THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION FEE
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 Volume 116 — Issue 3
ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY
Entertainment:
Campus Life:
Sports:
Bears at the Ballot: Voter registration available on campus.
Football: UCA bears vs. UAB Blazers.
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New Release: The Pale Door film.
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Present, future conditions of construction on UCA’s campus
Mostly sunny
90/70 THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Khashoggie receives justice
The eight defendants in former journalist Jamal Khashoggie’s death have been sentenced in Saudi Arabia. Five of the defendants were sentenced to twenty years in prison. One defendant was sentenced to ten years and the other two were sentenced to seven years in prison. Khashoggie was murdered and allegedly dismembered following. The CIA concluded that Bin Salman personally ordered the killing. King Salman has never confessed to this.
N AT I O N A L Baseball legend dies at 81 years old Lou Brock died Sunday at 81 years of age. Brock was known as the “Stolen Base Specialist” because of his statistics during his 19 years of playing in the MLB. 16 of the years he spent in the MLB were spent playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock is one of only 32 in the league that has hit more than 3,000 and he holds the title for the second most stolen bases in MLB history.
Wildfires rage through California Dozens of people were trapped at Mammoth Pool Campground in Northern California due to one of the three wildfires that struck the state on Labor Day Weekend. Campers were forced to seek shelter. Police reported no injuries.
S TAT E
Huckabee Sanders will promote new book in Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially released her book “Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside of the Trump White House.” This book allowed her to share her side of the story while working in the Trump administration. Her book is among 1,200 books written about Donald Trump since he first began his presidency in 2016. Sanders will start promoting in Arkansas during her book tour. Sanders also dedicated a chapter of her book to Arkansas.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE UCA football is recieving national attention.
ByDelaneyVanWilpe News Editor
This fall semester, the University of Central Arkansas is undergoing positive additions with the Donaghey improvement project, the Lewis Science Annex, the Integrated Health Science building and more to come. More recently, the university has completed a storm shelter at Bear Village, three fraternity houses on Donaghey avenue, a National Panhellenic Council house and five gravel parking lots with one more to come in the next couple months. Physical Plant Director Larry Lawrence said that currently, the Lewis Science Annex is near completion and the Integrated Health Science Building is halfway finished and expected to be done fall 2021.. The more visible work being done on campus is the “Donaghey improvement project” being done by the City of Conway. This project will span from Dave Conway construction worker is on the job along Donaghey avenue Sept. Ward drive to Prince street currently in its first phase and is expected to be completed August 2021. and will be done in phases. The Donaghey Street “Most utility companies complete the first phase of have completed the utility the project,” Conway City project is currently in its first phase and is expected to be relocations necessary to Engineer Finley Vinson said.
decrease despite housing increases by Kennadi Harris Entertainment Editor
For the fiscal year of 20202021, UCA has decided to cut pay for residential assistants. According to UCA’s operating budget for 20202021, UCA’s base state appropriating budget line has decreased by $7,229,921. This decrease is in response to the economic shut down related to COVID-19.The largest portion of the decrease is attributed to a reduction in projected registration revenue of $5,542,021, which is based on a projected decrease in enrollment of 5%. The budget now totals $185,318,864, which is $14,171,192 or 7.10% less than the October revised budget. In the budget book, it says that there has been “significant adjustments within existing budgets, mainly focusing on salaries, fringe and M&O.” The exact salary amount for residence halls were not listed. Despite the cuts to salaries in housing, the budget also reports that there has been a 5% increase in room and board. Normally, resident assistants are paid based on the amount of housing but this reduction in pay doesn’t equate the cost of housing this semester. This decision has left many resident assistants confused and frustrated. An anonymous source that works in housing says this payment deduction is unfair. “I thought that the decision was kind of out of left field… there wasn’t really a lot of discussion, they kind of just made us choose getting lower pay or not having a job at all. I thought that was kind of unfair,” anonymous said. The normal duties of an RA include making rounds around the dorms, hosting programs, office hours and ensuring their residents are safe and comfortable.
However, this semester due to COVID-19, resident assistants are asked to enforce precautions to keep their residents safe. “We have to make sure that everyone is wearing a mask while inside. We have to ensure that there aren’t any outside guests in the building. We have to make sure everyone is being safe and sanitary,” anonymous said. Anonymous says this has kind of made the job tougher. Along with the new tasks RAs have to take on, some RAs have to take on more tasks due to a shortage of staff. “In the entirety of residents and housing life there are so many of us that have left,” Anonymous said. The anonymous source also explains that in their residence hall there are no male RAs, making it difficult for staff to oversee and assist the male side of the dorms. “It’s stressful but these kids really need help. I feel like we are the only people that are close enough to do anything about it and even then it’s very difficult to help them when they need it,” Anonymous said. Former resident assistant for Hughes Hall and senior, Remington Gonser, says that given the duties of being an RA, this payment cut is not right. “I feel like the school definitely has funding somewhere that we could probably put into housing. Housing is probably one of the most important parts of campus, especially for freshman students,” Gonser said. He says that according to friends of his still in housing, the current state of housing is really bad and can be mentally draining. “I know that the RAs and [peer coaches] that are still working are really trying their best and they could use a lot of support right now,” Gonser said.
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HOUSING
Resident Assistants’ salaries
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Performing Arts building is expected to begin construction soon and will be opened fall 2022. “All of the projects are exciting both to start and even more so to see them completed and be used,” Lawrence said. In the future, the City of Conway plans to add a crosswalk on south Donaghey avenue near the AETN building. This crosswalk will include two R920-F for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon on both sides of the road. The RRFB is powered by solar energy and is activated through sensors or push buttons. The dates to begin this addition were not disclosed. “Anytime there is a construction project, there is always likely going to be some amount of inconvenience. After all, UCA is a busy place with many occupants here every day,” Lawrence said. “That said, you have to photo by Delaney Van Wilpe go through that minor 3. The Donaghey improvement project is inconvenience to get what is on the other side. By that I mean a new building or a new road, or a new parking completed August 2021. Additionally, the lot etc. In a sense, it is the new Windgate Fine and price we pay for progress.”
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The weather radar shows Hurricane Laura on the coast of Louisiana Aug. 27. Laura made landfall as a category 4 storm. The impacts of Laura hit Conway Aug. 28.
City of Conway experiences minor damages after tropical storm Laura ByAndrewMcMahan Staff Writer
Hurricane Laura found her way to the Natural State after landfalling on the Louisiana coast near Lake Charles on Thursday, Aug. 27. Laura and her treacherous conditions arrived in Conway on Friday, Aug. 28. Conway recorded 3.09 inches of rain that Friday. The highest wind gust Conway recorded was 53 miles per hour. Conway also recorded multiple wind gusts during the afternoon ranging from 35-45 miles per hour. Some lost power in the area for short periods of time, as the consistent gusty
winds led to a few electrical transformers blowing. The storm brought a plethora of limb damage and a handful of trees falling in the Conway area. “A fallen tree temporarily blocked thru traffic on Duncan Street near Conway High School,” City of Conway Spokesperson Bobby Kelly III said. “One minor was transported to the hospital after a tree fell on a house on Simms Street.” The University of Central Arkansas did not experience any major exterior damage from the tropical storm. However, Physical Plant Director Larry Lawrence found the university sustainted some
Social:
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minor damages, “Minor limbs and debris on the grounds area. Nothing major. We also had several small leaks and one major leak at the basement of the Student Center,” Lawrence said. Lawrence elaborated that the ongoing construction around campus was affected by the storm, but it was nothing out of the ordinary for them. Lawrence said, “Very small hindrance. Usually on exterior work, on rain days no work occurs. These days are built into the contract. Interior work tends to continue on regardless of
The Echo
ucaecho
© 2020 The Echo, Printed by The Courier, Russellville, Arkansas.
Not everything needs to be a competition.
see page 6
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Police Beat
The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports by Assistant News Editor Kaitlin Benight
Public intoxication Local man charges for local attacks girlfriend
29 year old Bradley Shane Metzger of Conway, has been charged with third degree battery after an incident that happened on Aug. 22. Metzger is reportedly homeless and also faces a charge of public intoxication after a parking lot fight led to another man’s injuries. Metzger is accused of trying to steal the man’s backpack. According to Metzger, the other man with a bamboo stick threatened his life with a knife. Metzger will appear in Faulkner County Circuit Court on Sept. 14.
Chantin Donnell Jackson, 30, of Conway, is being held on third degree domestic battery, and obstructing governmental operations charges. Jackson is currently in jail on bonds of $15,000 following an incident with his girlfriend on Aug. 23. Jackson reportedly lied to the officers about where his girlfriend was at the time of the call. According to the victim, Jackson became violent after a conversation about her losing her job and wrapped a cord around her neck. Jackson has a history of domestic violence where he was found guilty in Sept. of 2018. to Faulkner County Jail. Estimated damages are totaled at $300.
