THE“CAMPUS March 22, 2017 – Volume 110 Issue 48
Students draft petition asking officials for transparency Chandler White COPY EDITOR
Two students created a petition to improve communication and repair facilities within the acting program. Harrison Langford and Callie Dewees, acting sophomores, initiated the petition based on discussions within the acting program. After it was revealed that none of their tuition funds go toward the acting program, Langford and Dewees consulted Caroline Stella, acting junior, who started a similar petition in the past. They found that Stella’s petition washed away when her room in Methodist Hall flooded. Dewees and Langford hosted a forum Feb. 24 in the DulaneyBrowne Library. About 14 students attended the forum. When enough interest was shown, they resolved to create the petition. It was drafted Feb. 27 by Langford, then released March 1 through his father, a lawyer. The petition’s goal is to identify problems with communication and facilities and to make the university aware of students’ concerns. “If you’re going to go to a school, you would hope that most of the money that you’re paying goes to things that you’re going there for,” he said. “It’s not like we’re going to demand that our money go different places, but we just want to know. Like, if it’s not going to our program, we should know where it’s going.” A secondary goal of the petition is to request improvement of many of the malfunctioning facilities used by the acting
It’s not like we’re gonna demand that our money go different places, but we just want to know. Like, if it’s not going to our program, we should know where it’s going.
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Harrison Langford acting sophomore
program, specifically the Clara E. Jones Administration and Gold Star Memorial buildings. The basement of Gold Star was finished about a year past schedule, and it still contains safety hazards, such as nails protruding from the floor. The petition addresses each space, asking for particular improvements including: - safer floors in the Goldstar basement, - soundproofed walls in Gold Star classrooms, and - new floors in Studio A and the admin tower classroom. “If our university is unable to fund these things or allow a budgetary discussion, we, as students who pay a considerable amount, should be educated as to why,” the petition reads. The admin tower in the administration building was never re-floored, despite plans made and a budget presented to univer-
sity officials. One problem with the room is an uneven tile in the center of its floor that makes many performance exercises problematic. “I’ve had rehearsals where we had to stop rehearsal for 20 minutes and deal with the fact that there was a wasp in our rehearsal space,” Dewees said. “I worry practically every time I’m in movement class that I’m gonna, I don’t know, cut my foot on the funky tile in the middle of the admin tower.” Withholding information from acting students causes negativity and frustration within the program, said Daniel Etti-Williams, acting sophomore. “This is all speculation, and this is what causes dissent and frustration,” he said. “It’s not having that clarity and that transparency. Because if we had that, we would know exactly where our tuition’s going.” The petition has 162 signatures so far. Langford and Dewees intend to speak with Dean Mark Parker and Provost Kent Buchanan after reaching 200 signatures. A physical signature is not required. Students can contribute a digital signature via change.org/p/school-of-theatre-petition-forfacilities-and-tuition-transparency. There is no major requirement to sign the petition.
Alumna Wilkinson named adviser for theater students Chandler White COPY EDITOR
The theater school officially has an adviser after about three months without one. Emily Wilkinson, who previously worked as an admissions counselor at OCU for five years, was named adviser for current and prospective students of the theater school. She officially assumed her role March 20 after having trained since March 6. Wilkinson graduated from Wanda L. Bass School of Music in 2012, having spent all four years working in admissions as a student. After she graduated, she immedi-
ately began working in admissions for the next five years until being chosen for the role of adviser. “With the training that I had with my master’s program and things like that, it was a good transition—a good move,” Wilkinson said. Wilkinson originally interviewed for a different position on campus, but she was not hired. She was, however, referred to theater school after the departure of former adviser Dalaina Ealy. Ealy “left her post with immediate effect,” according to a Jan. 26 email theater students received from Dean Brian Parsons.
