UCO's The Vista, Feb. 28, 2023

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022

Oklahoma’s abortion ban exceptions bills advance

Republican lawmakers advanced two bills that seek to introduce exceptions and establish uniformity and clarity to Oklahoma’s near-total abortion ban.

Shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law the nation’s strictest abortion ban, effectively outlawing any medical procedures that terminate pregnancy. The controversial legislation allows for abortions only under lifesaving circumstances, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest that has been reported to law enforcement.

Senate Bill 368 and 834 were advanced on Feb 9 during a meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. State Senators Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville authored bills 368 and 834, respectively. Sen. Daniels’ bill expands exceptions for medical procedures that terminate pregnancies. If passed,

medical treatments like the prescription and use of contraception, in vitro fertilization, removal of an ectopic pregnancy, and procedures after a miscarriage would no longer be considered an illegal abortion.

Garvin’s bill seeks to clarify the current law’s requirement that, in order for a woman to legally terminate a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest, it must be reported to the law. Sen. Garvin’s bill, like Sen. Daniels’, also states that Oklahoma’s “pro-life” laws should not prohibit the use of contraceptive drugs or surgeries.

Gov. Stitt said during his gubernatorial debate with Democratic candidate Joy Hofmeister that he would sign legislation containing exceptions for rape or incest or for women who are pregnant and entering rehabilitation for a chemical addiction if it reached his desk.

Stitt had previously indicated that Continued from Pg. 3

Volume 119, Issue 19

Sweating taxes?

Get assistance on filing taxes through UCO College of Business

UCO accounting students are providing free income tax assistance to students, faculty, and the public until April 8 in the College of Business building through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The VITA program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, offers free basic tax return preparation and e-filing to assist low-income individuals. The program is open 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays in Room 107 in the College of Business. All services are provided on a first come, first served basis.

The program’s staff consists of UCO accounting students. Students are required to complete the federal income tax class and pass three IRS tests to be certified to prepare taxes.

“Some of the tests were brutal, and it did prepare us, but I think most of the learning is done on the job,” said accounting student Clark Stevens.

The taxpayer will need to bring all tax documents, including W-2 and 1099 forms, charitable contributions, a photo ID, and a Social Security card. International students will also need to bring passports, visas, and any 1042-S forms received from 2022 employers.

After receiving the necessary documents, UCO Accounting Instructor Riley Shaull said that the program has quality checks to ensure that there are no mistakes in the process.

“Once we have all the documents, a student will prepare the return. Another student quality checks to make sure that they’ve heard everything correctly because it’s easy to transfer those numbers wrong. Once the student has

quality-checked it, then a professor, such as myself, will check it one last time before it is printed, and we go over it with the taxpayer,” Shaull said.

Stevens said that it is worth signing up for the VITA program instead of filing through other services, like TurboTax, because it is free, and it benefits the taxpayer and the accounting students.

“The more time that I’ve been here, the more I’ve realized that with whatever kind of return we get, our professors will be able to help anyone understand how that tax return needs to get done, which parts we need to make sure we hit, and what we want to ask for,” Stevens said. The volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be closed March 13-17 for Spring Break. For more information, visit blogs.uco.edu/ vita or contact Riley Shaull at rshaull@ uco.edu.

New brand personality for UCO with Carnegie colors

UCO Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Adrienne Nobles and Dave Emerson, a strategist from higher education marketing company Carnegie, introduced UCO’s new brand personality in Constitution Hall last Tuesday.

The new branding was developed through workshops held at UCO in Fall 2022. The new personality seeks to increase enrollment by increasing familiarity in the surrounding area as a possible solution to the budget crisis. They seek to do this by giving UCO a new face.

“Carnegie is passionate about the science of human connections. As human beings, we tend to humanize things that we come into contact with. Institutions are no different,” Emerson said.

“In fact, most institutions have some sort of personality that they portray. When you think about Nike, they portray that personality of being really resilient, being really determined, being a champion,” Emersons said. “Higher Ed, they don’t tend to live in a personality. In fact, there is a lot of what we call, and I get into this, beige personality, where they’re all telling the same stories. They’re all factual and a lot of just the same types of things.

“Nobody’s differentiating themselves into what their personality actually is as an institution. And so what we do at Carnegie is we help institutions understand what is your personality, what are your traits, what are your faults? What is your reason for being, why do you exist? And then ultimately, this helps you define your personali-

ty and how you should live into that in terms of branding,” he said.

The fall workshops attracted 465 internal in-person participants and 1505 external online participants.

“Carnegie has curated and refined nine archetypes or personalities that institutions and, really, people tend to have in their personality. And so

The first, yellow and blue, match up with Broncho colors bronze and blue. However, this was just a coincidence!

“It was just pure chance. In fact, I saw it and I was like that’s literally their school colors,” Emerson said. “We were excited that those were the school colors. But yeah, there was no correlation.” Yellow and blue values were combined to form the phrase “accomplished innovator.”

“Your yellow blue storyline, our innovative collaboration, inspires students to lead the way forward in Oklahoma and beyond,” he said.

The handout explained those two in these words: “Intelligent and influential, driven by inventing the future through innovation. Delivers ingenuity, pride, and strength. Values accomplishment, experimentation, and progress. Causes people to feel confident and inspired.” Purple and orange were the other two colors included for UCO’s new personality.

