THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
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WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 Volume 116 — Issue 2
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81/71 THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Russian oppositon commentator beaten
Yegor Zhukov, a prominent opposition blogger and political commentator on Russian Radio, was beaten in Moscow and taken to a hospital for treatement. The attack happened near his home Sunday evening. Zhukov told investigators two unidentified men had attacked him. Kremlin police are investigating.
N AT I O N A L US tops 6 Million coronavirus cases While it took over three months for the US to reach 1 million COVID-19 cases. The US leads the world in reported cases and deaths, with over 183,000 deaths since March. CDC director Robert Redfield recently expressed concern for the Midwestern United States, saying they’ve been facing the most daily new cases per 100,000 people.Despite this, hospitalizations and nationwide cases have been trending downward, which shows that progress might be happening toward mitigating the virus.
S TAT E AR sheriff resigns after racist rant recorded Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned Friday after a viral audio recording featuring Wright using the N-word over nine times. County Judge Thomas Best said the Quorum Court asked for Wright’s resignation on Aug. 27. Wright refused to resign at first and blamed his behavior on the devil and insisted he is not racist.Wright had worked for the sheriff’s office for the past 26 years, and has been the elected sheriff since 2016.
ADH Mask Directives
On Aug. 28, the Arkansas Department of Health updated the face covering guidelines. Masks with oneway valves will be banned as they allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in respiratory droplets getting into the air and reaching others. Gaiters and bandanas are strongly advised against, as the CDC is not sure of the effectiveness. The ADH is recommending that you double up on gaiters or bandanas if you choose to wear them.
WHAT’S AHEAD
IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Print edition of NYT and USA Today will no longer be distributed on campus.
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By Austin Guthrie Staff Writer
A shooting at The Edge Apartments leaves many with unanswered questions about their safety. On Sunday morning just after midnight, two women were shot in the parking lot of The Edge Apartments. Local Public Information Officer, LaTresha Woodruff was informed that upon arriving to the scene, “Police found the two victims who both suffered gunshot wounds. Then they quickly administered aid by applying tourniquets on both legs of one women, and applying pressure to the other woman’s wound,” Woodruff said. Luckily the shots were not fatal, and both women are recovering. Police were told the two women were just standing in the parking lot, when out of nowhere shots rang out. Although the women did not see who shot at them, witnesses reported they saw a black male with dreadlocks,
photo courtesy of LaTresha Woodruff
Shooting at the Edge apartments leave two victims injured on Aug. 28. The shooting occured in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Three men are suspected to be involved.
wearing a white shirt with acid washed jeans running away from the scene holding a gun. It was also stated that the man was possibly seen with two other men collectively running away from the scene. However, there was no description of those men. A resident at the Edge, sophomore Johanna Anima,
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was near the scene when shots were fired. “I heard the gunshots but that wasn’t what I thought they were, my first thought was that someone was banging on our door,” Anima said. “Then I watched a bunch of police cars and two ambulances come through the gate and that’s when I knew something bad had happened.”
Hopefully in the future, changes can be made at The Edge Apartments to confirm the safety of the residents. As of now there is nothing being done to ensure this. “The admin didn’t really change anything to prevent stuff like this [from] happening in the future,” Anima said. Conway Police ask if
SGA
you were in the area and saw something or you have any information on the identities of the shooters, you are asked to call Detective Joe Rowe in the Detective’s Division at 501-450-6130. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. This is an ongoing investigation.
L I B E R TA R I A N PA R T Y
SGA discusses upcoming election byAndrew McMahan Staff Writer
Student Government Association’s (SGA) senate election will be here in a matter of weeks. SGA held their first meeting via Zoom at 3 p.m. Friday, August 28, regarding the upcoming election. The meeting had a turnout of over thirty people, including some current members. Executive President Jamaal Lockings revealed that the actual time frame of voting for the senate election will be Wednesday, September 9 thru Friday, September 11. At 4 p.m. Friday, September 4th, SGA will be holding another meeting with their election rules committee leading it. To run, attending this meeting is a requirement, it will be going into detail regarding what is legal in the campaigning process. To take part in the SGA’s election rules committee meeting, desiring students must complete and turn-in senate applications before the meeting begins. There are no exceptions. Before applying , SGA said that students must make sure they are eligible. The main requirements is that students have a 2.5 GPA and are taking at least 12 credit hours. There may be other requirements depending on the position. If a candidate meets the requirements, and is successfully accepted as a candidate by the SGA, candidates may begin campaigning this Friday at 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19, all physical handout and campaigning items are banned. Lockings expressed his desire of aspiring candidates to pay attention to what is allowed and what is not allowed while campaigning, especially during the pandemic. Senate candidates will know who all opposing candidates are by the conclusion of the election rules committee meeting. To win the election, a candidate must hold at least 50% of the votes. If no candidate holds at least 50% of the votes after the count, the top two candidates
will proceed to a run-off. The run-off, if necessary, will take place from Monday, September 14, thru Tuesday, September 15. There are no dues or fees associated with running for any position of the SGA. The only thing required by a candidate is the time commitement that comes with being a part of the student senate and SGA. To some, this may seem overwhelming, but multiple SGA members raved about the benefits. “A UCA senate member can be just as impactful as the executive president. Throughout my time as a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), I have seen some incredible accomplishments from senate members. These include . . . wonderful events such as Day at the Capitol where we take senators to the Arkansas Capitol to discuss business with our state representatives,” Lockings said. “It is always very exciting to see how we will affect our living and learning community for the better every academic year.” However, he is not the only SGA member to express gratitude about the SGA. “SGA has offered me countless leadership opportunities and helped me develop professional approaches to handling problems and working with others,” senator and sophomore class Vice President Gavin-Beaver Tabor said. “SGA has taught me how to stand up for what I believe in, while also allowing me to respect and understand others. I have been able to build upon my public speaking abilities and have developed confidence when I speak in front of groups of people.” SGA is looking forward to seeing who is next in taking on the challenge to lead our student community. This opportunity has the ability pay tremedous dividends to whichever students accept the prestigous role as student senator.
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Two women shot at Edge apartments on Donaghey Avenue
Index: 4Police Beat 4People of UCA
New Release: Love in the time of corona.
Football: Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
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Scattered Thunderstorms
Entertainment:
Sports:
Art: UCA’s Baum Gallery hosts “Threads Through Time.”
6 4Opinion 4Entertainment 7 5, 8 4Sports
photo by Kaitlin Benight
Libertarian party nominee, Jo Jorgensen, speaks at rally in Little Rock on Aug. 28. She spoke against big government and called for an end to private prisons in Little Rock.
2020 presidential nominee, United States Senate campaigned in LR By Kaitlin Benight Assistant News Editor
The Libertarian Party of Arkansas hosted a rally for presidential nominee Dr. Jo Jorgensen and U.S Senate candidate Ricky Harrington, Jr, a prison chaplain from Pine Bluff, on Friday, Aug. 28. Jorgensen spoke against big government and called for an end to private prisons in Little Rock. “American citizens would never budget to spend $80 million a year to keep families apart from their loved ones, yet that’s exactly what America does with its prison systems,” Jorgensen said, “And one of the biggest factors in the quadrupling of our prison population since 1980 is the racist and destructive War on Drugs.” Jorgensen said America doesn’t have a drug problem, but a prohibition problem, criticizing the existence of ‘victimless crimes.’ “I’m for abolishing for-
profit prisons,” Jorgensen said. “It’s egregious that people make money by filling up prisons. If you look at what the government should be doing, the functions are police, courts and military. Here’s one of only three things the government should be doing, and they’re turning it over to somebody else. Ending the War on Drugs would help empty the prisons greatly.” She compared the War on Drugs with Prohibition-era laws, and called for the federal decriminalization of all drugs. Instead, she wants to encourage individual states to treat drugs as a health issue as they see fit. “We should allow the medical community to deal with substance abuse in a way that salvages lives instead of throwing them away,” Jorgensen said. Jorgensen also called for an end to the military industrial complex, particularly the militarization of local and state police. She said, as president, she would defund federal involvement in police departments, including the supplying of surplus military
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equipment. “Long gone is the friendly local patrol officer who walks the beat and knows everyone in the neighborhood by name, instead we’ve got faceless swat teams that have been imported to our streets that make Americans feel like enemy combatants in their own neighborhoods,” Jorgensen said, “In recent months we’ve seen the Department of Homeland Security patrolling our streets in military fatigues and armored cars attacking peaceful protestors and media.” She blamed federal involvement in local crime for the escalating protests and riots, saying she “would take the tanks and grenade launchers that are escalating things to begin with.” Jorgensen also said she would end no knock raids and qualified immunity to ensure police are held to the same standards as all citizens. Jorgensen also said she would bring American soldiers home.
