Dec. 11

THE CAMPUS THE SEMESTER IN STORIES December 11, 2019 – Volume 113 Issue 13

Above: Students from the Greek organizations celebrate during Homecoming Kickoff on Oct. 27 on the University Center Patio. Students saw performances from the cheer and POM teams and the pep dancers. The student organizations revealed their Homecoming themes, and the Homecoming royalty was announced. | Photo by Hannah Campbell

Right middle: Mackenzie McIntyre, music theater senior, is crowned Miss OCU 2020 by Miss OCU 2019, Cosette Smith, music theater senior.

McIntyre’s platform is suicide prevention, and she supports “Out of the Darkness,” an organization that hosts charity walks for suicide awareness and prevention. She will represent OCU at the Miss Oklahoma pageant in June. | Photo by Clara Foster Top right: Olivia Laskin and Zach Prall, acting juniors, perform as “Thomasina” and “Septimus” in the School of Theatre’s production of “Arcadia.” The play follows researchers on an English estate in the present discovering the lives of those living on the same estate in 1809.

The show had performances Dec. 5-8 in Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. | Photo by Hannah Campbell Middle: Sophomore wrestler Austin Loza flips his opponent during his duel in the Oct. 31 match against Texas Wesleyan University. The Stars dominated the team 47-3. | Photo by Clara Foster Bottom right: Marty Thurman of the Sac and Fox, Comanche and Delaware tribes performs during the American Indian Dance Demonstration event on Nov. 21 in the Student Lounge. | Photo by Katie Gibbs Bottom: Students perform “There’s No Business Like Show Business” in “Set a Fire: The Student Choreography Showcase and Friends” on Oct. 11 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. The piece was choreographed by Ashley Ellis, dance performance senior. | Photo by Hannah Campbell

Looking back at a semester of change For OCU, 2019 was a year of change. Students experienced a change in leadership, a change in how situations are handled on campus and even a change in the university’s acronym.

While change can often be scary, it leads to growth and awareness. For many, this semester was one of learning, listening and understanding.

OCU is not defined by its mistakes or its shortcomings, but by the stories of the students and their work to make OCU a better place for future generations.

CHANGES IN GREEK LIFE Members of the Multicultural Coalition spoke out earlier this year after a racial slur was used as a team name during the Greek sorority Alpha Phi’s philanthropy soccer tournament, Alpha Phifa. Three members of Kappa Sigma fraternity and one member of Alpha Phi were on the team. The name was announced during the tournament, but the team members did not play under the name.

The coalition, which includes Black Student Association, Native American Society and Hispanic Student Association, requested a resolution be passed by Student Government Association officials calling for Alpha Phi and Kappa Sigma to suspend operations. The resolution was passed by SGA. Officials from the two Greek organizations wrote Letters to the Editor which were published in the Oct. 2 edition of The Campus stating the actions of the members in no way reflected the values of the organizations. They said each organization would voluntarily suspend chapter participation in non-philanthropic activities for the remainder of the academic year.

“We face so much scrutiny on campus, and it’s just hard to speak up for ourselves,” said Kaycee Kernell, president of NAS. “The one time we all get together, we have power in numbers, and we actually have been heard.”

Matthew Moelling, president of Kappa Sigma, said he and other members of Greek Life are working to make the campus safer for underrepresented groups.

“We are looking to create a better solution and be a part of that solution and not be distant from the situation. We want to be active participants,” he said.

M MEDIAOCU.com

CHANGES IN CAMPUS POLICE A staff member accused former campus police lieutenant Michael Kavenius of racial profiling. Anthony Edwards, Dulaney-Browne Library circulation technician, said Kavenius made a comment about Black Lives Matter and directed it at Edwards, who identifies as Black and Native American. Edwards said he submitted a grievance against campus police to Human Resources and then filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.

Edwards also said he found Kavenius has a history of making derogatory posts toward certain groups on social media.

“How can we trust someone who in a tweet says, ‘we can choose to hate who we want to,’” said Destini Carrington, president of BSA. “If we have an issue on campus, who can we call?”

Kavenius and former Police Chief Rusty Pyle resigned on Sept.

