Nov. 7 by MediaOCU

THE CAMPUS November 7, 2018 – Volume 112 Issue 10

Martha Burger inaugurated as 18th president Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

President Martha Burger was inaugurated as OCU’s 18th president Thursday in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Martha Burger was selected from three candidates to assume the role of university president when former President Robert Henry retired June 30. Burger took office July 1 as OCU’s first female president in university history. The inauguration ceremony opened with the Presentation of the Colors by the Kiowa Women Warriors Color Guard and a statement from Russ Tallchief, director of student diversity and inclusion, acknowledging that OCU’s campus originally was inhabited by the Apache, Quapaw, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. Tallchief said the statement of acknowledgment is important to indigenous people. “The land acknowledgment is a new voice around the world where people will acknowledge the land that they are on and who the original inhabitants were,” he said. “I think it’s really great that President Burger and OCU are embracing that. We really appreciate it as native people.” International and Native American students entered next, carrying the flags of their home countries or tribes. Kayce Kernall, nursing sophomore, carried a flag of one of the indigenous tribes of Oklahoma. “I think it was good that we carried the flags. It is important because this is Oklahoma, and we have all these tribes here,” she said. “This is indigenous land, so it’s very important to show representation.” Jane Jayroe Gamble, alumna and trustee, welcomed the audience and spoke about the successes of OCU students. “Welcome to this family of stars who understand that service is a part of who we are,” she said at the ceremony. Other prominent Oklahomans also attended the event. Many addressed Burger and encouraged her to lead the university with a sense of encouragement and community. “The success of our higher education system requires a collaborative effort,” Gov. Mary Fallin said. “We are proud to have you here in Oklahoma City.” David Holt, Oklahoma City mayor and OCU alumnus, said he was there to represent the 650,000 people of Oklahoma City and spoke about the bond between the university and the city. Students were impressed by the turnout. “I was excited to see a lot of donors, and then to see the leaders, Mary Fallin and David Holt,” said Trae Trousdale, mass communications sophomore. Other faculty and staff addressed Burger at the event. Jordan Tarter, Student Government Association president, spoke about the family aspect of OCU. “On behalf of all students, I welcome you with providing leadership that paves the way for university students,” Tarter said. Ron Norick, chairman of the board of trustees and former

Elina Moon Student Publications President Martha Burger gives her inaugural address Thursday in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Burger is the 18th university president and first female president in OCU history. Burger spoke about why she took on the presidency instead of retiring.

Oklahoma City mayor, presented the Presidential Medallion and Mace to Burger and declared her the 18th university president. Burger then gave the inaugural address, speaking about her goal to keep OCU relevant. She said she wants to bring more online classes to the university, build more partnerships with businesses, and initiate stronger fundraising to provide better wages for faculty and staff. Burger spoke about why she loves OCU and its students, and about organizations and programs that inspire her. She mentioned OCU athletics’ 67th national championship, an OCU alumnus who started the pizza restaurant Empire Slice House, and Devaunjue Williams, religion junior, who became guardian last year to his 10-year-old nephews. “I am honored to serve this incredible institution,” she said. Burger said she loved the musical aspect of the inauguration. “I’m all about OCU music. For me, the music was so wonderful and everybody’s support, and it was just everything I could hope for a great start,” she said. Trousdale said he was excited to hear Burger talk about diversity and include it in the ceremony. “With her efforts from the administration side, and then our efforts from the student side, I think that we can really get a more colorful and diverse student body,” he said. Fallin said she hopes Burger will continue to raise money for the university and inspire students. “To have a woman that’s been a great leader in the business com-

“

munity and the civic community, and certainly just one that is very knowledgable, there’s so many things in the area of business and public relations that will be a tremendous asset to Oklahoma City University,” Fallin said. Brianna Miles, nursing freshman, and Erin McBriarty, cellular molecular biology freshman, are part of OKCULeads, the president’s leadership class, and attended the ceremony. “It was the most beautiful thing,” Miles said. “We are really excited for her to be here and that we get to represent her.” They said they appreciated the female representation and diversity of the ceremony. “The school pride was at an all-time high,” McBriarty said. After the ceremony ended, an inauguration party took place on the quad. The event included barbecue, a root beer float bar, a raffle drawing, and a performance from student band LFNC. Katie Adams, music education junior, attended the event. “I think it’s cool she got a student band and is treating them like professionals,” she said. Andie Sheppard-McDermott, psychology freshman, said she likes Burger’s community outreach. “She does an incredible job of making OCU feel like a community and bringing the students and faculty together,” she said. Contributing: Web Editor Jessica Vanek

