Issue 9, Volume 117-- October 27, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION FEE

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 27, 2021 Volume 117 — Issue 9

ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Campus Life:

Sports:

Entertainment:

New Release: ‘Halloween Kills’ worth the watch, but not the best.

Bears vs. Wildcats Bears defeated by EKU Colonels 38-35.

Greek God: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band perform ‘Amen!’

page 7

page 5

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Arkansas leads in computer science, 5th year for ArCA

Rainy

66/54

BY MIA WADDELL

THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Shanxi, China severe flooding

The Northern Chinese province of Shanxi was 120,000 residents, and in some areas, entire villages were submerged. According Chinese province of Shanxi, more than 1.75 million people had been affected far, and 494,210 acres of land have been destroyed by authorities.

N AT I O N A L

Gun violence on the rise in USA

that for graduation.”

Alison Wish, director of the Arkansas Coding Academy, talked proudly of the broad range of people who take courses at the Academy.

“I’ve seen people below the poverty, those tired of manual labor, and those who want to learn new skills to support their families,” Wish said. “We meet our students where they are... to create the futures they inspire.”

“Many of our graduates took a leap of faith to retool, retrain, rethink what the next chapters of your life maybe,” Davis said.

The success of the Arkansas Coding Academy

News Editor

The Arkansas Coding Academy at UCA celebrated its

by Governor Asa Hutchinson, Senator French Hill and other representatives.

“We talk about Arkansas 46th, 47th. I get tired of hearing that, lets talk more about that Arkansas is leading the nation in computer science education,” Hutchinson said, in regard to Arkansas’s progress in computer science education.

In 2015, Hutchinson signed legislation that required public schools to offer computer science classes. Since then, the state has seen a massive jump in “Before we started this initiative we had fewer than 1000 students taking computer science [courses] across Arkansas. Now we have more than 10,000. We had fewer than 20 teachers who could teach computer science across all of Arkansas. Now, we have Hutchinson said.

Funding, provided through the legislature, has allowed for programs such as The Arkansas Coding Academy to excel.

“The legislature gave

photo by Mia Waddell

Alison Wish, UCA President Houston Davis, Republican Rep. French Hill and Gov. Asa Hutchinson convene at the

years that goes to incentivising teachers and students. We’ve expanded curriculum from coding into data analytics and cyber security. We want the young people to understand the breadth of computer science,” Hutchinson said.

The deaths of young people governor in the country to sign due to gun violence in the legislation requiring all public U.S. is on track to be higher high schools to offer courses in in 2021 than in the past computer science,” President couple of years, according to upped it to 7 million every two Houston Davis said. the Gun Violence Archive.

In 2019, there were 991 DISCUSSION gun violence deaths among Americans who were 17 or younger. In 2020, that number rose to 1,375. In 2021 so far, there has already been 1,179 deaths among young people in the U.S. due BY SARAH SMYTHE The retention rate for the 2021 to gun violence. fall semester was also touched on by Opinion Editor

“[Asa’s] focus on education and computer science has allowed us to expand on our [programs],” Davis said.

The celebration honored

to congratulate the graduates and academy.

Governor Hutchinson’s objective of teaching coding across the state,” Hill said.

“We’ve had such success

as well as it’s most recent graduating class.

Twelve individuals were added to the Academy’s repertoire of graduates.

In addition to Hutchinson, Senator French Hill appeared

back, and the general assembly has just passed a law mandating computer science to graduate high school in Arkansas,” Hutchinson said. “We are one of only three states that require

hit coast of Hawaii

Two earthquakes struck off the coast of the Big Island in struck about 17 miles south of Naalehu, and the second earthquake struck in the same area about 20 minutes after earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1 and the second earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Weather Service in Honolulu said there was not a tsunami threat.

S TAT E

12 people shot in Pine Bluff shootings

Twelve people were shot in two separate shooting incidents in Pine Bluff as people celebrated homecoming festivities for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to Pine Bluff Police Chief Lloyd Franklin Sr. Two people died from the shootings and the other victims remain in critical condition. Pine Bluff Mayor Shirly Washington asked the public to pray for the city and the people who were killed, injured, and affected by the incidents.

UCA held a Campus Forum that discussed ensuring the success of students and featured speakers Patty Poulter, UCA provost, and President Houston Davis on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

The Resource Optimization Initiative (ROI) Campus Forum took place at the College of Business aspects of success and, more students successful through their college experience.

The forum talked about “where we are as a campus as we think about prioritizing our resources, the lens of student success, which in the end is the focus of not only what we do and much of what we value but it is the leading element of our strategic plan of the university,” Davis said.

The comment from the UCA Convocation in August 2019 stated that “[ROI] is important to ensure that UCA remains a choice university and [is] positioned to an era of uncertainty for public and private universities and colleges.”

Poulter said that in continuing into 2022, ROI will continue to work on optimization to measure the results and evaluate additional investments made such as budget reserves, market and equity, and key initiatives and positions.

The importance of optimizing resources comes into play in the schedule of the ROI, even though some factors are working against it.

In the presentation, Poulter said that enrollment can be unpredictable and is forecasted to decline in high school graduates in the coming years, which will require intensive

WHAT’S AHEAD

Poulter also said that UCA

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

resources from Arkansas and proactive measures must be taken in order to ensure the best service toward students at UCA. This involves investing in more strategic objectives and needs of UCA.

Homecoming festivities, football and more.

Index: Police Beat People of UCA Students Say

4 4

6 Opinion Entertainment 7 5, 8 Sports

to be a coder or software developer. That then helps our industry. It has allowed Arkansas to be a microhub of technology companies coming to our state. Every industry is a technology industry these days,” Hutchinson said.

Poulter in the forum.

The total retention rate decreased in 2021 by 7.47%, totaling 71.53%.

Next, the forum discussed faculty and staff competitive salaries and compensation considerations in detail as the “driving reasons that ROI has set targets for existing funds to be reallocated over the next two budget cycles.”

Davis said, “at the beginning additional $200,000 to further address market salary inequities.

ROI believes that the retention of engaged and effective professional staff and faculty will be central to student success initiatives in the future.

Davis said ROI’s “goal of getting all employee salaries to at least 90% of the market value is a go out to the 79 employees, 35 41 faculty, whose positions will be receiving a market salary increase.

During the forum, Poulter also introduced a new service called Navigate.

Poulter describes Navigate as “a comprehensive student success management system that links administrators, faculty, staff and advisors in a coordinated care network to support students from enrollment to graduation and beyond.”

Navigate is planned to help the success of students by reducing the information from success teams increasing the sense of “one care team” or “one university.”

Communication through Navigate will connect individual students, student cohorts and eventually all students through through the Navigate Student App, and Quik Polls.

The next Campus Forum, Stewards of the Public Trust, will be

Contact Us: 2

new ways,” Davis said.

“The coding academy is essential to what we are trying to accomplish.” Hutchinson said.

“We want that young person

CHARITY

ROI campus forum talks student success, finances

Two earthquakes

to Davis.

“We can’t let the machine shut down...you never know if

graphic by Madison Ogle

The Angel Bear Tree is a program that helps families and individuals in need. Applications to be apart of the tree close Oct. 27. The trees will be up on Nov. 1.

Angel Bear Tree applications open, trees up November 1st Staff Senate says

BY AMBER AUSTEN Staff Writer

UCA’s Staff Senate announced on Sept. 30 that Angel Bear Tree applications were available for UCA and Aramark employees who might need a little extra help during this upcoming holiday season.

The Angel Bear Tree program is meant to help through the holidays by supplying gifts from donors and food baskets that contribute toward a holiday meal by collaborating with UCA’s food pantry.

This project is not new to UCA’s campus as the Staff Senate has sponsored the annual event for over a decade now.

