January 2022 Vol. 115 Issue 5

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NEWS FEATURES OPINIONS SPORTS

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• Vol. 115 • Issue 5 • Jan. 28, 2022

COVID-19 Precautions Continue at UCM LIBBY EAST Featurs Editor

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Central Missouri continue to adapt to precautions as COVID-19 evolves and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes new recommendations.

While the UCM community balances masking, new variants and Zoom classes, reported COVID-19 cases continue to increase.

Since March 2020, the UCM has had 1,305 students and 341 faculty test positive for COVID-19. As of Jan. 22, 2022, there have been 271 total cases this semester.

The CDC and UCM currently recommend double masking or wearing N95s and to continue social distancing. Students are also urged to get vaccinated, which can be done at local pharmacies or at the University Health Center. The UHC also offers COVID-19 testing by appointment.

Health Center Director Crissy Hall explained the importance of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Getting vaccinated and boosted decreases the likelihood of being hospitalized with COVID,” Hall said. “Most students I have spoken to that have been vaccinated and boosted and did get COVID have similar symptoms to a cold and can usually be managed with over the counter cold and flu medications.”

From left to right Ichino Murakami, Mylanna Holman and Delyla Boyd sit together wearing face masks and attending an online course. “People are losing their lives, so it’s important that you just wear [a mask] to participate whether you agree or disagree,” Boyd said. Photo by Lauryn Morrow

Information found through use of Wayback Machine that recorded UCM’s COVID-19 website from March 2020. COVID-19 data was not published until September 2020, and data is missing from January, June, July and December of 2021. Infographic by Emma Fischer

Students Volunteer during MLK Day of Service LIBBY EAST Featurs Editor

Thursday, Jan. 20, MO Volunteers hosted their 15th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service event in the Elliott Student Union as part of the week-long MLK celebration on campus. At the event, students took part in a number of different volunteer opportunities, which included making positive bookmarks for the library, colorful placemats for seniors in nursing homes, no-skid socks for nurses, dog and cat toys out of old t-shirts for local animal shelters and fleece blankets, scarves and buddy bags for homeless shelters. The buddy bags were stuffed with warm socks and gloves.

Kristie Brinkley, assistant director of student activities and volunteer services, helped organize the event.

Senior marketing major Briley Wade volunteers at the MLK Day of Service event. Students could choose to make a variety of items to help people throughout the UCM and Warrensburg communities. Photo by Libby East

“Doctor Martin Luther King was very about service and giving back,” Brinkley said. “We like to honor him in doing the same thing.”

Students who attended the event were able to show off their creativity within the many stations.

This aspect in particular appealed

most to senior biology major Jake Mwamba.

“It’s really interesting how creative people can be and how much they are willing to put time into their creativity to make an impact,” Mwamba said.

While the MO Volunteers committee is overseen by Brinkley, the entirety of the event was planned by the students within the organization.

Sophomore secondary english education major, Nolan Crain designed nearly all the projects included at this event. Crain said he has always been passionate about volunteering.

“I really like volunteering,” Crain said. “I feel like it’s something that a lot of people — even if it’s something they don’t think they should — should do.”

News

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EMMA FISCHER Assistant News Editor

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REPORTERS Abram Tabor Trevor Martin Lillian Tate Blake Brinsa

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Libby East, Features Editor Meah Copeland, Sports Editor Dillon Seckington, Opinions Editor Angela Evatt, DEIA Editor Gabriella Ellis, Promotions Manager Anna Furney, Copy Editor Blair Miller, THRIVE Intern Dr. Julie Lewis, Faculty Adviser

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News

Muleskinner 3 • Vol. 115 • Issue 5 • Jan. 28, 2022

Student Workers Strive to Afford College

Senior information technology major Hemang Patel works as a custodian at UCM while also managing his ceramics business to afford his living expenses. Photo by Rowena Rambeau

ROWENA RAMBEAU Reporter

A student’s economic situation drastically affects their ability to afford college. Many student workers at the University of Central Missouri supplement their income with additional work hours off campus, which can create challenges.

Students are employed in almost every department on campus. Some positions include doing custodial

work, being advisors in residence halls, tutoring and assisting in research positions.