11. Mark LaHue, former sergeant, was named interim chief of police.

Later that month, LaHue was accused of discrimination. Steven Vincent, former campus police officer, said a current police officer who wished to remain anonymous and identifies as openly gay filed a formal discrimination complaint with HR after LaHue made multiple sexually inappropriate and homophobic comments to the officer. The officer declined to comment.

“A police officer’s job, first and foremost, is upholding the law and keeping people safe, and so creating an environment where people feel discriminated against for being who they are, that is not a safe environment,” said Taylor Downey, youth ministry junior and Title IX program coordinator.

The interim chief took a leave of absence Oct. 9 after the allegations and returned Oct. 11.

Edwards also submitted a report to Human Resources regarding inappropriate comments made by David McConnell, chief financial officer, who at the time was overseeing the police department. Edwards said he was told by campus police officers about the incident.

“I love that campus,” Vincent said. “I wish it would do better.”

William Citty was appointed interim director of campus police operations on Oct. 9 after working with the Oklahoma City police department for 41 years.

Under Citty’s leadership, campus police hired two new police officers

and started the search for a permanent police chief.

“My hope for the next police chief is to build a stronger relationship between students and to help create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone,” said Leondre Lattimore, studio art senior.

CHANGES IN BRANDING Administrators officially changed the university’s acronym from OKCU back to OCU. The switch was met with the majority of the student population’s support. However, a small group of students is still holding on to OKCU. “When I was applying to the school, the website I went to was OKCU, email is OKCU and so I’ve been introduced to the school as OKCU,” said Will Watson, film freshman.

CHANGES IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION A theatre and performance student started a Diversity and Inclusion Council in the School of Theatre.

“Our goals are to create more opportunities and do more diverse shows and then also have more dynamic voices involved in conversations of season selection, casting, as well as material we are taught in class,” said Taha Khan, theatre and performance senior and creator of the council.

The university hired a new interim diversity and inclusion advocate, Jessica Martinez-Brooks, who is working to find a permanent advocate.

She said the next advocate should be a person of color.

“We need someone who can see through one of those lenses and have that experience themselves,” she said.

CHANGES ON CAMPUS This semester, the esports team leveled up, competing in official tournaments and gaining sponsorships and new equipment. Dining Services extended dining hours in the caf but reduced meal exchange hours. The Campus Health Center expanded their hours and started a new partnership with Family Healthcare and Minor Emergency Clinic. SGA passed a resolution calling for gender-inclusive housing, and Campus Technology replaced the copier fleet across campus.

Though OCU experienced an abundance of change, it gave students, faculty and staff the chance to learn from their mistakes and make OCU a safer, more inclusive environment for the future.

By Emily Wollenberg, editor-in-chief

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stories in sports

Clara Foster Student Publications

Pin the competition Above: Junior wrestler Chase Vincent grapples his opponent during his duel in the Oct. 31 wrestling match against Texas Wesleyan University. The Stars won the match 47-3. Vincent recently won his third career tournament title and occupies the No. 4 spot in the NAIA’s rankings for his weight class.

Left: Junior wrestler R.J. Walker hypes up the crowd to celebrate winning his duel in the Oct. 31 wrestling match.

Reach for the Stars Left: Senior center Taylor Sylvester shoots for the hoop in the women’s basketball game against Haskell Indian Nations University.

The Stars won 82-46 and moved on to play against Panhandle State on Nov. 26. The Stars finished the semester with an overall record of 9-0. Their season will continue with an away game against Langston University on Jan. 2, and a game against Central Christian College Jan. 4 in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.

Right: Senior forward A. J. Cockrell and senior guard Eric Wattree block a shot from the other team. The game took place at 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Activity and Wellness Center against Baker University. The Stars won the game 66-58 and moved on to play in the Texas Wesleyan Champions Classic. The men’s basketball team finished the semester with an overall record of 7-3. Their season will continue with a game against Langston University on Jan. 4 and a game against Central Christian College at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 4 in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.

Stephen Jackson Student Publications

Go for the goal Top Right: Julio Hernandez, senior forward, prepares for a corner kick at the game against Mid-America Christian University at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Brian Harvey Field. The game was Coach Brian Harvey’s 800th win.

