The 6420
Letter from the Editors
Spring is my favorite season because it symbolizes new beginnings. I am honored to have a fresh start to 2019 as the new co-editor in chief of our ever-growing student publications. I have attended Rose State since 2017, and my time is nearly over, but I will never forget the memories I have made with my newsroom family. Home is where the heart is and my heart can be found in Fine Arts, 110, with a coffee mug in one hand and an AP Style Book in the other.
This magazine is our crown jewel, and I hope this edition provides you with a fresh perspective on various topics, some thought-provoking conversations and, as always, a place where you can hear the voices of our diverse staff. Writing is our craft, which we are continuously perfecting to provide the best quality of work for our readers. I want to give a warm thank you to our readers who continuously support us and make our work worth doing.
Yesenia Gonzalez, Co Editor in Chief yesenia-gonzalez@raider.rose.edu
Welcome to the first issue of The 6420 in 2019. As you can see, we have some new faces this year, and we are excited for the future for both the 15th Street News and 6420. This issue is full of diverse topics from news, sports, Oklahoma activities and more. This is my second semester working for our publications and I am happy to be the co-editor in chief. I would like to thank our great staff and volunteers for always working hard to put out great content for our publications. Without them, this magazine would not be possible. The 6420 is a great place for our staff to show their creativity and raise their voices.
We are excited to welcome new ideas and energy in our newsroom and I am excited to share those with our readers. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy our Spring 2019 issue.
Julie Archer, Co Editor in Chief & Graphic Designer julie-archer@raider.rose.edu
Adviser
A Rose State journalism graduate, Professor Darcy Delaney-Nelson received a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication, with a minor in sociology, as well as a master’s degree in JMC from Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma. She has been in the journalism and mass communication field for more than 20 years. She currently serves as the mass communication program head and student publications adviser.
Letters to the Editor
The 15th Street News and The 6420 welcomes and encourages letters to the editor. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and are subject to editing for obscenity, clarity and space. Submissions must include name, major and phone number. The 6420 reserves the right to not publish submitted letters. Letters to the editor may be hand-delivered to FA110.
Policies
The 15th Street News is published monthly and The 6420 is quarterly as designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. Columns, commentaries and letters to the editor are personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of our publications or other students, faculty or administrators of the college.
Anyone having a complaint may contact the Editor in Chief, 733-7400.
15th Street News is a member of OCMA, OPA, ACP, Great Plains Journalism Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists. This publication is printed by Mercury Press, issued by RSC and authorized by the Adviser of Student Publications.
RSC is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.
This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.
Cover photo by Kessley Miller Model: Zaviana James
Front Page Photo
Meet the Staff
Bailey Walker Assistant Editor bailey-walker.com
Brayden Conover Sports Editor
@BraydenOKCLE
Selena Williams Features Editor selena-williams@raider.rose.edu
Kessley Miller Social Media Director @kess_miller
Madi Zick Chief Multimedia Editor @madilicious19
Ahmya Williams Circulation Manager @qtmyaaa
Hollye Carroll Online Editor @onsugarmountain
Tanner Pipins Assistant Multimedia Editor @princeoftan_air
Courtney Carpenter Staff Writer @lcourtneyc
Joshua Rojo Graphic Artist joshua-rojo@raider.rose.edu
3 How to be single during the holidays
5 Spring break activities in Oklahoma
7 ‘Design on a dime’
9 Campus switches to Canvas
‘Secret life of bees’ 13 Free tours at Botanical Gardens
Real Talk
What is your New Year’s Resolution?
Haley Thatcher, Photography major
“To use less plastic.”
Chance Elledge, Criminal Justice major
“Stay off my phone and not be on social media as much.”
Kendall Jackson, Pre-Physical Therapy major
“Go to the gym at least five times a week.”
Korey Hyche, Criminal Justice major
“To be a better person.”
Kristian Walker, Pre-Education major “To make more money.”
What’s in My Bag?
Story & Photos by Courtney Carpenter
For this issue’s “What’s in my bag?,” we interviewed Erin Logan, a staff member of Student Life.
Erin Logan, the chief conduct and Service Learning officer, came to Rose State in May 2017. She is currently a full-time employee and is enrolled at West Chester University where she will receive her doctorate in public administration. Logan and her husband adopted their son, Henry, a year ago and she loves watching him learn and
grow. She has a busy life and the items in her bag are evident of that. Here is a peek at the items typically found in Logan’s bag:
Wallet: “I’m old, so I still carry a checkbook. My wallet is also Kate Spade, which I love. My husband actually gave me this wallet when I started here as a ‘congratulations on your new job.”
Textbook: “I had a chapter I needed to read today so I kept my book with me to read during my lunch.”
Snacks: “Applesauce and an orange. I’m a mom. I have a 13-monthold so I have to have snacks at all times. The orange is for me though.”
Lip Gloss: “It is kind of ridiculous how much lip gloss I carry with me. I even have some on my desk.”
Pens: “They have to be this exact kind.”
Gloves: “I never use them.”
Business cards: “When I’m out, I ask people where they go to school and I try to convince them to come to Rose State.”
Junior League name tag: “I never know when I’ll need to represent the League.”
Journal: “Also Kate Spade.”
Ear buds: “I didn’t even know those were in there.”
Nail clippers
Sunglasses
Hand sanitizer
Flying solo
‘All the single ladies, put your hands up’
Story & Photos by Madi Zick
Every year at family gatherings there is always at least one relative who asks, “Do you have a boyfriend?” And every year the same question is answered with a “no,” with harsh looks from said relative.
Why does it matter if you have a significant other in life or not? Being single through the holidays can be an easy job with tips from someone who knows first-hand.
Psychology Professor Richard Wedemeyer explained that students feel the need to get into a relationship because of a bonding instinct that has a powerful influence over young adults.
ters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine for example,” Wedemeyer said. “Of course, this is infatuation, not a mature loving relationship.”