Hemang Patel is an undergraduate student working as a custodian at UCM. He performs his duties during morning shifts while pursuing his 12 credit hours of studies in the afternoon. Patel makes $11 an hour, and said it is enough to cover some basic living costs.

“I just make that money so that I can kill my time, and I can pay my car insurance and gas money,” Patel said.

Patel also receives additional income from his ceramics business. Between the price of credit hours being more expensive for international students and the cost of his rent, he said he doesn’t think he’d survive on his UCM job alone.

“I would definitely not be able to afford [to live] here,” Patel said. “It’s too expensive.”

Ranea Taylor, associate vice president of Human Resources, explained there are a variety of student workers with different responsibilities.

“They could be work-study student workers, they could be departmentfunded student workers, they could be grant-funded students — meaning they come to a department, might write a grant for some reason or another and they [the department] would get student workers associated with the grant,” Taylor said.

For many students, their pay is below Missouri’s minimum wage of $11.15.

According to HR, student worker pay ranges between $10.55 to $25 an hour.

While pay can increase to $25 per hour, this is for specific, grant-funded student researcher positions.

Additionally, students are limited to 20 hours of work per week according to the Department of Education’s recommendations.

Making $10.55 an hour at 20 hours a week means many student workers make just over $200 a week, while average UCM tuition including fees based on 30 credit hours is around $9,000 or just over $550 dollars per week during a sixteen-week semester.

Student workers fulfilling all their hours at the minimum rate can afford about half their tuition by the end of the school year, yet this doesn’t take into consideration costs of housing, food, clothing and many other basic needs. With these circumstances, students supplement their income.

Junior kinesiology major Danielle Pancoast works at the information desk in the Elliott Student Union. She divides her time between working at the desk 12 hours a week, at The District as a bartender 12 hours a week and being involved with a sorority alongside taking four classes.

While last summer Pancoast was still being paid around $9 an hour at UCM, she said she recently was given a raise.

“This helps cover rent, food, sorority bills, fun nights out and other utilities,” Pancoast said. “I don’t really have school payments, and my parents also pay a little bit.”

Pancoast explained that without her job and her parents, she would hardly be able to afford UCM. She also said she has observed her sorority sisters drop out over the years due to the stress of juggling a job and school or not having a job at all.

Student Workers!

Take this survey to contribute to upcoming Muleskinner coverage.

The Muleskinner would like to continue covering student workers and would like to hear from you. Do you enjoy your work? Do you wish you could find a different job? Do you feel you’re getting enough hours? Are you financially secure? Let us know if there’s something you’d like us to report.

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Features

Social Work Offers a Rewarding Career Path ANGELA EVATT DEIA Editor

Social workers help others solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives ranging from adopting a child to dealing with a terminal illness diagnosis or recovery from an addiction. Marlys Peck, the director of the social work program at the University of Central Missouri said being a social worker is a privilege. “[It’s] a profession that allows us to see the best of people and communities,” Peck said. “If someone needs a social worker, something in their life has not gone as planned or they want to make a change. So, we are stepping into their lives when they are the most vulnerable, and the beautiful part is that they let us in, knowing we are trained and able to provide guidance.”

Deciding on a career can be a daunting task, but social work can be an area where students can explore their passions and give back to the community for the greater good.

Two junior social work majors at the UCM, Sam Paddock and Jessica Fugate, shared that they didn’t know exactly what they were going to do when they first started the program.

Paddock started out as an art major, and then she changed to social work. “[The art program] is an amazing program, but I was bored,” Paddock said. “My big’s sister [in Delta Zeta] was a social work major, and it seemed

to be the best fit.”

Fugate was already employed when she transferred to UCM from Metropolitan Community College, she made the decision to transfer because it was the right location.

“I come from a background of poverty and understand what it’s like to live with scarcity,” Fugate said.

“So, with that, I feel like I can have a level of empathy with those who are experiencing similar hardships and provide the support they need because of the education I was able to get. I recognize that I have privileges as a white person, and I want to be a person that uses that to advocate for others who don’t have as many opportunities.”

