Issue 3, Volume 117-- September 8, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION FEE

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 Volume 117 — Issue 3

ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Campus Life:

Entertainment:

Sports:

RSO Fair: Living Unleashed teaches dog-loving students how to care for pups.

New Release: Kanye West releases long anticipated album “Donda.”

Women’s Soccer: Bears fight hard against University of Tulsa Hurricanes.

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4 page 5

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Parking not a priority for administration, too expensive

Sunny

93/61

BY OLYVIA GONZALEZ

THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

I N T E R N AT I O N A L E.U. removes U.S.

from travel list

The European Union recently recommended that its 27 nations should reinstate restrictions on U.S. tourists. The European Council removed the U.S. from a safe list of countries that would be allowed to travel to Europe for nonessential purposes.

This decision illustrates the European Union’s fear that the high number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. may spread to Europe.

N AT I O N A L

Ida causes power outages across LA Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm and knocked out the power across all of New Orleans.

The storm also reversed the flow of the Mississippi River.

The storm’s damaging effects could extend more than 100 miles inland. It has been one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S. with 150 mph winds.

U.S. fully withdraws

from Afghanistan The U.S. completed it’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending a war that spanned over 20 years.

America’s chaotic exit from Afghanistan led to the deaths of 167 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. U.S. aircrafts circled the skies above Kabul airport until the last transport plane had taken off. Some American citizens were left behind in Afghanistan, but many expect that they will still be able to leave.

S TAT E

Little Rock officers sues police chief

Three Little Rock police officers and one former police officer sued Police Chief Keith Humphrey. The plaintiffs sued for alleged adverse treatment by the police chief and other police personnel. The complaint centered around a 2020 investigation of an individual who was suspected of exposing himself to women in Little Rock.

SCAN TO VISIT UCA.NEWS.LIVE

WHAT’S AHEAD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Twentieth anniversary of 9/11 terroristic attack.

Assistant Online Editor

New parking strategies are not a priority at UCA due to insufficient funds and gravel parking lots.

“UCA has added several gravel parking lots in the last year, to year and a half,” Fredricka Sharkey, director of media relations, said, “Some of those include the lot across from the President’s home and lots on Western and South boulevards. The possibility of parking garages is a frequent question among students, but this continues to be a costprohibitive option for UCA.” Sharkey went on to say the lack of focus on vertical parking garages does not mean it is not in the plans for “the next 10, 20 or 50 years.”

UCA Police Department took to social media to encourage students to take shuttles from UCA’s off-campus parking lots.

“We have started to post about parking around campus to show where parking is available during some of the peak times of the day, especially during the morning hours,” Sergeant Michael Hopper, UCA PD’s training and public information leader, said, “Students need to remember that UCA provides a shuttle service to some of the outlying parking lots… There is also an app related to the shuttle service… As the semester continues, parking on campus will improve. The best advice I can give is to be open to parking near a shuttle stop and do not

photo courtesy of Google Maps

Cars fill up spaces near Donaghey Hall. UCA has experienced a decrease in purchased parking passes since 2019, but many students feel that the University needs more parking spaces.

expect to be able to park right next to your building. Arrive early, especially during the morning hours to allow time to find parking.”

The number of parking passes has decreased by 24% since 2019. There were 9,351 parking permits purchased in that time, but that number has dropped to 7,075 for fall 2021.

During the spring 2021, construction began on Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts. This area used to be a large parking lot for students, and

4Students Say

4

garages.

“Even without [the issue of water levels] the construction and operation cost is prohibitive,” Addison said.

“A 150,000 square foot parking garage would reasonably hold between 375 and 500 cars. At today’s construction cost in Arkansas that would cost about $10 million to build… So, while there may be issues with the land, the larger issue is with the cost— that’s why you haven’t seen many multiple-story parking lots go up anywhere in a long time.”

EMERGENCY

New treatment for COVID-19 available at hospitals in Conway BY

EDMUND BURKE

Staff Writer

With the continued surge in Delta variant cases in Arkansas, the use of monoclonal antibody drugs—authorized by the FDA in Nov. 2020—to treat COVID-19 is becoming more widely available across the state.

“In Arkansas, if you come down with COVID or even if you’ve just been seriously exposed to it, you can now go to pharmacies for monoclonal antibody treatment.

It’s four subcutaneous shots, it takes about an hour and a half, you need an appointment, and it’s free,” Governor Asa Hutchinson tweeted on Aug. 28.

Monoclonal antibodies mimic the antibodies the immune system makes to fight off harmful viruses that are laboratory-made proteins by pharmaceutical companies, like Regeneron.

Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment is a combination of the two antibodies called Casirivimab and imdevimab, designed to target the coronavirus spike protein, according to WebMD. Unlike the vaccine that trains the immune system to fight against the COVID-19 virus, monoclonal antibodies boost the immune system after a patient becomes exposed to COVID-19 and helps treat those infected.

The proteins block the virus from entering the body’s cell, preventing the virus from making copies of itself and continuing to spread within the body.

The treatment is available to those (12 years of age or older) with mild to moderate symptoms less than 10 days since symptom onset and for patients considered high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.

High-risk factors include:

age greater than 65, obesity BMI greater than 25, pregnancy, diabetes, any immunosuppression, and heart or lung disease, or chronic kidney disease, Sickle cell disease, Neurodevelopmental disorders (for example, cerebral palsy), having a medical-related technological dependence (for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy or positive pressure ventilation—not related to COVID-19), and other medical conditions or factors may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

The treatment reduces COVID-19 related hospitalizations by 70%, and when given to an exposed person, the antibodies reduce the risk of developing an infection with symptoms by 80%, according to WebMD. Timing is crucial with monoclonal antibodies. The earlier received, the more effective the antibodies are at treating or preventing COVID-19.

Monoclonal antibodies were first authorized as an IV and given at infusion centers, but now the treatment is available as four subcutaneous shots expanding its availability.

Express Rx is one pharmacy with locations across Arkansas that is getting prescriptions for the monoclonal antibodies.

Locations in Arkansas receiving the monoclonal antibodies continue to expand; Conway locations currently include Baptist Health Medical Center and Conway Regional Medical Center.

A prescription is needed to receive the monoclonal antibodies but the treatment, like the vaccine, is entirely free.

Contact Us: 2 4

ground parking,” Addison said. “We cannot build any below-ground parking because our water table is just below the surface of the ground, cars parked below ground would be submerged if we go any amount of rain. This also means that some above-ground structures have to be supported by underground piers.”

Addison consulted with a construction company online to investigate the cost of parking

H E A LT H

Index: 4Police Beat 4People of UCA

the effects of its removal on the main campus parking cannot be calculated due to the decrease in permits this year.

The engineering department frequently has put its focus on the issue of main campus parking.

Stephen Addison, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and his team suggest that cost is the main factor, and it is due to Arkansas’ water levels.

“Typically, parking garages have above-ground and below-

6 4Opinion 4Entertainment 7 5, 8 4Sports

photo by Amber Austen

Emergency calls to 911 were unable to be made Thursday, Aug. 26. The outage was caused by an AT&T network outage and affected residents of Faulkner County.

