20 September 2021 by The Collegian: Student Newspaper of the University of Tulsa

Sports

The Collegian: 2

September 20, 2021

Tulsa soccer starts strong in 2021 season Sports writer Callie Hummel discusses the success of our nationally ranked soccer players.

With their 2020 soccer season consisting solely of conference play and resulting in a 6-4-2 record, the Tulsa men’s soccer team has come out of the gate hot in the 2021 season. They have a lot to prove in the new year, and have been doing just that. Every year before the season starts, NCAA puts out their ranking predictions for all the Division 1 soccer teams in the country. If seeds are perfect, the lower seed will always beat the higher seed and the #1 team should win the NCAA D1 championship tournament. Although these lists were made by professionals who poured over statistics analyzing previous seasons, Tulsa has proven this ranking arbitrary. Tulsa’s first games were away, beating Creighton 2-1 and Omaha 1-0. After just two games playing together, Tulsa, ranked #24, was pitted against Missouri State- the #8 ranked team in the country. However, this differential in rankings held no weight to Tulsa, as they ended the halftime up 2-0 with goals by senior midfielder Ben Barkley and sophomore midfielder Luke Jeffus. Malik Henry-Scott then made the team even more comfortable with their win by scoring late in the second half. An unassisted goal was taken from the top of the box, past four defenders and the goalie before Henry-Scott buried the ball in the back of the net for his first collegiate goal. This third goal ensured the win and pushed

the team farther into their undefeated season with a 3-0 record. The next game was not expected to be any easier for the team as they went up against the #10 ranked team, Marquette. However Malik Henry-Scott secured the win with a goal in the second half with an assist from Rooks Hunter. The 35 boys who make up Tulsa’s soccer team made the game look easy with their trailing passes, effortlessly crossed fields, and seamless give-and-goes. However, the four yellow cards given out during the game against Marquette prove the fight they have every time they step onto the field. While the offense is certainly doing their part to keep the undefeated season, nobody defends the reign better than freshman goalkeeper, Alex Lopez. With two shutouts against top 10 teams in a row, Lopez and the defense have proven that no matter the team, their line is solid. The last home game before the team goes on the road again was on September 11th against Michigan State. Michigan State is part of the Big 10 conference which includes major soccer powerhouses. It was another big game for Tulsa but they rose to the challenge, securing a 4-1 lead by halftime with 2 goals by Alex Meinhard, one by Takayoshi Wyatt, and the final by Malik Henry-Scott, who has proven himself to be indispensable on Tulsa’s front line with

photo by Callie Hummel

goals in the past three games straight, With less than 10 minutes left in the game, Marcos Moreno made the final score 5-1. Going into theseventh week of season play, Tulsa’s bringing a 6-0-0 record with 12 goals for and only 2 goals against. The team is ranked #1 in their conference and

earned the ninth ranking in the national Top Drawer Soccer poll, with numerous individual accolades for the players. It’s no stretch to say if Tulsa continues to play with this heart and passion, they have a very successful season ahead of them.

Major League teams reach turning points at end of season

Sports Analyst Nathan Fahland gives a rundown of the top seeded teams going into the Playoffs.

courtesy Public Domain Pictures

With the Major League Baseball 2021 regular season ending soon as the first Wildcard game will be played on Oct. 5, there are several different strategies teams can employ to prepare for October baseball. Some teams utilize the last two weeks of a season to give their star players rest and realign their rotations. After a grueling schedule of 162 games in a span of six months, a couple days off can be a tremendous help to some players dealing with nagging injuries. Teams that have already secured a postseason spot can also change the order in

which their starters pitch, ensuring that these pitchers are available for the most important games. However, not all teams can afford this luxury. Other teams that are fighting for a spot in the Playoffs have to keep their rotation as is, since they cannot risk losing games and jeopardize their chance at the postseason entirely. Still, other teams clinch a berth but choose to keep their foot on the gas in order to avoid becoming complacent in the regular season which could affect the team’s mindset in the postseason. With all of this being explained, here are the different