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2/September 2, 2020
Police Beat
The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports by Assistant News Editor Kaitlin Benight
Students innocent Ex-boyfriend Drugs confiscated to drug complaints breaks into dorm from student’s car
On Aug. 25, Officer Gene Hodges was dispatched to Erbach apartments in reference to a drug violation. R.A. Valentin Sawadogo had been contacted about the smell of marijuana coming from Idana Castro, 22, and Abigail Reza’s, 21, apartment. Sawadogo stated this was the third complaint that he knew of on these two in the past two years. Upon entry, Hodges smelled burnt marijuana. The two women stated they had not been smoking and that there was no marijuana in the apartment. Hodges and Officer Tyler Ryals searched the apartment and could only find dried tobacco from a cigar in the trash, which is common in using cigar wrappings to roll marijuana into a blunt. Due to lack of evidence, no further action was taken.
On Aug. 27, non-student David Brigman came on campus and broke into his exgirlfriend Adriana Perlsen’s, dorm room in Baridon Hall. Perlson, 18, broke up with Brigman earlier that day. Once she found out he was on campus, she called UCAPD and left. Brigman allegedly called her upwards of 40 times before she left to go to her grandmother’s. Perlson’s roommate, Jordan Knight said she feared Brigman, hiding in the shower and texting her neighbors to come get her as Brigman opened the door to the room and started looking around. As Knight and her neighbors ran into the next room, Brigman walked out behind them. Brigman has been banned from campus and warned that he will be charged with a felony and arrested for criminal trespassing if he comes back to campus.
On Aug. 24, Andres Lopez, 18, filed a complaint with UCAPD, stating a Facebook account by the name of “Sandra Creech” was using an explicit video to blackmail him into sending them money. Lopez stated that on Aug. 19 Creech sent him messages trying to get to know him. Over the next few days, they messaged more until Lopez eventually video chatted Creech, undressing on camera for them. Creech recorded the video and showed it to Lopez, stating if he tried to block or ignore them they would post the video online. Lopez begged Creech not to post the video, and Creech started demanding money. Lopez eventually went to CVS and made an international money transfer of $50 to Rosella Creech in Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa.Lopez then contacted UCAPD to file a report, who advised him to report the incident to the FBI Internet Crimes complaint center.
P O S TA L S E R V I C E
Recent USPS controversy has little effect on university’s post office by Allison Polston Staff Writer
The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently sparked national concern regarding new leadership’s initiatives that have led to delivery delays. Postmaster General DeJoy assumed the top leadership position in Juner. Upon taking over, DeJoy implemented measures to save money across, such as hiring freezes, removal of hundreds of mail-sorting machines, shorter hours and elimination of most overtime for postal service workers. Public officials have faulted DeJoy’s costcutting policy changes for nationwide delivery delays. Leaders in both the Democratic and Republican parties have criticized these initiatives for endangering the delivery of medicine, paychecks and other important mail during a global pandemic. The UCA post office has not seen significant change, according to UCA postal service worker Richard Suits. “We have seen a lot more packages come in,” Suits says. “But we can deal with volume.” Suits explained that incoming mail has been slow recently, but the campus office
feels confident in their ability to run efficiently. He says students should not expect significant delays due to the UCA post office. “Be patient. We cannot control when your mail arrives at UCA,” Suits asks of UCA students. “We are glad to be of service to all of you.” Freshman Blyss Barentsen is experiencing the postal delays firsthand. She has been waiting on mail from her bank for several days longer than expected, which is unusual, she says. On August 18, DeJoy revealed that USPS will be suspending the operational changes until after the November elections. This decision was made amid scrutiny from lawmakers and voting rights activists, many of whom are concerned that the delivery delays will impact election mail. Suits said that the campus post office expects more election mail this November than in past years. The UCA post office is not alone in that. Mail-in voting has become a popular topic throughout the country as more citizens worry about going to the polls during the pandemic. While DeJoy’s suspension
of these changes satisfied many officials, some lawmakers want more. Rep. Carolyn Mahoney introduced legislation that would halt any changes to the USPS until January 2021 and reverse the existing changes. The House of Representatives approved this bipartisan bill that proposes 25 billion dollars in funding for USPS. President Trump threatened to veto this bill, but it is unlikely to reach his desk. The Republican majority Senate has not advanced this legislation. It remains uncertain whether USPS will reverse measures already put in motion. USPS has faced financial struggles for almost 15 years, citing decreasing mail volume and costs for pension and healthcare. The arrival of COVID-19 caused an increase in packages for USPS, which is currently patching the average losses in mail volume. Once package volume returns to pre-pandemic levels, the future of USPS is unsure. Without increased government funding, the agency predicts it will run out of money by October 2021.
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NEWS
University’s economic impact on Arkansas exceeds $1 billion 2018-19
byEd Toddy Campus Life
The University of Central Arkansas added $1.01 billion to the Arkansas economy during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The number was released in a report conducted by EMSI, an analytics firm based in Moscow, Idaho, and shows an increase in the university’s economic impact from a previous study conducted in 2011. The report is broken into two parts: The Economic Impact and the Investment Analysis. One part explains the university’s impact on the state and surrounding counties, and the other looks at the individuals who invest in UCA and examines the returns on their investments. The 2018-2019 report reflects the university’s impact on the state of Arkansas, while the report conducted in 2011, which was also conducted by EMSI, focuses on the UCA service area—a geographical collection of the counties that
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surround UCA. According to the report, the 1.01 billion added to the state economy is the equivalent of supporting 19,506 jobs. $18.2 million of that added income was thanks to student spending. The report points out that 14% of student spending was paid by students from out of state that would not have come without UCA. The report also claims the students receive a high return rate for their investments in UCA, stating “In return for their investment, UCA’s students will receive a stream of higher future earnings that will continue to grow throughout their working lives.” According to the report, the average UCA bachelor’s degree graduate will see annual earnings $31,100 higher than an individual with a high school diploma, estimating that the combined earnings of UCA’s 2018-2019 students at $807.3 million. The report explains that students who make more will
pay higher taxes to the state, explaining that “by the end of the FY 2018-19 students’ working lives, the state and local government will have collected a present value of $148 million in added taxes.” Brad Lacey, president and CEO of Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said it was common for higher education institutions to conduct reports such as this one. “I don’t think that people generally connect the dots between higher ed and economic development,” Lacy said. “There is a correlation between four-year degrees and economic indicators like per capita income and median household income, and in states where you have higher educational attainment there is more prosperity.” According to UCA chief of staff Amy Whitehead, the 2020 report was approved to proceed in December of 2019 and cost $41,500 paid for through the Board of Trustees fund that was set aside for “strategic university projects.”
Libertarian party endorses Jorgensen and Harrington
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“We spend more than the next seven countries combined on our military, and we are in almost 150 countries around the globe. And what do we have to show for it? In the last 20 years alone, over 500,000 people have died in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, including 250,000 civilians,” Jorgensen said. Jorgensen wants to get rid of the FDA’s efficacy guidelines, in part because she believes the process is too long. She cited Bill Gates’s COVID-19 testing program being stopped as an example of how the FDA has made COVID-19 worse. She said the FDA and the CDC are still blocking COVID-19 testing. Jorgensen believes our healthcare system is broken, but she’s not a proponent for a single payer system. “When I hear Medicaid for all, I hear VA hospital for all,” she said. She wants a free market system where citizens are given money directly and can shop around based on what they need or want from a healthcare provider, not just where or what their insurance company says is in network. She cites the Lasik and cosmetic surgery fields as the most free market, and says prices have gone down in those areas because of competition. Jorgensen said she wanted to end the FDA, ATF, IRS, the federal reserve and the federal income tax, as well as most of the other alphabet soup agencies.
In addition, she wants to defund the DEA, DHS, and DOD. She also wants to repeal every gun law from the past 100 years, including red flag laws. Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. is running against Tom Cotton this November. He warned of authoritarianism in our current government, saying it lays claim to your life, the fruits of your labor, and your thoughts. “Right now, our nation is in turmoil, over the past two weeks the major parties have said that it’s the other side’s fault. That couldn’t be further from the truth. You don’t get to spend decades in Washington and blame it on somebody else when you have the power to fix it,” Harrington said, “Right now we have American citizens being killed in the streets by agents of the state. Men, women, children, innocent, unarmed, are being murdered with impunity. Does that not make you angry? Why has it not changed?” He urged every person to listen to their fellow citizens and realize we have more in common than what separates us, that we all want the same things for our lives and to value the lives of our fellow Americans. “When you look at the turmoil, I hope you realize one thing,” he said, “it’s just the growing pains of liberty. Whenever liberty and authoritarianism clash, you see what you’re seeing today in our nation.”