Purple was summarized by “welcoming supporter.”

The handout explained more in depth about what that meant.

“Supportive and selfless, driven by compassion, warmth, and the desire to care for others. Delivers nurturing, comfort, and protection. Values altruism, commitment, and generosity. Causes people to feel valued and supported,” it read.

these are the nine different archetypes that we’ve associated into a name but also a color so I’ll briefly go over these just to give you an idea at Carnegie we love to speak in colors,” Emerson.

This graphic, tweeted by Carnegie HQ, is a simplified version of the one Emerson brought to explain the different color-trait associations.

UCO’s new direction is broken up into three different focus areas based on these colors.

Orange was summed up into “imaginative creator.”

“Creative and imaginative, driven by self-expression and artistry. Delivers something new that encourages creativity. Values originality, ideation, and new concepts. Causes people to feel constructive and expressive,” the handout said. UCO will put the new marketing into place over the next semester.

“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”

The upcoming Virgo Full Moon transits your eighth house, bringing up things from your inner depths for review. What mysteries would you like to chase this next month? Now is the time to decide! You might check on the Scorpios in your life, as their ruling planet is Pluto, the same as the eighth house. Wednesday’s Venus-Jupiter conjunction adds extra sparkles to your social interactions that could have lasting effects! Your song for the week is “Self Motivated” by Tamara Bubble.

The Moon is in your sign Wednesday through Friday, creating a few days that make it easier to move forward on your goals. Venus in Aries is a spicy transit that may be stirring up drama, and if so, this is the perfect time to communicate with your loved ones about it. Mercury’s move into Pisces puts everyone in their feels. Your song for the week is “What You’re Thinking” by Luna Li.

Mercury enters your sign on Thursday with the Moon in Cancer. Meanwhile, the upcoming Full Moon transits your seventh house of relationships. This week is an incredibly opportune time for connecting with others on levels perhaps not previously explored, especially Wednesday! Aries energy is sometimes unpredictable, but you have your own flow that can balance it out. Your song for the week is “Cutie” by Coin.

A Venus-Jupiter conjunction in your sign makes Wednesday the day of the year for any social interactions. It’s extremely auspicious especially for you, so pay attention! The Moon will shift into fiery Leo through the weekend before a Full Moon in Virgo next Tuesday. This Full Moon will transit your sixth house of daily habits. Your song for the week is “Bad Energy” by Lilyisthatyou.

Three days with the Moon in nurturing Cancer through mid-week brings your focus to your heart, home, and relationships. Emotional conversations may flow better during this time, especially as Venus in Aries heats things up. The upcoming Full Moon transits your fifth house, drawing your attention to what brings you pleasure in the material realm. Your song for the week is “Made It” by Teyana Taylor.

The upcoming Full Moon transits your fourth house, bringing attention to your home and family. Note: this can include found family. This might be a good time for check-ins as the Moon slips into emotional Cancer on Wednesday. Communicate your feelings, Gemini! Your song for the week is “Ready or Not” by Shakey Graves and Sierra Ferrell.

The Moon is in your sign over the weekend, so take time to relax when you can! This week waxes the Moon up to Full in Virgo next Tuesday. It will transit your second house, making this an excellent time for money moves. Just make sure you have an Earth sign looking over those plans. Your song for the week is “Vigilante Shit” by Taylor Swift.

VIR GO

August 23- September 22

The Moon is waxing to Full this week, and will end up in your sign. As this transits your first house, it highlights everything that makes you yourself! So you go, Virgo, treat yourself! Next Monday, a sweet Sun-Uranus transit brings the good vibes we all need. Your song for the week is “Feels So Good” by Mase.

The upcoming Virgo Full Moon will transit your twelfth house of subconscious patterns. Watch for what shows up for you over the next week as it may offer keys to better understanding yourself! Journaling may be a good way to record any changes or patterns. Next Monday is a day of positive energy when the Sun meets Uranus. Your song for the week is “Lights Up” - Myd Remix.

When the Moon slips into Cancer on Wednesday, water energy aligns with you. Thursday could bring some emotional conversations to the surface as Mercury moves into another fellow water sign, Pisces. There is also a possibility for spiritual or otherwise transformative communication during this time. The next Full Moon transits your house of networks, highlighting changes that have greater ripples than expected. Your song for the week is “Unfinished” by Noah Cyrus.

Heads up! March 1 is the best date night of the year. Venus in Aries conjunct Jupiter in Aries creates luck from all directions, so use this time wisely!

22-December 21

The upcoming Virgo Moon next week transits your tenth house, highlighting your career! What money moves are you making, fireheart? As Mercury moves into emotional Pisces, conversations make way for ending harmful patterns and beginning new journeys. Your song for the week is “Not for Sale” by Sudan Archives.

The next Full Moon will transit your ninth house, which may prompt a review of your personal philosophies! What morals guide your movements, and what might need an update? It’s all up to you to decide. After Thursday, Mercury will be in Pisces, strengthening your ability to communicate gently. Your song for the week is “2 Atoms

In A Molecule” by Noah And The Whale.

Exceptions put forward in state abortion bills

Continued from Pg. 1

he would sign any pro-life legislation that crossed his desk, but when Senate Bill 287 was introduced in the Oklahoma legislature earlier this month by State Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, Stitt said it went too far. The bill proposed punishing women who receive abortions in the state; the current legislation only criminalizes doctors who perform abortions.

