Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, November 23, 2015
Volume 93 Issue 10
Oklahoma Higher Education
FY17 Budget Preview Vicky Smith
think you need to worry about a degree program or a course going away that you Managing Editor need to graduate.” @pinkwritinglady McArthur said to increase the university’s revenue, he and faculty Cameron University faculty and staff are preparing for state members can start with outside funding budget allocation deductions for FY2017, which begins July 1. Cameron President Dr. John McArthur said the state legislature sources. “We’re certainly allocates a budget of seven billion dollars, and higher education is going to work allotted about one seventh of the budget. very hard on the “Higher ed receives about a billion,” McArthur said. “If that external gifts proportion of the budget is distributed equally to all the state and grants,” he agencies – corrections, transportation, common education [and] career tech. … Cameron’s share of that reduction would be between said. “Then we will consider 1.5 and three million dollars.” tuition and fees McArthur said the state budget is likely to decrease because of as well.” the anticipated state revenue shortfall. According to “The revenue shortfall, primarily due to oil and gas revenue declines,” McArthur said, “[is] between 500 million and 1.2 billion McArthur, the last time the university dollars.” underwent major state To prepare the university to absorb the reductions, McArthur budget reductions was in said he has a plan in progress. FY2003. “I want to create a list that has twice the dollar amount on the “That next year,” he said, “Cameron raised list of what we expect for a reduction,” he said. “We’re expecting its tuition 20 percent. I don’t think we’re a reduction of three million dollars, so I would like to have a six looking at that kind of increase, and million dollar planning list for increased revenue or reduced the reason I say not is for the last services.” few years, as we’ve McArthur said he plans to create the list between now increased tuition, and the end of December. When students, faculty and enrollment has staff return from winter break, he would like to distribute gone down a the list around campus in order to facilitate discussion corresponding regarding the pro and cons of each item on the list. amount.” “About the first of March,” McArthur said, “I’ll need to McArthur said he make a decision [and] prioritize that list. and faculty members “Then, when we know what our budget’s going to be [in will look very hard before early June], we’ll work down that list to meet that reduction increasing tuition and fees. amount.” “We want you in According to McArthur, the state allocation money is only a school,” he said, “so portion of the funds used to operate the university. we don’t want to price For this year, he said 42 percent of revenue has come from Cameron out of the the state, 56 percent has come from student tuition and fees, market of serving high and two percent has come from gifts, grants and other funding school graduates from sources. Southwest Oklahoma However, for the university to adjust to the reduced percent of so they can go to college revenue from the state, McArthur said there are two main options. … but it is certainly possible we could “Our choices are we can increase our revenue from other sources,” he said, “we can reduce our services in some areas, or more increase tuition and fees.” McArthur said he will be happy to than likely, it will be a combination of the two.” talk to any student groups about the McArthur said he and faculty members will review the anticipated budget deductions. extracurricular and co-curricular activities, as well as degree “This budget situation is serious,” he programs, for potential reductions. “The degree programs that we offered when I was a student may said, “and it’s going to be serious enough without rumors and panic. … Right now, we have not be the degree programs that we need for your future,” he said. time to plan and then think about really what we “[But] preserving your opportunity to pursue the degree of your expect to see in the future.” choice is going to be among one of our highest priorities, so I don’t
Behind the scenes of CUTV Jacob Jardel
said. “She makes it exciting and makes me look forward to Sports Editor doing the show.” @JJardel_Writing Berry took the helm of A few hours after filming “Film Geek” at the beginning her latest episode of CUTV’s of the fall 2015 semester. Going “Film Geek,” host Haley Berry in, she said she felt hesitant sat in a beanbag chair she keeps taking over the show. at her newsroom desk. “I was nervous about In short, it was just another reading a teleprompter,” she day as host of a CUTV show. said, “[and] I was nervous about “I love working with my being on set. Now, I’m able to crew,” Berry said. “We’re just let go and be myself in front of able to laugh together and the camera.” enjoy being on the set instead Larson has also noticed of just being all business. Berry’s evolution with the There’s a time when it’s all show. business, but there’s also that “She’s grown faster than time where we get to enjoy anybody I’ve seen,” he said. being around each other.” “She’s a quick learner, and now Video Production Manager she’s just flawless with it.” Jeff Larson said a balance of At the center of this growth work and banter has been a has been that comfort Berry welcome integration to the said she has grown into. Her weekly routine. personality reflects the sassy “It’s been a lot of fun,” he nature of Anna Kendrick and
What’s inside
CU Become a Teacher Page 2