Harrington said there has been a lot of disinformation about this year’s election cycle, so his campaign has been trying to get the word out by social media and ‘playing nice’ with reporters. Harrington is mainly running against Cotton because of his stance on criminal justice. Harrington wants to amend the Freedom of Information Act, eliminating protections for government actors. He also wants an end to mandatory minimums, the federal legalization of marijuana, citizens advisory boards to hold police more accountable, and more nonviolent intervention training for police. “Our leaders should not be saying the things [Cotton] says because people are emboldened by those words,” Harrington said, referring to Cotton’s use of Chinavirus instead of COVID-19. “My hope is to bring more people together than to further divide them.” Attendees were there to promote one idea in particular: Liberty. “I subscribe to the ideas of liberty, and I feel like you get lip service from the Republicans, but they never actually govern like that, and the Democrats don’t even pretend,” one of the attendees said. “There’s no other candidates supporting liberty right now,” UCA junior and philosophy major Dalton Orsborn said.
SGA
UCA continues emergency textbook grant program for fall by Sadie Clark Staff Writer
The Student Support and Resource Center announced August 10 through email that the University of Central Arkansas is continuing its Emergency Textbook Grant program throughout the fall 2020 semester. Assistant Vice President of Divisions Operations John Fincher said the grant offers students facing financial hardships an opportunity for extra assistance. Students who receive the grant are eligible for a one time payment of up to $500. “Funding for the program comes from UCA’s partnerships with vendors such as Textbook Brokers, Coca-cola and Aramark,” Fincher said. The award period will be open from August 10, 2020, until September 23, 2020, or when funds are exhausted, according to the email. The funds available for the grant are limited and applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Fincher said that the grant is planned to continue into the spring semester, but it will depend on the availability of funding. “When the institution contracts with external vendors, we often ask that they contribute funds for student scholarships,” Fincher said. Typical for each semester, the Emergency Textbook Grant
Program awards $10,000 in scholarships to students in need. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fincher said thatthe Scholarship Committee has been asked to issue all $20,000 for the fall semester. “We have received 355 applications. Those requests are currently being reviewed, and as of today, $15,074 has been awarded,” Fincher said. “All funds will be exhausted by the end of next week.” Junior Julia Kiene is one of the many applicants for the fall semester. She is going to use the money for assistance buying textbooks because of her financial situation. “UCA estimates that I get more financial help from my parents than I [acually] do, so I don’t get much financial aid from the school in return,” Kiene said. She said the grant is a big source of relief for students who are unsure of how they will afford books or school in general, including herself. Fincher said that financial relief for students is the main goal of the Emergency Textbook Grant Program. “For some families, it takes all of their financial resources to get students to campus and enrolled in courses, and textbooks are left to the last available dollars they have,” Fincher said. “If a financial emergency arises before the books are purchased, it can spell disaster for those students. This program is meant to help students avoid
such difficulties.” Students are eligible to receive this grant if they are a full or part-time student enrolled at the university. They also need to be in good standing with Student Accounts, have completed their FAFSA and be able to demonstrate a need for financial aid after other funds are exhausted. For Kiene the form was quick and easy to fill out, only taking around ten minutes.. Fincher referenced similar support programs for students, The Student Support and Resource Center also runs programs such as the APSEC (Assistance Program for Students with Exceptional Circumstances), Bear Retention Grants, Student Emergency Fund Grants (CARES), Technology Assistance Grants and the Freshmen Laptop Initiative. This department is the central place for students who are seeking help for unexpected financial difficulties. “Our mission is to help students connect to campus and community resources when a temporary financial setback threatens their academic success,” Fincher said. The Emergency Textbook Grant Program has been helping students for the fall and spring semesters since their start in spring 2018. For more information on the Emergency Textbook Grant and how to apply, go to uca.edu/go/ textbookgrant.
Campus Life
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September 2 , 2020
Around Campus: Voter Registration Booth 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m., Sept. 2 Bears at the Ballot will work a voter registration booth. Go register and learn about voting by mail.
Study Abroad Interest Office 12:00p.m., Sept. 3, join the Office of Study Abroad online to learn about travel opprutunities.
Bear Den First General Meeting X-period, Sep. 3, in Student Center room 213 and 214 the Bear Den will be recruiting students to offer fresh insight on future club events.
PRISM First General Meeting X-period, Sep. 3, PRISM will conduct its first weekly meeting via zoom. LGBBTQ+ students and allies alike are encouraged to join. Meeting ID: 378 825 2211 Passcode: PRISM
Korean Club Movie Night 7:00p.m, Sep. 3, join the Korean Club through Netflix to watch the television series “Kingdom.” Login info will be shared on instagram: @UCAKOREANCLUB
Feminist Union Welcome Picnic 11:00a.m, Sept. 5, in the Irby courtyard, the Feminist Union invites students to a picnic to celebrate the beginning of the semster.
Career Conennection Program 12:00p.m., Sept. 9 The Career Services & Cooperative Education along with Bear X. Intersted students can emai: bears4hire@uca.edu.
Virtual Volunteer Fair 1:30p.m., Sept. 10, Bear X is hosting a virutal fair via Zoom. Intersted students can visit uca. edu/servicelearing/virtualvolunteer-fair/
Fall 2020 RSO Training 4:00p.m., Sept. 15 recognized Student Organizations is conducting training for RSOs via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 5567 9177 Password: ZiA0FM
Fall Back to School Kick Off 6:00p.m., Sept. 14, in Student Center Room 205, UCA Women of Excellence is hosting an annual back to school program for women of color.
photo by Ed Toddy
From left to right, Diane Newton, Gayle Seymour, Elizabeth Harris, Patricia Poulter and Fredrika Sharkely pose for photo at womens suffrage celebration. Photo taken at College of Business on Aug. 26.
Women around campus speak on suffrage and current voting rights
by Ed Toddy
Campus Life Editor
The College of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences began celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, Wednesday, Aug. 26, with a round of speeches delivered by female faculty members from around campus. “We won’t see another suffrage centennial in our lifetimes,” Gayle Seymour a professor of art history and the lead organizer of the event said. The event coincided with a suffrage themed art exhibit in the Baum Art Gallery, and there are more women’s suffrage celebration events planned through September and October. To fund these events, Seymour worked with Jennifer Dearing to write and receive multiple grants, including ones from the National Endowment
of the Arts, the Arkansas Arts Council and the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation. “Indeed, the arts were critical to the suffrage fight, because they have the capacity to inspire and motivate people,” Seymour said. Elizabeth Farris, a member of the UCA Board of Trustees, took the podium after Seymour, explaining that women have had a big impact on UCA and listing several examples from the female members of the first faculty at UCA to her own grandmothers. “As you learn about the women that came before you try to imagine how you can have an impact on UCA,” Farris said. Fredricka Sharkely, director of communications, followed after Farris, speaking on the history of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, a sisterhood of predominantly Black,
college educated women who marched alongside white women at the 1913 women’s suffrage march on Washington. “I can’t imagine that the decision was an easy one,” Sharkely said, urging the audience to think about what 1913 looked like. “While the suffragettes were fighting for the right to vote, women who looked like them and me, we were fighting the same fight, but also with Jim Crow.” Sharkely said she see can see progress in current voting rights issues in the U.S. “I’d like to believe the work of all of these Delta women, as well as the work of so many other women, allowed for all women to find their voices, to find a seat at every table, to find a seat in every room…” Sharkely emphasized the number of women in Congress and the Senate. “These are the largest numbers we have ever seen,” Sharkely said. “with
CAMPUS OPERATIONS
Torreyson Library adapts to COVID-19, prioritizing health first by Kennadi Harris Entertainment Editor
Torreyson Library has undergone several changes in how they service students. The library is only allowing UCA faculty, staff and students access to in-person services To enter the facility you must also wear a mask due to UCA’s campus wide policy. There is also no outside food or drink allowed inside the library. Additionally, the hours have been reduced from 24 hour access Monday through Thursday to 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m, Monday through Thursday, and 7:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m on Friday. The Library is closed on Saturday but is open 1:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m on Sunday. “This is partly because we have six vacant positions in the library. There is a hiring freeze all over the campus....So that makes it difficult for us to be open the same hours as before,” Director of Torreyson Library Dean Covington said. Covington said these new hours are also a reflection of the new social distancing guidelines as well. “We’re going to try this and see what happens.” Computer access and study rooms have been reduced and group study rooms are closed. There is also a rearrangement and reduction of furniture. “We are doing our best to create socially distanced study spaces,” Covington said. The library is also implementing a “no-contact pickup” for all of its physical items. This includes books, DVDs, musical scores and more. Through this “no-contact pickup” students are assigned one of the
lockers by the front entrance of the library. One of the library workers will retrieve the item the student needs and place it in the locker. The student is then given a code to access the locker and retrieve their item. This does not include textbooks and reserves. Torreyson also has scanning services available that allow patrons to scan content from physical resources and deliveres it to them electronically. Content must meet copyright guidelines and users must complete a scanning request to use this service. The library staff is also doing their best to make sure spaces are properly cleaned and sanitized. There are keyboard protectors that make the computer keyboard easier to clean after individual uses, sanitizing wipes and disinfectant available to students placed all over the library and extra custodial staff. The textbook collections are still available for use in the library, however, textbooks are not thoroughly cleaned or quarantined between use. For this reason, the library advises that textbooks be used with caution. Other books and physical items in the library and quarantined for three days, as recommended by the CDC. Laptops are still available for check out but must remain in the library and be returned within two hours. All items, except for textbooks, course reserves, calculators and laptops, should be returned to the library’s outdoor book return,
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all the progress we’ve made, there’s still work to do, so we can’t afford not to vote.” The third speaker was Diane Newtown, vice president of finance and administration, who admitted she was nervous to be speaking at the event but said that the suffrage movement was at the root of everything she has. “Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt and so many others that you will never know their names. They’ve made it possible for me to live the life that I am living because not only did their agenda include the right to vote, it also included equitable and equal access to education and to employment,” Newton said. “Because these women were willing to go out there and be beaten and jailed, and be ridiculed and be ostracized, so I can do this, so I can go to the polls… If they can do that, I can stand up here,”
Newton said. She ended her speech with a quote from Carrie Chapman Catt, “The vote has been costly. Prize it… understand what it means and what it can do for your country.” The final speaker was UCA Provost Patricia Poulter who told the story of her mother’s first vote and reminisced on the first election she herself participated in. “I campaigned so hard and that person did not win, but that’s okay because I voted, and I’ve never missed a national election,” Poulter said, encouraging the audience to become informed on current issues and to fight against voter suppression. “We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. We have a responsibility, we have a right, we have an honor, ” Poulter said.