911 outage across Faulkner County caused by AT&T network failure

BY AMBER AUSTEN Staff Writer

Faulkner County residents were left unable to reach 911 Thursday, August 26, due to an AT&T network failure that is still under investigation.

Early Thursday morning, citizens of Conway were given, via Conway PD’s social media, alternative phone numbers to

call in case of an emergency as 911 services were down in the area.

According to their Facebook post, they were unsure of how long the issue was to continue but that updated posts would be made once they received more information.

Faulkner County was not the only county affected as Conway PD addressed that

Social:

the outage was affecting several other locations throughout Arkansas as well.

“To our knowledge, no 911 calls were missed. During the incident, calls were rerouted to 10-digit numbers. The backup plan in place worked as it should have,” said LaTresha Woodruff

See EMERGENCY- page 2

Opinion:

Happiness is not attainable.

E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @ucaecho The Echo ucaecho © 2020 The Echo, Printed by The Courier, Russellville, Arkansas.

see page 6

2/September 8, 2021

Police Beat

NEWS

ucanews.live GROWTH

The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Sydney Cyr

Two men peeing, then fleeing

Sebastian Garnica and Guy Mealor were seen urinating on the side of the road by UCAPD Officer Tommy Wise while he was patrolling Augusta Avenue. Wise attempted to detain the two men, but the men fled the scene.

Shortly after, Officer Stephan Pointer located Garnica and Mealor at Old Main. The two men were taken to the UCA police department.

Bicycle stolen near New Hall

Damage to Sigma Nu gate requires PD

UCA student John Penn contacted UCAPD to report that his bike had been stolen from the bike rack by New Hall.

Camera footage showed a male suspect checking the bike racks near Farris Hall and New Hall as if he was inspecting them for locks. Videos and photos of the suspect were sent to Conway Police Department, but officers were not able to identify

the suspect.

Sigma Nu contacted UCAPD after fraternity members noticed damage to the gate at their house. UCAPD reviewed security camera footage that showed a vehicle backing into the gate and then driving off. UCAPD used the license plate number from the vehicle to identify that Emily Cain had backed into the gate.

Cain confirmed she was the driver of the vehicle when the incident occured but said she did not realize she had backed into the gate.

HONESTY

graphic by Mia Waddell

Conway population percentage lowest since Great Depression BY photo courtesy of Nathan Dumlao, unsplash.com

Cheating instances at UCA have more than doubled since the start of the pandemic. Virtual learning meant more online homework, quizzes, and tests, making cheating much easier.

Cheating instances doubled during pandemic, virtual learning SARAH SMYTHE OPINION EDITOR BY

Instances of cheating at UCA have more than doubled during the course of Covid-19 from 2020 to 2021, leaving students and teachers asking whether online learning is the right path for the future.

In the spring semester of 2019, UCA recorded 21 instances of academic dishonesty. In the fall of the same year, UCA recorded 25 instances of cheating, and in the summer of 2019, five instances were recorded, according to numbers obtained from Fredricka Sharkey, Director of Media Relations.

As UCA shifted online due to the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the number of cheating instances rose sharply in the fall semester of 2020.

In the spring semester of 2020, UCA reported 29 instances of cheating, four instances during summer sessions, and 60 instances of cheating through the fall semester.

During the spring semester of 2021, 42 instances of academic dishonesty were reported to UCA officials, exactly double the amount reported only two years prior.

UCA has an extensive academic integrity policy that

is outlined in each student’s handbook and discussed at the beginning of every class while going over the syllabus.

“Allegations of violations of academic integrity are often managed at the course level. If it is worked out at that point, there is no documentation of the alleged incident,” UCA Provost and Executive Vice President Patricia Poulter said.

The UCA board policy describes academic misconduct as cheating, “to take an examination or test in a dishonest way, as by improper access to answers;” plagiarism, “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work;” and fabrication, “to fake; forge (a document, signature, etc.).”

This policy also states that “each instructor will decide on a case-by-case basis what penalty will be given to the student for his/her academic misconduct.”

The policy outlines penalties and states that institutional responses “to allegations of misconduct fall into two categories: (1) automatic penalties based on an official allegation and (2) additional penalties that will result if the student is not exonerated.”

These penalties can

Emergency: 4 Continued from

include “a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in the course, or any other course-related sanction the instructor determines to be appropriate.”

All official allegations against a student, whether undergraduate or graduate, made by the instructor and confirmed by the department chair, will be maintained in a permanent electronic record by the registrar, according to the policy.

“The Academic Integrity and Discipline Committee hears and makes a decision on officially reported allegations of violation of the academic integrity policy,” Poulter said.

The UCA board policy on academic integrity and misconduct was adopted in February of 2010 and has been revised 3 times over the past decade. These revisions took place in 2013, 2014, and at the end of 2020.

As college classes have moved to virtual learning, more avenues of cheating have been documented that could not have been used in the traditional classroom setting, such as website keys and open textbook quizzes.

UCA provides documents that outline the academic integrity policy and also has detailed examples of academic misconduct available at uca.edu/ integrity.

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

The 2020 Conway census results show the lowest population percentage growth, 8.9%, since the Great Depression. The city showed an increase of 5,266 citizens, which was about 3,000 less than the projected population increase, according to thecabin.net.

The Hispanic and African American population have shown the highest increase in population, while the White population showed the highest decrease, followed by the Asian population.

One of the few areas that saw a loss of population was near Harkrider street and Oak street. Interestingly enough, the blocks around UCA’s campus saw an increase of 12.7%, while the blocks around Hendrix saw a decrease of 10.1%.

On UCA’s campus, results from the bear facts showed almost twice as many women enrolled in college last year as men. The total percentage of women enrolled was a staggering

61.9% compared to the males at 38.1%.

The White population had 2.6% more enrollees than the minority populations. But UCA has shown a steady decline in enrollment since 2016, with around 100-200 fewer enrolling each year. This can be attributed partly to COVID-19, as schools across the country showed a decline in enrollment over the past year and a half. With schools going back to in-class sessions, many might have thought that the numbers would have gone upward, but that has not been the case.

Tajaro Hudson, associate director of diversity and communication, said, “Generally speaking though, the decline in students graduating from high school inevitably leads to a decline in the amount of freshmen we have every year.

This then goes on to decrease the number of members we have in our RSO’s as well as the amount of student leaders that emerge.”

In UCA, the Black population made up 16.6% of enrolled students, with the

Hispanic population being 7.2% and the White population being 69.7%.

The top five countries represented last year were the Bahamas, Ivory Coast, Japan, China and Nigeria. The number of in-state enrollees was 8,929, out-of-state was 998 and international was 408.

The area of study that had the most declared majors was Health and Behavioral Sciences with 3,227. Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences majors had the second-highest amount, with Business and Natural Sciences and Mathematics following close behind.

For first-time undergraduates, the average ACT score was 24.2, the average GPA was 3.59 and the amount enrolled was 1,715.

The total number of undergraduate students was 8,615, and the total number of graduate students was 1,720.

