the
Volume 119, Issue 01
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021
Virtual permits replace stickers
INSIDE
Broncho move in
Welcome new residents! An inside look at the 2021 freshman move-in weekend. See Pg. 4-5
Vehicles should be parked with their license plate showing to the outside of the space because of the new virtual parking permits. UCO vanity plates may be purchased from the transportation services office to park in any direction. Madalyn Nix/The Vista.
Sports
Lyric Peterson
Football team eager to return to field after difficult pandemic delays. See Pg. 7
Virtual Reality The University has decided to end extended classroom learning, but some worry it See Pg. 8
Around Campus An on-campus clinic provides vaccines for individuals 12 and older. See Pg. 2
Copy Editor
UCO Transportation and Parking Services Twitter, @UCOParking, sent out a tweet on Monday informing drivers of parking lots with “plenty of parking available…” @UCOParking posted “Parking Tips” for the start of the semester along with an updated parkin court, from
Oct. 2020 until July 2021, the professional tension between Heugatter and the theater department grew. After Heugatter’s involvement in the Title IX lawsuit in 2020, she told Weidell that “the working environment had negatively impacted her mental and physical health.” According to the documents filed in court, Weidell scheduled a follow-up meeting with Heugatter on April 7,
UCO professor added as plaintiff to Title IX case Ainsley Martinez Managing Editor
In the ongoing Title IX lawsuit against the University of Central Oklahoma, the newest plaintiff, Emily Heugatter said, her involvement in the complaints against interitum assistant dean Kato Buss sparked backlash in her work at the University’s theater department. The new development comes after six former students cite Buss’ engagement in inappropriate behavior toward female students as creating a “sexually hostile environment.” They said the University knew of these allegations, yet failed to take proper mea-
sures in protecting students. According to new court documents, in Oct. 2020, students Olivia Wells and Miranda Summar confided in Professor Heugatter about the abusive behavior exhibited by Buss— and shortly after, other female students followed with their own accounts. After meeting with Wells and Summar, Heugatter “immediately contacted then-Interim Dean of College of Fine Arts and Design Charleen Weidell.” Then, as the documents state, Weidell suggested the students “must be lying” and there was “no way that Kato would do this.” According to documents filed in Continued on Pg. 3
2021. The documents said, “Weidell advised Heugatter that if she wanted relief from the hostile environment in the Theatre Arts Department she had to resign her tenured position, go through a hiring process and be prepared to accept a significant demotion in both title and pay.” Continued on Pg. 3
Vaccine clinic opens; shots could help extend fall break Sam Royka Reporter
Passport Health is now hosting weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics by appointment until Oct. 6, coinciding with a new campaign from UCO encouraging students to report their vaccinations before Oct. 1. UCO faculty, students, and staff can receive both COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots at clinics on campus Sept. 23-24 and 29. All vaccines will be administered by Passport Health staff as well as UCO nursing students and faculty. Appointments can be made online Continued on Pg. 8
2 | The Vista
TUESDAY, Aug. 24, 2021 Volunteer & Part-Time Job Fair: From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broncho Lake, a variety of organizations will be on campus to promote volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs. Students should bring a UCO student ID to receive STLR credit in Service Learning.
Provided by Pixabay
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 25, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 312 E. Main St., UCO faculty, staff, students, and community members 12 years of age and older can receive first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is
Aug. 24, 2021
being held in the building marked as the future home of the UCO School of Design. Appointment is required, which can be made online at uco. edu/coronavirus/uco-vaccine-clinic. Wellness Wednesday at Ayers Kitchen: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ayers Kitchen is providing meals that are healthy, made from scratch, and with whole food ingredients. THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 2021 Art and Design Faculty Exhibition: From 5 to 7:30 p.m., the Melton Gallery is hosting an opening reception displaying work from various Art and Design Faculty members. This event is free and open to the public. The gallery is on display from Aug. 19 to Sept. 2. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 12 - 4 p.m. and Friday by appointment only. Center Open House: The UCO Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center are hosting an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. in Thatcher 106 to give students an opportunity to visit and hear about their programs. Free condoms, lube, pads, and tampons will be available.
