Mar 21 by MediaOCU

THE CAMPUS

March 21, 2018 – Volume 111 Issue 21

Meet the candidates

Presidential finalists meet, talk with community

hree presidential candidates were announced March 13 and are getting to know the campus community. The candidates are trustee Martha Burger, Dr. Myron L. Pope and Dr. Thom Chesney. They now are spending time on campus to talk to staff, faculty, deans, and students. A survey link for candidate feedback will be distributed via email the day each candidate is on campus, and it will close at the following day. A candidate will be recommended for confirmation by the board of trustees April 25. President Robert Henry announced in June that he will retire in June after eight years

as the university’s president. The new president will start in July. “I’m actually pretty excited about the people they selected,” said Beatrize Martinez, second-year law. Martinez said students should be involved and go to events to learn more about the candidates. She said she is attending these events because the office of the president is important to her. “Either way, I don’t think OCU can lose,” Martinez said. Burger was on campus Monday. Pope was scheduled to be on campus Tuesday, and Chesney is scheduled to be on campus today.

Martha A. Burger

Dr. Myron L. Pope

Dr. Thom Chesney

Burger originally was on the presidential search committee, but stepped down after she was nominated as a candidate and accepted the nomination. “Burger participated in the same vetting and interview process as the other semifinalist candidates and emerged as a finalist,” wrote Ron Norick, search committee chairman and president of the board of trustees, in a March 13 email. Burger has been a university trustee since 2008 and is chairwoman of the audit and finance committee. She received her master’s in business administration from OCU and her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Burger discussed her vision for the university at a general session Monday, which includes building revenue by initiating a capital campaign, expanding an online education experience for students and creating more partnership with the United Methodist Church. “My vision overlaps what you already have going on here,” Burger said. Burger also addressed her leadership style, which focuses on trust. “It’s not a one-way thing,” she said. “It goes a multitude of ways. It’s fairness. It’s respect. It’s transparency.” Martinez said Burger is qualified because of her involvement on campus and her participation on the board of trustees. Martinez is a former Student Government Association president, and she served on the board of trustees, which is how she connected with Burger. She said Burger has a stake in the university and will be able to preserve goals and initiatives. “I think she’s an excellent role model in terms of the fact that she’s a university trustee, a woman in business and just someone who’s been a part of the university for so long,” Martinez said.

Pope has been the vice president of student affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond since 2013. In this position, he supervises many areas of campus and serves as “officer in charge” in the absence of the president and provost. He has a bachelor’s in history with a minor in English and a master’s and doctorate in higher education administration from University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Pope was the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Tuscaloosa County. He has worked at various universities in teaching and administrative positions, including the University of Alabama, the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Walden University in Minneapolis, and Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville. His academic research spans several topics related to higher education, such as faculty governance and resilience in students from undeserved backgrounds. Pope also is involved in initiatives dedicated to increasing college admission, retention and graduation in the Oklahoma City area, particularly for youth in low-performing high schools. He serves on various boards including the Edmond YMCA, the Oklahoma Blood Institute and the advisory board for the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. Pope seems qualified because of his credentials and because he is from the Oklahoma City area, Martinez said. She also said she feels like he has a presence on campus because his wife, Shanna Pope, works at the university in the registrar’s office. “I was really excited to see his name,” Martinez said. Pope was unavailable for comment Monday. Go to MediaOCU.com for more information about his campus visit.

Chesney has been president of Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch, Texas, since 2011. He has a doctorate of philosophy in English literature from Florida State University in Tallahassee, a master’s in creative writing from Minnesota State University in Mankato and a bachelor’s in Spanish with a minor in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Chesney served as associate provost and professor for the University of Texas in Dallas from 2008-11. Before that, he was the vice president of academic affairs and provost at Collin College in Plano. Chesney has taught at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, East Tenessee State University in Johnson City, Whitman College in Walla Walla and Florida State University. He serves on various board including the American Council on Education Spectrum Aspiring Leaders Program, and the American Association of Community College’s Commission on Economic and Workforce Development. Chesney seems qualified because of his history as a university president, Martinez said. “I was kind of surprised, but I was also kind of excited that it was somebody different, somebody from a different state,” she said. “He’s currently the president of a university, so that shows that he’s already had experience and knows what it’s going to take.” Chesney was unavailable for comment Monday. Go to MediaOCU.com for more information about his campus visit. By Miguel Rios, editor-in-chief emeritus Contributing: Zoe Travers, editor-in-chief

