya, Wyvette and the rest of the team expected to improve next season, Tulsa should do better throughout the season and end the season with a better record.
Unfortunately, this was the last win of the regular season, as the Golden Hurricane lost their final seven games of the regular season against Houston, Tulane, then number 14 ranked USF, Temple, UCF, Cincinnati and Wichita State. In the American Athletic Conference tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, the Golden Hurricane lost their first, and only game, against Wichita State by a score of 76-64. Despite losing their last seven regular season games and failing to advance to the second round of the postseason, Tulsa Coach Matilda Mossman said, “I think a big thing is in the last two games we’ve improved on the offensive end.” She continued by saying that “having four in double figures is certainly something we’ve strived to have all season long. I felt like Wichita State did a great job of isolating their post and point guard and they got easy buckets on us because we couldn’t get stops.” Even though the season did not go as Tulsa hoped it would, two of the Golden Hurphotos by Tommy Reid
Tulsa men’s basketball sees season end in Tulane defeat
Tulsa sports writer Tommy Reid breaks down final game of the Golden Hurricane’s season. The culmination of the AAC basketball season took place last week with the 2021 Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship in Fort Worth, Texas. All of the AAC teams competed in it, and Tulsa’s game was last Thursday. Tulsa won the tip-off and quickly grabbed an early 2-0 lead with a jumper by Brandon Rachal just 13 seconds into the game. Over the next few minutes, the Golden Hurricane increased their lead to 8-2. Tulane came back and overtook Tulsa’s lead about five minutes into the first half. The lead went back and forth over the next eight minutes until Tulsa took a two-point lead with a jumper by Austin Richie. After this, Tulsa increased their lead to as much as seven points. At the end of the half, they had a 41-37 lead.
Once the second half began, Tulsa momentarily possessed a seven-point lead, but Tulane then began to cut into that lead and brought Tulsa’s lead down to two points with just under four minutes into the second half. Just under 90 seconds later, Tulane would take the lead from Tulsa. Until there were five minutes remaining in the game, the score went back and forth. However just past the 15-minute mark, Tulane took the lead for the final time. They went on to win the game by a score of 77-70. Despite losing the game, Brandon Rachal earned his 11th career double-double with 21 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, Elijah Joiner had a big game with 16 points and a career-high 12 points and Keyshawn Embry-Simpson scored 12 points, with 11 of those points coming in the first half. After losing this game, the Golden Hur-
ricane’s season is now finished. They ended the season with a 11-12 overall record including a 7-9 conference record. After the conclusion of the regular season, Tulsa had several players earn AAC accolades. Darrien Jackson was named the AAC’s sixth man of the year and Brandon Rachal was named to the AAC second team. During the regular season, Darrien Jackson came off the bench in 20 out of 22 games. He scored in double figures eight times with a career high of 13 points scored against the University of Central Florida on March 2. He also led Tulsa in steals and rebounds 11 times and in assists five times. Brandon Rachal led Tulsa in total points, total rebounds, total blocks and total steals. He achieved six double-doubles, a season high 25 points against Cincinnati on January 2, led Tulsa in scoring and rebounding
11 times each and led Tulsa in blocking ten times. Rachal was also named the Naismith Trophy Player of the Week and the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week after he averaged 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in wins against the then number five Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Going forward from here, Tulsa will look to correct their mistakes from this season over the next eight months of offseason before beginning next season’s games in November. If Tulsa can play better basketball in the second half of the season next year, they have a better chance of going to the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Mar. 15 - Mar. 21 Monday
Tuesday 16
15 Cross Country NCAA Championship @Stillwater, OK TBA
M Tennis LSU 1 p.m.
Wednesday
none
Thursday 18
17
M Soccer Memphis 7 p.m.
none
Friday
Saturday 19
W Golf @ Missouri All Day Softball South Dakota 12:30 p.m.
W Golf Missouri All Day
20
Sunday 21
W Golf @ Missouri All Day
Softball Softball South Dakota North Dakota St 10 a.m. 10 a.m.
Softball @ Kansas 3 p.m.
W Tennis ORU 12 p.m.
W Soccer @ Houston 1 p.m.
M Tennis Mississippi 5 p.m.
Softball North Dakota St 5:30 p.m.
M Soccer @ Memphis 5 p.m.