Wedemeyer said students should not worry if they’re not in a relationship at this stage of life.
“When the time is right for someone it will be very clear and should come easy.”
-Kristin Sandlin
“There is a neurochemical ‘storm’ when one is first attracted to someone that involves a variety of neurotransmit -
“Essentially, this stage is one characterized by sexual attraction,” he said. “Love itself is an elusive, impossible to clearly define, state of commitment, trust, respect and communication.”
Wedemeyer encouraged students to work on being happy with one’s self and good partnerships will follow. It is actually more productive to hang out with friends that can be trusted and will offer nonjudgmental support.
“The more you worry about getting into a relationship, the more you try to change who you are in order to fit into a certain category,” Kristin Sandlin, nursing major, said. “When the time is right for someone, it will be very clear and should come easy.”
Sandlin said the best relationships are the ones where those involved are friends first and it happens naturally.
The most notorious holiday to spend with loved ones is Valentine’s Day, the Big V, the day for love. The following day is a holiday unknown to most; Singles Awareness Day on Feb. 15.
This holiday is for all the single people out there who like the half-priced chocolates that were not purchased for Valentine’s Day.
This holiday is the celebration for all types of love: the love shared between friends, family and of course - the love for one’s self. Instead of celebrating the over-the-top mushy gushy lovefest on Feb. 14, get some cheap chocolates, a movie and have a fun night with some friends on Feb. 15.
Other holidays known for young adults wanting a significant other include: Easter, Cinco de Mayo, the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and so on. Relatives are never going to stop asking the question, but there is no need to stress. Ask your Aunt Carol what number divorce she is on and then have yourself a good time - you deserve to enjoy the holiday.
Living your best life on a budget What to do in Oklahoma over spring break
Story and Photos by Kessley Miller
As college students, it can be difficult to find the extra money to spend on extravagant vacations or fun events. With the high cost of college, prioritizing how to spend money is crucial to be able to budget school, everyday expenses and leisure activities. It can be overwhelming to make plans for spring break with so many expenses, but here are some options to have a memorable spring break this year without leaving the Oklahoma.
1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge: Located in Lawton, this is a short hour and a half drive from the Oklahoma City Metro. Here you will find many activities to do such as nature walks, fishing, rock climbing and beautiful scenery overlooking the mountains. A great time to go would be during the sunset as the sky changes colors from blue to a pastel pink.
2. The Plaza District: This artistic area of Oklahoma City has a number of eccentric shops, restaurants and beautiful murals to look at while venturing from shop to shop. Here, you can eat some pizza at Empire Slice House, get an ice cream at Roxy’s Ice Cream Social and then have a photoshoot in front of one of the many murals.
3. Turner Falls Park : Located in Davis, an hour and 15
minute drive down I-35 South, there is a blue waterfall that flows into a pond that is available to the public to swim in on warmer days. In this park, there is also zip lining, hiking trails, picnic areas, etc. Be sure to stop by The Arbuckle Fried Pies, right outside of the park, for a sweet treat as well.
4. Oklahoma City Zoo: For all the animal lovers out there, this is the place for you. A new elephant exhibit allows visitors to walk out on a deck overlooking the elephants and watch them in their habitat. Patrons can be on the lookout for the latest addition to the herd. Baby elephant Kairavi was born in October 2018. Prices are $11 for adults and $8 for children and senior citizens.
5. The Escape OKC: Put your mental abilities to the test at The Escape OKC. Visitors are immersed in the middle of a scene that requires working together as a group to figure out the puzzle and “escape” from the room before time runs out. For group rates, the prices start out at $24.
6. Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Located in the heart, Downtown Oklahoma City, the OKCMOA is home to one of the largest glass sculptures ever created by Dale Chihuly. The current exhibit hosted by OKCMOA is Ansel
Adams and the Photographers of the West which opened Feb. 1 and is here until May 26. Admission is $12 for adults, but with a group of 15 or more, admission is just $7 each.
7. iFly Indoor Skydiving: For the thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies out there, this is the perfect place. Located in northwest Oklahoma City, this indoor facility allows customers to suit up and actually have the experience of skydiving from indoors. After practicing with an instructor, the visitor steps inside a giant cylindrical tube that gives the feeling of falling from the sky. Prices range from $59.95 to $86.95 depending on the type of flight.
8. Great Salt Plains State Park: A unique state park located in Northern Oklahoma, this park allows visitors to walk on grounds that are about half as salty as the ocean. Visitors are able to literally lick the ground to taste the salt.
9. Pops : Take a short drive to Arcadia up Route 66 and enjoy a refreshing soda from Pops. There are more than 700 drinks to choose from and diner-style cooking with vibrant walls that are covered in different soda bottles. There is also a great place for a photo opportunity in front of the giant soda bottle in the parking lot.
10. Beavers Bend State Park: This state park is located in the southeastern area of Oklahoma. Visitors can try activities such as float trips, canoeing and horseback riding. There are many beautiful scenic views of this mountainous region. This state park would be the perfect place for a weekend or day trip.
11. Washita Battlefield National Historic Site: This site is the location of Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s surprise attack on the Cheyenne Village of Peace Chief Black Kettle. This site is home to a tragic event in history and now
visitors are able to learn what truly happened on the Washita River by going on ranger-led tours, seeing the Washita Native Garden and experiencing views of the Washita River Valley.
12. Oklahoma City Underground: At this hidden gem underneath Oklahoma City, visitors are able to walk around brightly colored lit up tunnels. These tunnels connect parking garages and businesses. This is a place to have photoshoots and see an artistic perspective of what were once just normal walkways.
13. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: Walking around the grounds of what is left of the Alfred P. Murrah building is an uneasy experience, but learning about the history of that fateful day in April 1995 shows visitors the impact Oklahomans made when they were able to come together.