With the pandemic still affecting enrollment and population percentages, there will hopefully be higher numbers next year.

Outage still under investigation.

page 1

with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

Emergency services were only down for a short period of time due to the quick reaction of the station’s backup system that left no call or emergency unanswered.

Conway PD edited their original Facebook post around 8:15a.m. announcing that 911 services had been restored and to continue using the numbers provided if needed.

UCAPD also reached out to their community in similar ways.

People of UCA received a UCA Alert that brought attention to the issue along with extra guidance on forming emergency plans when situations like this one occurs.

They made sure to emphasize that outages of this type can occur without notice “We sent out notifications and updates via campus-wide email and our social media platforms with instructions

to use our main number for emergencies on campus,” said Sgt. Michael Hopper with UCAPD In case UCA personnel could not get through to campus’s emergency line, other service numbers were provided to outside resources as well.

“We also supplied the numbers for the Conway Police Department and the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department,” Sgt. Hopper added.

UCAPD recommends that when phone lines are down or overwhelmed, use alternative communication methods, such as email, instant messaging or SMS text messaging.

A snip from the email explained how communication networks may fail due to technological malfunction, may be damaged, or even overwhelmed during a disaster.

This gave insight on the situation as the ADEM, and Conway PD shared that they

both were unaware of what caused the incident but directed that AT&T was to blame.

“The 911 system experienced issues across the state. While the cause is currently being looked into, it appears to be an AT&T issue,” said Woodruff.

AT&T is currently experiencing massive network failure and phone outages following natural disaster, Hurricane Ida, which could have been a leading cause to the network’s malfunction.

This is not the first time AT&T has experienced this problem, however. In previous years, they have not only had similar outages in different parts of the state but across the U.S. as well.

In AT&T’s latest update, they are continuing to see improvements in their wireless network and are currently operating at more than 96 percent of normal.

graphic by Mia Waddell

Campus Life

3

September 8, 2021

Around Campus:

National Student Exchange Information At 12 p.m. on Sept. 8, the Office of Study Abroad will be hosting a Zoom call for those who are interested in the Student Exchange Program within the United States.

Zoom link can be found on CubConnect

Diversity: Freedom of Speech, Diversity From 2-3:30 p.m., Sept. 8, in the Student Center room 215, Bear X will host Diversity: Freedom of Speech, Diversity, Inclusion, and Cancel Culture in order to raise awareness of our campus diversity. Charlotte Stickland and Dr. Lesley Graybeal will be discussing how to have these hard conversations concerning diversity. Event registration can be found on CubConnect.

SAFA Payment Trainings From 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Sept. 9, the Student Government Association will be meeting in the Student Center, room 214, with RSOs to discuss and receive their fall 2021 funds.

Cecilia Lopez & Nathan Salazar During x-period on Sept. 9, in the Snow Fine Arts building, Cecilia Lopez and Nathan Salazar will be discussing how to promote oneself as a growing musician through networking and branding.

Photo courtesy of Living Unleashed

Dogs help to draw in new students to Living Unleashed at the RSO Fair. Living Unleashed is an RSO that works with Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that trains dogs for kids, adults and veterans with disabilities and more.

Living Unleashed offers club for dog lovers by

Megan Holder

Online Editor

UCA’s Living Unleashed introduced the purpose of their organization at an interest meeting Thursday, Sept. 2.

Living Unleashed, established in 2017, is a student organization created for dog lovers that collaborate with Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) to raise trained puppies for people with disabilities.

CCI is a nonprofit organization that works to “provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice

and educational settings,” according to their website’s “Who We Are” page.

Junior Lola Simmons discussed how to become a puppy sitter. “In order to be a puppy sitter, you have to complete the puppy sitting training presentation,” Simmons said.

“Anyone can be a puppy sitter, as long as you’re a member and have gone through the puppy sitter training. Puppy sitting is great if you know you’re interested in being a puppy raiser. You can kind of get the feel of what it’s like to take care of a dog,” Simmons said.

Living Unleashed will host a puppy training session during their second meeting on October 7 during x-period.

CCI breeds, raises and trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two breeds.

The dogs are trained to retrieve and deliver dropped items, tug to open a door or drawer, help with household chores, push things shut with their nose, open push doors, pull lightweight wheelchairs, turn lights on and off, and more.

Dogs go through different types of training depending on who they’ll be assisting.

The dogs provided are free and will still have support after being given to an individual.

Different roles can be filled when becoming a member of Living Unleashed, such as puppy raisers, puppy sitters and general members

who work together as a support system.

To become a volunteer puppy sitter, members must raise, train, and socialize a future assistance dog for 1821 months.

When the training is over, the puppies return to regional training centers for more training that will prepare them to become assistance dogs.

When a trainer is matched with a dog, graduates of the program are responsible for expenses that pertain to the care of the assistance dog, which includes food, grooming and routine veterinary costs.

A person is eligible for a service dog if they have physical or developmental disabilities, are deaf or hard of hearing, are a healthcare

professional or work in an educational or criminal justice setting.

“Living Unleashed provides a place for fellow puppy raisers and general dog lovers to problem solve, communicate, and collaborate,” according to the organization’s CubConnect page.

To become an official member of Living Unleashed, there is a $5 due, which will last the entire year.

Payments are accepted through Cash App, or a membership can be requested through CubConnect. Living Unleashed also has t-shirts for $15.

Students must provide their own training to and from the training center.

RADIO

Education Abroad General Overview During x-period on Sept. 9, the Office of Study Aboard will host a Zoom meeting for those who are interesting in studying abroad. Zoom link can be found on CubConnect.

SigEp Safari From 8 p.m.-11 p.m. on Sept. 9, there will be a social gathering with refreshments and music outside of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house.

Burgers, Bats, & BYX At 4 p.m. on Sept. 12, at the UCA Softball Intramural Field, Beta Upsilon Chi will be hosting a softball tournament. Burgers and refreshments will be provided.

“The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard “ At 7 p.m. on Sept. 12, the Student Activities Board will be hosting the movie: “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” (Rated R) in the Student Center Ballroom. Free food will be provided.

Poker Night At 8 p.m. on Sept. 12, in the Student Center, Alpha Sigma Phi will be hosting a poker night where all students are welcome to attend.

UCA Gospel Choir Rehearsal At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, in the Student Center, there will be a rehearsal meeting for all members or those interested in

Photo courtesy of The Bear 91.3

The Bear 91.3 hosted an informational meeting at their broadcast room in the Student Center basement Aug. 31. The radio station allows students to become DJs and host their own shows, whether is be music, a podcast or something else. Students can gain experience in using the radio and audio equipment along with planning their show.

91.3, The Bear, recruits new radio DJs

by Andrew McMahan

Assistant Sports Editor

The University of Central Arkansas‘s campus radio station, 91.3 the Bear, held an informal meeting for students interested in radio on Aug. 31 during x-period.

The meeting was held in the basement of the Student Center at the radio station, where the radio has broadcasted its shows since 1999.

From the beginning of the meeting to the end, it was obvious that the station takes pride in how they allow the students to have freedom during their time on the airways.

