the
Volume 118, Issue 11 v
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, November 10, 2020
AMERICA’S CHOICE:
INSIDE
Historical turnout, Harris first female VP
New Laws in OK What you need to know about Oklahoma laws that took effect Nov. 1. See Pg. 4
From left, Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Harris, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden on stage together, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
Sarah Hite
Editor-In-Chief
Editorial: Moving On JaNae Williams, the Vista’s Copy Editor, discusses how the country can work to move forward. See Pg.5
Election Results The results of multiple races, candidates and state questions from the Nov. 3 Election. See Pg.6-7
Around Campus Events are happening all over campus this week! ! See Pg. 2
Former Vice President Joe Biden has been projected to win the 2020 election over President Donald J. Trump. Upon certification, Biden will be the 46th president of the United States and Kamala Harris will be the first female Black and South Asian Vice President. This year brought a myriad of hurdles to the election. For instance, the extended delay of vote counting was in part due to individual state laws along with complications brought on by COVID-19. Under Pennsylvania law, a recount is automatic when the margin between two candidates in a statewide
race is less than 0.5 percentage points. Biden’s lead over Trump was on track to stay outside of that margin as final votes are counted, the Associated Press reported. Trump originally jumped out to an early Election Day lead with 675,000 votes and prematurely declared he had won the state. However, Republican state leaders had blocked ballots from being assessed early. This slowed the process with so many people voting absentee due to the pandemic this year. So in Pennsylvania, as local officials tabulated those legal mail-in votes, Trump’s lead dropped, with Biden winning roughly 75 percent of the mail-in vote between Wednesday and Friday, according to an analysis by the
AP. Due to this reasoning, Biden was declared by the AP as the winner of the election. However, this now acts as a catalyst for the next phases of the election — recounts. The laws governing recounts varies state by state, and a handful of states do not offer a recount process at all, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. There are only seven states that do not have a requested recount process: Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New York, and South Carolina. Trump’s campaign website has a statement available about the intentions to call for a recount in several Continued on Pg. 3
Broncho sports are back in play Preston Poole Contributing Writer
The Bronchos men’s and women’s basketball teams are set to tip off against Missouri Southern Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Hamilton Field House. They will be the first live games to happen in the UCO athletic department since the cancelation of spring sports in March. “Basketball is the only sport, men’s and women’s of course, that will begin to play this month, and there are numerous protocols that are being implemented so we can do this in a safe and healthy manner,” said Chris Brannick, the University of Central
Oklahoma’s Assistant Athletic Director. The Bronchos look to take on a full slate of games this fall and winter. In early October, UCO was given the green light from the MIAA to start the basketball schedule on time. The basketball teams resumed practice on Oct. 15. The UCO men’s basketball team is holding their Bronze & Blue scrimmage at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 inside Hamilton Field House. UCO plans to have fans in attendance this season but will be limited to 25 percent capacity. UCO has yet to decide on fan attendance for spring sports. Brannick also said wrestling and indoor track and field will be back soon.
UCO freshman softball infielder, Mattie Lee, prepares to make a catch during practice. The UCO basketball team will play the first atheltic game held this semester Nov. 19. (Cici Simon/ The Vista) Continued on Pg.4
2 | The Vista
Tuesday, Nov. 10 Dialogue with the Dean: Cultivating a Career of Excellence: Join Jeanetta D. Sims, Dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies and University College at 2 p.m. for a webinar series offering insights and strategies for advancing in your professional and personal life. This meeting will feature guest speaker, Dr. Dwight Adams, Forensic Science Institute Director on the topic of "Cultivating a Career of Excellence." Register via the Zoom link to reserve your seat: https://bit. ly/3jhX9iJ Local Food Summit: From 5:30-8 p.m. be part of the annual Local Food Summit held by Students for Sustainability. This event allows Edmond area businesses to be highlighted for ways they are being more sustainable. The event is going virtual this year and will involve a drive-through meal pick-up made with fresh produce from the area. There will be a keynote speaker to talk about the ways food choices affect our community. Register online via UCORE.