14. Oklahoma lakes: Oklahoma is home to the most man-made lakes in the United States and they are all over the state. There are options to go to nearby lake or take a road trip, and there is even the choice between visiting a large lake or small lake. There are so many activities to do at a lake, such as camping, fishing, nature walks, boating or having a campfire.
15. Wheeler Ferris Wheel: Located within the Wheeler District of OKC, this Ferris wheel was originally from California, but is now open and offers rides to visitors. This Ferris wheel is now an iconic landmark in Oklahoma City. No matter what your budget is this spring break, there are so many different options that a person has to make it a memorable week. Expensive trips might not be realistic, but grabbing a group of family or friends and going to do something new is always special. For more ideas of activities or places to visit, go to www.travelok.com.
‘Design on a Dime’
How to get ready for a formal using $100 or less
Story & Photos by Julie Archer
Preparing for a formal event is exciting and, although there is a lot of hype around events like proms and formals, people can forget how expensive dressing for a special occasion can be. Trying to spend less than $100 for a formal event can be a challenge, but it is possible. Here is how to do it:
The Dress - The first thing I needed to find was a dress because it will be easier to match accessories later. My first stop was Bad Granny’s in the Plaza District. At first, it looked like it might be difficult to find something there. However, after some digging and searching through the back of the store, I found a rack of formal dresses. This particular dress was available in pink, orange or blue; I chose the blue one at $25.
Shoes - Shoes were the next item on the list, so TJ Maxx was the way to go for this wardrobe piece. Although discount stores can be hit or miss, it is always a good idea to check them for high quality items at an affordable price. The goal was to find silver shoes, but I did not have any luck. Black was my second choice; luckily, the pair I found was on clearance for $12.
Accessories - The next stop was Walmart for accessories. They carry a large selection of jewelry for a low price. I wanted to find silver jewelry to match the silver belt on the dress. There was a large wall with different types of accessories. It was easy to find a necklace for $2.88.
After selecting the necklace, I quickly found the earrings. My recommendation for people with sensitive skin is to splurge a
little more and play with your budget to get earrings that make you feel comfortable. For those who do not have sensitive skin, these are a good buy.
After looking through a different area in the jewelry section, I found a ring set. It is made to wear on multiple fingers, but if that is not your style, you have the option of different rings to wear. Pro-tip: Worried about your fingers turning green from cheap rings? Coat the inside of the ring with clear nail polish to avoid the green stains.
At the end of my shopping journey, I realized I still had $52.36 left in my budget. If this happens to you, it is up to you to decide how to spend the extra money. Some options I recommend are splurging more on the items listed above, purchasing another item to go with the outfit, like a clutch, or spending it to get your hair or makeup done — but probably not both though because you might exceed your budget.
Initially, when I first decided to do this challenge, I thought I would have a difficult time with it. My advice for bargain shopping is to not limit yourself by setting your heart on one store. Make a day out of it and go to a variety of stores with good deals. Take advantage of the opportunities when employees offer to help you find something. They know more about the deals and what is currently in the store, so they can be a great resource. I do not usually go bargain hunting, but after this experience, I can see myself doing it more often.
A penny saved is a penny earned:
One application, many scholarship opportunities
Story by Leah Irwin • Photo by Kessley Miller
Life in college can be tough; many students are away from home and out on their own for the first time. Some students are returning to college to learn something new, but still have to worry about the troubles of adult life. Either way, college can be expensive.
Rose State is trying to reduce the financial burden on students by offering scholarships.
“On average, Rose State College awards around $1.2 million in tuition waiver scholarships each academic year,” said Tricia Lawson, Rose State’s scholarship specialist.
Applying for scholarships can be time-consuming. Students have homework, classes, a life outside of school and sometimes, even work.
Rose State does not use separate applications for different scholarships, but instead, one application applies students for all Rose State’s scholarships.
“Our online application is a ‘smart app,’ meaning it takes the student’s answers and uses that to match a student with scholarships they qualify for,” Lawson said. “Therefore, a student may be eligible for one, 10 or 20 scholarships and so on.”
According to Lawson, last year there were 667 students who submitted an application.
“We are currently working with our marketing department to create a scholarship guide to place and share on our webpage and also use social media to get these opportunities out to students,” she said.
There is still time to sign up for next semester. Applications for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 are now open to students, with the first deadline March 1.
Rose State’s website offers more information under Financial Aid and Scholarships. Applications may be submitted at rose.edu/scholarships.
Switches to Canvas
Story by Reginal Fields & Hollye Carroll
Rose State is currently in the process of migrating learning management systems, also known as an LMS, from Desire2Learn to Canvas.
While some classes are still hosted in D2L, other divisions and faculty have already made the leap to Canvas.
“If a faculty member went through our training and they chose to teach on Canvas, they have a choice [between which LMS to use] this semester,” Travis Hurst, dean of e-learning and academic outreach, said.
However, all classes will soon only be offered on Canvas.
“We will be transitioning to Canvas entirely after this semester,” Hurst said. “Starting with summer interim classes, we will have no classes that we create on D2L.”
same time as Rose State.
Hurst and Dr. Dana Lindon-Burgett, associate dean of e-learning and academic outreach, worked informally with those schools to find out common pitfalls of the program.
D2L was Rose State’s LMS for about a decade. However, other universities across the state already made the transition to Canvas. The University of Oklahoma moved to Canvas last year, and Oklahoma State University will make the transition at the
One issue includes students not seeing their courses in Canvas. Hurst said when a student encounters this problem, it is best to contact the instructor first but Canvas also offers a support line for students.
“Another thing we have with Canvas that D2L [didn’t have] is 24/7 support line,” Hurst said. “That has taken off [some of the] training requirement needed in order to move through the system.”
However, according to Hurst, Rose State decided to move to Canvas because it offered more options to both faculty and students.
