News
The Collegian: 2
11 February 2019
Trump’s State of the Union Va. politicians face backlash surround the Virginian touts progress, promises more Scandals governor, lieutenant governor and The annual speech was a week late due to the government shutdown and included extensive discussion of the proposed border wall. Raven Fawcett Managing Editor “Victory is not winning for our party,” President Trump said at his Feb. 5 State of the Union address, adding, “Victory is winning for our country.” He began with calls for a unified government and cooperation, a message that he carried through most of the speech. Trump called attention to the 75-year anniversary of the liberation of Europe during World War II (which he later returned to in denouncing antisemitism) and the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, saying, “This year, American astronauts will go back to space in American rockets.” On the economy, Trump noted that there are 5.3 million new jobs, 600,000 of those in the manufacturing sector. Unemployment numbers are down overall and at all-time lows across several demographics. The president boasted that he has overseen more deregulation than any other administration, as well as having increased oil and natural gas production and bolstered the military’s strength. “An economic miracle is taking place in the United States, and the only things that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous, partisan investigations,” Trump said. He and members of his inner circle have been under investigation for almost two years, which doesn’t look to be slowing down now that the House has a Democratic majority. He continued to defend this stance, saying, “If there is going to be peace in legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. … We must be united at home to defeat our adversaries abroad.” This statement comes on the heels of the State of the Union being delayed for a week due to a government shutdown. He alluded
to the problems that caused the shutdown, discussing the migrants headed to the U.S.’ southern border and the troops he had ordered to “prepare for this tremendous onslaught.” Trump talked about the alleged dangers of immigrants and drugs, then his proposed border wall and extra protections, for over 13 minutes of his 82-minute speech. He then mentioned women’s empowerment in the workforce and in Congress, acknowledging that this year, there are more women in Congress than ever before. The women of Congress had noted this in a statement to the press, along with their continued struggle for equality. Representative Brenda Lawrence, a Democrat from Michigan, spoke at a press conference about many Congresswomen’s choice to wear white, a nod to suffragettes from a century ago, and their current goals. “We celebrate a historic number of women in Congress,” she said, “but still, we’re only 25 percent of decision makers who sit under this dome adorned by Lady Freedom.” She continued, “This White House administration has tried to close its doors against women, but we will not be locked out. To an administration that has closed its eyes against women, we will be seen. To an administration that refused to listen to us, we will be heard.” Congresswoman Lawrence cited equal pay for equal work, sexual assault and harassment, poverty and other issues that disproportionately affect women as areas where the women of Congress would continue to fight. Trump also discussed abortion, trade deals and health care (including the eradication of HIV). On abortion, Trump said that “all children, born and unborn, are made in the holy image of God.” The speech included bold statements about national security, claiming that, had he not been president, “we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea.” He also noted the Venezuelan unrest, taking the moment to decry socialism in any country, especially the U.S.
“Trump talked about [the border situation] for over 13 minutes of his 82-minute speech.”
attorney general amid cries for their resignations. Andrew Noland Student Writer This past week has proved calamitous for the higher levels of the state of Virginia’s executive branch. Last Friday, Feb. 1, Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat elected in this last cycle, found himself under fire when a right-wing blog called Big League Politics published his 1984 medical school yearbook page. The page featured a picture of two men, one dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb and the other in blackface. Northam, in the face of intense scrutiny from the media, issued an apologetic statement on the same day for the potential harm he caused with the picture. Northam failed to mention which man he was in the picture. The next day, however, as calls for his resignation ramped up, Northam came out in a bewildering press conference and denied any involvement with the picture. However, he did confess to dressing in blackface for a Texas dance contest as Michael Jackson. The media backlash soared as Democrats, including the state’s two senators, called for his resignation in favor of Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, a black progressive Democrat. The situation escalated when Big League Politics then published a sexual assault alle-
gation against the lieutenant governor from a woman who met Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. This was corroborated by the Washington Post the next day, accusations which Fairfax later denied. The woman identified herself as Dr. Vanessa Tyson of Scripps College in California. Fairfax still denied the accusations when she issued a statement describing the events. Several days later, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring came out and admitted to wearing blackface at an undergraduate party at the University of Virginia in 1980. He gave an apology at a press conference for his actions at the party. A week from Northam’s photo being released, a second accuser, Meredith Watson, came forward claiming that she had been assaulted by Fairfax when both were students at Duke University in 2000. Fairfax again denied the charges, claiming that an “investigation” would clear him of any of these accusations. President Trump came out and lambasted the Democrats in Virginia and predicted a “red wave” to take back the state in 2020 after both Northam and Fairfax’s scandals came forward. Notable Democratic presidential candidates Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Corey Booker have all called for Northam and Fairfax’s resignations. Terry McAuliffe, former governor of Virginia and Northam’s mentor, has also now called for Fairfax’s resignation, although he refuses to condemn his mentee. As of this writing, Northam, Fairfax and Herring show no signs of resignation.
Some of the president’s claims in the address have since been debunked.
courtesy The White House/Flickr
Tulsa Thought Initiative brings Mayor Bynum to TU Along with Warren Ross of the Ross Group, the Tulsa mayor discussed the city’s humble beginnings and potential for future growth. Brennen Gray Sports Editor The Tulsa Thought Initiative brought Mayor G.T. Bynum to speak in Tyrrell Hall on the topic of developing Tulsa on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. The event was entitled “Tulsa Tomorrow.” Stephen McDonald, a member of the new organization, described what the Tulsa Thought Initiative is. “The Tulsa Thought Initiative creates a space where students can ask big questions that matter and are shaping our local communities.” McDonald said that the idea for the organization was conceived when he was talking with its now-president, Austin Cotner.“[We] got to talking… and we wanted to create a space to have a dialogue on a wide range of topics.” McDonald believes that it is important to bring speakers for the engineers and the musicians, for example, but there is a need to invite important figures to speak on topics that affect TU students as Tulsans, and people in general. “We went to Mayor Bynum asking to have an event looking at how Tulsa has had some growth.”
Bynum began his discussion with a brief history of Tulsa. Though initially just one of the many cities in northeast Oklahoma, Tulsa flourished and became the largest one in the region. “Downtown started as a bend in the river,” he said, going on to talk about how trade routes and general geography made Tulsa’s location a prime spot for economic growth. He also mentioned that the one thing that
days when some of the largest oil barons in the world built things in Tulsa out of pocket, Bynum was ready to talk about today. He began by explaining why he wants to improve Tulsa. “I didn’t want my kids to be the first Tulsans to grow up expecting less,” he said. Bynum touched on improvements in the city such as the Gathering Place that were built largely through philanthropic means.
“‘I didn’t want my kids to be the first Tulsans to grow up expecting less.’” once kept Tulsa from becoming a larger city was its lack of a public school. Eventually, the population demanded one. “Oil was found in Glenpool,” he said, adding that over the course of the 20th century, the greater Tulsa area grew by “400,000 people.” He used the early success of Tulsa to segue into a hot topic of discussion in those days and the present: philanthropy. “People wanted to come here to build a city they could brag to their friends back home about,” Bynum said. And with the callback to the familiar old
The Tulsa Thought Initiative intends to host two or three events a semester.
Afterward, he claimed there is still more to do. He stated his goal is to keep making Tulsa competitive with the gleaming metropolises of the U.S. instead of “managing the decline of our city.” Also on the stage was Ross Group President Warren Ross, who handles much of the development of Tulsa. Ross spoke at length affirming Bynum’s stances on Tulsa, also adding that the city has a history of fast expansion, and it is time again for that ambition. Both Bynum and Ross mentioned the re-
cent competitiveness of local cities, such as when Broken Arrow got the Bass Pro Shops or Owasso population growth. But Mayor Bynum claims he wants to make Tulsa globally competitive in infrastructure, culture, tourist attractions and economic strength. He believes Tulsa has bigger fish to fry than Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow and Owasso. Given that economic growth is not uncommon in Tulsa as much as it is uneven, a member of the audience asked the question about the disparity between North and South Tulsa. “We used to be terrible about that,” Bynum said, but indicated that will change. “Most of North Tulsa is pretty rural,” he said, adding that measures will be made to “draw development into North Tulsa.” He mentioned QuikTrip and Amazon as examples of companies that he believes will develop the area and provide jobs. About the University of Tulsa, Mayor Bynum said, “This is a place that all of you can make a difference in this community.” He also pointed out the high number of alumni on his own staff. The Tulsa Thought Initiative plans on having two to three events a semester, and have scheduled their next event for Mar. 7. Jill Webb and Kris Steele will come to TU to speak on the topic of the topic is Criminal Justice Reform.
courtesy Tulsa Thought Initiative
News
11 February 2019
The Collegian: 3
Tulsa Fire Department and Tulsa Police responded. Information was exchanged between both parties and the road way was cleared for normal traffic.