15 March 2021
Sports
The Collegian: 3
Fresh top five for the second half of the NBA season
Back with shuffled rankings after the All-Star break, basketball writer Zach Short discusses who thrives and who just survives. 5. Los Angeles Clippers For a while, the Clippers looked dangerously close to locking the second seed in the West, potentially biding time until they could displace the Jazz. The whole team looked fantastic. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George played to their contract value, and role players like Patrick Beverly and Serge Ibaka expertly performed all the extra dirty work on defense to make the team formidable. Yet, something changed. They dropped their last two games before the break, the first to the Celtics and the second to the Wizards. Whereas one may easily forgive the first blunder, as Boston has competed well a few years in a row now, Washington has played much less impressively. Might backto-back games like these indicate a slump? It remains a possibility. Will Los Angeles have to return in an explosive fashion to move back to their former glory in the rankings? Absolutely. 4. Philadelphia 76ers Unlike a lot of the league’s hottest teams, the 76ers did not enter the All-Star break quite so down on their luck. They did go a measly three of five in their final games, but one of these losses occurred in overtime and the two defeats had them at a combined deficit of only ten. Had those two games, effectively toss-ups, gone in favor of Philadel-
break, with impressive wins over the Trail Blazers and the Lakers (both of whom they just recently surpassed in the conference standings). Their only loss in this streak came from a three-point fluke against the Hornets, who have certainly outperformed expectations this year and merit no embarrassment for Phoenix. Devin Booker proved his capability as a top tier player when he pulled the Suns to an 8-0 run against Playoffs-caliber teams in the bubble last summer. Likewise, Chris Paul reminded the world he still had work to do and pulled a young and inexperienced Thunder team to a five seed appearance, ultimately losing in seven games to James Harden’s Houston Rockets. Combined, the Suns have undergone a renaissance and will prove a tough competitor in postseason aspirations. 2. Brooklyn Nets Every week a collapse seems imminent for the only team that simply refuses to play defense, and every week they seem to improve. That in mind, a two seed in these power rankings still feels a little too high. Not only do they presently sit behind the 76ers in the East still (although not by much), they still seem as though they might potentially lag behind the best in the West. Working best in their favor though, they dropped a few games early before the ar-
“Every week a collapse seems imminent for the only team that simply refuses to play defense, and every week they seem to improve.” phia, they would presently sit on a perfect L10, this statement made before their Sunday game against the Spurs. All that keeps them from sitting higher on the list lies in the creeping presence of Brooklyn for the top seed in the East and the persistent indomitability of the West overall. However, Joel Embiid has played this season at a legendary level, reminiscent of postseason LeBron in his ability to take control of the game at will upon occasion. This observation alone, unpredictable at best, cannot raise the team up a slot just yet, but it may have them overperforming in the postseason. Barring unforeseen circumstances, these guys are the Eastern Conference lock for the Finals. 3. Phoenix Suns With only their second numbered appearance in the power rankings, the Suns look borderline unstoppable. They won seven of their last eight before the All-Star
rival of James Harden and have played very few games with all of their superstars together, as Kyrie Irving missed a few games early on safety restrictions and Kevin Durant missed a handful recently in nursing an injury. This lack of appearance at full capacity implies league superiority should everyone make their way onto the same court in a given night, but they have not been able to do so yet. Eastern Conference teams should feel concerned, but this team still has yet to prove itself deserving of a top seed in the power rankings. 1. Utah Jazz Once again, nothing has indicated that Utah has lost their right to the top slot. Yes, they fell into a lull before the All-Star break (one that some may have predicted, hint), but they still did nothing to cause great alarm. They, unlike most other strong teams that struggled before the break, played an
courtesy Utah Jazz Twitter incredibly difficult schedule. Their losses came against the Clippers, which actually split back-to-back games as they had beaten them just two nights before; the Heat, who have won nine of their last 10 as of Sunday morning; and the 76ers, who could only beat them in overtime. During this same stretch, the Jazz stomped both the Lakers and the Hornets, as well as beating the 76ers in another game against them. All this in mind, Utah has done nothing unforgivable as of yet. All should expect a return in full force and possibly another 10+ win streak. Hot Seat: Denver Nuggets At one point, the basketball world had all but counted out the Nuggets. After an incredible record last season and a Western Conference Finals appearance, many expected a potential Finals run out of the Jok-
er, or at least a competitive rematch against the Jazz the eked out and/or the Lakers who stopped their run in just five games. Yet, they underperformed to start the season. They won games, but they failed to build streaks and perform well with consistency. However, this fault seems poised to change. They have begun to piece wins together and move into a more respectable position in the West. Moreover, given that their underwhelming start holds them back from easily moving to a top slot, their present hold on a postseason berth becomes even more impressive. Look in the coming weeks to see if they do not further displace the Trail Blazers or even close in on the Clippers.
Previews and predictions: NBA second half At the culmination of the All-Star break, NBA analyst Joseph Breedlove looks on at the remaining games. As the NBA season reaches its halfway point, teams are still on the hunt for that postseason spot. The team standings as of now in the Eastern Conference have the Philadelphia 76ers in the number one spot; at number two, the Brooklyn Nets; at number three, the Milwaukee Bucks. Fourth is the Boston Celtics. Coming in fifth is the New York Knicks. Sixth spot is the Miami Heat. The Charlotte Hornets are in seventh, and the Toronto Raptors are in the eighth spot. Were the Playoffs to start tomorrow, these teams would be the ones still playing. However, the Eastern Conference is the weaker conference rather than the West Conference. The way the teams are playing right now, I do not see a whole lot of switching up. It will be a toss up between first and second seed in the East, with the Phildephila 76ers and Brooklyn Nets both vying for the top slot. But now with Blake Griffin joining the Nets, Brooklyn is just that more lethal. The third, fourth and fifth spots seem reasonable and may easily undergo no change. Yet it is absurd to see the New York Knicks so high in the conference, regularly being one of the worst teams in the NBA since 2014. They may have some potential, and could be hungry and move up in the standings, but the improvement still shocks. The Hornets are also playing well, and so is Lamelo Ball. The Miami Heat are the same way, after making it to the Finals last year, and they are determined to make the playoffs. Toronto is a toss up, and ninth in the standings is the Chicago Bulls, with Zach Levine and Coby white they are a force to be reckoned with. All one can do is wait and see who will be in the postseason. The Western Conference, anything could happen. As of right now the standings go, In the one spot is the Utah Jazz; at number two, courtesy Phoenix Suns Twitter
Phoenix Suns; at number three, Los Angeles Lakers. Fourth is the Los Angeles Clippers. Coming in fifth is the Portland Trail Blazers. Sixth spot is the Denver Nuggets. The San Antonio Spurs are in seventh, and the Dallas Mavericks are in the spot. Ninth in the standings is the Golden State Warriors, and tenth is the Memphis Grizzlies. I listed ten teams instead of eight because these ten teams are all between .5-1.5 games behind each other, so one game can change the whole dynamic of the standings. If the Suns keep playing the way they are and following behind Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Anyton, they may actually stay in the top three, which is hard to believe. They are on a four game winning streak, but anything can happen, and realistically it seems more likely that they will start to fall nearer the sixth, seventh or eighth seed. What will really be interesting is how the Spurs, Mavs, Warriors and Grizzlies will end up being. All four of these teams have the potential to be in the postseason and know what it takes, save for the young Grizzlies squad. It is Steph Curry’s comeback season, and he is having MVP numbers. Luka, the initial favorite to win MVP this year, has likewise been phenomenal. The Spurs do not necessarily stand out as much, but with Gregg Poppovich as the coach, a future hall-of-famer, he knows how to win and make the Playoffs. The seeds right now seem likely to end with Utah, Lakers and Clippers as one, two and three in any order, four and and as the Trail Blazers and Nuggets, and six through eight as the Warriors, Mavs and Suns in that order. The Playoffs start May 22, so one will see what ends up happening.