Non-student found roaming in Walker Hall basement Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A student and a housekeeper recently found a man roaming the basement of Walker Hall dormitory. Jake Harrell, religion freshman, was doing his laundry Oct. 19 in the basement of the dorm when he saw a man walk out of a storage room, walk to the bathroom and then walk back to the storage room. “At first I thought maybe he was a facilities worker because he was wearing boots,” Harrell said. “I was unconcerned.” Leonor Murillo, housekeeper in Walker Hall, said the man didn’t look like a student and was wearing jeans, a burgundy hoodie, no shoes, and carried a black backpack. She described him as about 5-foot-7-inch and caucasian with reddish-brown hair and a beard. “He looked suspicious, like he was just turning back and forth, like he was panicked,” Murillo said. Harrell said the man’s multiple backpacks and ragged clothes led him to think he was homeless. Murillo asked Harrell if he knew if the man was a student. Harrell could not identify the man, so Murillo called facilities. Mark Clouse, director of facilities, came to the dorm to handle the situation. Clouse was unavailable for comment last week. “A maintenance guy comes into Walker less than 10 minutes later, and what should have happened is he should have come with a police officer, but he didn’t. He was by himself,” Harrell said. Clouse unlocked the door to the storage room, asked the man for his ID and reached for his phone to call campus police, Harrell said. “That’s when the man said, ‘I’ll show you my ID,’ and he bucked up to him, and then he bolted toward the stairs, through the door and out the building,” Harrell said. “It was like, the scariest thing I have ever been through. I thought the maintenance guy was going to tackle him, but he didn’t. The man got out, and he got away. The thoughts that ran through my head were, ‘What if he had a bomb? What if he had a gun? How long has he been here? What if he had bad intentions?’ It was very scary. My mom was very upset.”

M MEDIAOCU.com

The thoughts that ran through my head were, 'What if he had a bomb? What if he had a gun? How long has he been here? What if he had bad intentions?'

Jake Harrell religion freshman

Officials should take action to prevent incidents like this from happening again, Harrell said. “I wish the doors in Walker Hall were more like the doors in Banning or the doors in the gym where you swipe, it unlocks them, and you can open them on your own and close it behind you,” he said. “Because that’s how I assume he got in.” Harrell said he always makes sure to wear his ID in case of misidentification. “You can’t know for certain if someone is a student unless they have their ID. That’s why I wear mine on my neck just in case the police are involved ever,” he said. “I want someone to know I’m a student. I think that’s how employees should be treated, too.” Lane Chapman, elementary education freshman, swiped his student ID at Walker Hall and entered the building with a friend when he saw a man enter behind him. “He immediately knew where he was going, which was why I didn’t think anything of it,” Chapman said. “He walked into Walker, walked past the elevators to the back staircase, and then my friend and I just kind of went about our day.” It wasn’t until later, Chapman said, that he talked to Harrell and realized the man he described matched the man Chapman had seen. “He just waltzed in,” Chapman said. “That makes me think that wasn’t the first time, and it also makes me think, ‘Why does this door stay open so long that anyone can just walk in?’” Casey Kreger, director of housing, said the reason the doors in Walker Hall stay open for a certain period of time is to comply with regulations from the American Disabilities Act. “Due to ADA and people mobility, etcetera, the doors need to