“Families who have children that are receiving free and reduced paid lunch meet

chair member Kimberly Klotz said. “We are also taking into consideration families who have been severely impacted by The senate received 44 applications last year and is expecting a higher count to roll in for this year before the Oct. 27 deadline.

Once applications are reviewed and families are selected, Christmas trees with are placed in Wingo Hall, the Student Center, and the HPER for anyone who would like to “adopt an angel.”

The tags on the trees are anonymous and provide a description of clothing sizes, shoe sizes, and some interests that family members might have for guidance when picking out gifts to donate.

Social:

“Anybody can adopt an angel,” Staff Senate member Ashley Isom said. “Faculty, staff, students, UCA’s women basketball actually adopted last year; a few campus RSOs did as well.”

Adopting a whole family versus a singular angel is an

option for organizations and departments wishing to participate.

The remaining angels left unpicked by the last week of November get adopted by the Staff Senate itself.

“We raise money for the leftover angels through donations, WinterFeast and volunteer work as ushers for UCA Athletics and Reynolds Performance Hall,” Klotz said.

The Staff Senate works

See Christmas - page 2

Inside:

Opinion:

E-mail:

Trying less can be for the best.

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @TheEchoUCA

@ucaecho

The Echo

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© 2021 The Echo, Printed by The Courier, Russellville, Arkansas.

see page 6

2/October 27, 2021

NEWS

Police Beat

ucanews.live

The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Sydney Cyr

Naked man at the Laptop missing Erbach Apartment from COB class

UCAPD was dispatched to Erbach Apartment B Unit for a report of a naked black male in the area. Marie Schmidt told UCAPD that the man was sitting on the steps outside of her apartment. Schmidt

she closed her apartment door and called UCAPD. When UCAPD arrived at the scene, Felisa Saheib, another resident of Erbach Apartments, told UCAPD that she saw a male outside her apartment in the parking lot. Saheib could she saw was naked because he was standing behind a vehicle. UCAPD searched not make contact with the suspect.

Student Evan Stuckey

after his computer went missing from a classroom in the College of Business.

Stuckey originally had his computer while he was in Dr. Kalulu’s classroom, room 100 B, but he left the classroom and went to his dorm. Stuckey then returned to the classroom and realized that his computer was missing.

Stuckey searched the classroom where he left his computer, but he did not to the lost and found areas on campus, but nobody had turned in his computer.

UCAPD did not have any camera footage from the incident, so the incident was marked as inactive.

Christmas: Continued from page 1

Advancement and Aramark to keep the Angel Bear Tree tradition alive during their WinterFeast holiday event.

This is where they collect a hefty amount of donations, year’s project.

“We raised $5565.50 at last year’s WinterFeast.

We have a very generous campus,” Klotz said.

As for the second week

UCAPD was dispatched to a dorm room because the Anthony Tufu entered and saw that the room was didn’t

notice

anything

vape pen, a charger and an extra cartridge sitting on a bedside table. A few minutes later, student Fredrick Sharkey walked into the room. Sharkey admitted that the vape pen was a THC pen and that the pen belonged to him.

Sharkey explained that he was doing his laundry and was sure that his roommate, Lucas Croney, had caused

offs before approving families collect the and distribute

photo by Madison Ogle

Development.

Center for Leadership Development hosts ‘Class of Pain’ talk with Fletcher BY

ADDI FREEMAN

Associate Editor

violation report.

Trees help those in need.

of December, that is when members of the staff go shopping with the funds raised the week before to make up for the angels left behind.

The Staff Senate recommends spending up to, but no more than $50 on

“We donations

Student caught with THC pen

Conference Center. We give up, and that is usually when they come by and conclude the operation,” Isom said.

UCA’s Staff Senate sponsorship of the Angel Bear Tree helped 42 families [93 Angels] last year through its 66 donors and generous community.

Their collaboration with the food pantry assisted 35 families with food baskets.

This year Angel Bear Trees will be available Nov. 1.

FESTIVITIES

The Center for Leadership Development hosted a Bear Talk at UCA Downtown with Phillip Fletcher giving attendees tips on how to become a better leader using the influence they have over others.

The event, held Oct. 14, gave students a chance to hear Fletcher’s speech on the topic of “The Class of Pain in the School of Leadership.”

Fletcher founded and sits as Executive Director of the City of Hope Outreach center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Conway, Ark. “We’re going to take a class in pain; the price paid for leadership, the price paid for influence. What is the price that is going to have to be paid so that you can have influence over and with individuals?”

Fletcher said at the beginning of his speech. “Everyone, because you are a human being, you have the capacity to be a leader. You have the capacity

to influence. So, the definition of leadership that I use is that a leader is an individual who provides purpose, direction and motivation to influence individuals or a group to operate, to improve and to achieve their specific goals.”

Fletcher gave the crowd leaders, some good and some bad. According to him, these people were leaders because they had the ability to exercise influence over others.

Fletcher’s class of pain in leadership sends a message fitting for everyone but is particularly aimed at those looking to start a business.

He encouraged attendees to look into the influences within their relationships in order to help grow their connections and establish stronger bonds.

“One of the definitions of pain is the price paid to achieve something. As a leader, or an emerging leader, let me tell you that there will have to be a price paid in order for you to effectively influence somebody,” Fletcher said.

Chase Fresneda, a graduate

student at UCA, was in attendance. After Fletcher’s speech was over, he shared with the group what he had learned.

“We talked about the empathy factor. For most young leaders, you’re trying to make a name for yourself, you’re trying to get out there, but at the same time, people have bad days, especially students,” Fresneda said. “While policy is important to follow, sometimes you’ve got to give a little and remember that we’re humans too. So emotional intelligence is big within leadership.”

The Center for Leadership Development hosts several Bear Talks each semester. The group has one more scheduled for the fall semester.

UCA’s LEAD team, a peer monitorship group will give a presentation on Nov. 15 at noon in Student Center room 223. The specific topic has yet to be decided.

There are three talks scheduled for the spring 2022 semester. To learn more about Bear Talks and the Center for Leadership Development, visit https://uca.edu/lead/home/.

POLITICS

photo by Bennett Tinnermon

on Oct. 14.

Dem. Gov. candidate James Russell, Sugar Bears name center of uses slogan ‘No more BS in Arkansas’ graphic by Delaney Van Wilpe

SGA

SGA discussion for equality DELANEY VAN WILPE & MILO STRAIN BY

Editor-in-Chief & Staff Writer Faculty Senate President Amber Wilson presented the Joint Resolution to Unite All UCA Athletic teams Under the Name Bears to the Student Government Association Oct. 18.

This resolution will remove the name Sugar Bears from the women’s volleyball and basketball team to promote “consistency and equality” in UCA’s teams.

The joint resolution was approved unanimously by the SGA. Prior to meeting with the SGA, Wilson said the Faculty Senate passed this resolution unanimously; the Staff Senate passed it with 18 in favor, two against and two abstained.

Wilson said she has not reached out to athletes for their thoughts on the name change because of the power difference between students and faculty.

“I know that SGA is the voice of the students, so if students had things they wanted to bring, they could either bring it here or they could bring it to… the athletics council, which in my understanding is kind of like SGA for all of the athletics, so those are kind of what I think are the most appropriate places for student voices to be heard,” Wilson said.

The SGA said they will start reaching out to women athletes on campus to get their input on the resolution via surveys and/or reaching out to them personally.

Montana Cramer, Internal Affairs Chair and junior vice president, “[The Student Government Association’s] burden of responsibility is to confer with students… That’s where we come in.”

The SGA will pick this back up Nov. 8 after conferring with students.

Sophomore Jeremy Hunt Jr. spoke to the SGA as well and highlighted the importance of mental health on campus.