the “Pitch Perfect” character Fat Amy, and Larson says this self-sure style of banter makes its way onto the show. “She throws in a little comedy and talks about the things that she wants to talk about,” he said. “She won’t do news or anything that she’s not interested in.” Behind this banter and comedy, though, is what Berry describes as a good bit of work outside of watching movies and writing a review. “There’s so much more than that,” she said. “You’ve got to write news stories and be able to create a show. … I have to come up with creative ideas. I’m a creative person, but there’s so much more involved with it than I thought.” But the movie reviewing process still takes up much of the preparation time. From
her first review of “Straight Outta Compton,” Berry said that she has had to be more detailed with her reviews than a simple thumb up or down. “I look back on some of the movies I loved in the past,” she said. “Because I’m able to critique movies more in depth, I’m a little more critical of them.” Regardless, her love for movies still persists. This love comes from numerous memories of family bonding. “Whenever I went to the movie theaters, it was a treat for us,” Berry said. “My brother and I would just get so excited. It was the same thing with renting movies and watching movies at the house.” Now that she has her role
on “Film Geek,” Berry takes solace in having a job that makes her go to movies more often. “I now have an excuse to go to the movies other than, ‘Hey, Haley wants to go to the movies again,’” she said. “I actually have to. I still have excitement going to the movies, but it’s not necessarily a treat for me. … It’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just part of my week now. Berry has reviewed many movies this semester, like her personal favorite “Spectre” and her personal least favorite “A Walk in the Woods.” She said that this last semester has been fun for her, from the banter in the newsroom to
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getting work done on camera. More importantly, she said she is looking forward to even more of it next year. “Expect a lot more movies and lot more experienced reviews,” Berry said.
Photo by Jacob Jardel
Open Access Awards at Libary
Senior Kat Evans reflects on season
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News
November 23, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
MAKING SURE
Every student has an every story
Vicky Smith
Managing Editor
@pinkwritinglady For Fiscal Year 2017, Cameron University is anticipated to undergo state higher education deductions of 1.5 to three million dollars. Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success John Horinek believes an increase in enrollment is one way for the university offset the decrease. Horinek said Cameron’s recent enrollment has declined significantly in comparison to previous years, but the decrease is not related to incoming students alone. “Some of that is related to retaining existing students,” Horinek said, “so it really is a two-front effort. We have to recruit more students to Cameron University, and then we have to retain the ones we have. “Retention and Photos by Jacob Jardel persistence is something A welcome additon: Cameorn’s newest addition that colleges and universities is the Welcome Center in the Shepler Mezzanine. The across the country are office acts as the “front door” for students and guests. taking concrete steps to
address,” he said, “so it’s important to understand that it’s not just the incoming students that make up our enrollment.” Horinek said in an effort to retain the enrollment of current students, faculty and staff must ensure that students receive proper advising. “We have to do our best job to … make sure they are on track for their degree,” Horinek said, “make sure they’re taking the right courses and make sure they’re doing well on those courses so that they stay enrolled and can progress toward their degree.” According to Horinek, to boost the enrollment of incoming students, the university has improved relations with prospective students. “We’ve increased our outreach efforts to local high schools,” he said. “We have a number of programs to help adult students get back into college, and we have significantly ramped up our efforts in concurrent enrollment as well.
“All of those things combined help get us in the best position to recruit a larger number of the recent high school grads and the students for the fall 2017 start.” Horinek said some improvements on campus should draw interest from prospective students. “We’ve improved our campus tour program,” he said. “We’ve opened the Welcome Center, which helps students find our front door.” One program that may financially benefit prospective students is the tuition lock program. Horinek said the Oklahoma State legislature mandated the program, and it enables students to have a predictable tuition rate. “The unfortunate thing is that it’s not always cheaper to use the tuition lock program,” he said. “To get into tuition lock, you actually pay out a little bit higher tuition rate, but it sets that rate standard. So, you’re betting that tuition is going to increase every year,
and it’s going to increase a certain percentage. “While the tuition lock is a good option for some students, I certainly recommend that students really look into it.” Horinek said the university will strive to increase enrollment despite the budget shortfalls. “The state budget’s shortfall will impact every student across the state and probably every citizen,” Horinek said, “so to say that it would have no effect on our enrollment would be not logical.” Regardless of the budget situaion, he emphasized that the goal of student success remains intact. “But we’re in the business of instruction,” Horinek said. “We’re in the business of helping students complete their degree on time and at an affordable rate. We’re in the business of quality student experiences. “Those are the things that we will protect and we will continue to provide even facing these anticipated budget shortfalls.”
