Volume 119, Issue 23
the
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
Bait and switch
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, April 5, 2022
In a special meeting with a dean, faculty members asked questions about upcoming faculty layoffs, some feeling unsupported by the president. (The Vista/ Logan Gassett)
Neuhold-Ravikumar changes her reasoning for cutting faculty while low morale spreads on campus Ainsley Martinez Managing Editor
Four months after UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar announced faculty layoffs would take place this year to help reduce the $20 million budget deficit, the administration changed its rationale to an inefficient
faculty-to-student ratio after revising the budget shortfall to $8 million. In special meetings across campus, faculty members addressed their concerns over transparency at the university. In a transcript of one meeting obtained by The Vista, some asked “given the confusion, lack of communication,
and most recent bait-and-switch: How does the president imagine faculty & staff can trust anything she says?” Special meetings with certain colleges and their deans resulted following a budget forum held on March 24, where President Neuhold-Ravikumar cited a different reason for fac-
ulty layoffs, saying the university has a surplus of faculty in relation to the number of students enrolled, and this faculty-to-student ratio needs to be increased from 15-1 to 17-1. “It appears, from what I understand, Continued on Pg. 3
Students protest faculty layoffs during liberal arts event Sam Royka Reporter
Students chanted “say goodbye to your favorite professor” in the Liberal Arts building Wednesday afternoon in response to the 40+ layoffs UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar announced in a recent budget meeting on March 24. The UCO Liberal Arts Symposium was taking place in the same building during the time of the protest. This was not without risk, as UCO’s student code of conduct says that sanctions may be placed on students that “disrupt” a “planned event.” Seconds before chants began, student organizers threw flyers from the upper balcony on the third floor, fluttering to the bottom level. “I hope this protest helps the administration understand the concerns and fears not only from faculty but from
students as well,” said Hannah Ash, a student at UCO, in a statement. The announced changes include higher academic fees and a reduction in professors resulting in a higher student to professor ratio. “We came to UCO with the promise of small class sizes, qualified professors, and cost effective tuition. Firing 40 tenured professors will not only jeopardize these promises mentioned previously but also the accreditation of UCO. #RIPUCO40,” Ash wrote. There is a Twitter account for the movement at the handle @ripuco40 where updates will be shared, Ash said. Neuhold-Ravikumar said in the budget meeting Thursday as well that “optimization” of full time faculty’s “available capacity” will take place, meaning a higher workload for professors. The 40 positions to be eliminated will include the possibility of firing
tenured and tenured-track professors. In addition, Neuhold-Ravikumar said, at present 18 vacant positions have been identified, and vacant positions will be eliminated before filled ones. “I just really want to be involved with a lot of professors that I really care about, and the way that they’re being treated is not really fair. And I really want to make sure that they kind of get the voice and the support that they deserve,” said Tix Tennant-Hill, a funeral science major at UCO. “It really shows the community that a lot of the professors have built with the students here, that so many of the students are willing to come out and do this type of thing in protection of them,” Tennant-Hill said. The protest lasted about five min- Skyler Donnell (left) watches as Alexis McKernan throws flyers off the third floor of the utes before ending. Liberal Arts building. (The Vista/ Madalyn Nix)
2 | The Vista
April 5, 2022
fiber enriched foods. Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Tuesday, April 5, 2022
COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thBaseball: Bronchos compete ru COVID-19 testing at 312 against Southeastern Oklaho- E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 ma State at 5 p.m. at Wendell a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Simmons Field. F/64 Photo Society meeting: Central Chaos brunch: From UCO’s photo club is meeting at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nigh 1 p.m. in room 104 of the mass University Center Heritage communications building. All Room 326, Central Chaos will students are invited to join. be hosting a brunch with free food to meet current members, new members, and to learn Healthy Hooves Hut: From noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Nigh about its history. University Center food court, COVID-19 Testing: IMMY learn about occupational wellLabs is offering free, drive-th- ness. ru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 Miracle Week flag event: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clocka.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. tower, Bronchothon will be putGame night with NAACP: ting flags out by Broncho Lake. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Thursday, April 7, 2022 Nigh University Center, Carl Albert Room 300, come hang out with NAACP for a night COVID-19 Testing: IMMY filled with fun, food, and games. Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 Superfood Tuesday at Ayers E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 Kitchen: From 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. p.m. in Ayers Kitchen, find tasty menu items featuring legumes, Finance Career and Internfolates, and more protein and ship Fair: From 11:30 a.m.
Around Campus
to 2:30 p.m. in the College of Business atrium, students and alumni can seek full-time and/ or part-time employment and internship opportunities in the fields of banking, business law, finance, financial planning, insurance and risk management, and real estate.
COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
International pageant: From 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Constitution Hall, student affairs is hosting an inMeet Amazon: A networking and informational session: ternational pageant. From noon to 1 p.m. in the Saturday, April 9, 2022 Nigh University Center Room 326, Amazon network recruiters will discuss local leadership Miss Native UCO Pageant: opportunities at their facilities. The Native American Student Registration is required and Association (NASA) is hosting limited. Register on Handshake. this pageant from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Slide into sliders at Ayers Constitution Hall Lounge. Kitchen: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ayers Kitchen, a menu of Sunday, April 10, 2022 tasty sliders will be featured to celebrate the opening of baseCOVID-19 Testing: IMMY ball season. Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Friday, April 8, 2022 Main St. in Edmond from 11 Central Oklahoma clarinet a.m. to 5 p.m. choir concert: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Information technology Radke Fine Arts Theatre, locat- maintenance: Systems mainteed in Room 120 of the Center nance will be conducted from 5 for Transformative Learning a.m. to noon. Multiple services may be unavailable during this building. Admission is free. timeframe.
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.
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VISTA
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Madalyn Nix Ainsley Martinez Brandon Dale Sam Royka Graycee Hubbard Sierra Perkins Manuela Soldi Logan Gassett Michaela Todd Emma Burch Lauren Couch Cameron Foral Brinlee Lenochan Hayden Smith Camryn Sturgill George Lang
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The Vista | 3
April 5, 2022
Meeting/ BronchoThon/ Heritage
Special meetings discuss layoffs Continued from Pg. 1
the mandate now is not so much to reduce expenditure as to reduce faculty numbers,” said College of Libral Arts Interim Dean David Macey. Neuhold-Ravikumar stated in previous meetings that personnel cuts were needed because the university could not reduce anymore of the operational budget. “How can we reduce our operating without touching the personal budgets? At some point you have to have a reckoning, that it costs a certain amount of money to just do the work, or the cost of doing business,” Neuhold-Ravikumar said during the budget forum. “But at some point, you can’t reduce anymore without not being able to do your job and that is where we are… the faster we resolve the deficit, the better off we’ll be.” The previous $20 million budget deficit came from an accounting practice introduced by former UCO Executive Vice President Steve Kreidler. State regents require the university to state a specific use for rollover funds, unused money that goes into the next year’s budget, or the university has to request a revised budget to spend the funds. This is not ideal for state regents, as it is a time-consuming process, so Kreidler listed all rollover funds as a debit,
or something that the college was going to spend. It was strategic accounting. However, without knowledge of this strategy, the debit looked like something the university owed, and was treated as a true budget deficit when, in actuality, it was a created deficit. “We are going to structurally remove that and only bring back what is expected to be spent,” the president said. Macey said much of the uneasiness from staff comes from the unknown, and the “objectives of the process [being] articulated in different ways at different times.” While the administration has collected data about the staffing surplus and budget, it has not been shared with anyone. “There is a lot of uncertainty in this process. It does seem that there will be reductions in staffing,” Macey said. “How this will be accomplished over what time frame continues to be a matter of concern and discussion.” The meetings act as a safe space for faculty to share their uncensored thoughts of the budgetary practices taking place for the following year. While some want to voice their concerns to the president, some faculty fear the answers would be “defensive and hostile.” A faculty senator in the meeting told peers the faculty senate executive committee has a meeting
with the president and the provost every month, but Neuhold-Ravikumar did not attend this month’s meeting, which was scheduled after the forum. The senate came up with a variety of questions and concerns to ask the president, but she did not take their offer to reschedule. “I don’t particularly think she’s interested in having a conversation with us, nor is she particularly concerned that we don’t trust her,” the faculty senator said. In an email obtained by The Vista, assistant professor Mike Breslin said he is talking with faculty senators about a vote of no confidence in the president, and asked faculty to take an anonymous poll about the president’s leadership, respect, and transparency toward faculty. Macey said the first step in this latest phase will be to determine what the criteria are in cutting faculty. More special meetings will take place next week in the college of liberal arts to answer some of these questions. “This is really, really hard. There’s a lot at stake here, and we’re trying to be conscientious,” Macey said. “The college of liberal arts is very committed to transparency, and keeping everyone apprised of what’s happening.”