STUDENT LIFE
RAs are required to work harder than ever before, for less by Heidi Mackey Staff Writer
The resident assistants on campus are taking on more responsibility during the global pandemic. The resident assistants have gone through additional training and received new protocols to help ensure the safety of themselves and their residents. Ashley Hall, a senior and two year resident assistant for the Sigma Kappa House explained what the new protocols are for dorms if a resident tests positive for COVID-19. “If they test positive through UCA, we will be notified that they were positive and that they have to be moved out of their room for two weeks. They can either move off campus or they can stay in our isolation housing on campus. The Student Health Center will be in charge of getting everything handled, we will just be informed so we know what is going on,” Hall said. Living on campus normally includes events organized by RAs each month. It’s a fun way for students to get to know the people on in their resident halls and be educated on topics like mental health, stress management or resources on campus. With social distancing guidelines limiting the number of people in a room these events can be difficult to plan. “They are virtual for the most part! If I were to host a small program, with under 10 people, I could host it in the lobby, with social distancing ourselves and with masks. However, our events have been lessened. In the past, we have been required to do two programs a month, but now we only have to do one virtual program,” Sara Scott, second year
Baridon Hall RA said. The RAs have taken a big pay cut due to some budget cuts and didn’t receive some bonuses. On top of the new guidelines and rules, they are expected to do more but for less money. RAs are considered frontline workers but took a significant pay cut this semester. “Due to university budget cuts, each RA’s paycheck was cut $1,600 for the year. As a returner, I was also not given the additional $100 for coming back. Although each of us was approved to have a second job, it’s really difficult to find outside employment during a pandemic,” said Hall. RAs already have to go through training and Scott explained that because of the pandemic they went through even more training to make sure they were prepared the best they could be for this new and uncertain time that we are living in. “During a typical year, RA training would actually last about two weeks from 8am-6pm each day. This year, we only had training for four days. We also attended an hour-long meeting with Dr. Pastor to discuss protocol for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation. I also know some RAs quit after this training due to feeling unsafe and like the university wasn’t handling it well,”Hall said. Adjusting to the new rules of having to wear a mask in the dorm even while walking to the bathroom can be challenging for some students, but RAs are there to help mentor and assist residents through these changes. However, the COVID guidelines can make that difficult even though they are intended to keep everyone safe.
4/ September 2 , 2020
Library:
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CAMPUS LIFE
STUDENTS SAY Torreyson Library welcomes student input
4 Continued from page
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which is located at the front library entrance.
their mask back on if they have taken it off or lowered it
guidelines. “They are definitely
students...Hopefully we have made the kind of adjustments
Covington said there has been little negative feedback about the new changes from students. “Some students get a
below their nose,” Covington said. “That’s the most critical way of fighting the spread of the virus.” Senior Jack Barr is
necessary precautions and I think it will really help people realize when they actually need to use the library.” “We’re open to any
that will satisfy the majority of students,” Covington said. All of the library resources that are online can be accessed by students
little frustrated when asked to wear their mask all the time. We go through the building periodically, observing and advising students to put
pleased with the way the library is handling the situation. “I think it’s great,” Barr said in relation to the new social distancing
suggestions [students and faculty] have about what’s happening in the library. We have tried to create enough space for a little over 300
on-campus or off-campus with myUCA login. For more information visit https://uca. edu/library/the-uca-libraryand-covid-19-updates/.
What were the best and “worst moments of the first week of classes? ” Story and photos by Ed Toddy & Ronak Patel
ART EXHIBIT
Junior Esmeralda Ramirez
“My best moment was finding a routine. It’s kind of been hectic over the summer. The worst part, I would say would have to be kind of getting a little anxious when you’re in large classes, even though there are guidelines to separate and spread apart. It’s a little nerve racking to be in a classroom full of people.”
Senior Lindsey Shields
“Are You Normal Down There?” was created by Jessie Hemmons in 2016. Photo taken Aug. 26. at the Baum Gallery.
photo taken by Ed Toddy
“Threads Through Time,” testament to women and suffrage movement by Ed Toddy Campus Life Editor
The College of Art, Humanities and Social Science opened a suffrage related art exhibit, Wednesday, Aug. 26 in the Baum Gallery. “Threads Through Time” will be displayed until Oct. 5. It is one of many events planned through October to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. “I truly believe the arts are a form of magic that can
bring people together, help us see each other, and inspire empathy for one another,” Dr Gayle Seymour the lead organizer of the events and professor of art history said. “The arts had a big impact on the suffrage movement, as they typically do for any social/political movement,” Seymour said. “The exhibit attempts to bridge the gap between then and now by juxtaposing historical fiber arts with contemporary ones and looks at the element of protest, of women using their voice to protest injustice and fight for
full equality” The exhibit was curated by director of the Baum Gallery, Brian Young, and curator of the visual resources library in the Department of Art and design, Sue Bennet, focusing on “home arts” such as handcrafted quilts, dresses and dolls. “We selected works that go from utilitarian to protest oriented. Obviously, because this show was fueled by the suffrage movement, we decided to restrict the works to those made by women,” Young said, explaining that the exhibit
is comprised of historic and contemporary pieces. “Women at the time were the ones responsible for making these white jackets and pants, sashes, sometimes hats. They would march together and then have a loosely based kind of uniform look,” Young said. “Women have long been making works from fiber for the home.” The event was funded by the UCA Foundation, CAHSS Artists in Residence Program and Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission.
“The struggle this week has been figuring which hall to walk down with all the differences and all the extra safety precautions. I understand that they are necessary and good, but it’s just been a lot to take in.The high this week has been that the teachers have been very helpful and have been doing extra to make sure the students can handle all this extra pressure and stress.”
Freshman Abigail Hermann
“The best is probably the fact that I am not scared of my professors like I thought it was gonna be. The worst part is the fact that I don’t like spending money and my books were like $600. That kinda hurt my soul a little bit.”
Freshman TJ Rogers
“The best is probably to get to class and no it is not as hard as I thought it was gonna be. My worst is probably walking from one class to another class.”
Freshman Hassan Khan
Freshman Alexis Mcdonald
“The best moment is being able to get a hold of all my assignments and stuff and the worst moment is getting along with Blackboard because it’s kind of messy.”
“The best moment is the diversity and different scenery.The worst moments is the Zoom and the hybrid kind of gets confused which class is which for a certain day.”