Workshop assists aspiring educators in careers Vicky Smith
trying to get people to you would make go into the teaching more in the training Managing Editor profession. program than you @pinkwritinglady “The would as a teacher in paraprofessional Oklahoma – a starting Cameron University’s “CU Become a teacher.” Teacher” workshop series began at 3:45 p.m. on grant is really nice because they’re already In the Tulsa World Nov. 16 in room 1023 of Nance Boyer. working in the schools. article published in Participants received a free dinner and They care about the February, Hofmeister free childcare (for ages 3+) for the duration of schools. … The idea said, “In just three to the 90-minute workshops. Furthermore, the is to create a pipeline; four years, someone [at first ten people who registered and who also Chipotle] who starts complete all six workshops will receive a $200 they come to us for a little while, and we out at minimum could stipend. give them back to the be at apprentice level, Dean of the School of Education and district.” and I was stunned to Behavioral Sciences Department Dr. Lisa According to learn they would make Huffman and Chair of the Education more than a teacher Department Dr. Jennifer Dennis coordinated Huffman, those who participated in the with a Ph.D and 25 the event. workshop are from all years of experience.” Huffman said the workshops will over the Southwest Huffman said continue until Dec. 6 and will be open to Oklahoma region, another reason people paraprofessionals. including Lawton, may choose to not According to Google, a paraprofessional Cache, Elgin, Walters, teach is because of the is “a person to whom a particular aspect of Fletcher and Sterling. emphasis on student a professional task is delegated but who is Huffman said not licensed to practice as a fully qualified Photo by Vicky Smith test requirements. at the workshops, “You hear about professional.” Continuing education: Dean Lisa Huffman talks with sophomore social studies participants learned Huffman said paraprofessionals are like education major Joey Zazueta. Alongside Dr. Jennifer Dennis of Education, Huffman testing and the about different pressures of testing teaching assistants, and those eligible for the helped coordinate the “CU Become a Teacher” workshop on Nov. 16. pathways to become that’s taken over workshops may or may not have completed a “If you go to the Oklahoma State Regents a teacher, ideal ways to balance college with instead of being a teacher,” she said. “You’re college degree. website,” she said, “there’ s a link to the supplyfamily and work, study strategies and reasons often working on getting your kids ready for a “‘CU Become a Teacher’ is designed to and-demand study that they just put out for the test.” to become a teacher. help those people that are teaching assistants, “There’s real benefits to becoming a teacher,” whole state of Oklahoma. Huffman hopes the workshop series will working in the schools already, become teachers “The state has approved over 600 emergency demonstrate to people that teaching is a Huffman said. “They have great retirement. in special education, elementary education, certifications for teachers this year – just since valuable profession to pursue. They have great health insurance, but for me, or early childhood education,” Huffman said. July. That means you’re not licensed in that it’s directly impacting that child’s life. “[For] all those and some other reasons,” “Those are the areas identified by the state.” area, but you can teach.” “Every person knows that teacher that Huffman said, “[people] don’t necessarily see Huffman said a goal of the workshop According to Huffman, there are multiple positively impacted their life. … I think that’s becoming a teacher as a thing they want to do. series is to minimize the teacher shortage reasons why people may choose to not pursue a We need to change that perception because it’s a real calling, and people who are already in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Teacher career in teaching. working in the schools probably have that a really great job. Connection Grant from the Oklahoma State “The salary is low,” she said. “You impact people’s lives, and every single Regents for Higher Education made the series calling already.” “Superintendent [Joy] Hofmeister has a great Huffman said although teaching is a great person knows a teacher that was that teacher possible. graphic out. … She talks about if you become profession, the teacher shortage in Oklahoma for them. Wouldn’t you want to be that person “In Oklahoma,” Huffman said, “we have a manager in training at a Chipotle restaurant, for somebody else?” over a thousand open teacher positions, so we’re is large.