November 10, 2020
Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. outside the Jazz Lab. Viewers can bring their lunch and enjoy the talent at socially distanced tables. This week features the Vince Norman Jazz Rep Combo. Veterans Day 2020 Ceremony: Join the UCO VetHERO Center from 1-1:30 p.m., via Zoom, for a virtual Veterans Day ceremony honoring all those who have served our country. Register for the event at the link via the UCO calendar. There will also be a “Cupcakes and Coffee” open house at the New UCO VetHero Center(formerly The Commons Clubhouse) from 2-4 p.m. Big Pink’s Thankful Turkeys: From noon-2 p.m. at the clocktower by Broncho Lake, Big Pink will have cut-out hands designed to look like turkeys and we will have markers to write down 5 things you are thankful for! Best design wins a prize! Thursday, Nov. 12
Wednesday, Oct. 11
MLK Oratory Competition Qualifying Round: From 9 a.m.-10 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for qualifying rounds of the Martin Luther King Jr. Enterprise Oratory Competition.
Lunch at the Lab: UCO student jazz groups will play free concerts every
Big Pink’s Cookies at the Clocktower: From noon-2 p.m. at the clocktow-
Around Campus
er by Broncho Lake Big Pink will be tabling to fundraise and bring awareness to breast cancer. Individuals will be able to receive a prepackaged cookie in exchange for a donation of any amount. UCO Musical Theatre Concert Series: New MT Bronchos Showcase: UCO Musical Theatre proudly presents its newest students in concert outdoors in a socially-distanced safe showcase at the CFAD House Courtyard at 320 E Hurd Street in Edmond. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Seating is limited. NABJ Lift Every Voice Series: Police Edition: From 6-9 p.m. join the UCO chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists in the Henry Bellmon Room(314) of the Nigh University Center for a forum where students can share stories with Edmond PD officers (attending virtually) and ask the officers questions. Some prepackaged food will be available. Friday , Nov. 13 TED Women: From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Heritage Room(326), TEDxUCO will present a livestream of the TED Women Conference. Food will be provided. Register via UCORE.
VISTA
Staff
Sarah Hite Kiel Kondrick JaNae Williams Jacob Silva Cici Simon Lyric Peterson Tanner Laws Tanner Johnson Bryce McKinnis Cynthia Faulkner
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Social Media Editor Photographer Reporter Reporter Adviser
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
Big Pink's Blocks of Life: From noon-2 p.m. Big Pink will have a game of Jenga set up. Each block will have either a question, dare, or prize attached to it! UCOSA Congress: Join UCOSA at 4 p.m. via Zoom for its weekly congressional meeting. Zoom link via UCORE. Breaking BarrierZ Mental Health Panel: Join the UCO Chapter of Breaking BarrierZ from 6:30-8 p.m. for a panel on mental health via Zoom. The panel is open to all students. Zoom information: Zoom Meeting ID - 941 4342 6773 Zoom Password - Ue4H2F UCO Vocal Jazz Concert: Join the UCO School of Music at 7:30 p.m in the Center for Transformative Learning Radke Fine Arts Theatre for the UCO Vocal Jazz concert. Front page tease photos, from top: Provided/Pixabay Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
the
Monday, Nov. 16
Cici Simon/The Vista
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.
EDITORIALS
Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
LETTERS
The Vista encourages letters to the
editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO:
Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.
Presidential Election/ Covid-19
November 10, 2020
The Vista | 3
America’s Choice: historical turnout, Harris first female VP Continued from Pg. 1
states, including Georgia and Pennsylvania. “Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” President Donald J. Trump stated in a press release Saturday. If a recount is issued in Georgia for example, according to the secretary of state’s office, the recount will be done on high-speed scanners at each county’s central election office. Kate Brumback, a reporter for The Associated Press in Atlanta spoke about the process. “So first they create a test deck and count them by hand. Then they put those same ballots through the scanner and see if the tallies match.
“If they do, and the election workers determine the scanner is working accurately, every single ballot will then be rescanned,” Brumback said. The rest of the unfolding election decision timeline will play out through the remainder of the year and into January. The deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level is Dec. 8. All state recounts and court contests over presidential election results must be completed by the date, the AP reports. Thirty-three states and D.C. have laws or party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state, and in some states, electors can even be replaced or subjected to penalties, according to the Congressional Research Service. By Dec. 23, the certificates must be delivered to the designated officials.