BronchoThon donates to children’s foundation
Asian Heritage Month explores food, culture, and traditions
Contributing Writer
Managing Editor
Cameron Foral
The finale event for BronchoThon will be hosted from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at UCO. The team plans on this being the final event for the remainder of the school year. BronchoThon is a student organization that is dedicated to raising funds for certain people in need. Brianna Stevens, the executive director for the team, described the mission that drives the events. “BronchoThon is a yearlong philanthropic movement that raises funds for Children’s Hospital Foundation,” Stevens said. “Our mission is to unite the Broncho community in fighting for a cause bigger than ourselves, Oklahoma’s children. By participating in BronchoThon, students are fighting for the next generation of Bronchos, ensuring that all of the best doctors, researchers, and treatment options can be found right here in OKC, and keep kids and families around their support systems when fighting childhood illness.” The event on Friday will be focused on setting up the finale event for the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, the team will be setting up more and cleaning the area afterwards, following the tables and booths on location. There will be several activities avail-
able for anybody attending the finale. “During the Finale, participants should expect fun, line dancing, hearing miracle family stories, and lots of fun activities like dares and games,” Stevens said. “During the eight-hour event, our goal is to give everyone the chance to connect with some of our miracle children and have fun celebrating all of their hard work.” The finale event will need volunteers to help set up and manage. Students can obtain volunteer credit hours for the event. The BronchoThon team will offer as many volunteer hours as you wish to attend. The team is offering a free BronchoThon t-shirt while they last, as well as free food for all people who attend. Stevens is focusing on the mission of creating a fun finale event for students, but keeping the attention on the proceeds that will be directed to the kids in need. “Although we cannot guarantee a finale event shirt to anyone who signs up, we have ordered a few extras and would love for everyone to join us, because we have tons of fun incentives and competitions as opportunities to win things throughout the event,” Stevens said. “People can either join a team, create a new team with a group of friends, or sign up as an individual participant. We will have people assigned to color squads, so nobody has to go through the event alone.”
Ainsley Martinez
The UCO Asian American Student Association hosted a kickoff event last Friday to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. The organization will have several events throughout April, including a karaoke night and sushi rolling night. The kickoff event was held in Constitution Hall where traditional asian teas were available to students. The teas ranged from persian teas, originating from Iran, to fermented teas, derived from China, to highlight many different Asian cultures. “I picked doing a Japanese tea ceremony, offering Japanese green tea with toasted rice, Chinese Pu-erh using the Gongfu method, serving Persian tea, and then having a tutorial in making masala chai because it is important to recognize that tea is very important to all the cultures of Asia and even beyond,” said Jonathan Khalilian, a tea specialist. “That is why I tried to show many different tea traditions. While the world continues to become more polarized and separated, I believe that we can find common ground and come to an understanding if we were to just sit down together and share a cup of tea.” While students enjoyed the tea varieties, Mike Hoang, who serves on
the board of directors of the Asian Chamber of Oklahoma, talked about coming from a family of Vietnamese immigrants, and the evolution of Oklahoma City’s Asian District. “It’s a space in the city for future generations of Asian Americans. They can come from a new heritage and be proud of themselves,” Hoang said. “These events that you’re doing, whether it’s sushi roll mind or karaoke or whatever, it’s an opportunity to celebrate who you are. I’m so excited about Asian Heritage Month.” He said celebrating Asian Heritage Month is important because it helps the community remember their past, and the process of relocating to their new home. “For the university with Asian Heritage Month, that’s one of those things that makes us pause for a moment,” Hoang said. “It’s like an excuse to get together to celebrate our cultures or celebrate who you are, so that we don’t forget that piece of our history and our heritage.” For more information on Asian American Student Association events throughout April, visit their Instagram page @ucoaasa.