tiers of teams heading into the final weeks of the regular season. The only two teams to clinch a Playoffs spot this year so far also reside in the same division, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants have the best record in the MLB this year, but the Dodgers are only two and a half games behind them. While each team has already clinched a berth, neither can ease up. The Dodgers could find themselves with the second best record in the MLB at the end of the regular season, but if they don’t have a better record than the Giants, then they will be forced to play in the Wildcard game. The winner of each division receives an automatic entry into a best of five divisional round series, but the teams who make the Playoffs via the wild card are forced into a one game wild card round, where the winner will play in the divisional round and the loser goes home. So while Dodgers and Giants have clinched the Playoffs, it will be a race to see who can win the division over the last weeks of the season. These teams have not mathematically clinched a Playoff berth, but unseating one of these divisional leaders would require an unprecedented combination of these teams collapsing and the teams behind them catching fire. Therefore, these teams are in a great position to rest star players and set up their starting rotation for the Playoffs. The American league’s divisional races are all but wrapped up with the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros leading their respective divisions by an average of nine games. In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers lead their division by twelve and a half games. In the National League, the one division up for grabs is the East. While the Atlanta Braves are leading this division, the lead

is only three and a half games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies and five and a half games ahead of the New York Mets. The Phillies and Mets could go on a run and win the division, but it would require help from the Braves. If Atlanta ends up going on a tear to end the year, the Phillies and Mets could make the Wildcard game but would face more competition. Currently held by the St. Louis Cardinals, there are also two other teams fighting for the wild card spot in the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds. Altogether, the second wild card race in the National League should be interesting to watch as the season comes to a close, with all five of these teams separated by only five games. Although only one wild card spot is attainable in the National League, the American League wild card race is wide open. If rooting for chaos is appealing, then the AL wild card race is the race to watch this year. Three teams are currently tied for the two wild card spots: the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox. The Oakland Athletics are three and a half games back, while the Seattle Mariners are four games back. There are 10 different unique possibilities in which this race could end, and the teams holding the wild card spots could look completely different after five games. As there are about 20 games left in the MLB season, not many teams have clinched yet. Even the two teams that have clinched will be forced to try and win every game for the rest of the year though. While there is not much intrigue in the divisional winners this year, both wild card races are set up for entertaining finishes, with the American League wild card race being the most chaotic race of the 2021 regular season.

Sep. 20 - Sep. 26 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 21

Thursday

Friday 24

Saturday

Sunday 26

W Soccer vs. UCF 7:00 p.m.

none

M Soccer @ Memphis 7:00 p.m. Volleyball @ Houston 7:00 p.m.

Football @ Tulsa 4:00 p.m.

Volleyball @ Tulane 2:00 p.m.

News

September 20, 2021

The Collegian: 3

Julius Jones recommended for commutation The death row inmate’s fate is now up to Governor Kevin Stitt, who can either accept or reject the board’s decision. Justin Klopfer News Editor On Sept. 13, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3 to 1, with one member recusing, to recommend commuting Julius Jones’ death sentence, altering it to life in prison. Adam Luck, the board’s chairman, said he still has “doubts in this case.” Julius Jones was convicted of the murder of Paul Howell in 1999. Jones was a 19 yearold freshman at the University of Oklahoma at the time of the crime. He was sentenced alongside Chris Jordan, who gave testimony that he was with Jones when he committed the murder. Jordan, who claimed in his testimony that he saw Jones kill Howell, was released after 15 years in prison. However, Chris Jordan’s prisonmates claim he confessed to the murder and claimed he pinned it on Julius Jones. Jordan also said he had planted the evidence that the police found inside the Jones household. The evidence, a red bandana, was recently DNA tested and found a major match for neither Jordan nor Jones. Many have questioned the performance of Jones’ public defenders, one of whom

claims to have been juggling over 70 cases at the time. Many key pieces of evidence in the case were never presented to the jury, and the cross-examination of Chris Jordan was severely mishandled.

Howell saying they look forward to “completing the mission.” Julius Jones has had advocates from all over the nation, including Kim Kardashian and, more recently, late night host James

“Chris Jordan’s prisonmates claim he confessed to the murder ... pinned it on Julius Jones.” The Oklahoma City District Attorney at the time of the case, Bob Macy, had a reputation for giving the death penalty to many convicted criminals. Macy sent 54 people to death row, more than any other DA in America’s history. 23 of these convictions relied on forensic evidence from Joyce Gilchrist, who was later dismissed for supplying false testimony and lab results. Since the conviction, many have raised doubts about his guilt. Julius Jones’ alibi, that he was at his parents’ home the night of the murder, has been corroborated by his family. Amanda Bass, Jones’ new current attorney, has claimed there is “compelling evidence” that suggests his innocence. Paul Howell’s sister, who was present on the night of the murder, still Insists on Jones’ guilt. She claims she knows “beyond a doubt” that Jones was the one who killed her brother. The Howell family has expressed their hope Governor Stitt will reject the commutation, with Paul’s brother Brian