Then the House and Senate hold a joint session on Jan. 6 to count the electoral votes. If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes, the president of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results, according to AP. AP described what happens if members of Congress object to returns from any state as they are announced: First, objections must be made in writing by at least one member of the House and one in the Senate. If the objection meets certain requirements, each chamber meets separately to debate the objection for a maximum of two hours. Afterward, each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection. Back in the joint session, the results of the respective votes are announced. Any objection to a state’s electoral vote has
to be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded. After this process is completed, on Jan. 20 the president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day. There is a constant refrain across social media about this being only the beginning of a necessary change. Biden held a similar message during his remarks on Saturday night. The president-elect is promising to reverse Trump policy on things such as withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and weakening protections against environmental pollution. Biden also spoke about his policies on education, economy, taxes, debt, the coronavirus, healthcare, guns and immigration.
White House issues new COVID-19 recommendations
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany closes a notebook President Donald Trump used after he spoke at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
JaNae Williams Copy Editor
Oklahoma broke new records in COVID-19 case numbers over the weekend just days after the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued its latest report listing Oklahoma in the red zone for both cases and test positivity at this time. On Saturday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 4,741 new cases in Oklahoma. This number included some backlogged and duplicate cases and was amended to 4,507 on Sunday with no new numbers released. Monday the OSDH reported an additional 2,197 cases. Oklahoma currently ranks 24 in case rate and 11 in positivity rate for COVID-19 in the U.S., reporting more than 101 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the state’s population with more than 10.1% of tests returning a positive result.
Additionally, Oklahoma City, or Region 8 of the states eight hospital regions for its COVID-19 Hospital Surge Plan, released Oct. 27, has been in tier 3 status since Nov. 2. Tier 3 means 20-40% of occupied beds in hospitals are COVID-19 patients. Tier 3 is the second-highest of the state’s four tiers. Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland counties have the highest case numbers, but 86% of all counties in Oklahoma have moderate or high levels of community transmission, putting them in the yellow, orange, or red zones. Additionally, 69% of Oklahoma counties have high levels of community transmission, putting them in the red zone, according to the report. The White House also included recommendations for the state to help stop the spread of COVID-19. In these guidelines, the White House task force explains that “incomplete mitigation leads to prolonged com-
munity spread, hospitalizations and increased fatalities.” The report also calls for the state to focus testing to find sources of asymptomatic transmission and attempt to reduce transmission numbers overall. Further, the report states, “There must be clear messaging to Oklahomans to act now.” This includes avoiding behaviors such as gathering without a mask with anyone outside your household, going in public without a mask, and having gatherings beyond your immediate household until cases and test positivity decrease significantly. At this time Gov. Kevin Stitt has not enacted statewide actions in line with the recommendations. Stitt did issue a statement Saturday in response to the state’s record-breaking number of new positive cases. The statement reads in part: “Throughout the history of our state, Oklahomans have taken pride
in caring for our neighbors during times of trouble. Now, more than ever, I am asking each Oklahoman to do the right thing and protect their families, neighbors and those who are most vulnerable,” Stitt said. Some other key community recommendations from the White House report include: • Limiting restaurant indoor capacity to less than 50% and restricting hours. • Working to create and communicate PSAs on taking smart actions to stay open, including targeted messages to rural communities. • Ensuring all hospitals, including rural hospitals, have access to antivirals, antibodies, and ventilators. • Requiring masks be worn by students and teachers in K-12 schools, in accordance with CDC guidelines. • Working with universities to implement weekly testing protocols for all students (on and off campus). In response to the recommendations, Adrienne Nobles, vice president for communications and public affairs said: “We are currently reviewing the new recommendations and plan to convene the On-Call COVID-19 Task Force to discuss options. In regards to mandatory weekly testing for UCO, funding and logistics are a primary concern.” The White House Coronavirus Task Force issues weekly reports and recommendations. The Vista will continue to follow these reports and the state and university response as they develop.