Stitt, along with a slew of Oklahoma Republicans like Sens. Garvin and Daniels, have reversed course in their crusade for a total abortion ban. The contradictory and confusing sequence of laws are a fixture post Roe v. Wade politics in republican states. Lawmakers in Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona struggle similarly to create clear and concise legislation regarding what is and is not a legal abortion.

Both Garvin’s and Daniels’ bills are eligible for a hearing on the senate floor.

Student reflects on first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Shockwaves from the Russian-Ukrainian war continue to impact the world as the invasion by Russian forces has reached its one-year anniversary.

Putin ordered Russian troops into Eastern Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Both sides expected a quick victory against their opponent, although that has not been the case.

“No one expected it would be a war. We thought this would only take a few days,” said Karina Yurchenko, a UCO tennis player who experienced the beginning of the war firsthand.

The capital city of Kyiv has been the primary target for Russian forces.

Yurchenko’s family moved from St. Petersburg, Russia to Irpin, about 6 miles west of Kyiv, after her hometown in Ukraine was invaded in 2014.

“February 24 was a regular day,” Yurchenko said. “I had school online because one of my classmates had COVID. I planned to go to my tennis club and then went to my job as a Chinese tutor to teach lessons. I slept really well that night, but when I woke up, I saw so many messages about explosions and then class was canceled because of the war. I saw 15-20 Russian helicopters in the sky and then we heard so many explosions for 10 minutes until they would pause. And then the explosions would start again.”

Russia bombed Hostomel Airport near Kyiv to prevent Ukraine from having a military advantage in the air.

“I’ve had so many nightmares in my life, but this was the worst because it was not a dream,” Yurchenko said. “It was reality. My parents and I tried to pretend like everything is OK for my younger siblings.”

In the beginning of the war, Yurchenko chose to support students in Ukraine by providing free Chinese, Korean and Japanese lessons on YouTube.

Approximately 8,006 civilians have been killed since the war began, according to the United Nations. Of the victims, 487 were children.

“I was really scared,” Yurchenko said. “This was the first time in my life where I was thinking about death and that I don’t want to die. I have so many dreams to make true.”

Conflict between the neighboring countries began in 2014. Russia annexed the Crimean

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Peninsula and invaded Donetsk and Lugansk from Ukraine in an effort to protect a high population of former Soviet Union personnel and civilian population, according to Putin.

“The exact place I was born, Donetsk City, was invaded in 2014. So my family decided we were going to support our hometown and didn’t want to live in Russia because of its aggression,” said Yurchenko.

The attack on the peninsula has allowed for Russia to maintain control of the waters in the Black Sea, south of Ukraine.

NATO has inched closer towards Russian borders since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 and Putin sees this as a threat towards his home country.

Russia has the most nuclear warheads in the world and NATO sees their aggression as a threat to world peace. This started a conflict between the Russian government and the governments within NATO.

Putin’s nationalism is a driving factor in carrying out military operations against Ukraine. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Putin claims that Ukrainian soil is still rightfully part of Russia.

Ethnically, Russian and Ukrainian people have different cultures, which is where the conflict is. Ukrainians are desperately fighting for their independence.

Over 8 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the war started.

Many countries are supporting Ukrainian refugees, including Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia and others. Further west, more countries are taking refugees such as Germany, France, the United States and Canada.

“A few hours after we left our city to head west, all the bridges and roads in Irpin were blown up to limit access for Russian soldiers,” Yurchenko said. “Usually it takes five hours to drive to Lviv (in Western Ukraine), but so many people were fleeing the country, it took 15 hours due to the traffic jam.”

Food prices are at all time highs in locations around the world due to the ongoing war. Ukraine accounts for about 10% of the world’s wheat production, according to the European Union in a data study in May 2022.

Much of Ukraine’s grain is exported to Africa and the Middle East, so shipments are affected and can be delayed by the war.

Prices for goods and energy are rising because of the war, including oil. Russia is the second largest crude oil exporter in the world. The country exports roughly 5 million barrels of crude oil per year, according to a CIA statistic in 2015.

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Sports betting could be a sure thing in Oklahoma

Contributing

Oklahomans could legally bet on sports in the near future. State Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, proposed House Bill 1027 that would allow Native American tribal leaders to add sports betting to the gaming rights that the leaders already own in the state. If state officials and tribal leaders come to an agreement on how much money the state would receive from the measure, Oklahoma could see in-person and online sports betting at area casinos.

Surrounding states such as Arkansas and Kansas already legalized sports betting. With Oklahoma having two large Big 12 football school teams as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder, many see this as the perfect opportunity to make money for the state.

Special

“I think sports betting being legalized in Oklahoma would be a great extension to what we already have as a great state with sports,” said UCO student and UCentral Media sports reporter Jaden Ford. “With the Thunder being here, having a professional team, I think being able to place a bet in-person would be a complete game changer. With me being in the sports industry and being an ex-athlete, a lot of us have to go travel or use sports apps to bet, and it’s very minimal. It would be huge for us and I think they should pass the law.”

“If passed, Oklahoma would spend some of the money it receives from sports betting to help people who are addicted to gambling,” Luttrell said.

Governor Kevin Stitt is also in support of the bill. He said the money from sports betting would be used to “maximize revenue

potential to invest in top priorities, like education.”