stay open for a certain time,” he said. “The point of having automatic doors would be for the ADA compliance by federal law.” Kreger said housing officials would consider adjusting how long the door stays open to keep unidentified people from entering the building. “As long as the window was long enough to let somebody in with a wheelchair without having it collapse on them, the window of the door actuator could be adjusted to a certain period. It could definitely be an option,” he said. Neither Chapman nor Harrell have heard anything from housing or facilities about the intrusion. “At the time, when I heard Jake talk about it, I was like, ‘that’s pretty weird,’ and we kind of laughed about it, but at the same time, this is pretty sketchy. The fact that this happened, and no one knew about it, and if Jake wasn’t down there at the time, how long would he have been there?” Chapman said. Kreger said he thinks the man was only there that day. “The maintenance workers were actually in the room the day before due to a bunch of renovation and planning stuff,” he said. Police Chief Jennifer Rodgers said campus police should be called first in these situations. “We prefer that students and staff call us instead of taking things into their own hands,” Rodgers said. “We could’ve tried to identify the man.” OCUPD can give intruders on campus a “notice to vacate,” which is an agreement that both the trespasser and campus police sign. It states that the person is not allowed to come back on campus or they’ll be arrested, Rodgers said. “We usually do this, or they’ll keep coming back,” she said. Harrell said his mother suggested the police officers who regularly patrol Walker Hall should check closets in the dorms. “I don’t think this will happen again, but there are things that could have happened to prevent it,” he said. “Nothing bad came out of it. Nobody was hurt, but it is a safety concern.”

Netflix and Kill

South of the border

Like us on Facebook at MediaOCU

Read about a new podcast students started to discuss Netflix horror

Read about a new study abroad program in Mexico

Only Human

Read about a New York-bound musical being workshopped at OCU

opinion Campus intruders cause concern for student safety Students and staff are concerned about a man who was found in the basement of Walker Hall dormitory. See Page 1 for more on the situation. A man described as about 5-foot-7-inch and caucasian with reddish-brown hair and a beard was caught by students and maintenance workers in a storage room in Walker Hall. No one knows who the man was, if he was homeless or why he was in the dorm. The fact that an unknown person was staying in a storage closet for an unknown amount of time puts students at risk of potential danger. If students see suspicious persons on campus, they should call campus police immediately, even if the situation ends up being nothing. If something seems unusual or gives students an uncomfortable feeling, it’s

better to be safe and report it than to not say anything. The doors of Walker Hall stay open for several seconds to comply with American Disabilities Act standards. Because of this, it’s easy for people to file in behind the original person who swiped their card to unlock the door. Aside from that, many students are cordial enough to hold doors open for others, even if they don’t know them. Letting others in can lead to potential danger, especially if the person isn’t a student. If someone suspicious walks into one of the dormitories, students should contact Oklahoma City University Police Department to properly handle the situation. It is also a good idea to contact the RA on call so that they are aware of the situation. Because OCU is ungated and directly borders a major road, anyone can walk onto

Talk Back “If you could take any minor at OCU, what would it be?”

campus, but they aren’t allowed to be here without prior approval becasue OCU's campus is private property. Contacting officials to let them know of suspicious persons in buildings or roaming campus keeps the campus community safer. Although handling a situation by oneself may seem intuitive to some, informing OCUPD can be the difference between life or death. When in doubt, students should call them. Campus police officers are trained on how to approach and deal with trespassers. It’s not the student body’s responsibility to get these people off campus. OCUPD may be reached by calling the non-emergency number 405-208-5001 or the emergency number 405-208-5911.

"Sociology"

Jamile Williams law graduate

"Art marketing/ management"

"French"

Mary McLain film junior

"Psychology"

Shakurah Maynard studio art junior

John Richards film production sophomore

"A screen/play writing minor"

"Composition of film scores"

Duke Bartholomae acting sophomore

Miguel Moreno violin sophomore

Columnist reflects on student government inefficiency Student Government Association is the voice of the student body from a governing standpoint, and Student Activities Council plans events that try to keep the whole student body entertained and happy. They are full of students working together to make this campus a better place. That’s what they’re supposed to be doing, anyway. This year has been filled with inefficiency, gridlock, pettiness, drama, and a lack of organization. SGA and SAC have a lot of power and money behind them, $153,000 to be exact. They can use this money around campus to improve the lives of students

and the overall functionality of campus. But the money that SGA and SAC oversee doesn’t seem to be going to good use. The recycling program that was implemented last year is now in the garbage—no pun intended. SGA President Jordan Tarter said the recycling bins SGA purchased and gave to the Young Democrats last year ended up in storage. Nothing is being done and, for the time being, the Blue Goes Green initiative is inactive. Tarter promised to make Cokesbury Court Apartments safer by implementing locking gates. Student Publications found that new gates were