Three juniors contend for student government presidency Zoe Travers

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lections for Student Government Association president began with the announcement of three presidential candidates. Polls open at 8 a.m. Thursday and close at 5 p.m. Friday on OrgSync. The SGA president approves bills presented to Senate, appoints positions within SGA, and is a liason between university administration and the students. Incumbent SGA President Randy Gipson-Black, religion/political science junior, is running for re-election. Rodney Smith, religion/ philosophy junior and SGA secretary, and Jordan Tarter, English junior and SGA senator, also announced their decision to run for SGA president. Gipson-Black said his priorities are student safety, improvements in facilities and addressing student concerns. Smith’s platform includes diversity, transparency and involvement. Tarter said her priorities include student safety, transparency and making the campus more environmentally-friendly. Running for re-election Gipson-Black is running for re-election as SGA President. “Obviously, I bring experience to the table,” he said. “I’ve been in the office for a year. I know what I’m doing. I have a really good understanding of how to take an idea and get it done.” Gipson-Black said people are Randy Gipson-Black more interested in SGA, and he’s religion/political science grown a lot by being a part of it. junior If he is re-elected, he said he has the advantage of not needing an adjustment period. “It took a while to get used to the whole office because SGA has been kind of fluctuating in leadership,” he said. “With the last administration, we didn’t have a great transition, and my administration was kind of left at the drawing board.” Gipson-Black said he wants to continue the “Blue Goes Green” initiative, which began with recycling on campus. He said he would also give water bottles to freshmen during Stars Week. Gipson-Black said he is in communication with officials to expand Aduddell Fitness Center. This was one of Gipson-Black’s major campaign initiatives when he ran for president in 2017, along with the repainting of parking spots. Gipson-Black said he’s glad to see eagerness in all of the candidates.

M MEDIAOCU.com

“You’ve really got to have that sense of service,” he said. “You’ve got to have that willingness to serve to do the job effectively.” Gipson-Black said he’s excited to go through the campaign process again, and he said he’s hoping students will vote. “I’m sure a lot of people don’t think SGA is super important or super influential or whatever, but it matters who you vote for, because, no matter who wins, things are going to get done on campus,” he said. Serving the students Smith said he wants to communicate with the students about Senate actions and make it easier for students to apply to be on Senate, possibly by going through OrgSync and keeping the application open year-round. “I want people to not view SGA as a separate entity from the student population,” he said. “We’re supposed to be serving them.” Rodney Smith Smith also said he would promote religion/philosophy junior diversity-focused events on campus like the Black Student Association’s Blackout and the Native American Society’s Spring Powwow, an event where people dance, sing, socialize, and honor their culture. “I just want to show people that we support these things, that we’re a part of the campus,” he said. Smith said he would use office hours to keep the SGA president’s office open to students and send the minutes from Senate meetings directly to students’ emails. “I think one of my better skills is that I’m easily approachable,” he said. “I’m pretty laid back. Anyone can talk to me about any bills they want to submit or anything like that, just keeping an open atmosphere between the president and everybody else.” Smith said he’s excited to campaign and hear feedback from students and administrators. He said the best way to contact him is by Facebook messenger or email at rasmith@my.okcu.edu. “I’m open-minded, so I really want to hear what students have to say because I think a leader of an organization is someone who knows what everyone else is thinking,” he said. Other plans Smith has include utilizing the Prexie Club to discuss ideas across student organizations and working with the Office of Undergraduate Admission to recruit underrepresented populations. Prexie Club is a club of presidents from student organizations that was created to allow students to influence SGA’s mission. Smith said he hopes students vote their conscience during this election. “Let your decision kind of be yours,” he said. “Don’t let a bunch

of outside voices influence your decision, but make sure whoever you’re voting for is someone you can really see taking the position in a good direction.” Speaking out Tarter said it’s important to her that she represents the students. “I truly believe you should be the change you want to see in the world, or even just be the change you want to see in the school,” she said. “I think that I have what it takes to truly listen to the student body and be transparent with them and work with their desires and work with what they need.” Jordan Tarter Tarter said she wants to increase security English in Cokesbury Court Apartments by fixing the junior gate and adding cameras. She also wants to replace plastic straws with paper straws to cut back on plastic waste and address the issue of sound installation in the theater facilities. She said she is open to student feedback for other campaign goals. “I want to ask the students at the school what they would like because it’s not just about what I want for the school,” Tarter said. “I definitely want to listen to the student body and hear them out. For that to be a part of my platform is really close to my heart.” Tarter said she encourages students not to be silent with their concerns and bring them to the presidential candidates. “I encourage students to think about what they truly care about in the school,” she said. “I want them to get involved. If they want change, they’re going to have to vote, and I think voting where your concerns are, voting where your heart is, is extremely important.” Tarter said she wants to tell students that anyone can have an impact on campus. “Use your voice. Your vote is your voice,” she said. “Personally, I believe I am a candidate who will listen to your voices.” Tarter said she also wants to put more focus into transparency. “We have a wonderful campus, and we have many amazing opportunities here,” she said. “I think that SGA could be a huge part in educating this campus on what they can do to achieve their dreams.” Staff writer and photographer Rodney Smith is running for SGA president. He did not participate in the writing or editing of this story. Proofreader Tyler Patton, mass communications junior, is campaign manager for Jordan Tarter. He did not participate in the writing of this story.