Canvas currently offers a more robust and accessible app than D2L. This is crucial because many students and faculty access the system primarily through mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
The app is user-friendly and consistent on all devices.
Users receive notifications for upcoming assignments on my mobile device and that was not an option with D2L.
Hurst and Lindon-Burgett spent nearly a year working with the system, customizing it and preparing the campus for the upcoming change. Their hopes were that students would find Canvas easier to use.
“The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the new LMS,” Hurst said.
Canvas is essentially having a planner for mobile devices and while the transition may be difficult at first – it offers students and faculty a way to stay organized.
The Humanities division at Rose State was the first division to fully migrate to Canvas from D2L. According to Dean of Humanities Toni Castillo, the decision was made last semester after working with an e-learning specialist.
With the writing courses and other technical issues it was the best move for students if they had most of their courses in Canvas, Castillo said.
She also said she and other faculty in Humanities thought it would help students if all their courses were on Canvas.
Some professors are members of an online learning committee and they say that the response from students has been positive.
Castillo said the Humanities faculty has continued to play a pivotal role during the switch.
“I cannot say enough about our Humanities faculty,” Castillo said. “This has been a hard shift for us, and the faculty has been so wonderful doing the extra work it takes to learn this [LMS].”
‘The secret life of bees’
Story and Photo by Yesenia Gonzalez
Bees are known for pollinating many crops like almonds, avocados, blueberries, tomatoes and countless others. Globally, there are thousands of species and each bee plays a distinct role in the environment, but honeybees are the ones who produce enough honey for human consumption; other bees only produce enough to sustain themselves.
“It is a pretty big [ecological] impact,” Professor of Life Science Dr. Cory Rubel said. “Worldwide, there are 20,000 bee species, which are estimated to provide pollination [to] 85 percent of plants. In the U.S. this benefits our agricultural
economy to the tune of $14.6 billion per year.”
The average life span of a worker honeybee during the busy honey-producing season is six weeks. However, pollution, disease and pests are contributing factors to their recent global decline; specifically for wild bee species.
“About 4,000 native North American bees are believed to be specifically responsible for around 30 percent of Americans’ diet,” Rubel said. “Honeybees are not native to North America, but were introduced in the 1600s by Europeans.”
The USDA released a report that tracks annually how many
honey-producing colonies exist. While it fluctuates a bit each year, the number had not fallen under 2.3 million until 2006, but began a steady increase since. In 2017, there were more than 2.6 million honey-producing colonies in the U.S. Colony collapse disorder, illnesses, winter weather and pests threaten colonies, but beekeepers and researchers work to improve conditions for honeybees. Colony collapse disorder is a broad term used to describe the sudden, rapid decline in worker bees. Researchers continue studying CCD to find the exact cause.
Although honeybee numbers remain stable, other bee species are declining.
According to a report from Science Magazine, 50 percent of Midwestern native bee species have disappeared from their natural habitats.
Neonicotinoid pesticides, which were first produced by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, are used to treat crop seeds. However, plants absorb these chemicals as they grow and when bees pollinate flowers, they absorb the neonicotinoids, which are toxic to their nervous systems. Researchers are still investigating exactly how neonicotinoids harm wild bees and honeybees. A field study released by the Science Magazine found that honeybee colonies and wild bees had more difficulty reproducing. They also found that honeybee colonies were less likely to survive the winter when they were exposed to neonicotinoids.
flowers and limit the amount of pesticides in their flowers,” Oklahoma beekeeper Tonya Wells said.
Wells is the head beekeeper at Queen Bri’s Honey in Oklahoma City. She began beekeeping with four hives as a way to help her garden flourish and now she maintains 35 beehives. According to Wells, bees in Oklahoma have the highest loss rates in the nation because of the constant weather changes.
“The nectar flow doesn’t really start here until [early] to mid-April,” Wells said. This poses a problem. In neighboring states like Missouri and Kansas, winter weather is consistent so bees do not leave their hive and expend as much energy as they would during the warmer seasons when flowers are in bloom. Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s fluctuating winter weather can prematurely signal to bees that they need to leave their colony to gather nectar from flowers.
When there is no nectar to gather, bees expend their energy and risk starvation.
Varroa mites are another problem for bees. These pests suck the blood from young broods and adult bees, weakening the hive workers’ immune systems and causing a rapid decline in bee numbers.
Industrial agriculture is a culprit in global declining bee numbers, but there are steps that people can take to help bees.
“One of the most important things [people] can do is plant
Honeybees not only provide sweet honey and multi-use beeswax, but they also pollinate thousands of the foods found in pantries all over the world. These small workers have a large task at hand. Researching bees, both honey and wild, can help protect them so they can continue to provide agricultural services necessary for both our survival and theirs.
Spring is in bloom at the Myriad Botanical Gardens
Story and Photos by Tanner Pipins
Springtime may not be in full bloom, but plant lovers can still visit thousands of plant varieties for free at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens opens its doors to the public for free tours on the last Saturday of each month. From 10-11 a.m., the guided tours will take visitors
down two different paths: “Plants for Water Conservation” and “Plants for Color.”
Located on the southwest corner of Reno and Robinson, the 13,000-square-foot Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory serves as the home to about 2,000 different types of plants. The outside grounds of the garden include a collection full of
plants native to Oklahoma.
After becoming a non-profit organization in Oklahoma City in 2014, the Gardens started the Myriad Gardens Walking Tour. That became a tradition after its inception and has served the community ever since. On a month-tomonth basis, the Gardens usually has about 20 guests per tour.
old, with a place to seek solitude with nature, or seek community and the company of others.”