Walmart worker faces theft charges
Christopher Sanchez Boston, a 22 year old former Walmart employee has been arrested in a felony theft case regarding stolen items during his time working at Walmart. Boston worked as a cashier at the Dave Ward Walmart. According to the loss prevention manager, Boston’s register came up short several times and a theft report was filed on Boston during Oct. 2019. Boston was seen on security footage placing cash from the register into his pocket several times. Boston admitted to stealing $50 but according to store records, Boston stole $4,500 during his time as an employee. He now faces felony theft of property charge.
Hurricane: weather in most cases.” A tropical storm is not your typical weather event in Central Arkansas. Knowing that Conway could see an unprecedented storm, Communications Coordinator for the Office of the Mayor Bobby Kelly III said that the city prepared accordingly. “We were prepared for much worse. What we experienced wasn’t too much different from what we typically experience during a spring thunderstorm.”, Kelly III said. “Our Special Operations Rescue Team was placed on duty and patrolled the city looking for issues.” Laura made landfall as a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour. Laura maintained hurricane strength during her entire journey through Louisiana while heading
The UCA Readership Program, the initiative to provide free newspapers to those on campus, will transition to an onlineonly format, offering online copies of The New York Times, USA Today and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The initiative originally permitted the availability of printed copies of each. Although, last year, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette decided to discontinue their print edition. The Echo will now be the only printed newspaper available on campus. On Aug. 28, SGA Vice President of Finance Jennifer Cale told The Echo there would be no physical copies of The New York Times nor USA Today because of the pandemic, but an online program was still being considered. “If SGA doesn’t pay for the contract this year, the funds will still be a part of the Student Activity Fee as always and distributed normally,” Cale said. The Student Activity Fee, which is listed on UCA’s website page for UCA 20192020 Rates as $15.00. The
description says “$2.00 of the fee funds the campus readership program, providing students with free copies of USA Today and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. $13.50 funds SGA programs and SAFA.” After a meeting with UCA President Houston Davis, Cale confirmed Sept. 1 that the program would transition to a fully online format. “Costs and payment methods are currently being worked through,” Cale said after the meeting. Sources of funding for The Readership Program, as listed in the 2019 contract, are $7,000 from SGA and $15,000 from The President’s Office. The cost per newspaper, as listed in the contract, is $0.55 for USA Today, or $0.70 for 50 or less copies, and $1.10 for The New York Times. A Readership Program Recap from early 2019 shows the most total copies of printed newspapers were picked up daily from Irby Hall and Stanley Russ Hall — 78 in Irby and 64 in Stanley Russ. Irby Hall is home to the departments of English; history; languages, linguistics, literature and cultures; philosophy and
religion; political science; sociology, criminology and anthropology, and the publication of UCA’s literary magazine, The Vortex. Stanley Russ Hall is home to the Film, Theatre and Creative Writing department and the production of The Echo and News6. Senior Connor Holmes is a film production and broadcast journalism double major. He said that he occasionally picked up copies of the papers when they were in stock, but by the time he got to class, most were gone. “If the school offered an online option, I would only be interested if that came with a mobile option, I use my phone throughout the day more than my computer and reading news on it would be a lot easier,” Holmes said. “I would like them to change to an online-based format, because this is just an online world now. I’m pretty sure journalism students are the only ones that pick up physical newspapers anyway. So the more accessible it is, the more Informed people are, and the more we are educated to promote change.”
north. Just before reaching the Louisiana and Arkansas stateline, Laura was downgraded to tropical storm status by the National Hurricane Center, but was still a powerful storm. The National Weather Service issued tropical storm warnings within the state of Arkansas for the first time ever. However, Faulkner county was never under a tropical storm warning, as only counties in the southern and western portions of the state were under warning. The reason that the NWS issued warnings was due to the quick speed at which Laura was traveling north after landfall, leaving little time for Laura to completely weaken. This resulted in Laura holding tropical storm strength nearly her entire time in the state of Arkansas. Laura’s low pressure center
meandered her way through the dead middle of Arkansas, coinciding with Laura traveling close to Conway in her last day as a tropical storm. Laura and her treacherous conditions arrived in Conway on Friday, Aug. 28. Conway recorded 3.09 inches of rain that Friday. The highest wind gust Conway recorded was 53 miles per hour. Conway also recorded multiple wind gusts during the afternoon ranging from 35-45 miles per hour. The NWS confirmed eight tornadoes in Arkansas on Aug. 28 as a result of Laura. This tornado outbreak is the largest the state has ever seen in one day during the month of August. All confirmed tornadoes and tornado warning were east and northeast of Faulkner County.
ACHIEVEMENTS
UCA’s Readership Program removes print newspapers, moves to online Staff Writer
Conway sees impact from Laura.
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N E W S PA P E R S
by LaurenMcLemore
ucanews.live
NEWS
photo courtesy of uca.edu
Professor of management information systems and Master of Business Administration program Director Mark McMurtrey, PhD.
UCA MBA director granted SWDI Outstanding Educator Award by Kennadi Harris Entertainment Editor
Professor of management information systems and Master of Business Administration program Director Mark McMurtrey, PhD., has been awarded the Outstanding Educator Award by Southwest Decision Sciences Institute (SWDI). McMurtey says winning this award has been an honor and he feels truly blessed. “A lot of the winners of that award were colleagues of mine or mentors of mine...it is an honor that my name would be there with theirs,” McMurtrey said. The SWDI is a branch of the Decision Science Institute. The Decision Science Institute’s website states that it is “a professional organization of academicians and practitioners interested in the application of quantitative and behavioral methods to the problems of society.” McMurtrey was a program chair for SWDI’s conference in 2017 and served as the organization’s president from 2019-2020. Winning the organization’s Outstanding Educator award is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the program. McMurty has been an educator at UCA for 19 years and has been the MBA
program director for five years. While here at UCA he has developed wonderful relationships and has been recognized for his work on campus as well. “One of the criteria for winning this award is winning a similar ‘Outstanding Educator Award’ at your own school and I am very blessed that I won the Outstanding Educator Award in the college of business in 2017,” McMurtrey said. “I never would’ve gotten the award, if I wouldn’t have won the award at UCA, so I definitely bleed purple.” McMurty has also won the Outstanding Service Award in the college of business in 2014. McMurtrey, known as “Dr. Mac” by his students, has left a positive impact on his students. One of his students in the MBA program, Nathan Heintze, says he might not have started his MBA program if it wasn’t for McMurtrey. “Dr. Mac is truly a servant of God who truly loves his students and wants the best for anyone who comes under his ‘wings’,” Heintze said. “He is truly one of the best professors at UCA, that wants to push his students to succeed through hard work and dedication...I have visited his office or called his phone when I was stressed out over an exam or writing a long paper for grad school. He has always
been one to cheer me up and make me want to strive forward.” McMurtrey says that after changing his major in college several times he found his calling in MIS. “I kind of stumbled into it when I was a sophomore in college...way back then computers were just really getting going...now we have the internet on our phones and management information systems is the study of all that. So it’s been very neat to see the evolution from big computers and back rooms to now everyone has the world’s information on their phone,” McMutrey said. McMurtrey plans to remain active and continue teaching and service work at UCA. “We have had some great success here in the MBA program, it grew like 7% in the last year, I would just like to keep up this good work,” McMurtrey said. “I work with some of the finest colleagues in the land and we all enjoy coming to work everyday.” McMurtrey also has advice for new up and coming educators. “Stay passionate about what you do, because students can see it in you and know if you’re being genuine or not. Stay passionate stay focused and always have the best interest in your students.”
Campus Life
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September 9, 2020
Around Campus: Greek-Life Information Booth 10:00 a.m. Sept. 10 in the Student Center, Phi Sigma Kappa will be providing information about Greek life to students.
Student Veterans of America Interest Meeting 2:45p.m, Sept 9. Are you interested in connecting with other veterans on campus? Attend to learn more about the SVA. photo by Ian Lyle
YSDA Zoom Group Hangout 6:00p.m. Sept 10, via Zoom, UCA Young Democratic Socialist of America will meet on Zoom to introduce themselves. Email jcheatham@ cub.uca.edu for the zoom link.
Fall Back to School Kick Off 6:00p.m. to 7:30p.m., Sept. 14 in Student Center room 205 UCA Women of Excellence is hosting an annual back to school program for women of color.
Fall 2020 RSO Training 4:00pm to 6:0pm, Sept. 15. Recognized Student Organizations is conducting training for RSOs. Meeting ID: 810 5567 9177 Password: ZiA0FM4.
RHA General Body Meeting 8:20p.m. Sept. 1, in Student Center Room 213 attend and see what RHA is all about.
Voter Registration Table 11:00a.m Sept 11, Student Center lawn, The Feminist Union and Bear X will be handing out voter registration forms and information on voting.