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Be advised

Email questions to Crazy Kazoo Lady at chawthorne@my.okcu.edu

opinion Upcoming selection of leaders requires student input Students should make sure their values are heard during the upcoming leadership changes, whether that’s by voting or simply voicing their concerns and opinions. Each Student Government Association presidential candidates made it clear that students should vote in the election Thursday, and that student votes should represent what they feel is important. Officials will send the SGA election form to students via OrgSync. Last year, 478 students voted. That’s barely onefourth of OCU’s undergraduate population. Let’s raise that number. Many students aren’t shy in expressing their frustrations with issues on campus, but, to make changes, they should be diligent in making sure they communicate concerns to the candidates and listen to their platforms. See Page 1 for more on SGA presidential candidates. SGA presidential candi-

dates campaigned during Spring Break. Although many students were probably not thinking about elections then, they should start thinking about what’s important to them before they vote. If a student decides that improving theater facilities or repainting areas around campus is crucial to their happiness, now is a good time to mention it to the candidates so they can make that part of their focus. While student government is in transition, so is the office of the university president. With President Robert Henry retiring, OCU is selecting a new president to take office in July. Students may not be able to vote in this process, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a say. Candidate Martha Burger visited campus Monday, Dr. Myron Pope was scheduled to visit Tuesday, and candidate Dr. Thom Chesney is visiting today. Like the other two, Chesney will have a meeting from 12:15-1:15 p.m. designated for addressing students directly.

Talk Back “How many times have you been to the new Chick-fil-A?”

See Page 1 for more on university presidential candidates. Students should feel empowered to bring up their concerns or enthusiasms about certain ideas to the candidates. The board of trustees chooses the final candidate, but that doesn’t mean students can’t make their concerns known through conversations with whomever will become president. These visits are designed for students to have conversations with the candidates, and they can be helpful if students aren’t shy about their preferences. Students should vocalize their choices for both campus leadership positions and express what’s important to them. Selection is the first step. These conversations don’t stop after the presidential election or selection. Students should have an ongoing dialogue with their student government officials and university president about their concerns.

“Five. That was in the first week.”

“Twice”

Duke Bartholomae acting freshman

Sierra Paul education/theater and performance sophomore

“Four times. I went two times in one day.”

“I haven't. I don't really eat fast food.”

Max McIntire acting freshman

Jason Gonzalez Larsen music theater freshman

“Twice”

“I've been twice.”

Caroline Piper dance management junior

John Vick religion sophomore

Spanish demonic horror film gets undeserved praise Thrillist Entertainment, The Telegraph, New Musical Express, and tsunamis of social media have named one Spanish film “the scariest movie on Netflix” and one of the first splash-making horror films to come from Madrid since The Devil’s Backbone. Verònica was released in August 2017, but it didn’t gain widespread attention until its Netflix release Feb. 26. Numerous news outlets spent the following March hyping this thing to Conjuring proportions, and even the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival praised it before that. It received acclaim for

being a unique approach to the demonic possession trope, which certainly deserves some fresh air. The titular character is the eldest sister of three who, in the wake of a solar eclipse, makes the same decision we all should’ve made in August: to bust out a Ouija board and use the eclipse to contact her deceased father. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, this invites a nameless unwanted spirit into her life who plagues her day and night by threatening her younger siblings, appearing in the form of her father and giving her seizures mid-dinner. It’s pretty refreshing to

Chandler White is an English junior from Meeker, Oklahoma. He likes gothic horror and good hip-hop.