People of UCA: Hannah Hall by Addison Freeman
Staff Writer Junior Hannah Hall is almost always busy. “I am in many RSOs, I’m in Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, I am a member of UCA Dance Marathon, UCA pre-PT Club, Lawn Learners… I feel like there’s a few more, but we’ll stick with those,” Hall said. Hall is the vice president of programming and ritual on Alpha Sigma Alpha’s executive board. “I’m a morale booster, so basically I give out awards at chapter meetings to make the chapter more unified,” Hall said. Like most other things on campus, the pandemic has made some parts of sorority life harder than usual. “It’s been pretty hard. Like any organization, you’re used to being close and together all
the time… and inclusivity is a big part of each organization. Having to be six-feet-apart all the times...you don’t get the same feeling you normally would,” Hall said. Hall, an exercise science major, is adapting to the Covid-19 changes as well as she can. Her professors are already trying to help make this semester go smoothly, and safely, along. “With my major, it’s more helpful for us to be in person for most of our classes, so they try to do it outside or at the baseball stadium or the basketball gym just to space us out.” There are a couple of reasons why Hall chose exercise science as her major, and each reason is attached to the impact people have had on her life. In the eighth grade, she tore her patellar tendon. During her
recovery, she “met an awesome physical therapist” and things clicked into place. “I want to do Physical Therapy. My end goal for PT is to work with the elderly because I’ve been really impacted by the elderly people in my life, and I really wanna make a difference in the rest of the life that they have left,” Hall said. In the small amount of free time Hall can find in her schedule, she enjoys “eating, sleeping, and maybe working out.” While she may be an outgoing person, there are some days where she likes to have time alone to “sit and recharge.” Hall chose UCA “because it’s not too far away from home, but it’s still far enough where my mom couldn’t drive and just pop in my apartment anytime she wanted.” She has stayed, however,
because of her love for the university. “It’s perfect. I love the family that it’s given me. The staff... care about you so much, and they want you to succeed, and they’re not gonna let you fall down on your face,” Hall said. The organizations on campus and the size of the university have helped Hall become familiar with many other students and faculty throughout campus. “It’s hard to walk from class to class without seeing someone I know,” she said. But this doesn’t seem to be an issue for Hall. The size of campus is perfect for her. Hall toured bigger universities, but she felt “like I was just a drop of water in a big, huge ocean. Here at UCA...you don’t feel like a lost drop of water in the ocean, you feel like a wave.”
Photo provided by Hannah Hall
UCA junior Hannah Hall is a member of several RSOs on campus, including her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha and the UCA Pre-PT club.
Sports
5
September 2 , 2020
SLC athletes receive one extra year of eligibilty
Upcoming Games
Football 7 p.m., Sept. 7 vs UAB
by Andrew McMahon Staff Writer
Volleyball 10:30 a.m., Sept. 4 vs Texas State 2:30 p.m., Sept. 4 vs SFA
Editor’s Take photo courtsey of UCASports
UCA wide reciever Lujuan Winningham secures a late game touchdown to help secure the Bears 24-17 victory over Austin Peay State University in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff in Montogomery, Alabama.
Bears open up season with late win by Dj Jones Staff Writer
photo courtesy of The Boston Globe
Leonard Fournette was put on waviers on August 31, 2020 after failing to find a team that would trade for him in the offseason.
The NFL Draft positions really do not tell you anything The Jacksonville Jaguars finally released their supposed star Leonard Fournette after what was a really disappointing stretch with the Jaguars. Now Fournette when he came out of LSU was the talk of the town. He was one of the best players to be in the draft and now he looks like he is going to be another bust. I have found that first round picks that are picked in the draft are not really what they are cracked up to be. When you look back at some first round picks in the NFL’s history it seems like it really is a chance even if you pick them high. Just because they are great in college does not mean they will be great in the NFL. One great example of this is Mitchell Trubisky. He was the number 2 pick in the 2017 draft for the Chicago Bears. Everyone praised how great he was and now in the 2020 season he is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. Mostly everyone will agree that he was a bust. Another good example is Johnny Manziel. He was Johnny Football in college and then he comes to the NFL and busts again. The point I am trying to make is that the NFL and the NCAA are two completely different worlds and we need to recognize that these athletes even though they are great in college may not translate to a great career in the NFL. One of if not the greatest quarterback ever to play the game Tom Brady was the very last pick in the draft and now he is a sure first ballet hall of famer. It doesn’t matter how good you can play in college it is how well can you adapt to faster and stronger players in the NFL. For me it will be interesting to see how a Treveor Laurence will fair in the NFL. He has only lost one game as a college athlete and trust me when he gets to the NFL and he will play in the NFL he will suffer a lot more losses than just
The UCA football team opened the 2020 season with a 24-17 win against Austin Peay State University on Aug. 29. The Bears fell behind quickly in the first quarter after Austin Peay scored on a 75 yard touchdown from freshman running back CJ Evans Jr on the first play of the game. Early in the second quarter, the Governors added three more points on a 28-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Grant Paulette, giving them a 10-0 lead over UCA. The Bears were finally able to put points on the board in the second quarter from a 30 yard field goal from junior kicker Hayden Ray, cutting the lead to 10-3. Late in the second quarter, the Bears were able to score again off of a 27 yard field goal by Ray, which cut the score down to 10-6 going into halftime. In the beginning of the third quarter, the Bears scored their first touchdown of the game
off of a 34 yard run by senior running back Kierre Crossley. The scoring drive took only three plays, and went for 57 yards. UCA was able to hold Austin Peay scoreless in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Bears took a 16-10 lead after a 32 yard field goal from Ray. Austin Peay was able to take the lead early in the fourth quarter off of a 1 yard run from junior quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall, giving them a 17-16 lead over the Bears. With just 34 seconds left in the game, UCA junior quarterback Breylin Smith connected with junior wide receiver Lujuan Winningham on a 10 yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone, which gave them a 24-17 lead. The Bears closed out the game with an interception from freshman defensive back Tamaurian Wilson. UCA junior linebacker TJ Campbell said the key to this game was to not panic on the defensive side. “As a defense, we never panicked. They got a play
on us early and we had to answer. We came to our bench and our coach had a perfect plan for us,” Campbell said. Campbell also said this game taught the team to always trust in one another. “This game taught us to always trust in one another and we depended on each other,” Campbell said. UCA junior defensive back Jackie Harvell said that it felt good to be back on field again, after missing the 2019 season. “It felt good. I was able to do stuff again and it made me happy to be doing that with some of the guys that I came in with. It was fun and I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group,” Harvell said. Harvell also said that he has a specific role for the team. “I think showing up and being there is my role for my team. I’m not special, but being out there is fun and something that I wouldn’t trade doing.” UCA will be playing their next game against University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sept. 3 in Birmingham,Alabama.
COVID-19 has left people within sports in a daze. Confusion about how sports will take place and all the details surrounding that have been quite the headache for numerous different sports organizations. The NCAA, while being scrutinized for what some have called a lack of leadership, had their hands full while dealing with the consequences of COVID-19’s impact on their college athletics. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the NCAA managed to come to an agreement on a major question regarding their fall semester athletes. Fall athletes were granted by the NCAA to not lose eligibility for this season. This is similar to how spring semester athletes, excluding basketball, were given their eligibility back for the year as well. The only difference is that some schools are participating in sports this fall. Some schools and conferences are proceeding with their seasons independently, while other schools and conferences are teaming up with other schools and conferences. The NCAA is still allowing these athletes that may participate in the independent season to still regain eligibility. University of Central Arkansas Athletic Director Brad Teague said, “I think it was the right thing to do.” Teague, is an endorser of his athletes at UCA taking advantage of playing while regaining eligibility. Teague has managed to be sure athletes in fall sports such as men’s soccer, women’s
soccer, volleyball and football will be able to compete this and take advantage of regaining eligibility. A concern that has arisen, due to the eligibility ruling, is how will athletic departments financially deal with extra scholarships. Teague said, “We won’t have extra funding. Just like the spring sports did, the coaches will have to figure out who will want to come back then adjust how many newcomers can be signed to scholarships.” The spring sports that were affected by COVID-19 season cancellation were basketball, softball, track and field, women’s basketball and men’s basketball. However, only baseball and softball received a NCAA ruling exclusively giving those two sport athletes the ability to regain eligibility. Teague said, “We have found that about half want to move on and half want to come back. That was our experience from our spring sports.” Some of the seniors in the fall and spring sports regained eligibility and lengthened their time in college. Without this ruling, some seniors would have seen their last chance to play college sports dwindle away in an odd season or even no season at all. With that being said, not all seniors will want to come back and instead be ready to take that next step in life. Senior pitcher Rio Sanchez said, “I do think that this can be taken as an advantage for some that are ready to move on. Maybe not in the way they expected but plans are ever-changing.” Not all senior fall athletes will return, but some will be jumping at the opportunity.