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

installed, but are either nonfunctional or physically broken. SGA spent the money to make the gates safer, but to no avail. In regard to SAC, just last week there was an issue on Facebook of all places. Sen. David Hall (music) filed for the impeachment of Madelynn Buckman, vice president of SAC. This happened after a

member of SAC incorrectly explained the use of funds for Free Movie Night. SAC Executive Kenzie VanZee posted that SAC had no plans for the future of Free Movie Night, but this was untrue, and it led to an attempt at impeachment and unnecessary conflict between senators. There also was a shortage of

tickets for Stars on the Plaza. Students arrived at the event and were unable to participate because tickets ran out, or because they weren’t informed of the need for tickets. This is where a lack of communication really hurts students. SGA’s budget also is inefficient and flawed. The budget for this academic year failed on the Senate floor originally. SGA missed its deadline. They were forced to use an earlier version of the budget from the executive and steering committees. President Tarter has an annual salary of $1,500, and Vice President Austin Gipson-Black has a salary of $1,830. Why is

the VP making more than the president? Because the budget cannot be amended on the Senate floor. It is inappropriate that our VP is making more than our president. While I appreciate the passion, time and dedication that students give to SGA and SAC, things feel as though they aren’t going in the right direction. In no way am I an expert on finances or involved in SGA or SAC. I’m just a student who thinks a lot of money is being used inefficiently. We want to recycle. We want Free Movie Night. We want to participate in Stars on the Plaza. And we all want to be better informed.

YouTuber turned R&B artist starts off strong with debut album From the great hive of SoundCloud, an internet musician is born every other minute who thinks to himself, “If The Weeknd did it, so can I!” and joins the ever-growing roster of cloud rap, lo-fi, trip hop, alternative R&B acts that multiply at the rate of rabbits. Another Nav, Yung Lean or Post Malone is not exactly a rarity these days. But sometimes it works out. Internetainer George Miller is a man of many names, most famously his “Filthy Frank” and “Pink Guy” YouTube personas. These were a nice mixture of memes and crude humor, but apparently Miller overdosed on meme and turned to pills instead, retiring from YouTube to produce moody, atmospheric, drug-addled

R&B under the stage name “Joji.” His debut EP In Tongues dropped last year, a lo-fi and spacious set of tracks that I liked quite a bit, but I was even more excited for his first fulllength album Ballads 1, which dropped a couple weeks ago. Joji told numerous publications that he wanted to push this album further beyond the territory covered in In Tongues, setting a new direction but still “keeping Joji roots.” Relishing the cloudy weather so I could relish the cloudy music, I set out to test this. From the first track Attention, it’s clear that Joji has upped his production game since his SoundCloud origins, but still has a strong hold on his lo-fi style, riding a nice balance between. The instrumentation

directions he has little concept of. An artist evolving their style is good, but only if that change of pace works in a positive way, which is not always the case on Ballads 1. The track No Fun is an incredibly unexpected and bouncy pop tune that, though kind of cute and humorous, feels way out of place amid the heartbreak odes on either side of it. The song Can’t Get Over You has a similar vibe, but at 1:47, it vanishes before its ideas can be explored thoroughly. The closing track I’ll See You in 40 thankfully doesn’t follow this pattern as it is the longest track at 4:14, but it consists of one loud, 90-second trap soundscape bookended by high-pitched vocoder and ukulele segments, complete-

ly uncomplimentary to the middle portion of the track. The two components are so separate and conflicting that they feel like two different songs accidentally spilled into one another. It finishes the album on a sour note. While I appreciate Joji taking artistic risks, there is something to be said for consistency, a department that Ballads 1 is somewhat lacking in. That being said, this album is still a much more formal and serious project than Joji’s past releases, and the artistic progress shows. While I’m more excited for a more focused and fully-developed Ballads 2, this album is an atmospheric debut that cements Joji’s persona beyond the constraints of his past work.

