The Cameron Collegian - November 14th, 2022

Cameron University VetFest

A Veteran’s Week Celebration

“We did it the first time ever in April,” Henson said. “This is our second VetFest that we’ve ever done… We pick a different focus everytime we do VetFest.”

At 9 a.m. on Nov. 7 in the McMahon Centennial Complex lobby, Cameron’s office of Veterans Affairs hosted this year’s VetFest, which had a multitude of different events like a resource fair that had information and resources to help veterans and their families.

Some of the groups who were present at the resource fair were the Student Veterans of America, Lawton Vet Center, Veterans Upward Bound, among others.

The VetFest also kicked off the festivities with a big bang at 10:15 a.m. when soldiers fired a salute howitzer near the Bentley Gardens.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 7-8, Fort Sill Mascots Big Deuce the donkey and Shortround the goat visited the Cameron campus East of Bentley Garden.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 7-8 there were two Humvees on display along with the howizter and an Air Defense Patriot Launcher System.

Cameron’s CU Coordinator of Veteran Affairs Vicki Henson said VetFest is a fairly new concept that came about because the Veteran Affairs office wanted to do something fresh.

Henson said Cameron’s Veteran Affairs office is a full service Veteran Affairs Office on the third floor of North Shepler in room 332. The office primarily helps with certification and the usage of VA benefits.

“We service our students by helping students to utilize their VA educational benefits,” she said. “We help them with the processing of their paperwork, plus we have to certify that the classes they are taking are something they need.”

Henson said she hopes that everyone who attended VetFest had a great time.

“There is truly something for everyone on campus to come and enjoy at the VetFest,” Henson said.

Christopher Thomas from the Lawton Vet Center was one of the participants in the Veterans Resource Fair.

“We do readjustment counseling for combat veterans and their families,” Thomas said. “If an active duty member dies, the family members can come to us for counseling.”

Thomas said he loved VetFest and was glad to participate with the event.

“It’s always good,” Thomas said. “Really

informal. I liked the variety of organizations here.”

Native American Nurse Navigator Michael Gardner said a big part of his job involves doing outreach, such as participating in Cameron’s Veterans Resource Fair.

“We do have a clinic here in Lawton, on the base,” Gardner said. “We partner with Lawton Community Hospital. So, they help take care of our veterans, we pay for it.”

Gardner said he likes to come to events like this because it helps him provide Native American Veterans with helpful information.

“I like the idea of bringing these community resources together,” he said. “The VA wants to let the rural Native American Veterans know that we are still here available and through my outreach activities, I will bring those services to them.”

To contact Michael Gardner for more information about the services the Oklahoma City VA provides for its Native American Veterans email michael.gardner@va.gov.

The Lawton Vet Center is located on 10 SW 2nd St, Suite 4 in Lawton, OK and they can also be contacted via their phone number (580) 585-5880.

For more information about Cameron’s Veteran Affairs Office email vickih@cameron. edu or call (580) 581-230.

Photos by Brittney Payette

Plush N Stuff A Cameron PAC event Upcoming Events

Warm Winter Wishes from Cameron’s Student Support Services:

Free cup of hot cocoa or tea from SSS.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 15

In Nance Boyer’s North Lobby

CU Succeed:

Restorative Yoga

Learn restorative Yoga from instructor Cynthia Sosa.

10-11 a.m. on Nov. 16 Pre-recorded and uploaded to the student development Blackboard.

CU BSA’s Friendsgiving:

Cameron’s Black Student Association will host a friendsgiving with free food, games, and more.

6-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the McCasland Ballroom in the MCC.

CU Become a Reading Specialis:

A free workshop for certified teachers interested in becoming a reading specialist.

5-6 p.m. on Nov. 15 Zoom

Link to register: https://www. cameron.edu/education/events/cubecome-a-reading-specialist

CU in educational leadership:

A free workshop for certified teachers interested in becoming a reading specialist.

5-6 p.m. on Nov. 16 on Zoom

Link to register: https://www. cameron.edu/education/events/cu-ineducational-leadership

CU Succeed: Healthy Nuitrition Tips for College Students

Presenter Chef Mikel from Sodexo.