4 | The Vista
April 5, 2022
Horoscope Readings
April 5 to April 11 horoscope readings Sam Royka Reporter
Aries Expect a shift towards softness as Venus enters dreamy Pisces on Tuesday. Wednesday’s Gemini moon might have you feeling inspired to start a new journey. Thursday and Friday bring in an innovative aspect to your creativity and ability to hustle as Mercury in your sign aligns with Saturn then Mars, both in Aquarius. Emotions may run high Thursday through Saturday with the moon in Cancer. Sunday has the potential to bring conflict as Mercury squares with Pluto in Capricorn. However, Mercury shifting into Taurus on the same day will help with keeping your cool. Taurus As Venus shifts to Pisces Tuesday, expect romantics! This transit is great for crushes and relationships, but remember that you can live a romantic life while single too. Treat yourself. You could feel restless on Wednesday, but Mercury’s adventures on Thursday and Friday encourage innovative ideas grounded in honest judgment – lean into new perspectives that just might lead you somewhere worthwhile. The weekend’s Cancer moon may provide the perfect opportunity to nurture yourself and your relationships. Be prepared for a possible power struggle Sunday as Mercury in Aries squares with Pluto in Capricorn. Later that day, Mercury will shift to your home sign, so you can breathe easy. Gemini For you, dear Gemini, Venus’ shift to Pisces on Tuesday might stir up fantasies of romantic places and possibilities. The moon in your home sign on Wednesday will make for smooth sailing, so it’s a great time for daydreaming as well as putting new ideas into practice. Thursday and Friday are especially ripe for mental acuity, so follow your internal idea dragon! It will take you where you want to go. This will be an excellent weekend to nurture your relationships and creative ideas you thought up during the week. Sunday, however, might bring some tension, especially as Mercury shifts into your neighboring sign Taurus. Pause before responding to conflict. Cancer Venus’ move into fellow water sign Pisces will likely bring in a wave of contentment for you. Though this transit will sharpen your intuition, it will also make daydreams or fears even easier to slip into, so be mindful of which is which. Wednesday’s Gemini moon might draw you to ideas outside of the house. Thursday will be an excellent day for good conversations and honest judgment as the moon falls comfortably into your sign and Mercury aligns with Saturn. Friday will be great for new ideas, and Saturday equally as good for the pursuit of what you came up with on Friday. Sunday might bring tension to the table, but keeping a level head will be easier as Mercury moves into Taurus. Leo Dearest Leo, have you been waiting for just the right opportunity to sprinkle on some romance? Tuesday might just kick things off with Venus’ move into soft and dreamy Pisces. You can also expect an
excellent time for creative pursuits and friendships during this transit. Wednesday’s Gemini moon will bring fresh and encouraging perspectives, so listen carefully. Thursday and Friday will be an excellent time for starting a new adventure, especially with work. Taking a slow and steady approach to this weekend may be ideal, as emotions may be running high. Sunday might bring some conflict as well, but pausing before responding to conflict may assist you.
during this time, as will your connections. Thursday and Friday are a perfect time to have some good and important conversations, as Mercury will be on your side, aligning with Saturn and Mars for solid judgment and innovative perspectives. Saturday will be a good day for self-care. Sunday has the potential to bring out some tensions under the surface, but Mercury’s move into Taurus will make patient communication easier.
Virgo Venus’ move into Pisces Tuesday might have your colleagues daydreaming instead of working, but you will likely benefit from the softness in this transit too. As Pisces is your opposite sign, there is synergy in this transit for you. Expect a little extra luck in romantic, friendly, or creative endeavors. Wednesday will be excellent for productivity - seize the day! Thursday and Friday will also be excellent for productive conversations and new ideas as your ruling planet Mercury aligns with two transiting planets. The moon in Cancer from Thursday through Saturday could prove challenging, but it will be a lovely time nurturing your relationships. Self-care is highly recommended! Sunday could bring a bit of a power struggle, but trusting yourself and using patient communication will get you a long way, Virgo.
Capricorn Venus’ move into Pisces will likely have everyone around you feeling a bit more sappy than usual. However, this transit is great for sensitive and empathetic communication with all of your connections. Wednesday could be hectic, but if you can harness the Gemini moon’s restless energy, this has the potential to be a highly productive day. Thursday through Saturday’s Cancer moon will make life easier for you, as Cancer falls opposite your sign. This harmonious transit will bring an extra degree of peace to the second half of your week. This will be especially good as Mercury aligns with your ruler Saturn on Thursday for sound judgment and good communication. Friday will be an excellent time to look for new perspectives. Saturday is an ideal time for self-care, and while Sunday might bring some conflict, it’s nothing you can’t handle as Mercury moves into steady Taurus.