According to the Pew Research Center, “Around one-in-five U.S. adults (19%) say they have personally bet money on sports in some way in the last

12 months, whether with friends or family, in person at a casino or other gambling venue, or online with a betting app.”

Politicians have been trying to legalize sports betting in the state of Oklahoma for

the past few years, but have fallen short of it passing. This time, however, the bill seems to have few legislators that are opposed, with it passing unanimously through a House Appropriations subcommittee.

election for recreational cannabis coming on March 7

Oklahomans are days away from voting on State Questions 820, a citizens-led ballot initiative that would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in a special statewide election on March 7.

If passed, Oklahoma will join 21 states in legalizing recreational marijuana for adult use. The state question will also create a process to expunge and, in some cases, resentence minor cannabis-related convictions. In Oklahoma, adult-use and possession is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first-time offense.

According to a 2020 report by the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, possession of marijuana accounted for 38.2% of adult, drug-related offenses. For juveniles, possession of marijuana was the most common drug offense, representing 79.1% of drug-related arrests.

Supporters of Yes on SQ 820 say that this would end costly marijuana arrests while also boosting the state’s economy with increased tax revenue and jobs.

“We believe it’s an outdated idea to be putting people in jail for something most of the country doesn’t deem as jail worthy,” said Michelle Tilley, Yes on 820 campaign director. “These are minor marijuana offenses that we’re talking about.”

Under SQ 820, there would be a 15% tax imposed on all sales of recreational marijuana. This tax won’t apply to medically licensed patients. According to Tilley, the collected tax money will be allocated to public education and other government programs.

“That money is going to be directed straight towards schools, drug treatment programs, health care, local government,” Tilley said. “And we should be collecting those taxes.”

Oklahoma is estimated to gain $821 million dollars in combined recreational and medical taxes if SQ 820 passes, according to an economic impact and tax analysis study conducted by Vicente Sederberg LLP and the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association.

Some opponents of SQ 820 are concerned that recreational marijuana would create more issues than it seeks to solve, including more substance abuse issues, a risk to child safety, and a “Big Marijuana” industry that would increase crime and encourage black-market marijuana operations.

A group of community, business and law enforcement leaders filed papers with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission earlier this month to form a campaign against SQ 820. Former Gov. Frank Keating is listed as the chairman of the organization, Protect Our Kids No 820.

The major concern legalization opponents have with recreational marijuana is how it might negatively impact the youth, possibly resulting in an

increase in marijuana overdoses in children and substance abuse issues in adolescents.

“We’re seeing more and more overdoses in children,” Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said at a League of Women Voters forum earlier this month. “With recreational marijuana, it’s such things now

as these gummies and pot-laced Pop-Tarts they’re calling them ‘pot tarts’ and other child-oriented market ploys, we’re seeing an increase in children, babies, that are having access to these things and an increase in reports to poison control.”

The No 820 campaign did not respond to interview requests in time for publication.

Brooke Montoya, a Substance Abuse Studies professor, said the passage of SQ 820 would be beneficial in providing a safe and regulated way for adults to use cannabis.

“I think it may bring some safety and some regulation to it, because marijuana purchased just by anybody could have lots of different things put into it… and you have no idea where that came from,” Montoya said.

Oklahomans legalized medical marijuana with over 56% “yes” votes in 2018. As it stands, Oklahoma has one of the most open medical marijuana programs in the country.

Early voting will be on Thursday, March 2 and Friday March 3 from 8am to 6pm.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. For information on voting locations, visit the Oklahoma Voters Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp.html.

MAPS moves forward with Oklahoma City civic improvements

The Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) plan is making progress in Oklahoma City as city leaders broke ground Wednesday on the new Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Coliseum. The $126 million project is just one of many initiatives scheduled to be completed in 2025, and is a product of both MAPS 3 and MAPS 4.

MAPS has been an OKC initiative since the 1990s and is funded by temporary, voter-approved penny sales tax increases. The debt-free public improvement plan is dedicated to community and human needs, aimed to help improve quality of life and job-creating initiatives in the city. The initial plan and schedule for MAPS 4 were set forth by Mayor David Holt, and was passed by voters in December 2019. Oklahoma City Council then approved a revision to the plan in August 2022, increasing the estimated revenue projected from $100 million to almost $1.1 billion over eight years.

“MAPS naturally gets better in terms of planning and implementation, as we always learn from each experience,” Holt said. “In MAPS 4, some notable improvements include the more detailed council resolution we passed

initially that gives more definition to each project up front. Also, though we followed the same concept of having a Citizens Advisory Board, MAPS 4 has a far more inclusive group that reflects the city like never before. The overall group of nearly 60 mayoral appointments is majority women, the chair of MAPS 4 is a woman, and over 40 percent are people of color. Of course, I’m also proud of the new subject matter of MAPS 4, which hits on human and neighborhood needs, as well as the introduction of endowments, which will help with long-term operating costs.”

MAPS 4 is one of the largest approved implementation plans to date, with over 16 projects being developed and scheduled to improve Oklahoma City. The projects being developed revolve around parks, youth centers, senior wellness centers, mental health and addiction care, a family justice center, transit improvements, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights, homelessness, animal shelters, the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, beautification, and more.