Hunt said, “We are not equipped with the necessary resources… this is a dire need of UCA.” Senator Kaya Mason, Safety and Wellness Chair and sophomore vice president, said issues with the counseling center are currently being investigated. They are also working on getting another counselor on campus to relieve scheduling issues.

Senator Lexie Gregory, sophomore class representative, at the Oct. 25, said Student Resources is hoping to implement a system similar to the Honors College setup of a peer coach, mentor program to all residential colleges to give students an extra support system aside from the Counseling Center.

Gregory plans to meet with Director of Student Life Jacob Ternes to add a bylaw of the governing body of RSOs to make it mandatory for each RSO to have a mental health chair or an RSO member must go through a “mandatory mental health training on how to recognize crisis signs inside of their organization, or how to lessen stress inside of their

organization.”

The committee is also hoping to address the workload shock from moving person classes by reaching out to professors directly.

Mason thanked those who came out for Brake for Bears. UCAPD, SGA, the Physical Plant and Housing Department will host a Safe Walk Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. to point out safety concerns around campus.

Vice President Davonne Moore appointed Senator Milan Novakovic as the primary graduate representative.

The SGA passed this motion unanimously.

The SGA have three open positions for student interested in being a voice for students. They are looking for two freshman class representative and one graduate representative.

Applications are opened until Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m.

At the SGA meeting Oct. 25, the Diversity Committee partnered with the International Engagement Office and planned International Education Week week will host several events such as the Global Expo, which is similar to Conway Daze.

Mason said the Safety and Wellness Committee are working with UCAPD to get the dates for Food for Fines.

She said there is an increasing number of students who are frustrated with “minor” parking tickets, so this will be an opportunity for students to absolve the tickets.

BY

BENNETT TINNERMON

Campus Life Editor

James Russell, the democratic candidate for Arkansas governor, gave students clear information about his policy and political stances during a meeting with the University of Central Arkansas Young Democrats on Oct. 14.

“Do not lie to me,” Russell said, is his rule in life. A campaign slogan of Russell’s echoes a similar point, “no more BS in AR.” Russell said the democrats have lost the ability to control the narrative. “We’ve become very reactive,” Russell said.

Some of the topics that Russell explained his stances on included the legalization of marijuana, accepting Afghan refugees and how to handle immigrants. Russell expressed his support for all three and explained his ideas of how to help immigrants.

“I’ve worked side by side with documented and undocumented [immigrants],” Russell said. He said he has heard people try to

demonize immigrants while they are simply trying to live in society.

Russell also discussed his support for undocumented immigrants being able to obtain a driver’s license. Russell said that if someone can pass the test, then they should not be denied a license and that the license would be a great way to help both for documentation purposes and for enabling immigrants to become citizens and join society.

Russell also said voter registration should be automatic without representation,” a slogan from the American Revolution, was a good explanation for this idea, Russell said.

Aside from voting, Russell also informed students about ways to get involved in local government in Arkansas. To those interested in running for representing you,” Russell said.

Graduate student Dalton Thompson, president of the UCA Young Democrats, said that Arkansas Senate member Jason Rapert had called Thompson a

witch two times on Twitter and blocked him.

After hearing from Russell, the UCA Young Democrats covered other agenda items and passed a unanimous vote, of the members present, for a resolution of condemnation of the reapportionment of Pulaski County and Little Rock.

“We call on Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto SB743 and HB1982, and demand accountability on the General Assembly for conspiring with the Republican Party of Arkansas to silence voters in Pulaski County and the city of Little Rock,” reads the resolution posted on the organization’s Instagram.

While Russell’s campaign is supporters can donate and even volunteer through his website, vote4rus.com. Students can also email or the website.

The UCA Young Democrats are chartered through the Arkansas Young Democrats and can be found on social media @yd_uca.

Campus Life

3

October 27, 2021

Around Campus:

Health Career Fair On Oct. 27, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom, there will be a health career fair hosted by Career Services. Bring multiple resumes and make sure you are dressed for a job interview. If you have any questions contact bears4hire@uca.edu.

Balancing Academic and Family Demands During x-period on Oct. 28, in Burdick, room 205, Academic Success is hosting a workshop to identify family stressors that can interfere with learning.

Involvement and TimeManagement During x-period, on Oct. 28, in Mashburn, room 239, Psych Society is hosting a hybrid meeting on time-management.

Free food will be provided. To join online, go to CubConnect.

Atrium Garden Work Day From 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, near the Lewis Science Center, the Green Bear Coalition is building an organic garden to teach students and the community about the necessity and importance of sustainable agricultural practices. No skills are required and tools will be provided.

Photo by Ashley Savage

UCA faculty, including Houston Davis, gather on the steps of Old Main at the end of the Pride Walk, which started at the Crafton Pavilion on Thursday, Oct. 14. The event was among other events held by the PRISM Alliance for LGBTQ+ History Month like the Coming Out Celebration and the Rainbow Bear Lunch.

Pride Walk highlights importance of inclusivity

by Ashley Savage Photo Editor

High energy, smiles and dance moves flooded the crowd of students and faculty that marched in the pride walk on Oct. 14, one of the university’s many events celebrating LGBTQ+ history month.

The crowd gathered under the Crafton Pavilion on Thursday afternoon before beginning their march that would end on the steps of Old Main.

Large flags, banners and signs encouraging acceptance and inclusivity bobbed just above the heads of the crowd members as they made their way across campus. Among the crowd stood several university

faculty members, including President Houston Davis.

Davis spoke with the group before the walk began, marched with the crowd across campus and posed on the steps of Old Main with the largest banner that read: “UCA deans have pride!”

Academic director Allen Thomas participated in the walk on Thursday and spoke on the importance of an accepting community within the campus.

“It’s really important for us to be open. I recognize the risk of coming to these events and I don’t encourage anyone coming to an event if it is ultimately unsafe for them to do so,” Thomas said.

“However, we need to know that there is community within our campus or we will begin

Comedian: Arvin Mitchell

to feel really isolated. Find someone you can go with if you can, but prioritizing your safety is number one.”

Many students gathered around the steps of Old Main after the walk to socialize with those working toward a safer, more accepting community.

Senior Kayleigh Wyager said, “We live in a very conservative state and we have to show people that there are people here that do carry different values than that. It’s helpful to know that exists and that people are safe here.”

The pride walk was one of several events the university hosted for LGBTQ+ history month, other events were button giveaways on Coming Out day, the “Man Made” documentary showing and the

“Coming out Celebration: Share and hear coming out stories,” which all took place on campus.

“I feel like events like these are a great way for people to get to know others and find that sense of belonging,” Sophomore Cameron Burdine said. “A lot of people might come from a home that isn’t exactly accepting of who they are and who they want to be and these events are a great pathway for finding a greater community of acceptance.”

UCA’s PRISM Alliance strives to establish a safe and accepting environment within the campus community.

PRISM, founded in 1997, stands for: “Pride, Raising Awareness, Involvement, Support and Mentoring

Alliance,” according to UCA’s department of Diversity and Community.

“I’ve definitely been in the place where you’re desperately seeking community. If I could give advice to someone in the closet, or anyone seeking community, I’d want to tell them that they don’t have to be at a large event like this to find it,” senior Flynn Slaybaught said. “You can find it in small groups of like-minded individuals and I promise you, there is a group of people out there that care about you.”

For further questions, concerns or resources regarding sexuality and community on campus, a list of helpful sources and events can be found at UCA.edu/ counseling/LGBTQ/.

CONCERT

From 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, in the Student Center Ballroom, the Student Activities Board is hosting comedian Arvin Mitchell. He is from St. Louis his childhood accompanied by 13 siblings.

Conway Symphony Orchestra Concert On Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m., in the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall, the music department will be hosting a Conway Symphony Orchestra Concert. The theme is Musical Masquerade.

Movie: ‘Free Guy’ On Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom, the Student Activities Board will be playing “Free Guy” (PG-13).