This is How We Do it 7:13p.m. online, Delta Sigma Theta will provide tips on how to succeed at UCA. Visit @ uca_deltas on Instagram and click on the link in their bio to join.
Campus Job Listing: UCA Art Department Student Worker Position The UCA Art Department is hiring a student worker. Students must qualify for federal work student funds to apply. Apply on Bears4Hire.com
A UCA plush bear sits next to a list of key dates for registration and voting. Photo taken in the Brewer-Hegemen Conference Center.
Bears at the Ballot urges students to vote by Ian Lyle Opinion Editor
Bears at the Ballot is offering voter registration to students on campus, and welcoming students to join the organization. “Our goal is to promote civic engagement, informed voting, civic participation among college students,” Bears at the Ballot Team Leader Greta Hacker said. The organization is pushing for students to register to vote for the upcoming elections and is providing various forms offered to students on campus to register to vote. One service offered to students by the organization is voter registration tables. Bears at the Ballot provides voter registration tables on campus frequently, giving students the option to walk up and register
in person, guiding them along the way. Students can also fill out stamped voter registration forms found at the information desk in the student center and send them in the mail. Director of Service Learning and Volunteerism Lesley Graybeal encouraged students to follow Bears at the Ballot on social media in order to stay informed on how to vote, where to vote, when to vote and more information regarding voting and events held by the organization Hacker said that the organization is very casual to students as they welcome direct messages on instagram to set up appointments, help with voter registration and answer any questions if students have any. Bears at the Ballot can be found on Instagram using the
tag @uca_bearsattheballot Another way for students to stay informed on voting is by texting “UCA Votes” to 56525. Absentee voting is particularly being encouraged during the pandemic. “We’re really trying to push alternative forms of voting besides just voting in person on election day,” Hacker said. “We’re really pushing absentee voting because a lot of students might not want to go to the polls because of COVID...We’re wanting to tell students that it is a legitimate excuse to not want to go to the polls because of COVID.” Bears at the Ballot has seen significant growth since being on campus, and has seen an increase in voting turnouts within the last year. “We’re really excited to see the numbers for our General
Election,” Ambassador Javier Hernandez said. “Of course, the numbers may not be as high because people might not want to go vote because of COVID and everything, but we’re still excited and we are still going to do everything we can to either get students out to the polling place. “I think a lot of times people think of younger voters as disengaged in the voting process or as not particularly excited to vote...and I think this year I’ve talked to a lot more people who are excited and looking forward to participating in their first election,” Graybeal said. The organization is currently looking to welcome more members to assist in registering students to vote, attend events, lead the organization and more.
“We do want people for next year to lead the way for UCA to become a civically engaged campus and to just carry on the tradition that ‘Vote Everywhere’ has had,” Hernandez said. He also said that he and Hacker are graduating seniors, looking to pass on leadership to other students who may be interested in leading. Hacker and Hernandez said students can feel free to reach any level of involvement they wish to attain within the organization, whether it be helping run registration tables or leading the organization. They explained that it is a fun process and is a great way for students to learn more about civic engagement and become more involved.
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Recovered students share experiences by Olivia SnelSOn Staff Writer
Millions of people across the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The United States is among the hardest hit by the virus. The virus has become so widespread that almost everybody knows of someone who has contracted it. Health officials have warned that young people are not immune to the virus, and colleges across the country have shut down due to spikes in cases among students. Natalie Burklow, a senior at UCA, caught the virus this summer while on vacation and it took her two weeks to recover. When asked how the
virus affected her daily life she said, “Life was slow. I wasn’t able to do anything besides eat, sleep and watch TV. I was in my room the entire 15 days unless I came out for a shower.” Burklow experienced fatigue, diarrhea, throwing up, coughing, headaches and difficulty breathing. She called it “a very draining experience.” Burklow wasn’t the only student at UCA who had a run in with the COVID-19 virus. Senior Taylor Umbarger also caught the virus this summer. Umbarger knew she had it after her boyfriend tested positive, despite always wearing masks and social
distancing in public. Umbarger said, “Any time we saw friends, it was always one or two and we kept our distance. I was a little embarrassed to tell people I had it at the beginning because I didn’t want anyone to think I wasn’t being socially responsible when I really was.” It also took about two weeks for Umbarger to recover from the virus. She said, “For the first five days, I couldn’t do anything. I just slept. After that, everything was pretty much back to normal. I got tired quickly but that wore off at the end of the two weeks” about her experience.
When asked about the symptoms she experienced she said, “I never had a fever. I had the typical cough, exhaustion, headache and loss of taste and smell. I actually lost feeling in my hands and feet at one point and I later found out some patients were having similar neurological issues.” The statistics show that young people without any preexisting conditions are less likely to die from the virus. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take as many precautions as we can to help prevent ourselves and others who might be more vulnerable from catching the virus.
The effects of the virus vary a lot between individuals, such as Burklow’s and Umbarger’s symptoms. As shown with them though, the virus can still be debilitating even when it is not fatal. To avoid missing school, spreading it to loved ones, or worse, students should be extra cautious during the school year and avoid parties and other large gatherings Precautions include wearing a mask and socially distancing when possible. For more information, students can visit the university’s COVID-19 response page on the UCA website.
TikTok rep talks Feminist Union is security to PR class undefeated by virus by Rob Davis
Staff Writer Taylor Cohen recently started her position as the global creative strategist for the social media platform Tiktok and she is already ramping up for new projects with the company, saying, “We say here at Tiktok ‘always day one’ and believe me it is always day one here.” While speaking to a UCA PR class in a Zoom call on Friday, September 4, Cohen explained that Tiktok has two creative strategist teams, with one being in the United States and the other covering the rest of the globe, which she is in charge of. “It means waking up at 5 a.m. to talk to China, which isn’t the best part of my job, but it’s still fun,” Cohen said. “Day to day has been a big change because prior I had been working across all kinds of different clients, but now, I am my client. My job, in simple terms, is branding Tiktok as a brand and making sure that creators, executives and day to day users are being given all the right
information about the platform.” Although her job may benefit from the lack of privacy of some people, Cohen made it clear that privacy is something that she has always taken seriously and wishes people were more informed on the matter. “People don’t realize how much of their information is already out there...I want Google and Amazon and Facebook to take as much information as they want from me because it makes my [online] experience better,” Cohen said. Cohen does understand why people would be concerned about what they hear online since most people don’t work in her industry and aren’t having conversations about online privacy as frequently. She wants people to ultimately not be scared of the word “privacy”. “I think it’s like your own personal privacy...you are still in control of that like from a person who is an active user on social media, you do control that...It all comes down to what
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by Allison Polston
Staff Writer As the UCA Feminist Union takes on civil action during a global pandemic, the organization seeks to emphasize the importance of inclusivity. Taking action while following COVID-19 precautions has presented a new challenge for the organization. Union President Kilee Webb said the organization plans to have a socially distanced study date picnic on Sept. 19 as a welcome back to school event. All regular meetings will be held on Zoom this semester. The next meeting will be Sept. 22 during X-Period. Attendees of a meeting can expect to discuss campus endeavors and learn about the organization’s members. One of the first task on the union’s agenda is voter registration. “Our goal is to get everyone we possibly can registered to vote by October [5], which is the last day to register for the November election in Arkansas,” Ari Gray, Feminist Union vice president said. The organization will host a voter registration table on the Student Center
lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 25. The Feminist Union also plans to host two major events focusing on intersectionality this semester. Take Back the Night, planned for this October, will bring awareness to domestic violence and provide a supportive place for survivors. Unity, which does not have a planned date as of yet, will focus on demonstrating support for LGBTQ+ community members on campus The organization plans to host The Vagina Monologues with the theatre department during spring semester again, Gray said. All events that the Feminist Union has planned could change depending on updates to COVID-19 guidance. The organization’s CubConnect page will be updated regularly with event information. This semester is all about redefining feminism as a movement for the organization.
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Ballot:
Faculty advisor says that local representatives have the most impact
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Bears at the Ballot team leader Greta Hacker helps register a student to vote. Photo taken in the Brewer-Hegemen Conference Center.
TikTok:
photo by Ian Lyle
Graybeal said she really wanted “to encourage students to really consider seriously registering to vote here in Faulkner county because a lot of people pay attention to national races but their local elected officials and state representatives are the people who make decisions that really affect us. Students deserve
to have a voice in who those people are.” “If all students were registered to vote here and participated in the voting process, you couldn’t just elect the mayor of conway; you could be the mayor of conway. That’s the kind of power that I want students to know that they have.”