Hope Melton Student Publications

Bottom Right: Brian Harvey, men’s and women’s soccer coach, speaks to children participating in the Brian Harvey Youth Soccer Camp last year. Harvey brought men’s and women’s soccer to Oklahoma City University over 30 years ago and has been OCU’s only head soccer coach. Harvey will retire next year after collecting 814 wins at OCU. His final game was Nov. 9.

Far Right: Andre Salvador, senior goalkeeper, defends the goal in the game against Friends University on Sept. 11 at Brian Harvey Field.

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Kai Dunn Student Publications

Running circles around them Left: Members of the women’s cross country team race at the Sooner Athletic Conference women’s cross country championships on Nov. 9 at Woodson Park. The Stars won the race with 25 points.

Spike it

Katie Gibbs Student Publications

Right: Members of the women’s volleyball team huddle up before their Oct. 5 game against Wayland Baptist University. The Stars won 3-0. The team recently won their fourth consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference title after defeating Texas Wesleyan University 3-1.

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

THE CAMPUS December 11, 2019, Volume 113, Issue 13

Editor-in-chief: Emily Wollenberg Copy Editor: Paul Dower Photo Editor: Clara Foster Community Manager: Jessica Vanek Web Editor: Luke Barrett Ad Director: Maddie Bowes Graphic Designer: Melissa Campbell

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Staff Writers: MaKayla Baxter, Josh Eliot, Troy Freeman, Erik Hamilton, Francesca Iacovacci, Matthew Lavery, Maxwell McIntire, Hope Melton, Shelby O’Brien, Hannah Prentice Columnists: Paul Dower, Francesca Iacovacci, Hope Melton

Katie Gibbs Student Publications

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Photographers: Hannah Campbell, Clara Foster, Katie Gibbs, Stephen Jackson, Hope Melton Faculty Adviser: Ben Felder

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2017. All rights reserved.

December 11, 2019

stories in a&e Smaller armies have changed the world Oliver Kennedy, acting sophomore playing “Dr. Reynolds,” Eric Starkey, playing “Atticus,” and Evan Clear, theater and performance senior playing “Calpurnia,” gather around Grant Wilson, acting sophomore acting as the body double of “Jem,” in the School of Theatre’s mainstage production of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The new script

by Aaron Sorkin follows the classic story of Harper Lee’s novel. The show was performed Oct. 23-29 in the Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.

The production, a coproduction with the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, featured student and local actors. “To Kill a Mockingbird” follows the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man in Alabama in the 1930s. Each evening performance was followed by a talkback about the show’s message and themes regarding race and inclusion. Talkback speakers were David Stewart, production manager with Disney Parks Live Entertainment, Denise Lee from Change the Perception, an organization facilitating conversation on race, and Councilman James Cooper.

Clara Foster Student Publications

Plucking strings Emily Carpenter, harp performance senior, plays the harp in the Wind Ensemble & Wind Philharmonic concert Nov. 7 in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel as a member of the Wind Ensemble.

The event was held in celebration of composer Ron Nelson’s 90th birthday.

The Wind Philharmonic performed “Famishius Fantasticus” by Michael Markowski and “Blessed Are They” from “Ein Deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms. The Wind Ensemble performed “Spilled Orange” by Judy Bozone and “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli. Both ensembles then performed Ron Nelson’s “Medieval Suite” together.

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Dancing toward the horizon Dance students perform “In This Place” in Set a Fire: The Student Choreography Show and Friends Oct. 11 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Pieces performed in the show are choreographed by students from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. The choreography show featured 200 students in performance, technical and directorial positions. “In This Place” was choreographed by dance performance senior Matthew Schouten. Two of the show’s 20 routines were full musical theater numbers, involving singing and dancing. Those were overseen by Alana Martin, dance instructor.