The Collegian: 4
Sports
15 March 2021
Top 10 sports movies to enjoy when no game is on Whether we like to think about it or not, there are those occasional days completely devoid of sporting events. Sports writer Logan Guthrie explains how to ignore that.
It is the early months of a new year with new seasons of all of our favorite sports ramping up as the previous seasons come to a close. In this transition time it is sometimes difficult to find media that can quench our thirst for competition, athleticism, and the love of our favorite games. Below is a list of ten sports-themed movies from a variety of competitions that can hopefully satisfy that hunger until the new round of seasons come into full form. 10. The Sandlot Everyone should see this coming of age story at some time in their life (not to mention it has some great baseball scenes that will make you reminisce about playing little league as a kid). The Sandlot follows a group of Los Angeles boys as they spend a summer playing the sport they love, telling tall-tales, and trying to get out of trouble. When Scott Smalls hits a baseball worth a fortune over into a mysterious neighbor’s yard, he and his friends must face off with “The Beast”, a massive English Mastiff that has become legendary for its size and aggression, striking fear into the young baseball players. If you like baseball, comedy and a fun story, this is absolutely a must-see movie for you. 9. The Replacements Tell me, does anyone not love Keanu Reeves? When the Washington Sentinels team goes on strike, Coach Jimmy McGinty must pull together a rag-tag group of talented athletes to take their spots, led by Reeves’ character as quarterback. This is a great comedy with a group of unexpected heroes that will not fail to make you laugh along with some of the most ridiculous football playing that you have ever seen.
8. The Natural Robert Redford stars as Roy Hobbs, a young man with a natural talent for the game of baseball who tries out for the Chicago Cubs. After suffering from some traumatic events (I will not spoil the movie by elaborating), he returns to the sport 16 years later as a rookie on the worst team of the league, the New York Knights. As the team begins to turn their season around, Hobbs must also confront his past for hope of a better future. This movie is an inspiring tale of perseverance, second chances and the love of America’s Pastime. 7. McFarland, USA Yet another movie with great star power, this one comes in the form of Kevin Costner. He plays Jim White, a football coach that loses his job after unintentionally injuring one of his athletes in the midst of losing his temper, who relocates and again loses his job again as a coach when he pulls out a player for fear of him being injured badly. A story of second chances, White finally finds his place as he becomes the coach of the new cross-country team and realizes the potential in these athletes and gives them hope for a better future. 6. Rocky Let’s be honest: Rocky is an absolute classic, and it along with its subsequent sequels have gained popularity once again with the success of its spinoff movie series Creed. The original Rocky movie follows a young Italian enforcer and amateur boxer who is selected for a chance to go up against the champion, Apollo Creed. Written by Sylvester Stallone and starring him in the titular role, the film shows Rocky as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life. Packed with excellent training montages, a
music score that you will never forget and some of the most realistic boxing in all of cinema, Rocky is the underdog story that you just can’t help but root for. 5. Ford vs. Ferrari This is a more recent entry into the long history of sports cinema, as Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in the true story of the tense rivalry between two of the biggest car companies of all time. If you don’t know the story of the collaboration between American Carroll Shelby and British Ken Miles as they fight Ferrari head-on at the 24-Hours of Le Mans, it is absolutely worth watching this fascinating story of one of the greatest rivalries in automobile and racing history. 4. 42 Jackie Robinson is a legend in the history of professional sports as the first Black athlete in the modern era of baseball to have the chance to play in the MLB. This biographical film follows the life of Robinson as he earns his spot on a farm team and eventually becomes one of the best players the Dodgers has ever had in a time when they were still located in Brooklyn. You will feel like you have gone back in time with this film, watching some of the incredible moments in which professional baseball was changed forever. 3. We are Marshall Alright, alright, alright, I hope you are a fan of both football and Matthew McConaughey. If you are, this movie has both. This historical drama tells the story of one of the greatest tragedies suffered by an American college. The film follows the aftermath of Marshall University in the wake of losing 37 football players in a plane crash
that killed 75 people in total. You will be inspired by a true story of perseverance, desperation and reconciliation with this film, as the new head coach Jack Lengyel and the students of Marshall fight to keep their football program alive through a fighting spirit and a desire to honor the loved ones which they have lost. 2. Miracle If you are looking for a movie that will give you a sense of patriotism, look no further. Miracle tells the tale of Herb Brooks and his journey to turn the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team around, as he strongly believes that they can beat the powerhouse team that hails from the Soviet Union. Watch the unorthodox methods of training and playing the sport of hockey that lead to the incredible game that has since been dubbed “The Miracle on Ice”. 1. Remember the Titans By far, this film has to be one of the greatest sports movies of all time and one of the best pieces to have ever addressed the issue of racism and its negative impacts on American society. Denzel Washington gives one of his most moving performances of all time in this biographical film as he plays a new head coach at a school with an originally all-white high school football team and fights to create a unity between them and the integration of new black students to the school and team. If they have any hope of winning their championship, the Titans must put their prejudices aside and come together as a team, and an unexpected group of brothers.