Corden. His advocates often view Jones’ conviction as an example of racial prejudice within the justice system. Those who believe in Jones’ guilt have pointed to this outpouring of support as a source of bias for those involved in handling the current commutation process. Current Oklahoma County District Attorney, David Prater, attempted to sue both Governor Stitt and the parole board after the board voted to give Jones’ commutation a second hearing in March 2021. After the commutation was recommended by the board, Prater criticized the ruling, calling it a takeover of the justice system by “Hollywood and the George Soroses of the world.” Both he and the Howell family have raised concerns over the impartiality and legitimacy of the Pardon and Parole Board’s handling of the case. He pleaded for Governor Stitt to look over the case and deny the commutation.

The board’s ruling will have to be upheld by Governor Kevin Stitt, who has no set time requirement for his response. Stitt delivered a non-committal message through a spokeswoman, saying the governor will “carefully consider the … board’s recommendation” and that the governor won’t have another comment until their final decision is reached. If the execution proceeds, it would be the first in Oklahoma since 2015.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons Governor Stitt has not directly commented on the situation.

Universities remove standardized test requirements Many colleges’ applications no longer require SAT or ACT scores in a change that may last beyond the pandemic. Justin Klopfer News Editor For most college-bound high school students, taking the SAT or ACT is an essential part of the application process. A higher score on these tests gives you a greater chance of acceptance and receiving scholarships. These standardized tests are essentially used as a way to predict a potential student’s performance at college. High school GPA is the best single predictor of college performance, though high school GPA linked with a standardized test score may be an even better predictor.

The move away from standardized testing has been accompanied by schools expressing their desire to have a more “holistic” application process. Test scores are seen as a small portion of a student’s story, and not absolutely representative of their scholarly potential. Oklahoma recently announced all students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade would be given an extra free taking of the SAT after the cancellation of the test last year due to COVID-19. The test was postponed in the spring from the pandemic and wasn’t made up in the fall due to a lack of funding. The money for this round of free testing comes from federal relief. Beyond the pandemic, many have also drawn criticisms of standardized testing as a class and racial barrier. Critics point to the fact that wealthier students can afford oneon-one tutoring sessions and pay to take the test many times. Higher incomes are associated with higher standardized test scores,

“Oklahoma University has promised to stay testoptional at least until the fall 2025 semester...” Beginning last academic year, however, many colleges made tests an optional part of applying. This year, about two-thirds of U.S. universities, including all eight Ivy League schools, are making standardized tests optional, at least for the current application season. The trend had begun decades ago, with colleges ditching the test requirements in order to attract more diverse applicants. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented normal proctoring of standardized tests, with many students unable to get a score to submit to a college. The tests are typically of central importance in the college admissions process for decades prior, with most applicants having to submit scores for one. TU is among the universities going testoptional, not requiring scores for admission to the fall 2021, spring 2022 and fall 2022 semesters. Both Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State University have gone test-optional, though test scores are still necessary for students to obtain academic scholarships. Oklahoma University has promised to stay test-optional at least until the fall 2025 semester, though the college still encourages score submission.

and the disparity is even greater when comparing poor and wealthy Black families. High school GPA, which has been recommended as a replacement for test scores in admission decisions, has a less significant link to family income. On the other hand, others claim standardized tests offer a meritocratic method for underprivileged students to catch up with their wealthier peers. A smart student, so the thinking goes, can prove their talent through the fair and equal test. College Board, the company who creates and administers the SAT, has claimed that the test can “increase diversity.” Indeed, some studies have shown that the benefits brought by the aforementioned one-on-one tutoring sessions are entirely negligible. Schools that have abandoned standardized test requirements have seen a larger and more diverse group of applicants. However, a study has also shown that the final admission decisions are no more diverse when making tests optional. The decision is still in the hands of colleges, including graduate schools, some of which are dropping their GRE requirements.

courtesy Flickr The SAT and ACT has been a mainstay for the college admissions process until recently.

tucollegian@tucollegian.com editor in chief

Piper Prolago managing editor

Zach Short news editor

Justin Klopfer sports editor

Logan Guthrie variety editor

Julianne Tran commentary editor

Adam Walsh satire editor

Anna Johns photo & graphics editor

Amy Polovich

business & advertising manager

Madeleine Goodman social media & web manager

Maddie Walters copy editor

Ji Aldada

courtesy Brookings Institute College Board data from 2020 suggests that SAT scores are racially skewed.