The meeting recognized that students can do a standard onehour show, podcast or other various programs of that nature.

Infomercials and public service announcements are also options for students when utilizing the campus station.

Severe weather coverage has also been provided by UCA students in the past.

Topics discussed during shows at the station are only limited to the appropriateness of the content.

Steve Owens, 91.3 The Bear’s General Manager, said, “You, the student, are the one paying for this, so I would hope that you would take advantage of it. That is why I am so lenient in its use.”

Owens had nothing to hide when elaborating information about the station to the group of 10 students who attended the meeting. Owens was an open book, answering any questions

the students had that derived from the meeting.

The meeting expressed the notion that the station is open to all students from any major, not just communication students.

This was stressed because all students pay a $5 radio fee as a part of their school payments, regardless of major.

The campus station allows students to begin pursuing a career or hobby as a radio personality or DJ. The students can practice and better their presence on the radio and polish their skills.

The meeting discussed students that have unearthed radio skills they never knew they had previously. Students, even without previous experience, can be taught everything they need to know to use the campus

station how it is intended.

The station hires student workers as well. Any student that is interested in working for the campus station can contact them directly for further information.

Before the pandemic, the station had five student workers.

Now, the station is looking to bounce back as it did not have any students working for them in the past few semesters during the pandemic.

Now graduated student manager, Sam Colbert, was grateful for his four-year experience with the station as an undergraduate. Colbert attended the meeting to help assist Owens and help answer any questions.

“The best thing to take away from working at the radio station was just knowing what goes

on behind the scenes and how things work at a radio station,” Colbert said.

Colbert was proud of the skills he developed while working at the station. Colbert maintained that he learned valuable knowledge from his experience. “If I saw a soundboard now, I am not as intimidated as somebody who has not seen one before and sees all those buttons and dials,” Colbert said.

The station has been on campus since 1999. UCA took over the station in 1998 after former UCA President Win Thompson accepted the offer of UCA owning the failing radio station. The rest is history, as the station is still thriving after numerous years of use by UCA students.

4/ September 8, 2021

CAMPUS LIFE

ucanews.live

STUDENTS SAY is your major and “ What why did you choose it?

Photos by Madison Ogle and Ashley Savage

The RSO Fair hosted a range of student organizations at booths with sign up sheets and to provide information for new students that expressed interest in their organizations.

”

Story by Olyvia Gonzalez and photos by Bennett Tinnermon

RSO Fair welcomes new students to clubs

by Ashley Savage Photo Editor

The university held its annual Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) Fair in front of the Student Center on Aug. 31.

With clear skies, balloon animals and more, the RSOs’ booths scattered the lawn in front of the Student Center while students searched to find which organizations might be their best fit.

Sophomore Bear Den president Jeromy Hunt Jr. said, “The RSO fair is so important because it allows students to see which organizations fit their interests and which of them they might be less interested in.”

“Students need events like this because it allows for the RSOs to be presented inperson. They get to see these

members face-to-face, and students can walk away and say, ‘you know, that member was really nice to me, or very helpful, and I think I’d really enjoy being involved in that organization,” Hunt Jr. said.

The Chinese Culture Club, Bear Den and Student Activities Board were a handful of RSOs set up around the lawn.

Chinese Culture Club President Kate Gooden said, “A lot of the RSOs were shut down due to COVID-19 issues and protocols, which was really hard. Being able to be back out here getting students involved in something new like the Chinese Culture Club, no matter their existing knowledge on the language or the language department, is just nice.”

The fair offered a diverse selection of groups for students to view and learn more about,

regardless of their classification or experience on campus.

Hunt said, “The fair is a way for students to get a glimpse of what they might want to know more about as the semester goes on. Their brief interactions at the fair can cause them to look up our social media and think, ‘I might want to get involved with this or sign up for that.’”

Many of the RSOs believe that being involved in campus organizations does not only benefit students socially.

Hunt said, “Once students get signed up and involved, it seems their grades go up, they’re more social, and there’s a sense of self-improvement across the board. It’s really just a great way to allow them to find out more on who they are.”

The RSO fair is yet another on-campus, in-person event that generates a small sense of

RSO FAIR

normalcy for students and staff as they venture through the fourth semester impacted by COVID-19.

Chinese Culture Club vice president and treasurer Joslyn Bruenger said, “This is only my first year getting involved in the club. I started college in the middle of the pandemic, and it was really frustrating sitting around and wondering what was actually happening on campus.”

“I looked at the signs and posters, but they weren’t always updated or helpful.

Having events like the RSO fair shows students that, hey, life isn’t entirely back to normal, but there are things to do on campus,” Bruenger said.

For more information on the RSOs or ways to get involved on campus, go to the CubConnect app accessible through MyUCA.

Junior Jhalon Finley “The reason I picked [exercise science] was because I always played sports when I was in high school. So, I always wanted to stay around sports.”

Freshman Alysan Speers

“I was originally going to do biology pre-PT, but I switched nuclear med... I want to be able to enjoy it and not feel like I’m going to work every day, so that is why I picked nuclear med.”

QUIZ ANSWERS

Junior Ashlyn Grandy

Junior Alex Hourston

“I’m a nursing major and I chose my major because I really love learning about the human body and I love helping people, so that’s why I picked it.”

“Business, and really I just wanna start my own business, that’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It was sports management but I changed it this year, I’m a transfer student.”

Freshman Dylan Comeaux

Junior Grey Rodery

“I chose biology because I’ve always had a fascination with the medical field, with the way that the world works and I want to study the way that people die and why they died. So, biology is just one of the perfect majors to focus on that. I’ve always just found it super interesting to look at these things and find out how they work and why they work.”

“I chose psychology because I really wanted to find a way to help others. You know, you have doctors who help people physically, which is a very big thing, but I think mental health is incredibly important and I specifically want to go into more of relationship counseling.”

Photos by Madison Ogle

Haley Damon Murk was at the RSO Fair making balloon art.

Murk can be found on Instagram @haley__quinn.

Graphic by Mia Waddell

STUDY ABROAD

Semester Exchange Program offers study abroad

by Delaney Van Wilpe Editor-in-Chief

Education Abroad and National Student Exchange Advisor Taylor Lenze offered students information about how they can get involved in UCA’s Semester Exchange Program.

The Semester Exchange Program is the most immersive at UCA. If students choose to participate, they will spend a semester at a “sister university” in another country. Some of the options of countries include Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Thailand, China, Germany, Belgium, Spain and France.

UCA also offers study abroad programs that are language immersive, which means students attend universities related to their foreign language studies. Faculty-led study abroad programs are also an

option for students. They take place in the summer and are led by a UCA professor.

The requirements for students planning to study abroad are to complete at least 60 credit hours at UCA and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. “If you have a slightly lower GPA, come talk to us, we can work with you,” Lenze said.

Lenze urged students to start applying for a passport if they are thinking about studying abroad because “passports are taking anywhere between six to 10 weeks.” The deadline to study abroad this spring semester is Friday, Sept. 17.

Another thing to note about UCA’s sister universities is that they have courses that correspond with UCA’s course requirements. Depending on a student’s major, they need to fill some sort of requirements

to stay on track for graduation.