SUNDAY After Ashley from 2-4:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

sions and Visitor Center

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

is punchy and analogue, but much fuller and textured as well, and while his singing voice is more clearly audible, it also can be distorted, reverbed or even Auto-Tuned, depending on the track. Joji’s voice also proves stronger and more honed than it was on In Tongues, hitting passionate high notes on songs like Slow Dancing in the Dark and Wanted U. There’s just as many moments, though, when Joji passes up belting

climaxes for low, groggy and depressed vocals, similar to The Weeknd’s approach on his 2015 hit The Hills. Moments like this include Come Thru and Yeah Right, the latter of which is my favorite track and, with a music video depicting Joji clinically depressed between two twerking women, wins Joji the “saddest player of the year” award. With all these attempts to mix things up, though, the listener occasionally catches Joji losing control and going in

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 Faculty Brass Quintet recital from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Men's basketball vs. Ecclesia College from 7-9 p.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center Miracle Marathon presents Push Day 2018 from 8-11 p.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda

McDaniel University Center

Library

Memorial Building

THURSDAY After Ashley from 8-10:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

FRIDAY After Ashley from 8-10:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

SATURDAY After Ashley from 8-10:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

Project 21 Concert from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Medium Rehearsal Hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

All-State String Clinic from noon to 3:15 p.m. in the Medium Rehearsal Hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

Symphony Orchestra concert from 8-9 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

Chamber Choir and University Singers perform War Requiem from 3-5 p.m. at Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.

Staff Council meeting from 10-11 a.m. in the Dulaney-Browne

School of Theater auditions from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in Gold Star

School of Theater auditions from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in Gold Star Memorial Building

MONDAY Future Lawyer's Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ann Lacy Admis-

THE CAMPUS

Staff Writers: Callie Dewees, Erik Hamilton, Paul Dower, Amanda Miller, Dru Norton, Sarah Muscarella, Hope Melton Columnist: Caroline Hawthorne Photographers: Carolann Stout, Kylie Sullivan, Ethan Tate, Hope Melton Videographer: Emily Haan

Doctor of Psychology program advising session at 5 p.m. in Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center Staff Council professional development series from 1-2 p.m. in Kramer School of Nursing

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.

Nov. 7, 2018, Volume 112, Issue 10

Editor-in-chief: Nicole Waltman Associate Editor: Emily Wollenberg Copy Editor: Chandler White Photo Editor: Elina Moon Community Manager: Harrison Langford Web Editor: Jessica Vanek

TUESDAY Men's basketball vs. Randall from 7-9 p.m. in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Ad Director: Emily Jones 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.

November 7, 2018

lifestyles

Hope Melton Student Publications

Live in a world of pure imagination Members of Kappa Sigma fraternity celebrate their second consecutive win in Homecoming activities at the award ceremony Saturday in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. Above: Members of Kappa Sigma perform their Lip Sync, inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Other themes included Legally Blonde, Shrek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Dr. Seuss. Emily Haan Student Publications

Kappa Sigma wins Homecoming for second year Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A fraternity won the Homecoming sweepstakes for the second consecutive year. The men of Kappa Sigma celebrated their victory Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center after taking first place in the banner competition, third place in spirit structure, second place in Lip Sync, and first place in the sweepstakes award. Kappa Sigma’s theme was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and their Lip Sync performance followed five students with golden tickets, hoping to win prizes at the end of their journey through OCU but finding the real prize in knowledge and friendship.

Evan Couch, Kappa Sigma Homecoming chairman and music theater/vocal performance sophomore, said he was amazed and couldn’t believe Kappa Sigma won. “Our guys really worked hard. I couldn’t have done it without the brothers,” he said. Couch said it feels surreal that the fraternity won for a second year in a row. “Ethereal—I think that’s the only word for it,” he said. The 2018 Homecoming theme was “Once Upon a Star.” Greek organizations Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Mu, Kappa Sigma, and Lambda Chi Alpha participated in the Homecoming competitions. The Black Student Association participated in banner and Homecoming royalty.

“

The titles of Homecoming king and queen were awarded to Devaunjue Williams, religion junior, representing OCU cheer, and Natalie Speer, business administration senior, representing Phi Mu. “I am just really grateful to the whole student body, and that they have just taken us all in, me and my nephews,” Williams said. “It’s just a really good feeling to win.” Williams became the guardian of his 10-year-old nephews in March. He said at the beginning of the school year that he wasn’t sure he would have enough time to cheer, but his coach worked with him to make sure he could continue. “The cheer team has a great legacy in itself, and that’s why I kind of came to OCU, so to