@TUCOLLEGIAN

The Collegian is the student newspaper of the University of Tulsa. It is distributed Mondays during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays and final exam weeks. The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the asis 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 interpreter, 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 prior 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 my take place in many forms, including grammar corrections, changes in paragraph structure or even the addition or removal of sections of content. Editorial Policy: Columnists are solely responsible for the content of their columns. Opinions expressed in columns may not represent the opinions of the Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers.

The Collegian: 4

Commentary

September 20, 2021

Students respond to Blue Light pole removal

With the reconstruction of the Blue Light emergency poles, students are left in the dark as to long-term plans to keep campus safe. Piper Prolago Editor-in-Chief Before committing to coming here, I visited the University of Tulsa with my mom and she asked the same question she had asked everywhere else: what is the university doing to ensure the safety of students on campus? Our university ambassador dutifully responded with a description of the campus’ Blue Light poles, placed all over campus and well lit, visible at all times. If, at any point, someone walking feels unsafe or uncomfortable, the university promised that pushing the button on these poles would immediately alert campus security to their location and dispatch an officer. For many young people moving away from home and living on their own for the first time, the college experience is not only riddled with a slew of new academic responsibilities, but also with the challenges of navigating vulnerable situations. Whether walking alone in the dark, seeing others in need of help, or feeling generally unsafe, the Blue Light poles not only offered a way to call for assistance in any of these situations, but also created a general sense of security. In this way, the Blue Light poles conveyed that TU was an environment committed to making every person feel comfortable and safe.

This semester, the university laid out a plan to phase out the Blue Light Telephone System. On poles around campus, signs cover the buttons which used to call campus security. These new signs encourage students in need of assistance to dial the number for campus security or scan a QR code. The code leads them to download an app called SafeZone, which requires students to register using their university emails before operating. The interface of the app opens to three large buttons: emergency, help, and first aid. Users can push one of the buttons to connect to local response teams and/or campus security—the app’s website outlines that the “help” button should be used in situations like reporting suspicious activity or requesting a safety escort while “emergency” and “first aid” might be used for situations requiring immediate attention like medical problems. As this transition to the SafeZone app is carried out, individuals in unsafe or uncomfortable situations are left with a system which is difficult to navigate. Anyone in a situation where they would usually want to use one of these poles would have to spend an extended period of time either stopping at a pole to take down the phone number or quickly scanning the QR code and going through the motions of setting up a SafeZone account. If the original intention of the Blue Light System was centered on emergency response and efficiency, this has been completely abandoned during this transitional period. TU administration has cited the cost of maintaining and repairing these poles as a reason to replace them with the SafeZone app. The decision to phase out the poles was apparently made without any student input or consideration of potential obstacles for students seeking to use the app. Even after the transition to the SafeZone app, students like Gillian McPhail, a junior women and gender studies double major, have raised questions about the accessibility of an app for individuals in an emergency situation. In a detailed Instagram post titled “a plea from a TU student,” which has spread throughout social media over the last week, McPhail explained that personal phones are not always available when we need them to be; someone might not have a smartphone,

their phone might have died, or they might not have gone through the extensive process of finding space on their phone to download, register and set up the app.

The university’s promise to reconsider the removal of the poles represents the power of student organizing. McPhail articulated that “this would have not happened without the

“. . . individuals in unsafe or uncomfortable situations are left with a system which is difficult to navigate.” McPhail’s post has circulated with a call for readers to sign an anonymously created petition asking the university to keep the Blue Light phones on campus. Outlining that both the post and petition had been created with the intention of spreading awareness about this issue, McPhail explained that this situation “conveys the gap of communication between the students and TU administration …” On Sept. 17, the Student Association released a statement on the Blue Light poles, supporting concerns that students expressed about the removal of the poles. This was posted shortly before the university announced its recommitment to maintaining the current system. McPhail is hopeful about the process moving forward, stating that administration has asked her, among other students, to provide their perspectives on the Blue Lights.

photo by Adam Walsh A close-up view of the new interface of the Blue Light poles illustrates the complexity of a previously simple emergency system.

TU community who felt like the only way of [sic] for their voices to be heard is by sharing and supporting the petition and post!” While the resolution of this issue represents a positive step toward reaffirming TU’s commitment to creating a safe campus environment, it must also serve as a reminder of the importance of holding administration accountable when they aren’t meeting the needs of the community they serve.

photo by Adam Walsh Blue Light poles are spread across the entirety of campus in order to provide maximum coverage.

