Collegian T he Cameron University
A COVID-19 update with
Volume 104 Issue 1
President Cam Alsbrook
Photo by Cam Alsbrook
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, February 8, 2021
McArthur
Managing Editor
Over the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cameron has worked to provide policy changes and programs to benefit both students and faculty. Weekly emails with campuswide COVID-19 updates, for example, make current statistical information available. Cameron President John McArthur said that while graduate level enrollment has risen, lower enrollment in the undergraduate level programs has a silver lining. “The positives of lower enrollment,” McArthur said. “it is allowing us to offer the small class sizes that will help us to keep physical distancing, to provide safe, healthy learning environments.” McArthur also said the university is committed to continue paying staff, so oncampus residents can continue to have the same services available. As one of the university changes since Fall 2020 semester, the university began created the COVID-19 hotline service, a tie-in feature with the COVID-19 email updates. Cameron is seeking to increase undergraduate enrollment for the next academic year, McArthur said. “Our enrollment management team over at admissions — in particular — they are already reaching out to the highschool counselors,”
McArthur said. “We’re visiting with the teachers — I meet regularly with the Highschool superintendents.” McArthur also said that communication between the university and local highschools is ongoing, with plans for the next academic year in the works. The university is currently assessing how to enroll students who do not have an ACT or SAT score. “This year, because of the pandemic, many of our students are not gonna have taken the ACT.” McArthur said, “So we want to make sure that they can get admitted to Cameron, that they will have the opportunity for scholarship programs whether they have an ACT score or not.” During the 2020 Academic year, Cameron received 1.74 million dollars to distribute to students thanks to the Cares Act. “The great thing about the program for me,” McArthur said. “is the money went to the students to choose how to use. Course, if they wanted to use it for tuition, we were happy to take it, but if they wanted to use it for car payment or rent or anything else, it was their choice.” According to McArthur, the university has confirmation as of this month that, through the Coronavirus Response and Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), students can expect to see another round of aid money as part of another 1.74 million dollar grant.
“We’re still trying to figure out the eligibility, to make sure more students are eligible this time.” McArthur said. “For example, through the Cares Act, online students weren’t eligible for support. But on this round, it looks like they’re gonna be eligible.” Students can expect to see an application form for aid money within the next few weeks. When it comes to universitystudent communication, one of the new COVID-19 era methods is the “Healthy Together” application available on IOS and Android devices. The application shows information to users that provides them the ability to evaluate COVID-19 symptoms. Alongside that, the application acts as another method of contact to tell students if they are safe to come to campus. Also, McArthur said the university has offered to serve as a COVID-19 vaccination site. “We are more than willing to host them [the Health Department],” McArthur said. “We have an agreement with the health department as part of our pandemic response plan that we could use the stadium parking lot for vaccinations, but we’re certainly willing to use our other spaces.” According to McArthur, most of the students and faculty do not qualify for the current phase of the vaccination, but the university aims to help make the transition process for all parties easy and accessible.
McArthur said the political climate surrounding masks and vaccinations has not impacted policy decisions. “We want public health and public safety to drive policy more than politicians.” McArthur said. “So, we lean very heavily on the center for disease control’s guidelines, and then the Oklahoma State Department of Health. They are largely independent of political pressures, which I appreciate. We’re trying to do whats right for our students and our employees, so instead of a political impact on our policy — it’s gonna have more of a financial impact.” The university president encourages students, faculty and staff to remain vigilant with the current policies the campus has — face coverings, distancing and self-monitoring. One goal for the university is to continue to adapt to the main three teaching formats available, McArthur said. “Our student preferences have been strongly towards face-to face-instruction,” McArthur said. “I would say online is the second preference, and then Zoom is the third choice.”