Story and photos by Ed Toddy & Ronak Patel
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you are searching and what you are putting out there into the world,” Cohen said. “Terms and conditions are something we should be reading when signing up for any platform and that’s what I mean when I say you have control, so once you opt-in, you have lost your control of that.” Once you have opted in and
created an account on any social media, they will control how you use the platform and what you are searching/spending your time on while using the platform. Cohen wants to shift the negative feelings surrounding the collection of user data, saying, “the ways in which they are collecting information is not as scary as the
headlines make it seem. They [social media platforms] are just trying to make the experience better for you.” Cohen hopes that the public can start a conversation about their online privacy and what they can do to better their experience, but also allowing their information to be used to help better the online
experience for everyone. Before working at Tiktok, Cohen worked at DDB Worldwide as a senior social strategist, working with brands such as Kroger and Capital One, and she also founded her own online marketing business.
Junior Shiloh Horton
Junior Chloe Cardin
“I work as an RA in short Denny now, and I want to work at Walt Disney Animation in five years.”
“I don’t work now, but in five years I want to do this organic farming program in Germany and work at smaller organic farms there.”
Organization leaders encourage students to follow their passions
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3 operate together and exacerbate each other.”
to everyone, Gray said. Different perspectives contribute to the
thoughts with us.” UCA sophomore Andrew “CJ”
on complete intersectionality,” Gray said. “A lot of our speakers are going to be people of color, and
“The first event I attended for the feminist union was a volunteer booth for the climate strike,”
organization’s mission. The union aims to engage UCA students in thought provoking
Robison agreed that the Feminist Union is an open community. “We are able to have a healthy,
hopefully a few that work with the Human Rights Campaign.”
Gray said. She was confused why a feminist organization would be
discussions, educational projects, volunteer opportunities, and civil
open conversation about topics ranging from personal to global
Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American law professor, defined the term “intersectional feminism” as
concerned with climate change. That experience demonstrated the importance of intersectionality to
activism. “Where your passion and your strengths lie is where you will do
issues,” Robison said. “It really creates a sense of togetherness and family when we are able to exist
“a prism for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often
Gray. The Feminist Union is open
the most change,” Gray explained. “Don’t be afraid to discuss your
together and respect each other’s differences.”
“This semester we are focusing
Japanese courses suspended for spring by Ed Toddy Campus Life Editor
Where do you work now? “ Where do you want to work in 5 years? ”
Company representative wants to start a conversation about change
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CAMPUS LIFE
The Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures & Cultures, will suspend Japanese language courses during the upcoming spring semester, until funds can be allocated to hire a full time instructor for the course. Chair of the LLLC Lynn Burley said that the department was on track to hire a permanent lecturer for the fall 2021 semester, but due to UCA board policy, as well as a hiring freeze brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of Japanese language courses at UCA is not secured. Japanese is currently taught by visiting lecturer David House; however, UCA board policy prevents House from being rehired as a parttime instructor. “If you have someone teaching for three years and the need remains stable, then it is obviously a position that should be full-time and permanent,” Burley said, but, because of a
school-wide hiring freeze, she is unsure if her department can find the funds to support a fulltime position. “We didn’t lose a position. We never had a position,” Burley said. In an email responding to the Echo’s inquiries regarding the future of the course, Burley explained that finding someone to teach Japanese part-time is a difficult challenge. “One has to have a master’s degree in Japanese or teaching with a rating of advanced in the language, which includes speaking, reading, writing and listening,” Burley said. “There aren’t many with these qualifications and a desire to work part-time in Central Arkansas. In fact, as far as I know, there are not any.” Burley said that House has taught five classes every semester he has been employed at UCA, adding that the average full-time instructors’ workload is only four classes a semester.
Burley said that even if the position is filled the number of classes offered would decrease. “The question is can we offer three Japanese classes with a part-time instructor? I don’t have an answer for that yet,” Burley said. In opposition to the removal of Japanese courses, students have been emailing faculty members, including the president and provost, about their concerns for the course. Treasurer of the UCA Japanese Club, Tsutomu Matsunaga, went as far as creating a petition on Change. org that has received more 1200 signatures. Matsunaga said he came up with the idea for the petition to aid students who wanted to continue studying Japanese at UCA. “Now that I understand the actual number of people who want to support Japanese classes. It’s impressive,” Matsunaga said during a phone call with the Echo. House, whose contract is set to
expire in December, said that the overwhelming support for the course from students and faculty members has given him hope for the future of Japanese at UCA. “I was devastated to hear that Japanese classes were going to be suspended for even one semester,” House said. “My greatest fear is that Japanese classes, once suspended, might never return to the schedule.” However, the popularity of the course just might act as its saving grace. “The classes have received overwhelming amount of support from Japan-related organizations, faculty members, community members, and of course my current and former students,” House said. “I’m very pleased that, at this point, the Dean of CAHSS and Chair of LLLC are working together to review grant opportunities that could help prevent any interruption in Japanese language education at UCA.”
Graduate Student Carey Mckay
Freshman Kevin Jimenez
“Right now, I am working for AmeriCorp. I am working for Full Circle Farm Core, so I work a different community gardens. Where would I want to work? Well, I am in occupational therapy school now, so hopefully in a clinic somewhere.”
“Well I don’t work anywhere now, but I would like to work at a hospital as a nurse.”
Junior Victoria Nellum
Sophomore Mariah Green
“I work at Jimmy Johns right now. I don’t know where I would want to work, but I want to work with logistics.”
“I work at warehouse. I want to work in my own business. I’m going to have my own graphic design business and that’s where I want to work in five years.”
Sports
5
September 9, 2020
Women’s cross country to play
Upcoming Games
non-conference schedule in fall
Women’s Soccer 7p.m., Sept. 10 vs Little Rock
By Ashley Savage Staff Writer
Volleyball 6p.m., Sept. 11 vs Little Rock 6p.m., Sept. 12 vs Arkansas State 3p.m., Sept.13 at Arkansas State
Cross Country 8:45a.m & 9:20a.m., Sept. 12 at Beaver Fork
Men’s Golf Sept.13 at Jim Rivers
Editor’s Take photo courtesy of ucasports.com
Defensive back Robert Rochell with the scoop and score in the game against UAB on Sept.3 in Birmingaham Alabama. This was the first FBS school that the Bears will face this non-conference season. The Bears lost 45-35.
Bears defeated in hard fought battle By Queli Rico Staff Writer
photo courtesy of cbssports.com
Giannis Antetokounmpo after going 0-3 against Miami.
Nothing is for sure when it comes to the world of sports By Travis Gupton Sports Editor
The sports world right now in my opinion is making no sense. From the NHL to the NBA and the MLB things are just not right. You can throw stats and analytics out the door on this season. Teams who were not supposed to be good have all of a sudden become a threat to any team that they play. The NBA is the biggest example of this in my opinion. The Miami Heat had a 3-0 lead on the top ranked Miwaluke Bucks in the first round. For some reason a team no one expected to go far now has the favorite in the Eastern Conference on the ropes. This to me goes to show that you can’t go by just the numbers to pick a winner. Sometimes it works and other times like every sport this season the numbers really don’t matter. Another example is the NHL and the Chicago Blackhawks. There was no way I had them going as far as they did in the NHL playoffs. It really is true that if you get hot at the right time then you have a chance to make a run. The NBA is praying for a Lakers vs Clippers Western Conference Finals. That may not even happen because the Lakers are having issues with the Houston Rockets and their small ball play. There is no way to say for sure right now who the favorite is to win the title in any sport right now. It really has become anyone’s game and even though the games are not the same without fans to me they are getting interesting because we may see a upset champion again this season. To me we have seen upset champions already in the form of the St. Louis Blues winning the Stanley Cup and then you had the Washington Nationals win the world series.