“The Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces,”
“The Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces,” said Joel Bramhall, the director of education at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. “Offering its visitors a 15-acre natural escape in the very heart of Downtown, it provides our guests, young and
-Joel Bramhal
Additionally, there are attractions and expansions happening to the Gardens. The Visitors Center, located on the south end of the Gardens, is two months into its most recent remodel. Coming soon is Scissortail Park, which is a 70-acre expansion under the Umbrella Organization that will open later this year. As of right now, they are anticipating a September or October grand opening.
For more information on bookings and tours, visit oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com.
Rose State Bookstore downsizes before Student Union upgrades
Story by Zaviana James Photo by Kessley Miller •
Rose State will soon have a new bookstore on campus in the new Student Union.
Last summer, the campus began demolishing the former Student Center, which included the Rose State Bookstore. Since the demolition, the bookstore made a new home on the west side of the campus, in the Susan Catlett Loveless Center.
Moving into the new space brought many changes such as the size of the area. When the bookstore was located in the Student Center, the space was an open area. The move downsized space.
According to Dakota Berry, a bookstore employee for more than a year, the current size has been the biggest adjustment for everyone.
Another difference is that students are not allowed to find their own books. Because of the limited amount of space, employees must find the books for the students. The employees have organized the store to meet the rush-hour needs so service can be provided quickly and easily.
They accomplished this by having two separate lines in the store - one for students who need books and one for the stu-
dents who are ready to check out. This makes the store less crowded when rush hour hits.
Since it is a smaller area, many supplies are closer together instead of being spread out. All the food products that were once located with the books have now moved into their own room in the Loveless Center.
Berry mentioned sales have dropped more with food purchases than anything else in the store. This is a result of the bookstore being moved even farther from where it was before, and making accessibility an issue.
When the bookstore was in the Student Center, other organizations within the building brought more business from food and beverages. Plus, they were located closer to classes than they are now.
There is no insight as to how the new bookstore will look but everyone has high expectations about the new Student Union, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2020.
Until then, Berry still recommended, “come in and see what we have to offer.”
Dominating Dynasties:
How the reigning teams rule the ratings
Story & Illustration by Brayden Conover
Dynasties infuriate some, while they intrigue others. No matter what, fans hope their favorite team can become a dynasty. It is not meant to be for every franchise or school. Dynasties, although popular, are one of the biggest anomalies in sports. Being able to dominate a sport both on the field and in the news for years at a time is something that is nearly impossible to obtain.
Currently, there are four major dynasties that have formed in North American team sports.
College football’s most formidable opponent is the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide have won five national titles since 2009 and have been in the National Championship game seven of the past 10 years. The key to Alabama’s success is head coach Nick Saban. His ability to recruit the nation’s best players year in and year out has led to Alabama’s dominance.
The Golden State Warriors have been on an infamous tear
of the NBA since 2015. The Warriors have been to four straight NBA Finals, all against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. By winning three of the four matchups, Golden State gets to claim the title of the NBA’s newest and most dominate dynasty.
The Boston Red Sox broke the Curse of the Bambino in 2004 after 86 years of not winning a World Series, and they have not looked back since. Aside from the ‘04 World Series, Boston also won the 2007, 2013 and 2018 World Series. They may not quite be the New York Yankees of yesteryear, but four rings in 15 seasons is quite a feat given how much parity is in Major League Baseball.
Perhaps the most villainous of all dynasties is the New England Patriots. They have been to nine Super Bowls since 2001. Of those nine, they won five. Super Bowl LIII is the 11th appearance for the franchise and their 10th since 2001. Super
Bowl LIII is New England’s sixth Super Bowl title, all of which come from head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. The Pats have accomplished this remarkable run with both men at the helm of it all, dominating the NFL for nearly 20 years.
These four teams, although they are arguably the best in their sport, are also some of the most hated teams in America. Greatness comes at a price. For dynasties, the price is likability.
“Dynasties aren’t my favorite,” said Dylan Buckingham, KFOR sports reporter and host of the Dylan & Todd Show on 107.7 The Franchise. “However, it’s hard to argue how captivating they are. People want to see greatness even though it’s repetitive. They’ll complain about not liking a certain team or player, but they always watch. I’m absolutely guilty on that front.”
For a large contingency of fans, those whose teams are not in the championship game, they either want to see history continue or see a mighty kingdom come to an end.
“People tune in to see dynasties fall,” Matt Burton, producer for 107.7 The Franchise said. “They give other teams something to go after. People may not like them, but they watch them.”
This is true, to an extent. According to sportsmediawatch. com, viewership increases or stays the same if there is a team attempting to extend its dynasty. However, viewership tends to dip if there is a rematch between teams that have played twice or more in consecutive years.
Athletes and coaches at the professional level are dedicated to their craft. To be able to dominate against other professionals for any extended period of time is respectable and not an easy feat to achieve. Dynasties are a rarity in the sport’s realm. One play, one goal, one run, one touchdown can take it all away.
Veteran concerns over government shutdown
Story by Na’imah Abdul Al-Azeez
The government partially shut down Dec. 22, 2018, when President Donald Trump refrained from signing a spending bill because it did not include funding for a border wall. The shutdown lasted 35 days.
During that time, nearly 800,000 federal workers were furloughed or required to work without pay, numerous TSA workers stopped coming to work and as many as 2 million government contractors were not paid. Government contractors include jobs like cooks and custodians, all of whom did not receive back pay. Following the longest government shutdown in history, on Jan. 25, Trump signed a spending bill that reopened the government for three weeks.
The government shutdown has impacted many people in the United States, but it did not affect every area of government. The two main scholarships for veterans – GI Bill and AMVET – were granted, fully funded and without a time frame. These scholarships are funneled through different colleges and are given to veterans who have served at least three years in the Army.
“For Oklahoma, it’s around $50,000 to $80,000, depending on the school,” Tech. Sgt. Suver, Special Operations Scout for the Air Force Special Operations in Oklahoma, said. “Some veterans have perks, like getting books and student fees paid.”
He said the value of these scholarships varies from state to state and school to school.