Feb. 1 11:50 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security officers were dispatched to investigate to receive information from an individual. Upon arrival Officers spoke with an individual who observed two TU students place a not on their coworkers vehicle and walk into the Oxley College of Health Sciences Building. Officers reviewed camera footage and were able to get pictures of the two TU students. The investigation is ongoing. 11:15 p.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to investigate a possible under age drinker located at Hardesty Hall. Before officers could arrive the individual fled on foot. After a brief search of the area, officers were able to locate the individual. Officers addressed the severity of the suspects actions and the consequences to the violations with them. The individual was released to a responsible party pending further investigation. Feb. 2 1:55 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to investigate a possible student with thoughts of self harm. The Communication Center made contact with the on call counselor and made officers aware of the student’s request for help. Officers were able to locate the student and remain with them until the counselor was available. After an evaluation was made, the student agreed to seek further medical attention and was transported by officers to local medical facility. 12:35 p.m. University of Tulsa Camps Security Officers were dispatched to 600 S. Delaware for a non-injury traffic collision. A student was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved.
11:45 p.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to investigate a possible noise compliant in Mayo Village apartments. Upon arrival, officers were able to locate the apartment the noise was coming from. Officers made contact with the resident, issued a housing contact card, and explained the rules and regulations of the University of Tulsa. Feb. 3 12:05 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to the University Square Apartments South to investigate a possible verbal altercation. Upon arrival, officers found a couple that was arguing on the south east parking lot of Norman Village. Officers spoke with the individuals who explained that they were just arguing. Officers checked with both individuals after they had calmed down to see if they would be okay staying together tonight. They stated they would be fine. 1:35 p.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to Brown Village Apartments to investigate a possible hit and run collision. Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the driver of one vehicle who stated they found damage on the passenger side of their vehicle. Officers checked the surrounding vehicles and did not see damage that would match up with the damage. 7:45 p.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to University Square Apartments South on the report of a water leak. Upon arrival, the officer located the source of the water leak. The Physical Plant and Housing department were contacted and notified of the issue. 9:40 p.m. While on routine patrol University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers conducted a pedestrian check at the Campus Corner Book Store. The individual had been previously trespass warned from the University of Tulsa. Tulsa Police Department was contacted and arrived on scene. The suspect was cited for trespassing and escorted off campus.
Chris Lierly and Lindsey Prather Student Writers
U.S. pulls out of Reagan-Gorbachev disarmament deal The United States pulled out of a 1987 nuclear arms deal with Russia last Friday, Feb. 1 with the White House claiming that Moscow had violated the deal and deployed missiles that were banned in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. Moscow denied any such breaches of the agreement and instead said that the U.S. was only making these accusations to justify reneging on the deal. Moscow intends to also leave the treaty but says they will only deploy the missiles that broke the treaty if the U.S. does as well. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained on Saturday, Feb. 2 that Russia’s actions “jeopardized the United States’ supreme interests,” including the Western European nations that would be in range of the intermediate missiles, but that it will be six months before the agreement is fully terminated. The treaty was agreed upon in in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Premier Mikhail Gorbachev after both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. had deployed INF-banned missile systems.
Pope holds Mass in the Arabian Peninsula On Feb. 5, Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass in the Arabian Peninsula, a region heavily influenced by Islam. The pontiff delivered an address to tens of thousands of people at the end of this historic visit, completing the trip in the United Arab Emirates. At the ceremony, prayers were conducted in six languages: among them French, Tagalog, Urdu and Konkani. Around 180,000 people attended the historically unprecedented ceremony, held at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. According to the Vatican, it was described as the largest public display of non-Islamic worship in the Gulf state. The thousands of people hailed from 100 countries, including asylum-seekers, migrants and 4,000 Muslims. This celebration took place following the urging of religious leaders to promote harmony between religions in the region.
Body of soccer player Emiliano Sala found Footballer Emiliano Sala’s body has been found in the wreckage of a crashed plane, police have confirmed. Sala was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on Jan. 21. A body was pulled from the wreckage late on Wednesday following its discovery on Sunday morning, and it was confirmed to be the remains of the 28-year-old on Feb. 7. Sala’s plane, which carried only him and the pilot, crashed more than two weeks ago during a trip from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, Wales. Sala had recently signed a contract with the English Premier League club Cardiff City for a record-breaking fee of about 17 million euros ($19 million USD), following a breakout 12-goal performance. He had been flying from Nantes to join his new team when his single-engine aircraft disappeared over the English Channel.
Feb. 4 2:45 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers responded to a fire alarm at the Sigma Nu Fraternity. A TU affiliate accidentally set off the smoke detector while cooking. There was no fire or smoke in the fraternity. The Tulsa Fire Department was cancelled. 8:40 a.m. While on routine patrol University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers came across an invalid parking permit on a vehicle. Officers made contact with the owner of the vehicle and confiscated the invalid permit from the University of Tulsa student’s vehicle. Feb. 5 7:05 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to the McFarlin Library Parking Lot in reference to unmarked vehicle that was similar to a patrol vehicle driving through parking stalls. Officers made contact with the owner of the vehicle and they stated they were contract working for the University. The owner demonstrated the emergency lights are deactivated on the vehicle. Officers spoke with the reporting party and were notified that the owner was driving through the parking lot but emergency lights were not activated. Feb. 7 9:55 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were dispatched to Brown Village Apartments in reference to a noise complaint. Officers located the source of the noise and made contact with the resident of the apartment. Officers instructed the resident to turn down their music; the resident stated they would do so. Officers left without further incident. 10:00 a.m. University of Tulsa Campus Security Officers were given information of a prospective student being arrested in multiple cases in their home town. Officers did confirm that the individual had been arrested and charged in multiple cases. The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.
Monday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Chapman Hall, Lecture Hall Slavery’s Castles: What you may not know about the slave trade In a discussion about Slavery’s Castles: What you may not know about the slave trade, photographer Douglas Henderson whose work is on permanent display in the Smithsonian, will discuss his images of Africa’s slave castles. The event is free and open to the public. Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Allen Chapman Student Union, Alcove Room Interelationships Speed Dating Join us in the Alcove Room in the Student Union for a unique opportunity to mingle with a diverse group of students from around the world for Valentines Day! Free food will be provided! Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. McFarlin Library, Faculty Study Poetry Reading with Eric Ekstrand Join us for an evening of poetry with Eric Ekstrand sponsored by the TU program in Creative Writing. Ekstrand’s carefully wrought lyrics straddle the profane and the sacred, the simulated and the sincere, the open and the closed. Influenced by a wide of predecessors, his work ranges from the allusive to the concrete. A 2018 Tulsa Artist Fellow, Eric Ekstrand is a poet living and working in North Carolina. His first full-length collection, Laodicea (2015), was selected by Donald Revell for the Omnidawn 1st/2nd Book Prize and was a finalist for the National Poetry Series. He teaches writing at Wake Forest University. He is the recipient of a 2009 Ruth Lilly Fellowship awarded by The Poetry Foundation and graduated from the University of Houston with an MFA in Creative Writing in 2010. He is a former poetry editor of Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts. His work has appeared in Poetry, jubilat, Indiana Review, Black Warrior Review, Bat City Review, and elsewhere. (Poetry Foundation) The event is free and open to the public with free parking in the McFarlin lot at 5th and College. Call 918-631-2557 for more information. Thursday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. Lorton Performance Center
TU Jazz Concert The University of Tulsa School of Music presents its jazz ensembles in concert. Friday, February 15 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tyrrell Hall, Auditorium / Harwell Hall, Seminar Room Sexuality, Gender Expression, and Popular Music Please join Lambda Alpha & PRIDE at TU to receive Dr. Amber Clifford-Napoleone, a visiting professor from The University of Central Missouri who focuses on Ethnomusicology, queer identity in Heavy Metal scenes, and gender impersonation in the US Midwest Jazz scenes, among others. Lecture will take place @ Tyrell Hall Auditorium. Free lunch catered by India Palace will be provided following the lecture @ Harwell Hall (Anthropology Department). Friday, February 15 Little Blue House Random Acts of Kindness Day! Post of picture of yourself engaging in a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS around campus! Tag the Little Blue House and be entered to win a Starbucks gift card! Facebook handle: @littlebluehouseattu Instagram handle: littlebluehouse.ucm NEED IDEAS? Stop by the Blue House on 5th & Evanston from Feb 13-15 & grab an idea card from our bulletin board! The Collegian does not produce all event descriptions in the Community Calendar. Contact us at news@tucollegian.org with events.