“For example, Language and Gender can transfer just into general special topics. So, this could actually transfer a couple of different courses here at UCA,” Lenze said.

To apply for the Semester Exchange Program, a student must talk to a “peer advisor” in the study abroad office, someone from the financial aid office and complete a Course Approval Form. This is a commitment to the partner university the student wishes to attend and the courses intend to take; it is also UCA’s commitment to the student.

“This is really important because it’s your department’s commitment to you and actually our university’s commitment to you that the courses you take when in Spain or Thailand will actually count towards your

major. That way you’re getting ahead on your degree not behind,” Lenze said.

Tuition at a partner university will be the same as tuition for UCA. “The nice thing about it, though, is that it’s a little bit cheaper than in-state tuition.

So, whatever you’re paying now, you’ll actually get to pay the special study abroad rate,” Lenze said.

FAFSA, Pell Grant, Arkansas Challenge, any university scholarships and most private scholarships can go toward study abroad expenses. Additional scholarships are offered and available to apply for to study abroad as well.

Each university abroad has a professor at UCA that can give information about the partner schools. For more information, visit UCA’s Study Abroad page online.

People of UCA: Audra Watts

by Milo Strain Staff Writer

Audra Watts, a junior from Beebe, Arkansas, spent her summer interning in Washington, D.C., helping people just released from prison get back on their feet.

Homeschooled until college, she traveled a long way from home to aid people with little to no support system and returned with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Watts was able to get an internship with Offender Aid and Restoration through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars at UCA. The Washington Center is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides college students from all over the

United States with internships in and around the D.C. area; students who are at least a sophomore with a GPA of 2.75 or greater may apply through UCA. The Washington Center program, which has internships across multiple fields of study, sent Watts to work with Offender Aid and Restoration, a nonprofit organization in Arlington, Virginia. The non-profit works with the court system to assist people who have just been released from the prison system to reenter society.

Watts’ time working was spent in a cubicle at the Offender Aid and Restoration office across the street from the Arlington Courthouse. She helped people build their resumes and submit job applications. She was even sent to the courthouse to help

represent Offender Aid and Restoration.

The organizaton’s motto is “Be that person’s person,” an idea Watts exemplified through her work in Washington.

“My favorite thing about my internship was being able to help people who might not have anyone else. Learning to navigate D.C., working in an office job, and exploring the court system in Virginia was by far the most invaluable experience of my life,” Watts said.

Watts and the other Washington Center interns all lived together at the Washington Center’s own Residential and Academic Facility located in the NoMa neighborhood in D.C., a part of the program that she remembers fondly.

Making friends to experience Washington D.C. with her and

forming a tight-knit community with everyone in the building was one of her favorite experiences.

As a criminology major, it’s one of the things she loves most about UCA. Watts has enjoyed taking classes with Dr. Janet Wilson, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, who also helped her apply for the Washington Center internship for the summer.

Watts is also very involved with the Schedler’s Honors College, having served as a Freshman Mentor last year and currently working as a Schedler’s Honor Ambassador. Watts also does volunteer work through the college and is starting a tutoring position in the Faulkner County Court to help juveniles in the court system. After getting her degree, Watts is interested in a career with the Secret Service.

Photo courtesy of Audra Watts

Audra Watts is a junior criminology major in the Honors College.

Watts spent her summer in Washington, D.C., on an internship.

Sports

5

September 8, 2021

Upcoming Games

Men’s Soccer 6 p.m., Sept. 8 at Missouri State Volleyball 12 p.m. , Sept. 10 at South Dakota Women’s Soccer 7 p.m., Sept. 10 vs Arkansas- Pine Bluff Men’s Golf Sept. 11 at Jim Rivers Intercollegiate Football 7 p.m., Sept. 11 at Missouri State

Editor’s Take

Photo by ucasports.com

Photo courtesy of michelobultra.com Nneka Ogwumike, newest face of Michelob’s “See it, Save it” campaign for women’s sports.

Companies fail to represent women BY

Stellar gameplay leads Sugar Bears to victory over Trojans BY

EMILEE HGAEWOOD

The UCA volleyball team brought the heat Thursday,

Sports Editor

Women’s sports have long been an area of controversy when it comes to inclusivity and equality. Many of us remember the debate about the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team being paid significantly less than the men’s, even though they bring in more revenue for the U.S. Soccer Foundation. The women scored 13-0 in the World Cup—the most goals for a single game in World Cup history -- but still were not given equal compensation.

We have seen fewer brand deals and sponsorships too, even though women in their respective sports have continued to rise to the top and claim multiple victories.

Now, Michelob Ultra has pledged 100 million dollars over the next five years to support gender equality in sports; 50% of that money will go to lifestyle media inventory, where content will promote female athletes and women’s sports. Michelob announced this on Women’s Equality day—why we still have a day dedicated to this continues to baffle me, as I believe women’s equality should be celebrated and remembered every day.

The company plans to make sure that men and women are represented equally in all of their ad campaigns, seemingly until 2025.

The opening to their campaign rests on the slogan, “See it, Save it,” which in part has to do with Michelob’s logo looking similar to Instagram’s “save” function. It also seems to imply that women’s sports need saving and that Michelob is the one saving them. It’s insulting to people that advocate for women’s sports.

Most ad campaigns that represent women athletes do it not because they actually care or advocate for women, but because of their personal agendas. It seems that most companies cling to the idea of women empowerment for all of their advertising, which is fine, in a sense, if they actually mean it.

Michelob’s CEO wouldn’t sell out $100 million out of the goodness of his heart, it’s all based on capitalism.

Companies pretend to advocate for women’s sports simply because they know it will make them look better.

It’s a shallow marketing ploy, and these advertisements are based on saving women’s sports or overcoming the odds that these marketers invented themselves.

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

intense game.” halfway through the third set, but they got winded after impressive gameplay. heightened their defense and were able to win the set the third and fourth sets. Stombough said, “Honestly,

helped us most.”

Stombough got the girls hyped, and they were able to

going.”

SOCCER

Photo by Ashley Savage

Women’s soccer heartbreakingly lose first of four games BY

ROB DAVIS

be able to not fold under pressure, and when they

Staff Writer

last the rest of the half.

said.

Brandenburg used her head to put the soaring period.

The Bears started off the beginning of their unfortunate to give up those goals late to let them

advantage.”

Opinion

6

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

September 8, 2021

The Voice

U C A on m i d d l e g rou n d w it h m a s k m an d at e

The Echo Staff Delaney Van Wilpe Editor-in-Chief Addison Freeman Associate Editor Mia Waddell News Editor Sydney Cyr Assistant News Editor Bennett Tinnermon Campus Life Editor Olyvia Gonzalez Assistant Campus Life Editor Sarah Smythe Opinion Editor Madison Ogle Entertainment Editor/Cartoonist Emilee Hagewood Sports Editor Andrew McMahan Assistant Sports Editor Megan Holder Online Editor Ashley Savage Photography Editor

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You are never going to be happy with how the world is now You will never be happy. It’s time to accept that. things.