Around Campus
FRIDAY, Aug. 27, 2021 International Student Council Retreat: The International Student Council Retreat is happening all day at International House, 100 N. University Dr. For more information, contact Jared Scism at jscism@uco. edu. Shake Factory at Ayers Kitchen: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ayers Kitchen will be making on-trend and extreme milkshakes. Fall Forge International Student Orientation: This orientation event is being held at the Nigh University Center Constitutional Hall from 2:30 - 5 p.m. For more information, contact Jared Scism at jscism@uco.edu. Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company: This performance starts at 8 pm. at the Jazz Lab in Edmond at 100 E. Fifth St. Tickets are $15 and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (405) 974-2100. SATURDAY, Aug. 28, 2021 International Student Council Retreat: Happening all day at International House, 100 N. University Dr. For more information, contact Jared
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of
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Madalyn Nix Ainsley Martinez Lyric Peterson Madalyn Nix Manuela Soldi Sam Royka Theetso Thuku Aaron Gelvin Cynthia Faulkner
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Scism at jscism@uco.edu. MS. MADDIX: This rockband performance starts at 8 p.m. at the Jazz Lab in Edmond at 100 E. Fifth St. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 974-2100.
SUNDAY, Aug. 29 International Student Council Retreat: Happening all day at International House, 100 N. University Dr. For more information, contact Jared Scism at jscism@uco.edu. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - MAINTENANCE: Systems maintenance will be conducted from 5 a.m. until noon. Multiple services may be unavailable during this timeframe.
Front Pg. Teaser Photos, from top: The Vista/Manuela Soldi Vista Archives/Sarah Hite Vista Archives/Lyric Peterson Provided/Vista Archives
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.
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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.
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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.
Theater
The Vista | 3
Aug. 24, 2021
UCO professor added as plaintiff to Title IX case Continued from pg. 1
court, from Oct. 2020 until July 2021, the professional tension between Heugatter and the theater department grew. After Heugatter’s involvement in the Title IX lawsuit in 2020, she told Weidell that “the working environment had negatively impacted her mental and physical health.” According to the documents filed in court, Weidell scheduled a follow-up meeting with Heugatter on April 7. The documents said, “Weidell advised Heugatter that if she wanted relief from the hostile environment in the Theatre Arts Department she had to resign her tenured position, go through a hiring process and be prepared to
accept a significant demotion in both title and pay.” Heugatter filed a Workplace Environment Complaint on April 20. “Heugatter explained that she had learned of Buss’ ‘repeated and continued patterns of grooming, inappropriate behavior, abusive comments, and luring [UCO] students into sexual relationships’ and expressed concern that there are ‘currently no safeguards or oversight of [Buss] being put in place for the safety of [UCO] students,’” court documents read. On July 8, Heugatter was informed publically, during a faculty meeting, of her demotion. “The Department Chair, Daisy Nystul, made it clear that the decision to demote Heugatter was made with ‘others above her.’
When Heugatter inquired, Nystul confirmed that Dean Weidell made the demotion decision,” the suit continues. “Heugatter has consistently received positive performance reviews and has successfully fulfilled the duties of the position for four years. There is simply no reason other than retaliation for her removal.” Adrienne Nobles, interim Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, was asked about Heugatter’s demotion and the University’s response to the sexual assault allegations against Buss. “UCO continues to take every allegation of sexual harassment seriously including the ones set out in the lawsuit regarding this faculty member,” Nobles said.
Kato Buss’ work has been screened at Comic-Con International and deadCenter Film Festival. (Provided/ UCO website)
“However, we are unable to provide any details or provide any specific response regarding this matter while the lawsuit is active.”
Virtual permits replace stickers Continued from pg. 1
through the Parking Portal. The new technology replacing stickers is a program called License Plate Recognition (LPR). When the LPR scans your license plate, it notifies the driver and the transportation department if you are parked in the wrong lot or if the vehicle is not registered to a student or faculty member. “It is essentially going to be user driven, the student will register for the permit and put in all their vehicle information … we are able just to see those vehicle details,” Transportation and Parking Communication and Administrative Coordinator Brittany Platt told The Vista this spring. “We’re not able to see anything personal like insurance information.” Visitors will continue to pay-to-park and a parking employee will come out to ensure the vehicle will not receive a citation. Guests to campus will continue to receive guest codes to put in a pay-topark system and those codes appear in the LPR sys-
When parked in UCO parking lots, license plates must be seen from the driving aisle. The license plate on teh red
tem so guests will not receive citations. The transportation office is still handing out paper citations this year but are looking to switch to e-tickets in the future. According to Platt there are benefits to switching to virtual permits. Students and faculty can regis-
ter and transfer permits day-of to different vehicles such as rentals through your phone, but if you have multiple vehicles you cannot keep multiple vehicles on campus, each additional vehicle found under your name will be given a citation.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL, WE HAVE A SOLUTION.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Tulsa AA Central Service Office (918) 627-2224 (24-hour Hotline) www.aaneok.org
OKC AA Intergroup Service Office (405) 524-1100 (24-hour Hotline) www.okcintergroup.org
SOBRIETY. MAKE THE CHANGE. YOU ARE WORTH IT!