Commentary
The Collegian: 4
11 February 2019
The Legislative Digest is your weekly look at the happenings of Oklahoma’s state legislature and the bills and politics you need to know. Raven Fawcett Managing Editor As we edge into the 2019 legislative session, there have already been a few bills passed. Those bills were recognitions of certain days as important and the passage of the House rules. None have been vetoed or engrossed as of yet, although it’s still early. SB861: This bill, which has been referred to the Health and Human Services Committee, would amend a section of child abuse law to clarify that delaying or opting to not vaccinate a child does not count as child abuse. Which is an important distinction to make, since vaccination is an increasingly controversial topic. On the one hand, is it child abuse in the traditional sense? No, I suppose not. On the other hand, parents are risking their children’s lives and, worse, the lives of every immunosuppressed child who can’t get a vaccination who comes into contact with their children. Surely that has to be in violation of some kind of law, right? SB809: Senate Bill 809 would add cryptocurrency to the campaign contributions law. Cryptocurrency would count as a campaign contribution and its value converted to U.S. dollars. The Ethics Committee would create or amend rules to deal with this expansion to the definition of campaign contributions. Government is reactionary — it can only follow trends, not make rules in advance of the things that the U.S. will come up with next. In view of that, this is a good time to include other kinds of currency in our laws regarding campaigning. The second reading of the bill was referred to the Rules Committee on Feb. 7.
Health care pricing system not representative of actual patient costs
Though the current system does not include insurance differences, it’s a step in the right direction. Nathan Hinkle Student Writer After a new federal regulation that went into effect on Jan. 1, hospitals are required to post documents online that show the cost of each treatment that they have available. This process was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a step to providing knowledge to patients about the pricing of health care in America. In a statement about the new regulation, the department said, “We are concerned that challenges continue to exist for patients due to insufficient pricing transparency.”
This new regulation seeks to close the information gap and make customers aware of their health care bills. However, the system in place is not completely accurate due to varying post-insurance costs, outcomes of treatment and potential necessity of outside physicians. The resulting inaccuracy has the potential to be more of a hindrance to customers than a benefit. In addition, some argue that health care pricing is difficult to properly understand so a generalized federal regulation will not properly explain the data. Though the system is currently flawed due to its lack of explanation of the procedures involved, it will be able to provide basic information about the current pricing and enable policy improvements down the road.
most expensive item on the list provided by Integris Baptist Medical Center is “ECMO OR TRACH W MV<96 HRs OR PDX EXC FACE, MOUTH & NECK W MAJOR.” To the average patient, this string of letters is useless, providing no real information about what the medical treatment entails. Due to the downloadable data format required by the government, it is understandable that the description is required to be short to fit into a tiered list. But the problem of industry jargon could be solved by hospitals providing a quick explanation of the procedures involved in another downloadable document. An explanation would provide the necessary information for customers seeking the pricing of medical treatments. The current way these
The jargon-laced descriptions are not accessible to patients.
and merely acquiesce to the intent in loose terms. While the descriptions currently provided may be difficult to understand, the lawsuit provides
“The current way these are phrased removes the whole intention of transparent health care pricing.” One of the small solutions that could help the current health care pricing plan is requiring a better explanation for each procedure. For example, an article by the Oklahoma Watch found that the
are phrased removes the whole intention of transparent health care pricing. By hiding the information in unintelligible industry terms, health care companies provide no real benefit to any potential patient
good information about the current problems that people face in the health care industry. An advocacy group known as Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs provided a statement on the issue through
graphic by Conner Maggio
its president Jonathan Small: “The posting of the master pricing list could reveal how ridiculous [the health care pricing system] is, it is not going to provide anybody information on a large scale, but it could expose how idiotic and insane health care pricing has become.” The current federal regulation may not provide the necessary information in its first attempt, but it illuminates the issue. It provides the first stepping stone for future policies that will help further bridge the gap between the health care industry and the consumer.
Civics classes in high schools nec- #10YearChallenge a reminder of essary for political engagement internet data collection
The current civics requirement does not adequately prepare students to be savvy participants in a healthy republic. Andrew Noland Student Writer Civics classes: Oklahoma hates them, but every good democracy needs them. My flirtation with government before majoring in the subject was tragically brief; Claremore
the republic, as Benjamin Franklin once said, Americans needed proper pedagogy (methods of education) concerning how the nation was run, how to keep representatives in check and what kind of virtues to look for in those representatives. George Washington even envisioned building a national university for every American to attend and gain this invaluable knowledge. Instilling civic virtue into the sovereign citizen should mean to provide every American with the tools needed to discern the common good. More than just learning about how government operates, a civics class should teach about how interest groups, whether corporate, civic or ethnic, impact the American system. They should discuss the racial and gender politics, international relations and comparative governmental systems. Understanding others through the lens of governing is how we are able to define equality and locate freedom relative to one another. In other words, at the core of a civics class is cultivating empathy.
“Understanding others through the lens of governing is how we are able to define equality...” High School, the pinnacle of modern education, had block scheduling, meaning that we only took U.S. Government for nine weeks. I want to clarify that my teacher (shoutout to Mr. Douthitt) was fantastic, and he did a phenomenal job with the task placed in front of him. We learned about as much as we could about our American republic in half a semester, which was comprised essentially of a daily 85-minute “Schoolhouse Rock” episode. I learned all about the three branches, the devolution of power and the abhorrent rise of the presidency into a modern dictatorship (that might be an anachronistic projection). However, I knew that it wasn’t enough. Oklahoma needs more civics classes. The Founding Fathers, as troubled as they might have been, imagined this nation to be a republic, and thus, its people would be in need of a civic education. To maintain
Oklahoma politics are notoriously selfish and narrow-minded. All you have to do is take the 30-minute drive from North to South Tulsa or ask the teachers who will have to strike for the second time in as many years to corroborate that fact. It’s largely through ignorance and, perhaps most dangerously, an infectious apathy that this state remains one of the poorest, educationally weakest and racially disadvantaged in America. Pulling Oklahoma out of these dire straits demands more than policy. It will require a fundamental rewiring of how we think and care about one another. By refocusing Oklahoma education around the idea of civic virtue, politics and economics can follow. Civics classes, through the understanding of how governing means being ruled and ruling in turn, needs to take a higher priority in Oklahoma education. It honestly might be the only thing we haven’t yet tried.