Development crunch time violates workers’rights demand for content—alongside online communities of devoted, waiting fans—has translated into a grueling cycle of meeting deadlines at whatever cost. Workers have become more expendable than ever. Despite billions invested into video games, the quality of life for developers is defined by strict deadlines, pervasive layoffs and worsening mental health.

may be to blame for this corrosive issue. As a result, developers may focus more on extra features—more things which will wow the customer and justify a product’s expense—and closer release dates. So, crunches and layoffs exist as an omnipresent threat to developers, where the overall profit of the game determines the livelihood of employees.

“For developers and observers alike, crunch seems to take on the form of a necessary evil.” Developers find their personal time increasingly meaningless to development companies despite skyrocketing profit margins. Anna Johns Satire Editor With the backdrop of the pandemic at play, the pressures of the video game industry have intensified; American total spending on video games hit a record high of $56.9 billion in 2020, according to the market research organization NPD. This

This somber reality reflects the state of the video game industry, where the phenomenon “crunch culture” has tightened its grip more than ever. Crunch is a form of unpaid overtime where employees are expected to work long hours to meet the project deadline set by the studio. Indeed, crunch culture is a systemic issue within the video game industry, where companies brandish their exploitative work practices as a testament to their game quality rather than a horrifying reality. Consumer expectations paired with bad studio executives or unrealistic deadlines

Many former employees reveal the ways they were affected by crunch culture. When “Fortnite” launched, a worker reported to Polygon that they worked “an average 70 hours a week.” The writing team of “Red Dead Redemption 2” worked “100-hour weeks” to satisfy the executive deadline. Bioware, the developer known for the “Dragon Age” and “Mass Effect” series, reported to Kotaku the need for “stress leave,” doctor-mandated periods of weeks or months of mental health vacation: these “stress casualties” are seen as an epidemic for the company.

Based in Redwood City, California, the game publishing giant Electronic Arts has constructed an industry reputation of hours of crunch, repetitive title releases and insincerity.

Others point to this competitive, masochistic model as simply a facet of an industry characterized by drastic wealth disparity. The industry widely churns out young, passionate workers and bleeds them for their worth, leading to a destabilized job market. Meanwhile, crunch endures because it is legal. Unlike other entertainment forms like television and film, the North American video game industry currently does not have any options for unionizing. Unions can help workers feel more supported in this constantly shifting industry, but it is not the all-encompassing solution promised. Others believe the best way to rebel against crunch culture is for consumers to simply not buy the product, though that feels the most unrealistic; regardless of working conditions, people will still readily buy the product, so what can be accomplished there? As the video game industry evolves, crunch does, too. For developers and observers alike, crunch seems to take on the form of a necessary evil, continuing to deepen its roots within the industry. The consequences of crunch culture are clear: this method remains unsustainable and harms video game development far more than it helps.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

September 20, 2021

Variety

The Collegian: 5

Comic series prequel to “Umbrella Academy” a must-read “You Look Like Death” provides intriguing storylines and interesting visuals despite missing some marks. Maddie Walters Social Media & Web Manager This summer, the long-anticipated prequel to the “Umbrella Academy” comic series finally released its completed first volume “You Look Like Death.” If you’re a fan of Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy,” then this is the perfect read for you. As you may or may not know, the Netflix series is based on a comic book series written by Gerard Way. The first issue of the series, “The Apocalypse Suite,’’ was released in 2007. 11 years later and Gerard Way is still continuing this highly popular series, now writing a prequel about everyone’s favorite Hargreeves sibling, Klaus. Taking place 10 years before the events of “The Apocalypse Suite,” this prequel tells the story of Klaus’ expulsion from the Umbrella Academy and travels to Hollywood where he makes his home in the seedy streets of Tinseltown -- a place where his supernatural abilities are highly sought after. With his newfound popularity comes a struggle with drug addiction and simultaneous fights with vampire drug lords who are trying to take over Hollywood. This

courtesy Dark Horse Comics This series was published in September 2020.