4 | The Vista
Aug. 24, 2021
Campus Move In
Welcome back
Students reconnect and stay cheerful for the start of fall semester during the University of Central Oklahoma move-in on Aug. 14. (The Vista/Manuela Soldi) A volunteer assists freshmen moving in to the Transformative Learning Quadrangle on Aug. 14 at the University of Central Oklahoma campus. Classes started Monday at UCO. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix).
A student waits their turn in the unloading line for the Murdaugh Hall dorms Aug. 14 at the University of Central Oklahoma. (The Vista/Manuela Soldi)
Volunteers help out with day one of move-in at the University of Central Oklahoma campus on Aug. 14. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)
Aug. 24, 2021
Move In
The Vista | 5
home, Bronchos!
A volunteer assists freshmen moving in to the Transformative Learning Quadrangle on the University of Central Oklahoma campus on Aug. 14. Students and volunteers assist with move-in at the University of Central Oklahoma on Aug. 14
Krystle Rwodzi directs cars outside Murdaugh Hall on Aug. 14.
Cars line up outside Murdaugh Hall on day one of move-in Aug. 14
6 | The Vista
Aug. 24, 2021
Diversity and Inclusion
UCO celebrates diverse campus with party Sam Royka Reporter
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted an Open House Party on Aug. 18 at the University Suites and Commons Courtyard at UCO as a part of Welcome Week, a series of events welcoming students back to campus. The event was held outdoors as a safety measure against COVID, said Cammy Taylor, chemistry ACS major and event organizer. According to Taylor, around 150 people came to celebrate at the Open House Party, which included games, music, and an obstacle course. Taylor said, during her freshman year, UCO had a waterslide event with water guns and balloons, which inspired her idea for the Open House Party. Activities included a giant inflatable slide and obstacle course, UCO-themed checkers, volleyball, frisbees, Giant Connect Four and Giant Jenga. Taylor said she was “super excited” to have this role as event organizer. “I’ve been looking forward to it and I’ve been planning the ideas for this week for almost a year now.”
UCO students play games at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Open House Party on Aug. 18. Stampede Week events continue through Friday. (The Vista/Sam Royka).
However, planning these events was not easy, she said. “It was really kind of scary to [organize the
events] because I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. At times I was mostly on my own so I was nervous, but now it’s going well.”
Football/Fight Song
The Vista | 7
Aug. 24, 2021
Football ready for big return Aaron Gelvin Contributing Writer
With less than two weeks remaining before their first regular season game, the UCO Football team is
excited to be back in action after not playing a season in 2020 due to COVID-19. As things continue to return to a more “normal” state for the University of Central Oklahoma, UCO football is returning to the gridiron for their 2021 season. Players were required to report on Aug. 7 and fall practices began on Aug. 9. Central Summer Camps also took place on July 9 for linemen and July 10 for skill players and specialists. These camps were open to high school juniors and seniors as the staff can get a look at some potential future Bronchos. But before the mandatory fall camp started, the coaching staff held two voluntary summer sessions to try and help the team get back into football shape. “Summer 1 is dedicated to getting their bodies back in shape,” head coach Nick Bobeck said in June before the sessions took place. “Summer 2 will involve a little more football as the NCAA will allow us to work with the guys this summer where we normally don’t get to. We will be very cautious as we don’t want them to burn out on football before the season gets here.” The coaching staff knows that there are some unique challenges that come with the start of the 2021 season after not playing games the year before.
Bddy Broncho missed out on football last season because of the pandemic. (Vista Archives/Sarah Hite)
Running backs coach Jesse Ornelas stated: “I think some of the challenges come with guys getting into game shape and just being in season mode after being out so long.” Bobeck said, “I do believe there will be some very real challenges. Most of them mental.. “Remembering how long the season is and how it feels to work through some of the mental challenges that fatigue can bring on. Also staying focused in the classroom while playing an entire season. We have a talented football team but it is hard to tell where we are without actually getting into live competition. That is another one of the challenges that we face this year.” Energy and enthusiasm are not expected to be among the problems the team will face early in the year, according to the coaching staff. “Our guys have done an unbelievable job staying motivated and pushing through the adversity,” offensive line coach Karson Green stated. “It makes the 2021 season even more amazing to play.”