Could Russell Wilson really leave Seattle?
Looking at a quarterback phenom with early postseason exits, NFL writer Joseph Breedlove examines whether the franchise player might look for a new home.
courtesy Russell Wilson Twitter Russell Wilson is the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. While at Seattle, the superstar has accomplished a lot for himself and the team. Wilson is an eight time pro bowler, a Super Bowl champion, holds the record for most wins by an NFL quarterback through nine seasons which is 98 and is one of four quarterbacks in NFL history with a career passer rating over 100. In 2015, he led the NFL with most passing touchdowns with 34. His career stats consist of 33,946
passing yards, 2,820 Passing completions, 4,335 Passing attempts, 261 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns. He has been a Seattle Seahawk all his life, but he might now be looking for an exit. Russell Wilson wants out of Seattle, and like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The only thing that the audience knows is just rumors, but with multiple sources reporting the same speculation, it sounds distinctly possible to say the least.
There has been talk around the front office for certain as the Seahawks have been making calls to the Houston Texans’ front office. This makes sense on the fact that Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston as well. When discussing the possibility of a trade, Russell Wilson did suggest a list of preferred teams to join. Near the top of the list, the Chicago Bears were a possibility. This could go in his favor as well, because, as of now, under contact all the Bears have
is Nick Foles. Not to discredit Nick Foles, but Russell Wilson is a phenomenal talent. A few other teams Wilson listed were the Dallas Cowboys, the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders. However, it is perhaps safe to say that the Dallas Cowboys are ruled out of the decision now, after resigning Dak Prescott to a four year 160 million dollar contract. This trade is such a big deal because Russell Wilson is frustrated with the Seahawks organization, and has clearly stated that on the air. One issue that the Seahwaks see from this trade is that they are losing their franchise quarterback, and their backup quarterback is Geno Smith. Not to say that Geno is incapable of leading the Seahawks to the postseason, but it will definitely take some hard work and determination for him to get it done. In essence, the Seattle Seahawks are looking for a franchise quarterback out of this trade. There are many other factors that come into play with this trade trying to happen. Option one, the Seahawks trade him to the Las Vegas Raiders for Derek Carr, and Russel Wilson being such a high profile player one assumes the Raiders would give up some draft picks/future draft picks for him. Option two, trading Wilson to the Bears. There isn’t much to offer on the Bears’s end, except for hopefully the Bears have bad seasons and the Bears bite the bullet and get rid of their future first round picks. Option three, trade to the Saints. They are in need of a quarterback possibly, but their problem is they are around 50 million over cap, so they do not have anything to really offer the Seahawks. That could be out the question as well. Importantly though, Russell Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning that he would have to personally approve of any potential trade for it to occur. Should he elect to move to a new team, it will certainly mean he thinks he has a chance to return to a Super Bowl. Russell Wilson is an outstanding quarterback and will fit any team he goes too. The question remains, which team will that end up being?
News
15 March 2021
The Collegian: 5
TU opens new outdoor space for students TU Outdoors is an opportunity for students to safely relax with each other in cozy seating by fire pits on Thomas Plaza. Tommy Reid Student Writer Several weeks ago, TU opened a new outdoor space for students. TU Outdoors at Thomas Plaza was opened as a place for students to gather in the evenings and have a relaxing time talking, playing yard games and enjoying sitting by fire pits. Open seven nights per week from 7 p.m. to midnight, March 1 through April 16, 2021, TU Outdoors should become a great place to hang out and reflect on the day. Since this space is only for TU students, a TU student ID is needed as well as a mask, which students are required to wear while in this space.
Scott Gove, Associate Director of Residence Life at the University of Tulsa, is the main coordinator of this project. Behind the decision to create this space was a desire to help students to heal from the difficulties of this past year. He said that the University “wanted to create a space where students could safely engage with one another while minimizing any COVID-19 spread. Our students have weathered a lot this year socially and our hope is this space can begin to build the relationships they missed. The healing
covered pavilion and many outdoor games available to checkout from staff. The planning process for TU Outdoors began in December of last year. Because this is an outdoor space where masks are required to be worn, the process of getting TU Outdoors approved was relatively straightforward. The goal was to have a bistro like atmosphere in an outdoor location somewhere on campus that was currently not being used for something else. Thomas Plaza fit this description.
“The goal was to create an atmosphere that is welcome and inviting.” process from COVID-19 will take time for us all and we are happy to be starting here.” Some of the activities that are available at TU Outdoors include cozy seating next to fire pits, hammocks, bistro lighting, a
“As an alum I always thought this space was underutilized,” said Gove. “We went to Athletics and they were more than happy to let the student body use it.” Several months later, this became the home of TU Outdoors.