The UCA Bears had their first taste of defeat in a 4537 loss to FBS opponent University of AlabamaBirmingham in Birmingham, Alabama on Sept.3. At 7:03 in the first quarter redshirt senior tight end Gerrit Prince caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Johnston III. UAB redshirt freshman kicker Matt Quinn’s extra point was good giving the Blazers the early 7-0 lead. UAB would add to their lead with 2:46 left in the first quarter off a 5 yard touchdown run from senior running back Spencer Brown. Quinn’s extra point was good, extending the
UAB lead to 14-0. The Bears would end the first quarter on a high note with 3 seconds left sophomore running back Cameron Myers ran the ball in from 4 yards out to put the Bears on the board. Junior kicker Hayden Ray’s extra point was good, ending the first quarter with a 14-7 Blazers lead. Both teams struggled to find offense in the beginning of the second quarter as both teams exchanged punts at the start. UAB finally found their rhythm and with 10:50 left in the second quarter, redshirt quarterback Bryson Lucero completed a pass to redshirt senior wide receiver Myron Mitchell and connected for a 18 yards passdown. After the touchdown, Quinns kick was
good, making the score 21-7. On UCA’s next possession it seemed that the Bears were finding a rhythm and it looked like they were about to score. On a 1st and 10 at the UAB 22, senior running back Kierre Crossley fumbled and the ball it was recovered by UAB redshirt senior defensive linemen Tyree Turner at the UAB 27. The Blazers converted the turnover into points when Johnston connected with Prince from 10 yards out with 05:31 left in the second quarter. The Blazers extra point was good extending their lead to 28-7. Myron Mitchell received the kick at UAB 17 and fumbled at UAB 15. UCA’s redshirt freshman defensive back Nick
See Football- page 8
The UCA Women’s Cross Country Team received positive news from Athletic Director Brad Teague regarding their upcoming fall season. While COVID-19 has ruined more than several opportunities for sports teams across UCA’s campus, the women’s cross country team is prepared to compete in various meets throughout the season, despite the removal of the conference championship. Interim head coach Beau Theriot is preparing for the upcoming season and its unpredictability by trying to keep life for his student athletes as normal as possible. Theriot, originally from Helena, Montana, is taking on his first season as the Women’s Cross Country Team’s head coach. Theriot said that the “atmosphere and support from everyone,” was what brought him to UCA to begin with. The roaring global pandemic has only made the first-year head coach’s job more unfamiliar than ever. “The transition has been good. COVID-19 has definitely made things difficult and far different than I could have imagined,” Theriot said. The season ahead will not allow the team to compete for a conference title, but allows the women to race and compete throughout the fall. Although the team will not get to compete for their conference title, this decision
opens the door for opportunities for the team to grow as a collective. “For this season I am most looking forward to the bond we all make as teammates,” senior Charlotte Blair said. “Every girl on the team plays a part in every race. Whether it be a physical or mental role, we all focus on supporting each other through the semester.” Blair, originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, has been racing competitively since she was 13 years old. This is Blair’s fourth year with UCA as a student athlete. “The facilities here are impressive compared to what we have [in New Zealand],” Blair said. “When I was recruited to come to UCA, the team aspect drew me in. I loved talking to the girls and hearing all about their experiences.” It’s no surprise that COVID-19 has the ability to leave everyone involved prepared for an unplanned turn of events. For now, the women and coaching staff are focused on making this fall a season of opportunities, despite the circumstances. As for Blair, her last three years with UCA’s cross country team has been filled with memorable moments and this season will be no exception. “My favourite memory running here at UCA was my sophomore year when I sprung back from an injury,” Blair said. “There is just something that feels so good when you can finally stand at the starting line again. Another memory I will cherish is cheering my teammates on
See Cross Country- page 8
And so it begins
The Sugar Bears open up non-conference season in Texas By Megan Holder Social Media Editor
photo courtesy of ucasports.com
The Bears fell on the road to both Texas State and Steven F. Austin despite battling in both games. This was the first games with John Newberry as head coach.
The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team fell short during their games against Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks and the Texas State University Bobcats on Sept. 4. UCA took TSU to five sets but came out on bottom. Senior Amanda Beaton was the game leader with 24 kills and 10 digs. Bailey Waddington had a team-high 50 assists. Senior Emily Doss finished the game with 21 digs. Junior Raven Rhodes contributed three blocks. During set 1, UCA immediately scored three points
from two errors and a kill from sophomore Alexis Stumbough. Eventually the score became tied at 18 apiece. Soon after, TSU took the set. The second set was moving along like the first until the Bobcats came up 24-20 and took another win three plays later. UCA eventually got a hang of how this game was being played. Near the end of the third match, the game was 20-20. The Sugar Bears and Bobcats had 41 ties throughout the game. This time the Sugar Bears broke the tie and got them a win. Beaton, junior Madi Bowles and senior Amari Mitchell contributed a kill to take the Sugar Bears to the fourth set. UCA decided to take
advantage of their opponents to get another win. The Sugar Bears made plays off five errors from the Bobcats to put them on a 10-3 run. The Bobcats were going to have to put up a fight this fifth round. That is what they did. During the fifth set, there were ten ties and four lead changes. The Bears scored 15 first, but Texas State wasn’t far behind. Both teams were going back and forth, but the Bobcats surpassed the bears with a 18-16 win. The Sugars Bears weren’t given much luck during the second game either. Playing against the top team in the Southland Conference was going to be challenging, and SFA made
See Volleyball- page 8
Unpresetented
The UCA Women’s Soccer Team is setting up for a unique season By Sadie Clark Staff Writer
The UCA women’s soccer team will be playing all nonconference teams throughout the fall, according to the schedule released this week. The conference season for women’s soccer has been postponed due to the coronavirus. Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeremy Bishop said without conference games, the season will be unique and different. “With COVID-19, a lot of conferences have had to cancel,” Bishop said. “We have been adjusting and looking to find other programs that will be playing as well.” Some teams will not be playing outside of their conferences and things are changing on a daily basis, Bishop said. “Some teams we had been scheduled to play, and a week ago they dropped out.” Bishop said that there was a schedule originally put out in the summer, but many things have changed since then. The team has been preparing for the season while also adhering to social distancing guidelines and
precautions. There have not been as many team meetings, they are social distancing when possible and wearing masks. “The girls are doing a good job of following the guidelines,” Bishop said. Some senior players have been given an extra year of eligibility to use if they would like. Senior Forward Lauren Hargus is one of many seniors who has not decided whether or not to use this extra year yet due to plans after graduation. Hargus said she and her team are excited to get out and start the season. “We have been training hard since August, so I definitely think we are ready. We have a really good schedule and we are all really ready to play. After scoring two goals and one assist last year, Hargus is looking forward to this again. “I am most definitely ready to score some more goals and assist some of my teammates this season.” Freshman midfielder Brooke Franklin is looking forward to her first season of soccer at UCA, even though there are some changes. “I think it is going to be different, but we can still play to the
photo courtesy of ucasports.com
The Bears announced their 2020 schedule earlier in May. The Bears will play a full non-conference schedule this fall. The Bears will not be competing for a conference title this year due to COVID-19.
best of our abilities.” Hargus detailed how the coaches and coaching staff have worked hard to make sure the girls were able to play this season, especially in the midst of the coronavirus. “COVID-19 has affected a lot,
but my coaches have worked really hard and have done everything they can to get us some games this fall and I’m really thankful for that,” Hargus said. Parents and fans are still allowed to come to games, but parents are no longer allowed to
come to players after the games, Franklin said. Players have to go to the locker rooms after the game is finished and then go to their parents after.
See Soccer- page 8
Opinion
6
ucaechoeditor@gmail.com
September 9, 2020
The Voice
The media is not what people make it out to be
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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Not ever ything needs to be a competition Okay, let me just start by saying that I If you wouldn’t race a stranger on a trail, did in fact grow up athletic. I mean, soccer, then stop competing with your friends on volleyball, dance and even my least favorite your grades, on your relationship status, on of all: cross country. So yes, I ran for sport literally everything. So what you’re dating a and let me be the first to tell you, people who frat president whose addicted to nicotine and run competitively are a different breed of saying stupid things? So what you’ve made As psychotic. in all of your classes since the history of time? This week I decided to upgrade my SO what you can run a mile in a minute? Calm leisurely morning walks with Ollie (my 60 down. Sit down. Learn to love people without lb aussiedoodle puppy) to a daily run. competing with them. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? They don’t tell you how peaceful it is Listen, I don’t know why I thought to get lost in your murder podcast at 6 that this was a good idea. I’m a.m. and fight your dog running into extremely out of shape. I have the creek. It is honestly one of my asthma. I avoid the treadmills favorite parts of the morning now. at the gym. I hated running I attribute liking this now because cross country. I liked track it means that I don’t have to but only a little bit. I worry about the speed I’m going loved playing volleyball compared to someone else’s and am genuinely a very speed. competitive person. If you’re going to However, I feel that compete with anyone at the more competitive this age, compete with by Sarah Coleman you are in weird little yourself. Okay, compete Associate Editor day to day activities with the person inside of (such as running on the your head that feels to daily), the more out of compare and contrast with touch you become with what really matters. everyone you know. Compete with your alarm Let’s be honest, what really matters at this clock. Compete with your drive and your age is getting exercise that doesn’t include ambition. jumping off your twin xl raised bed into your The beautiful thing about running is dorm room floor. (I do consider that to be that it’s you versus you. You are only trying sort of an extreme sport). to do better than you did the day before and I woke up in a mood on Monday morning. that’s not terribly difficult. You’re really just I’m a pretty busy person. Between nannying, keeping yourself accountable. working, having an internship and taking 18 I will never run for sport again because credit hours, I barely have time to sleep at a I gratefully retired from that lifestyle in the regular time. Truthfully, I love being busy so eight grade when I quit cross country. I am this isn’t like an issue for me but the stress still a fun walk charity event girl. I’m still that comes along with it definitely is. Do I going to grumble about running but I’m going need someone on the trail racing me? Hell no. to do it, for myself. Not for fans in the stadium I’d immediately go home. or because I’ve been peer pressured into it.