Free food will be provided.

Gabriel Iglesias On Nov. 2, starting at 8 p.m. in Reynolds Performance Hall, comedian Gabriel Iglesias will be performing. Tickets will be available until they are sold out. Order online at www.uca. edu/tickets or stop by the Box

Photo by Milo Strain

Michael Hancock conducts during the wind ensemble and symphonic band performance in Reynolds Performance Hall on Monday, Oct. 18. Hancock is the director of bands and

New director of bands, wind ensemble conductor at UCA holds first live performance in two years

by Milo Strain

Fall Career Fair

Staff Writer

On Nov. 3, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom, Career Services and Cooperative Education will hold a career fair. Students are encouraged to bring resumes and “dress for success.”

The UCA Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band performed a program entitled “Amen!”

Monday, Oct. 18, at Reynolds Performance Hall.

Both bands gathered in Reynolds in front of an audience that included two former UCA band directors and President Houston Davis.

The UCA Symphonic Band off their set with “Danza No. 2,” a lively memorial piece by composer Bruce Yurko that highlighted the percussion and woodwind sections.

Next from the Symphonic Band was “Handel In The Strand,” a work by English

composer Percy Grainger named for its themes reminiscent of baroque composer George Frederic Handel and the “Strand,” a street in London that was known for its vibrant musical theater scene.

The next one,“A Song for Lyndsay,” written by Andrew Boysen Jr, a music professor at the University of New Hampshire. Composed for Boysen’s wife, the piece featured played by junior Ashley Hansen and sophomore Mackenzie Williams, respectively.

For the Symphonic Band’s last song of the night, they welcomed guest conductor Tyler Lee to the stage. Lee, the head graduate assistant for the band program at UCA, led the

band as they played “Pageant,” a work by American composer Vincent Perisichetti featuring another horn solo from Hansen.

After a brief intermission, the UCA Wind Ensemble performed three pieces. performance in about two years, so I’m very excited to show what this ensemble has been doing to get ready,” Michael Hancock, conductor of the Wind Ensemble and director of bands at UCA, said. Hancock became director of bands this fall after Ricky Brooks retired last semester. Brooks was the director of bands for 26 years and was one of the previous directors in attendance.

“The concert seemed to go well for everyone,” sophomore

oboist Emily Kennard, who plays in the Symphonic Band, said. “I thought that Dr. Hancock had new director of bands and it was a fun program.”

The Wind Ensemble began their half of the show with a piece by controversial anti-Semetic composer Richard Wagner called “Huldigungsmarch,” or “Homage March.” After playing through the piece, Hancock provided some context to the music and composer.

“Wagner’s a bit of a notorious fellow, mostly for what he wrote in his essays and in his articles, but his music is timeless and powerful,” Hancock said.

Quoting thinkers like civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois and Theodor Herzl, the founder of

Zionism, Hancock made the on music is too important and impactful to ignore his works.

However, Wagner remains a contentious subject in the world of music, with many arguing that it’s impossible to separate his work from his ideological views.

Following Wagner was “AMEN!” by Carlos Simon, a piece that heavily featured the of the night was “Give Us This Day,” a thoughtful, meditative composition by David Maslanka inspired by Buddhism and the journey of self-discovery.

The next Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performance is on December 2, 2021, in Reynolds Performance Hall

4/ October 27, 2021

CAMPUS LIFE

ucanews.live

STUDENTS SAY

Media lawyer says deepfakes can affect anyone

by Sydney Cyr Assistant News Editor

Kelsey Farish, one of Europe’s leading experts on digital privacy law and ethics, gave a Zoom presentation to UCA students about deceptive multimedia, also known as deepfakes, on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Farish began her presentation by talking about what deepfakes are and the risks that deepfakes pose to society, businesses and individuals.

Deepfakes are the digital manipulation of sound, images or video by to impersonate someone in a manner that is increasingly realistic, to the point that the average observer could not detect it as fake.

“As a form of entertainment, deepfakes are available for almost anyone to make and enjoy. They are realistic and inexpensive.

The line between what is fake and what is real is blurring, and seeing is no longer believing,” Farish said.

As of December 2020,

there were 85,047 detected deepfakes online.

“As we come into December 2021, we are looking at about 200,000 around online,” Farish said.

Deepfakes can cause harm to society as a whole by manipulating the decisionmaking process.

Deepfakes can hurt businesses through fraud or manipulating stock prices, and even affect individuals via identity theft, extortion or defamation.

“Anyone is a potential target,” Farish said.

Farish explained that there are many legal complications for people trying to protect themselves from or take action against the negative effects of deepfakes.

“It all depends on context. Rights are rarely absolute,” Farish said.

Personality Rights aim to provide an individual with the ability to control the publication of his or her appearance.

However, technology and society have changed so

quickly that the law cannot keep up.

“Lawyers aren’t technology experts, the Founding Fathers didn’t have Facebook, and country-

responsible for taking down that type of content. Nobody really knows where the responsibility should lie.”

Farish explained that as deepfakes continue to evolve, the prevalence and on the borderless internet. consequences of deepfake We are just seeing what technology will expand. works as we go,” Farish said.

“Manipulated media The question of who is affects art, truth, expression responsible for making rules and identity, each of which about deepfake use remains speaks to the core of what to be answered. it means to be human in the Assistant professor of online world today,” Farish communication Christopher said.

Roland asked, “Where Farish was a guest does the responsibility lie speaker for Dr. Dylan for being able to detect McLemore’s Media Law and deepfakes?”

Ethics class.

Farish explained that tech Farish works as a media companies could implement lawyer with DAC Beachcroft deepfake regulations or in London and specializes governments could design in copyright, privacy, laws to regulate deepfake use. expression, publicity and “Both public and private social media law. groups are investing a lot of Farish has also advised the BBC and the out how to detect deepfakes. European Parliament about Blockers could be imposed emerging legal and ethical by tech companies or issues affecting digital regulations could be imposed communicators. by governments,” Farish said.

Additional information “Everyone is passing that about manipulated media/ responsibility back and forth deepfakes can be found on because nobody wants to be Farish’s website, kelseyfarish.

DANCE

Latino Student Association shares salsa dancing, Hispanic heritage

by Kathryn Thornberry

way to connect people to the Hispanic heritage.

“Music connects people

A salsa night was hosted by the Latino Student Association in the Student Center Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Members of the Latino Student Association informed attendees of the event on Hispanic heritage, as well demonstrated how to salsa.

“I think it was just really nice because we were able to connect with everyone here tonight, and just educate them about our Hispanic culture and heritage. It’s very important to us that we could do that today through dancing,” sophomore member Anna Caren said.

Junior member Olivia Berumen agrees that using music and dancing is a good

the language. This event was really important to me because

Staff Writer

educate everyone on Hispanic Heritage and make it fun. I’d

students get involved and attend events like this. It is a great way to actively promote Greek and campus unity,” gotten more involved with other Hopper said. organizations,” Berumen said.

Sophomore Victoria Berumen described the Darter, another Alpha importance of the event and Sigma Alpha member, also said that it is a big step in emphasized the point of getting helping the association feel involved in events like these on more united. campus.

Sophomore, Student “It was a very fun way Organization Staff member and to get to dance and have fun Alpha Sigma Alpha member with many different people on Kaylee Hopper attended the campus. I thought the event event alongside her sorority was very informative from the sisters. slide show to the movements “Salsa night was super and dances we learned,” Darter said. successful event and brought “I think more people many different groups together. should attend events like this, I think it was a great way to so they are able to learn more

about other cultures and make an effort to continue to educate themselves. Events like this promote the type of community and togetherness we want to have here at UCA,” Darter said.

The association that held the event created a space by informing and providing a fun way to learn about and appreciate Hispanic culture.

“You could just feel everyone being connected and alive in the air. It was amazing.