There is a lot to look forward to at TU Outdoors this semester. The first week there was a build your own flower bouquet that went very well. This was, however, just the beginning of the events to take place this semester. Upcoming events include a Whataburger night, a Rib Crib night, a s’mores night as well as other fun activities. The goal was to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and inviting. Gove’s favorite part of this space is seeing students enjoying it. “Overall, what I love most about the space is seeing students just chilling, talking and relaxing with the almost Disneylandesque main street vibe.” As of now, TU Outdoors is just planned to be here this spring, however, Gove hopes that it will come back in future spring semesters. “Our hope is that it will become a new student tradition the later part of each spring semester, such as right after the usual March spring break through finals.”
photo by Tommy Reid
TU Outdoors is open every night from 7 p.m. to midnight until the end of the semester.
TU plans to return to normal conditions next year As vaccines become more widely available, people across the country weigh the benefits of each manufacturer’s vaccine options. Hana Saad Copy Editor As of March 8, Oklahoma entered Phase 3 of the state’s vaccination plan. This means that college students and those who work in early childhood care centers are now able to get the vaccination for COVID-19. The University of Tulsa has encouraged all students and faculty to get their vaccinations, as it will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially on campus. It is crucial that both students and faculty receive their vaccinations if campus life is to return to more normal conditions in the next academic year.
Reed added that “fully vaccinated individuals will not need to wear masks or exercise physical distance when they are with other fully vaccinated people.” TU is hopeful about our ability to return to in-person classes, as Reed stated, “The majority of classes will be in-person, but there will be some online courses available for students who want or need that option.” It is unlikely that the pandemic will be completely over by Fall 2021, so there will still be options for students to take some classes virtually if needed. “Students who need online courses can complete the Application for Accommodations through Student Access,” Reed stated. Since classes will be returning to normal, living situations for students next year will also look more similar to what life was like before the pandemic. Students living in dormitories can “choose to have roommates or may prefer a single for the 2021-2022 school year,” according to Reed.
“[TU] has encouraged all students and faculty to get their vaccinations ...”
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Casey Reed, Senior Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Dean of Students, said that “the sooner the campus community gets the vaccine, the sooner the university will be able to retire the mask mandate and physical distancing requirements.” Until that occurs though, TU will continue to follow CDC guidelines, despite the fact that Gov. Kevin Stitt has lifted the remaining COVID-19 precautions in Oklahoma. This revokes limits on public gatherings, limits attendance at indoor sporting events and lifts the mask mandate in state buildings, according to the Oklahoman. Though Stitt’s executive order goes against CDC guidelines, local governments are still allowed to retain their COVID-19 precautions.
A campus-wide email sent out in February stated that students will be able to have more social gatherings next year and clubs and that organizations will be allowed to meet on campus. As far as monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases on campus, Reed shared that the university is still deciding on “whether or not [they] will need to conduct large scale continuous testing on campus through an outside lab.” However, students who suspect that they might be positive for COVID-19 next semester can still be tested at the Alexander Health Center. To schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the state’s appointment portal at vaccinate.ok.gov or check with your local pharmacy, Walmart or Sam’s Club as they are also giving out vaccinations.
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Commentary
The Collegian: 6
15 March 2021
The Legislative Digest is your weekly look at the happenings of Oklahoma’s state legislature, upcoming bills and the terms to know. Justin Klopfer Commentary Editor
HB1888: This bill proposed by Republican Danny Williams would prohibit public bodies from conducting “gender or sexual diversity training or counseling.” The bill specifies 24 different bodies that this would apply to, including offices, boards and councils that receive public funding. This alone is a disgusting and bigotted attack on an already incredibly vulnerable population in our state. Even more concerningly, an amendment was recently added to the bill that would require teachers and counselors to notify a student’s parents if they are experiencing “sexual orientation or gender dysphoria,” calling this state a “risk.” This is one of the absolute most dangerous things to force a teacher or counselor to do. Many LBGTQ+ youth are living with parents who are unaccepting of their identities, and outing them can create disastrous consequences. The danger this bill presents to the children of Oklahoma is immense. Forcing counselors to out students as trans or gay insteading allowing children to do it themselves when they feel safe can lead to forced conversion therapy, homelessness and suicide. It is not an exaggeration to call this bill a direct threat to the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. Luckily the bill seems to have been stalled. It was not debated at the most recent meeting of the House, and seems unlikely to garner enough support to ever pass. Our Democraitc Representative in the TU area, Monroe Nichols, has already expressed his opposition to the bill and voted to table it. However, the damage that the mere suggestion of the bill has is large. Bipartisan and vocal opposition must be the only response to bills as abhorrent as this one.