Libra There is arguably no one quite as good as romanticizing their own life as you, Libra. You are going to love the vibe-shift that happens on Tuesday when your ruling planet, Venus, meets dreamy and creative Pisces. Wednesday will be excellent for knowledge-related pursuits, and you could prepare for a sentimental second half of your week. Thursday lines up a space for good conversations, especially those that relate to relationships. Friday could usher in an important new idea or perspective. While Sunday might include some tension, taking your time could come naturally, peacemaker. Scorpio Venus’ splash into Pisces could open the door to relational experiences that could be soft and sweet if not borderline-otherworldly. Get ready for mystery and softness to intermingle during this transit. Your thoughts might run faster with the Gemini moon on Wednesday. The moon in Cancer from Thursday to Saturday will feel like a breath of fresh air, or rather, like an ice cold glass of water. Emotional topics will be easier to discuss and likely at the forefront of your mind. With this moon as well as Mercury’s alignment with Saturn and Mars, Thursday and Friday will be particularly good for important conversations and new ideas. Sunday could bring some conflict as Mercury squares with your ruling planet, Pluto, but Mercury’s move into your opposite sign will bring more steadiness into your communication. Sagittarius Hello, adventurer. Feeling romantic? Venus in Pisces could amp up softness and sweetness in your connections starting Tuesday. Wednesday’s moon in Gemini brings out the knowledge-seeker in you. What new idea are you chasing today? Thursday through Saturday the moon will be in Cancer, so you’ll likely feel your emotions more strongly
Aquarius Innovator, this week brings an interesting mix to your table. On Tuesday, Venus will shift out of your sign and into Pisces. While you may feel this change more than others, know that this transit is an excellent time for your relationships with others. While you may have felt more at home with Venus in Aquarius, Venus in Pisces increases empathy in your connections. Wednesday’s shift into a Gemini moon gives you space to brainstorm. The latter half of your week is dominated by the search for fresh perspectives even moreso than usual, as Mercury meets up with Saturn and Mars, both in your home sign. The Cancer moon into Saturday might have you considering your emotions more fluidly as well. Sunday could bring some conflict, but keeping it cool as a cucumber will help. Pisces This week will be a treat for you, especially as Venus moves into your sign. Expect connections this week to flow a bit more smoothly than before as softness and sweetness graces the stars. Wednesday could be exciting or hectic so going with the flow will serve you well. Thursday grounds conversations in reality, so it is a great time to discuss practicality, especially as it relates to relationships with the moon in Cancer until Saturday. Friday will bring an opportunity for a new perspective, so keep your ears open and follow your intuition! Saturday will be opportune for dates with connections, friends, or yourself, and will help smooth the flow into a Sunday that could include some tension. However, Mercury’s move into Taurus later that day will help you keep your feet on the ground.
Censorship/Vodka
April 5, 2022
The Vista | 5
Censorship tightens as Russia/Ukraine war continues Sam Royka Reporter
The U.S. seeks to exclude Russia from the U.N. Human Rights council while more than 50 Ukrainian historic and religious sites have sustained confirmed damage. Ukraine exchanged 86 captured Russian troops for Ukrainian servicemen that were on their way home Friday. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), attempting to evacuate citizens from Mariupol, said it was “impossible” to reach the city Friday and tried again Saturday, though it is unclear if they succeeded. Meanwhile, an aide to the city’s mayor said the city is closed to those who wish to enter and “very dangerous” for those attempting to flee. The ICRC posted a video of the city of Irpin on Twitter, which “had a population of around 60,000 people. Now it’s smoke and rubble,” the tweet read. Russia, which has a good deal of control of gas and other natural resources, has demanded that countries pay for gas in rubles. European countries have more time to decide how they will respond after the Kremlin announced it will wait to stop the supply. Payments for the resource are due from late April onwards. Around 200 members of the Ukrainian national guard are being considered prisoners of war after their commander has not heard from them since Russia fought for control of Chernobyl. Additionally, Russia has ordered universities to move YouTube content to Russian-owned media services. “The end of YouTube in Russia draws nearer,” reads a tweet from Kevin Rothrock, managing editor of Russian paper Meduza. Russia has blocked Facebook and Instagram and placed strict restrictions on Twitter, though privately, citizens find ways around these restrictions. Last month, the Russian government also moved to block access to foreign media produced in the Russian language, though blocked media sources can still be accessed through the messaging app Telegram.
A woman walks as smoke rises in the air in the background after shelling in Odesa, Ukraine, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A heavy load of new restrictions on Russian media has caused some papers to shut down war reportage completely to stay in operation. “I feel like when you're asking anybody a question about censorship, you know, it's mostly going to be from a Western perspective,” said Kennedy Sawyer, a junior and strategic communications major at UCO. “So, you know, a lot of Western countries, United States, a lot of Europe, a majority of Western Europe, they have a little bit more freedom to say what they want to say. But you have to understand that when you're a journalist in countries where you can't say whatever you want to say, of course, it's bad. But do I believe that you should lose your life over getting a story? I'm not sure." Although the Russian constitution provides for free speech, “vague laws on extremism grant the authorities great discretion to crack down on any speech, organization or activity that lacks official support,” according to Freedom House, a nonpartisan organization that publishes Freedom in The World, an annual publication reporting on civil and personal liberties worldwide. “I think it's really scary for those journalists and
writers and citizens in Russia and Ukraine. I think it's hard to talk about what they should do. Because I know a lot of people are like, well, you should stand up and you should do this. Well, that's easier said than done. People have families, people have friends, children. And I think this problem is bigger than the press. It's bigger than putting something on a piece of paper and getting it out to people,” Sawyer said. Sawyer emphasized the speed at which knowledge can travel. “People know what's happening in Russia, people know what's happening in Ukraine, you know what I'm saying? Russian people, a lot of them from what I've heard, from what I've seen on forums, they are not very pro-war. They're not. They're not the same as their government, just like the American people are not the same as our government. So when we're talking about opinions on press, well, let's be honest, those people try their hardest. They tried to get the story out, just like we would try to get the story out, you know what I mean?” Sawyer said.