4 | The Vista
November 10, 2020
New Laws/ UCO Sports
Oklahoma’s newest legislation takes effect Broncho sports
are back in play
Brianna Garcia & Gretchen Houk
Continued from pg. 1
Contributing Writers
Normally hundreds of laws take effect every year in Oklahoma, however, only about 60 new laws became operative Nov. 1 as legislators weren’t able to meet as often due to the coronavirus pandemic. One law that went into effect to modernize court proceedings was propelled by the pandemic. House Bill 3756, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, allows video-conferencing in all stages of criminal and civil district court proceedings, except in jury trials or trials before a judge. Two laws sponsored by House Speaker Charles McCall make amendments to the state’s petition process. House Bill 3827 requires initiative petition programs to report their finances beginning almost immediately after filing with Oklahoma’s secretary of state. Until now, campaigns weren’t required to report their funds until the governor sets an election date. House Bill 3726 requires the circulator for initiative and referendum petitions to gather additional information from signatories so that the names can be verified with the state’s voter database. Another law, House Bill 2871, will allow participants in Oklahoma’s address confidentiality program — such as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking — to sign initiative and referendum petitions without revealing their home address. The program provides participants with an alternative address in order to protect their actual address. Under the new law, they will be able to use the substitute address to sign initiative petitions. House Bill 3251, authored by Rep. Jon Echols and Rep. Denise Brewer, reclassifies several domestic charges as violent crimes. The Personal Privacy Protection Act, or House Bill 3616, will prohibit any public agency from publicly disclosing any personal affiliation information, with the exception of certain information from the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Under the new law, a lawful request for personal information in a lawsuit must prove a “compelling need” with clear and convincing evidence. The requester must also obtain a protective order barring the disclosure of the information to any person not directly involved in the lawsuit. Any person who alleges a violation of this act may bring a civil action for injunctive relief and damages. House Bill 3967, regarding Oklaho-
Legislators provided 60 new laws that went to effect as of Nov. 1. One of the laws being the Porch Piracy Act of 2020, make it unlawful for a person, to take and conceal or destroy mail from another person or mailbox. (Vista Archives)
ma trade, says that the state of Oklahoma will not enter into business partnerships with companies that advocate boycotts against Israel. It also declares Israel as a prominent trading partner of Oklahoma. The secretary of state can offer exemptions if they determine it is necessary. House Bill 4157, states that over $2.7 million of the funds for the Department of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse Services will be dedicated to program growth, and an additional $1 million will be allocated toward suicide prevention, the establishment, and maintenance of five pilot programs that offer treatment for opioid and alcohol-dependent offenders who are currently incarcerated or are phasing out of the system. House Bill 3242 is intended to improve the buyer’s understanding of Medicare and the policies and insurance coverage that are available. The Commissioner of Insurance may require an informational brochure and notice provisions to clarify Medicare supplement coverages. The bill also allows the commissioner to conform Medicare supplement policies and certificates to federal law. The Porch Piracy Act of 2020, also known as House Bill 2777, makes it unlawful for a person —defined as an individual, partnership, corporation, company, or association — to take and conceal or destroy mail from another person or mailbox. The punishment for violating the Act is jail time or a fine and must pay restitution to the
victim. The Professions and Occupations Act, as stated in House Bill 1799, gives the secretary of state authority to annually compile the Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Statutes and Oklahoma Session Laws into an electronic format. The public will be able to access this online publication free of charge. This does not nullify the existing contracts with the state for the printed publication of the aforementioned documents. House Bill 3223 allows for tissue from cadavers to be used for the purpose of training dogs to search for human remains. Schools, colleges, and persons designated by the Anatomical Board are authorized to retain and donate this tissue, but it must be well documented and the tissue cannot be sold or transferred for any reason other than canine training. Any loss or theft must be reported. House Bill 3806 prohibits the misrepresentation or mislabeling of the cut, quality, weight, grade, or brand of meat or meat products. The use of USDA-quality grades is specifically meant for meat that has passed the United States Department of Agriculture inspection, and products not graded by USDA may not use their grade. Plant-based items must label themselves as such in a way that is equal in size with the product’s name to prevent misrepresentation.
As for the time off from competition, Brannick says that all teams were able to practice and train or work on strength and conditioning. The Bronchos football teams’ social media accounts showed the team lifting weights and doing football drills over the summer and fall. The football team’s season was postponed until spring 2021. “They are working to finalize some spring competitions. They are likely to be more scrimmages and simulated games than official, full-blown games,” Brannick said. The Athletic Department is not sure how many games the football team will play in the spring, but Brannick said they’re not sure if they want a full schedule with fall 2021 not far off. Fall of 2021 is when they expect a full return to a true season. In a press release last month, the MIAA also set the start dates for volleyball and soccer. The Bronchos volleyball team will start its season on Feb. 22, while the UCO soccer team will begin play March 29. The fate of every sports season at UCO is not known yet, but the Bronchos will be kick-starting the action this month when the basketball teams return to the hardwood. UCO has yet to decide on fan attendance for spring sports. Brannick also said wrestling and indoor track and field will be back soon. As for the time off from competition, Brannick says that all teams were able to practice and train or work on strength and conditioning. The Bronchos football teams’ social media accounts showed the team lifting weights and doing football drills over the summer and fall. The football team’s season was postponed until spring 2021. “They are working to finalize some spring competitions. They are likely to be more scrimmages and simulated games than official, full-blown games,” Brannick said. The Athletic Department is not sure how many games the football team will play in the spring, but Brannick said they’re not sure if they want a full schedule with fall 2021 not far off. Fall of 2021 is when they expect a full return to a true season. In a press release last month, the MIAA also set the start dates for volleyball and soccer. The Bronchos volleyball team will start its season on Feb. 22, while the UCO soccer team will begin play March 29. The fate of every sports season at UCO is not known yet, but the Bronchos will be kick-starting the action this month when the basketball teams return to the hardwood.