Wandering through a HomeGoods or Target, the It can be joy, relaxation, contentment, or shelves will be littered, yes littered, with kitsch signs laughter. and wall art wreaking of toxic positivity.

It can be so many small things, but it is most “Look on the bright side,” and “The difference certainly not “long-lasting.” between a good and a bad day is you.”

When a person feels sad, and all the physiological Yeah, no. things that come with that for a long period of These quotes, often in computer automated time, we call that depression, and we medicate it. gold calligraphy font on a millennial pink If a person experiences joy, constantly, all canvas, make me want to puke. of the time- it is considered happiness and the These signs promote toxic positivity, real “normal.” an attitude that the American psyche Well, that doesn’t happen. To anyone. seems to think is the absolute zenith of Ever. But if it did, why would it be mental health and wellness. cosidered normal?

I’m not happy right now, but if My ever-changing emotions I continue denying my negative and pessimism can bring me down emotions and replacing them sometimes. with hollow positive chitterI compare myself to these chatter then someday I will signs and wonder if something be! is wrong with me.

Happiness isn’t Is everyone else happy? a constant emotion.

Is everyone else feeling this

by Mia Waddell Happiness isn’t a state of innate joy?

News Editor mind.

The goal for me is Happiness is just a balance. nine-letter English word that I will never experience describes a wide range of human emotions. constant joy, just like I will never experience constant I don’t yearn for happiness. I don’t aspire to be despair. happy. Truly, I aspire to feel balanced.

To do so would be abnormal, and in a strange way, Emotions for human beings are fleeting.

I think I’d miss all my other emotions.

Science says that the physiological effects of Perhaps in reading this, you find solace, or you’re emotion last for about 90 seconds. shocked that not everyone shares the same vigor for Any “emotion” after that is essentially just the life as you. stories our brain tells us about that emotion.

I am a content person, I am a whole person, and That happiness you’re chasing, it will get you I am worthy- even if I’m not chipper and constantly high for 90 seconds, and after that, you are left with injected with faux happiness. the stories your brain is going to tell you and all those To be in a constant pursuit of balance, rather than negative thoughts and feelings you don’t want to uncontrolled joy, means taking the emotions as they address. go. I let the strong ones come over me like waves, then Happiness is nice, but it means many different I sit in the high tide until it has receded.

Living on campus during breaks should not cost extra College is expensive enough. travel home for a month or a week.

Money is spent left and right on required It just doesn’t make sense. textbooks, software programs, meal plans and so much Several students go to school to escape their home more. lives, and the thought of leaving campus for breaks is As if that isn’t enough, UCA likes to charge terrifying to them. students a fee to stay on campus during breaks (winter There is added stress when these students are told break, spring break, May intersession, etc.). they have to pay to stay in the comfort of their own I get it, I do. But I still think it’s ridiculous to dorms/apartments. charge students extra to live in the same space I personally don’t have the desire to they live in for about eight months of the year. move back home for a month after finals On-campus living requires a meal plan, end in December, but I also don’t have and with both of those, I spend almost $5,000 extra cash lying around to spend on break per semester to live in a dorm. housing.

If I needed or wanted to stay on It’s not like living on campus is the campus during winter break, I’d have greatest luxury anyway. to pay $625 to stay in my single Some students tend to get room, according to UCA Housing lonelier on campus when almost and Residence Life. everyone else has gone home for Double room occupants only the break.

Other students still pay $425 during winter break, have to share a communal but that’s still a hefty amount bathroom with the students of change to hand over to live that opt into staying on in the space you’ve already campus during these times. by Andraea Aguilera moved into and lived in for Students should not Staff Writer months. have to pay even more For those that only need than what they see on to stay on campus for a few their tuition and billing nights, there is a nightly rate of $17 for single rooms statements at the beginning of the semester. and $25 for double rooms.

I fully understand that sometimes paying to stay This could add up fast for the average broke on campus is a student’s only option, but it shouldn’t have to be. college student.

Students use up water and electricity during these It’s really not fair to expect more money from breaks, and they require some food services as well, them. but it’s not like UCA can’t afford it.

Many students aren’t from the Conway area, They shouldn’t subject students to extra fees. so when they move to campus and get jobs that they This leaves students scrambling for backup plans are required to work at through breaks, they have no or picking up extra hours at work to cover these costs, option but to stay on campus in their dorms. which can interfere with a student’s education.

What about international students?

UCA needs to show more support for students They often can’t just pack up their belongings to wishing to stay on campus during breaks.

As UCA has implemented its own mask mandate for the college campus, Arkansas and other states, like Texas, have not taken any proactive steps to prevent COVID-19 in schools.

Although Arkansas does not have a mask mandate in place, UCA came forward on Aug. 10 to announce the new color-coded mask system.

The mask system that UCA has implemented for the fall semester leans away from the common views of the state of Arkansas.

This warning system is updated weekly and follows a red, yellow, and green classification for the transmission status on campus.

The UCA President’s Office said in an email to students at the beginning of the semester, “the university will use a three-color system alerting campus of our community transmission status and what actions faculty, staff, and students should take regarding masking.”

With classes returning in-person at full capacity, students have been constantly reminded of the new highs seen in the active cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas.

According to the New York Times, the 7-day average has not dropped below 2,000 cases in Arkansas since classes resumed.

The CDC states that 46.9% of the eligible population in Faulkner County is fully vaccinated and 55.4% of the eligible population in Pulaski County is fully vaccinated currently.

These vaccination numbers are slowly going up and hopefully will continue to increase as schools return to in-person learning.

Arkansas has not had any mask mandates since March of this year and has struggled with a mask mandate ban across the state.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said, “In hindsight, I wish that [the mask mandate ban] had not become law.”

In the eyes of surrounding colleges like Hendrix and UALR, the mask mandate at UCA holds similar or exact guidelines regarding indoor and outdoor spaces on each campus.

Even as the Delta variant spirals in schools across the country, other colleges have done nothing but recommend masks to students.

The Univerity of Texas at Austin will most likely not see any type of protocol for masks on campus this semester or even the next.

Under Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that was passed this summer, government entities cannot require or mandate masks.

Other than a small webpage on the UT site strongly recommending the use of indoor masks, regardless of vaccination status, there are no updates on required masks on campus.

The college states that vaccines are available to students and faculty and even has an option to enter a drawing to win prizes if you are a vaccinated student this semester.

In Austin County, however, there is a 20.3% positive COVID-19 test rate, according to covidactnow.org.

Even if some students are doing their part by wearing masks correctly and getting vaccinated, there will always be some that refuse.

A vaccination requirement for universities would be surprising to see in Arkansas, but not in other states, like California, where more than 85 universities require proof of vaccination to attend.

It takes more than just wearing a mask around other people on campus to stop the spread of COVID-19, it takes vaccination and the proper social distancing precautions as well.