watch a horror film in another language and set in a different country than Americans are used to. On top of that, the technical elements are sharp, with a lush unsettling score and a soundtrack of songs that all seem to have eerily-fitting lyrics. The cinematography is impressive too, with lots of long tracking shots and aes-

thetically pleasing angles. For the first third of the film, I felt sincerely dreadful of what the rest of the movie would bring. It’s at this point that, in the midst of a tense, eerie scene, rife with anticipation and dread as “Verònica” is approached by the naked corpse of her father, the “unique” film does what 85 percent of non-unique horror

films do—busts out the CGI demons. This was where the film began its descent. The second Verònica can fall back on special effects and popular horror tropes, it has no problem dropping the eerie storytelling techniques that made it enjoyable in the first place. Things start getting predictable, the tension dies away completely, and what surprise twists the movie does bring don’t differentiate the experience all that much. The film feels like a cautionary tale about grief and the dangers of being unable to let go of a lost loved one at times. But, this is more or

less soiled by the fact that Verònica’s grief for her father isn’t really developed beyond its obvious “I miss you” sentiment, a major problem when this is supposed to be the motivation behind the whole film. Besides, if I wanted to watch a horror film about the process of grief, I’d watch The Babadook, or even It. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that Verònica is a trash movie perpetuated by stereotypes and moneyhungry producers that seek to deface horror as a genre. But I guarantee that The Campus will not be one of the papers calling this movie “the scariest movie on Netflix.”

Columnist reflects on ramifications following Russia investigation Special Counsel Robert Mueller is one step closer to indicting President Donald Trump. He subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents that may have information on possible ties with Russia. The special counsel was assigned by Congress after the 2016 Presidential Election showed signs of Russian interference, particularly with ties to the Trump campaign. As Mueller tightens his grip, however, the President seems to be considering the release of special counsel. In other words, the president

wants to fire the lawyer who is investigating his own campaign. While the special counsel is good for the democracy of our country, it may be hurting America’s chances at true prosperity and collaboration. The investigation has split the nation in two. Right-wingers continue to say there was no collusion, and left-wingers are chanting for the impeachment of the president. But, let’s not forget who’s in charge if President Trump is impeached. Vice President Mike Pence is next in line if special counsel proves collusion and obstruction of justice and impeaches

Harrison Langford is an acting junior from Las Vegas who loves golden retrievers and the New York Giants.

the sitting president. Pence is a hardcore right-winger. He is homophobic, pro-life and helped push tax cuts in Alabama that hurt the poor and middle class. Is this really the guy we want in the Oval Office? On the flip side of the investigation, it’s beneficial to our

country to ensure that our sacred right to vote is not impeded. So, what happens if Trump fires special counsel? Nothing. Just further division of the parties. You’ll see Millennials and left-wingers go to Twitter and vent their frustrations there. You’ll see Democrats go on

CNN and express their utter disbelief. But, in the end, nothing changes. Gone are the days of Richard Nixon when action was actually taken against presidents breaking the law. Now there is only partisanship, as in Republicans and Democrats will do anything to keep a person of their party in the White House. Republicans technically can block the firing of special counsel, but it’s safe to say they most likely won’t. Democrats, we shouldn’t be quick to point fingers and name names either, because we know we’d do the same.

So what’s really going on with this investigation? Chaos. If Mueller is fired, the left will rise with fury. If Trump is impeached, the right will rise with fury. The American people are stuck between a rock and hard place. Democrats need a new candidate. They need someone young and sharp who won’t be afraid to hit back in 2020. Students 18 and older need to make plans to get out and vote. We’ve got two years left of the Trump presidency and all of the chaos that has come with it. Let’s not make it six.

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

TODAY Voting for The Campus’s Best of continues via bit.ly/ocubest OCU Spring Sing at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Medium Rehearsal Hall the Wanda L. Bass Music Center

versity Center

Wade Stadium

FRIDAY SGA Elections close at 5 p.m. via OrgSync

OCU Out of the Box's 10th Anniversary Celebration at 7 p.m. on the quad

Final day to drop spring classes

THURSDAY SGA Elections start at 8 a.m. via OrgSync

Softball vs. Texas Wesleyan University at 5 and 7 p.m. in Ann Lacy Stadium

Full Circle Productions and University of South Carolina presents: The Pavilion at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

Chick-fil-A grand opening in Tom and Brenda McDaniel Uni-

Baseball vs. Southwestern Christian University at 6 p.m. in Jim

An Evening of World Premieres from Project 21 at 8 p.m. in

OCU Out of the Box presents: Anton in Show Business at 10:30 p.m. in Clara E. Jones Administration Building SATURDAY S of tball vs. S outhwestern Assemblies of God at 2 and 4 p.m. in Ann Lacy Stadium Full Circle Productions and Uni-