Both Paddock and Fugate were not short of praises about the social work professors. Paddock said professors are nice and take the time to get to know students on a personal level, and Fugate praised their experience.

“The social work professors have been a source of inspiration and motivation because of how they teach the classes and share their experiences as a professional social worker before they became teachers.” Fugate said.

As Paddock and Fugate get closer to graduation, they are assured in their decision because of how they have been learning about social work from experienced professors and their passion to support others.

Infographic by Cloe Pohlman

Muleskinner 5

Features

• Vol. 115 • Issue 5 • Jan. 28, 2022

Morgan Starbuck Helps Make UCM History EMMA FISCHER Assistant News Editor

While the University Farm and Alumni Association put in a lot of work to set the Guinness World Record for the largest number of ridden mules in a parade, much of the behind-thescenes work was done by students.

One student, Morgan Starbuck, was newly employed in the alumni office, and had hardly any experience in the event-planning field when she began organizing mules and their owners to ride in the record-setting parade.

Having come to UCM to study in the pre-medical track, Starbuck realized the program wasn’t for her. She switched to become a double major in event planning and marketing, and began taking classes for those majors in August 2021, less than a month before she started to helpi organize the world record attempt.

When Starbuck interviewed for the student position at the alumni office, she said she didn’t think she’d get it because she thought other applicants would be more qualified.

“They’ve probably actually taken some of the classes for event planning because at the time, I’d taken animal biology, plant biology and chem one … nothing that was towards event planning,” Starbuck said.

However, Tiffany Cochran, senior director of events and alumni engagement and Starbuck’s interviewer, said she thought that

Morgan Starbuck helps organize files for participants checking in for the world record attempt. “I mean, a world record… it’s pretty stinking cool,” Starbuck said. Photo by Emma Fischer

Starbuck was right for the position.

“Morgan was the best fit and she did a fantastic job of keeping us organized,” Cochran said.

“Sometimes it’s not about what experience you have, but how a student can present themselves. I feel like Morgan has that potential, like she executed exactly the task and then, here we are, continuing on.”

Starbuck still works as the alumni and event student worker. Her duties during the world record attempt included calling as many mule riders in the midwest as she could. She would make phone calls then talk potential participants through the

registration process and explain when and where the event would take place and about the documentation that they would need in order to participate.

When event day came, Starbuck and her coworkers were set up at six in the morning in the old fraternity complex parking lot, with documentation of everything the mule riders would need to participate in the world record attempt — their registration forms, copies of their mules’ Coggins reports, which certify that the animal they were riding was indeed a mule, and consent forms that allowed for participants to have their photos taken.

Starbuck was the first person the mule

riders spoke to, and she did everything from answering questions about coffee and doughnuts to scanning and uploading digital copies of official documents.

“I don’t want to have that opportunity for something to go wrong,” Starbuck said. “My goal was to make sure that if something were to go wrong that morning, they’d have no idea … a big part of it is just making sure that everything for the people who are involved go seamlessly and they don’t have to worry about it.”

Jackie Jackson, associate vice president of university advancement, worked closely with Starbuck on the world record attempt. ”There’s no way we could have accomplished this without having a dedicated person on the project,” Jackson said. “Morgan came in as a student worker, and really led the charge to keep us in line with everything Guinness was wanting.”

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6 Muleskinner • Vol. 115 • Issue 5 • Jan. 28, 2022

Music on Repeat DILLON SECKINGTON Opinions Editor

Opinions

Trade School Offers an Alternative Career Route ANNA FURNEY Reporter

6.8/10

7.8/10

The Wombats: “Fix Yourself, Not the World” (2022)

Earl Sweatshirt: “SICK!” (2022)

Formed during the garage-rock revival of the early 2000s in Liverpool, The Wombats have been putting out music for nearly 20 years. The band’s fifth full-length album and latest effort, “Fix Yourself, Not the World” is a great example of how The Wombats have adapted to stick around the alternative rock scene for quite a long period of time. The band’s growing appreciation of elements of pop in their music has allowed their audience to diversify and grow, pushing the band further with each release. “Fix Yourself, Not the World” is truly a record for fans of any genre. Catchy melodies, driving basslines, and The Wombat’s usual indie slant deliver on so many levels.