It was a great atmosphere,” Caren said.

People from all organizations attended to educate themselves as well as have a good time.

“It means a lot to me, and they get to know who we are as people and what we stand for.

And we get to do the same with them,” Berumen said.

is the hardest “ What life lesson you have learned? ” Story and photos by Olyvia Gonzalez

Junior Paige Hooten

Senior Daniel Morris

“Don’t overlook your options. I know several times I had many options to choose from, but I just like quickly decided that some of them weren’t for me, but later on found that, that was actually the best option, so make sure you give enough thought to all your options. ”

“[It would] probably be not everyone has the same view as me. It was difficult, I mean obviously, to succeed and go forward, I have to be able to learn that not everyone has the same view and cooperate and get along.“

Sophomore Kierstan Pack

Sophomore Emon Ingram

“Learning that it’s okay to let people go and that sometimes you need to let people go.”

“The best lesson I’ve learned is don’t chase something that is not chasing you.”

LGBTQ+

Coming Out event allows students to be open about themselves

by Madison Ogle

Entertainment Editor & Cartoonist

The struggle of coming out was well-known to the speakers of UCA’s Coming Out Celebration, hosted by the PRISM (Pride, Raising Awareness, Involvement, Support and Mentoring) Alliance.

PRISM is UCA’s Gaystraight Alliance, founded in 1997. The event was part of LGBTQ+ history month, hosted during October.

The event was held Oct. 13 in the Student Center and featured four speakers, each coming from varied backgrounds

and struggles. These struggles were not limited to sexuality, as gender identity and the intensity of being outed were also discussed.

Students in attendance were given the opportunity to tell their own stories after the speakers.

The students’ statuses with coming out ranged from fully out to closeted.

Two of the night’s four speakers were Kevin Spurgers and Allen Thomas. Thomas is a co-advisor for PRISM and a friend of Spurgers.

Thomas recounts his coming out story as being one of loneliness and isolation. “It’s weird in 2004 [and] 2005, being the queer kid. I knew I wasn’t

the only one, but I was the only kid I remember wearing rainbow stuff.”

When Thomas came out to his mother, she cried. “That story stands out in my mind because my mom is the parent I’m closest to,” Thomas said. “[With] my dad, the situation with queerness and him is not the greatest.”

Coming from a small school, Spurgers also felt intimidated when it came to coming out.

“One thing that I heard from a senior was ‘If I knew a gay person, I would chain them up behind my truck and drag them down the street,’” Spurgers said.

“It really trapped me.”

When Spurgers came out

to his mother, he remembers her being initially accepting, but then quick to change her mind.

“That statement of ‘I’ll love you no matter what’ quickly turned into how my life was negatively impacting my mom’s life,” Spurgers said. “‘Well now I’m not going to have grand kids’ or ‘well what does this mean for my future family?’”

Spurgers felt as though his mother was abandoning what she knew of him as a person.

Considering the negative interactions those in the LGBTQ+ community face, Spurgers said he believes that PRISM and other LBGTQ+ friendly settings allow students

common ground.

“I think visibility allows us to really connect to other people’s stories,” Spurgers said. “[PRISM] allows us to feel less alone in this crazy world and to

us for just being ourselves.”

Thomas agrees with this, believing that it’s important to provide spaces where people can be open about themselves.

“There’s just something to being in a space where you don’t have to self-censor. There’s a lot of energy that goes into that,” Thomas said. “Especially for queer and trans folks, the amount of energy we put into hiding can delay us in some ways.

It’s important to have spaces

where we don’t have to put up any parameters. We just get to show up and be.”

For similar events where subject matter is more personal, Spurgers said he feels these conversations aren’t frequent.

“I don’t think we get this in the outside world because a lot of us have to learn how to hide parts of ourselves, like what [Thomas] was talking about, in order to preserve our life or preserve our safety,” Spurgers said. “To have a space where we can come together and call it out in the open, … can be very, very rewarding and meaningful for people to walk away with if they haven’t had those experiences up to this point.”

People of UCA: Emma Kate Fitzgerald

by Mia Waddell News Editor

Failure doesn’t scare senior exercise science major Emma Kate (EK) Fitzgerald.

“I think it is actually essential to fail. I’m a big risk taker, which has helped me understand certain things on a different level,” Fitzgerald said.

Growing up in Fort Smith, Fitzgerald garnered the nickname “Little Fitz,” for always being the coach’s daughter.

“I played basketball and volleyball. I love sports.

Most boys are thrown off at the amount of knowledge I have about sports, so that’s where my passion for athletic training came into play,” Fitzgerald said.

A love of sports career choice. She excelled in sports, became AllConference, All-State and player of the week in youth volleyball.

Fitzgerald focuses on Pre-Athletic Training as part of her program, and plans to graduate in spring 2022.

Athletic training came naturally to Fitzgerald, who has a caring attitude.

professors along with the athletic training staff. Dr. Gallagher, Eskola, Dr. Lowder and David Strickland have made my experience at UCA exactly what I dreamed of,” Fitzgerald said.

a better mood after doing

nature allowed her to move two hours away from home to Conway.

“I came to UCA because I wanted to end up somewhere that wasn’t too close to home where my mom could easily come see me at any moment. Other than being an athletic trainer, I would love to have a family.

I’m very family-oriented,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald described college as the lowest and highest point of her life so far.

“While I have been at UCA, I haven’t been able to be around my family as much as I would like to. But I have made friendships here that made me feel right at home,” Fitzgerald said.

another person. There is something inspiring about athletic trainers. They are the ones that allow the athlete to return to the sport that they love,” Fitzgerald said.

Freshman year was a rough start for Fitzgerald, who wasn’t sure what she was doing at such a young age.

“When I was an incoming freshman, I obviously didn’t know anything about college.

I was taking classes that I didn’t have to and it set me back a semester and that kind of upset me,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald found her home in the exercise science pocket of campus.

“My favorite part about UCA is the exercise science

Despite missing home, Fitzgerald maintains an optimistic attitude.

“I am highly optimistic.

Whenever there’s a problem about anything I have the capability to view that problem from a positive angle and this brings me closer to the solution,” Fitzgerald said.

“I believe that whatever happens in your life has a reason for it so just accept it as it is and believe in God that he has better plans for you,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald believes that the key to happiness is relationships.

“Relationships with peers, family, friends, with strong and broad social relationships are happier, healthier and live longer,” Fitzgerald said.

Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s dream is to be an athletic trainer with a family, following the footsteps of her sports-oriented family.

Photo courtesy of Emma Kate Fitzgerald

Emma Kate Fitzgerald majors in exercise science at UCA and plans to graduate in the spring of 2022. She hopes to become an athletic

Sports

5

October 27, 2021

Upcoming Games Women’s Soccer 3 p.m., Oct. 29 vs.

Kennesaw State Volleyball 6 p.m., Oct. 29 vs.

Lipscomb Cross Country Oct. 30 ASUN Conference Championships Football 1 p.m., Oct. 30 at Jacksonville State Men’s Soccer 7 p.m., Oct. 30 at Lipscomb

Editor’s Take

Photo by Madison Ogle

Freshman runningback Darius Hale runs from the Eastern Kentucky Colonels for the touchdown. Hale earned another Freshman Player of the Week award by scoring three touchdowns during the game. The Bears lost a close game but still had many memorable moments and played an impressive game. They will travel to Jacksonville, Alabama on Oct. 30 to face the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

Braving the World Series, 22 years later BY

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

The Atlanta Braves have secured their spot at the Major League Baseball World Series for the first time in 22 years. The last time was in 1999, when the Braves lost to the New York Yankees in four games.

This year they’ll be facing the Houston Astros after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series — four games to two. The Braves lost to the Dodgers last year but got their sweet revenge in front of a sellout crowd in Truist Park.

One man in particular made history come alive.