March 21, 2018, Volume 111, Number 21

Associate Community Manager: Harrison Langford Web Editor: Nicole Waltman Associate Web Editor: Emily Wollenberg Staff Writers: Rodney Smith, Callie Dewees, Jessica Vanek, Mallory Scheidel

OCU Out of the Box presents: Anton in Show Business at 10:30 p.m. in Clara E. Jones Administration Building SUNDAY The Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film & Literature presents a Free Film Screening:

Paterson from 2-5 p.m. in KerrMcGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business OCU Chamber/University Singers Palm Sunday Concert from 3-5 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel TUESDAY OCU Talks: The Hispanic Experience from 1-2 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

THE CAMPUS Editor-in-chief: Zoe Travers Editor-in-chief emeritus: Miguel Rios Associate Editor: Sage Tokach Copy Editor: Chandler White Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Lauren Berlingeri

versity of South Carolina presents: The Pavilion at 8 p.m. in Black Box theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Photographers: Hannah Rogers, Carolann Stout, Tiffany Kashala Columnist: Caroline Hawthorne Videographer: Emily Haan Proofreader: Tyler Patton Circulation Director: Kalen Castor Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

March 21, 2018

news Students share excitement, concerns about Chick-fil-A Callie Dewees

STAFF WRITER

Students have mixed opinions about a new food option on campus. Chick-fil-A opened March 7 outside The Market at Alvin’s in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center, but the grand opening celebration will be at 10 a.m. Thursday. Students originally were told the Chick-fil-A would open in August 2017, but construction was delayed into spring. Food service officials are still working out some logistics and hiring staff members. Some employees are students, and some are from the caf or The Market at Alvin’s, but most were hired

specifically to work at the Chick-fil-A. Gerre Douglas, Chick-filA cashier, was hired through ZipRecruiter, a third-party website. “I don’t think we are fully staffed,” Douglas said. “As far as the back of the house, I think they’re still hiring.” The Compass Group, which is in charge of OCU’s food service company Chartwells, posted Chick-fil-A positions on ZipRecruiter. Jackie Bennett, acting junior, said she is happy about Chick-fil-A. “It gives people that don’t have a meal plan an option for hot food other than going to the caf,” Bennett said. “But I don’t like how much more expensive it is.” Bennett also expressed con-

cerns about the increased litter Chick-fil-A will produce on campus. She said she doesn’t like the Styrofoam cups because they take a long time to decompose. “Just looking outside at the courtyard, there are trash cans full of Chick-fil-A bags,” she said. “I think it’s sad that that’s already happening to the trash cans all around campus. I also think we will always find things to complain about. In general, I’m pretty happy about it.” Students can use meal swipes at Chick-fil-A, but only to a certain dollar amount. Employees said Monday that the meal swipe can be used for a regular No. 1 Chick-filA chicken meal or the No. 3 eight-count Chick-fil-A nuggets meal, as well as any order

Elina Moon Student Publications Students line up outside Chick-fil-A at its soft opening March 7 in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The restaurant will have a grand opening Thursday with giveaways, games and a special guest.

up to $8. The difference can be paid off with points or cash. They also said free drink refills were also mistakenly offered over Spring Break but will not be offered anymore. Troy Freeman, music theater freshman, said he is con-

cerned about the lack of vegetarian options. “I don’t eat meat,” Freeman said. “Even the salad has chicken on it.” The Chick-fil-A hours are: - 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday,

- 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and - 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.

Discussion series concludes year with Hispanic experience Sage Tokach

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Officials will finish this year’s OCU Talks program with a discussion panel about the Hispanic experience. OCU Talks is a series of conversations on race relations started last year through the office of Student Engagement, Inclusion and Multicultural Programs. The Hispanic experience panel will include Lily Bermudez, associate dean of students for OCU; Dr. Mark Griffin, professor of Spanish; the Rev. Carlos Ramirez, Village United Methodist Church pastor; and Bequer Gomez, Hispanic Student Association member. The panel will be from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. Discussion topics will include immigration, employment, education, and healthcare. Snacks from Big Truck Tacos will be provided. Russ Tallchief, director of student engagement, inclusion and multicultural programs, said the panel will be an opportunity for the campus and Oklahoma City community to talk about major issues facing the Hispanic communities. “First, it’s important for us to communicate diversity among