HB2588: This bill would let schools begin programs allowing teachers and other school personnel to carry handguns at school for self defense purposes. The bill considers a handgun license, four hours of training and approval from the police as enough qualification for teachers to carry. The bill considers this policy important enough to declare an emergency as existing, in order that the bill may take effect immediately upon passing. It is absolutely ridiculous to believe that more guns in a school could solve the problem of school shootings. A far better solution is proposed in HB1919 authored by Meloyde Blancett, which advocates for a drastic increase in the number of guidance counselors present in school. A community like a school needs to care for the needs of its people to cure its ills, not increase its capacity for violence. School shootings are still an incredibly complex issue, and I don’t believe simple gun control laws and counseling service can completely stop mass violence. However, more guns is not the answer, and this bill refuses to consider that we may need to actually nurture and provide for a school to prevent senseless violence. It’s a tactless solution to a real and horrible issue that needs deep-reaching attention. The bill has already passed through the House on a 79-19 party-line vote. Not a single Republican refused to offer this bill their support. Hopefully there is significantly more resistance in the Senate, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
PRO Act a true test of working class allegiance posed Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act. He released a statement on March 9 indicating his strong support for the bill. It has already been voted through the House, though it will likely face significant resistance in the Senate. It’s too early to say how adamant Biden truly is in his support of labor, but this is certainly a good start. The PRO Act itself ensures several incredibly important rights for working Americans. First, it ends all so-called “right to work” laws in the 27 states where they
The proposed legislation would be a major victory for organized labor after decades of decline. Justin Klopfer Commentary Editor President Biden’s first major legislation is the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which he signed last Thursday. The bill is certainly a direly needed aid to many working families and will help pull many out of poverty. However, this bill shouldn’t be seen as a real advancement for working class power in America. Rather, it greases the wheels of our economy and ensures people are well enough to get back to work. It is a boon to owners of companies as much as it is to their employees and shouldn’t be seen as a victory of one over the other. A much better signifier of allegiance for the new president is his stance on the pro-
bastion of blue collar, working class people, their support for labor is abysmal. Only five out of 211 House Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Republican Senator Marco Rubio penned an op-ed claiming the PRO act would create “adversarial relations” between unions and corporations and said the only reason he supports unionization at Amazon is to stop a “woke human resources fad.” In reality, the inherent state of workers and employers is adversarial, and unions only give expression to this basic conflict.
“The PRO Act, unlike direct welfare spending, is a threat to corporations.” currently exist. These laws are a direct obstacle to union membership and growth. The bill would also reclassify gig economy workers like Uber and Doordash drivers as full employees, meaning they could engage in collective bargaining. Many other provisions are made to prevent unfair treatment of workers and to protect them in the process of organizing. Passing the legislation would also require an overcoming of the filibuster. Finding 10 Republicans to join in support — in addition to ensuring universal Democrat support — would be quite difficult. It could also theoretically be passed under reconciliations with a simple majority, but this exact strategy failed for the recent attempt at raising the minimum wage. For as much as the Republican Party loves to posture about being a
The PRO Act, unlike direct welfare spending, is a threat to corporations. It tips the scales of power towards workers — scales that have leaned massively towards owners for centuries. Labor unions’ power has been particularly gutted in the last 70 years or so, with membership falling from well above 30 percent to about 12 percent. The advent of gig economy apps is also a boon to the wealthy, enabling the hiring of supposed independent contractors at or over 40 hours a week without needing to give them any of the benefits or rights associated with full-time work. The owner class has always placed heavy importance on the prevention of unionization and the destruction of existing unions. The direct violence of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency has transformed into
the propaganda of Amazon’s duplicitous PR spokespeople. Companies like Target and Walmart force new employees to view a video extolling the horrors that a union can bring. Even where legal protections for organizing workers exist on paper, their enforcement is often incredibly lax. The PRO Act may not pass through the Senate. Even if it does, the bill is far from counterbalancing the destruction of organized labor over the past decades. Rebuilding this power will take action not only from Congress, but also from average working Americans exercising the material power they ultimately hold over their employers.
courtesy Whitehouse.gov President Biden has already expressed his support for the PRO Act.
courtesy Center for Disease Control COVID-19 daily cases have gone down to the peak level of summer transmission.
Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, are in the midst of a drive to organize what would be the first union in the company’s history.
courtesy Fibonacci Blue, CC BY 2.0
Variety
15 March 2021
The Collegian: 7
Best local bookstores in Tulsa
From Whitty Books to Fulton Street Books and Coffee, Tulsa has a number of local bookstores to support and explore. Madison Walters Student Writer
If you’re looking for local bookstores to support in Tulsa, then look no further because here is a definitive list by a fellow reader. One local bookstore that I cannot get enough of is Whitty Books. Firstly, I would be remiss to not address the decor of the bookstore. Visually striking paintings and portraits line the walls of this enchanting store. Whitty Books has a wonderful atmosphere with very friendly staff. My favorite thing about this store is the frequently changing themed display shelf near the front of the store. For example, when I went last, the shelf’s theme was gothic/horror written by women. Browsing this shelf, I found quite a few books that piqued my interest. I ended up buying “The Need’’ by Helen Phillips and “Cradleland of Parasites” by Sara Tantlinger, the former of which I have recently
ably the biggest bookstore in Tulsa, measuring at a whopping 23,000 feet of books, music and movies. Pop culture runs wild in Gardner’s as there are multiple statues of pop culture characters. The best example of this is the life-size statue of the Incredible Hulk that guards the entrance to the store. If you’re looking to get rid of some used books, then venture to Gardner’s as they will offer store credit if you trade in your used books. Gardner’s Books and Music is only seven miles away from campus. Next up, we have Magic City Books, a thriving indie bookstore and another personal favorite of mine. Complete with literature and pop culture merchandise, this store is a “do not miss” when in Downtown Tulsa. Magic City Books also has a small cafe area that, I’ve been told, has amazing hot chocolate. One of my favorite things about Magic City Books are their book events; they host a plethora of events that feature literary giants. For example, past events include discussions with Stephen King, Stacey Abrams, Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Erik Larson and Erin Morgenstern. I’ve attended a few events, and they are always a great time. Magic City Books is about four miles away from campus.