volume forces Klaus to take control of the situation despite being completely and utterly alone for the first time in his life. As previously mentioned, all of the “Umbrella Academy” comics are written by Gerard Way, who has definitely been keeping himself busy within the last 4 years. This year, Way also released “The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1.” At the same time as writing these two series, Way balanced bringing back My Chemical Romance from their long hiatus. Also on staff for this series is Way’s cowriter, Shaun Simon, who has previously worked with Way on all his earlier comic releases. Way and Simon also happened to tour with one another in the early 2000’s with their bands, Pencey Prep and My Chemical Romance. The cover is designed by Gabriel Ba, who is also an “Umbrella Academy” alum, and the illustrator for the comic is I.N.J. Culbard. The lettering is done by Nate Piekos. One special aspect of this release is that Robert Sheehan, the actor who plays Klaus, has an emotional introduction to this graphic novel, allowing readers to get a clearer sense of what his process is like for playing Klaus. In a very poignant moment, Sheehan compares himself to the character, specifically Klaus’ struggles and how he has had similar problems in his life. While this is not my favorite work of Way and Simon’s, I will say that it’s a wild and fun read right from the beginning. What can you expect when your protagonist has supernatural abilities and fights vampire drug lords? That being said, Way does have a tendency, in all his works, to throw in random things with no further explanation in the comic as to why they are there. It’s best just to take it in your stride and not question the appearance of these things. I enjoyed the storyline for this comic. However, I feel as if the writing could have been a lot stronger. Rather than focusing on the main plotlines of the comic, Shaun and Way just seem like they’re having a contest to see who can throw in the most random detail into the story; at times, this does hinder the comic, making it nearly incomprehensible to understand. That being said, I think this volume is an important update in the “Umbrella Academy” series as it shows readers a clearer picture of why Klaus is the way he is in the present day. I would be remiss to fail to mention I.N.J. Culbard’s art for this volume of the series. By far, the art was my favorite thing about

“You Look Like Death” is illustrated by Gabriel Ba, Ian Culbard and Nate Piekos.

“You Look Like Death.” Culbard’s version of Hollywood appears like it came straight from a film noir of Hollywood in its “better” days. At the same time, he also depicts a future version of Hollywood that rivals that of “Tron.” This breathtaking juxtaposition almost makes readers feel as if the city itself is a character in this comic. Culbard’s illustrations for “You Look Like Death ‘’ help tie in this fun, yet aggravatingly confusing comic, allowing the reader to grasp for some sense of control and understanding of the story.

courtesy Dark Horse Comics

While I cannot say that I wholeheartedly enjoyed this comic, I think it has a lot to offer the “Umbrella Academy” universe. If you’re an avid fan of the television show or have followed the comic series, then “You Look Like Death” is a must read to help understand the complex character of Klaus Hargreeves. “The Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death Volume 1” is out now at all major book retailers.

“Star Trek: Lower Decks” a comedic addition to the “Star Trek” era In the animated television series, “Star Trek: Lower Deck,” we see the more mundane side of the “Star Trek” universe. Zach Sabel Student Writer Following up on a surprisingly stellar first season, “Star Trek: Lower Decks” continues to tell classic “Star Trek” adventures with a comedic twist midway through its second season. The past few years have seen a bit of a renaissance in terms of “Star Trek” television, with the often underwhelming “Star Trek Discovery” reaching four seasons so far and “Picard” going on its second season, soon to be joined by the upcoming “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” We have no shortage of “Star Trek” content to enjoy.

dysfunctions of the Ensigns. Each of the Ensigns has their own quirks and traits. Ensign Mariner, played by Tawny Newsome, is an extremely talented badass, but she has trouble following orders and is constantly getting reprimanded and thrown in the ship’s brig. Boimler, played by Jack Quaid, has aspirations of reaching the rank of captain one day, but is a stickler and follows the rules too much. Tendi, played by Noël Wells, is a big star fleet nerd and one of the first of her people to join star fleet. Rutherford, played by Eugene Cordero, is a genius engineer, who struggles with the quirks of his new Cyborg implant. Halfway through the current season we have already seen the loveable misfits fight a god-like first officer, survive a dead collector’s killer collection and many other hilarious adventures. One thing that this show gets so right is how it makes fun of the “Star Trek’’ universe. I was very worried that it