In the decades since MAPS began, nearly $5 billion in economic impact can be attributed to the original MAPS program. The original implementation brought multiple city staples such

as the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Paycom Center, the Bricktown Canal, the Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys, an improved Civic Center Music Hall and more. OKC also saw MAPS for Kids in 2001, a $700 million initiative to improve school districts whose boundaries connected with the City of Oklahoma City. In 2009, MAPS 3 improved public transportation, expanded the Oklahoma River project, created more neighborhood sidewalks, trails, public parks, and other various community needs.

“We were dying in 1993 when this passed. If we didn’t have MAPS, OKC would still exist, but in terms of size and energy, our peers today would be much smaller cities. Instead, we recently passed Nashville and DC to become the 20th-largest city in the U.S. That investment in our quality of life led to the Thunder and so many other things. It may only be 10 percent of our overall city budget each year, but it has made all the difference. It’s so exciting to think that over the next decade, we’ll add a billion dollars of quality-of-life improvements to the city. And that’s no small thing. It’s exciting to live in a city that always has something to look forward to.”

The MAPS 4 temporary penny sales tax began on April 1, 2020, and will end in 2028.

Local Turkish organization raises funds for earthquake victims

and are doing everything they can to assist their families back home as they navigate the tragedy.

Oklahoma City is home to the Raindrop Turkish House, 444 N. Classen Blvd., a non-profit organization that exists to help natives of Turkey get on their feet in the state of Oklahoma. The organization hosts many things year-round, from cooking classes and coffee nights to friendship dinners and traditional art classes as a way to make people feel at home.

Muhammad Sezer, executive director of the Raindrop Turkish House, said he hopes the state can show the victims in Turkey and Syria our “Oklahoma Standard.”

Along with the vigil, the Raindrop Turkish House also hosted a cultural food fair in hopes of uplifting and joining the community in the restoration and relief efforts even from so far away. All proceeds from the food fair will be sent directly to those affected by the disaster as well as all donations being taken through the Turkish House website, where already over $1.2 millionhas been raised.

Sezer says these funds will help in a myriad of ways. “They need food, they need shelter, they need a palace to stay during this tragedy,” he said. “As Oklahomans, we need to support the urgent needs of Turkish people as if the earthquake happened here.”

Sezer stressed the importance of emotional support as he recalled the past few weeks of phone calls shared between him and his parents who are still living in Turkey,

As search and rescue operations turn into recovery efforts, the citizens of Turkey are still experiencing turmoil nearly three weeks after a massive earthquake killed tens of thousands of people and left more injured and homeless. Over 9,000 miles from home, Oklahoma’s Turkish community is not unscathed. Many from the community have lost loved ones to the natural disaster

The center recently held a prayer vigil with hundreds of people in attendance to show their support for those affected. Sezer said many different communities and walks of life were being represented.

“We had not just the faith and community leaders but also the general public who wanted to come and support their Turkish friends and neighbors,” Sezer said.

“That brings a lot of pressure,” he said. “It’s intense, but when I get a message or an email or a phone call from a friend who’s checking on me, who’s checking on my family, that gives me a lot of relief.”

As Turkey works to put themselves back together the Turkish Raindrop Foundation will continue to back them with hopes that the general public will stand with them. You can donate to their cause on their website or by visiting Embrace Relief at embracerelief.org.

Current events in photos: Turkish earthquake vigil and transgender rights protests in Oklahoma City

Diamond on the Rocks: A Jazz Lab Tribute to Neil Diamond

A Diamond is forever in UCO Jazz Lab tribute.

Glenn Sulley is making his way back to the UCO Jazz Lab at 7 p.m. March 4 as he pays tribute to one of his favorite artists, Neil Diamond.

Sulley began performing in his high school years, and he has performed in rock, pop and bands Celtic bands throughout his life. He also performs radio and TV jingles, and has written many songs over the years with several co-writers.

This isn’t Sulley’s first go around in the jazz lab, and he said he is excited to be back.

“I’ve performed at the jazz lab about five or six times in the past,” Sulley said. “I’m most excited about the opportunity to perform in such

a wonderful venue, such as the jazz lab. It’s such a neat and unique setting — especially for a fairly small concert event like ours.” Sulley said. Except this time, Sulley will be playing some of Neil Diamond’s best songs that you won’t want to miss!

Sulley has a lot of Diamond gems that he loves to perform, but when it comes to his favorite, good times never felt so good.

“That’s a tough question, because I love them all, but if I was to choose a favorite it would be ‘Sweet Caroline,’” he said. “This song is really a crowd favorite and people usually stand and sing loudly and are really engaged more than any other song we play.”

Sulley promises “a high-energy musical offering as we pay a special tribute and celebrate the legendary

singer-songwriter, Mr. Neil Diamond. The audience will be treated to an incredible band performance featuring some of the best musicians in the state of Oklahoma including Mr. David Sisson, who is a Central State alum and received his bachelor of music summa cum laude in 1973.”

The performance will feature and highlight over 20 of Diamond’s greatest hits. The main purpose of this show is to celebrate and pay tribute to his favorite singer/songwriter.

“Expect one of the best performances they will ever see from one of the best Neil Diamond tribute bands around,” he said. “They are in for a treat!”

The show is expected to last around three hours. The doors will open at 6 p.m. Buy tickets by calling the Jazz Lab at 405-974-2100. Ticket prices start at $25.