just continue this tradition and be a part of that is so awesome,” he said. Speer said she was amazed that she won the title. “I transferred here last year, but being at OCU has definitely been a blessing in my life, and everybody here is so positive and supportive,” she said. Speer said she felt supported by her Phi Mu sisters. “Having my sisters chanting my name and boosting my confidence, and then having the student body vote me as queen, I just feel so incredibly honored,” she said. Alpha Chi Omega won the spirit award for the seventh consecutive year. “Seven is the magic number, which goes with our Harry Potter theme,” said Ashley Ellis, Alpha Chi Omega Homecom-

ing chairwoman and dance junior. “We are just so happy to bring home that trophy for the seventh year and support all Greek life, because they all did amazing tonight.” Gamma Phi Beta won first place in the Lip Sync competition. Their Legally Blondethemed story followed “Elle Woods” through her years at OCU School of Law. Renee Griese, Gamma Phi Beta Lip Sync choreographer and dance senior, said the organization decided to go a different direction than previous years by focusing on the law school. “It was cool because we didn’t necessarily make the same jokes that we usually make, and it was fun that we got to tie in a strong female character,” she said. Alpha Phi received the Kids’ Choice Award for the banner

and structure competitions. Phi Mu received the Kids’ Choice Award for Lip Sync. The Kids’ Choice awards were chosen by children from the Children’s Miracle Network who attended the competition. The children were there to help advertise the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a philanthropic event in the spring organized by OCU students. “Lip Sync always reminds me of how good our school is at coming together and celebrating each individual organization,” said Brynna Linkous, Phi Mu member and psychology sophomore.

Caf hires new executive chef, plans menu improvements Jessica Vanek

WEB EDITOR

Emily Wollenberg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Students can expect better food quality and more international cuisine from the caf ’s new chef. Chartwells officials hired Chris Barton to be the new executive chef Oct. 1. Barton has a master’s degree in culinary arts and has cooked for celebrities and royalty. Emily Anderson, director of dining services, said becoming a certified executive chef requires serious and extensive training. She said Barton will have a positive impact on dining at OCU. “He’s got an amazing reputation,” she said. “He’s the best chef in Oklahoma.” Barton said he had to put in thousands of hours of work, study for several tests and complete internships with many different chefs to become an executive chef. He said he wants to bring his experience and expertise to make eating in the caf more enjoyable. “When you look at a group mentality when it comes to dining, you want to target the whole experience for everybody,” he said. Barton is from outside Toronto, Canada, and has traveled around the world working with various catering companies. He worked in Canada with catering companies and hotels before moving to the Cayman Islands. There, he worked five years with a hotel dining service. Barton said he had the opportunity to cook for Queen Elizabeth while she was traveling through. “You usually don’t get to meet her when you serve her. You’re in a receiving line, and she walks past, and if she’s interested in you, she’ll stop and shake your hand,” he said. “I was lucky enough she shook my hand.” November 7, 2018

What we’re trying to do is broaden the scope of healthier options that still fit inside comfort food or homestyle food.

Chris Barton executive chef

After leaving the Cayman Islands, Barton moved to Miami, and worked for the city’s largest society catering company. “We catered Sylvester Stallone and a number of people that lived in Miami, but we catered his house regularly,” he said. From Miami, Barton moved to Dallas in 1999, where he worked for a company called Culinary International. After leaving Dallas, Barton worked in food service at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. He decided to come to OCU to have a steadier home life with his family, he said. “Higher education is a lot better for a chef for home life,” he said. Barton said he wants to bring more healthy food to campus, but he also wants to keep foods that students enjoy. “What we’re trying to do is broaden the scope of healthier options that still fit inside comfort food or homestyle food,” he said. “You can make mac and cheese healthy if you really work at it.” Barton said he wants to focus more on presentation of the food. “If it’s not appealing to look at, it’s not appealing at all,” he said. The caf cannot provide every different type of protein every day, Barton said, but they hope to diversify the selections throughout the week. As executive chef, Barton will be in charge of the overall scope