Bobeck said, “These guys are excited about getting back on the field and competing.” The staff agreed that the team is in a good place right now, but there is a long way to go to get where they want to be, just like any season. When fall camp concludes, the coaches will certainly have their expectations. “Energy is high and guys are just so excited to see each other’s faces,” Green stated. “As coaches, we are so ecstatic to see our players in person again and talk to them. I hope to see the leadership continuing to thrive from position to position.” “Our staff hopes to see a team that is ready to compete and a team that cares about one another,” Ornelas added. Leadership among the players on this year’s team will be critical and the coaching staff is excited about some of their most talented players. Tight end Daunte McGee, running back Tucker Pawley, quarterback Keats Calhoon, wide receiver Josh Moore, and running back Payton Scott are skill players the staff is hopeful will have big offensive seasons. Former walk-on and current team captain Alex Eichler and 2019 freshman starter Layne Grantham look to lead the offensive line. Safety Dylan Buchheit, linebacker Jason Harris, and defensive lineman Joseph Roque headline the defense. “Our offensive line is a phenomenal group of young men,” Green stated. “The relationship we have and the bond we have as a group is unbelievable. I cannot wait for our season to get rolling. Up front we are young, with no seniors, but we are hungry and extremely talented. This is the most talented, cohesive unit I can remember since I have had the pleasure to be at UCO. ” The Bronchos’ first game will be Sept. 2 at home against Missouri Western.
UCO modernizes fight song lyrics to be more inclusive Madalyn Nix Editor-in-Chief
The University of Central Oklahoma announced it revised its Fight Song to make it more gender inclusive amongst student athletes. The Rev. Harry D. Gatewood III, a 2008 UCO alumnas, emailed UCO back in June, requesting changes be made after researching the university’s history in regard to using the terminology in the previous version of the Fight Song. Specifically, he was concerned it was not inclusive to women.
“UCO Women Athletics are fighting with great pride as several of our UCO Women’s Sports teams are National Champions like the UCO Women’s Rowing Team or they are 2021 MIAA Divisional Champs like the: UCO Women’s Tennis Team, the UCO Softball team, and UCO Women’s Golf,” he stated in his email. Gatewood was also concerned about the terminology of the word ‘boy’ in the previous version of the Fight Song. “In most situations, the word “boy” is not a problem. But used to describe a Black man, the word is troublesome.
That’s because historically, White people routinely described Black men as boys to suggest that they were not equal to them,” Gatewood said. He also said that, “Both during and after slavery, Black people were not viewed as full-fledged people but as mentally, physically, and spiritually inferior beings to White’s. Calling Black men ‘boys,’ was one way to express a racist ideology of the past.” In a university email, UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar stated that the new revisions “respects the university’s tradition and history by
keeping everything about it the same.” The word “boys” has been changed to “team” and the phrase “team’s history” is now “Central’s history.” The President said that student athletes deserved a fight song that represents all student-athletes. Jaydon Sims, a sophomore photographic arts major, said that the changes are great and loves where things are headed. “It is important for students to feel accepted,” Sims said. Dylan Stieber contributed to this report.
8 | The Vista
Aug. 24, 2021
Online Learning/Vaccine Clinic
Extended classrooms end; COVID cases rise
Ainsley Martinez @ainsmartinez Managing Editor
Over the past year and a half, public health ordinances regarding COVID-19 changed frequently, and sometimes drastically. At times, keeping track of CDC guidelines felt like trying to predict Oklahoma weather. However, by taking a walk around campus, one can easily infer the status of public health from the big, bright signs plastered to the doors. “The CDC recommends unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in all public spaces.” The blown-up animation of a broncho blue mask makes the message clear, even if you did not actually read the signage. But, even these signs change; and, the lone ‘unvaccinated’ individuals became “unvaccinated and vaccinated” individuals shortly after the on-campus mask mandate expired. In a way, these indecisive posters act as a glowing reminder that change is the only thing we really can predict. This race toward a “return to normalcy” tends to forget the practices that helped subdue transmission rates of the virus in the first place—and specifically, some students question whether the University’s decision to end extended classrooms came too soon. In a traditional set-up, students can only choose from a fully online or a fully in-person learning environment. However, extended classrooms utilize hybrid-learning, with the video-chatting software Zoom, to allow students to experience in-person lectures from an online setting. Diversity roundtable President Diallo Foster plans to advocate for students who prefer this mode of learning. “You can’t rule one person wrong,” Foster said. “Simply give students the control of their own destiny.” Where some see the exit of Zoom as the entrance to ‘normal,’ Foster views it as a loss of a new resource. He argues that Zoom can not only be helpful for social distancing, but also for greater flexibility. For example, Zoom meetings allowed commuters to work from home, while still engaging with classmates and professors. And when ice froze over roads, causing safety concerns, classes were able to resume remotely. In a traditional classroom setting, students and faculty did not have that same level of flexibility—especially when it comes to location. While perhaps the majority of students might prefer the traditional experience, Foster is not ultitian-
A student views an online training option last school year. Diversity roundtable President Diallo Foster advocates for online learning remaining an option for those who favor that method of learning delivery. (The Vista / Lyric Peterson).