Editorial/Turner
November 10, 2020
The Vista | 5
Editorial: Moving forward arm-in-arm JaNae Wiliams Copy Editor
Most days I consider myself a liberally leaning moderate, some others would probably just say I’m liberal. I have friends and family who fall all over the political spectrum. I even have the misfortune of saying one person removed me from their social media friends lists due to our differences at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. The words this person used against me at the time hurt, her decision to tell me outright that she believes racism does not exist and to discount my experiences as a person of color stung. She had asked for others to educate her on the things being discussed and yet when I presented her with not only facts, but my personal experiences her response was to remove me from her life rather than try to understand the world from another person’s perspective. I don’t know that our relationship will ever be able to be mended. However, I hope there are plenty of relationships out there still capable of mending and that the following words will be considered with an open mind and heart by every person who reads them. I have watched as people I know and love were fearful for their children,
their brothers and sisters, their husbands and wives and their friends as tensions escalated over the last several years. And I have been this person, too. I have watched as my friends in the LGBTQ+ community saw rights denied or revoked and feared greater action taken against them. I have seen my Black father come back inside the house to make sure to grab his Air Force veteran hat before going out in small town Oklahoma because it offers him a bit of protection against bigotry when people see he served this country. If you are someone who considers yourself a liberal, a Democrat, or are even a Republican who voted for Joe Biden, consider this me calling you in. It is incredibly easy to take on an attitude of superiority and snark right now. It might even feel warranted in the face of the last four years of fear, frustration and pain you’ve felt. I have admittedly caught myself venturing down that road in my mind and corrected myself on it a few times. I ask you to remember those feelings and in doing so know that there are now those on the other side who feel a sense of fear and uncertainty. We may not understand those feelings because of our disagreement with
some of their beliefs, but that does not give us a right to invalidate them. Choosing that path makes us no better, no different than all we’ve spent the last four years denouncing. Now is the time to prepare to hold our officials more accountable than ever. Promises have been made; they need to be kept. Excuses should not be accepted or made willingly to allow backing away from policies laid before us to win our votes. If you are someone who voted for Donald Trump, I, like president-elect Joe Biden, extend to you my hand. If you are worried or scared, mad, frustrated, confused or blatantly pissed off, I hear you. But I hope you hear me when I say to you with my entire heart that the goal of those of us you consider “the left” is not and never has been to harm you or your loved ones, or to take rights away from you. Just as I would hope that is not your goal for me. Our goal is to create an America in which everyone can prosper. But we are going to need your help. In fact, we’re all going to need each other. For years, we’ve relied on politicians instead of relying on each other. In doing this, we have allowed them to drive wedges between people who share neighborhoods, bus routes, church pews, office cubicles and even
Thanksgiving tables. And at the same time, no one has truly held any of them to the things they’ve promised. Now is when we can choose to put a stop to that. We have the power to build for ourselves and future generations an America that looks different from the America of the past. An America in which all are truly created equally and the rights of all are guaranteed. There’s only one way that happens though. Together. There are conversations that we are going to have to have. Some of them will be uncomfortable, some of them will mean admitting to our faults and flaws and failings. But if we force ourselves to have those conversations and if we do so in an honest, meaningful way, we can and will make change that matters. No more covering up the sins of the past, no more burying the truth. We will have to be brutally honest about the horrors that have occurred in our country for centuries. It will hurt, but trauma doesn’t heal by covering it up and ignoring it. The same would go for attending therapy and refusing to talk about your problems, that would never allow progress to be made. We can do this, together. Let’s all choose to take part in the healing.