See UPDATE page 2
What’s Inside Sustainability on Campus
Waiting for Gadot
Page 3
Page 4
Magic Lantern Feature Page 5
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News
February 8, 2021
www.aggiecentral.com
Photo by Cam Alsbrook
Food Fighters: Students can now apply or check-in with the Campus Life office to receive approved care packages. Over the course of the semester, Campus Life will serve as a drop-off and pick-up site for Cameron students, courtesy of the Lawton Food Bank.
Lawton Food Bank @ CU Cam Alsbrook Managing Editor
Starting Jan. 29, the Cameron University Office of Campus Life partnered with the Lawton Food Bank for the “Lawton Food Bank @ CU” program, letting students who applied before Jan. 26 receive food. The program’s goal is to provide food for full-time and part-time students across a four-month timeline, with the office of Campus Life acting as a collection zone for four days. In order to qualify for the program, students need to pick up and fill out an application provided by Campus Life. Applications only need to be turned in once per calendar year, but students who need to receive food should checkin with Campus Life each month to confirm receipt.Part-time students will need to show proof of income as part of the requirements. Further requirements, which apply to all applicants, include a government issued ID or Cameron ID, an enrollment schedule and proof of address if living off campus. Campus residents can
Bank. provide a letter from the Cameron “Donate directly to the Lawton University Housing Department instead. New applicants should apply by these Food Bank.” Cothren said. “As we are using their services and their resources, dates, and people who already applied donating directly to them helps should check in by the dates. Food distribution periods are Fridays supplement this program for students.” Families can also apply for the at 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., after the Tuesdays program, with requirements including listed below. The deadlines for the next application IDs for all household children and adult residents. periods are Cameron Feb. 26, March “I’m always sad to hear students in a 26 and April 23. just how many students don’t family unit can apply with the The food have the resources to fill up prerequisites students their own fridges and cabinets mentioned receive is above. dependent with food. So, I’m happy Student on the food students use the program.” Organizations bank – non- Leslie Cothren can volunteer perishables, fresh produce, Campus Life Director to help during other partnered frozen meats events and set and other up their own partnerships to help the types of food. Students that live on campus in dorms can opt in to receiving campus community. Coordinator of Campus Life foods that require little preparation. Daniel McFadden said that student Director of Campus Life Leslie organizations should contact campus life Cothren said that students can help other students through the Lawton Food regarding partnership event scheduling.
“Find a partnership that the organization is passionate about and aligns with the mission.” McFadden said. “Therefore, both sides could benefit from the partnership. When it comes to scheduling, don’t be afraid to reach out and see what [resources] the organization needs.” Students that are interested in joining student organizations and helping with volunteer opportunities can find a directory for contact information on the Cameron website. Cothren said that the experience of helping students receive food has taught them the value of the partnership program. “I am happy that students are aware of the program and are using it.” Cothren said. “However, I’m always sad to hear just how many students don’t have the resources to fill up their own fridges and cabinets with food. So, I’m happy students use the program but I’m sad there is such a need for the program.” Students with further questions about the program or volunteering can contact the Campus Life office at 581-2217.