From the rigidity of songs like “People Don’t Change People, Time Does” to the calming piano featured on “Method to the Madness,” this record certainly has something for everyone.

Jan. 14 marked an important day in the world of rap music as Earl Sweatshirt released his fifth studio album, “SICK!” The record seems to hit the update button on the elusive rapper’s style in an impressively subtle way. The tracks that make up “SICK!” don’t feature traditional Earl Sweatshirt beats, tempos or styles, but they do allow listeners to see the artist in a new light. While Earl’s struggles with depression and a crumbling home life provides the majority of the subject matter on Sweatshirt’s 2013 debut “Doris,” the rapper’s latest release is optimistic. While dealing with the ever-looming pandemic as well as celebrating the birth of his first child, it is safe to say that Sweatshirt has his hands full in the new year. However, the 24 minutes of rhymes on “SICK!” show that the rapper has much more to show fans.

Highlights: “Flip Me Upside Down,” “If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You”

Highlights: “Lye,” “Vision,” “Tabula Rasa”

Exploring Your Interests Leads to Being Genuinely Interesting LILLY TATE Reporter

8/10

7/10

Within the first month of 2022, college enrollment in the United States is noticeably lower than last year on average. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s publishing from Jan. 13, “Undergraduate enrollment alone fell by 3.1 percent or 465,300 students over last year … with the largest numerical drops at public four-year institutions (251,400 students or -3.8%) and the steepest percentage decline at private for-profit four-year colleges (-11.1% or 65,500 students).”

While the University of Central Missouri has actually experienced the opposite of this enrollment trend, paying attention to nation enrollment may point to changes in society.

This notable decline in college enrollment may be attributed to the effect of COVID-19, with many people feeling unsafe in the college environment. Vaccine and mask mandates, inability to afford tuition due to medical bills or loss of work and the simple fact that there are so many people at colleges who can spread the virus are all reasons that

Cordae: “From a Bird’s Eye View” (2022)

Snail Mail: “Valentine” (2021)

In just five short years, North Carolina rapper Cordae has become one of rap’s biggest up-and-coming stars. Cordae has collaborated with and impressed some of the biggest names in hip-hop, such as J. Cole and Dr. Dre, released a highly successful debut album “The Lost Boy” and maintained relevance during a time of minimal touring. On Jan. 13, Cordae released “From a Bird’s Eye View,” showcasing his growing confidence and ability across a wide variety of tunes. The record sounds modern at times, with in-your-face rhymes and hard-hitting drums on songs like “Super,” while songs like “Momma’s Hood” or “Want From Me’’ feel more retro and laid back. This sort of variety is what makes Cordae so versatile on “From a Bird’s Eye View.” As one of the members of the “new-school” in rap music, Cordae both pushes the genre further and pays respect to his idols.

While still falling somewhere in between Hayley Williams and Joni Mitchell, Lindsey Jordan’s second record under the moniker Snail Mail features production much more shimmering and pop-inspired than that of her 2018 album “Lush.” “Valentine” is definitely still a rock album, yet it steps away at times through layers of instrumentation listeners have not yet heard paired with Jordan’s heartwrenching vocals. The record offers listeners a chance to hear a young songwriter continue to hone and improve her vocal skills and her ability to write quality songs on a consistent basis. By all accounts, “Valentine” is a record about love, the confidence behind it, and the failures or barriers that prevent love from occurring.

The title, lyrics, imagery and overall rhythmic character all serve a common purpose, wrapping around the recurring theme of love.

Highlights: “Momma’s Hood,” “JeanMichel,” “Champagne Glasses”

Highlights: “Valentine,” “Forever (Sailing),” “Headlock”

have no doubt caused many to drop out.

Aside from the impact of COVID-19, perhaps young people are simply realizing the amount of opportunities in life that don’t require college education. On-the-job training and vocational schools prepare a job seeker just as sufficiently as a college education for a number of career options.

The truth is that without blue collar workers, the world would not function. Society needs mechanics, plumbers, truck drivers, exterminators and construction workers. The stigma that blue collar workers who have jobs which do not require college education are less than white collar workers with a degree should not exist — since both jobs are equally important to run a successful society.