the Hispanic community,” Tallchief said. “Lily Bermudez is from El Salvador. She and her family face some of the same issues as other immigrants in the U.S., but she can also talk about issues unique to El Salvador.” Gomez said he is optimistic about the impact of the panel. “I believe the Hispanic Experience Panel is going to be a great opportunity to sit down and discuss current situations and create awareness on campus,” he said. This discussion comes at a particularly important time because of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Tallchief said. DACA allows minors who entered or stayed in America illegally to receive a two-year work permit without risk of deportation. President Barack Obama instated it through executive order in 2012, and President Donald Trump announced it would be phased out this year. Officials will incorporate a film screening into the OCU Talks panel discussion. The film, Clínica de Migrantes: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, follows a year of activity at Puentes, an American health clinic providing healthcare to illegal immigrants, despite the political controversy. The screening will last about 45 minutes, beginning at noon and segueing into the discussion. “When we stumbled across this film, it summarized clearly the

Nigerian poet, activist to visit for poetry reading, discussion Erik Hamilton

CONTRIBUTOR

A Nigerian poet will host campus readings and discussions about his work next month. Chris Abani, internationally acclaimed poet and former Nigerian political prisoner, will visit campus April 4. Abani will conduct a reading and open discussion at 10 a.m., an open mic event at 6:15 p.m. and a final reading and book signing at 8 p.m. in Kerr-McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business. Abani’s appearance is part of the Thatcher Hoffman Smith Poetry Series through the Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film and Literature. This is the series’ 20th year. Last year’s poet was Simon Armitage, a British poet.

Abani is also a n ov e l i s t , essayist, screenwriter, and playwright. He has done Chris Abani TED Talks poet and written essays about humanitarianism, the social role of art and storytelling, and ethics and political responsibility. Blaze Stark, history junior, said people don’t appreciate poetry as much as they used to. “I definitely don’t think it’s a lost art, but I think it’s something people are kind of losing a bit of appreciation for,” Stark said. “I mean, when’s the last time you sat down and read a book of poetry?” Stark said he is interested in attending the readings, but was

surprised by the lack of wordof-mouth about the event. Dustin Barlow, acting sophomore, said, if properly advertised, the readings would be a success, and that there is ample but untapped interest in poetry. “I think people would be really receptive to it,” Barlow said. “It just doesn’t happen a lot. I performed a poem at Open Mic Night my freshman year, and people came up to me and were just like, ‘Thank you for sharing.’ It was just nice, and I feel like people have a wanting to do that too. I mean, we do that with our art, but this maybe just isn’t something we’ve explored as a community.” Visit okcu.edu/events/chrisabani-thatcher-hoffman-smithpoetry-series for more information about the event.

issues that Hispanics are facing when they are trying to access healthcare. It shows the language barrier, access to insurance or lack there of and fear,” Tallchief said. “Once you become a patient somewhere, you are in a system, and systems right now are not working well for Hispanic people. Some people are flying under the radar because it’s the only way they can make it.” The campus community is welcome to attend and go from the screening and panel at their own convenience, Tallchief said. “OCU Talks is geared toward everyone,” he said. “We can all learn from the Hispanic students, staff and faculty and continue to educate ourselves on what’s going on in the world. It’s our responsibility as a university. We’re an institution of thinkers.” Past OCU Talks discussions covered the Muslim, American Indian and African American experiences. Suggestions are welcome for next year’s discussions, Tallchief said. For more information, email Tallchief at trtallchief@okcu.edu. Editor’s Note: Associate Web Editor Emily Wollenberg is the treasurer for the Hispanic Student Association. She did not participate in the writing of this story.

WHERE

FRESH & FAST MEET ®

Jewish organization hosts Passover Seder for campus community Jessica Vanek

STAFF WRITER

The OCU Jewish Stars are preparing to celebrate Passover. Passover is from March 30 to April 7. The Jewish holiday commemorates the Jewish peoples’ liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt. The Jewish Stars will host a Seder from 7-9 p.m. March 31 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. The event is open to the community. The Seder will be led by Dr. Brandon Katzir, associate English professor and Jewish Stars adviser. A Seder is a feast involving telling the Passover story. Dinner will be provided for all attendees. Members of the March 21, 2018

club will cook homemade food including matzoh ball soup, brisket and kugel. This will be their third annual Passover Seder. About 20 people attended the event in Spring 2016, and 50 people attended last year. Jewish Stars President Celia Tedde, music theater/vocal performance junior, said she was happy with the past years’ attendance. “It was so awesome to see how many people wanted to learn about our traditions and Jewish culture,” Tedde said. “We all come together and make recipes that our families made us growing up, so people are really getting a true Jewish experience through traditional Seder foods.” Madeline Statter, music