10-11 a.m. on Nov. 18 in the Buddy Green Room in the MCC.

CU Succeed: You Snooze, You Don’t Lose Healthy Sleep Tips

Presenter Jennifer Rowland, Director of CU’s Student Wellness Center talks about healthy sleep.

3:30-4:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Buddy Green Room in the MCC.

CU Succeed:

Suicide Prevention

Presenter Dr. Jennifer Pruchnicki, Director of the Office of Student Development talks about suicide prevention.

3:30-4:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the Buddy Green Room in the MCC.

The Importance of Being Earnest:

The CU Department of Art, Music, and Theatre Arts peforms the play called “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

7-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 18-19 and 2-3 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the University Theatre.

Photos by Lindsey Edwards

Responding to the Oklahoma teacher shortage

Tiffany Estes Copy Editor

Once again, news of a growing teacher shortage is dominating the headlines in Oklahoma — and the rest of the country as well.

Alarming stories about the lack of teachers is nothing new. But what does the actual data say about the workforce itself?

According to The Oklahoma State Department of Education, there are 2,831 more public schools than there were just a decade ago. That is nearly a seven percent increase.

The number of students enrolled in public schools has also increased by four percent over the past decade. This contributes to an imbalance in studentteacher ratio in public schools. In an essence, the Oklahoma teacher shortage continues to worsen.

Director of Education Preparation in the Cameron University Department of Education Dr. Christopher Keller said Cameron University sets the standard in teacher education.

“The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at CU is considered a ‘Gold Standard’ teacher education provider. Our EPPs are nationally-accredited by

CAEP (the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). In fact, just two weeks ago the Education Department hosted both national and state reviewers for our seven-year re-accreditation and we had a perfect visit,” Keller said. “The teams closed out their review Tuesday, Oct. 25, and met with CU leadership to provide for us their preliminary results. The review teams said our Educator Preparation Programs met all national and state standards with no areas for improvement and no stipulations. This is a big, big accomplishment,” Keller said.

Keller said the Education Department is always recruiting and supporting future educators.

“We have scholarships available, and we host campus events and activities to both inform and assist people interested in becoming teachers,” he said. “Indeed, a significant initiative launched this fall is the ‘Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program.’ This is also know as, ‘Inspired to Teach’ scholarship; it offers qualified students up to $25,500 as they complete their Educator Preparation Program and teach in Oklahoma.

Here are the requirements:

• Graduate from an Oklahoma high school.

• Meet higher education admission standards at: 1) a public or private Oklahoma university with an accredited Oklahoma teacher education program, or 2) a community college with an approved articulation agreement with an accredited Oklahoma university teacher education program.

• Declare a major in an accredited Oklahoma university teacher education program with a degree leading to a standard teaching certificate or declare a major at a community college with an approved ‘Inspired to Teach’ articulation agreement with an accredited Oklahoma teacher education program leading to a standard Oklahoma teaching certificate.

• Be enrolled as a full-time (12 credit hours per semester) undergraduate student each semester of eligibility in the program.

• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and a minimum 2.5 GPA throughout matriculation.

• Prior to entry into the ‘Inspired to Teach’ program, the student shall agree to complete the Oklahoma teacher preparation education program and agree to teach in an Oklahoma public prekindergarten through 12th grade (PK-12) school for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years upon graduation and

licensure as a teacher.”

Keller has a long-standing history as an educator and as a teacher of teachers.

“ I am a teacher by trade,” he said. “I am married to a 26-year veteran teacher, and my family are all educators in some way. I respect this profession and I have spent my entire adult life working to lift up my community and the people around me by being a teacher. I have probably 45 years or so left on this planet. When I am on my death-bed (or skiing pants-less down a double black-diamond slope in Aspen – whatever way I end up going out), I want to look back on my life and know with absolute certainty that I truly made my world a better place and helped my people. So far, I have done just that. I am a teacher. if someone is considering teaching, DO IT. This is a profession, not a job – it is rewarding, challenging, and has a direct effect of making our world better. The only way we make it better is by trying.”

For more information about becoming a teacher and making a difference, please contact Keller at 580.581.2858 or by email at ckeller@cameron.edu.