Students unable to take shelter off-campus as tornadoes roll through

Seven tornados swept over Oklahoma Sunday night, leaving debris and damage in their path. Cars were flipped and roofs ripped off in Norman

UCO’s Central Alert system sent out a warning a few minutes after the tornado warning message hit cell phones.

The UCO campus has several severe weather areas and safe places to hide during a severe storm like the tornadoes from last night. The Max Chambers Library has some direction available online for what to do during a severe storm.

It details the difference between a tornado watch and warning. A simple way to remember the difference between them is that a tornado watch means ‘Watch out! There might be a tornado,’ while a tornado warning is a direct warning to take shelter.

Many students may not have places to shelter at their homes or places of residence.

The Vista conducted a survey to see how students approached last Sunday’s tornado warning.

Zoe Taylor and Angie Castro, both freshmen, live in the Quad on campus and were told to go to the library basement. However, they did not go.

Abby Schmitdlkofer and Andrea Sandoval, who are also both freshmen, live in West Hall. They watched the news and heeded the direction to the library basement.

Mason Mitchell, another student who lives in the Suites, was also told to go to the library basement but did not go.

Olivia Saunders, a freshmanwho lives off-campus, did not take any precautions because she did not have a shelter.

Ed Allen, another freshman who lives off-campus, took a different approach. He read a book while waiting for the storm to pass. He did not take

precautions as well because he did not have access to a storm shelter.

Laura Liepins is also a commuter freshman who does not have a severe weather shelter either. The only access to shelter for this student is small spaces like closets and bathrooms.

Hayden Ha is a junior who commutes to UCO. This student’s apartment does not have storm shelters either.

Overall, the provision of storm shelters by UCO was the only way any of the students surveyed could take shelter. Even then, some did not.

Resources are available online for anyone who needs to create a safety plan during severe weather. The price of adding a storm shelter to your own home can cost between $3000 and $30,000 on top of the price of owning your house.

Many apartments in the Oklahoma City area do not provide access to severe weather shelters despite tornado season being part of Oklahoma living every Spring and now every Fall as well.

Tornado preparedness workshops are hosted at various locations around the state every year.

“The tornado is the most violent storm on Earth,” stated the Oklahoma department of emergency management and homeland security.

They also provided these steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets even if you do not have access to a shelter:

GET IN - get as far inside a strong building as you can, away from doors and windows.” “GET DOWN - get to the lowest floor.”

“COVER UP - use whatever you can to protect yourself from flying or falling debris.”

UCO athletics hitting peak performance

UCO sports are currently performing at an unprecedented level. Among the teams currently in-season, five are ranked Top 15 in the nation as most of their seasons are still young or close to national tournament play.

The excellent level of play this semester is currently headlined by the Broncho basketball. One year removed from a conference championship and Division II National Tournament berth, Head Coach Bob Hoffman’s squad could end up having an even better ending than last season. Despite losing out on the MIAA regular season crown after last week’s loss to Northwest Missouri State, the No. 7 Bronchos finished league play at 24-4 and 18-4 in-conference, matching their records from a year ago. They did this while vastly improving their defense. In 2022, the team gave up an average of 70.9 points per game, but this season that number dropped to 61.1 points per game.

This was projected by many to be a down year for the team, having lost All-Conference player Isaiah Wade to the NBA G-League and star point guard Callen Haydon to injury in December.

The ‘Chos go into the postseason seeded at No. 2 in next week’s MIAA tournament and No. 3 in the Central Region of Division II. The team has taken a step back from last season in some categories, perhaps most importantly with a six-point drop in per-game scoring, but as the old adage goes, “defense wins championships,” and the UCO defense has taken the step forward to make a push this postseason, and it could be championship-caliber.

Out on the diamonds, Central has also made a major impression nationally. The Lady Broncho softball team is currently ranked No. 10 in Division II and still has the opportunity to improve. They currently sit at 8-3 in the young season after hosting the Raising Cane’s Softball Festival and going 4-1. They scored 7.9 runs per game and only gave up 3.2 runs per game with their only loss coming against Southern Arkansas, 9-8. Between that loss and an earlier loss this season, 8-3 against Oklahoma Christian, some games can get away from them, but with the season still so young, the Lady Bronchos look poised to not only make a run at the MIAA crown, but also at a Women’s Division II College World Series berth.

The Bronchos baseball team is not far behind. The team is ranked No. 13 nationally behind a

11-2 record and some red-hot batting. The team has scored 10 or more runs in six of their games so far, and they have scored at least four runs in every single game this season.

The team’s bats do not look to cool off for conference play, either. Central opened the MIAA season with a 3-0 weekend at home against Missouri Southern, outscoring them 30-20 overall. They certainly have room to improve on the mound, but many teams across the country use the early part of the season to construct and refine pitching rotations, and UCO is no different. One year removed from a 29-21 campaign, the team looks to have turned a page in 2023, and they seem ready to make a push for the conference crown and be a party crasher in the postseason nationally.