Coffee. The staff was super helpful and were more than willing to give recommendations. Fulton Street Books and Coffee, as the name suggests, also has a cafe. I, unfortunately, didn’t stop in to the adjoining coffee shop; however, from all the reviews I’ve heard, the cafe sounds delicious. Having now seen their online menu, I wish I would have made the extra time to stop in their cafe. Fulton Street Books and Coffee is only about four miles away from campus. Lastly, I would like to give a shoutout to Eleanor’s Bookshop. I have never visited this bookstore before, but I wholeheartedly support their mission in creating a space for
children where everyone can find a book that they see themselves in. So, if you’re looking for a children’s bookshop, then head over to Eleanor’s Bookshop because they are sure to have something for everyone. Eleanor’s Bookshop is less than a mile from campus. As Neil Gaiman once said, “Tulsa has been, ever since I was 19, the place in America that reeked of literary magic.” I couldn’t agree more with his sentiments. Tulsa has many delightful bookstores. If you have some free time soon, then head to one of these nearby bookstores, where I’m sure you’ll find a book or two that you cannot leave without.
“... I’m sure you’ll find a book or two that you cannot leave without.” just started, and it definitely earns its place in the horror/gothic genre. Whitty supports smaller publishing houses, which definitely adds diversity to their inventory. Most of the paintings deal with a darker nature of art; however, this just adds to the atmosphere of the store. Also, I should mention that the owner, Victoria, will order books for you, so if you need books for classes, I highly recommend supporting a local bookstore rather than a multi-billion dollar company like Amazon. Whitty Books is only about a mile away from campus. Another bookstore I enjoy visiting is Gardner’s Used Books and Music. If you’re looking for a store that sells used and discounted books, then look no further, because Gardner’s is sure to have something for everyone. I will say that Gardner’s might not be the place for you if you’re looking for a specific book; it’s a store that’s better for browsing for hidden treasures, rather than a specific item. However, Gardner’s is prob-
I recently visited Fulton Street Books and Coffee for the first time, and I regret not going sooner. Fulton Street is a black-owned bookstore, and it’s the only black-owned bookstore in Tulsa. The atmosphere of this store is so calm and relaxed. I just wanted to browse the shelves for hours. My favorite thing about this store is that the majority of the books they sell are written by or feature BIPOC, or Black or indigenous people of color, characters and/or marginalized communities and voices. I found too many books that piqued my interest before I narrowed it down to two; I ended up purchasing “The Secret Lives of the Church Ladies” and “The Stonewall Reader,” the latter of which I picked from interim president Janet Levit’s sponsored shelf. Fulton Street Books and Coffee made national news last year during the Black Lives Matter protests as they sold Ally Boxes that contained resources on racism and activism. I can not even begin to describe how much I enjoyed my experience at Fulton Street Books and
The shelves at Whitty Books are full of interesting finds.
photo by Madison Walters
Fulton Street has beautiful artwork on the side of the building that is certainly worth a visit.
Myranda N. ‒ I have been binging “Haikyuu!!” so fast, and I cannot believe I am already on season three! It’s a fantastic anime on Netflix that is inspiring, beautiful and hilarious. It is an excellent way to take a break from the real world with characters you cannot help but fall in love with due to their passion and excitement. It makes you want to try something new and never stop going for the gold.
Emily E. ‒ The new of Montreal album. “I Feel Safe With You, Trash,” is surprisingly good! The second half especially is a considerable improvement from their recent work. It’s fun, layered, textured and clever. Recommend if you’re in a music rut. Justin K. ‒ I saw “Picnic at Hanging Rock” for the first time a week or two ago. It’s an ethereal thriller that really defies genre. Possible interpretations are endless, but don’t that stop you from taking a deep dive into the film’s world!
photo by Madison Walters
Emma P. ‒ I finished Taiyo Matsumoto’s series “Sunny” this past week, and it’s been sticking with me. Based loosely off of Matsumoto’s own experience in a children’s home, we follow the lives of the children living at the Star Children’s Home, all of them there for an assortment of reasons as long and tragic as you can think of. Funny, poignant and always loud, “Sunny” is a perfect encapsulation of childhood, and what it means when you have to grow up too fast.
Piper P. ‒ I just finished watching the Amazon original “Hunters,” which is really oddly stacked with Al Pacino and Logan Lerman starring in it. The show is set in the 1970s following a group of people hunting Nazis in America. It has nice social commentary and a ton of twists, but was somewhat heavy handed at times. Another season is slated to come out next year, but the 10 hour-long episodes are a nice option for someone looking to pass several hours on a weekend.
The State-Run Media
15 March 2021
the
State-Run media Pay the toll. Pay the toll. Pay the toll.