Prospective students can also contact Education Department Chair, Dr. Stacie Garrett at 580-581-2803 or by email at: sgarrett@cameron.edu.

Beware: Online Employment Scams

Tereasa Neeley Voices Editor

When you put your resume into search engines such as Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. you don’t expect your resume to be looked at by scammers. You are wanting to find a great job with benefits so you can start a new career.

But what you may not know is that some of the job offers that are out there are scams. Beware of scammers who may contact you offering great pay and benefits, when in reality, they are trying to decieve you into giving them your personal information so that they can steal your identity.

I placed my resume into several job search engines and found it hard to weed through the scam job offers to get to the businesses who actually looked at my resume. I found that it was difficult to see which companies hiring are actually legit and which ones were a scam.

I received a text message from someone calling themselves James Robert who said he was a recruiter for Immedica Pharma, a pharmaceutical business in Solna, Sweden. He said that he had seen my resume on Indeed and my qualifications met the job they are hiring for. I found it odd that he sent me another text with a list of jobs that they were hiring for, and I was to choose one that I wanted to apply for.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt and chose a job I was interested in applying for. He then set up a job interview via text. I was to download the app “Signal” and he would conduct the interview. That’s when I began to get really suspicious, Robert did not want to do a Facetime interview he was only willing to conduct an interview by text message.

Robert texted professional questions and I answered accordingly. After the interview I was able to ask questions. That’s when a red flag popped into my head. I asked him how many pharmaceuticals they produce, and Robert avoided the question. I then asked if the company planned on branching out to the United States and Robert texted “Yes, sure.” That answer alone made me leery.

When the interview was over, Robert said that I had answered all the questions perfectly and that I was hired for the job. As part of a new hire package, I was to get a check for a new printer, computer, desk and desk chair. I was expected to purchase everything that was needed to make an office in my home. Robert instructed me that once I receive the check, I was to deposit it into my bank account, withdraw the first hundred dollars, then buy something from a local establishment that I needed for my office.

After the job interview was over, I researched the company and that is when I saw they were based out of Sweden. I couldn’t find anything fishy online,

however that did not keep me from being suspicious. I decided to open an account in a bank — one where I don’t normally bank — and if something happened, the most I would lose was the amount I put in to start the account.

That weekend I was talking to my family about the job and how I was suspicious about Robert and his offer. My brother looked up the company on their website and discovered that the actual company had put in a warning to possible victims that they do not hire employees in the United States. They only hire people living in Sweden.

That next Monday I waited for Robert to text me back. When he did, I texted him due to the company’s website warning of scammers I have decided to turn down the job. I haven’t heard back from Robert since that response, and have been more

careful about screening my job offers.

As a nontraditional student I have been working for many years, and I am someone who is wary when I get a job offer because of an influx of many scams which I received in my email. Companies claim they picked your application over everyone else’s; however, when you click on the link to apply for the job, you will find yourself redirected to another search engine with job offers.

Scammers use these search engines to collect your email address and phone numbers and solicit false job offers. Next thing you know, you receive what seems to be a great job offer, only to later realize that you have been taken for granted.

In order not to get scammed, do your research. Look online at the company and do not trust the original link they offer you. Google the company yourself. Talk to someone you know and get their opinion on the job offer. Be very cautious with the companies that offer to send you a check, allowing for you to keep part of the money as your bonus simply for applying for the job.

You can also report the scammers at Reportfraud. ftc.gov or go to your local state attorney general’s office.

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.

CU THEATRE BEGINS SECOND PRODUCTION: ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’

The Cameron University Department of Music, Art and Theatre Arts will present “The Importance of Being Earnest” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, Nov. 18 and Nov. 19. at the Cameron University Theatre.

The play will be presented at 2 p.m. on Nov. 20. The play is based on Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, military, Cameron faculty /staff.

Cameron students will receive one free admission with thier Cameron I.D.

Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office at 580-5812346.

Reviewing Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’

By Victoria White Staff Writer

On Oct. 21, Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album “Midnights.”

The standard album features 13 songs, while the deluxe version boasts an extra seven songs.

“Meet me at midnight,” Swift said, opening the album with the electropop song “Lavender Haze.”