One shouldn’t have to force themself through a college education that they don’t want just because it’s what they think will provide better opportunities.

For some situations, trade school or an internship would be much more fitting.

As long as one is doing what fulfills them, it does not matter whether they have a degree or not.

With the start of the new year, resolutions are resurging. Naturally, goals such as attending the gym, eating healthier, going to bed earlier and meeting new people are on the top of many people’s lists. However, this year should call for something different.

2022 is the year of showing one’s true self. It’s time to stop letting social media influence how people present themselves. If it sounds like a challenge to ignore societal pressure, that’s because it is. However, it can be simpler than it sounds.

A great way to start is by engaging in a hobby tailored to one’s true interests and lifestyle, not whatever lifestyle they want to romanticize. Being interested in something generally leads to someone being more interesting as a person. It’s more enjoyable to talk with someone who is genuinely passionate about a subject, regardless of how strange, than someone who has the same hobby as everyone else because it’s more popular and socially-acceptable.

Take renaissance festivals and live action role playing for example, although these activities are typically seen as a little out there by the majority, those who partake in it typically feel genuinely happy because they’re doing something they love.

That passion for their craft is inspiring. That same concept goes for all hobbies, as long as the love for the craft is there.

Another important step to becoming a more interesting

and authentic person, is to stop caring about the opinions of others.

Interesting people wear what they want, listen to what they want and say how they feel. Eventually, unique individuals will capture the attention of other unique people, thus forming a fascinating group of friends. What better way to start the new year than by making new friends?

The final tip is to start reaching out more. People can tend to feel clingy or overbearing when they ask to join events or start new relationships. This fear hinders many opportunities and could cause individuals to miss out on things they otherwise would have really enjoyed. Not only is it an easy cycle to follow, but one that will make tons of memories. This 2022, focus on what sparks true happiness and feels the most comfortable.

Illustration by Lilly Tate

Sports

Muleskinner 7 • Vol. 115 • Issue 5 • Jan. 28, 2022

Peterson Named New Volleyball Head Coach MEAH COPELAND Sports Editor

Senior associate head coach Caitlin Peterson will be taking over as volleyball head coach after current head coach Flip Piontek retires in June.

Peterson has been at the University of Central Missouri for 17 years as an assistant coach and studentathlete. She graduated from UCM in 2010 with an undergraduate degree in accounting. Peterson has been coaching volleyball for 12 years as an assistant and grad coach at UCM. She was an assistant coach to Peggy Martin and Flip Piontek. Martin actually inspired Peterson to coach when talking to her about her future during her junior year. Now as head coach, Peterson is excited to help other young women prepare for the future and excel as part of the volleyball team.

“I’m excited,” Peterson said. “I’m a little nervous, but that’s okay. I’m excited for all of the new challenges and to continue to be part of the program.”

Peterson has already started her coaching job by scheduling Division II tournaments and MIAA games.

She knows that next year will be

challenging, as she will be losing five players, but will have two incoming freshmen. Her goal is to continue the success that the volleyball program has had for the past 50 years.

“I’m really honored to be chosen to be a part of this program and legacy, [and I’m] looking forward to the future,” Peterson said.

Sophomore setter Chandler Vaughan has known Peterson for several semesters. Before coming to UCM, Vaughan played in a club volleyball team. Peterson was coaching a PVA club volleyball team that was playing against Vaughan’s team. Vaughan had never heard of UCM before, so she was curious, came down for a visit, and connected with Peterson. Now Peterson and Vaughan’s relationship is close since Peterson was a coach who helped out with setting.

“She is a setter’s coach, and I’m also a setter so I’m with her a lot oneon-one and I’ll be one-on-one with her this spring, which will grow the connection,” Vaughan said. “We do have a connection, but it’s definitely going to grow over this next spring and fall and the years I will be here.”

The volleyball team had their

New head coach Caitlin Peterson holds the Jennies’ 2021 MIAA conference championship trophies. She chose to coach volleyball because she loves the game, and she is grateful to be giving back to the program. Photo submitted by Kersti Nix

practices under Peterson the week of Jan. 16. The team came out prepared and ready to go.