The crowd erupted when Eddie Rosario hit a threerun homer that propelled the Braves to victory and the World Series. Rosario has set Braves records and was named NCLS MVP for his efforts in the game. He will be a key player to watch in the World Series and another contributor to their success if they do win, no doubt.

With all the punches that the Dodgers tried to throw at them, the Braves responded with an unyielding resilience that brought them out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The Dodgers went home on a sour note after losing their defending champions title. Some might say the Braves won solely because of a hot streak, but it’s hard not to root for an epic comeback story like theirs.

This will be the Astros’ third trip to the Fall Classic in five tries. They beat the Chicago White Sox in the American League Division Series. They beat the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series and will be playing their second game of the World Series today. The Astros are in favor of winning and will have the home-field advantage for game one due to their better regular season record. Fans will be on the edge of their seats to see if this underdog can come out of the wood works and take the victory after 22 long years of disappointments.

Hudson breaks 41-year-old record for receiving yards BY

MILO STRAIN

Staff writer

Colonels had a second wind and put up a valiant

While the Bears suffered a close 38-35 defeat at the hands of the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Estes Stadium, sophomore wide receiver Tyler Hudson broke a 41-year-old school record.

The Bears (2-4, 1-2 ASUN) started strong against the EKU Colonels (5-2, 1-1 ASUN) with freshman running back Darius Hale scoring the

ending the game with a 38-35 victory for the Colonels.

“It doesn’t matter whether you make plays in

scored three more times against the Colonels, and headed into halftime with a 28-10 lead.

However, the Bears’ advantage over EKU was short lived and they lost their momentum as the Colonels began to mount a comeback in the third several hefty penalties throughout the game and emotions were running high as they entered the

amount of plays, and they made more than we did tonight by three points,” said UCA head coach Nathan Brown. “That’s the frustrating part: you feel like you played a pretty good game and then you look up and they’ve taken it away from us.

We’ve got to rebound, and that starts with me.”

It wasn’t all bad news for the Bears, though.

Hudson broke the school record for most yards receiving in a game, catching nine passes for a career-high 251 receiving yards. The previous record was set in 1980 against Ouachita Baptist University by Ronnie Mallett, an All-NAIA wide receiver and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, with 242 receiving yards, remaining

unbroken for 41 years.

When prompted for a reaction Hudson humbly said, “It’s cool and all, but I didn’t catch that last one [pass], and that’s all I’ve been thinking about this whole time.” Hudson’s record-breaking game makes him the player with the most receiving yards in the entire NCAA FCS and earning him his second ASUN Offensive Player of the Week award.

Hale was another standout player this game and in the season overall. Hale, from Pearland, Texas, rushed for 99 yards and scored three touchdowns against the Colonels, earning over half of the Bears’ points for the night. Hale also took home a player of the week award for UCA, being named ASUN Freshman of the Week for the second time in his career.

The Bears and the Colonels both showcased their abilities this game. Both teams swept the ASUN Football Honors, with EKU collecting the other three player of the week awards.

VOLLEYBALL

Sugar Bears showcase skills, fall short against Gamecocks

BY FELICITY

Staff Writer

AUXIER

Hall was a leader in this game as well as freshman right-side hitter Mackenzie “Jamiryana Hall played extremely well in the front row. She had a massive block in front of her and found a way to get her kills,” coach John Newberry told UCA Sports.

Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Macy Blackburn secured three blocks and

The Sugar Bears fell short, losing 3-0 against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on the road in North Alabama, leaving the Bears with a record of 2-6 in the ASUN Conference. ultimately lost the set, 20-25, against the Gamecocks. said.

The Sugar Bears faced trouble getting a rally started against the Gamecocks’ defense resulting in a loss of 25-16 in the second set.

“We had a couple of errors that set us back, but we fought back and didn’t just hand them the game,” Hall said.

The third set of the match showcased each team’s skills as it was the closest set of the match. The Sugar Bears out hit the Gamecocks .361 to .357. The Sugar Bears were also able to get a rally started between the two teams. The Sugar Bears efforts led to a tie of 21-21, although its efforts didn’t stand against the Gamecocks, resulting in a loss of 25-22.

aces and seven blocks. The Sugar Bears had a hitting percentage of .235, while the Gamecocks had a hitting percentage of .368.

“I expect to just keep getting better throughout the season in our future,” Hall said.

Overall the Gamecocks dominated the match against the Sugar Bears, but the team is still ready to continue pushing through the season.

“It’s not the result we wanted. Jacksonville State is an extremely good team. I thought we competed well and did some very good things. I thought that our offensive production against a very good defense of a team who is the best it’s been this season,” coach Newberry said to UCA Sports.

FEATURE

Vaughn breaks stereotypes while cheering on Bears BY

OLYVIA GONZALEZ

Assistant Online Editor

Without knowing it, every time sophomore Eli era in his chosen sport.

Vaughn is a UCA male cheerleader. While the sport is mostly female-led today, it began as an all-male endeavor until the early 20th century.

“I don’t know if I would say that there are ‘stereotypes’ towards men in cheerleading, but I guess that when most people think of cheerleading, they think of small girls but there is actually a huge portion of guys in the world of cheerleading,” Vaughn said. “Personally, I am a bigger guy and I know that when people ask me what I do, and I say that I’m a cheerleader, I usually get a strange look. I don’t usually address it, I just kind of blow it off and smile.”

Vaughn is in his third year on the game day team.

“Starting off I joined cheer to get scholarship money because I was not big enough to play football, but I ended up falling in love with the sport,” Vaughn said. up in the air by a base for a moment. With a 335lb max bench-press, Vaughn is perfect for the base position.

“I came to UCA because of how good the athletic Sophomore Eli Vaughn blows the megaphone at a Bears football game. Vaughn has a passion for helping others, which has led him to training program is,” Vaughn said. “I had a lot of Photo courtesy of Eli Vaughn

pursuing a degree in exercise and sports science to be an athletic trainer.

training] program but because of my athletic trainer at Lake Hamilton high [in Pearcy, AR]. We had a great relationship, she treated me like I was her own son even outside of the training room.”

Vaughn’s background in athletic training and his heart for helping others has led him to pursue a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. “The reason that I chose the path of athletic training is because I love sports and I love helping people when I can. Athletic training has the best of both worlds,” Vaughn said. important to this base. That being said, if you don’t see him in the gym or class, then he is with friends and family.

The sophomore has a lot of support on and off the “[My mother] has always been the one that has always given me that drive to get back up whenever I fall,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn’s mother, Tina Vaughn, is always seen supporting her cheerleader on various Facebook posts.

Most cheerleaders, like Vaughn, have a strong support system behind them. However, it is not always about reinforcement.

Vaughn encourages aspiring cheer members to “have a strong mindset; being able to work until you’re while having a smile on your face.”

Opinion

6

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

October 27, 2021

The Voice

U C A m ov i n g t ow ard m ore i n c lu s i v it y i n w om e n’s s p or t s

The Echo Staff Delaney Van Wilpe Editor-in-Chief Addi 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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Editorials written in The Voice express the opinion of the newspaper and the editorial staff. Individual staff opinions are expressed in individual columns.

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Maximum effort isn’t always best during college As college students, it feels like every class It makes no sense to put time and effort into requires us to try so hard to keep that grade we want. written responses when you can tell that your You end up being spread thin between different professor isn’t really reading them. classes, and soon all of your time is being spent on When most professors will give you a straight school. letter grade at the end of the semester with no I think that there are times when plus or minus, what’s the point of striving for you should put in less effort through the that perfect grade when 90 is equivalent to semester per different class.

100.

It may also take some time from the There can be better uses of your time, beginning of a new semester to determine and I don’t even mean to say “goof off.” which classes require less effort than others.