Preseason All-Conference Team Aris Briggs- Georgia State Adam Davie- Georgia Southern
SUN BELT PRESEASON POLL
Central Arkansas -12 pts Costal Carolina - 10 pts Georgia State -10 pts Georgia Southern- 8 pts
Claudio Repettpo - Costal Carolina Soren Jensen- Central Arkansas Matthew Fearnley- Georgia State Ross Finnie- Georgia State Alberto Suarez- Central Arkansas Aldair Cortes- Georgia Southern Edoardo Calzola- Central Arkansas Paul Tyson- Georgia State Jose Eduardo Bomfirm- Georgia Southern
Fall Sports
UCA decides not to participate in fall sports in spring restart By Andrew McMahon Staff Writer
one over 2 years. This upcoming draft will have a mix of busts and surprises and only time will tell who is what. It really doesn’t matter the number you are picked at,at all.
photo courtsey of southland.org
Southland Confernce Commisonor Tom Burnett has had the role since 2002
The University of Central Arkansas announced on Aug. 7 that they would not play any fall sports in the upcoming spring semester. UCA will play nonconference games in the fall and forgo conference play in the spring for fall sports. On Aug. 13, the Southland Conference sent out a news release and statement on fall sports. In the news release, Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett said, “ a postponement to spring can provide the important opportunities our teams annually seek . . . we look forward to a unique spring season of athletics that also includes NCAA postseason opportunities.” The news release touched
on the topic of the possibility of Southland Conference schools scheduling and participating in independent seasons. The news release also said, “Institutions may choose to participate in limited fall competition.” The UCA Athletic Director Brad Teague released a statement in response to the Southland Conference. Teague said, “Following the Southland Conference’s decision that the conference is postponing fall sports to the spring semester, UCA is moving forward with its fall campaign in all sports, playing a reduced schedule.” Teague was straightforward with his approach in his response. “We are working with several other institutions from the Missouri Valley, the Ohio Valley, the Southern and the Big South Conferences to put together schedules for our
student-athletes to compete,” Teague said. This emphasizes the hope that COVID-19 will not intervene negatively, which there is still a strong chance of Teague and the athletic department in scheduling for UCA’s respected fall sports. UCA President Houston Davis said, “I feel very good about our NCAA-mandated testing protocols. We are fortunate to have Conway Regional Health System as a partner.” UCA has already kicked off athletics, being the first program besides their opposition, Austin Peay State University, to do so. With UCA being one of the first schools in the country to participate in fall athletics, more eyes than normal will be fixed upon the school to see if COVID-19 could potentially outbreak.
Opinion
6
ucaechoeditor@gmail.com
September 2, 2020
The Voice
Sports should be canceled during the pandemic
The Echo Staff Ronak Patel Editor Sarah Coleman Associate Editor Delaney Van Wilpe News Editor Kaitlin Benight Assistant News Editor Ed Toddy Campus Life Editor Ian Lyle Opinion Editor Kennadi Harris Entertainment Editor Travis Gupton Sports Editor Megan Holder Social Media Editor Sidney McCoy Cartoonist
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Parks and Recreation is a better show than The Office Most spinoffs are never as successful as their of the show, but it has a much more lighthearted feel than predecessors, but the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation The Office. Some of the character dialogue and humor is a different story. While many people debate over which contribute to this, especially the friendships between is superior between Parks and Recreation and The Office, characters. Even the characters who are more bitter and dry the characters and comedic tendencies of this spinoff make have a soft spot to them. it one of the most quotable shows to date. Many people do believe that The Office One of the biggest arguments between the outshines Parks and Recreation though. Some people two shows circle around the main love interests. claim that Dunder Mifflin manager Michael Scott For fans of The Office, Jim Halpert is the loveable was equally mean to everyone, meaning they paper salesman that stole secretary Pam were close. However, Leslie supported her Beesly’s heart. staff with positive comments and affirmations It seems like the perfect and willingly hung out with them outside of love story, except that there is work. This is different from Michael, who did one greater. not like some of his staff. Deputy Director of Parks People also seem to and Recreation Leslie Knope idolize the friendship between and state auditor Ben Wyatt are a coworkers Dwight Schrute and match made in heaven. Jim Halpert. Their friendship Jim and Pam’s love story mainly consisted of Dwight is more well-known, but is plotting against and despising also quite problematic. In Jim, and Jim always pranking by Sadie Clark the beginning, Jim expects him. On the other hand, Leslie and Staff Writer Pam to immediately leave Roy nurse Ann Perkins had a positive and be with him whenever he but very comical friendship. confesses his feelings, even There are honorable getting annoyed with her at some point. Him going behind mentions as to why Pawnee, Indiana is the place to visit her back to pursue his dream job at Athlead while she came on your television screen over Scranton, Pennsylvania. home from studying art because she missed him said a lot Some of these include actress Rashida Jones’s portrayal as well. of Ann Perkins over Karen Filippelli, the silly humor over Ben and Leslie’s relationship, however, is empowering awkward scenes, and the immense character development and healthy. They support each other’s dreams and grow of everyone. not only as a couple, but as individuals. Their dynamic We also cannot forget the mysterious Parks and is also captivating. They read each other so well, and are Recreation character that is known as Jean Ralpho. Even nerdy but in their own ways. Their support and love for when you hate him, you learn to love him. each other shone through the television screen. Even if this dispute lasts forever, it is easy to see how the Another great difference is the overall feel of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company began a trend of sitcoms show. Maybe it is the lighting and more uplifting nature that Pawnee’s Parks Department perfected.
This NBA s e as on is t he opp osite of s c uf fe d With the first round of the NBA playoffs close to injury when they lost their starting center and top NBA being played out, it is safe to say that this NBA season big man Kristaps Porzingis after he tore his meniscus is definitely not a “scuffed” season and whoever ends in the first game of the Mavericks playoffs series against up winning the championship did so by being the best a tough matchup in the Los Angeles Clippers, one of team. the heavy favorites to win the NBA title. If not for poor Before the restart in the Orlando bubble, NBA fans officiating, the Mavericks would be up 3-2 in the series were quick to dismiss whatever results of this season and that much closer to making the upset. Instead, the came out to be, because they believed that every team Maverick’s chances of making it past the first round in the was put at a disadvantage due to the fact that all of these playoffs are slim to none. elite athletes were no longer going to be in game shape Even with the few injuries that have occurred while since they had about five months off of basketball. in the bubble, the quality of basketball that has been on This is important because now all of those display is greater than anyone could have hoped for athletes have to get their bodies and minds when the NBA season was restarted. Whether or readjusted to the strenuous schedule of the not the Dallas Mavericks win their series against NBA, leaving their bodies susceptible to the Los Angeles Clippers, watching a 21-yearsuffering a severe injury. old superstar Luka Doncic put up a 43 point For the most part, teams have actually triple-double against a top 5 defense (during been able to avoid injuries while in the the regular season) without his over sevenbubble, with the time off actually foot, cheat code of a teammate Kristaps benefiting more teams, like the Porzingis is beyond impressive and Portland Trailblazers, who were shows just how much of a talent that able to bring back their starting Luka is especially when considering center in Jusuf Nurkić and their this is only Doncic’s second NBA talented young center in Zach season. Collins. With that team fully I’d also like to take a healthy, they were able to go moment to shout out the by Rob Davis from the 9th seed and having to Phoenix Suns for doing Staff Writer win two games against the 8th everything they could to seed in the play in tournament make the playoffs after to make the playoffs, to taking going undefeated in the 8th seed from the Memphis Grizzlies and only the bubble, but due to their standing in the Western having to beat them once to make it into the playoffs. Conference, they were unable to push themselves up While all of that may sit well with Trailblazer fans, enough. Devin Booker has proven to the world that he is I can understand why Grizzlies fans would feel like they an NBA superstar regardless and Suns fans should remain got the short end of the stick because their young rising optimistic for the future as they look to be a great young star in forward Jaren Jackson Jr. did tear his meniscus in team in the making. one of the early bubble games after landing awkwardly With the second round of the NBA playoffs starting on the court, essentially ruining any chance that the to ramp up, I’m as excited as ever to watch some quality Grizzlies had of making any noise in the playoffs. basketball from some of the greatest athletes in the world The Dallas Mavericks were also victims to a major and I can’t wait to watch all of the madness unfold.
The upcoming season’s sporting events at the university should be canceled in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health of student athletes. Although sports are entertaining and a massive part of many students’ lives, some things are more important. With a pandemic continuously rising and putting people at risk of losing their lives, now is not the time for sports that bear such physical contact and transmission of fluids such as sweat and blood. If athletes contract the virus during the current season, they may not be able to see another season to come, nor will their fans. Without good health, athletes may not be able to perform and pursue their dreams, goals and future. The importance of following guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the government are immense during this time and should be taken seriously. The consequences are severe. If people should remain six feet apart from one another in a supermarket, the HPER or in the classroom, then they should on the field as well. Neglecting the severity of the pandemic will only result in the continuous spread of the virus and will continue to keep the university in the strange, dismantled state it is currently in. Patience needs to be embraced and pride needs to be swallowed until the rate of the virus has declined and it has been deemed safe enough to resume sporting seasons.