UPDATE continued from page 1 McArthur wants COVID-19 conditions to improve, so students can choose their preferred method to learn. “I think policy-wise,” McArthur said, “that’s our commitment right now, is to continue to get better at each teaching mode, and not assume the pandemic is just gonna disappear between now and Fall. We need to prepare for another year of this.” Another part of the pandemic response is establishing and continuing partnerships between Cameron and potential student resources. “Our Office of Student Life and Director Leslie Cothren, in particular, are trying to find a way to support all of our students — and not just in the classroom. For years, we’ve worked with students academically, but we realized that they have to be well-fed and well-rested in order to learn well. So, the partnership for our students with food insecurity to make it easier to collect food here on campus.” Another partner to the university is the Lawton Farmers’ Market, which has recently begun to accept SNAP benefits for payment. “We’ll continue to operate our community gardens,” McArthur said. “For students who have a green thumb and want to grow some of their own food, there's an opportunity there.” A third partnership example that Cameron has maintained is the United Way Agency, which focuses
on fighting for equal opportunities for education, financial stability and health. “We do continue to look for ways to support our students,” McArthur said. “That could be transportation, that could be food, that could be housing.” Students can find information about these partnerships through the Office of Campus Life. President McArthur’s goals for Cameron in 2021 involve remaining vigilant. “I think we’re all tired of the pandemic,” McArthur said. “So, it’s
my first goal is that we don’t become careless, just because we’re tired of it. We all want it to go away, but I think we’ve done such a fantastic job as a campus. Students and employees wearing their face coverings, keeping their spacing, making good choices about where to go, when to go whether that’s grocery shopping, getting gas; I mean going anywhere. We’ve done a fantastic job, and a big goal there is to just not let up now.” Another goal of McArthur’s is to continue making Cameron the best partner it can be for the community. As part of their efforts, faculty
members of the biology, agriculture and health sciences departments have volunteered the use of their department’s research freezers to store vaccinations. President McArthur's suggestion for students is to sign up for the Healthy Together application. Cameron faculty are working hard to establish course schedules for the Summer and Fall semesters. “I think our chairs, deans and others are really working hard to get that ready,” McArthur said. “But we are putting that schedule together in light of a continuous pandemic.”
Photo by Cam Alsbrook
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Voices
February 8, 2021
www.aggiecentral.com
Photo by Makenna Hill
Sustainability:
Little changes make big effects
Makenna Hill Staff Writer
Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard of something called “sustainability.” It is likely that when you think of sustainability, things like reusable straws, thrift shopping and the slogan “save the turtles” come to mind. Although some may see sustainability as a trend for teenage girls, there really are a lot of benefits to sustainability, especially as a college student. I do want to disclaim that I am not trying to convince you to single handedly save Mother Earth, but some of these tips can save you money.
Grocery Shopping
Think about the last time you went to pick up groceries. What did you
carry your groceries in as you walked out of the store? It was most likely a plastic bag. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the average American household brings home approximately 1,500 plastic bags annually. The Center for Biological Diversity also said that plastic bags take 500 or more years to degrade, and they do not entirely degrade but just break down into microplastics which can continue to pollute the environment. With all this talk about why plastic bags are so bad, you may be wondering what you can do to help reduce this problem at a local level. Asking for paper bags instead of plastic, if they are available, politely declining a bag or bringing your own reusable bag are just a few of the easy changes you can make as a start.
I also want to mention that you do not need to purchase an expensive, aesthetically pleasing, organic cotton cloth bag to avoid using plasic bags. It is completely fine to use a bag you already own. I know I can be guilty of wanting to purchase things just for the aesthetic — which is also totally fine. Additionally, you can shop secondhand at thrift stores or wait for items you’re looking for to go on sale.
Plastic on Campus
I think students are bombarded with huge amounts of plastic any time food items are involved. The cafeteria is not the only culprit on campus. For example, when you look at vending machines and the food options in the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC), most of the food is served in single-use plastic containers or Styrofoam containers (which are not
Photo by Alison Malawey
About Us
The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available twenty Mondays during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
easy to recycle). What can you do as a student? You can choose not to purchase items from vending machines that are in singleuse plastic containers, you can inform Dining Committee about purchasing recycled paper options for single-use food containers or you can try taking your own container. This last option may not currently be applicable considering restrictions regarding Covid-19, but in the future, it may be a great option to ask about.
Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastics at home may include shampoo bottles, plastic cutlery, trash bags, plastic dishes, toothbrushes — the list could go on and on. What are the alternatives? For shampoo bottles, you might consider using a shampoo bar or using a refillable shampoo bottle like those offered on such websites like PackageFreeShop.com. You can try to eliminate purchases like disposable dishware. According to Catalina Logan from sciencing.com, when you factor in the energy and resources used to make each type of plate, the cost of paper or plasitc plates usually outweighs the cost of ceramic plates. Another way for you to be more sustainable is to look for compostable trash bags, which can also be ordered online. Many stores now offer bamboo toothbrushes which are naturally biodegradable and prevent more waste from going to landfills each year. Overall, there are many options to help you become more sustainable as a person on the local, campus, and individual levels. Any effort you make toward sustainability will have an effect. So even if you are only able to implement one or two changes, you can still contribute to lessening the waste humans create that end up in landfills and take centuries to degrade. Letters Policy
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.