Spend your time doing something This can be worth thinking that makes you happy or that helps about. you de-stress so that you don’t get Don’t get me wrong; I’m not burnt out working for a perfect saying to give up or to try less in grade. all of your classes.

Your mental health is Classes for your area of important, and overworking study are important, and it’s yourself for school can hurt that. good to put in the effort and get everything you can out of because many of us have our

BY BENNETT TINNERMON whatever course it may be. brains trained to always be Campus Life Editor I just think there is a working on something and to time and place for not trying feel bad about any time not so hard. spent being “productive.”

For example, in some of my freshman-year The extra time not spent on a 100 could even classes, and especially online classes over the past be spent learning that subject in a way that helps year, there have been times where I turn in some you increase your understanding or retention of the assignments with varying levels of effort put in but see subject outside of class. static grades.

For example, going to events in your subject’s Sometimes you can just tell that the professor is department or watching videos of different people checking for the bare minimum on written answers, explaining a topic you struggle with. especially when you consider that they have so many of those answers to read. experience.

When you realize this, it makes sense to not put If you strive for perfection throughout college but too much time into these assignments. are constantly burned out or not enjoying your life, It’s important to not overwork yourself and get it might be time to rethink the way you balance your overly stressed. time.

Student success should not reflect attendance When thinking of what makes a good grade in a course, most would think it requires good exam grades, quiz grades, paper grades and turning in your assignments.

In college, there is a major emphasis on attendance in classes being a component of your grade.

It ranges between each course.

One class may allow two absences while another allows six.

Attendance shouldn’t affect students’ grades, especially when many extenuating circumstances contribute to missed classes.

As college students, we’re treated as adults while still being subjected to class schedules that require strenuous workloads outside of class time.

As if the stress of making the grades to complete our degrees, keep scholarships, and succeed later in life is not enough.

We balance having jobs, paying bills, and being We tackle sickness and deal with family emergencies.

BY FELICITY AUXIER We create exhausting Staff Writer schedules to set up our life for success.

All while pushing our mental health and bodies aside for grades. can take an absence in, or in some cases, must take an absence to complete assignments for different courses.

The stress already given from college and outside sources could be lessened if we had the freedom to be selective with our time.

Many of us know college is far from free for most people.

If we are taking on the responsibility of paying for our education, shouldn’t we have the freedom to choose when we attend those classes?

Given that, we take on the responsibility of making good grades.

It is up to the student to decide where to put in their time and effort and their willingness to succeed.

Without the stress of making sure to be in every class to allow time for sick days, complications with work and home, as well as simple mental health days, could improve grades for many students.

As well as eliminating the possibility of dropping a letter grade due to your attendance to improve the lives of students.

If students are making good grades in the actual course material, which This is what I believe grades should solely be based on.

Attendance doesn’t always materials, so it shouldn’t be allowed to affect someone’s entire grade.

Ultimately, the extent of your content knowledge is what should matter.

In the very few classes I’ve taken with no attendance requirements, I’ve found myself more engaged, more relaxed and more focused for that semester.

Relieving the stress of attendance allowed me to focus on what was most important for me at that time, and I’m sure a lot of other students feel the same.

In a society that lives to work and works to live, we should provide the freedom for students to have time to take care of themselves and their needs without being restricted to rigid and various attendance requirements. than the requirement to attend class.

The Faculty Senate met on Tuesday, Oct. 12, to discuss a handful of topics, one of which included the “Joint Resolution to Unite All UCA Athletic Teams Under the Name Bears” produced by the UCA Student Government Association, Faculty Senate and Staff Senate.

This resolution brought forth an issue between altering nicknames for men’s and women’s sports teams at UCA. This issue has been talked about before this meeting and will be discussed in the future.

In this particular meeting, however, a written resolution to get rid of the “Sugar Bears” altogether was yielded.

According to the joint resolution, “only the women’s basketball and volleyball teams use the nickname ‘Sugar Bears.’”

I often used the nickname for these particular women’s teams and thought nothing really about it other than it was cute, which is exactly the issue.

“Since the term ‘sugar’ is colloquially used as a diminutive term of endearment, the term softens the image of athleticism and strength in our women athletes,” the joint resolution explained.

The joint resolution stated that all of the names mentioned above perpetuate images that are very stereotypical of inferiority among females.

“It also has connotations of being flirty, sweet, playful, cuddly, and cute all of which are unathletic qualities, thus serving to trivialize our women’s athletic teams.” women athlete is more acceptable than others.

The joint resolution stated that the use of the nickname “Sugar Bears” for some of the women’s athletic teams proves to be antithetical to two of UCA’s Core Values, which are “Community and Integrity, both of which enumerate concepts of building respect and inclusiveness while fostering an environment to help the UCA community adapt, engage, and thrive in a diverse and changing world.”

UCA wants to ensure respect for all women, including women athletics by changing the name “Sugar Bears.”

“Since the word bear is a genderneutral term, our teams can equally relate to the nickname ‘Bears.’ The women athletes put in the same hard work and show the same dedication to their sports as the men athletes,” according to the joint resolution.

There’s no doubt that the women’s athletics program puts in the same amount of effort as the men’s athletics program, and thus their name should remain constant with this idea.

The resolution went on to discuss how “UCA needs consistency and equality in our team names” and how “using ‘Sugar Bears’ makes the men’s team the default ‘Bears,’ which “establishes the men’s team as normative and marginalizes the women.”

The use of the name “Sugar Bears” may create “an unnecessary binary of ‘norm’ vs. ‘not the norm’ and ‘real sport’’ vs. ‘other sport.’”

All points in the joint resolution put forth by the UCA Student Government Association, Faculty Senate and Staff Senate, only work to uplift the women’s athletic program at UCA. Future steps are being taken regarding this sports nickname, but for now, we can plan to say goodbye to the all-inclusive Bears.

This change in names should be a large step towards more inclusivity on campus at UCA. I think that all sports should be called by the same name, and if one gender of sports teams has a “cutesy” nickname, it should go.

Removing the name “Sugar Bears” from the sports at UCA will have a positive outcome eventually for students.

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

October 27, 2021

New This Week

Creepy Works offers big scares to Conway community BY

Movies

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

Oct. 28 — Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (NR), directed by Timo Vuorensola, starring Gabriel Freilich

Oct. 29 — Last Night in Soho (R), directed by Edgar Wright, starring Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith

been making people scream

Oct. 29 — Antlers (R), directed

by Scott Cooper, starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons and Jeremy Thomas

Photo courtesy of www.creepyworks.com

Music Oct. 29 — Brighten — Jerry Cantrell Oct. 29 — Water — Lotic

good for a broke college kid

Oct. 29 — The Path Of The Clouds — Marissa Nadler

Oct. 29 — Hushed And Grim — Mastodon Oct. 29 — Elephant In The Room — Mick Jenkins Oct. 29 — I Don’t Live Here Anymore — The War on Drugs

G O R E - H E AV Y S L A S H E R

NETFLIX THRILLER

‘Ma i d’ d i g s i nt o heavy subject matter BY

COURTNEY SHEPHERD

Staff Writer

surrounding

addiction, mental illness and

domestic Photo courtesy of www.halloweenmovie.com

Oct. 29 — Book — They Might Be Giants Oct. 29 — Ocean To Ocean— Tori Amos

Netflix

seems purposeful, forcing

‘Halloween Kills,’ a mediocre addition to horror trilogy BY

Oct. 27 — Hypnotic, directed

by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, starring Kate Siegel, Jason O’Mara and Dulé Hill