The sound of this song is a departure from Swift’s previous projects, particularly her last two albums “Folklore” and “Evermore,” which were a blend of indie, folk and alternative.

The album is overall a major change of sound for Swift, who, along with longtime producer Jack Antonoff, experimented with new genres like dream pop and electronica.

Swift is familiar with experimenting with new styles.

A country singer at the start of her career, she made a surprising shift into pop music with the release of her 2014 album “1989.”

With her dual 2020 albums “Folklore” and “Evermore,” Swift proved she could comfortably change styles yet again, abandoning the pop sound.

The concept for “Midnights” stemmed from circumstances many of

us have found ourselves in at one point, or several points, in our lives: unable to fall asleep at night.

“‘Midnights’ tells the stories of thirteen sleepless nights scattered throughout my life,” Swift said.

The album’s content is reflective of the anxieties many experience at night when trying to fall asleep: anxiety, self-realization, and the vulnerability of being alone with one’s thoughts.

Swift opens up about her anxiety in response to losing her independence.

Since 2016, she has been romantically involved with actor Joe Alwyn.

She responds to the questions of marriage in the song “Lavender Haze.”

“All they keep asking me is if I’m gonna be your bride,” Swift said. “The only kinda girl they see is a one night or a wife.”

Swift has been subject to romantic speculation and scrutiny for the entirety of her career.

In her song “Midnight Rain,” she addresses the same issue.

“He wanted a bride,” Swift said, “I was making my own name.”

In this album, Swift shows off a keen sense of self-awareness which has been lacking in her previous projects.

Swift, 32, has been subject to nasty behavior from the press, but she has

also made some mistakes of which she’s not proud.

In her now-trending song “AntiHero,” she lays it out clear and simple.

“It’s me; hi,” Swift said. “I’m the problem; it’s me.”

In the same song, she compares herself to a Godzilla-like monster preparing to descend on a town of people who intend to kill her, but follows it up with a line explaining her choice of words.

“Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism like some sort of congressman?” Swift said.

Lyrically, “Midnights” feels far more personal than any recent Swift album. “Folklore” and “Evermore” were impersonal, full of fantastical stories about other people.

Sonically, it feels different from any previous Swift album. “Bejeweled” and “Karma” feel like they could have been on the latest Charli XCX album.

I wish I could say “Midnights” is a no-skip album. After the fun, new wave-adjacent song “Karma” comes “Sweet Nothing,” a tender ballad about finding comfort in a person who provides an escape from the world. Lyrically, the song is a warm hug. Musically, it falls flat. The song is accompanied by an organ. It is simple and monotonous, like something a child

would learn during one of their first lessons.

This is done with purpose, to represent the comforting calm that comes with finding your person, especially contrasted with Swift’s hectic life of superstardom.

However, it makes for a dull listening experience.

While not without its flaws, the album has proven to be a commercial success for Swift.

Billboard writer Gary Trust details Swift’s record-breaking success on the charts.

“Taylor Swift scores one of the most historic weeks in the 64-year history of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart,” Trust said, “as she becomes the first artist to claim the survey’s entire top 10 in a single frame.”

He continues by describing the additional records she’s surpassed.

“She now boasts the most top 10s among women in the chart’s history,” Trust said, “with 40 (surpassing Madonna’s 38). Among all acts, she trails only Drake (59 top 10s).”

Despite being in the music industry for over 16 years, Swift still has a lot to say and a dedicated audience who will listen.

Photos by Blake Moren

You silly boy! Lady Bracknell is unhappy with all the proposals happening around her. (Left to right) “The Importance of Being Earnest” stars Dakota Maggard Weeks, Shalyn Bowels, Maliah Davis, Kyleigh E. Garmon, and Victor Quinones.

Tribune News Service

CU NEEDS YOU BE AN RA TODAY

Nakisha Horne Staff Writer

For the 2022 – 23 academic year, Cameron University Resident Assistants (RAs) applications are being accepted. An RA helps support the academic success, social development, and personal growth of students by creating experiences within a diverse community of learners that involve students, faculty and staff.

To fulfill the expectations and responsibilities listed in the application, the applicant must recognize that this position shouldn’t be made lightly. The RA position is an opportunity for you to build your leadership skills and be a role model for students living in the Cameron Student Housing and Residence Life. You should consider your commitment carefully as you begin this process.