Although sports are entertaining and are a massive part of many students’ lives, some things are more important. This is not to discredit the futures of student athletes and the scholarships they work for on the field or on the court. Athletes mean much to the university, but they shall take the pandemic seriously as it pertains to their health and well being not only as a student, but as a person. Unfortunately, their time in sports could come to an end due to the pandemic, but many opportunities may arise during and following the crisis, whether it be in sports or somewhere else. However, certain sacrifices must be made for the better cause to serve others and preserve humanity. Sports can wait. Universities tend to attain substantial amounts of income from sporting events, but when does the question of the university’s values come in? Does the university value the profit of sporting and championships or the health and well being of the students who pay tuition to attend the university? Considering UCA is in the south, being the worst part of the United States for the widespread virus, sports should be put on hold until people take the pandemic seriously and follow the appropriate precautions. Only then will we reach a point to where we can return to normality, which we all long for. Until then, we must pursue with patience.
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Entertainment
7
September 2, 2020
New This Week
Jacob Collier delivers masterful chaos in new project
Movies
BY
Sep. 3 — Tenet (PG13), directed by Christopher Nolan, starring John David Washington, Robert Pattison, Elizabeth Debiki Sep. 3 — My Brothers Crossing (NR), directed by Ricky Borba, starring Daniel Robuck, James Black, Paul Ben-Victor Sep. 4 — The Owners (NR), directed by Julius Berg, starring Maisie Williams, Sylvester McCoy, Jake Curran
Music Sep. 4 — One WorldBilly Ocean Sep. 4 -Celeste- Celeste
Sep. 4- RemedyHannah Grace Sep. 4 -Laugh-The Grooms
CADEN MALOTT
Staff Writer
The 26-year-old musical polymath Jacob Collier is a force to be reckoned with. Since going viral on YouTube over eight years ago with a cappella covers of famous songs such as Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, Collier has enthralled music enthusiasts worldwide with his blend of musical expertise and genre-bending music. With three albums already under his belt (two of which belong to a collection entitled Djesse), Collier has yet again proven his worth with the evolved and unrestrained Djesse, Vol. 3. The album wastes no time at the start. “CLARITY” is an opener unlike any other, a weird and quirky amalgamation of backmasking, blips, and lightning-fast clips of each song on the album. The listener’s ears are jolted awake and attentive for what lies ahead. This hurricane of sound is capped off with Collier
deep grooves and minimalist instrumentation. Perhaps the most aweinspiring tracks on the album aren’t the arena-ready pop songs like “All I Need” (with soul powerhouse Mahalia and the ever-familiar Ty Dolla $ign) or “Sleeping On My Dreams,” but the points in the album where the mood shifts away from the happiness that has covered Collier’s entire career. Songs “In Too Deep” featuring Kiana Ledé, and the album’s final epic photo courtesy of www.nitelifeonline.com stand “He Won’t Hold You” [Above] English Musican, Jacob Collier performs on stage, playing musical instrument and singing on of his (featuring a stunning poetry performance from Rapsody) original songs for show at Trinity. are lush and full of breathtaking counting off the very next by “I’m privileged...Sing a and steep drops, soaring highs melancholy, with the ability song, “Count the People.” symphony ‘till we’re free”). and soothing lows. Songs like to bring dedicated listeners to The beginning of this tune sees T-Pain elevates the song with “In My Bones” are fast-paced tears, and send goosebumps Jessie Reyez deliver a chorus so a short and sweet autotune- and nearly overwhelming, but through first-time listeners. catchy and poppy that listeners laced cameo, but this elevation seem like obvious choices The album bids the listener couldn’t see Collier’s lightning is short-lived, as Collierbreaks when contrasted with the farewell with the repetitive “To fast Eminem-influenced rap new ground with a dubstep drop smooth R&B vibes of “Time Sleep,” as if Collier is tucking verses coming from a mile that even Skrillex would nod his Alone With You” featuring his audience in at night with away. While keeping his flow head to. Thus, the album’s first Daniel Caesar and “Running a simple, yet full, lullabye. rhythmically impeccable, full song is complete; Collier Outta Love” featuring Tori However, we wait sleeplessly Collier acknowledges the has yet again engulfed his Kelly. These tracks certainly for him to wake us up again. current pandemic and the Black audience into the wide world of aren’t slow points of the album, Djessive Vol. 3 can be listened Lives Matter movement in his Djesse. rather spacious environments to on Spotify, Apple Music and bars (“Live a life of quarantine/ From that point forward, for Jacob and his mega- other streaming platforms. Never see jack” followed shortly the album is full of sharp turns talented company to explore
MINI SERIES
MUSIC
Anticpated album from “Love in The Time of Corona” rock band lives up to hype depicts reality of life in pandemic
Sep. 4 -Fashioner- In Parallel Sep. 4 —Johnny- Lawn
Sep. 4 - The Night We Raise- Korine
photo courtesy of www.consequenceofsound.net
[Above] Rock band, “The Killers” BY
DELANEY VAN WILPE
News Editor
Sep. 4- The Country Tennessee Jet
Sep. 4- Chemtrials Over the Country Club- Lana Del Rey
Netflix Sep. 1- Barbershop
Sep. 1- Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices
Sep. 1- Pineapple Express Sep. 1- Sister, Sister (Seasons 1-6)
Sep. 1- The Muppets Sep. 2- Chef’s Table: BBQ Sep. 3- Love, Guaranteed (Netflix Film)
Top 5 ways to be an advocate
List compiled by Sarah Coleman Associate Editor
The Killers released their glamorously overdue, sixth studio album “Imploding the Mirage” on August 21. The album was originally set to release May 29, but experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The songs “Dying Breed,” “My Own Soul’s Warning,” “Caution,” “Fire in Bone” and “Blowback” were all released as singles prior to the album release. The short, 10 track album was dramatically rock and roll in typical Killers fashion. Despite losing their original lead guitarist Dave Keuning, we caught a glimpse of the Killers that gave us “Hot Fuss” and “Sam’s Town.” Unfortunately, there are no anthems that quite meet the impact of “Mr. Brightside,” but they came close with tracks like “Caution” and “My Own Soul’s Warning.” In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, the Killers’ front man, Brandon Flowers, discussed the production of this album. “A lot of moments reminded me of making our first album, where you just know that it’s going to connect because of the way it makes you feel,” Flowers said. “I felt like that 20-year-old kid almost inventing something again.” This album proved that even after their debut album sixteen years ago, they are still as fresh as ever. Their distinct and unique 80’s synth rock sound remains unmatched. My first listening experience of “Imploding the Mirage” was dull and anticlimactic. I was using the album as background noise, and
this was not its intention. It was meant to be felt and heard—loudly. Once I took time to consume the art on a clear head with the volume all way up, I was able to fully appreciate this album. Nostalgia hit me when I first heard the track “Caution.” It is my favorite on the album because it brought me back to the Killers I grew up with. Flowers begins the track with a storytime as he iconically sings, “Let me introduce you to the featherweight queen,he got hollywood eyes,ut you can’t shoot what she’s seen,er mama was a dancer,nd that’s all that he knew,’cause when you live in the desert,It’s what pretty girls do.” There were instances in the album, like in the song “Running Towards a Place,” where the Killers gifted us with pure poetry, “Can you see the world/In a grain of sand?/Can you find heaven in a wildflower/Hold it in the palm of your hand?/The moment we met/ Burst like a star/Onto the canvas of the skyline, purple and gold/We’re in this together, I ain’t never letting go.” There were other moments where their dramatic delivery brought us to life like with the addition of a glorious chorus in “My God.” The main point I think the Killers want us to take away from “Imploding the Mirage” is to live life fearlessly and fiercely. Flowers sings, “Cause it’s some kinda sin/To live your whole life/On a might’ve been/I’m ready now.” As he belts out that last note and it transitions to an insane guitar solo, I feel liberated. “Imploding the Mirage” is available on Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.
photo courtesy of www.popsugar.com
[Above] Couple Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson on their show “Love In The Time of Corona” BY
SARAH COLEMAN
Associate Editor
“Love in The Time of Corona” is surprisingly accurate. The fact of the matter is that its incredibly weird to me that we have been living in a pandemic long enough for there to be a feel good show about it. This show highlights how dramatic, exhausting and annoying quarantine is. We as Americans aren’t giving each other enough credit for where we are right now. This show just highlights the nature of what quarantine is. Families are highlighted through their quarantine experience in a fictional yet incredibly accurate way. The lack of leg shaving and the copious amounts of time spent on dating apps are literally just the beginning. This is the comedic relief. This year has been beyond stressful and more unexpected than any of us could have imagined. I mean
it’s crazy. We party on top of each other on new years eve and kiss strangers at midnight and all of the sudden our colleges are kicking us out of on campus housing and we’re moving back in with our parents at age 21. Suddenly we aren’t allowed to leave our houses and everyone is telling us different things about masks and suddenly it’s a political statement to care about other people. The worst part? We all sat and acted like if we didn’t start a business or invest in an industry or lose 80 lbs then we were just lazy and entitled. That’s not accurate. Depression levels spiked, cultural tensions striked, we need to give ourselves more credit. It’s beautiful that we are finally in a place to laugh about the extreme stress we’ve been under. I don’t like the fact that we’re here as a society but if you need to be reminded that none of us are where we expected to be --- watch it.