of what goes on in the kitchen, but he also will sometimes visit the different stations to engage with students. Barton organized a nacho bar for students two weeks ago. He said he wants to continue to implement new specialty days in the caf and have better comfort food for students. From his worldly experience, he said he hopes to make international food for students to try. Sandeep Panduda, computer science graduate, is a food service worker in the caf and said he would love for Barton to make Indian food. He also said he appreciates that Barton plans to bring in more healthy food. “I think it’s a good thing,” Panduda said. “And also to bring in food that the students like.” Barton said Italian is his favorite style of food to cook because of an internship he had with a chef who worked for one of the popes. But despite his culinary depth, Barton said he appreciates comfort food. “I can tell you when I get home at night, I love to have a bowl of Fruit Loops,” he said. “Captain Crunch, Fruit Loops, cereal is the go-to.” Barton said he wants students to have a consistent, positive experience in the caf. “I don’t want students to worry about, ‘is there something good to eat in the caf today?’” he said. “The best compliment is that students leave here happy.”

news

“

School trip allows students to study biology in Costa Rica Dru Norton

STAFF WRITER

Applications opened Thursday to study biology next year in Costa Rica. Biology and non-biology students can attend a 16-day study tour in Costa Rica led by Dr. Laurie Kauffman, associate professor of biology. “I’ve been going to Costa Rica since I was in college in the ’90s, so it’s a country I know well,” Kauffman said. “It’s a small country, about the size of West Virginia, but it holds 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity.” Kauffman said students will be able to choose their projects, which can be anything from studying plants, insects, wildlife, and more. Biology students will receive four credits in an upper level biology, while non-biology students can receive a biology credit. They also will receive a service learning credit. “It’s mostly going to be based on what the students want to do, so I’m not sure exactly what we’re doing yet,” Kauffman said. The cost of the trip is $1,975, which includes the course fee, meals, lodging, and travel in Costa Rica. It does not cover airfare. Kauffman said she and Mary Benner, director of global engagement, worked to bring the price down to less than $2,000.

I've been going to Costa Rica since I was in college in the '90s, so it's a country I know well.

“

Laurie Kauffman biology associate professor

“I think part of the problem when I tried to offer it last year and it didn’t make was because it was more than $3,000 to attend,” Kauffman said. “We’ve seen a lot more interest this year.” Monica Hiller, education alumna, attended the Costa Rica trip in 2012. “Don’t assume you can’t afford to study abroad until you check to see what financial aid there is or what scholarships you can get. It’s probably more within your reach than you think,” Hiller said. “It is by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” Kauffman said, most of the time, students will be out in the forest doing research, but they also will have the opportunity to

see other sites in Costa Rica. “We will spend some time in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and do a little tour. We will also be going to a beach on the Caribbean,” Kauffman said. “I think it wouldn’t be fair to go to Costa Rica and not go to the beach. It will show a different flavor of Costa Rica than they will see on the rest of the trip.” Kauffman said applications are open to biology students or anyone interested in the study of behavior and evolution. The trip will be from Dec. 27, 2019 through Jan. 11, 2020. For more information, students may email Kauffman at lkauffman@okcu.edu. Hiller said studying outside of one’s home country can change their perspective. “I have gained such an appreciation for biodiversity, and how important it is to protect it. Once you spend time outside of the United States, it’s like you have a different viewpoint of looking at the world,” Hiller said. “It was a truly life-changing experience.”

New minor allows students to study international business relations Caroline Hawthorne

STAFF WRITER

Hope Melton Student Publications

Get your head in the game Senior Point Guard Tylar Smith dunks the ball in the men’s basketball team’s recent homecoming game against Manhattan Christian University. OCU won 116-75. The next home game will be against Ecclesia College at 7 p.m. tonight in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.

A new minor is available for students interested in relations between countries. Students can now add an international studies minor, designed around international relations. Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui, professor and chairman of political science and history, is beginning the program after years of development. “We wanted to design something in mind with the university mission to prepare students globally,” Daadaoui said. “This is global perspective grown out of the international system. We want students to be engaged in what’s going on internationally.” Daadaoui said the idea floated around for a couple of years, but it was finally proposed last year. It was approved last spring, and this is the first semester it has been put in place. The