Newly elected Oklahoma Representative makes history Brianna Garcia Contributing Writer
In a historic victory, Mauree Turner won the race for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent District 88 on Tuesday, becoming the first nonbinary state lawmaker in U.S. history and the first Muslim to serve on the Oklahoma legislature. According to the unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board, Turner defeated Republican nominee Kelly Barlean for a seat in the Oklahoma state House, collecting about 71.4 percent of the total votes. Her win comes after defeating incumbent Rep. Jason Dunnington in the district’s Democratic primary election back in June. House District 88 has been represented by Democrats in recent years in the predominately red state. The district is located in central Oklahoma City, including the Plaza district and the Paseo. The 27-year-old , Oklahoma native identifies as nonbinary, which is defined by the National Center for Transgender Equality as a gender identity that is recognized as being neither male nor female. Turner uses the pronouns “they/she” to identify
herself, according to her Twitter profile. “I didn’t expect to get this much support from Oklahomans and let alone across the globe,” said Turner during an Instagram live Friday. “So to say the least, it’s been a very remarkable and humbling experience.” Turner has been a community or-
ganizer and activist for most of her life focusing on issues such as criminal justice reform, racial justice, immigration rights, and LGBTQ+ rights according to a campaign press release. She has experience working with several community-based and student-led organizations, such as the NAACP of Oklahoma and Freedom
Oklahoma. During theher campaign, Turner empathized her plans to address the issue of Oklahoma jJustice rReform, which includes issues such as voter suppression, juvenile justice, immigration, Oklahoma wages, and more. Oklahoma legislatorslegislatures are elected to serve a consecutive twoyear term, with all 101 seats up for reelection every two years. Some of the responsibilities of representatives of the state House include passing bills on public policy matters, amending existing laws, and helping create the state’s budget. As of now, there are 76 Republicans and 23 Democrats that hold a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Election results are subject to some changes and are not considered final until they’re certified by the appropriate election board. State and federal election results will be certified no earlier than todayTuesday, Nov. 10, according to the State Election Board. Turner will be sworn into office on Nov. 16, 2020. Photo provided by Turner's official campaign Facebook page.
Joseph R. Biden (D) - U.S. President-Elect 50.7% of the Vote - Total Votes: 75,553,010
Jim Inhofe (R) - U.S. Senate 62.91% of the Vote - Total Votes: 979,140
Kevin Hern (R) - U.S. House District 1 63.7% of the Vote - Total Votes: 213,700
Markwayne Mullin (R) - U.S. House District 2 75.04% of the Vote - Total Votes: 216,511
Frank D. Lucas (R) - U.S. House District 3 78.49% of the Vote - Total Votes: 242,677
Tom Cole (R) - U.S. House District 4 67.79% of the Vote - Total Votes: 213,096
Stephanie Bice (R) - U.S. House District 5 52.06% of the Vote - Total Votes: 158,191
Tommie Johnson III (R) - Oklahoma County Sheriff 53% of the Vote - Total Votes: 153,475
Cyndi Munson (D) OK House District 85
UCentral Media hosts 2020 election show
56.37% of the Vote Total Votes: 11,037 (University of Central Oklahoma alumna)
DID NOT PASS State Question 805
Mikayla Novitsky and Micah Wilson anchor during the UCentral Presidential Election coverage. The two led the desk for the night, while other student media members covered voting locations and other aspects of the election. (Cici Simon/TheVista)
61.08% of the Vote Total Votes: 923,328
DID NOT PASS State Question 814 58.79% of the Vote Total Votes: 877,432 (All statistics and numbers as of Monday, Nov. 9)
Silvia Gonzalez reports the Spanish translation for UCentral’s Decision 2020 election night coverage on Tuesday, Nov. 3. (Cici Simon/The Vista)
Alex Fischer runs to report breaking news to other staff. UCentral Media covered election night from 4:00 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 3. (Cici Simon/The Vista)
Jacob Silva prepares for his opening statement while covering the election on ‘The Breakdown.’ Student media members covered the election from multiple locations on and off campus. (Cici Simon/The Vista) Top Right: Aaron Gelvin tracks state and nation-wide numbers during election coverage. Center Right: Xiang Yu operates camera one during UCentral’s election coverage. Bottom Right: Bryce McKinnis interviews political analyst Scott Mitchell. Far Left: Groups of students gather together for their interview segments. Guests were brought in to add professional perspectives for UCentral election coverage. Center Left: Andy Smith and Demetri Cruse cover audio for the live streams during UCentral coverage. (Cici Simon/TheVista)
8| The Vista
November 10, 2020
Ice Storm Impact