Why volunteers are fundamental to the recycling industry Since China’s 2017 decision to only take the things we can do in the meantime. Recycling is a good highest-quality recycled plastic, it is more important start, but only if we do it right. than ever to have trained volunteers to ensure that no It’s intimidating to know where to put what and recycled material goes to waste. that’s why volunteers can be the difference between Because of this giant decision, the market an entire bin of recycling materials being reused like conditions for recycling companies have been wildly intended and ending up contaminated and in a landfill. altered. According to an analysis of US export records In 2018, researchers from the University of referenced in a 2019 The Guardian article, “... the British Columbia published the study, “Toward equivalent of 19,000 shipping containers of plastic zero waste events: Reducing contamination in waste recycling per month, once exported abroad, is now streams with volunteer assistance” in the journal stranded at home. This is enough plastic to fill 250 Waste Management. They conducted a randomized Olympic swimming pools each month.” control trial at the annual Apple Festival at the UBC These stranded materials are known as “mixed Botanical Garden, which was attended by 10,000 plastics,” which are separated from plastics with visitors, to determine the most effective way to higher value, such as water bottles and milk reduce waste contamination. They examined jugs, and sent to landfills. the impact of volunteer staff assistance, bin China has been doing this all along, tops, and sample 3D items with bin tops, on even before making public their decision the level of contamination of the organics, to only take quality plastics, but it’s now recyclable containers, paper, and garbage happening in the US too. If the majority bins at a public event. of plastics are going to Chinese landfills In the findings section of their anyway, US recycling facilities report, they write, “Specifically, would rather send them to volunteer staff reduced domestic landfills rather than contamination by 96.1% on paying the costs of sorting average in the organics bin, and transporting them 96.9% in the recyclable by Lauren McLemore overseas. containers bin, 97.0% in Staff Writer According to The the paper bin, and 84.9% Guardian, “A waste executive from Republic Services, one of the country’s largest garbage haulers, which serves more than 2,800 communities and has 91 recycling centers, said that one-third of everything collected by recycling trucks went to disposal because it was either contaminated, too small to be sorted or not actually recyclable.” While the ideal global fix for this problem starts at the manufacturing level with advocating for more reusable or biodegradable packaging and less fossilfuel carbon dioxide emissions, there are also lots of
in the garbage bin.” It’s proven that volunteerism works and not only that, it helps spread awareness and knowledge of how to recycle the right way so that if patrons ever come across a bin not staffed by a volunteer, they’re more likely to be more confident in their decision to put their materials in the correct bin. It also attracts people who might be intimidated by recycling by providing them with a social aspect, making them feel more comfortable and reassured that they’re putting their materials where they need to go. Volunteerism works — the data is there.
Very often do people voice complaints about the “media” wanting to portray a certain perspective or only wanting to portray certain things. Rest assured; that is not the case. Before ranting about the media, one must have competency in what the media entails. The media covers a broad majority of things. Therefore, it is not solely one person spitting out false information. The media comprises print news, broadcast news, social media, radio, online outlets and various other forms. The common misconception is that the media is just one massive outlet that is interconnected, sharing the same perspective and sharing the same information that many don’t want to hear, see or read. However, it is good to hear news that you don’t like. This keeps you from being in an echo chamber. People should not be up in arms at journalists for reporting news and doing their jobs. Journalists aren’t the enemy. Where the media can go wrong is when journalists portray their own bias in their writing. A struggle of being a journalist is suppressing one’s own opinion and deterring it away from his writing. True journalists cover every detail of the story, showing the truth on both sides of the spectrum, leaving no bias or perspective on the paper. It is merely up to the reader to form his own opinion on the topic. The journalist is not to serve one group of people or another. Journalists don’t serve to comfort people. The journalist is in the society to serve all people, whether he agrees with them or not. Whether they like certain people or others, journalists report facts and truth for all people to read. Without good journalists, nations would be led astray by not knowing what is truly happening in their government, their economy and in their society. It is immensely important that true journalism be upheld in the world. The day a journalist goes wrong is when they leave their own opinion in the publication. At this point, it is essentially an editorial piece; not news. This is not true journalism. This concept lacks integrity and leads people astray from knowing the truth and forming their own views on matters. Unfortunately, some media outlets neglect this aspect of journalism and have built their branding off of it. Various media outlets are biased but not all of them. This is the importance of being the reader; knowing your sources. Often people are swayed by biased media outlets and have taken on a sheep mentality. They merely follow what their favorite news outlet says and don’t form their own opinions on subjects. It is vitally important to know where one gets his news so he can’t be swayed by left-or-right-swinging news outlets. Plenty of news platforms can be found that are good and true; it just takes a little research. Take the time to research good and accurate sources for information, not just random certified people on twitter. Know your journalists. Don’t give in to biased media outlets. It is each person’s right to know what is happening in the world, and nonetheless, the truth in the midst of it all.
It is good to hear news that you don’t like. This keeps you from being in an echo chamber.
Have an opinion? Everyone does. Write a letter to the editor at ucaechoeditor@gmail.com Letters to the editor don’t just have to be about Echo content. If you’ve noticed something on campus that’s positive or negative, we want to hear about it. The Echo is printed weekly by The Courier. Decisions about content are made by the student editors. The views published are not necessarily those of the University of Central Arkansas. All material is subject to respective copyrights.
Entertainment
7
September 9, 2020
New This Week
Christian artist hosts euphoric live show in Tennessee
Movies
BY
Sep. 15 — dtf (NR), directed by Al Bailey Sep. 15 — Evil Takes Root: The Curse of Baitbat, directed by Chris W. Freeman, starring Nicholas Gonzalez, Sean Garrigan, Stevie Lynn Jones Sep. 16 — The Secrets We Keep (R), directed by Yuval Adler, starring Naoomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman
Music Sep. 11— ArtemisArtemis
OLYVIA GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
With a country hurting due to racial inequalities and the fear of catching COVID-19, James Wilson, a Christian artist, held a live recording for his new album titled Songs for the Nations on Sept. 4th in Maryville, Tennessee. James and the team collaborated, working closely with Indiana Bible College students in order to create a powerful and spirituality rejuvenating album that will shock the nation by the power of unity in God’s Kingdom. A beautiful composition of diverse ethnic melodies accompanied the set and team as they entered the room; from tribal African tunes, to an Asian influenced motif, to Spanish and Jamaican choruses. The worship team took to the stage in a harmonious flurry of colors, rhythms and languages. Wilson used this opportunity to showcase the importance of unity in worship and the ease of
Sep. 11 -You Finally Knew- Chad Lawson Sep. 11- What’s the 1174?- eleven7four
photo courtesy of www.nitelifeonline.com
Chritian musican, James Wilson performs his new album “Songs for the Nations” on stage in Tennesse
calling one a brother. As the night progressed and true praise filled the room, Wilson’s message about unity came to life with every hand lifted and every tongue in confession of the one true God: Jesus. In confession to the Name of Jesus, the congregation went into a combination of praise and worship with the never before heard 11 track album. Wilson’s team went back
to a time of songbooks by modernizing the well-known hymn, Hinei Mah Tov. This is a Hewbrew hymn and translates to, “behold how good it is for brothers [us] to dwell together.” The hymn was revised by the team in hopes that it would be a light to the world during these dark and unsettling times. Even after the lights went down, there was a lingering desire to remain in the communion with the children of
God. Musicians stayed behind to showcase their talents while others joined in with dance and admiration at what the Lord was doing in the room. Hearts were mended, lives were changed, and all due to a live recording that was written and assembled within a span of two months. This was a rushed album but in perfect timing with today’s world. Now we can actually say something good did come out of quarantining.
FILM
As luck would have it several students from UCA attended. With luck, Junior Dylan Webb had something to say, “Being a half African American guy, the live recording reminded me of how the world should be” he started, “there was no intimidation or racial discrimination among us and no one needed to hold a sign in protest just to make this point: no matter the skin color we are all equal in His eyes.” This reflected James Wilson’s words about the suffering of our world, ‘I hope this music spreads like wildfire to all the nations of the world, so that the same Spirit that is [was] in this building can impact the hearts and minds of the ones that will listen to these songs.” The album is not out for the public at this time, but will be released soon on jameselliswilson.com, Spotify, and Apple Music. Follow James Wilson on Instagram and Facebook to be notified when the album is released.