With the training that I had with my master's program and things like that, it was a good transition—a good move. Emily Wilkinson School of Theater adviser
After Parsons approached Wilkinson and asked her to apply, she went through the interview process and was offered the adviser role. She accepted it the next day. Some students said they hope Wilkinson can manage the post in a more efficient way
than it was handled in the past. “I’m hoping that Emily will be able to streamline everything, make it much more efficient,” said Dylan Mobley, acting senior. Last year’s advisements were stressful, which wasn’t good for anyone, so hopefully Emily’s
experience helps her better understand the School of Theater requirements, Mobley said. Wilkinson’s responsibilities mostly consist of advising current and prospective students on scholarships, auditions and enrollment. She also plans to bring more organization to her role to make it easier and more structured for any adviser who may come after her, Wilkinson said. “I think that there are things that we can streamline a little bit more. I’ve talked with the theater faculty and they agree, so hopefully we’ll be able to do that,” Wilkinson said. Wilkinson’s current focus is to familiarize herself with
the students and get to know them on a personal level. To her, the most important part of her job is ensuring that students feel comfortable and familiar with her so personal relationships can develop, she said. “I’m mostly excited to develop that relationship again over four years, as opposed to just working with prospective students for a year and then never seeing them again,” Wilkinson said. “I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”
Annual Spring Powwow to follow Spring Equinox Art Exhibition Zoe Travers NEWS EDITOR
OCU’s Native American Society will follow the opening of the Spring Equinox Art Exhibition with its 11th annual Spring Powwow, which now has a competition component. An opening reception for the exhibition, featuring music and live painting, will take place from 7-9 p.m. March 31 in the Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery in Norick Art Center. The exhibition runs from March 27 to May 19. It will highlight Native American art from a variety of featured artists. The art will reflect the significance of the vernal equinox in Native cultures, which symbolizes the coming of new life in winter and the welcoming of spring, according to a March 7 press release. “Eight featured artists encompass a wide range of styles and techniques, reflecting the diversity and richness of tribal cultures in our state,” said Holly Moye, director of the school of visual arts, in a press release. The Spring Equinox opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. To attend, RSVP with Moye at hmmoye@okcu.edu. More information can be found on their Facebook event page. Art school officials plan to launch an artist series each semester featuring events, projects and/or workshops. “I look forward to seeing what else the school of visual arts has in store for us,” said Anna Nguyen, marketing senior. “I’m glad OCU is taking the initiative to expose its students to a myriad of art forms.” The powwow, with a newly-included dance competition, will follow the exhibition. “It’s impressive for a university NAS,” said Russ Tallchief, director of student engagement and inclusion and multicultural program. “Colleges have their own powwows, but we’re one of the only contest powwows on a university circuit.” Tallchief said the addition of the contest adds a competition aspect he hopes will bring in the school’s performers. The dance will begin at noon April 1 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. Admission is free. Dancing begins at
M MEDIAOCU.com
Student Publications a�chives Native Americans around the community dance at the ninth annual Powwow in 2015 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Powwow will be at noon April 1 in Freede. The event is hosted by the Native American Society.
2 p.m., followed by a supper at 5 p.m. Supper will incorporate traditional Native American cuisine, like corn soup and fried bread, prepared by students. There also will be native jewelry, art, literature, and music to purchase at the powwow. Gourd dancing will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature the Gourd Clan of the Comanche Little Ponies. Gourd dancing comes from a traditional Native American dance for veterans. “It came about when the veterans came back from war and they weren’t able to dance,” Tallchief said. “There’s amazing music that makes you want to shake your gourd.” The drum contest will be winner-take-all for a $300 prize. The winners must participate in the grand entry. First place winner will receive $200, second place winner will receive $150 and third place winner will receive $75. The grand entry will follow the dancing at 7 p.m., which involves a single-file procession of dancers, drummers, royalty, and the head staff. The head staff includes Head Man Zack Morris of the Sac
and Fox tribe, Head Lady Sydney Prince of the Wichita tribe, Master of Ceremonies Eddie Mahseet of the Comanche tribe, Host Drum Young Buffalo Horse, and Head Singer Ernest “Iron” Toppah of the Kiowa tribe. Among the head staff also are honored alumni, faculty and students, including honored alumna Tana Fitzpatrick of the Crow/Ponca tribe; Dr. Stephen Prilliman, associate professor of chemistry and member of the Salish tribe; arena director Randy Frazier of the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe; and the members of the Riverside Indian School Color Guard. Royalty includes MaryAnn Guoladdle-Davilla of the Kiowa tribe, history senior and outgoing OCU Princess and Miss Indian OCU. The incoming princess will be determined at the ceremony. “The grand entry is a spectacular thing to witness,” Tallchief said. Guoladdle-Davilla organized the powwow and said the event is meant to kick off the Native American Society events for the year. Guoladdle-Davilla said her title as Miss Indian OCU made her more conscious of the Native American events on campus. “It gives me more of a position and more of a reason to participate in Native American activities,” Guoladdle-Davilla said. She said it’s important that Native American students put on events on campus because not many students can afford the price of OCU due to the high level of poverty in the native community. Guoladdle-Davilla said she most looks forward to seeing the event in completion. She encourages students to get involved to learn more about NAS. Volunteers are needed to help sell raffle tickets and cook. For more information on getting involved, students can contact Caitlin Brown at cmbrown1@my.okcu.edu or 405-584-2701. Contributing: Staff Writer Prisca Lynch
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