1. Stop saying the n-word
2. Stop with the
3. Start actually caring about
4. Paying attention to where
No but really, what excuse does a nonblack person of color or a caucasion person have to use the n word? In what world are they like “it’s just a word.” don’t say it. Erase it from your vocabulary. Stop saying it in songs, stop saying it to refer to your black friends, stop saying it when no one who would get offended is around. It’s really not a wild concept, not even a hard one to grasp, you all just like being racially charged and that will never not be weird to me. Stop being problematic, you should know better.
microagressions
people I mean really caring about people. Not just in performative activism. Don’t claim to care about the unborn children and then demonize women who choose to have abortions. Don’t claim to love the children you babysit and then demonize them as adults. Don’t make posts on your instagram with the caption about how the little black children all over the world changed your life and then not care about how they’re treated in the United States.
you spend your money
Don’t be weird. Don’t ask to touch your friends curls or ask about their varying hair lengths. Stop keeping your prejudices on your sleeve. Don’t call your black friends “hood” or “ghetto”. Stop hunting for black and mixed women. Stop saying you want mixed children. Stop being weird. Don’t comment on how black people speak. Be normal and civilized please. I don’t care what hole in the wall town you grew up in that didn’t teach you about culture, or that taught you that off handed comments were funny, but they aren’t funny, you’re just uncreative. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard to shut up.
Before you buy into your favorite fast fashion brands and what not, think about where you’re spending your money. Do these brands rip off black designers? Check. Are these brands culturally insensitive? Do they profit off of appropriation? Do they give money or time to white supremisist groups? Check into it. Seriously. Think more about supporting black businesses. Get the clothes from the creator, most of these outfits are from small black owned businesses, and while not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur, if their styles are making it on SHEIN and Dollskill, they’re good at what they do.
The reality is that this situation is not ideal. None of us ever wanted to have to stay away from bars on weekends. None of us thought dating apps would hold our attention this much. No college student on the history of this universe is excited over the potential of possibly having to move back in with their parents. We all are supposed to be raising hell and waking up for class hungover --- not in a sad, depressive or addictive way but in a “fuck yeah, its college” way. We didn’t want online sorority recruitments and zoom group exercises. We wanted to skip in person classes and wear shacker shirts and live through our hangovers in peace. This is different, not ideal, not something we want to last but there is a beauty in knowing that we can still enjoy where we are now. “Love In The Time of Corona” can be streamed now on Hulu. 5. Learn Read more books by black authors. Listen to the lyrics of rap songs instead of just drinking to them. Don’t tell black people how to feel or mourn. Don’t minimize black people’s experiences. Listen to them when they talk- stop speaking over them. There’s so much speculation about why the black community is hurting and I’m not sure why, learn from black people. Also, to quote a tweet from several different creators “in the age of information, ignorance is a choice.” You can’t choose how you were raised but you can choose to do better, so
do better.
ucanews.live
SPORTS
8/ September 2, 2020
UCA STATS CORNER SPORT
OPPONENT
Football
Austin Peay
Volleyball
Texas State
RESULT 24-17 (W)
Sept. 4 Volleyball
Football
SFA Sept. 4 UAB Sept. 3
RECORD (1-0)
TBA
TBA
TBA
photo courtsey of UCASports
Grad Student Amanda Beaton keeps a positive attitude on being a student athlete and tries to share her positivity with her teammates
Positivity in athletics, academia for grad student By Ashley Savage Staff Writer
First year UCA grad student Amanda Beaton came back to campus this fall fully prepared to adapt to the obstacles thrown her way as she embarks on her first semester as a graduate student and fifth season as a Sugar Bear. Beaton, who moved to Conway from St. Louis, Missouri, said she misses her family and homecooked meals the most while she’s here pursuing her athletic and academic goals. When asked if Beaton always planned on playing volleyball in college, her response was clear. “My goal was to receive a full-scholarship and play D1 volleyball somewhere. I was recruited all throughout high school and verbally committed the summer of my sophomore year,” Beaton said. Lafayette High School graduate said that when it came to picking which school she’d play for, UCA was an easy choice, even adding that the coaching staff made her feel very confident in the school due to how “organized and trustworthy” they were. The fifth year Sugar Bear graduated last May with a degree in psychology. Since graduating, Beaton was accepted into UCA’s
Masters of Sports Management Program and plans to work towards her masters while she and the rest of the team plan for an uncharted 2020 season. When commenting on what the Sugar Bear’s upcoming season might look like, Beaton was quick to shed light on where the team stood. “We have a phrase, ‘We Get To’, that we as a team use daily. We get to be a student athlete during this pandemic. We get to practice while some schools do not have access to gyms or weight rooms. We get to be together as a team while other universities do not. We get to play this fall. I think it is a great phrase and it can be used not only for volleyball but life in general,” Beaton said. While COVID-19 continues to run rampant, Beaton and the rest of the Sugar Bears are working to remain hopeful for the times they’re sharing together. “We’ve all decided to make every practice count,” adding. “it has been frustrating not knowing what our ‘season’ will look like this fall or even this spring, but we are trying to make the most of it while we can.” President Davis and the staff have worked diligently to ensure that campus is as safe as humanly possible mid pandemic. Beaton
confirmed that the athletic department has done the same. “The athletic training staff, strength and conditioning coaches, and all other staff associated with our team are taking the extra measures to make sure we are all safe and healthy to play this season,” Beaton said. Apart from being a full time student athlete, Beaton is as dedicated to her academic responsibilities as she is to her life as a Sugar Bear. This was true during her time as a Psychology major and carries no differently as she begins her journey as a graduate student. “You have to learn to give up some of your free time and focus on your academic responsibilities,” Beaton said. “it is going to take time to adjust. Work hard ON and OFF the court, because extra effort and work shows,”Beaton said. In regards to what comes next, Beaton shared her hopes to coach in her second year of the master’s program and to eventually work in the professional athletic environment in years to come. Until then, Beaton is appreciating the times she’s experiencing with her teammates this year and her opportunities as a Sports Management student.
photo corrtsey of UCASports
Junior quarterback Breylin Smith looks to lead the Bears to a major upset a UAB team that was undefeated at home in the 2019 season.
UCA prepares for first FBS game this season By Travis Gupton Sports Editor
After an impressive season opening win against the Austin Peay State University Govenors, the Bears will have a short week before they play their first FBS team of the season in the University of AlabamaBirmingham Blazers on Sept. 4. UAB from the Conference USA conference will be an early test for coach Nathan Brown and his 11 ranked Bears. “I think if you can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball you will have a great chance of winning,” Brown said. “In game one against Austin Peay we did that. UAB posses an entirely different challenge. They will have as much size and length as we will play against in the trenches. We have to play harder than them and good things will happen.” UAB finished 9-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play. UAB at home last year went undefeated at 6-0 a stat the the Bears will have to aware of coming into the game on Thursday. “We won’t be able to play
the way we did last night and beat UAB,” Brown said. “They are too talented to do that. Breylin and our offense made enough plays late in the game to get the win. We can rely on that this week. We have to be solid from the get go.” UCA on the other hand is riding high off the momentum they got after their fourth quarter comeback against Austin Peay. The Bears offensive line stood tall for most of the game, and now as they look forward to the game against a much larger opponent in UAB the offensive line and the battle in the trenches will be extremely important. “Flipping to the run game, our online controlled the line of scrimmage,” junior offensive lineman Will Burgess said. “If we can get on our blocks and maintain them long enough for Kiki (Kierre Crossley) to get free, we will have similar success. Like I said controlling the line of scrimmage will be crucial.” The run game will be crucial for the Bears in this game. Senior running back Kierre Crossley will need another excellent game like he had against
Austin Peay. “I think success in the run game is crucial anytime you play up in divisions,” Brown said. “UAB posses a lot of challenges for us but we are going to need to control the clock and the time of possession and the way we do that is with a solid running game.” UAB will have a few things going in their favor even before the game starts. The Blazers have not played yet so they will be the more fresh of the two teams. The other thing that the Blazers have is home field advantage. This will be the first true road game for the Bears since the Austin Peay game was on a neutral field. The Blazers will play a conference schedule this fall. The game against the Bears will be one of the last three non conference games they play before they start conference play. The Blazers are one of the only teams in the nation that will play a full conference schedule. Most schools will wait until the spring to participate in fall sports Kickoff is at 7 pm on Sept. 3.
FCS opens up season with Cramton Bowl
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photo curtosey of letsgopeay.com
The suites of the Cramton Bowl in Montogomery Alabama the sight of the start of the 2020 football season.