Early ice storm freezes UCO activity
Amanda Siew
Contributing Writer
Thousands of Oklahomans remain without power two weeks after an ice storm swept through the state causing major tree damage and forcing the University of Central Oklahoma to cancel classes and activities for much of the week. UCO had also experienced its own campus-wide power outage for a few hours on the morning of Oct. 27 due to the storm. Alyssa Carnail Koerber, a student living in The Commons on campus, said the biggest obstacle was dealing with internet difficulties following the power outage. “Earlier in the week, sometimes the lights would flicker while I was watching TV or doing homework, and everything shuts off for a second,” said Carnail-Koerber. “Obviously when that happens, the internet connection would cut off, and I was like ‘Oh my god, why?’” However, she said she was thankful that her professors extended assignment and exam deadlines. Carnail-Koerber normally works with Transportation and Parking Services at UCO but temporarily went to work with UCO Housing’s maintenance team to help with cutting down trees and removing branches. “That was the only form of work I had — to pick up trees for another department,” said Carnail-Koerber. “If the school is closed or if the weather is bad, we’re not out there working.” She said “it will be a big hit for the paycheck,” but she will be able to cope financially. Chelsea Ratterman, the marketing coordinator for UCO Campus Enterprises, said that food and power were the two primary factors UCO Housing and Residential Engagement was concerned about when the ice storm
Trees on the University of Central Oklahoma received extensive damage from the recent ice storm. The campus was shut down for nearly a week during the storm, while Edmond, and surrounding cities lost power. (Tyler Whitehead/The Vista)
hit. “We have to make sure those two are upfront and ready to go because those are going to be the two things that students are depending on,” Ratterman said. The department announced on social media that only two campus dining locations - Ayers Kitchen and Sidelines Sports Grill — would be open during the storm closing. The department also had to adjust their usual method of delivering food to students in quarantine for COVID-19 located in campus housing. “Normally, it’s our housing front desk staff that is the one delivering the meals,” Ratterman said. “The only thing that changed was that it was our
The statewide ice storm two weeks ago damaged trees across campus. Some OKC residents are still waiting for power restoration. (Tyler Whitehead/The Vista)
resident assistant on-call staff that was handling deliveries from Ayers Kitchen to the different buildings.” The ice storm also impacted students living off-campus. Charmaine Yeap, a UCO graduate student who lives in an apartment in Edmond, lost power for 12 hours due to the storm. “I think the biggest setback was when the temperature dropped in the house,” Yeap said. “There was no heater, and it’s not like you could just open a fire in the house to keep yourself warm.” “I actually ended up going to a friend’s place that night we lost power just because it was too cold.” In a tweet posted on Nov. 10, OG&E said it was still working to restore power for the remaining 2% of customers who sustained an outage due to the storm. The company had planned to finish restorations by Friday, but winds delayed its efforts. Additionally, the weeklong campus closure canceled and postponed many student events around Halloween, some of which were rescheduled for a later date. One of these events was The Center at UCO’s “Safe Sex Scavenger Hunt,” which was planned for Oct. 28. It was a Halloween-themed exhibition event, where students could visit information booths to learn about homelessness, sexually transmitted infections, trans and nonbinary communities on campus and appropriate vs. inappropriate costumes for Halloween.
The Center announced the cancelation of their event on their social media platforms. “It was pretty devastating for some people,” said Jessica Addai, one of the student organizers of the event. “We really put in a lot of effort. “There was supposed to be a lot of information and conversation between different people, and that was what we really needed to do, so it was really hard.” Addai, also a student intern with The Center, worked with 28 other students to put together the event as part of a creative project for the Introduction to Gender class. The group started planning for the event in mid-September. The group hopes to reschedule the event in the spring semester, but no plans have been confirmed yet, according to Addai. However, Addai said she is thankful the university announced the campus closure in advance as she is a commuter. She added that she already had plans to stay home that week even if the university did not close due to the storm. “I am a person before I am a student,” Addai said. The Department of Public Safety at UCO has guides on being prepared during emergencies, including severe weather, available on their website at https://www.uco.edu/offices/public-safety/.