Suver said that the scholarship funds were not affected
by the government shutdown, despite the many calls from people who had their doubts.
“It’s money that’s already allotted, so it didn’t get affected,” he said. “I see people come in with questions and concerns about the scholarships. It’s still the same small percentage. I reassure them that nothing’s changed.”
Veteran students at Rose State did not experience any issues with their aid.
“The VA was one of the departments fully funded before the shutdown, so they continue to make payments,” said John Carmack, a veteran education specialist at Rose State. He assured there was no limit to it.
“There was no end date to it as far as I know,” Carmack said. “The shutdown occurred at a time where it was between the semesters, so there would have been some small payments going out that would have covered the end of the fall semester and a few small payments for the interim – at the end of the semester. So, they wouldn’t have noticed it much.”
As for the changes since the shutdown, it was the same experience as Suver’s.
“The only thing I’ve seen from the government shutdown was veterans calling to inquire whether they were going to continue to get paid,” Carmack said. “Which they were.”
In spite of the government shutdown, veteran students could rest assured that their financial aid packages remained intact.
Made in America: Television’s Original Antihero
Story by Hollye Carroll
Over winter break, without any new episodes to watch of my favorite shows because of fall finales and with ample time on my hands, I decided to re-watch every episode of The Sopranos. One thing was glaringly clear: the show broke the mold and shaped the television we all know and love today.
The Sopranos premiered on HBO Jan. 10, 1999, and ran for six seasons until June 10, 2007. The critically-acclaimed drama won numerous awards including the first Primetime Emmy nomination and subsequent win for a network cable television series. The Writers Guild of America named The Sopranos the best-written television show of all time and TV Guide ranked it as the best television series of all time.
The antihero, defined as a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes, can be seen on television screens across America. There’s Walter White, Don Draper, Omar Little, Dexter Morgan, Jax Teller, Dr. Gregory House and Jack Bauer just to name a few but in 1999 - none of these characters existed.
Tony Soprano entered our world on the heels of Andy Sipowicz’s exit from NYPD Blue, who helped set the stage for America’s antiheroes. Anything but a police officer, Tony
cemented his antihero status in the aptly named fifth episode of the first season - “College.”
“College” finds our lead character on a roadtrip with his daughter, Meadow, to visit three college campuses. While getting gas, Tony spots Fabian Petrulio, a former member of the DiMeo crime family turned FBI informant who relocated under the Witness Protection Program. That’s when Tony realizes he has the opportunity to multitask: kill Petrulio while continuing the road trip with his daughter. After dropping Meadow off at her interview with Colby College admissions, Tony sets a trap for and then ambuscades Petrulio while he’s outside of his office.
Attacking Petrulio from behind by wrapping a wire around his neck, Tony ominously says, “Good morning, rat,” and as soon as Petrulio begs Tony to spare his life -- Tony tightens the slack and strangles him to death, and we see it happen. We see the entire thing happen.
The Sopranos creator, David Chase, was uninterested in just pure shock value. Chase recently spoke to The New York Times for the 20th anniversary and upcoming prequel film, “I hated commercials and the way they interrupted everything. I wanted to slow the pace of the episode down or speed it up, as we wanted
to. I wanted to create characters that felt like real people and behave the way people behave, which I didn’t see on network television.”
Gihyun “Gina” Pierce, MD, a staff psychiatrist for the Trauma and Deployment Recovery Services Program at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, explained why as an audience, we are drawn to and root for antiheroes.
“I think people can often identify with antiheroes themselves, which often draws them to these characters,” Pierce said. “We find ourselves actually rooting for antiheroes, though they may be considered ‘sociopaths.’ Antiheroes often aren’t ‘all bad,’ and their moral complexities and sometimes redeeming qualities allow us to identify more closely with them. When watching these characters, it’s hard not to hope for redemption.”
Throughout the series, we see Tony come face-to-face with his mortality on two separate occasions, which serves as a template for the disdain we feel toward the characters responsible for Tony’s near-death experiences. As an audience, we become emotionally invested in the lead character and his family, and find ourselves viewing this reality from Tony’s point of view.
“Certainly we can live vicariously through these characters,” Pierce said. “They fulfill our id impulses, whether it’s killing someone who has wronged us or having sex with someone we desire. I think that is certainly the joy of film and TV as they both allow us to escape reality at times.”
After committing murder, Tony and Meadow still have Bowdoin College to visit and while Tony waits outside during Meadow’s interview, he is haunted by the Nathaniel Hawthorne quote on the wall, “No man can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which one may be true.”
Hawthorne’s quote identifies what is at the heart of the Sopranos: the duality of Tony Soprano’s two lives and the struggle between who he is and who he has to be.
“Though Tony can be considered a ‘horrible person,’ he also seems very human with his panic attacks, need for therapy and ‘existential angst,’” Pierce said. “His seeming loyalty and love for his two families, his wife and his children as well as his mob family, also humanizes him and allows him to appear vulnerable and complex. Once again, we can identify with his pain, love and anger.”
Despite everything, it’s hard not to appreciate and root for a character who is just trying to do the best they can to provide for their family while dealing with mental health issues even if some of his anxiety is caused by the crimes he commits.
As Tony Soprano said to his psychiatrist Dr. Melfi, “We’re soldiers. Soldiers don’t go to hell. It’s war. Soldiers kill other soldiers. We’re in a situation where everyone involved knows the stakes and if you are going to accept those stakes, you’ve got to do certain things. It’s business.”
Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Start to finish: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 (cookie sizes vary)
Ingredients:
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• powdered sugar
• sprinkles (optional)
Steps:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese and butter together until well blended. Mix in vanilla and egg.
Add cake mix and stir until well combined.
Add sprinkles for colorful fun.
3. Make the dough into 1-inch balls, and roll in the powdered sugar to coat. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 11-15 minutes or until set.