The possibility of Facebook using the popular hashtag for data collection should concern participants. Anna Robinson Student Writer It seems that today, our society immediately gravitates toward any hashtag that has the word challenge in it. So naturally, when the #10YearChallenge made its rounds on the internet, everyone jumped on the bandwagon and posted a current photo alongside a picture of themselves from 10 years ago. However, concerns soon arose that behind the fun or embarrassment of the #10YearChallenge’s embedded question of “How hard did aging hit you?” was a means to gather personal information from social media users. Forbes reported that photos from the past and present are able to help Facebook’s artificial intelligence facial recognition technology. This is because of age-related characteristics and age progression. Others countered that Facebook already had access to these photos, as many of them were former profile pictures. Facebook claimed that they did not use the #10YearChallenge to gain any data or reap any benefits. The executives also reminded users that facial recognition can be turned on or off as users may please. The possibility of websites being able to gather our personal information brings me to the question of just how comfort-
able should we become online. Do we even care if Facebook knows our location, home address or phone number? All I hear from elderly people is how they don’t want any of their bank accounts out in the open, let alone photos and home addresses. I am not saying that we should succumb to that extreme level of paranoia, but maybe a little bit of concern for the sake of information protection could be a good thing. Occasionally, when I receive a friend request from someone I do not know, I think about what kind of information that person gathered before sending the friend request. But now we all must think about what software and AI can gather before the information even reaches a human. The internet feels like a temporary place, as we do have the option to delete our posts whenever we choose to do so. However, the capacity of technology to record everything that reaches the web should not be forgotten. Data breaches do not seem too different from what people feared that Facebook was attempting to do through the #10YearChallenge. Maybe what AI can collect at any given time has the potential to become the next major data breach, such as the breach that Target experienced in 2013, wherein hackers uncovered countless customer accounts. Target was forced to pay around $18 million because of customer losses. Even if those at Facebook’s headquarters did not take any information from the #10YearChallenge, I find the advances that Facebook has already made rather concerning. That Facebook can automatically bring up photos of me or suggest tags based on photos with other people in them is unsettling. Nevertheless, I would rather not go through the trouble of being like Ron Swanson and attempting to go off the grid by telling everyone to delete photos of me. I’ve accepted the fact that Facebook is always watching and already has access to my information. I hope that whatever they have gathered on me has given them a good laugh or two.
11 February 2019
The Collegian: 5
WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE HIRING!
courtesy Wikimedia Commons
FOR THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR, The Collegian IS LOOKING FOR: Graphics Editor: Responsible for designing the cover and creating graphics to accompany articles on a weekly basis. Works in The Collegian office on Sundays. Copy Editor: Responsible for editing each article for AP style and grammar. Can work from home. Distribution Manager: Delivers newspapers to on-campus locations or businesses around Tulsa. Must have reliable transportation.
COME WRITE FOR US! Editorial and managerial applications are due on Monday, Feb. 18. They can be submitted in an envelope into the mailbox on the door outside of The Collegian office, located in Oliphant 110. Applications will also be available in the office mailbox. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not interested in an official editing or managerial position with us, we are always looking for new writers as well. Pitch meetings are at 5 p.m. on Mondays in our Oliphant office. All are welcome! Inquiries can be sent to tucollegian@tucollegian.org
Sports
The Collegian: 6
11 February 2019
Golden Hurricane washes Temple away Basketball journalist Hannah Robbins covers the men’s basketball team’s win against Temple where the group came together after an up-and-down few weeks.
Tulsa rebounded from their loss against Wichita State to beat the Temple Owls after a strong second half. Five Tulsa players scored in double digits with Sterling Taplin recording a game-high 14 points, fellow starters DaQuan Jeffries and Martins Igbanu putting up 13 and 12 points, respectively and Darien Jackson and Jeriah Horne rounding out the group with 10 each. Tulsa started the morning with a jumper from Curran Scott. After a slow few minutes, Temple returned the favor with a jumper by Shizz Alston Jr., tying up the game early on. Lawson Korita hit a nice two-pointer, but Alston Jr. hit one of his three three-pointers to give Temple one of their few leads of the game. Tulsa later took back the lead with a three-pointer by Horne, followed by another by Jeffries to bring the Golden Hurricane five points ahead of the Owls. Tulsa and Temple remained close, with the Golden Hurricane surging to a five-point lead off Jackson’s layup eight minutes in. But Tulsa struggled to capitalize on their early lead. Temple started to make up ground, responding to layups by Jackson and Horne with three-pointers by Alston Jr. and Alani Moore II. After a few missed shots, however, it became evident that Temple would have major work to do to catch up to Tulsa. As the half continued, Tulsa gained momentum. At the half, the Golden Hurricane was led by Horne’s 10 points and Igbanu’s
courtesy Tulsa Hurricane
Sterling Taplin drives past a Temple defender. eight. Alston Jr.’s 11 points failed to make a dent as Temple struggled as a team from deep and went just 10 for 26 from the field. The Owls started to stagnate as they entered the second half. Led by Taplin and Jeffries, Tulsa extended their eight-point lead as they continued to outshoot Temple,
shooting 50 percent overall and 43 percent for three-pointers. Nate Pierre-Louis scored the highest for the Owls this half, but his nine points could not make a dent in the widening gap that Tulsa had created. By the end of the game, the small, onepoint lead from the first half became an
18 point lead as Tulsa rebounded from its touch-and-go week. Despite Tulsa’s success, however, there was one place they struggled: going six for 12 at the line, a rather low percentage for something so easily practiced. Tulsa ended up on top, beating Temple 76-58.
North Americans make waves in European football Soccer experts Chris Lierly and Andrew Noland deliver a comprehensive analysis of the North American rising stars in the beautiful game. The United States is historically disinterested in the world’s most popular sport, but recently, some major American players (and one Canadian) have made major moves to Europe’s biggest clubs. Though we are trying not to get too hopeful, these moves could place American wunderkinds in the kind of limelight that could help garner soccer a larger American following. Though many of these moves center around the Bundesliga, the biggest move of them all involves an American signing with an English team (which might be treason — we aren’t 100 percent on that). Christian Pulisic: LW/RW/CAM Chelsea (on loan at Dortmund until summer 2019)/ United States In perhaps the biggest signing of the January transfer window, Chelsea signed the American phenom for a record $71 million, the most spent for an American. Chelsea agreed to allow him to finish his season at Dortmund, probably not wanting his arrival in the middle of the season to disrupt their forwards’ forms. Chelsea gambled heavily to sign Pulisic, and the organization is hoping that the American can either complement superstar Eden Hazard in a potent front three or replace him if the Belgian leaves for Real Madrid like expected. Pulisic will likely play on the right wing, although he has proven versatile. More of a creative playmaker, Pulisic might be able to put American soccer in the spotlight once again should he have a successful 20192020 season. Timothy Weah: ST/RW Paris San Ger-
main (on loan at Celtic until summer 2019)/ United States This article comes at a good time for Weah since he just began his half-season loan from PSG to Celtic with a run of two goals and an assist in five games. Weah is the son of former Ballon d’Or winner and Liberian President George Weah. His name got bigger than just being the son of a legend after being named to the United States National Team as well as making a move to PSG. His electric speed is the most impressive thing about Weah’s style.
Both the German giants and the Canadian National Team utilize Davies’s versatility to play him on both wings. He has yet to score a goal at Bayern Munich, but this season was never supposed to be his breakout. Davies is 18 years old, and Bayern Munich has Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry all on the wings. However, Robben is out after this season, and Ribery is not likely to be far behind. With Müller favoring a CF or False-9 role, this leaves Bayern with two true wingers going forward. It is into this gap that the young Canadian
“FC Dallas has the best youth development structure in the United States, and Bayern picked up on Richards quickly.” He plays the same two positions as Kylian Mbappe, so we might see him try to ask for a transfer if his run at Celtic goes well. However, there is a good chance that the French star moves on to greener pastures, or in this case a whiter kit since it’s probably going to be a move to Real Madrid. In that case, Weah could position himself to become the next big forward for the Parisian giants. Alphonso Davies: LW/RW Bayern Munich/Canada Davies initially made history as the first player born in the 2000s to play in an MLS match, and he then made history with his record transfer from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich for $22 million.