Russian vodka loses to Ukraine at local liquor stores Logan Gassett
Contributing Writer
Liquor stores across the U.S. are starting to remove Russian vodkas from their shelves after being banned by several state governors. Oklahoma has not yet been announced as one of those states, but liquor store managers and owners are deciding for themselves what to do with the bottles. “We only carry one Russian vodka and that’s called Russian Standard,” said Brett Emerson, manager of Bacchus Wine and Spirits. “We replaced it with Ukrainian vodka. If we can support the Ukrainian cause by carrying more of their products, we will.” The Ukrainian vodka is called Khor. Before the Russian vodka bottles were taken off the shelves or replaced, some managers had similar experiences with customers in regards to how they expressed their opinion on the topic of Russia. “We had about three bottles left of the Russian vodka when this all started,” said Tyler Spaulding, manager of Toasted Barrel Wine and Spirits. “We
Provided/Dreamstime.com
actually had one customer come in and buy them all and his sole purpose was just to pour them out.” Emerson said he had heard of customers buying the vodka for “dumping out parties.” Although some stores are finding alternatives to the Russian vodka,
others have chosen to keep the shelf space empty by not restocking the bottle. “We don’t think it’s going to directly affect Russia but we’ll do what we can,” Spaulding said.
6 | The Vista
April 5, 2022
UCO Theatre/Erica Burkett
‘Sister Act’ makes its UCO musical debut Lauren Couch
Contributing Writer
The award-winning musical “Sister Act” is taking the stage in the UCO Jazz Lab April 7-10. Based on the 1992 movie of the same title, it tells the story of a disco diva who is placed in a convent for protective custody after witnessing a murder. The production is directed by Kassie Carroll and she noted that it is more than a witty comedy and offers a chance to discuss race, religion, and gender. “The message of the show means so much to me,” Carroll said. “No matter who you are, you can learn something from everyone. Love is always the answer.” The musical has aspects that go beyond the original movie. It features original music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (known for “Beauty and the Beast” and “Newsies”) alongside quick-witted dialogue. Carroll had a personal link to the musical after seeing it for the first time on Broadway as a young performer; it was something she thought about when choosing it for their next production.
Provided/UCO website
“As I was starting my career, this show played a huge role in my life,” Carroll said. “It’s almost a full-circle moment for me and I can’t wait to see the audience’s reactions to the incredible work these students have put in.” The cast includes 36 students with lead roles played by Erica Burkett, Sydney Brown, Isabella Emamghoraishi, Lamar Burns, D’Shaud Howard, Sophia Mullican and Alexandria Mullings. Emamghoraishi, playing Sister Mary
Robert, mentioned that the long hours of putting the show together have been well worth it. “The thing I’m most proud of throughout this process is the pure teamwork that I’ve seen from my cast,” Emamghoraishi said. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work but we’ve done it all as a unit.” Rehearsals for “Sister Act” began Feb. 21; however, the cast and crew faced interruptions due to two winter storms and Carroll being out sick for
a week. “Everyone has worked their butts off to make up for the time lost,” Carroll said. “If you saw where we are at this very moment, you could not guess we lost time from our original schedule.” Emamghoraishi said she does not think the interruptions have set her or the cast and crew back and that the process was enjoyable and it will translate to the stage. “The audience can expect to have fun; this show is so upbeat and fabulous,” Emamghoraishi said. Musicals are a layered production and require multiple departments to pull a show together. Carroll mentioned that from the costume designer to the lighting designer, up to the sound designer: each department has been working tirelessly to make everything ready in time for the cast to walk on stage. “I’m just excited to see the final product,” Carroll said. “There’s magic when everything works together to create an incredible and collaborative piece of art.” Tickets for the show can be purchased online at cfad.vbotickets.com or by calling 405-974-3375.