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Stephen Jackson Student Publications

Kai Dunn Student Publications

Redefining stories, standards

Strike a beat

Ellie Howell, psychology sophomore playing “Shelby,” and Delanie Ayers, acting junior playing “Raelynn,” perform in OCU Out of the Box’s production of “John Proctor is the Villain” by Kimberly Belflower. The show performed Nov. 9-10 in Gold Star Memorial Building Studio F. The show follows a group of high school girls as they confront accusations of sexual assault in their community. In the show’s final scene, Shelby and Raelynn confront their English teacher for his assaults and turn the story of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” on its head in the process, retelling it in a modern, feminist light. “John Proctor is the Villain” was directed by Lisi Levy, acting junior.

Stephanie Krichena, marimbist and percussion performance junior, performs the third movement of Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Marimba at the 2019 Honors Concerto Recital Sept. 3 in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Building. The event also featured Elmer Carter, cello performance sophomore, presenting the opening movement of Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 53, as well as other student performances.

Eat your heart out Students act as a group of trained zombie killers in the spotlight opera “The Zombies of Penzance.” The opera was performed in Burg Theatre Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Following the daughters of a modern-era zombie killer and a group of operatic zombie pirates, the show tells the story of two star-crossed lovers attempting to maintain an unconventional relationship across the boundaries of social status, life and death. “The Zombies of Penzance” is a parody of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic “The Pirates of Penzance” and pokes fun at the original story, operatic tropes and zombiecentric fiction and media. The production was directed by Dr. David Herendeen.

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

You ought to give Iowa a try Jack Supan, music theater/guitar sophomore, Austin Lewis, music theater graduate, Adam LaPorte, music theater/music composition senior, and Adam White and Hunter Semrau, music theater sophomores, perform in “The Music Man,” which was the Wanda L. Bass School of Music’s first mainstage musical of the year. LaPorte played “Harold Hill,” a con man who comes to a small town in Iowa under the guise of a band director and convinces the citizens of River City to purchase musical instruments. Some of the town members form a barbershop quartet and perform with Harold Hill as the story progresses.

December 11, 2019

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stories in lifestyles

Your adventure awaits Liana Forss, music theater sophomore, plays “Alice” in the Homecoming Lip Sync competition. Gamma Phi Beta's theme was “Alice in Wonderland”and follows Alice as she tours OCU to try to figure out what her major should be. She meets “Tweedle Dee” and “Tweedle Dum,” performed by Grace Nettrour, acting senior, and Leah Mossman, music theater sophomore. Mia Sherlock, dance sophomore, performed as the “White Rabbit” who gives Alice a tour around OCU. Clara Foster Student Publications

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Scream and shout!

Earth can't wait

OCU Cheer performed at the Homecoming Kickoff on Oct. 27, alongside OCU Pom, OCU Pep Dancers and the Ahhx Chords. Each participating organization presented their banner at the event, homecoming T-shirts were handed out and the week of festivities began. Gamma Phi Beta won homecoming with a first place ranking in structure and Lip Sync and second place in banner. The sorority also won the Kid’s Choice Award for their structure.

Kai Dunn Student Publications

Sabrina Bartley, psychology sophomore, Anna Luczynski, theatre and performance junior, and Ellie Howell, psychology junior, attend the Climate Strike Oklahoma on Sept. 20. Many students left school to raise awareness for the climate crisis. The strike took place at the City Hall Municipal Building in Oklahoma City. Attendees listened to speeches given by young advocates from across the state of Oklahoma and marched to the Devon Energy Center.

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

Howl at the moon Above: Members of the Oklahoma City community were invited to bring their children to trick or treat in a fun and safe environment at the Annual Walker Hall Trick or Treat.

Right: Lee Parr, viola performance freshman, and Madison Altom, biochemistry freshman, dressed up and passed out candy. The event took place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 24.

Three's a treat Left: Jay Williams, religion senior, adopted his two 11-year-old nephews after fostering them for the past year and a half. Williams is an active student on campus, participating in cheer and living in Cokesbury Court Apartments with his nephews.

It takes two to tango Right: Kathryne Pham, piano/vocal performance sophomore, learns to tango at the Tango Tuesday event as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The event was Oct. 1 in the Student Lounge in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. David Wells, tango instructor from Tango Life OKC, taught tango dancing at the event.

Submitted

December 11, 2019

Hannah Campbell Student Publications

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