Chris Richards, Alphonsie Davies and Christian Pulisic square up.
will likely step and have a chance to become a star of the Bundesliga and European football at large. Chris Richards: CB FC Dallas (on loan at Bayern Munich)/United States FC Dallas has the best youth development structure in the United States, and Bayern picked up on Richards quickly. With Bayern taking him on a loan to play on the team’s Under 19s squad, Richards’s size and ball-playing potential impressed Bayern enough to enlist him for a half-season-long tryout. Germany will likely keep a close eye on him as he plays across the Bundesliga youth squads. Tyler Adams: MID/RW/LW Red Bull Leipzig/United States
The midfielder earned a reputation at the Red Bull sister team in New York, gaining attention for his goal against Chelsea in a friendly in 2015. In 2017, he cemented himself as a starter for the New York team, scoring two goals in 52 appearances for the MLS side. He has also appeared for the U15, U17 and U20 national sides, but he earned his spot on the senior national team, appearing against Portugal in January of this year and scoring against Mexico in his second game. Adams has appeared in his first game as a defensive midfielder since transferring to Red Bull Leipzig in the January transfer window. Weston McKennie: MID Schalke 04/ United States Like Davies, McKennie came to the Bundesliga from the MLS. FC Dallas, his first professional team, offered him a homegrown contract since he partially grew up there, but McKennie opted to return to the country where he played most of his youth career: Germany. He plays midfielder for both the USMNT and FC Schalke. Though McKennie has yet to make his time there impactful, the recent departures of star midfielders Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka for Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich, respectively, could open the door for the young American to step into a consistent role that allows him to reach his top form.
graphic by Conner Maggio
Sports
11 February 2019
The Collegian: 7
TU breaks losing streak against SMU Sports journalist James Taylor discusses the Tulsa women’s basketball team’s much-needed triumph over Southern Methodist University last Wednesday.
Sounds of joy and elation echoed in the tunnel at the Reynolds Center as the Tulsa women’s basketball team headed back to the locker room after snapping a five-game losing streak against SMU. Tulsa relied heavily on defense and an explosive offense in the fourth quarter to finalize a 49-35 win against the Mustangs. Junior guard Alexis Gaulden led the way for the Golden Hurricane with 16 points. SMU started off the game with a layup by Marie Olson two minutes into the first quarter; however, the lead was quickly taken back by Gaulden’s three pointer on the next possession. The teams would continue to trade baskets in the first quarter with neither team able to get more than a two-point lead until Brady Morgan hit a three pointer with 54 seconds remaining to give Tulsa the 10-7 advantage. That would be the last score of the first quarter. The second quarter began with Kendrian Elliott extending Tulsa’s lead to 12-7, but a pair of SMU baskets tied the score at 12-12 with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter. Tulsa then got a three pointer from Gaulden and a pair of jumpers from Crystal Polk and Rebecca Lescay to finish off the scoring in the second half with a 19-14 lead. The third quarter started off with Lescay hitting a jumper to extend the lead to seven points. That would be the largest the lead of the third quarter. SMU was not a team to give up, and they clawed back, cutting the lead to two points with 3:43 left in the third quarter. Tulsa responded later with a three pointer by Maddie Bittle in the corner off an inbounds play that gave them a five-point lead. A pair of free throws were traded by
each team, and Tulsa had a 29-24 advantage going into the last quarter. The pivotal fourth quarter started off with a basket by Lescay following a steal from Elliott. Tulsa’s defense strung together four consecutive possessions where they were able to force SMU into a turnover and get a steal. Tulsa continued their stout defense and had contributions from Lescay, Bittle, Polk, and Gaulden as they went on a 15-3 run from the beginning of the fourth quarter to three minutes remaining in the game. Tulsa saw the lead dwindle slightly as they closed out the game with a 49-35 victory. Gaulden led the team with 16 points, marking the second game in a row that she reached that total. She also added eight assists and six rebounds. Lescay added 12 points, just short of her season high of 14, to go along with two assists. Polk scored eight points of her own and led the team in rebounding with eight. The win saw Tulsa hold onto a first half lead to get the victory after failing to do so in the previous two games against Memphis and Temple. This is largely due to the 22 turnovers caused by Tulsa throughout the game and the 15 points they scored off turnovers. It was also Tulsa’s 10th win of the season, which matches their win total from last season. Tulsa currently sits in 6th place in the American Athletic Conference standings with a record of 4-5, which bests their total of three wins from last season in conference play. Tulsa faces Tulane on Sunday, who currently sit in fifth place the Golden Hurricane has the chance to move ahead of them with a victory.
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tucollegian@tucollegian.org editor-in-chief
Justin Guglielmetti managing editor
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business & advertising manager
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social media & web manager
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distribution managers
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The Collegian is the student newspaper of the University of Tulsa. It is distributed Mondays during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays and final exam weeks. The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state law. Inquiries regarding implementation of this policy may be addressed to the Office of Human Resources, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-9700, (918)631-2616. Requests for accomodation of disabilities may be addressed to the university’s 504 Coordinator, Dr. Tawny Rigsby, (918)631-3814. To ensure availability of an interpeter, five to seven days notice is needed; 48 hours is recommended for all other accomodations. 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 noon on the Friday proir to publication. Letter Policy: Letters to the editor must be less than 500 words and can be sent to tucollegian@tucollegian.org. 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 p.m. 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 opions of the Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers.
Action shots from the Tulsa’s win against SMU.
photos by James Taylor
Sports
The Collegian: 8
11 February 2019
Triple axel new ladies’ figure skating staple
Figure skating expert Hannah Robbins discusses the jump that everyone is talking about in ladies’ figure skating: the triple axel. This season is the first since the 2018 Winter Olympics, and with a four-year cycle comes new programs and skills. For the ladies, it was the triple-triple combination jump last cycle. This time, they continue to push the bar with the new jump in some of the top ladies’ pockets: the triple axel. For most top women, this is the one triple they don’t perform in competition. Unlike the rest of the jumps, the axel has an additional half turn that almost makes it more a quadruple jump than a triple.
fied triple axel before this year, and none of the skaters on the podium at the Olympics in 2018 had a triple axel in their program. In total, 10 ladies have successfully landed the jump in national or international competition. The first, Midori Ito of Japan, landed the jump in 1988. Then Tonya Harding landed the jump, but afterwards, it would be 10 years before another woman attempted it. Mao Asada of Japan took up the mantle of
Kihira holds the current world record for the ladies’ short program, and Liu became the youngest ever U.S. ladies’ champion. Current skaters have seen not one, not two, but three examples of their competitors learning the triple axel and using it to give them a competitive edge. Since it is the triple jump with the most points, some of the specific quadruple jump rules don’t affect it (currently, skaters can only repeat one quadruple jump). In addition, the triple axel has a base value only
“... Tuktamysheva, Kihira and Liu are laying the groundwork for the start of a triple axel revolution.” The double axel, which is worth 3.3 points, is standard. The triple axel, on the other hand, has a base value of 8 points. This makes it a jump that numerically makes sense to attempt, especially as the ladies work their way up to quadruple jumps. Besides the basic numerical advantage of a higher base value by 4.7 points, an axel jump (either double or triple) is a required element in the short program, which means a skater who can complete a triple axel is already that much further ahead of the rest of the field of skaters heading into the free program. Before this cycle, however, it was a rarity to see ladies attempt the jump. Only three American women have ever landed a veri-
the sole lady with a triple axel in 2008, landing it for her first time as a junior. As she headed toward retirement, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia and Rika Kihira of Japan became the only ladies who could complete the jump until American Mirai Nagasu, who executed the jump at the Olympics in 2018. Now it’s 2019. Tuktamysheva found her groove and brought the triple axel back into her repertoire, Kihira finally hit seniors and a new skater, the youngest ever at age 12, landed the triple axel: American Alysa Liu. Between these three ladies, they have a combined total of nine wins in national and international competitions this year alone, including the Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championship and half the Grand Prix events.
0.4 points less than a triple toe-triple toe combination jump, so there are plenty of reasons of why learning the triple axel is useful. Skaters basically can have four combination jumps and even if it goes south, it’s still worth more than most cleanly executed double axels. Just like with the quad revolution with men, Tuktamysheva, Kihira and Liu are laying the groundwork for the start of a triple axel revolution. It just takes a few examples for skaters to find value in earning an extra 4.7 points every time they go for an axel, to start the process of training for them. This might be what it takes to make it a staple in every ladies’ program to have all six triple jumps under their belt.