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 8, 2021

New This Week Movies

Sept. 10 — Malignant (R), directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Annabelle Wallis, George Young, Jake Abel and McKenna Grace

Sept. 17 — The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PG-13), directed by Michael Showalter, starring Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield and Vincent D’Onofrio Oct. 1 — Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (PG), directed by Derek Drymon and Jenifer Kluska, starring Brian Hull, Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg

Music

Sept. 10 — Diana Ross — Thank You

Sept. 10 — Kacey Musgraves — Star-Crossed

Sept. 10 —Metallica— The Metallica Blacklist

Kanye’s ‘Donda’ has difficulty deciding identity

by Delaney Van Wilpe Editor-in-Chief

To my surprise, Kanye West dropped the dang album.

Kanye’s longanticipated and heavily publicized tenth studio album, “Donda,” finally hit streaming services Aug. 29.

Among the 27-track album, there are high points.

However, a 27-track album can only be so good.

Artists typically release that many songs to get streams, but West has never been one to vie for streams.

According to West’s Instagram, he said, “UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL,” but Universal disputed this statement.

Because the album is so unnecessarily long, I believe fans were not supposed to hear over half the songs on the record. Rather, it had been a ploy by Universal to make money off of streaming.

In typical Kanye fashion, many people are upset about the release. One thing to know about West is that he is very collaborative. So much so, that he ends up cutting much of the work he had artists contribute.

Sept. 10 — Sleigh Bells — Texis

After three years since his last full-length album, “Paths,” musical artist Graham Johnson, better known by his stage name “quickly, quickly” recently released his album “The Long and Short of It.” Netflix Based on Spotify’s information, I first came across Johnson’s music in Sept. 9 — Blood Brothers: late 2020 with his echoey, Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali, lo-fi track “Getsomerest/ directed by Marcus A. Clarke, sleepwell.” Last semester, I would often listen to the starring Muhammed Ali and album this track originated Malcolm X from while studying as it fits well into the “lo-fi beats to study to” type of genre, but with something more.

Since then, Johnson has Sept. 10 — Kate, directed by leaned heavily into having lyrics in his songs rather than Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, starring voice samples from people Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Miku like Alan Watts or Steve Martineau and Woody Harrelson Harvey. The tracks on this album feature Johnson’s own singing.

The opening song, “Phases,” is a whirlwind of musical sounds with hitting Sept. 10 — Prey, directed by piano, driving drums, saxophone and more. But Thomas Sieben, starring David with the beginning of the Kross, Hanno Koffler and Maria song, you would never guess Ehrich the direction it would go.

“Phases” begins with a shaker and other instrumental sounds behind the voice of poet Sharrif Simmons flowing through Sept. 15 — Nightbooks, directed his spoken word. It feels

by David Yarovesky, starring like a multitude of songs Krysten Ritter, Lidya Jewett and melding into one in just under 6 minutes but flows Winslow Fegley so wonderfully from start to finish.

The album has an atmospheric and soft feeling.

There is no harshness to the Sep. 15 — Schumacher, instrumentals and there is co-directed by Hanns-Bruno often the deep hum of bass in the background, making it Kammertöns, Vanessa Nöcker, and all the more noticeable when Michael Wech the hum subsides and you are left with crisp sounds.

The start of “I Am Close to the River” stands out the most to me. Instead of going straight into a beat

Snacks List compiled by Addi Freeman Associate Editor

Collaborators include Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, Don Toliver, Fivio Foreign, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Pop Smoke and more, but there were others that didn’t quite make the cut.

Despite the controversy behind the release, this robust album did have remnants of gold.

In “Believe What I Say,” West samples the incomparable Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing).” The track was

reminiscent of West’s “College Dropout” days when he sampled Hill’s “Mystery of Iniquity” on his “All Falls Down.”

At “Believe What I Say,” the tenth track on the album, my faith in “DONDA” was somewhat restored.

The tracks that follow the Hill sample, “24,” “Remote Control” and “Moon,” make enduring heavily uninspired and repetitive tracks like “God Breathed” worth it.

West literally sings, “I know

God breathed on this” 16 times.

“No Child Left Behind,” which was in a Beats ad featuring track star Sha’Carri Richardson, was another golden moment of the album.

But, then again, the best moments in this album weren’t necessarily Kanye.

Rather, they were his collaborators.

My favorite track, “Moon,” seemed like a product of Don Toliver and Kid Cudi’s style rather than HORROR

‘quickly, quickly’ album moves away from lo-fi Campus Life Editor

Late-Night

Kanye performs at litening party. Kanye dropped ‘Donda’ Aug. 29, featuring Playboi Carti, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Don Toliver, Young Thug and more.

ALBUM RELEASE

by Bennett Tinnermon

Top 5

Photo courtesy of Axel Antas-Bergkvist , www.unsplash.com

Kanye.

Don’t get me wrong, I know Kanye is a rapper, artist and producer, so he has a hand in songs he may not even be rapping in. It’s just funny to see him take on these different artists’ styles even as a producer. “Off the Grid,” which featured Brooklyn drill artist Fivio Foreign, had a drill beat on it—something West has never done.

“Junya,” featuring Playboi Carti, contains adlibs by West that we would typically see Carti doing.

West raps, “Junya Watanabe on my wri’/ Junya Watanabe on my wri’/ Tell ‘em this, did he miss? (Wri’).” It was an interesting dynamic to see him mold to new artists, but it seems like he’s lost originality.

He bounces from a synth “808s & Heartbreaks” sound to a gospel “JESUS IS KING” sound, and it’s as if Kanye can’t settle on a personality to take on this album—in true Gemini fashion.

This album may have been intended to honor his mother, Dr. Donda C. West, but it’s less of a tribute to his mother and more like a mess of music.

“Donda” can be streamed on Apple Music and Spotify.

that flows in from the end of the previous song, it starts with a piano riff. Johnson uses digital alterations to his instrumentals that add an interesting layer and the added atmospheric sounds make for a mystical feeling.

Johnson’s lyrics on “I Am Close to the River” cover feeling, nature and psychedelics with the mention of psilocybin -- the part that puts the “magic” in magic mushrooms.

The layering of sounds in this album, while different in sound, reminded me of Japanese DJ and producer Nujabes. Both artists do a great job at blending instrumentals and layering vocals over them to work together.

Nujabes often use sampled instrumentals while having various artists rap over the track. Johnson uses his instrumentals in a more heavily layered way that can feel like auditory overload -in a good way -- with his own singing over the track. So, it’s definitely very different in the type of music and the way they utilize their instrumentals, but I felt there to be a similarity in the layering of their music.

In the end, Johnson’s past music falling more into the lo-fi genre can be seen as distantly related to Nujabes’ music as Nujabes is seen as an early influencer of lo-fi.

While there’s so much more to talk about for Johnson’s “The Long and the Short of It,” I would recommend giving it a listen for the instrumentals. I barely touched on the lyrics in this review, but it is easy to recognize the feeling behind them.

So don’t listen to me; see for yourself what you think about the album.

“The Long and Short of It” can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and other streaming services.

Photo courtesy of www.candymanmovie.com

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays a struggling artist, Anthony McCoy, that becomes unhealthily obsessed with the story of “Candyman.” He creates hundred of art pieces depciting the face of “Candyman.”