“You get to see the less glamorous but [still] adventurous side of the star fleet” Being somewhat of an homage to the classic “The Next Generation” (TNG) episode, “Below Decks,” “Lower Decks” tells the story that very often goes untold within “Star Trek,” the story of the average crew member. With this series you get to see the less glamorous but often still adventurous side of the star fleet and its away missions. The show revisits great events or storylines from Trek’s past like TNG, bringing back some excellent classic villains like Q, Armus, the Pakled and the Ferengi. It also includes classic cameos like that of Will Riker, Tom Paris and many more. As with the first season, “Lower Decks” follows the story of a group of Ensigns, Mariner, Boimler, Tendi and Rutherford, as they travel the galaxy on one of the Federation’s least important ships, the USS Cerritos. This ship, being captained by Ensign Mariner’s mother, is often tasked with “second contact,” one of the less adventurous and glamorous jobs in the Federation. These supposedly standard outings often end up going sideways due to the comedic

would be too mocking of the classic “Star Trek” series, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the comedy and poking fun they do at Trek fans and classic storylines is actually very respectful and funny. This is due in no small part to the passion and creative skill of head writer and showrunner Mike McMahan, who many might know for his time as a writer on the highly popular show “Rick and Morty.” A self avowed “Star Trek” fan, McMahan’s passion and love for the “Star Trek” series really shines through all the jokes and storylines. The connections with “Rick and Morty” can easily be seen with the mix of comedy and sci-fi blended so well along with the occasional dramatic moment which all somehow ends up fitting in both of these outlandish comedies. The series has already been renewed for a third season even though the second is still airing. I can see this becoming a staple piece to the current “Star Trek” era, and becoming one of the top shows on CBS’ Paramount+.

This show is availabe ot watch on Paramount+.

“Star Trak: Lower Decks” was created by Mark McMahan.

courtesy CBS All Access

The State-Run Media

September 20, 2021

the

State-Run media [Insert Kate Bush wailing]

TU replaces Blue Light Phones with epic prank

Does this make you ragequit, Batman?

Aries — Ma called asking for you again. Her typically honeyed tone was noticeably somber this time. “Pappy died,” she had said, voice hushed, “and I’m left alone with the farm, the cows and the rejected Muppet designs who toil our soil for low wages. The Hill People took him.” Woah, Aries, sounds like some interpersonal, familial conflict is in your life right now alongside a vengeance character arc—if your semester has enough time for all that, of course.

Anna Johns Doomergamer, alphamog, check ‘em dubs, etc. Once passive, unspoken guardians of the campus, the Blue Light Phones have been drastically changed: no longer do students have the option to utilize this safety measure, and it has instead been deactivated and replaced with a QR code haphazardly draped upon the previous system’s corpse. Though previously these Blue Light Phones could be criticized for their functionality, many students argue that its removal negatively impacts security. TU argues Blue Light Phones are an outdated system that eats away money, and with the university perpetually hemorrhaging money like an “Ocean’s Eleven” heist man who cannot quite quit the game, cuts to what they deem unnecessary spending is more essential than ever. Besides, student safety isn’t that big of a deal—they already paid for the semester, so what is the cost benefit analysis for protecting them. Therefore, the new system works perfectly: if a student is truly in a dangerous situation, they just need to pop over to those dead blue light titans, get a camera out and scan a QR code. Then, the student must wait for an app to download—an easy task, especially since TU is known for working, efficient WiFi—and awkwardly brandish their phone to a potential assailant, showing any attacker that yeah, take that, this is a school that totally cares for their students. The safety app has also received some criticism. The Blue Light Phone used to alert not only campus security but the Tulsa police. However, when students start the app and it loads for a moment, what they see instead is a full-screen image of the rage comic troll face, sardonically asking, “U MAD BRO?

Taurus — This week, the Ancient Egyptian sun god Ra weighs your heart on a scale with a feather and decides the weight of your sins. Lay out your offerings.

I would’ve attached that video of the man singing the trololol song, but who am I to say?

Okay, whatever. We all agreed it is funny in a 2011 trololol way, so TU can have that. “Props to TU for the sick joke and all,” said junior Cassidy Yates, “but I don’t know if it’s really appropriate.” The troll face is a double hit, really. If you are some kind of idiot loser with no phone or a dead battery, frankly, that is your fault. And in an emergency where time is most valuable, what will an app offer besides a wait for help? Pressed for comment, a spokesperson for administration wrote in a campus-wide email, “We get paid too much to be connected to the wants and needs of the students or faculty, so that’s our bad. Can’t we just file this as another case of oopsie, no Bueno?” The email ended with an apologetic: “For an extended apologetic statement, click here.”

graphic by Anna Johns

The hyperlink then takes the viewer to another troll face “U MAD BRO?” jpeg. “Oh, yeah,” Yates continued, “and they got us again. Super shitty, but you gotta recognize elite trolling skills when you see it.” Despite student outcry and widespread Instagram posts, no further action has been taken regarding the defunct Blue Light Phones. The QR code to the troll face remains active, and any dorks in emergency situations simply need to face that they are on their own. “If you care so much about safety,” the spokesman had written, “maybe just don’t leave your apartment or walk around campus? I thought this was a liberal arts college—do they not teach you lot critical thinking?”