Erica Burkett thrives and shines in musical theatre Camryn Sturgill Contributing Writer
Nothing can keep Erica Burkett off the Mitchell Hall Theatre stage, not even a gap year. Burkett, a musical theatre major at UCO, grew up in Dallas and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before coming to UCO. Even though Burkett considers herself to be a “late bloomer” in the world of musical theater, she said performing is more natural than breathing for her. Burkett didn’t find her passion for musical theater until high school, but her talent was evident from an early age and she never missed an opportunity to share it with others. “I believe that my gift of singing is to inspire and bring joy to those around me,” Burkett said. For Burkett, singing in church was a practical way to share her gift with others when she was younger. “When I saw people praise God, smile or sometimes cry, I knew singing was more than just my dream. It was my purpose,” Burkett said. “I was so passionate about lyrics and words that I began to write my own songs when I was in the fourth grade, and
Provided/UCO photo services
from there I began performing at protest rallies and different church services around Dallas.” In 2017, Burkett auditioned for “The Broadway Collective,” a summer intensive program for aspiring performers. She was awarded a scholarship and spent that summer in New York working with musical theater greats like Warren Carlyle, Laura Osnes and Robert Hartwell. “From that point on, I knew that musical theater felt right for me,” Burkett said. Perhaps a testament to Burkett’s talent was her invitation to play the lead role in UCO Musical Theatre’s
upcoming production of “Sister Act,” even though she is currently taking a gap year. Burkett performed in several other UCO productions including the roles of Armelia in “Ain’t Misbehavin” and Dionne in “Hair.” She prepares for her roles using several different techniques; however, a deep character analysis is the beginning of her process. She also finds it important to see her character through the eyes of the other characters in the play. One of Burkett’s most unique forms of character analysis includes comparing her character’s traits to that of an animal and embodying the way that particu-
lar animal moves, a trick she learned from Kassie Carroll Downey, director of “The Sister Act.” Even though Burkett has plenty of experience performing, she sometimes struggles with feelings of nervousness before taking the stage. “I just pray and remind myself that I have the ability to sing for a reason,” she said. “Since I have this voice, why not use it?” Burkett said she has a solid support system, including her church family and parents. If it were not for their relentless support and encouragement, she said she is not sure where she would be today. She gives special thanks to Downey and Greg White for seeing her potential and inviting her to grace the stage at UCO. After college, Burkett plans on releasing an album and furthering her organization, Memory That Matters. “My organization raises awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia, and through music, I have been able to bless several nursing homes with entertainment and sock drives,” she said. Burkett’s greatest advice for those pursuing a career in musical theater: “No matter what happens or what disappointment you might face, you have to keep going,” she said.
Football/March Madness
April 5, 2022
The Vista | 7
Fresh start for Bronchos football Brinlee Lenochan Contributing Writer
The UCO football team made some drastic changes since last season. From a fully renovated stadium to a new coaching staff, the Bronchos are embracing the change this spring season in hopes for a more successful season in the fall. The Bronchos finished last season with four wins and seven losses. Daunte Mcgee, a six-year senior, explained how he is already seeing a drastic change within the program since spring ball began, a change he believes will bring home more wins. “I think with the new staff you’re going to see a completely different UCO from last year and hopefully that will show up in the wins column next fall,” Mcgee said. Mcgee, a tight end for the Bronchos, said the organization is changing to be more selfless, tough, disciplined, and have a mindset for competition. “Everybody is on a clean slate now, and so you have to show up every day and bring it if you want to be a factor for this team,” he said. The new coaching staff includes new Head Coach Adam Dorrel who comes to UCO from Abilene Christian. He also spent several years at Northwest Missouri as an assistant coach. He helped lead Northwest to five consecutive NCAA Division II championship appearances and as head coach, he led the team to three national titles. With the addition of Dorrel, five more full-time coaches were welcomed to Central. Josh Lamberson will serve as offensive coordinator. James Curlee will take on wide receivers. Dimitri Donald will coach
The annual spring game will be played Saturday April, 23 at 7 p.m. (Provided/UCO Athletics Twitter)
tight ends and fullbacks, and Brandon Lechtenberg will serve as defensive coordinator. In addition, Adam McGuire will head up the defensive backs. “After a tough season last year I feel we felt flat as a team, and with coach Dorrel and his assistant coaches, they brought the energy we needed to our team to go compete for a championship,” said Diego Richards, junior wide receiver. Not only did the coaching staff get renovations, but so did Chad Richison Stadium. The addition of new stands on the visitor side, turf surrounding
the field, new trees, and a waterfall in the home end zone is sure to give the Bronchos a home field of which to be proud. “I think with it being updated that hopefully it’ll make the team play with more pride for the things that we have, because it is a privilege to have the nice facilities that we have coming toward us,” Mcgee said. The annual spring ball game will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 23.