MUSIC
New horror film uses too Alternative album, ‘Conversations many clichés, disappoints with Myself About You,’ impresses
Sep. 11 -American Head-The Flaming Lips Sep. 11-Volume Four EP- Gold Record Sep. 11 —BalleriniKelsea Ballerini Sep. 11- We are ChaosMarilyn Manson
photo courtesy of www.imbd.com
Scene from “The Pale Door”. Availabe now on Shudder. BY
ED TODDY
Campus Life Editor
Sep. 11- Yellow Coat Matt Costa
Sep. 11- TopYoungBoy Never Broke Again
Netflix Sep. 7- My Octopus Teacher Sep. 7- Record of Youth
Sep. 9- So Much Love to Give Sep. 9- The Social Dilema
Sep. 9- Dad Wanted Sep. 10- The Babysitter: Killer Queen Sep. 10- Julie and the Phantoms
Any horror fan would scoff at “The Pale Door” as an action film dressed up for Halloween, propagating the idea that witches should be feared.When will male producers learn that a movie portraying witches as villains, monsters or demons is not only offensive to wiccans and traditional witchcraft practitioners, but also to women. This disappointing Shudder original focuses on brothers Jacob and Duncan who believe in “brother magic,” and if that isn’t gross enough the villain in this film is a witch persecuted and burned alive by the legendary Cotton Mathers. If the popular show Salem teaches horror fans anything it is that the true villain is rarely the women accused but more likely the man screeching persecution. Set in a cliché western classic backdrop, Duncan and Jacob are orphans and train robbers. After loosing their parents in a home invasion, the brothers leave home with their father’s foreman to join a gang of “cowboys,” one of whom is in fact a cowgirl. Together the band of brothers (and sister) commits robbery for a living, and little brother Jacob in trying to save up to buy back the family farm. After robbing a train and unboxing a red-headed beauty named Pearl, the gang of men (and one woman) decide to return her to Potemkin and request a reward for their alleged service. This is kidnapping, but these guys (and girl) are robbers, outlaws dressed to kill, and they expected cold hard gold. Now they are expecting the people of Potemkin to pay up. The men arrive at Potemkin and shit gets real. Pearl and her mother own a brothel and they want to treat the boys (and girl… wait where did she go?) to a special treat. Pretty 1. Lady Gaga and Ariana
Top 5 2020 VMA performances List compiled by Delaney Van Wilpe News Editor
Grande Lady Gaga stole the show as she took us on a trip to her over the top planet of “Chromatica” and delivered a medley of songs from her most recent album. Her dazzling performance ran for nine minutes and featured fellow collaborator, Ariana Grande. Each of the four songs she performed had intense choreography to match and she made three separate outfit changes—all in typical Gaga style. She kept a techno mask on the entire performance that moved along with her lips. After a decade since the meat dress fiasco, Gaga still manages to turn heads.
soon all the men are in different bedrooms with various beautiful women, but little Jacob is sitting in the parlor coming out to Pearl’s mom. My boyfriend and I were rolling at the director’s pathetic attempt to rescue the overtly white film by inserting a gay character into such a hypermasculine plot line. Suddenly, the women in the brothel transform into the burnedup corpses of undead witches. Outside the brothel the one female member of the group is being burned alive. This is when I knew that “The Pale Door” was not worth my time. In 2020 there are much scarier things than a coven of witches. In fact, hallway through this film I was proudly rooting for the witches as they slaughtered the remaining members of the gang one by one. These men threatened Potemkin, they kidnapped Pearl, they let the only female member of their gang get murdered, and I would be willing to bet that they bully little brother Jacob for being gay. For too long mainstream horror has portrayed the wrong characters as villains. “The Pale Door” kills innocent practitioners, women, people of color and to top it all off the queer character must sacrifice himself to save his annoying brother who can’t get over his daddy issues. Let me say it straight, horror films that portray witches as monsters and villains are no longer relevant and far too often boring for a horror fan like me. Not only is this film badly written, at its core it possesses the tired cliché that white men with guns in early american settings are capable of being victims. Don’t waste your time.
2. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus proved that she is coming into her own both musically and personally as she debuted her new single “Midnight Sky.” The performance is like an enhanced music video from the eighties. A hue of colors surround Cyrus as she sports a little black dress, bright red lipstick, blonde hair and a chained cross necklace— she serves like Madonna or an eighties Stevie Nicks. The direction of the performance is simple but effective. At the end of the performance, Cyrus walks up to a set of stairs leading to a disco ball, takes off her skirt and climbs upon the disco ball, paying homage to her iconic “Wrecking Ball” music video.
photo courtesy of www.thetrumankc.com
Members of Lovelytheband BY
SARAH COLEMAN
Associate Editor
Those who know me, know that I love all of the bedroom pop, modern alternative songs. Lovelytheband has been one of my favorite bands since high school. There are certain artists that time after time again, drop music when people really need it. I didn’t know I needed an album like this until I had an album like this. “Conversations with Myself about You” is something I relate to heavily. For all of you who aren’t hardcore fans, I guarantee you’ve heard a few of their songs on the radio. So rest assured knowing more bops like “Broken” and “Coachella” are now out. While I love songs that truly let you let go, I love songs that I can relate to, songs that make me feel like my spiritual journey through life can only be helped with music. I only say this because, every single song on this 50 minute album has lyrics I can relate to. Here’s my favorite part of a good in-depth album review.
3. Da Baby
DaBaby delivered a performance with a medley of his songs “PEEPHOLE,” “Blind,” and “Rockstar.” He was accompanied by his famous, masked backup dancers that we see in his music video “Bop.” DaBaby sported a full yellow and purple outfit, topped with a Laker’s hat and a chain with his name “KIRK.” His performance was so important because he created an archive for the sign of the times. To conclude the performance, he highlights the Black Lives Matter movement as he stands on top of a cop car with a city scene behind him in flames and a sign that said “Stop killing us.” DaBaby successfully used his platform to send a message.
Ranking the songs, not in the order they present themself but in the order from my favorites to least favorites. So in order, Buzzcut, Loneliness for love, When you’re lonely (interlude), flowers (on my grave), I should be happy, conversations about myself with you, I hate myself, silly, emo, idwgtyp, your favorite one, drive, silly and waste. I want to reiterate that every single song on this album is a straight up bop. There is not one song that I hate --which in an album, is weird. Vocalist and Guitarist Mitchy Collins, told Apple Music that he looks for happiness in all the wrong places. I think this speaks volumes because, I truly believe that in your early twenties, no one truly knows the formula for life that makes them completely happy. As a psychology minor and a huge advocate for mental health, I feel so connected to the common struggle. There’s something so beautiful about a bunch of lost souls looking for love and learning the greatest love is the love you experience with yourself. I know so many
4. The Weeknd
The Weeknd begins the award show night on a NYC rooftop with his song that won him the best video of the year and best R&B song, “Blinding Lights.” The performance begins much like his original music video as he looks beat up and confused in his famous “After Hours,” red suit. We are led by the Weeknd to Hudson Yards’ sky deck where you can see the New York skyline. In the center of the sky deck, the Weeknd awkwardly dances as countless spotlights countless spotlights are flashing on and off around him and a helicopter circles the roof. Despite this jaw dropping scene, it would not have been complete without the tacky CGI fireworks finale.
other people who have felt lost and fallen in love with the wrong people time and time again, and something about having therapeutic songs makes everything a little better. That being said, If you are struggling with your inner peace, if you are going through a breakup, if you’re finding yourself and most importantly, if you like alternative tracks, give this album a listen, you wont regret it. I mean, even if everything is perfect in your life, give this a listen. The thing about alternative tracks is that you can listen when you want to cry, when you need to study, while doing homework, cooking, taking a 3 hour long shower or really doing anything. I know that the super colorado, granola, spiritual, slightly hippie vibe is not for everyone. But, if it’s for you, I recommend turning on your neon room lights ( I know you have some) and turning it all the way up. Listen and fall in and out of love all over again. “Conversations with Myself About You” can be streamed on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify. 5. Doja Cat Much like Gaga’s performance, Doja Cat took us to another planet. She begins the performance as a reporter, “Hi. This is Something Quirkier from MTV News. Performing live from Planet Her is Doja Cat. Enjoy,” she said in a flat tone. This transitions to an incredible, extraterrestrial scene where Doja Cat is dressed in a shimmery, scaled bodysuit with long, mint hair to match. The graphics and light work for the performance were so elaborate as she sang “Say So” and “Like That.” Doja oozed confidence during the performance. Although it was her first time to attend and perform at the award show, she continued to smirk at the camera like she’s done it a million times before.
ucanews.live
SPORTS
8/ September 9, 2020
UCA STATS CORNER SPORT
OPPONENT
Football
UAB
Volleyball
Texas State
RESULT 45-35(L)
1-1
3-2 (L)
0-1
3-1(L)
0-2
SFA
Volleyball
Football:
RECORD
FBS team hands first loss to the Bears
4 Continued from page 5
photo courtesy of ucasports.com
Junior offensive lineman Will Burgess is excited for the big lights of this unusual season. Burgess’ season was cut short last year due to injury.
By Andrew McMahan Staff Writer
University of Central Arkansas junior offensive lineman Will Burgess’ roots in football go exceptionally deep. His football story begins 14 years ago, when he was a mere child in second grade. “Ever since I can remember my brother was outside with me teaching me how to play,” Burgess said. With so many years dedicated to the sport of football, it makes sense that Burgess was able to reach the collegiate level. However, having a bloodline where football has dominated can help tremendously as well. Burgess said, “My dad played for the Arkansas razorbacks while my brother was a great high school player.” Burgess’ family may have had accolades of their own, but Burgess was recognized for his strong high school football career at Lake Hamilton high school. In both 2016 and 2017, Burgess received 6A all-state recognition. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette found Burgess as a prospect to put him on the all-Arkansas team as well. Burgess took part in high school track and field, and lettered in shot put. Burgess has high praise for his high school experience, including some of the coaches at Lake Hamilton.