theater freshman, is new to the Jewish Stars and is attending. “I’m excited for students who never experienced a Passover Seder to eat and learn about Passover with their friends,” Statter said. “Jewish holidays are spent with your family, and I can’t wait to celebrate my first Passover with my OCU family.” Students can RSVP for the event via Google Form, goo.gl/ forms/iKY3GPWrtbPPqJBe2. Find The OCU Jewish Stars on Facebook for more information. Photo Editor Elina Moon is communications manager for the Jewish Stars. She did not participate in the writing of this story.

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SHINING STAR

Senior takes step toward Methodist ordainment Melaina Riley, religion senior, was accepted into GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois with a full-tuition scholarship. Riley will complete the three-year program in pursuit of a Master of Divinity, the next step toward her goal of being ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church. Elders are ordained United Methodist clergy who are pledged to a ministry of word, sacrament, order, and service, according to UMC.org. In an itinerancy system, bishops assign elders to locations where they serve in ministry settings. “After getting my Master of Divinity, I’ll be commissioned as an elder and do a two-year residency program before being ordained,” Riley said. “I’ll move back to Oklahoma because we get to choose the state, but the bishop will assign me an exact location. The average placement lasts about seven years.” Riley said she found out about the seminary because she knew of several OCU graduates who went there, including Dr. Lisa Wolfe, professor of Hebrew Bible. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is one of the 13 seminaries recognized by the United Methodist Church in America. “I was looking at a couple schools, but when I visited Garrett, it just felt right,” Riley said. “I started applying in September and found out in October. I went to a conference with some religion students in Portland, and they handed me my acceptance letter in person. It was a quick turnaround.” Before she starts school in September, Riley said she has to go through a candidacy process which involves a lot of paperwork. The work includes a psychological evaluation, personality tests, a three-hour interview with a psychologist, and a hearing with a committee who will determine that she is psychologically sound enough to continue her path toward

I want to work to reconcile the church with people who have had bad experiences with religion. Melaina Riley religion senior

being ordained. Taylor Carter, flute performance senior, said Riley’s progress in OCU’s religion program inspired him.“She’s pushing boundaries within the church and in the world with her open-mindedness,” Carter said. “I find her and her work completely admirable, and I believe others should look up to the efforts she’s made and will make during her career.” When she moves, Riley will live in Chicago and commute to Evanston. “I’ve never lived anywhere other than Oklahoma City,” she said. “I’ve never even moved houses. I’m excited and terrified, depending on the day.” Riley said she has known she wanted to go to seminary since she was in the seventh grade. “That’s always the only thing I’ve ever wanted. It’s always been the next step, something I was waiting for, but now it’s here,” she said. “I want to work to reconcile the church with people who have had bad experiences with religion. It’s been such a good thing for me, but I’ve seen it be bad for other people. I want to be part of fixing that.” By Associate Editor Sage Tokach

Submitted Melaina Riley, religion senior, leads a ceremony for Kappa Phi, a national Christian sisterhood. Riley will attend Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in September to earn her Master of Divinity, the next step on her path toward becoming ordained in the United Methodist Church.

Students win debate tournament, advance to nationals Caroline Hawthorne

STAFF WRITER

Three members of the Speech and Debate team will represent the university in national tournaments. Jamison Keefover, mass communications senior; Tyler Patton, mass communications junior, and Blayne Childers, acting sophomore, qualified for national tournaments. Dates for the tournaments have not yet been announced. The team swept the Oklahoma Interstate Forensics Association competition Feb. 23-24, winning first place in Tournament and State Sweepstakes. Keefover won first in persuasive speaking, qualifying her to move to the National Interstate Oratorical Association Tournament in April where she will compete in the same category. Dr. Joshua Young, director of forensics, started his position at the beginning of the semester and leads the team in the tournaments. “Josh Young came in January and went right in,” Keefover said. “We went from not showing up to practices to winning first place. That’s incredible.” Rick Ong and Patricia Ashford, philosophy and political science freshmen, competed in national parliamentary debate and made it to the semifinals. Ashford won fourth place speaker, and Ong won first place in the OIFA state champion speaker award.