Editorial Staff
The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.
Managing Editor - Cam Alsbrook A&E Editor - Alison Malawey Voices Editor - Alison Malawey Student Life Editor - Brittney Payette Sports Editor - Jimm Alley Copy Editor - Brittney Payette
Newsroom Staff
Staff Writers - Makenna Hill, Shianne Taylor Financial Officer - Susan Hill Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz
All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off to the Academic Commons 101.
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A&E
February 8, 2021
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Photos by Brittney Payette
Photo call: (Left to right) Curtis Myers (Lucky), Maliah Davis (Pozzo), Joey Roberts (Estragon), and Payton Williams (Vladimir) wait by a tree in Cameron University’s production of “Waiting for Gadot”.
‘Waiting for Gadot’
Coming together in the right place at the right time Brittney Payette Student Life Editor
At 7:30 p.m., Feb. 18-20, and at 2 p.m., Feb. 21, the Cameron University Art, Music, and Theatre Arts Department will host a performance of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Gadot” in the Cameron Theatre. Dr. Deidre Onishi is directing the play, chosen specifically as an complement to this year’s academic festival theme of “Connections: Information Transfer Between People.” “In fact,” Onishi said, “it is the opposite of connections. It is people being disconnected.” The play is about two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting near a tree for a man called Gadot — but neither are really sure if they are in the right place, at the right time, or if Gadot is actually going to come. “Waiting for Gadot” is a tragicomedy, which combines comedy and tragedy together resulting in both serious and humorous moments. The characters in the play talk among themselves, about things ranging from why they are there and whether or not they should hang themselves. “I love the silences,” Onishi said. “The pauses and the silences, it lulls you.” To put on the production, the cast and crew really had to come together and work as a team; everyone had to do their part.
Onishi specifically expressed her appreciation for her Stage Manager Ciara Renée and Assistant Stage Manager Sidni Blalock, “This has just been an excellent cast and crew,” Onishi said. Renée enjoys helping put on productions with the Cameron Theatre. “I like showing leadership,” Renée said. “I like being involved with the cast, spending time with them and making sure that they know their lines and words.” The cast includes Payton Williams as Vladimir, Joey Roberts as Estragon, Curtis Myers as Lucky, and Maliah Davis as Pozzo. Stephanie Sabol was the Lighting Designer, Nina Pebeahsy was the sound board operator, Micah Harris, running crew, and Abbie Rinestine was the house manager. Additionally, Aubrey Waxler served as light board operator, Dakota Barbee was the properties designer, Francis Waweru, Nairobi Kenya, Jade Ellis are running crew, and Cole Nowlin was wardrobe. Associate Professor Eric Abbott was the costume and makeup designer, and Assistant Professor Ben Williams was the scene designer. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, military, Cameron faculty and staff, and non-Cameron students. CU students receive one free
admission with their CU I.D. To reserve tickets for this production please call the box office at 580-5812478. Cameron’s box office is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Cameron will hold auditions for “Theory of Relativity” at 7 p.m., Feb. 22-23, in the Cameron University Theatre. Auditions are available for people
who are high school age and up. Prospective performers should come prepared with a memorized song that is from a Broadway Musical of 16 bars. Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate. Please come prepared to read from the script. For more information, contact the Department of Art, Music, and Theatre Arts at 580-581-2346.