The Broncho wrestling team has also dominated in 2023. It is something Edmond expects these days, and Head Coach Todd Steidley’s team was happy to oblige. After finishing the regular season as the No. 1 team in the country and winning the MIAA Championship, the ‘Chos will not only host the NCAA Division II Super Regional IV Tournament, but they also have 10 wrestlers competing in it, all of whom are ranked in the Top 3 in their respective weight classes and six are ranked No. 1. The Top 3 placers at each weight category will advance to the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships where, a year ago, UCO had two individual national champions in Heath Gray and Dalton

Abney, but ultimately fell one spot short as a team with a runner-up finish. With 10 wrestlers in the field this late in the year and being this highly ranked, the Bronchos’ ultimate goal of a team national championship is within reach.

On the ice this season, UCO hockey is dominating once again, despite not being an official member of Broncho athletics. The ‘Chos club team is currently ranked No. 5 nationally in Division I of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, a national collegiate league on par with the NCAA that boasts major universities such as Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and dozens more major Division I colleges. Central hockey almost took it the distance last season, finishing as the national runners-up in 2022. They are currently 26-7-1 and poised to make another run at the title this year. The final rankings of the year are set to release on March 1, and the ACHA National Tournament is set for March 16-21 in Boston with the Bronchos chomping at the bit to avenge last season’s loss.

With winter sports winding down and spring sports picking up, UCO has been eager to put an outstanding product on display across the board throughout 2023. A semester full of seasons like this can potentially put smaller programs on the map, and if these teams can sustain it, Central seems ready to put the entire region on notice going forward.

Central softball goes hard at the start of the season

Brooke Niver

Contributing Writer

The UCO softball team has started their 2022-2023 successfully with an 8-3 record after going 4 and 2 at the 2023 DII Spring Invitational Kickoff in Conroe, Texas the first week of February and then 4 and 5 at the Raising Cane’s Softball Festival a few weekends ago. The team defeated the No. 2 team in the nation, University of Texas – Tyler, in Conroe.

The team includes several returners as well as some new faces. The team boasts nine new players as well as 10 returning from the 2022-2023 season. Makella Mobly, Emily Deramus, Shaylin Midgley, Rylee Lemos, Rylee Anglen, Jordyn Pipkin, Tatum Long, and Karson Jennings are all the new names on the roster for Bronchos this season.

Freshman Deramus, freshman Rylee Lemos, and junior Tatum Long have helped the team considerably during the first few weeks.

Shortstop Deramus has a batting average of .371 with 4 homeruns in 11 games played. Outfielder Lemos earned a batting average of .371 and has knocked in 7 RBIs. Infielder Long earned a batting percentage of .320 and has hit 4 doubles. Pitcher Jordyn Pipkin, boasts an earned run average of 2.4.

Tenth year Head Coach Cody White has led the Bronchos to seven national tournament appearances, three MIAA championships and several high-win

seasons. With the season still in the early stages, the newcomers are finally getting the chance to take the field as a part of the Broncho family.

“We were excited to see how that translated at this level,” White said. “Up until this point, they’ve done a really good job accepting the roles and going out and playing hard.”

White has coached many athletes throughout his career at UCO and at other schools prior to his time with UCO. He said the 2022-2023 Central softball team considers themselves more of a family than just a team.

“I think we’re very close as a team,”

White said, “Everybody has taken on and protected each other, which I think is going to help carry us later in the season.”

The four seniors — Mikayla Rutland, Shayla Harper, Corrina Rivas, and Amelya Huggins — all helped lead the team on and off the field.

“They’ve helped lead the newcomers not only for this year but for the next four,” White said. “They’ve taken on that leadership role very well since the beginning.”

He said the seniors helped motivate this team to go throughout the season with a championship mindset to get to the national championship.

The Bronchos have a ton of activity in March with 25 games, with only four of those being played at the Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma. The softball schedule can be found on bronchosports.com.

UCO men’s hoops earns No. 2 seed in MIAA Tournament

Contributing Writer

UCO’s men’s basketball team earned a No. 2 seed in the MIAA Conference Tournament after splitting the final two games of the regular season. Last Thursday, the Bronchos traveled to Maryville, Missouri, where they faced the No. 3 team in the nation, Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Central Oklahoma fell short with a final score of 65-51.

UCO traveled to Wichita on Saturday to face Newman University for their final regular season game. The Bronchos demolished the Jets 86-61.

Central finished regular season play with an overall record of 24-4, and a conference record of 18-4, to land them second in conference standings.

Northwest Missouri State clinched the No. 1 seed and their 10thstraight MIAA regular season title in last Thursday night’s win over the second-place Bronchos. The two teams co-shared last year’s regular season championship after posting the same conference record (18-4).

The MIAA tournament will begin March 1, and continue through March 5 in Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.

UCO’s first round game will be 2:15 p.m. March 2, where they will face the winner of the play-in game between No. 7 seed Missouri Southern State University and No. 10 seed Northeastern State University.

The Bronchos dropped games to Missouri Southern (50-56, 59-66), but won regular season matchups against Northeastern State (74-65, 67-52).

“So proud of our guys for what they were able to accomplish in the regular season,” said UCO Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman. “But it’s time to move on to postseason play and see what this group of guys can accomplish next.”

Last year, Central Oklahoma earned the No. 1 overall seed in the MIAA tournament but came up short against Washburn University.

The Bronchos won their first MIAA Regular Season Championship in 2022 but will be seeking their first ever MIAA Conference Championship this time around. The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 5.