Burgess said, “One big key factor to help me reach the college level was my high school coaches. My O-line coach in high school played at UCA in the early 2000’s so he had a few connections as well.” College football is a much higher echelon in the sport in comparison to high school football, which Burgess found out. “I didn’t realize I would not be able to play until my junior year when I was dominating kids in the 6a conference here in Arkansas,” Burgess said. Burgess is not the only college football player that has had to work their way to true playing time. Burgess expressed his understanding that hard work is part of the grind. Burgess was hit with the injury bug last year, so he has made sure to work hard this off season to be healthy and ready to go for this year, even if it has uncertainties. Through the ups and downs, Burgess was adamant that his choice of coming to UCA was the right one. “I absolutely feel that I made a great decision to play here and feel right at home being only an hour away from home. I always wanted to stay in state as I love the state of Arkansas.”, Burgess said. “Being in college and football here at UCA has really instilled a hard working mentality in myself. I have always been a hard worker but I haven’t always been
Cross Country:
positive about it. Being at UCA has also matured me immensely as well as made me a better man overall.” Burgess raved about the exposure coming to UCA has done for him, as well as the whole team. A testament to that would be something that happened just a few weeks ago. UCA plays Austin Peay in the college football kickoff game during prime time on ESPN. Very few FCS level division football players can attest to that. Burgess was proud of that feat. “ . . . it was very exciting and I hope we have more opportunities to play on a platform such as the ESPN networks,” Burgess said. UCA has provided such an excellent football experience for Burgess thus far, and he has plenty of unique memories to prove it. Burgess said, “ . . . playing our first game in front of millions on ESPN . . . my best memory here was winning the conference championship last season. Coming off an injury earlier that year it made it feel all worth the risk of coming back and playing.” Burgess is sure he has great things still lying ahead of him here at UCA. Burgess is looking forward to getting to play defending FCS national champion North Dakota State later this year. However, the pandemic has brought a volatile situation to college athletics this year. Burgess will be sure to enjoy the season one game at a time.
Preparing for competition
4 Continued from page 5 when UCA cross country won the Southland Championship for the first time! Sadly, I was not racing due to Mono, but I loved watching the girls put their all out on the course.” As the fall season approaches, the team is geared up for whatever is to come over the course of the next few months.
“Our teams philosophy is family, growth and success! It is a moto we like to keep at the top of our training logs. Family standing for the bond we have as teammates,” Blair said. “As an international student I find it essential to have a strong team dynamic as they really are my family here at UCA. Growth is for
how we develop as a team. There is always more work to be done and always room to keep on growing. Success is self explanatory, after last cross country season we are craving more success as a team. Even though we will not have a conference championship, we can still go to races where we will give it our all! That’s a promise!”
Nakwaasah recovered the fumble. It took UCA one play to turn the turn over into points as Smith found junior wide receiver Lujuan Winningham for a connection with 2:33 left in the first half. Redshirt freshman kicker Chad Caughron’s kick was good, cutting UAB’s lead to 28-14. UAB, on their next possession, looked for points before the half to extend their lead. However, UAB would give UCA a short field again on a fumbled ball from a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Bryson Lucero to junior wide receiver Trea Shropshire on the UAB 35 yard line. The Bears forced another fumble and got a scoop and score from 35 yards out from senior defensive back Robert Rochell with 1:21 left in the half. The extra point was good and again UCA had battled back to a one possession game with a score of 28-21. Coming out of half time, both teams struggled on offense as neither team could find offense as both teams’ defenses were holding strong the entire quarter. With 3:07 left in the third quarter, Quinn scored off of a 23 yard field goal attempt to extend the UAB lead to 31-21. Those were the only points in the quarter by either team. In the fourth quarter, UAB found the end zone again on a 8 yard run from redshirt junior running back Lucious Stanley with 12:41 left in the fourth quarter. Quinns extra point was good, extending the Blazers lead to 38-21 in the fourth quarter. UCA on their next possession looked to be marching down the field, but UAB’s defense caused a sack on Breylin Smith for a loss of 11 yards. After the sack, Smith was
Soccer:
intercepted by sophomore cornerback Keondre Swoopes at the UAB 38 and was able to return it for 19 yards to the UCA 43. The Blazers would once again make the UCA turnovers costly. With 8:12 left in the fourth quarter, sophomore runner back Jermaine Brown Jr. converted a 30 yard touchdown run with 8:12 left in the fourth to put the game on ice. Quinn’s kick was good giving UAB a 45-21 lead. UCA showed signs of life on their next possession, marching the ball down the field, and connecting on a 8 yard touchdown pass from Smith to Winningham with 5:43 left in the game. Caughrons kick was good and UCA trailed in the fourth 45-28. UAB had to give UCA the ball back after a costly penalty on a fourth down play, giving the Bears 3 minutes to score. The Bears would score on the final drive of the game from Smith to senior tight end Sam Comargo on a 6 yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Caughrons kick was good and UCA lost their first game in the season 45-35. Due to the COVID guidelines, referees had to exchange their whistles with an electronic version that made noise by a push of a button. This caused some issues with the teams not being able to hear the whistle clearly. A pass, from Bears senior offensive liner Toby Sanderson to junior wide receiver Lujuan Winningham, was incomplete after Blazers junior linebacker Noah Wilder tackled him when he didn’t hear the whistle blow. The point did not count. “It is definitely an adjustment with the electronic whistles,” said Coach Brown. “They are not near as loud
as normal whistles so that is something we have had to adjust to and really pay attention to throughout our first two games. There were times where the Bears lost points due to not clearly hearing the whistle. Regardless of the change, Toby Sanderson quickly adapted to the change. “The electric whistles don’t really affect the interaction between me and Breylin, but they do affect the end of the play and everything that goes on that might not happen with a real whistle,” says Sanderson. “I stay focused by moving on from play to play. Whatever happens, I do exactly what my coaches have taught me and that is to play the next play and control what I can control.” Proving predictions made by ESPN wrong, the Blazers defeated the Bears at their dominant home field with a 10 point difference instead of the 21 point prediction they had. “We saw them as any other team coming into the game. We know what we are capable of and we know that we left stuff out there and should have beat a really good FBS opponent last night,” Sanderson said. Having to stay five days in Birmingham, the Bears played two games between the short week. Coach Brown said that isn’t easy to do. “UAB is a great football team. I thought we left some plays out there and had some chances to make it even tighter,” Brown said. “ We missed two long field goals early in the game and turned the ball over close to our redzone another time. We have to be better in those areas to be a team as good as UAB.” The UCA Bears will be playing their next game against Arkansas State University on Sept. 19 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The season is upon us
4 Continued from page 5 There are also restrictions put in place on the capacities of players attending the games. Southland is saying there will be conference games in the spring, so Bishop and his players are looking forward to playing the fall season to prepare for conference. They have played many of
the teams previously for nonconference, so it will not be very unfamiliar, Bishop said. The first two games will be against Little Rock Sept. 10 at 7p.m., and against Arkansas State on Sept. 13 at 6p.m. Both games will be played at home. “We’re excited to be among
the first college games being played at our place. It’s going back to a bit of normalcy, so it’s exciting,” Bishop said. While there are restrictions and changes happening everyday, the team is ready to play.
photo courtesy of ucasports.com
New volleyball head coach John Newberry preparing for his first volleyball game as head coach.
Volleyball:
A new era begins
4 Continued from page 5
sure of that. The Ladyjacks started off game one with a 5-0 lead. UCA came back to tie the score 5-5. Both teams had little room for photo courtesy of ucasports.com mistakes making the score 11The women’s cross country with their new head coach Beau Theriot before their spring 10. Soon, the Ladyjacks had a run season was cut short. Theriot was named head coach after long time coach Richard Martin of 15-2 finishing off the set. Beaton showed up in retired. game two as she led the Sugar Bears with 11 kills and 2 aces. Sophomore Alexis Stumbough contributed 11 digs.
UCA had an opportunity to pass the Ladyjacks in the second set when the score was 13-10 until SFA made the score 18-10. Junior Lexi Miller made her appearance in the third set with five kills. UCA finished this set with a .353% attack rate. This was the highest in any set between the two teams. UCA started the set with a 4-1 lead but came short in the end. UCA was up 10-8 until SFA
flipped the game with an 11-3 run that made the score 19-13. The Sugar Bears were defeated 25-17. The match ended in four sets. UCA will host two home games September 11 and September 12. Little Rock will play them at 6 pm on Friday. Arkansas State will play them at 6 pm on Saturday at the Farris Center.