With Brennen Gray as the Feature Creature Brow-Beaten I’m not usually one of those guys who throws up his hands and dramatically proclaims that he’s DONE with his favorite sport because of some displeasing development. But Anthony Davis is testing me. Once one of my favorite non-Celtics, his shameless attempt to force the Pelicans to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers with more than a year remaining on his contract has left a worse taste in my mouth than gas station sushi. I’ve been pleased to see that Davis has received mostly negative feedback, but the recent rhetoric from the Brow and other superstars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving shows a disturbing and unhealthy contempt for fans. Even worse is the attitude from those defending these multimillion dollar prima donnas by overemphasizing the labor issues present. Yes, people should have autonomy over their career choices. Free agency and player power are generally good things. But let’s be real, the idea of team control in 2019 isn’t concerned with giving owners authority over chattel, it’s about protecting the integrity of the game and quality of the competitive product. Maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t risk alienating your entire fanbase by pretending that it’s irrelevant if all the best players can relocate themselves to play with each other at any time. What’s the end-game of that supposed to be? Mercenary players signing one-day contracts? Will Sports Last? Are sports going to die out as a popular activity for humanity? What about just America? Here’s the deal. That exchange between commentators about Johnny Hekker’s punt being the most exciting part of the Super Bowl went more viral than the flu in a state run by anti-vaccers. Why? Because it was true. Year after year after year, someone will win a national championship, and then we will all go home. Competition will be innately human for many more thousands of years for sure, but stadium sports? I am unsure. The NBA will see the same couple teams at the end of the playoffs every year for around a decade. The Golden State Warriors will march onto the court and walk away with a win to no surprise. Also, golf is boring. Lastly, baseball is the most fun sport to watch in person. I say that as a basketball fan. But on TV I will never be able to stay awake past the fifth inning. And so, we have two main options. First, perhaps we can always make new sports. Rocket League IRL! Or maybe Quidditch with motorcycles! The possibilities are endless. The other option, of course, would be to simply scrap sports in general and then focus on other things. The Olympics and the Super Bowl will still be around, but they will no longer be some of the most-watched television events in America.
courtesy Orange County Register
Tuktamysheva lands a triple axel. 15
Feb. 11 - Feb. 17
Monday
Tuesday 11
Wednesday 12
13
Thursday
Saturday
Friday
14
Track and Field at Alex Wilson Invitational W Golf @ Texas State Invitational
W Golf @ Texas State Invitational
No Events
M Basketball @ Tulane 6 p.m.
16
15
Softball @ Mercer 9:30 a.m. Softball @ North Dakota 2 p.m.
Softball @ Lipscomb 9 a.m. Softball @ South Alabama 11:15 a.m.
Sunday 17
No Events
Variety
11 February 2019
The Collegian: 9
Lander Stool raises questions of ethics in art preservation
Nigerian officials have asked for the return of the artifact, which is regarded as the first item stolen during colonization. Piper Prolago Student Writer “Black Panther” antagonist Michael Killmonger is introduced in a poignant scene that takes place in a museum intended to resemble the British Museum. Killmonger corrects a museum official about the origins of a hammer, claiming that it was made in Wakanda. He assures the woman he would “take it off [her] hands.” She protests that the artifacts are not for sale. Killmonger asks her, “How do you think your ancestors got these? Do you think they paid a fair price? Or did they take them, like they took everything else?” Although the Wakandan origin of this hammer is fictional, this issue of colonialism in museums is also relevant in contemporary situations. On Feb. 1, Nigerian officials requested that the British Museum return the Lander Stool to Nigeria. Steve Ayorinde, the cultural commissioner for the Lagos State, has said this is just the beginning of a larger conversation. They will continue to request Nigerian artifacts on a case-by-case basis from the British Museum and other European institutions. The Lander
Ayorinde requested this restitution in time for the opening of the John K. Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History in the spring. This museum, which is funded by the Nigerian government, is being built in partnership with the British Museum. Here, Sean Oduwole, an architect for the project, claims the Yoruba people will have a place to “reclaim their heritage from a colonial narrative,” per The Art Newspaper, and have an opportunity to interact with and learn about their “lost history.” The question of museum restitution policy is prevalent for many countries, and several issues arise out of debates about ownership. This generally centers on finding a balance between cultural heritage and protection of artifacts. With iconoclastic destruction executed by IS in countries like Iraq and Syria, western museums may be able to play a role in temporarily conserving art. However, the line between protection and theft of cultural achievements is often ignored. In recent years, several African countries have worked toward reclaiming their histories by requesting loans or restitution of their artifacts from European museums. President Emmanuel Macron of France opened the door for this with his restitution of 26 artifacts, which French colonizers took by force, to Benin. Macron has called for an international conference to take place in early 2019 on the subject of restituting art taken without consent. In the same month,
“[T]he line between protection and theft of cultural achievements is often ignored.” Stool is a symbolic first step, as it was believed to be the first object taken from Nigeria during colonization in 1830 and was named for the Englishman who removed it, Richard Lander.
though, the British Museum loaned bronzes looted from Benin to the Benin Royal Museum, making a point of noting that Macron set the restitution precedent for France, not all of Europe.
The artifact at the center of the controversy, the Lander Stool.
Germany, too, has made strides to correct colonial thefts. German Minister of Culture Monika Grutters has released a code of conduct for museums in Germany to follow in an attempt to institute an effort to repatriate stolen art. Grutters’s statement said, “For many decades, colonial history in Germany has been a blind spot in the culture of memory,” according to Artnet, and the new initiative will aim to correct this. She announced that the German Lost Art Foundation will allocate funds to public museums, allowing them to research the provenance of the works kept in their collections. The German Lost Art Foundation
courtesy Art Net News
was originally created to investigate art stolen by the Nazis. Widely publicized cases of restitution, like the release of the movie “Woman in Gold” chronicling the legal battle over the Nazi-looted Gustav Klimt portrait, have brought attention to questionable museum acquisition practices. However, the role of colonialism in museums necessitates continued conversations to ensure protection of a people’s rights to their cultural heritage.
Why study abroad? A student’s perspective Studying overseas was one of the biggest character building experiences of my time here at TU. Courtney Spivey Student Writer While going through the process of applying for study abroad, take a second to step back and think about what it is that you’re actually aiming for. As the semester picks up speed, remember why it’s important to complete your applications, stay on top of deadlines and keep yourself connected to news. Don’t doubt yourself — I guarantee the payoff will be worth it. When I finally finished all the paperwork and customs and made it to Italy, I was exhausted. Exhausted and cynical, because although I made it off the plane in one piece and hadn’t gotten lost in the airport, I still had forever to go. I had train connections to make, transportation systems to get used to and a language I couldn’t comprehend to deal with. It was stressful, I won’t lie. For me, that was the most painful part of the whole experience. Once I got myself settled down, the days started flying by. Days in a new country are
Second, I tried everything I wanted to. If I had an urge to do something, I did it. I tried cuttlefish (which turns your whole mouth black, including your teeth) in Venice, climbed a mountain in Sorrento (where they make Limoncello — those trees were all over the peaks), journeyed through the Sistine Chapel (it wasn’t on our schedule; I just decided to go stay in Rome with a few friends over a weekend) and then backpacked through Europe after the classes ended in Italy. To be completely cliche, I found out a lot of things about myself. Characteristics of my personality that I was only vaguely aware of emerged and took charge when there was no one to tell me where to go and what to do. I met curious and fascinating people and shared brief moments together with them while I hopped around in Airbnbs, trains, metros, buses and planes. I also realized that my experiences with places were largely dictated by the people I interacted with. Even when I got lost going from Munich to Paris (the train systems are precisely on the dot in Germany compared to the lackadaisical schedule of the Italian system, so I ended up boarding a train two minutes too early, which turned out to be a one
“Characteristics of my personality that I was only vaguely aware of emerged and took charge.” special because they’re a change from routine and they don’t get to last. You appreciate experiences so much more when you see the deadline visibly creeping towards you with every second. I had a few simple goals for myself when I was in Italy. First, I would stop overwhelming myself, just for a month. I embraced the laid-back culture of Italian people wholeheartedly and took a step back from everything I was involved in back home.
way trip to Frankfurt), I was able to fumble my way through the conflict with help from other people. By traveling abroad, you grow as a person. For me, these experiences have shaped me to be much more independent and grounded. It might be hard now, but once you get to reap the benefits of your efforts, you will do nothing but cherish every moment, good or bad.