The RA position plays an integral role within Cameron Student Housing and Residence Life. Students selected to assume this important leadership

role will have significant, focused responsibility for residential life in an assigned area. RAs are enthusiastic students and leaders who have a direct influence on campus culture and develop valuable leadership skills such as communication, building rapport, and managing conflict while making a significant contribution to the campus community.

The position of RA within the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life is a live-in, nine-month, from August to May, paraprofessional position that requires the RA to reside in their designated area of responsibility. The RA is responsible for maintaining and fostering a community of 20-50 residents and they report to a Student Housing and Residence Life professional staff member.

Coordinator for Residence Life, Emily Trail spoke about the application process.

“The application process is fairly easy,” Trail said. “They just need to email their Cameron university application along with a resume and two references and an answer to a few questions that are located on

our webpage.”

Some of the qualifications include that the applicant must be enrolled at Cameron University and maintain a full-time enrollment status. They cannot exceed 18 credit hours per semester for undergraduate courses or exceed nine credit hours per semester for graduate courses. They also must be in good standing with the Cameron University and maintain a semester/cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Even though the application deadline has come to an end for the Fall semester, “we will be running another application process in the Spring and we will probably have a lot more openings,” Trail said.

However, any of the qualifications can be waived by the Director of Student Housing and Residence Life or their designee.

For any questions, please contact Emily Trail, located in the McMahon Learning Center Office 101. Emily Trail may also be reached by phone at 580581-5907 or email at etrail@cameron.edu.

Upcoming at Cameron University

Above: The CU Alpha Phi sorority is hosting a “Mac & Phi’s fundraising event on from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 19.

This event will include an all-you-can-eat mac & cheese buffet, cookies and drinks.

There will also be a mac & cheese eating contest called “Eat Your Heart Out.” If you sign up with the QR code apove, you will be entered in a gift card raffle. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

All proceeds for this event go to the Alpha Phi Foundation, the national philanthropy organization for all Alpha Phi chapters throughout the country. The foundation focuses on supporting women’s heart health through leadership experience for women, CPR certification and training, a number of grants to support women in need and more!

To learn more about the Alpha Phi Foundation, please visit http:// www.alphaphifoundation.org/home.

Right: Journalism and media production (JRMP) students will be participating in a movie screening at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Vaska Theater in Lawton.

This movie night will include a collection of films that are directed and produced by Cameron students Glen Archer, Kyleigh Neitzke, Logan Pina, Alec Santos, Kalen Haynes and Blake Moren.

Students produced the movies in the advanced production class offered through Cameron’s JRMP program. Genres for the short films include horror, comedy and drama.

The Vaska Theater is located at 1902 Ferris Avenue.

Admission is free for the public and everyone - students and the community - is encouraged to come and support CU students.

For more information, email Dr. Matt Jenkins at mattj@cameron. edu.

AGGIE BASKETBALL HOME OPENERS

M E N S

SAT. NOV. 19 - 3 P.M. AGGIE GYM vs. ROGERS STATE

W O M E N S

TUE. NOV. 15 - 5:30 P.M. AGGIE GYM vs. HARDING

AGGIE ATHLETICS Q and A

a school counselor.

What led you to decide to come to Cameron?

I took some concurrent classes on the duncan campus, and I really just wanted to be close to home, and cameron is right around the corner.

Why do you want to be a counselor?

BECAUSE I LOVE BEING AROUND CHILDREN, AND MY GOAL IS TO HELP AS MANY AS I CAN — EVEN IF IT’S JUsT THE SMALLEST, LITTLE INFLUENCE.

WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO WORK WITH KIDS?

MY SISTER HAD A BABY WHEN I WAS IN FOURTH GRADE AND THEN ANOTHER SHORTLY AFTER. SO, I WAS KIND OF IN CHARGE OF BABYSITTING THEM FOR A WHILE, SO I THINK THAT MIGHT BE WHERE IT COMES FROM.

With Katie Gravitt from the Aggie Spirit Team

Katie Gravitt is a new face on the Cameron Cheer Team. Gravitt is a freshman majoring in psychology with hopes of one day becoming