Recipes & Photos by Madi Zick
Non-alcoholic Sangria
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
• 4 cups passion dragonfruit juice
• 8 cups of diet ginger ale (regular optional)
• 1 kiwi sliced
• 1 orange sliced
• 1 lime sliced
Steps:
1. Fill pitcher with ice and add the juice and ginger ale.
2. Toss in the fruit slices
Former dictatorship member now Brazil’s president
Story by Bailey Walker
Brazil was the last country on the American continents to outlaw slavery, after banning the practice in 1888. The country has also spent the least amount of time with democracy, instead being governed by multiple military dictatorships, the most recent of which was supported by the U.S.
A member of this authoritarian group has been elected president of this nation. A career politician, Jair Bolsonaro served as an army captain in the dictatorship.
Bolsonaro’s victory signals another success to far-right strongman candidates the world, joining the ranks of Duterte in the Philippines, Erdogan in Turkey, the Alternative for Deutschland in Germany and President Donald
Trump in the U.S. Trump’s victory in the US triggered a wave of “Trumpian” candidates throughout the nation and world, Bolsonaro may cause the same.
Bolsonaro
Bolsonaro has expressed support for torture, he was also quoted in “Jacobin” saying his sons were “too educated” to bring black women home. Bolsonaro’s Foreign Minister called climate change a “Marxist plot” to promote Chinese industry and according to the Brazilian newspaper Estado, Bolsonaro’s Cabinet marks the largest return of former dictatorship members in government.
As a Chamber Rep., Bolsonaro advocated the shuttering of congress, criticized democracy as “irresponsible” and
declared he is in favor of a dictatorship. “The people see the possibility of military discipline pulling the country out of the mud.” Bolsonaro said according to a 1993 New York Times piece.
Bolsonaro has expressed the desire for increased militarization of police by any means necessary with the explicit quote, “A policeman who does not kill is not a policeman,” and “10 or 30 shots need to be decorated, not prosecuted.”
Bolsonaro campaigned as an ‘outsider’ who promised to clean up corruption, eliminate regulation and captured much of the rest in a quote promising “to unite the people, rescue the family, respect religions and our Judeo-Christian tradition, combat gender ideology, conserving our values.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Dr. Emily Stacey on the global rise of far-right nationalism.
Stacey is a political science professor specializing in comparative politics.
“When Bolsonaro was running you also had that going on in other parts of the world [such as] the Netherlands and Marine Le Pen in France, who had to work pretty hard to distance herself - even from her father a known Holocaust denier and known to be very nationalist guy,” Stacey said. US-backed coup and reign of terror
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended Bolsonaro’s inauguration and Trump tweeted words of support for the new president.
Wendi Muse, a doctoral candidate in history at New York University and holds a master’s in Latin American Studies, has lived in Brazil and was interviewed by the Delete Your Account podcast.
“[They would torture and disappear] basically anyone who was any semblance of left,” Muse said during the podcast. “And I’m not exaggerating when I say that. They weren’t torturing just people who were avowed and self-identified communists they were going after people who had small moments of what they called ‘subversive activity,’ so even people who were singers and entertainers who engaged in things that were considered ‘unsavory.’”
What set the stage for Bolsonaro’s rise?
“We are seeing a much higher volume of refugees and the turn inward toward ‘the nation’ and the people who are ‘nationals or natives’ sets up that dichotomy of us versus them and makes it much easier
for me to blame them for stealing my job, or the crime, or drugs, etc.,” Stacey said. “It makes it easier for me as the nationalist to justify closing borders or building a wall or the travel ban.”
The Brazilian dictatorship came to power in a 1964 U.S.backed coup after a center-left president shook the U.S’s confidence in control of its ‘backyard,’ he expressed desire to take more control of industries within Brazil. While the Brazilian military seized power, the U.S. Navy waited in the wings just in case the coup requested support.
After the coup, the U.S. advised and established torture camps to suppress dissent. Under the dictatorship, there were guises of democracy, rotating military heads and only two sanctioned political parties.
A U.S.-Brazil economic partnership continues today as
Stacey said it can be justifiable to people when a “law and order” candidate breaks down democratic norms because the candidate provides results. As long as they can see something tangible in terms of policy or the implementation of law, As long as they can see something that is tangible, as long as they see something working or progressing, they’re more willing to have their rights taken away or liberties limited.
“We tend to believe these things whenever it’s politically expedient to, whether or not ‘we’ see grand results, as long as the people are seeing incremental results or some sort of progress, they’ll continue to give it a try,” Stacey said.
For the full version of this story, visit the 6420.com
Sportstalk: A handy baseball guide
Glossary
and Photo
by Brayden Conover
AAA - The highest level of minor league baseball. The OKC Dodgers are the AAA affiliate of the LA Dodgers. Single and double A are lower levels of minor league baseball.
Ace - A team’s best starting pitcher
Alley - Aka “gap” or “power alley” is the space between the center fielder and the left or right fielder.
American League - Aka “AL” is one of the two leagues that makes up major league baseball.
American League Division Series - The championship that decides who from the AL goes to the ALCS.
Backstop - A term for the catcher.
Bag - Slang for a base
Balk - When a pitcher is on the rubber and makes a motion toward the batter without throwing a pitch. The batter is awarded first base and any runners are allowed to advance one base.
Bases Loaded - When all three bases are occupied by runners.
Batting Average - Known statistically as “avg” is the average number of hits per at-bat. An MLB .300 lifetime batter is usually a hall of famer.
Big Leagues - Slang term for the MLB
Blue - Slang for an umpire
Bullpen - The area where relief pitchers warm up before coming into the game.
Bunt - A type of hit where the batter holds the bat still over the plate in order to make weak contact. This is used to move runners over in clutch situations or if the batter is fast.
Bush League - Unprofessional or un-sportsmanlike play.