Black History Month in pop

Art provides insight into African-American culture and experiences

Black History Month is a time where we celebrate the culture, bravery, and resilience of the African American community. Now, as a white guy, I can’t really speak on that, nor will I attempt to. But I thought since Black History Month is going on that I could create a list of media from Black authors, artists, and directors that I think you all should check out during Black History Month.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

Marlon James took everyone by surprise by following up his Booker Man Prize winning novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings” with the fantasy epic “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” which was the first of a trilogy about three different narrators telling the same story three different times. “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” is an African-inspired epic fantasy that is completely unashamed of what it is. James builds his world rambunctiously and without snark, filling the story to the brim with legends, creatures, monsters, and vivid, strange characters to boot. There are some trigger warnings in this book as it doesn’t hold back when depicting graphic violence, sexual assault both on males and females, and all sorts of depravities that I won’t name here. “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” is one of the best fantasy novels of the past several years, and one I often recommend heartily.

Moonlight

What do you know? A film that was nominated and won Best

Picture that actually deserved the award. “Moonlight” is a deeply touching film about identity, sexuality, and how expectations of the society around you often robs you of the ability to be who you want to be. “Moonlight” is a story about denial, trauma, and ultimately acceptance as the main character Chiron goes through an arc where he’s struggling with who he truly is vs what society expects from him. While the film is tragic, there is hope found in the power of love. And where there is love and life, there is hope.

The Ballad of Black Tom Victor LaValle has quickly become one of my favorite horror writers still working today. He never stoops to writing in one genre, though he finds his best niche in horror. “The Ballad of Black Tom” has become one of my favorite Lovecraftian horror stories that weren’t written by H. P. Lovecraft himself. LaValle reinterprets Lovecraft’s most notoriously racist story “The Horror of Red Hook” and turns it into a poignant and angry lamentation about our current situation and the prevailing trauma that remains from America’s ugly racist history. “The Ballad of Black Tom” is a quick 150-page read if you find the time, and it’s one I heartily recommend.

Boyz N The Hood

An oldie, but a goodie. “Boyz N The Hood” is a scathing, yet compassionate look into the lives of impoverished Black teens who live in Compton, California, which is known as one of the hot beds for crime and the origin of rappers such as Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Coolio, and one of the stars of the movie, Ice Cube. What we end

up getting is a tragic story about violence and the cyclical nature of crime. It’s a story about a group of teens that are attempting to rise above their circumstances, and often fail at it. For a dark and violent movie, it has a lot of heart and emotion in it as well and showcases that your environment doesn’t have to define you, despite the struggles that can come from that. It’s a great film, I highly recommend it.

Devil in a Blue Dress

“Devil in a Blue Dress” is a very strong debut from African American writer Walter Mosley, and the first book in his well-known Easy Rawlins series, about the titular character solving mysteries in postWorld War II Los Angeles. Like the best noir, Devil in a Blue Dress deals with the disillusionment that many people felt after the end of World War II, and Mosley gives a unique perspective to the African American community, who had fought and died for a country who didn’t care for them and actively were trying to oppress them at worst. “Devil in a Blue Dress” is a tight, well told yarn that is a good quick read for anyone who is interested.

Local music roundup: LABRYS, Mad Honey, Grandpa Vern

Grandpa Vern brings a new take to the hardcore scene in Oklahoma. They played at 89th Street last Saturday with a collection of other bands, another of which was particularly notable. Not yet on Spotify, the band self-describes itself as “red dirt slap metal.” The tone of the evening was exciting, subversive, and care was taken to ensure the mosh pit was a safe place to be.

Grandpa Vern’s latest single is titled “Who Do I Serve” and is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

LABRYS, whose name is derived from the name for an ancient Greek double-headed ax, is Broncho bassist Penny Pitchlynn. Their songs were recently featured in Sterlin Harjo’s “Reservation Dogs” on FX as well as M. Night Shamalayn’s “Servant.” on Apple TV+. Self-taught, Pitchlynn describes LABRYS as giving “raw emotion sonic life.” Their latest single “Can’t Win” is out now. LABRYS is on Instagram @iamlabrys.

Community Girlfriend is lilting strings and soft femme vocals with a cello-like atmospheric base. Some of their songs have more woodsy instrumentality and echoing, dreamy vocals. Overall, they are a solid choice for an “Alice in Wonderland” tea party or just a study soundtrack. Their album “This is for You” is available both on Spotify and Apple Music.

Mad Honey is a group with members from both Oklahoma and Tennessee. Their handle is @madhoneyband on Instagram.

Described as dream pop, they have two new singles out. “Odds” and “Euphoria” bring driving guitars and wafting, lyrical vocals fit for

driving on the highway at night. On Friday, March 17 they will be playing at The Sanctuary in Oklahoma City with Blushing, photocopy, and Burl.

Burl, @buurrl on Instagram, is a newer band out of the city with a keyboardist who also writes for The Black Times. Burl has melodic and semi-distorted tunes that stride between indie rock and psy-pop. Their album “Well” is now available on Spotify.

Dinosaur Boyfriend is @dinosaurboyfriend on Instagram. They are late-night indie with electric guitar energy on an alt-rock base and earthy, low vocals. Their newest single “Fuzzy” is on Spotify. Catch them and many of the bands above at The Sanctuary, a music venue partnered with oddities shop Beloved Bones. They are @thesanctuaryok on Instagram and located at 2828 NW 10th St in Oklahoma City.