February 8, 2021
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Student Life
5 Photo by Alison Malawey
Featuring: Magic Lantern Film Society Alison Malawey Page Editor
In the Spring 1982, Cameron University History Professor Dr. Mark J. Stegmaier and English/Foreign Language Professor MariLyn Beaney started the Magic Lantern Film Society as a way to share classic films with their students and the community. The first showing featured two 16 mm films. Stegmaier and Beaney led the group until Beaney pursued a fellowship with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in 1988. English Professor Sherry Newell took over as advisor after Beaney left and continued her service for 27 years. English Professor Dr. John Morris joined the advisement staff in 1990 when Stegmaier stepped down, and Morris has been advisor to the society since. This year marks the 31st anniversary that Morris has been an advisor for Magic Lantern. The society derrives its history from the famous Magic Lantern Theater in Santa Barbara, CA, which in turn gets its name from early projection equipment. According to Isla Vista Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), the Magic Lantern Theater was an art house that screened classic, independent and foreign films in the 1970s. In the 1980s, UCSB purchased the theater and renamed it the Isla Vista Theater. Currently, the Isla Vista has become a second-run theater. Cameron University’s Magic Lantern Film Society
picked up where the original Magic Lantern Theater left off by showing critically acclaimed films as well as cult classics. For Morris, Magic Lantern is a way to bring the community together through film. “Classic films are a part of cultural and literary history,” he said. “In the department, I teach a class called ‘Film as Literature,’ which was created by Dr. Leigh Holmes. And I think that they [films] are texts of a kind, and great films are part of our cultural history.” Morris said he has always thought of Magic Lantern as a place where students can learn while being entertained. “Movies do both; they can do both. Although, there are different kinds of entertainment. We obviously focus on classic films, and we define classic as anything that’s at least 10 years old and has received critical acclaim. “But we’ve shown cult classics too. ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’ is easily the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but people love that silly movie.” Spring 2021 marks Magic Lantern’s 39th season, but the annual classic film series has been cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions. Magic Lantern planned to show eight films this school year, but the pandemic forced the group to make a change and find new ways to share classic cinema. Since people are unable to attend a live showing of a film, Magic Lantern plans to host a virtual gathering to discuss a film after people watch a film at home. Magic Lantern has plans to continue showing classic films in the fall — provided that the
pandemic allows. For more information about Magic Lantern, or to suggest a film for the society
to show, students can contact Morris through email, make a submission online through Cameron’s website for Magic
Lantern, or post a message to the society’s Facebook or Instagram account, @ MagicLanternCU.
Photo by Alison Malawey
Movie Magic: (Above) English Professor Dr. John Morris is the advisor of the Magic Latern Society and an avid lover of classic films. (Below) Members of the 1985 Magic Lantern Film Society gather for a quick photo: (top row) Roma Chenoweth, Ann Atwater, Phil Supina, Mark Stegmaier, MariLun Beaney, Sherry Newell, Don Chenoweth and Pat Wilkerson; (bottom row) Susan Jackson, Mary Hunter, Whit Ozier, Mary Virginia Ozier, Kevin Chenoweth, Lorraine Cadawallader and Bill Cadawallader.
Courtesy Photo
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Sports
Men’s basketball
February 8, 2021
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CU falls to high-powered Lions
Photo by Jimm Alley
So close but so far: Cameron junior guard Brock Schreiner goes for the lay up on a Lion’s defender. Cameron’s defensive struggles lead to a decisive win for the Arkansas Fort Smith Lions.