istic. “That one person to me is just as important as those 200,” he said. Still, Foster understands finances and logistics might not allow for a variety of options, but he thinks transparent conversations should continue. However, the use of extended classrooms was never completely streamlined, and the positives of online learning came with their own faults. Christi Chandler, a business law major, says extended classes “didn’t serve (her) well.” She said the tedious amount of assignments and lack of communication amounted to a lesser quality of education. “As we continue to develop and advance in technology, we should see how we’re currently using it and then look at what additional ways there are to serve people that are trying really hard to learn,” Chandler said. Other students said they felt a similar way: disconnected and less focused in classes, and consequently, negatively impacted grades. Chandler suggests that rather than providing online meetings at a specified time, perhaps professors could upload pre-recorded lectures. As a student and mother, Chandler struggled trying to be “both teacher and student” while her children also learned online. Oftentimes, this meant her college courses
interfered with her children’s instructional time. “I wonder if it would help students to have those lectures recorded so they are getting the benefit of an instructor teaching,” Chandler said. “(Classes) should be oriented around a student despite challenges.” As of now, the University of Central Oklahoma has stated that it will not be continuing extended classroom learning in the fall. “There are no plans to use the extended classroom/ split classroom model this semester. So, there will not be an option for a portion of the class to join via Zoom or another virtual platform,” Adrienne Nobles, interim Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, said. “Professors have been asked to have an alternative plan ready, such as taking a class entirely virtual, should that be necessary for a set period of time.” Nobles says if a student tests positive or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should “self-report to the university, contact their professors and follow the guidance of their healthcare provider and the CDC regarding treatment and isolation/quarantine.” She said students should not be penalized for missing class if they are isolated due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Vaccine clinic opens; shots could help extend fall break Continued from pg. 1
Appointments can be scheduled online for clinics via the link received in students, faculty, or staff ’s UCO email, though walk-ins will also be accepted. Some flu shots are subsidized by UCO and both vaccines can be billed to insurance covering immunizations, the Passport Health Team said in an email. However, the subsidized flu shots may run out, so making an appointment is a good idea, they said. Flu shots out-of-pocket are typically around $35 and will be at most $45 but Passport Health does not have an
exact cost yet as they are waiting for their distributor. There is no charge to the participant for the coronavirus vaccine but those with health insurance are directed to present their ID card. Masks are required to be worn at the vaccine clinics. In a recent campus-wide email, UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar has announced the Move The Needle campaign. Fall break, currently set for Oct. 14-15, will be extended by one to three days if a certain percent of the student body voluntarily reports vaccination
against COVID-19. Students must self-report and show proof of their full vaccinations by Oct. 1 for their reports to count towards the fall break extension. The complete fall break could be Oct. 12-18, but it all depends on the percentage of students reporting how many days will be added. The announcement stated if 50% report, the break will be extended one day to include Oct 13. If 60% report, Oct. 12 will be added. If 70% report, because of accreditation issues, the break will be extended through Oct. 18.
In addition to the weekly clinics, UCO offers a list of places to get vaccinated outside of campus at https:// www.uco.edu/coronavirus/covid-19vaccine. This list includes CVS, Walgreens, some hospitals, and many other city and state resources. Vaccinations can be self-reported through a link on the same page. The Move the Needle announcement stated that “Medical professionals and public health agencies indicate that the COVID-19 vaccination is the best defense against severe illness and hospitalization for you and in protecting those around you.”