EDMUND BURKE

Staff Writer

staging of mutilated corpses Oct. 27 — Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight Part 2, directed by Bartosz M. Kowalski, starring Zofia Wichlacz, Julia Wieniawa-Narkiewicz and Wojciech Mecwaldowski

comes across muddled and Laurie Strode spends

irrefutable differences, are Oct. 29 — Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go!, created by Rick Suvalle and Britt Allcroft, starring Charlie Zeltzer, Glee Dango and Meesha Contreras

iconic role as Laurie Strode,

becoming

emotional abuse, trauma Oct. 29 — Colin in Black & White, created by Ava DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick, starring Jaden Michael, Colin Kaepernick and Gabriel Womack Oct. 29 — Army of Thieves, directed by Matthias Schweighöfer, starring Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee and Stuart Martin

and

element was purposeful and impacts a group of people—

struggle—some being more

seemed to be stuck in a

1. Taking a walk

2. Playing a sport

Starting off simple, taking a walk

Top 5 Outdoor Activities to Try List compiled by Kathryn Thornberry Staff Writer

enraged

baseball around or kick a soccer

Looking at and taking mental

3. Kayaking

4. Hammocking

5. Fishing

ucanews.live

SPORTS

8 / October 27 , 2021

UCA STATS CORNER SPORT

OPPONENT

RESULT

RECORD

Lamar

49-38 W

3-4, 2-2

Women’s Soccer

Lipscomb

3-0 L

9-8, 6-3

Men’s Soccer

Liberty

3-1 W

10-4, 5-1

3-1 W

5-15, 3-8

Football

Volleyball

Jacksonville Unv SOCCER

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

up losing the game 3-0 and took the second seed for the ASUN Conference Championships.

Women’s soccer earns No. 2 seed for ASUN Championship BY

OLIVIA SNELSON

Staff Writer

foul followed by a yellow card on

The UCA Women’s soccer team (9-8-0, 6-3-0 ASUN) competed against Lipscomb University (12-41, 7-2-0 ASUN) on Saturday, October 23, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee and were defeated 3-0. Lipscomb started the game

the game ended with Lipscomb in the lead at 2-0 against the Bears.

The Bears played a little harder in the second half, but still were not able to get ahead of Lipscomb. A corner kick was given to Lipscomb in the beginning of the second half. In the 49th minute of the game, a foul was called on Anika Sultan and another yellow card was called on UCA. Immediately after, there was another foul called against the UCA goalie, Keyla Perez.

Lipscomb received a penalty kick in the 50th minute of the game which ultimately resulted in their third goal of the game completed by Allie Dunn.

UCA attempted to score a goal in the 70th minute of the game with a shot by Emma Hawkins, but it was saved by

18th minute of the game. The goal was made by Shelby Craft and assisted by Allie Dunn.

Keyla Perez, goalie for the UCA Bears, saved three shots but it was not enough to keep Lipscomb from scoring again.

Lipscomb made their second goal in the 41st minute of the game through Haley Williams with Emanuela Schurch on the assist. Williams had been substituted into the game for Kristi Jones earlier in the half.

Lipscomb goalie, CJ Graham.

Keyla Perez responded by saving three more shots made by Lipscomb before the game was over, marking seven total saves for the entire game. The second half of the game ended making season in the No. 2 Seed in the ASUN West Conference with coach Jeremy Bishop spoke with UCA Sports about the game. “Not the way we wanted ASUN West co-champions in year one of joining the league isn’t too bad...Now it’s time to regroup and get ready for the tournament,” Bishop said.

The UCA Women’s soccer team will compete again next weekend on Friday, October 29, 2021 against Kennesaw State in Fort Myers, Florida for the

FOOTBALL

Photo by Olyvia Gonzalez

Soccer celebrates senior night with 3-1 victory over Liberty BY

OLYVIA GONZALEZ

Assistant Campus Life and Online Editor

problems and a 3-1 victory against Liberty University, the men of UCA’s soccer team had another memorable night.

Not only was it Senior Night 2021 but these Bears have won enough regular-season games “Hopefully we win the conference tournament,” senior Ole Kjoerholt said. “So, when we get there, this will not be the last home game, but no matter what, it felt so good to win on Senior Night.”

Liberty University and UCA have never

anticipation of another Bear victory.

Photo by ucasports.com

Bears crush personal records in defeating Cardinals 49-38 BY

MEGAN HOLDER

Online Editor

The University of Central Arkansas football team defeated Lamar University, 49-38, Saturday, Oct. 23rd.

The Bears (3-4, 2-2 ASUN) traveled to Beaumont, Texas to take out the Cardinals (2-5, 0-3 ASUN) at the Provost Umphrey Stadium.

Six years ago, the school record of 292 rushing yards was Veasley. This time, a seasonhigh of 350 rushing yards was made.

Coach Nathan Brown told ucasports.com, “Our offensive line stepped up tonight, the tight ends stepped up, and then Darius and Kylin James both ran just about as good as you could want running backs to run.

They found the hole, they were patient, they didn’t take minus yardage plays, and they were productive.”

Freshman running back Darius Hale took the title as the second-best single-game rushing performance in school history. He had 253 yards on 22 carries (11.5 average per carry).

high of four of UCA’s seven touchdowns.

Before this game, Hale was the Football Championship Subdivision level with nine touchdowns in which he added four more from this game.

Freshman running back Kylin James ended the night with 11 carries for 123 yards and made career-pass to sophomore wide receiver Tyler Hudson, which gave the Bears a 21-7 lead.

Hale accumulated 153 of his yards and three touchdowns in gave the Bears a 35-7 lead.

Although the Bears still had a lead in the second half, the Cardinals lessened the distance, 35-23, by scoring 16 points.

This included a blocked punt and two touchdowns.

James, from UCA, interrupted touchdown and gave his team a 42-24 lead. Hale ran 67 yards and scored his fourth touchdown, which gave the Bears a 49-23 lead.

The Cardinals threw in two more rushing touchdowns that

added 11 points to their score, but sophomore defensive end Logan Jessup had other plans when he sacked the Cardinals’ Sophomore defensive end ball, and the clock raced to zero.

“In the past, we would just go away,” Lamar head coach Blane Morgan said of the comeback attempt. “Tonight, we didn’t do that. We battled and we fought. I like the heart of this way to start faster,” according to beaumontenterprise.com.

Jessup led the Bears with 11 tackles that included 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Junior defensive lineman Caden Brown contributed eight tackles with a 13-yard sack. completed 17 of 30 passes for 149 yards.

Hudson caught six passes for 98 yards and junior wide receiver Lujuan Winningham for 44 yards. The Bears will travel to play Jacksonville State meeting between the new ASUN programs.

sophomore Rubyn Gill scored a goal with an assist from senior Katsuyosi Kimishima.

The Liberty Flames tied the game with a goal from Luke Eberle, assisted by Marko Mitrevski, in the 23rd minute of the game.

Freshman Jonathan Randall attempted three of the seven shots on the goal, scoring at the 40-minute mark.

The opportunity presented itself when Kjoerholt obtained possession of an open ball which allowed Gill to send it to Randall. great celebration as the team surrounded him, with a loud shout of Olé.

“It means a lot to us,” Kjoerholt said. “We have been the same group basically since

other, so it felt great.”

Midway through the game, at minute 50, the match was delayed when one of the lights at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex went out.

After about 15 minutes without any movement, the lights were back on. The delay The fury resulted in a vicious back and unsuspecting fan.

As a UCA and Liberty player fought for pushed to the ground when a player slid in for a recovery. There were no injuries in this contact.

Suarez, which was assisted by freshman Daniel Shabani.

Pereira from Stenson in most goals scored during the ASUN Conference.

“It is a happy night,” Suarez said. “I might still be the top scorer in the conference, which feels pretty good.”

UCA moved up the leaderboard to 15 points, “I feel emotional,” senior Pablo Azcona said, “It has been a good time here so far, but so happy for what we have built, and there is so much talent, so in like the next year it is going to be even better.”

The Bears will play Lipscomb University on Oct. 30, at 7:00 p.m. in Nashville, Tennessee season.