March Madness lives up to the hype
Brandon Dale Sports Editor
March Madness is Christmas in the spring for many people around the world. Luckily for college students, we enjoy the first week of games without any class since the tournament starts during Spring Break. The pure joy of having time off from the stress of school and filling out brackets with your friends is secondto-none. At this point, my bracket is toast, but there are still a couple of storylines that caught my attention this past month. The first week had a few upsets but most notably was a small Jesuit school out of Jersey City, New Jersey, Saint Peter’s University. A school with about 2,600 undergraduate students and 800 graduate students. To put this in perspective, UCO has nearly 13,000 students on campus. Saint Peter’s was a 15 seed in the tournament and went to the ‘Elite 8’ after taking down Kentucky, Purdue, and Murray State before falling to North Carolina. This run that Saint Peter’s made marks the first time a 15 seed went to the ‘Elite 8’ in tournament history.
I say all of this to note that March Madness is all about storylines, and if you are like me and love telling a good story or reading a good story, you also probably love this time of the year. This past weekend, the basketball gods gave us a treat with North Carolina facing Duke in the ‘Final Four.’ Another exciting storyline as Mike Krzyzewski faces the Tar Heels for the first time in the NCAA tournament. This run will also be Coach K’s last time in the tournament since he announced his retirement before the season. March is the most exciting month in sports, particularly if you enjoy basketball, but the intensity and quality of these games during this year’s March Madness have been fun to watch. By the time this story is published, the tournament will be over, and I am going to predict Duke will come out victorious over Kansas in the National Championship game. This tournament has been incredible. I cannot wait till spring rolls around and I get to repeat the same tradition next year.
Duke captures their 17th regional championship. (Provided/Sports Illustrated)
8 | The Vista
April 5, 2022
Sports Act/Education Bill
Governor Stitt signs ‘Save Women’s Sports’ Act
During the signing of the bill, Gov. Stitt said, “It’s just common sense.” (Provided/Gov. Stitt Twitter)
Hayden Smith
Contributing Writer
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 2 into law on Wednesday, which bans all transgender girls from participating on female sports teams. SB 2, also known as the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” bans high school and college athletes from competing on a sports team that is opposite of the gender they were assigned at birth. This makes Oklahoma the 13th state to limit the participation of transgender students in school sports. Conservative lawmakers and female athletes from across the state gathered
to show support as the bill was signed while they held signs that read “save female sports.” Gov. Stitt justified this bill by saying this measure “is just common sense.” “When it comes to sports and athletics, girls should compete against girls. Boys should compete against boys,” Stitt added. “There has been a nationwide dispute over transgender athletes, and I think they are not getting fair treatment because they are still girls and they should have an opportunity to compete,” said Anna Wilkinson, a UCO sophomore and former Oklahoma high school athlete.
Gov. Stitt continued to justify the bill on Wednesday as he suggested that he was doing women’s sports a favor. “We are protecting women’s sports. We’re ensuring a level playing field for female athletes who work hard to train hard, who are committed to their team, who have dreams to be No. 1 in their sport, who deserve a fair competition,” Stitt said. “The reality is, men are biologically different than women,” Stitt said. “I think this Bill is going to be good for female sports in general because it ensures that there is an even playing field in competition across the state,” said former UCO wrestler Hunter
Smith. The NCAA responded to such bills earlier in the year by updating their policies on transgender athletes. Every sport is able to decide the rules about their competition. Transgender athletes will also have to document their testosterone levels three times per season, including four weeks before every championship selection. These rules will only apply to schools in states where no such bill has been passed.
New incentives for teachers built into education bill Emma Burch
Contributing Writer
The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee passed a house bill on Tuesday that allows college students declaring a teaching major to be eligible for a scholarship program. The bill passed by an 11-1 vote. It will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee for approval. According to House Bill 3564, students could receive $1,000 for the first three years of school and $2,500 for the final academic year if they agree to work in a public school in Oklahoma for at least five years after graduation. Graduates could then receive a $4,000 stipend for five years. This bill comes from the impact of teacher shortages in Oklahoma. During the March 29 committee meeting, senators expressed their desire to push for this bill.
From the agenda, Sen. Dewayne Pemberton said, “House Bill 3564 is legislation that addresses the teacher shortage pipeline issues that we have in the state of Oklahoma that you all know that we’ve had for quite a bit of time.” The senator also commented in the meeting that this bill would pay for 1,500 students. Anna Holmes, a UCO early education major, said that if this bill does anything for the education programs across the state, it will help students stay in the program instead of switching majors. When asked if she thinks more people will declare a teaching major, Holmes said, “No, it takes a special person to be a teacher, and not everyone is meant to be a teacher. “Majority of teachers are not in the profession for the money,” she said.
The bill would allow college students declaring a teaching major to be eligible for a scholarship program. (Provided/Pexels)