“The Last Judgment” adorns the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.
courtesy LivItaly Tours
Crystal Z Campbell, Eric Sall and Nathan Young.
courtesy Tulsa Artist Fellowship
Tulsa Artist Fellowship brings in new cohort The highly selective program continues to enrich Tulsa with funded arts. Hana Saad Student Writer The Tulsa Artist Fellowship (TAF) has welcomed 27 new artists to the program this year. These applicants were selected out of a pool of around 700 other applicants from all over the country. This brings the total number of Tulsa Artist Fellows to 59. The fellows are given a stipend of $20,000 to use on a project as they see fit, in addition to housing and studios where they can continue to develop their ideas. Notable new fellows include: Guggenheim Fellowship-winning video and sound artist Kalup Linzy, curatorial platform collaborators Atomic Culture and winner of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize recipient Joy Harjo. It is more than exciting to have these incredible artists staying here in Tulsa. Their work and the art they continue to create represent what art is supposed to be: dynamic and impactful. The George Kaiser foundation established TAF in 2015. Artists make Tulsa’s community richer and help contribute to the quickly growing art, literature and music scene in Tulsa. It shows that Tulsa is a place for serious artists. Because of how wide the selection pool is, those chosen as Tulsa artist fellows represent people who are truly passionate about their craft. Every single one of the new fellows bring something special to the table. Their art — spanning mediums from painting to screenwriting — shines with authenticity. Not only is TAF committed to giving artists the space and time to work on creative projects, but they are committed to diversity as well. The new artists — as well as the current ones — include people of all backgrounds.
The type of art created under the TAF umbrella comes in different forms and media. It is difficult to categorize any of the artists, because they are involved in so many different things. For example, Sarah Ahmad works in many different mediums, including photography, paintings and large-scale installations. In addition to welcoming new artists into the Fellowship, TAF is also awarding three current fellows to receive the new Tulsa Arts Integration Award. The 2019 winners are Crystal Z Campbell, Eric Sall and Nathan Young. Campbell is an artist who works with many mediums. According to the TAF website, Campbell “imagines social transformations and questions the politics of witnessing using physical archives, online sources, and historical materials.” This makes her work compelling and thought-provoking. Sall is a painter who mainly works with acrylics. His art is brightly colorful and often features dark contrasting lines and shapes. During his time here in Tulsa, he has collaborated with the Philbrook Museum of Art and Tulsa Ballet to create “Creations in Studio K” in 2018. During the show, Sall would create an abstract painting as the dancers moved around the piece he was working on. Young was born in Tahlequah. Like Campbell, he works with a variety of mediums, including film, painting and installations that use mixed-media. In addition, he also is a composer who incorporates experimental and improvised music in his videos. According to the TAF website, his work is “re-imagining indigenous sacred imagery in order to complicate and subvert notions of the sublime and is described by the artist as American Indian Gothic.” Although the program is only in it’s fourth year, it is growing at an excellent rate and bringing many new and established artists to Tulsa.
Variety
The Collegian: 10
11 February 2019
Dr. Thomas Martin discusses Humanism in the Renaissance The art historian gave an illuminating talk on the intersection of historical culture and art. Piper Prolago Student Writer Renowned Renaissance art historian Dr. Thomas Martin spoke in Tyrell Hall on Monday, Feb. 4, in an event cosponsored by the School of Art, Design and Art History and the Honors Program. Martin spoke about understanding the Renaissance through the eyes of notable minds like Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci. He lectured both about characteristics of Italy during the Renaissance and about their role in this influential time. Thomas Martin received his B.A., M.A., and PhD. from Columbia University in New York. He taught for 13 years at the University of Tulsa, where he won the Outstanding Teacher Award for his work teaching art history and in the Honors Program. Martin’s writing has been published in several prestigious scholarly journals including Revue de Louvre, and he has received fellowships from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and
ers saw themselves living in a third period of history: the era in which Greco-Roman ideas resurfaced after having been lost during the Middle Ages. The term Renaissance means “rebirth” in French, referring to the rebirth of these Classical ideals. The Renaissance was marked by several shifts in thinking, primarily through the Humanists. Humanists were usually laymen, not members of the clergy, who were trained in Latin and able to read Classical texts, like those by Ovid or Cicero, in their original language. Beyond this, Humanists read Classical texts for their own sake rather than with the goal of applying antiquity to Christianity as had been done in the past. Machiavelli was a Florentine living in the early 16th century who exemplified Humanism. He worked for the Florentine Republic in the period between Medici rule and was briefly imprisoned when the Medici power was restored in 1512. However, he was released shortly after and moved away from Florence to a farm outside of the city. He began writing his political treatise “The Prince” during this time. While living with his family on the farm, Machiavelli wrote an important letter to
“Despite this, he made a sketch inspired by the Roman engineer Vitruvius.” the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence, Italy. Starting his lecture with a background of the period, Martin placed the Italian Renaissance between 1350–1550. This period was unique in its economic, philosophical and artistic innovations, which people living at the time recognized. Renaissance think-
Florentine diplomat Francesco Vettori that details Machiavelli’s Humanism. Here, Machiavelli detailed his daily life with particularly significant reference to his reading. He read contemporary the Italian literature of Dante and Petrarch alongside Classical writers like Roman and Latin poets Ovid and Tibullus. Machiavelli said that by read-
Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man.”
ing the ancients, he felt he could “converse with them and to question them about the motives for their actions, and they, out of their human kindness, answer me.” Although da Vinci was not technically a Humanist, as he did not receive a Humanist education, his work also embodies the ideals of Renaissance thinking. Da Vinci taught himself Latin at 42 but was never completely comfortable with it. Despite this, he made a sketch inspired by the Roman engineer Vitruvius. The writing of Vitruvius was lost during the Middle Ages but reprinted in Latin during the Renaissance. Vitruvius wrote “De Architectura,” a book detailing ideal proportions of architecture and of man. Using the measurements Vitruvius conceived, da Vinci made his famous “Vitruvian Man” sketch. Further, da Vinci used other principles of Classical art
courtesy My Modern Met
in his designs to highlight the active and energetic aspects of life and nature. This is especially seen in details like the ambiguous background of “Mona Lisa,” which include flowing streams to highlight constant dynamic changes in the natural world. Martin’s perspective on the Renaissance was made more personal through his emphasis on these two notable figures. While their political and artistic works stand alone as influential parts of history, Martin put them in the perspective of the time in which they were made. Ultimately, this event was a great example of the intent of liberal arts educations: to synthesize ideas from different disciples, be it political science, visual arts or engineering. In doing this, Martin led listeners to a new way of understanding history.
courtesy The Athenaeum
“Pygmalion and Galatea” by Anne-Louise Girodet de Roussey-Trioson.