“

eventually create an international studies major. “My dream for it would My dream for it would be to be to become a major, but we become a major, but we want to want to start gradually,” he start gradually. said. “We want students to pursue careers in a globallyoriented world.” Caleb Evans, political Mohamed Daadaoui professor and chairman of political science science sophomore, said he and history intends to pursue the minor since it applies to his major minor is designed to appeal to religions and comparative poli- so well. “For grad school, I’d like to all students, regardless of major. tics. Students can choose from It also involves existing classes, a variety of electives, including go into international relations,” making it easier for students to music and the human experi- Evans said. “It seems like a ence, world literature and inter- great opportunity. A lot of the obtain. “We’re working with exist- national law. There is also the classes already are a part of my major, which is great.” ing classes we have in existing option to study abroad. Students that are interested “It is optional, but, if a schools,” he said. “I reached out to Meinders School of Business, student studies abroad, they may email mdaadaoui@okcu. and I reached out to the music only need to obtain nine cred- edu. school. I asked them to contrib- its,” Daadaoui said. “They are ute classes that they think have exposed to global, international an international perspective.” experiences. We want to make The minor consists of 21 sure their study abroad expericredits and involves courses ence accounts for this minor.” Daadaoui said the goal is to such as introduction to world

Ethics Debate team places third at statewide student competition Erik Hamilton

STAFF WRITER

Paul Dower

STAFF WRITER

The Ethics Debate team took third place in the Oklahoma Statewide Student Ethics Challenge last month. The Ethics Challenge is a competition in which students debate ethical cases on a variety of socially relevant topics. The cases for this tournament included voting rights for felons, kosher and halal practices, the use of genealogy websites in crime investigations, and fake news. Five OCU Ethics Debate team members attended the competition. Elizabeth Edem, economics senior, said the state tournament changed this year from the previous year. Originally, the two teams with the most points would compete for first and second place, with the top two teams being from the same school. This year, they had two teams from two different schools, OCU being one of them, compete for second place. “It was pretty exciting because what usually happens is they have the first and the second team debate for first,” Edem said. “We had a really crazy straight set of wins that we didn’t really see coming because we had a lot of new people, and then they were like, ‘for the first time, we’re going to have two different teams fight for second.’” Edem said debating with other teams allows her to understand different ethical frameworks. She said Oklahoma Christian

Those guys did it themselves, working together, on their own, without very much supervision from us at all. That’s to their credit. James Guzak ethics team coach

University debated in a way she had never seen before. “They had these really interesting debates about feminist virtue ethics, and we were like ‘wait, what is this?’ No one’s used that ethical framework before,” she said. “It was still really interesting to see just how different their ethical frameworks were.” Hannah Cozart, acting sophomore and team co-captain, said the diversity of majors on the team helps build their cases. “It’s always been cool to provide a different perspective to people who are very much in their marketing, their economics, their poli sci, but here’s what an actor thinks,” Cozart said. Cozart said her acting experience helps to improve the team’s presentation of their cases. “I definitely try to help the team with the presentational aspect of it and speaking clearly and our diction and the optics of how

we look as a team,” she said. “Because I’d like to think I’m wellspoken, being an actor.” The team’s next tournament, the Texas Region Ethics Bowl, will be Nov. 10 in San Antonio. Four OCU students will compete. Dr. James Guzak, professor of management and coach of the Ethics team, said if the team places in this tournament, they will proceed to the national tournament in Baltimore. “If we place in the regionals, first, second, third, or fourth, we’ll have an invitation to the national competition,” Guzak said. “We went there last year, it was in Chicago, and had a great time.” Guzak said the team prepares for these tournament primarily on their own. “It’s primarily them doing it themselves,” Guzak said. “We’re not over them, cracking a whip saying, ‘do this’ or ‘do that.’ We’re making suggestions and we’re pushing them, but it’s not one of these things where we have to do a lot of cajoling or prodding.” Guzak said he is proud of the team and their work. “The kids are really interested in what they were doing. They like being able to grapple with those issues and topics,” Guzak said. “Those guys did it themselves, working together, on their own, without very much supervision from us at all. That’s to their credit.”

ART

Elina Moon Student Publications

Look to the stars The cast of TheatreOCU’s Stage II play “Silent Sky” admires the stars. The play was about “Henrietta Leavitt,” the first astronomer to discover stars and galaxies outside of the Milky Way. Above: Onnika Hanson, acting senior, and Addison Pollard, theater and performance junior, inspect a star plate in Silent Sky. The play had performances Nov. 1-4 in the Black Box Theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center. The next Stage II is “After Ashley” which will perform Thursday through Sunday.

November 7, 2018