“I think the team will handle it well,” Vaughan said. “We all have her back through everything and we’re going to have her back throughout the future.”

Sophomore outside hitter Kersti Nix is also excited to have Peterson as the new head coach. She said she sees Peterson as a mother figure because

International student, Diekola Akanni from Nigeria on the “King Street” field in 2011.

Photo by Justin Pero.

she makes sure the team succeeds and plays the hardest they can. Nix said Peterson deserves the position because of her dedication and commitment to the volleyball players.

“She is all about setting the bar really high on every level, like in the weight room, the competitiveness on the court, our conditioning,” Nix said.

“She is putting a lot of pressure on us, but we’re all ready for it.”

Sports

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Mural Dedicated to Former UCM Athlete BRYAN O’BARR Reporter

Bruce Franklin Reed, otherwise known as the “Hacksaw” Butch Reed, was one of the first professional athletes to come out of the town of Warrensburg, Missouri. Reed found his fame within the sport of professional wrestling, where he wrestled the likes of World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famers Junkyard Dog (Sylvester Ritter), Billy Graham, Ron Simmons and Ric Flair.

Reed’s achievements within sports began while in high school, where he played football well enough to pursue playing in college. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma Community College for a short time before playing football for the Mules at the University of Central Missouri. At UCM, he earned a 1st Team All-MIAA in 1974 and a 2nd Team All-MIAA in 1975.

After his time with the Mules, Reed entered the 1975 NFL draft where he went undrafted. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs for a short time before being cut prior to the 19751976 season.

Reed began his career in professional wrestling while living in Kansas City, where he began fighting in the midwest and southern parts of the United States. Reed had a successful career within the sport, but afterwards, returned home to the town of Warrensburg.

Bruce symbolized the role of the big

brother and a kind neighbor growing up as the oldest of eight children. “[Neighbors] could ask him, ‘Hey Bruce, can you help us bail hay? Can you help us teach the young ones how to throw a ball?’” Joyce Crittenden, one of Bruce Reed’s sisters, said. “He was one of those kinds of people.”

Reed was a skinny kid growing up until getting into weightlifting when he was 14.

“Bruce made his own cement weights,” Bob Reed, one of Bruce Reed’s brothers, said. “I saw him out there one day pouring weight. I don’t think he measured them out or knew what weights he was doing, he [poured] until he could lift them.”

But the weights weren’t the only thing that got Bruce Reed to six foot two and 260 pounds.

“He loved milk and cookies, but when he ran out of milk and cookies, he would bake,” Crittenden said.

Bruce would bake cookies for the rest of his siblings. Then, if the cookies got stale, the siblings would have a “cookie toss,” cleaning up before their parents got home to see the mess.

Bruce Reed’s father, Roosevelt Reed, raised horses in Warrensburg. His horses would graze where Blind Boone Park is on Pine Street.

“My dad taught us to be cowboys,” Bruce Reed’s brother Tim Reed said.

“He put us on our first horses when we were about five years old.”

What Bruce learned from his father stuck, and aside from wrestling, he

The Bruce Reed mural is located at 311 N. Main Street. The wrestling legend died on February 5, 2021, and the mural was dedicated on December 9, 2021. Photo by Victor Ricketts

was a cowboy.

“He had a couple of high dollar horses and things, [and] used to do a lot of rodeoing and traveled with the circuit on his off season,” Bob Reed said. “When he didn’t want to do wrestling, he wanted to go back to his second love.”

In memory of Bruce Reed, Tim Reed began the Bruce Reed Memorial Fund in the spring of 2021. The committee has put up a photo mural of Bruce Reed on the side of the Old Davis Store in old town Warrensburg at the intersection of Gay Street and Main

Street. The memorial fund currently aims to build a statue in Blind Boone Park, and to start a scholarship fund to give to one male and one female athlete in the Warrensburg area.

“He’s a leader. This is why we’re doing this legacy of his life because when you come up, if you are from Warrensburg, and you want to be a superstar athlete and you don’t know what it takes, walk up here and look at the man, and then look him up,” Tim Reed said. “That’s what it takes. It gets a small town kid to think, ‘hey, I can make it.’”