Patton earned first place in communication analysis, Childers earned first place in prose, and Megan Poole, acting freshman, won first in program of oral interpretation. Patton also won OIFA combined pentathalon champion for five events and debate. The Speech and Debate team also competed at the District 3 tournament of the American Forensics Association on March 3. Childers and Patton qualified for the National AFA tournament. Patton and Keefover were named national alternates for their events. The team also participated in the International Forensics Association tournament March 12-13 in Montreal. The participants were Patton, Childers, Keefover, Joey Simpson, religion senior, and Samuel Pierce Gordon, political science and philosophy senior. The team took fifth overall. Keefover placed in international public debate, persuasive, impromptu and extemperaneous speaking. Childers, Patton, Simpson, and Keefover placed in several other events including prose and a nuance Canadian sketch comedy event. Keefover placed with a 10-minute speech about the rise in urban development causing problems in low economic areas and a loss of cultural identity, such as with Native Americans. “People come to areas and push out what isn’t necessarily the ‘trend’ right now,” she said. “It’s fine if you enjoy that kind of stuff, but it’s at the risk of ruining someone else’s livelihood, and

that’s not good.” Keefover said she offers ways to do urban planning responsibly. “I offer sustainable development, so you can keep everyone happy, while not getting rid of culture or keeping up with trends,” she said. The Speech and Debate team meets three times a week to compete in practice events. Since debate topics are assigned during the actual competition, preparation for events includes researching a wide variety of topics, ranging from politics to Olympic international cooperation. Ashford said she found it difficult to make an argument about limiting gun control, since she thinks guns should be banned. “It’s really hard because you want to win,” she said. “You need to forget your opinions. However, it’s fun, since it’s like becoming another person.” Ashford said the key to a good debate team is communication. “What makes a good debate team is like what makes a good friendship,” she said. “You need to be honest and open, and you need to be up on current events.” Proofreader Tyler Patton is a member of the Speech and Debate team. He did not participate in the writing of this story.

Theater students required to attend guest production Chandler White

COPY EDITOR

A South Carolina theater company will perform this weekend on campus. Full Circle Productions partnered with the University of South Carolina to bring The Pavilion to OCU Friday and Saturday. The Pavilion, by Craig Wright, tells the story of high school sweethearts “Cari” and “Peter,” played by FCP Actors Lindsay Rae Taylor and Andrew Schwartz, as they attend a high school reunion. The play provides a perspective on time and youth while being humorous, said Robert Richmond, director of the play and chairman and artistic director of the department of theater at USC. “It was a process of elimination, as it always is, trying to get the balance between the philosophical side about time and how you can’t really turn time backward and you’ve got to keep living for the future and the past is prologue, along with the comedy,” Richmond said. Richmond arranged to bring The Pavilion to OCU through Brian Parsons, associate dean of theater, who he has known for a long time, he said. The Pavilion was also performed at USC in September, and Richmond said the reception was positive. “It does seem like something March 21, 2018

perfect to bring out to OCU and that the students, faculty and community there can get a chance to see this play that’s not very often done,” Richmond said. All students of the School of Theater are required to attend the The Pavilion, which includes acting, theater and performance, and design and production students. Luke Barrett, acting freshman, said some performance majors feel disgruntled by their required attendance and by the short notice of its announcement. “Some people feel like this was somewhat sprung on them,” Barrett said. “I feel like that’s happening because they didn’t announce it at last convocation, so they just kind of sent out this mass email like, ‘oh hey, by the way, you have to go to this, and it’s required for your major, so there can be legitimate consequences if you don’t do it.’” Barrett said, despite these frustrations, he’s excited to see The Pavilion because it’s a rare opportunity. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “There’s always the plus side with things like this which a lot of people haven’t looked at, but when you think about it, we are getting the opportunity to see cheap professional theater from professional actors who are adults, who are not in college. It’ll be interesting to see a production not by OCU

students because I haven’t had the opportunity to do that this year.” Matthew Tuley, acting junior, said he saw The Pavilion when Out of the Box produced the show in 2015. “It’s a great show, and I’m excited to see what folks with a larger budget do with it,” Tuley said. “But I’m curious how they’ll require an entire school to fit into the Black Box with only two shows.” The Pavilion has performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center. Richmond also will lead a free workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday on comparing modern texts to Shakespeare. The masterclass is for School of Theater students, but the show is open to anyone who purchases a $12 ticket at okcu.edu/main/tickets. Richmond said The Pavilion will be relatable for all students. “It’s a beautiful evening of comedy and fun,” he said. “It has the ability to reach young people and give a cautionary tale that says they should be thinking about their future, and they should be moving forward into their adulthood, and they should feel like they are growing and changing and are a part of the world.”