Hurricane Heartbreak: counteracting breakups with EX-orcisms This week’s weekly email from TU attempts to tackle breakups and shares healthy ways for students to overcome heartache and loss. Adam Walsh Warlock with a pistol In a strangely unimpressive move, the University of Tulsa official email system sent out yet another singularly esoteric and obscure solution to a problem faced by many students. With modern solutions proving too unwieldy and destructive, TU has enlisted the ancient solution of exorcism for students getting over breakups. Instead of focusing on stress-reducing tips, support groups that promise to increase the efficacy of a stu-

outcomes of said relationships and dwelling extensively on the sadness and distress a broken connection can cause. The university wants to help you deal with your ex, but not in the classic ways of consuming mass amounts of comfort food, seeking out self-destructive attachments in an attempt to find self-validation or finding a new addiction or dependency. The alternative solution proposed by the university calls upon the long tradition of seeking to banish that which is unwelcome back to whence it came. As a university with a traditional, classical leaning, the TU admins have reconciled with the Catholic Church in order to draw on the vast stores of occult knowledge contained in parish vaults. With the long-winded explanation out of the way, TU wants to help you exorcise your ex. A list of ingredients precedes the actual

“. . . TU admins have reconciled with the Catholic Church . . .” dent’s work or other on-campus services to alleviate the pains of a student body, some miscreant in the TU offices decided to take on the awkwardness of failed relationships. The email in question provides an impressively detailed dissertation on the issues students may face on campus, spending most of its verbosity on explaining the potential

spell, indicating the necessity of some common components like salt and the blood of an innocent, but some other… things require more preparation. The werewolf heart has struck some students as extremely difficult to obtain, and a select group of students have posted guides to Reddit describing

exactly how to trap the werewolves in the basement of Chapman then manipulate the door to let one out at a time. At the time of writing, the line to use this werewolf heart farm wraps up the stairwell and all the way into that weird building east of it that houses all the business majors. On a completely unrelated note, the price of meat in the local Reasor’s has declined rapidly. Perhaps the most difficult portion of the spell relies on perfect syllabic modulation in chanting the cantrips needed to combine the compounds into the voodoo doll facsimile of one’s ex. While the notes themselves do not present a remarkably intimidating challenge to sing, the true fortitude necessary to sing and maintain pitches while crying keeps limiting the progress of those wishing to damn their previous partner to eternal hellfire. One could doubt the various moral quandaries presented by this way of dealing with grief, but campus services have reported an ongoing decrease in the wait times to see campus counselors beginning around the time the email first circulated. However, the number of physical plant complaints due to the exorcized leaving behind containers of perishable food on counters, having been damned in the midst of creating food. With this new information, you can hopefully get over your ex. Or get even.

Gemini — An antagonist will enter your life this week, but do not despair, Gemini! Your new nemesis, likely hired as your assistant, will be a gay-coded villain who will say omnious statements about the weather as his brutish lackeys skip and dance around him during his cardio-intensive ballad performance. You can dodge any devious schemes by listening to his simplistic lyrics about, like, the concept of birthright. Cancer — Are you sure you thoroughly shook that blanket from the attic? You missed some creepy crawlies; they are there, hanging by a thread. And they are unionizing. Leo — The tickings of time close in more and more, don’t they, Leo? Can’t you feel its fiery tendrils licking at your thoughts? You’re running out of these precious moments. Virgo — Find another collegiate newspaper to sully, you coward. Libra — Haters will see a boy succeed and try to bring him down to their level. Not this week. #boygrind Scorpio — You have all the trappings of a sexy week ahead of you, Scorpio. Get out those rose petals and sweet-smelling candles! After your romantic tryst, try to analyze why you chase temporary buzzes like lust instead of spending an evening alone with yourself. Sagittarius — A gritty, hearthwarming friendship awaits you. You both avoid eye contact as you tie your horse’s reins. Your hands brush when they hand you a drink, that brief contact warming you much more than any heedy liquor. Companion. You test that word, softly saying it to yourself. Friend. Capricorn — This week will teach you the meaning of loss. Someone will take the seat you have sat at for the past four weeks, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Aquarius — Ah! Du bringst mir einen Snack? Pisces — You will write for the Collegian. Please. We are begging you. graphics by Naomi Dunn