Jimm Alley Sports Editor
On Jan. 22, The Cameron Men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking home loss to the Arkansas Fort Smith Lions (UAFS), 85-76. The Lions got off to a hot start on offense and never let up on the Aggie
defense. The offense for Cameron was a different story, however; junior guard Brock Schreiner was once again the leading scorer for the Aggies. With 35 minutes of court time, Schreiner scored 19 points while making four out of six of his free throw attempts
and picking up three steals on defense. Schreiner would fall one point short of his third straight 20-plus point performance. After the game, Schreiner said the Aggies struggled to actualize their strategy on defense. “We didn’t really go out and execute
our game plan at the beginning,” Schreiner said. “We knew they had some shooters, and they can get off for big games.” Schreiner specifically mentioned number ten from the Lions, guard Peyton Brown, who dropped a whopping 38 points on the Aggies. “I really think the
big thing is we didn’t execute,” Schreiner said, “and we didn’t get their guys off the line like we should have.” Cameron would begin to fight back through most of the first half, even gaining the lead over the Lions at one point. Though, the lead would not last long as the
score at halftime was 4734 with the Lions on top. The Lions would come out swinging in the second half of the game, quickly lengthening the gap on the scoreboard. The Lions maintained a ten-point lead for almost the entire second half. The Aggie offense was able to regroup and keep scoring consistently enough to make it a close game. Sadly, much of the second half would be like the first with the Cameron defense struggling to keep up. Head coach Andrew Brown was disappointed with his team’s inability to make any significant stops on defense. Brown said much of the Aggie’s struggles boiled down to “our immaturity defensively. We did not come out in this game and play hard defensively in the first half.” The poor defensive play in the first half outshined how well the Aggies performed on offense, especially in the game’s final minutes. With no more than 60 seconds left on the clock, it seemed as though they might be able to complete a stunning comeback. But the Lions offense was able to slow down the game just enough to hold on to win. The Cameron men’s team is now 1-8 through the start of the season. For more information about Cameron athletics, visit cameronaggies.com.
Women’s Cross Country Three years and still running strong Shianne Taylor Staff Writer
Since their start in Fall 2018, the Cameron women’s cross country and track and field teams have expanded and distinguished themselves in the long history of Cameron women’s athletics. The first signing class consisted of about 18 athletes, which was primarily made up of a large freshman class with a few upperclassmen. In fact, all of the athletes were new to Cameron except for one. Senior Keyanna Patterson was part of both the cross country and track teams. She said joining an all-new program was interesting and that the team was able to create a friendly atmosphere. “With no upperclassmen, we really had to make a name for ourselves, and I feel we took on that task well,” she said. “From the first semester of Fall 2018 to now Spring 2021, we have set new personal records and truly did our best.” As the teams have grown, many student athletes have demonstrated a desire to run a variety of events and compete in cross country as well as field events for track.In the beginning, there were mainly distancefocused athletes. Coach Kenya Hyman manages the sprinters, and she mentioned how she likes coaching the team because the athletes are always willing to do what she asks of them. That willingness is necessary for them to improve. “I think the athletes are still building the program and it will be very impressive soon,” she said. So far, athletes qualified for and competed in three cross country conference championships, placing sixth in the first year as a team and each year after that moved up individually in rankings for final results. Additionally, team memebers have competed in one
Photo by Shianne Taylor
indoor and one outdoor track conference championship. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 outdoor track and field championship was cancelled. However, runners are gearing up for the 2021 indoor track and field conference championship, unless the increase in COVID rates and cases from other teams affect the meet. According to head coach Zach Johnson, the fall season was a little tough due to the pandemic; there was a lot of uncertainty going into the season from a long Summer break. “It’s hard to run twice a day when you do not know if you are going to have a season or not,” Johnson said. “Plus, some people were in places where it was difficult to be out in public places as much.” Johnson reiterated that he has high hopes this Spring season for the athletes. No matter the case, the team will continue to train
everyday so that they can be prepared for competition when the time comes. In practice, the athletes work together to finish every repetition strong. Running together in groups simulates races for both cross country and distance events on the track. The more teammates work together, the stronger and faster the team becomes individually and collectively. Similar to the distance athletes, sprinters practice together. Though they must run in their own lanes, sprinters continue to support one another as they finish each workout ,so they can progress together. Johnson said it has been exciting adding women’s cross country and track teams. “It’s fun with a bigger group, and I think it is a better atmosphere with both genders,” he said. For more information about Cameron athletics, visit cameronaggies.com.