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/NorthernIowan
March 5, 2018
@NorthernIowan
Volume 114, Issue 42
northerniowan.com
Opinion 3 Campus Life 4 Sports 6 Games 7 Classifieds 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE ITC wall collapses 2
Spring break tips 3
Women in Broadcasting exhibit 4
UNI wins one in MVC tournament 6
President Nook meets with African Union CALEB STEKL Staff Writer
President Nook spoke to UNI’s African Union (AU) Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the State College Room of Maucker Union to discuss UNI’s lack of response to President Trump’s comments regarding “s---hole countries.” In January, President Trump allegedly called Haiti and other nations, reportedly including African nations and El Salvador, “s---holes”. Although the story was never officially confirmed — and no apology rendered — various high-ranking American officials did not deny the comment was made. The comment itself was not what most angered members of the AU, however; it was inaction by the university to show solidarity with students from the countries the President reportedly disparaged. “For us not to [hear] anything from the administra-
tion made us feel worse,” said Tulia Mulibinge, president of the AU. “We saw, for other student groups, the administration come out and say, ‘This is not how the university feels.’” Mulibinge is referring to emails previously sent by President Nook to students and staff at UNI addressing actions by the Trump administration. On Jan. 30, 2017 Nook sent a memo to students notifying them of an executive order not allowing persons to enter into the United States from seven countries. On Sep. 6, 2017 Nook informed students of Attorney General Jeff Sessions plan for a six-month phase out of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and that resources were available for impacted students. Nook argued the circumstances of Trump’s comments did not warrant a response. “It was my decision, not
a member of my team. The ones that I have sent out were because of actual policy changes,” Nook said, referring to situations like that of DACA. “The other one […] the executive order, [students] might not be able to get back if they went home.” The meeting, which included Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and Assistant to the President Gwenne Berry, then turned into a discussion about the struggles that students of African descent face on campus. “How am I supposed to feel safe on a campus where students do agree with the president’s [statement]?” Mulibinge asked. “How will the university ensure that these African students feel comfortable on a campus that is so Caucasian?” According to UNI’s Fact Sheet report from 2016, Black/African American undergraduate and graduate students comprise 330 of the
“We’re going to celebrate Bernstein’s 100th birthday with one of my favorite pieces from one of my favorite musicals,” said NISO Conductor Rebecca Burkhardt. “I think it’s the best musical ever written.” The concert, held in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, also included two pieces showcasing the virtuosity of two soloists. Clarinetist and UNI graduate student Sayyod Mirzomurodov was featured in the first movement of Jean Françiax’s “Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra.”
The second piece, John Corigliano’s “Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra” from the film “The Red Violin,” featured violinist Ross Monroe Winter, who is an assistant professor at the UNI School of Music. “I always enjoy seeing a good clarinetist,” said Erin Thomason, a sophomore political science and public administration double-major attending the concert. “The violin solo was also really good.” Wesley Montoya, a junior majoring in instrumental music education, has been
ADRIAN MITCHELL/Northern Iowan
President Mark Nook meets with the African Student Union on Feb. 27 to talk about comments made by President Trump.
total 11,905 enrolled population of students — 2.8 percent. UNI’s faculty precisely mirrors the ethnic diversity of the student population. Out of 537 faculty members, only 15 identify as Black or African American, which is also 2.8 percent. “When I first came to this university they would ask you to get into groups,
and guess who would be left alone? Me,” Milibinge said. “It’s about body language,” said Gorpu David, the Vice President of AU. “The person might say they want you in your group; the expression on their face tells you they don’t want you in their group.”
with the orchestra for six semesters. He discussed the complexities behind the “Red Violin” piece. “There’s a lot of parts in our pieces where we have an incredible number of divisions,” Montoya said. “Even within the cello sections, none of us were playing the same part. So those were really hard to get in tune, but it’s turned out really well.” Thursday’s performance was a preview of NISO’s upcoming concert tour to Brazil over spring break. Forty-nine UNI orchestra members will be collaborat-
ing with an orchestra from Universidade de Caxias do Sul, performing in various locations in southern Brazil. In addition to pieces by Bernstein and Corgliano, they will be performing the “Star Wars Suite” by John Williams. “We wanted All-American music,” Burkhardt explained. NISO is in their last push of fundraising for their Brazil tour. Due to university budget cuts, students are required to raise more funds than in previous years.
See AFRICAN UNION, page 2
NISO does ‘West Side Story’ at Spotlight Series SOFIA LEGASPI
Staff Writer
The phrase “orchestra concert” rarely calls to mind the image of an entire ensemble snapping and chanting “mambo!” But that’s just what the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra (NISO) did at their Spotlight Series concert last Thursday, March 1. The concert featured the “Symphonic Dances” from the musical “West Side Story” composed by Leonard Bernstein, born one century ago this year.
See NISO, page 4 GABRIELLE LEITNER/Northern Iowan