Can of Corn - A high, easy to catch fly ball.
Championship Series - The championship that decides who from the AL goes to the World Series.
Check Swing - When a batter pulls back his swing at a ball.
Cheddar/Cheese - A fastball thrown with great velocity.
Complete game - A term for when a starting pitcher pitches an entire game without another pitcher coming in to relieve him.
Cooperstown - A metonym for the Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, New York.
Corners- First and third base. (Corner infielders- first and
third baseman. Corner outfielders- left and right fielders.)
Count - The number of balls and strikes a batter has in his current at-bat. Balls are announced first. Four balls = a walk, three strikes and a batter is out.
Designated Hitter - Aka “DH” - A rule used in AL play at the MLB level where the pitcher does not hit and has a designated hitter.
Double - When a batter puts the ball into play and gets to second base safely.
Double Play - A play where the defense records two outs off of the same pitch.
Doubleheader - When two games are played back to back between the same two opponents.
Earned Run Average - aka “ERA.” - A pitching statistic that keeps track of how many earned runs a pitcher allows per inning pitched.
Error - A fielding statistic that is accumulated by a player when he misplays a ball or throw.
Foul Ball - A ball that is hit out of play. Foul balls can still be caught by the defense for an out.
Golden Sombrero - A term used when a player strikes out four times in a game.
Grand Slam - When a hitter hits a homerun with the bases loaded.
Hat Trick - When a player strikes out three times in a game.
Home Run - When a hitter hits a fair ball out of the park.
Intentional Walk - A strategy used by pitchers with the intent of throwing the ball so far outside that the hitter can’t hit it. This is used to take the bat out of a good hitter’s hands in clutch situations or to set up a double play.
K - How a swinging strikeout is denoted in the scorebook. A looking strikeout is denoted with a backward K.
Leadoff Hitter - Term for the first batter of the game or inning.
Lefty - A left-handed player.
Manager - Term for the head coach because he manages the team.
Mendoza Line - When a player is batting under .200 for the season, he is batting under the Mendoza line.
Middle Innings - The fourth, fifth and sixth innings in a nine-inning baseball game.
MLB - Major league baseball, the highest level of baseball in North America. Operates the American and National Leagues.
National League - Aka “NL” - is one of the two leagues that makes up the MLB. They do not use a designated hitter.
No-Hitter - A complete game in which no hits are allowed by the pitcher.
On Base Percentage - Aka “OBP” - is a statistic that keeps track of the percentage a batter gets on base. The stat counts any way the batter got on base other than by an error or fielder’s choice.
Perfect game - A no-hitter where no walks or errors occur. This is the rarest of occurrences. Only 23 perfect games have been pitched in the MLB since 1868.
Pinch Hit - When a player comes off the bench to bat in place of whoever the original batter was supposed to be. The original player cannot return to the game.
RBI - Aka “Run Batted In” - is a statistic used to count how many runners a batter drives home.
February-March
President’s Day Daisy Gatson Bates Day (Arkansas)
Full Moon ACLU Smart Justice Day of Action (9 a.m.-noon) @Capitol
World Day of Social Justice
National Strawberry Day
Backwoods Hunting and Fishing Expo (March 2-4)
@State Fair Park
Mardi Gras
New Moon Ash Wednesday
Film Screening: Faces Places (7:30-10 p.m.)
@Norick Art Center UCO
Valentine’s day
OKC Autism Conference w/Dr. Temple Grandin (7 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
@Renaissance OKC Convention Center
Saved-by-the-90s Celebration (8-11 p. m.)
@Myriad Gardens Transgender Valentine’s Banquet (7-10 p.m.)
@Will Rogers Gardens
Film Screening: A River Called Titas (2-5 p.m.)
@Norick Art Center UCO
2019 OK Farmers Market & Agritourism Conference (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
@Hilton Garden Inn Edmond
Freedom OK LGBT College Summit (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
@Rose State
22
Employee Appreciation Day
First Friday Gallery Walk (6-9 p.m.) @Paseo
Six Twelve Mardi Gras Ball (8-11 p.m.)
@Tower Theatre
Friends of the Metropolitan Library Booksale (9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
@Oklahoma Expo Hall
Texas Independence Day World Wildlife Day
No Name: Metro Music Series (7 p.m.-midnight) @ACM UCO
National Cereal Day International Women’s Day Daylight Saving Time starts
Skrivin Jazz Club
Third Thursdays at OKCMOA March
Every third Friday, The Skrivin Hilton
“We transform The Park Avenue Grill a swinging jazz club. We stage the band in the center of the room and seat the audience around the musicians 360. We feature a full menu, and drinks. This is the perfect date night, top-notch entertainment, and 100 percent local.”
Norman Art Walk
Every second Friday, Arts District
Whether you like dance, painting, photography or music, there will be something for you to see and hear during the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk. All events are free and open to the public. Participating galleries are located near local restaurants and clubs making an evening of art as well as food and fun.
Every third Friday, OKCMOA
Art After 5 is now a monthly event on the third Thursday of every month. Third Thursday features hands-on art activities, live music, food and beverages, reduced admission and much more. The evening will be jam-packed with indoor and outdoor activities, including the Roof Terrace, weather permitting.*
Crossword Puzzle
Trivia and Facts: Oscars Edition
1. Not including this year, when was the last time the Oscars did not have a host?
2. Which film is the first superhero and/or comic book film nominated for Best Picture?
3. This professional athlete became the first to win an Oscar in 2018
4. Who made history in 2009 by becoming the first woman to win Best Director?
A. LeBron James C. Larry Bird
B. Michael Jordan D. Kobe Bryant
A. Penny Marshall C. Ava DuVernay
B. Kathryn Bigelow D. Sofia Coppola
A. Iron Man C. Black Panther
B. The Dark Knight D. Superman
A. 1989 C. 1967
B. 2004 D. 1992