‘Candyman’ restores franchise

by Madison Ogle

A hook hand, a bloody rib cage of bees and a devastatingly lavish calflength fur coat? If you’re thinking of Tony Todd’s haunting depiction of the original Candyman, you’re thinking correctly.

“Candyman” (2021), a modern sequel to the “Candyman” franchise, is the fourth film in the horror series and was released Aug. 27.

Directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Yahya AbdulMateen II, this addition to the trilogy does the job of reviving the tale of “Candyman,” a somewhat real, somewhat fictional figure that thrives off of killing those gullible enough to doubt his legitimacy.

DaCosta’s version of “Candyman” originally seemed to be a remake of the 1992 film. However, audiences will be pleasantly surprised to know it serves as a continuation of the story. Did we also mention that Jordan Peele had a hand in producing it? That alone should hint at the quality.

We begin the film

amongst the thriving CabriniGreen Homes, circa 1977.

The focus is on a young boy. We discover this boy to have been the last encounter Cabrini-Green would have with the locally known Candyman, an individual with a hook hand that would offer candy to children.

While his intentions weren’t corrupt, reports of razor blades being put into candy are pinned on him.

This leads to his inevitable demise as police beat him until he is unrecognizable.

Come to find out, he wasn’t the one to commit the crimes.

Moving forward to modern day, we meet Anthony McCoy (portrayed

by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).

Anthony is a now struggling artist, eager to find his new muse. After hearing about the story of Candyman, he obsesses over the story and the man’s death. When Anthony finds out about the ability to “summon” the Candyman, he indulges and says the word “Candyman” into a mirror five times.

Initially, things seem to be fine, but it quickly becomes clear that the legend lies more in fact than fiction.

There are so many points that deserve applause

throughout this film, from the impressive usage of mirrors in the cinematography to the gripping twist at the film’s conclusion. What’s most admirable in this film is the way it refrains from being boisterous in its thrills. While most horror movies rely on loud noises to get cheap scares from the audience, this one takes the more subtle route. The only real warnings needed for this piece are in regards to the usage of body horror and gore. If you are susceptible to trypophobia, it might be best to skip this one.

Otherwise, this film does a fantastic job of not only maintaining suspense but reminding the audience of the story’s real inspirations: America’s victimization of Black people and how society fails to demonstrate racial justice.

Rest assured, CabriniGreen was a very real and very troubled Chicago community.

Candyman, though, remains an urban legend merely popularized by its 1992 film and now this 2021 addition. At least, we hope it’s just an urban legend.

“Candyman” is available to watch only in theaters.

Entertainment Editor & Cartoonist

1. Buttered Toast

2. Cereal

3. Peanut Butter

4. Oatmeal

5. Cherry Tomatoes

There’s just something about a nice slab of toast (buttered, of course) that just hits the spot every time, no matter when you eat it. ht toast, there’s no need to get fancy with it. Jam and jellies, cinnamon-sugar sprinkles, they have their moments to shine, but not late at night.

Nighttime is when the need for simplicity arises. This piece of toast is the one thing that will sustain you until the morning, so it shouldn’t be jazzed up. Keep this process as smooth as the butter that’s on it.

Cereal is always tasty, but eating it in the middle of the night, in a kitchen only illuminated by the overhead light from the stove, slaps harder than usual. I’m talking about the good, sugary stuff like Fruit Loops and Cap’n Crunch. Maybe it’s our way of feeling like a child again, or maybe, it’s the small trill of rebellion from eating something so unhealthy before going to bed, but a late-night bowl of cereal just hits the spot.

This is an important mention in the late-night snack list because it’s so versatile.

Hungry and need something a little heavy? Try peanut butter spread on some graham crackers, or slice up an apple and dip it. A little peckish and only want something light?

Grab a spoonful and enjoy.

If it’s not a super late-night snack, try smearing some on a piece of toast. If you’re someone who loves sweets, try melting some PB with some chocolate chips. This is especially good drizzled over some vanilla ice cream. Feel free to thank me later.

I used to hate oatmeal. Now it’s one of my go-to latenight snacks. It’s such a simple snack, and it’s easy to customize to your likings.

Mix in some fruit for a bit of a healthier option. Peanut butter thickens it up a little and makes the oatmeal more filling. A pinch of brown sugar and a drop of honey gives you a sweet little treat that isn’t just pure sugar. No matter how you buy it—from the big Quakers canister or in the instant packets—oatmeal is seriously easy to make.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been trying to force myself to like tomatoes, so I can feel like a grown-up.

It’s sort of working because I’m loving how easy it is to grab a handful of these little guys and eat them while I’m walking around my apartment. They’re filling and, if you’re someone that feels accomplished after eating something healthy, they tick that box too. Plus, cherry tomatoes have a ton of Vitamin C, so they’re an easy way to help keep that immune system on guard.

ucanews.live

SPORTS

8 / September 8, 2021

Men’s Basketball 6-10 4-6-1

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Dickinson prepares for final season Bears cross country teams show

BY

SARAH SMYTHE

so hard on last year.”

For the past four years,

Opinion Editor

and

strong

student

promising start to 2021 season

BY

Hadley

ADDI FREEMAN

Associate Editor

now and that the team is “getting together.”

atmosphere” is her favorite part of being on the team and “the other teams.” player is “always having your them when they are down.”

building on top of every game and pass the ball.

season.”

than Steimels. we have had at that meet.

a very supportive team behind her as she ventures into the new season on the team.

Florida.”

more desirable… they are a lot

was senior Thomas Cain. Cain

weather, and more adrenaline player, bringing in multiple wins in the past seasons.

team ran together and how we minute along the way.

season,” Steimel said.

season on the team “was a tough She did this “while playing over

“Considering this was our season opener, we all had fast

to the sport.

a unit.”

tight and sore from sitting on a bus for hours.”

freshmen on the teams set their

season her best yet for the Bears.

ONE-POINT WINS

“The only downside of night

now have an idea of what times to UCA Cross Country Challenge

Lee University of Tennessee was points.

home meet of the season.

SEASON KICK-OFF

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Men’s soccer maintain victory streak BY

CHRISTIAN WEST

Staff Writer

The University of Central played two games at the University of Alabama at

win for the Bears. This time against the University of Alabama

to improve, as senior defender

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Football has rocky start against ASU BY

every training session and a bigger one every win we get, we need to move to be where we want to be.”

BENNETTTINNERMON

Campus Life Editor

The Bears held the lead going

plays.

played really well all night. Forty

half, their defense was no longer Having the opening game out

Bears vs. Bears rivalry. Following out with a win.

Hudson said the team will need

lead the bears out of Birmingham

by UCA sophomore defensive their opponent to no goals for the whole game.

opponents. Along with holding on goal, and only four shot

offsides than their opponents.

Along with having fewer shot attempts, but more shots on

never was a shot to be saved.

The Bears are four games into the season and have yet to lose a

These games and touraments

State and their players on playing

play.

Brown said.

Hudson said he thought they lost their momentum in the

team is what we are after this said. starts.”

duo that was hard for the Bears to defeat.

any points besides the one early

and made some big plays,” said toward the end of the game and strong enough to win.”

The Bears last played the Red