“BURN PYGMALION!!!” two steps from greatness The sugary bedroom pop album could be improved with tighter melodies. Emily Every Commentary Editor The first album I listened to in 2019 was “BURN PYGMALION!!! A Better Guide to Romance.” It’s a sweet release from the band “the scary jokes,” a bedroom pop group active since 2014. This newest album, dropped on Jan. 1, 2019, is the most polished and complex of their releases to date. Self-described on their Bandcamp (a free-for-artist music streaming service) as “a dizzying kaleidoscope of neurosis as an entertainment journalist is left in solitude to tend to her movie star girlfriend’s country home,” “BURN PYGMALION!!!” is a synthy romp of a concept album that explores an obsessive, emotionally-manipulative relationship and the mental states of Jeannie and Sylvia, the stars of the drama. The first track off the album, “Community Gardens,” opens with an admission of monstrosity: “Full disclosure, I am a monster/a creature of despair, not that that should be a cause for concern.” This opening track, like
Sylvia’s need to see herself loved through Jeannie is the inspiration behind the album’s namesake: Pygmalion, a Greek mythological character, who made a statue so beautiful that he fell in love with it. Jeannie is Sylvia’s statue, as referenced by “Pygmalion,” one of the catchier tracks off the record. To offset and complicate Sylvia’s narrative, the album is interlaced with Jeannie’s voices lashing out against and then forgiving Sylvia’s behavior. Full of smooth transitions, soft synths and a surprisingly complex narrative, “BURN PYGMALION!!!” only seems to be lacking in energy. If I could crack this album open and tighten its melodies, diversify the instrumentals and get a more emotionally-involved vocal performance, I think I would really love “BURN PYGMALION!!!” That’s not to say that the album is dry or bland, but that it would be a standout if it were recorded and mixed with more oomph. The edgeless, reverberated “Do You Believe Me” particularly suffers from this punch-lessness, especially in its first half. I get that not all albums need to smack me across my face, and that’s fine. But to borrow a high school-level biology concept, form should at least equal function.
“... it would be a standout if it were recorded and mixed with more oomph.” most of the album, is in the voice of Sylvia, a fading actress who finds confidence in the adoration of her girlfriend Jeannie. Sylvia’s discreet monstrousness, her manipulation of Jeannie and her own self-doubt propel the album forward, and Sylvia’s duplicity and desperation ultimately cause the end of the relationship in the closing tracks. That first line disclosing Sylvia’s monstrosity signals the end as the album has barely begun.
The emotional panic and intricacies of the manipulative relationship that the record represents lyrically feels a bit absent from the sound of the backing instrumentation. To the album’s credit, the later tracks of “Bets Against the Void” and “Crushed Out on Soda Beach” sound pretty dissonant and out-of-it, but there could have been a bit more fire in the album’s narratively turbulent midsection.
courtesy the scary jokes
Overall, this album is worth your time if you’re a fan of concept albums and the sort of unique active listening experience to which they lend themselves. If you like synthy, sweet bedroom pop, this album is probably worth your money. If you find yourself outside of those two groups, or if you want a lot of diverse instrumentation from music, “BURN PYGMALION!!!” is something you could pretty easily skip out on, which is unfortunately the biggest failing of the record. And that’s frustrating, because this album has so much potential in both concept and lyricism. There are some truly haunting moments, especially when the glucose vocals are allowed a moment of spotlight
away from the backing instrumentation — “Sleepyhead” comes to mind. There’s just not enough outside of the narrative to keep me coming back. I paid for it and everything, but I just don’t see myself revisiting the sad little love story of Jeannie and Sylvia after this review’s been published. And that’s kind of a downer. Highlights: “Starstruck,” “Pygmalion,” “Admire the Architecture” and “Jeannie… You’re a Tragedy” Lowlights: “Your Vicious Kin,” “Do You Believe Me”
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SpongeBob escalates beef with Travis Scott The Super Bowl sparked a battle between the famous rapper and the fictional character over who deserved to play the halftime show. Brennen Gray Bahahaha It was Tupac versus Biggie Smalls. It was Nicki versus Cardi B, and Kim K versus Taylor Swift. It was Meek Mill versus Drake, Pusha T versus Drake and Tyga versus Drake. SpongeBob SquarePants, hailing from Bikini Bottom, threw shade at popular rapper Travis Scott late Super Bowl Sunday night for the latter’s interruption of “Sweet Victory.” Since SquarePants is a fictional character, some say that the beef is too fake to be worth getting in a huff about, but the notorious sponge is a more realistic persona than the fronts put on by most celebrities, so the fanbases elected to take up arms anyway. Besides, without celebrity beefs like this, how can fanbases flaunt their loyalty without declaring war if an anonymous Reddit user makes a valid critique against their hiphop deity? The important thing is that everyone cares about celebrities’ social media roasts more than they care about the less important things like bigotry, a giant wall or how the American government works as often as Internet Explorer. It all began with a flaming tweet by SquarePants directed at the Kardashian hubby. “LMAO @trvisXX Travis Scott you couldn’t hype your own crowd, so you stole another artist’s work to introduce your own garbage? Cold as the bottom of the ocean, my dude.”
The feud between SquarePants and Scott heated up when it took to Instagram.
Travis clapped back within three minutes with a sizzling roast that nearly dried SquarePants out. “I know there’s salt in the ocean man, but don’t be mad the NFL chose me over you. I’ll tell you what the Pats told the Rams. Better luck next year.” SquarePants refused to back down and sent out a savage tweet that nearly broke the internet. “BAHAHA Travis is too old to understand what the kids want. He was born in ‘92, the dude is 26. Hell, his girl was born in ‘97. I’m only 19.”
Taken aback from the jab at his age, Scott is rumored to have begun work on a new diss track against his new porous rival. It was leaked from a somewhat questionable source that the title of the work will be “You suck, SpongeBoy” and will come out in May. Not to be outdone, SquarePants posted on his website that he is working on his own track titled, “I’ll Krusty Your Krab.” There is much speculation on whether it will be tacked onto his album set to drop in March, “I’m Ready.”
graphic by Conner Maggio
The fight took to Instagram when Scott took a selfie of himself with a dish sponge and with a caption reading, “Hey look, it’s the guy that almost played the SuperBowl.” SquarePants took a selfie with the notoriously mediocre Chum Bucket restaurant dressed as his friend Squidward and captioned it with, “Hey look! I’m Travis Scott! BAHAHAHA.” And as the internet tears itself apart over two people no one knows personally, we can all be glad that social media exists. This way, Super Bowl was at least a little interesting.
TU Copy-spiracy: where’s the money coming from? Don’t believe the rumors. Don’t be spoon-fed lies. This is what really happened to TU Copy. Sara Serrano Whereabouts Unknown
graphic by Conner Maggio
It’s cold, but I’m safe. I’ve outrun their flashlight beams, slinking through shadows to escape to this dark, deserted spot deep in the bowels of Keplinger. It’s cold, but I’m safe. For now. I have maybe three sheets of copy paper left, but I have so much to fit inside them. So much that they don’t want you to know. But you must. This is the truth about TU Copy. Spring semester, 2019. In the McFarlin Library, a sign where the service once stood reads, “TU Copy has been closed by the University.” Many students are confused about the decision, but not enough to ask why. It was a sudden move. Unannounced. Unexplained. Suspicious. But in reality, this had been in the works for a long time. Everyone knows that the University of Tulsa is an expensive school to attend. Sixty-thousand dollars is nothing to joke about. Administration can rattle off stats about substantial financial aid packages and workstudy opportunities, but that doesn’t change the fact that a lot of students struggle to make ends meet. Mix that with having to endure the nearconstant revving of luxury vehicles and watching kids from well-off families flex their wealth around campus, the pressure is on for these students to get money, sometimes by any means necessary. That’s where TU Copy comes in.
I’m told that it all started with one such struggling student working alone at the TU Copy window. Getting ready to close up for the night, they found a crumpled $20 bill, lost by some poor soul beneath the counter. How the thought occurred to them is beyond me, but at that very moment, they decided that enough was enough. They were tired of living off canned ravioli and cereal bars, tired of being second-class citizens, tired of being poor. They shuttered up the place, took that miracle bill to the back of the shop and did what they knew best. They began offering this special copying service to other students who they knew were in similar financial situations. They told their friends, and those friends told their friends. These compassionately conniving students began to lift each other up in ways that the system had failed to. Overnight, their woes appeared to fade. They had been saved. But of course, it couldn’t stay that way. Within weeks, administration caught wind of what was going on. They could not allow it to continue. It wasn’t so much that students were counterfeiting currency on their property — it was the fact that these students were closing the disparity of wealth on campus that they had worked so hard to create. This gap fueled TU, pushing competition and filling their coffers with the funds of students that just wanted to better themselves. The coup was silent and left no survivors. Besides myself. So I write this now in the hope that others will hear the story of these brave students and take up their fight. The people shall rise up again. We shall discard the chains that bind us and overthrow those that only desire to see us wallow beneath their feet. The people shall rise.