Five tips to deal psychic damage to your congressman Politicians don’t have rights. Exploit that. Anna Johns #1 wife fucker <3 American elected officials are ideally supposed to listen to their constituents’ voices and reflect their public’s political desires. In any rudimentary government class, a citizen is taught to directly contact their representatives and congresspeople to share their positions on legislation; it is one’s first amendment rights, of course, and the best way to bolster democracy is to exercise those rights by sending letters, emails and phone calls. People tend to quickly realize their voice does not actually matter that much to an old man incumbent, and they’re left demoralized in a fracturing political system. Ultimately, the best way to make sure an elected official hears the public’s gripes is through the reliable methodology of psychic damage. Here are our top five tips and tricks to getting your voice loud and clear. 1. Phone calls — but menacingly boring Usually, if you call the office of a politician, you may receive a lowly secretary or an automatic voice message. Don’t leave the typical message where you list out your bullshit stance on some stupid bill coming up, but instead just rave about your sister’s upcoming wedding and the horribly crafted dinner menu. Plums? Beets? Tell that senator how you feel about the disjunction of these two foods. 2. Become a gay-coded villain There’s nothing more congresspeople hate more than a devilishly flamboyant antagonist. Creep around their office and say ominous things, comment on the bad omen of the incoming storm clouds or make a vague prophetic statement on the darkness to come with an evil jingling laugh. Rouse two jovial simpletons to become your lackeys; you will dance and sing in an irresistible music number as they clap brain-
After I am done with this cardio-intensive musical number, your ass is mine, Inhofe.
lessly about. Allow yourself to maniacally giggle. This world is your oyster now, but please don’t be heteronormative about it. 3. A copy of a photo of their son Jedidiah on his favorite sled “I love this photo of Jed,” you will write with red sharpie. You weren’t supposed to know about Jedidiah — no one was. He was locked away to the attic years ago after he became interested in video game streaming. 4. Mail a box of tampons (NOTE: only works with male and/or conservative female representatives) Remind them of their worst nightmare: the human vagina. 5. Fuck their wife You’ve seen her photographed next to him. The flashes of cameras capture her uncomfortable countenance, mouth taut and eyes lowered.
Her hand tentatively dangles near his — an open invitation, a hopeful one — but it is ignored in favor of him perfecting his winning smile for his audience. Frankly, showing this poor, haggard woman a night of passionate, all-consuming lovemaking would be the most selfless act on this list. It can start simple. Throw her a compliment about the jewels lazily draped upon her delicate neck, and mention the way it brings out the sparkle of her eyes (it is a diminished sheen, you remember, but when you tell her this, you will see something flicker in her, something that awakens). Ask her about her hobbies. Nod and listen. She can’t remember the last time anyone paid so much interest in her, she jokes, but you know the vulnerability underneath her tone.
graphic by Anna Johns
You invite her over. She compliments your tasteful décor of medieval weaponry and says something lighthearted about how she could tell you would enjoy the scimitar, but there is an underlying nervousness. She hasn’t had someone make her dinner in a long time — are those dinosaur chicken nuggets? (They’re the vegetarian kind, but you’ll let it slide.) After dinner, she hands you her dish, and your fingers brush against hers, playful and explorative. She gasps from the touch. Let her have the support she never got from him. Tomorrow, her peaceful sleeping form will lie next to you, but it will be time to move on; after all, this country is full of ignored wives of congressman, and you’re just one person.
Hurricane Spotlight: here are the impious, rowdy trolls who guard McFarlin from COVID-19 McFarlin is more welcoming than ever, but you will need to step over the bones and empty tankards. Anna Johns Wrangler of the trolls With vaccinations rising and cases of COVID-19 falling, commuter and on-campus students alike feel more comfortable hanging around campus; with guidelines followed, more people lounge about the Old and New U, ACAC is slowly refilling and the imported Norwegian trolls have taken guardianship of the McFarlin Library. Named Gogmagog the Insipid and Jötnar the Rock Tosser, these trolls are certainly something that has required adaptation from students. Sure, these trolls belch and fart and sing incomprehensible drinking ditties about, like, the concept of oak at any given moment, but many argue their presence has heightened the library security. In hour intervals, the two march about the perimeter of the building, sometimes stopping to show their slime-dripping teeth to the stray cats. Of course, with any new addition, students and faculty have raised complaints about the new security guards. In order to enter McFarlin, the trolls will perform a cursory sniff of the potential visitor, inhaling the echoes of time that has passed and time to come as find any COVID-19 traces. If the smell test is passed, then the visitor must
complete one final act: correctly answer the riddles of the trolls. Official riddles recorded have been things like “lots smashed, lots drinked. Big he be, looks big so he be, big he bash and artful he crash” or “a train leaves from Moscow to Leningrad at a speed of…” The topics vary so that no one can easily get their way inside McFarlin, and the trolls are particularly eagle-eyed when it comes to any engineering student. Those who do not answer the riddles correctly are pestered to leave, and the vigor of the trolls grows in intensity if the person is reluctant. Crows will surround the fool who challenges the trolls, their caws deafening and the wind from their sweeping feathers cold and repressive. The words of the ancients are hummed, the trolls joined by a mysterious, invisible chorus. The whole performance gets a bit dramatic. In the rare moments the trolls are not in a blood lust or dazed by their ale, the two will enter the question-for-a-question dance with any curious passerby. Their conversation, though the tone changes with how delirious they are, vary from discussing “the lands of mystery and hapless fools, stumbling for their drink or burning with their own ire” to “the Earth Mother, unbound and eternal, hark be the beating heart, easy to crush and good to squeeze.” Then, usually, the topics will go back to the irresistible sway of a cartoonishly oversized turkey leg or their irrepressible fear of magic.
Gogmagog the Insipid and Jötnar the Rock Tosser out in the sun.
Whatever the trolls’ purpose may be, COVID rates have lowered since they have taken guardianship of McFarlin. Their ability to detect COVID-19 is surreal, and the way they have been working with the CDC to improve campus-wide reports is noteworthy.
graphic by Anna Johns
Although they may be an inconvenience, their presence is so inspiring. Good job, lads!