November 23, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Student Life
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Library hosts open access contest Vicky Smith
for expanding the availability of the Managing Editor library’s subscription @pinkwritinglady databases and print collections. To celebrate International Open Access “Thanks to OA,” Week, the Cameron University Library she said, “students and Director Sherry Young hosted an Open Access faculty have online Contest. access to medical Young said the purpose of the contest was scholarship produced to raise awareness of Open Access (OA) at as a result of National Cameron. Institutes of Health “Libraries and universities are getting (NIH) funding. interested into what’s called OA to scholarly information,” Young said. “The idea behind this Research study results is that researchers make their research available become available more through the Internet – free of charge to people.” rapidly than would be the case if they were For the contest, Young said she developed a web-based activity. To complete it, students and published in print journals.” faculty read the publication “Open Access to Young said from a Scholarly and Scientific Research Articles.” researcher’ s perspective, “Each participant described one aspect of OA provides student open access that appealed to him or her after and faculty scholars reading [it],” Young said. “Next, participants visited Cameron Library’s Affordable Learning with a mechanism to Solutions web page to locate an open textbook.” store their original work efficiently and Young said she used a computer program effectively. Photo by Vicky Smith to select six winners at random: one faculty “Academic Open access contest: Contest winners Samikcchya Humagain, Dr. Sylvia Burgess, Laura Boles and member and five students. Retired Cameron institutions are Dean of Liberal Arts and Librarian Josephine Brian Frank (husband of contest winner, Joyel Frank) receive gift cards. The Cameron Library is open establishing OA Raburn provided some of the prizes. Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. until 12 a.m. and is open until 6 p.m. on weekends. repositories that help Dr. Sylvia Burgess, Joyel Frank and Tiffany their students and Beathe each received a $100 gift card to considerations and options faculty members are not enough choices. … There aren’t a lot faculty members make their work available,” the Cameron Bookstore. Laura Boles and confront when considering where to publish of supplemental materials – for example, she said. “Oklahoma librarians and information Samikcchya Humagain each received a $15 their work. Cameron librarians can assist workbooks and test banks.” iTunes gift card, and Samuella Addo received a technology professionals are working to create Young said students can still read OA ShareOK, a digital repository with potential for faculty members with that decision-making $10 gift card to Starbucks. process.” textbooks for extra help in their classes. Oklahoma university students and faculty to According to Young, Cameron librarians Young said although she does not believe any “If the student knows how to go online underwent specialized training in OA to ensure store and make available their scholarship.” university is ready to require professors to use to find an online textbook,” she said, “then According to Young, if any Cameron that students and faculty members would an OA textbook, OA will further develop over the student could use that in addition to the faculty members are interested in learning benefit from its use. time. [purchased] text that they have.” how to publish their work in OA journals, the “The benefits are that the research is “Cameron wants to encourage our faculty For more information about OA, talk to a available more rapidly to people,” she said, “and librarians would be happy to help them. to use open textbooks because the students Cameron librarian, or visit the following link: “[The] librarians watched an American there’s not a cost barrier.” wouldn’t have to buy their textbooks,” she http://www.sparc.arl.org/sites/default/files/ College and Research Libraries’ webinar,” Young said OA to scholarly information said. “We’re not really there yet because there Open_Access.pdf. Young said, “which highlighted the many is important for many reasons, such as
Cameron PLUS holds Christmas for Kids Erin Owens Staff writer
PLUS students teamed up with the Lawton Figherfighters Association for the annual Christmas for Kids toy drive. First-year PLUS scholars distributed wrapped donation boxes across campus to encourage Cameron students to get involved. Lawton Firefighter James Schneider said the toys collected will help provide a large number of children with presents to unwrap on Christmas morning. “There are several organizations in Lawton that provide for kids,” he said, “but just looking at our list alone, we are looking at approximately 350 families with approximately 1000 kids.” While all PLUS scholars pitch in and donate toys, the first-year students have been busy preparing for weeks. First-year PLUS student and cochairman Geoffrey Hogan said the most important preparation is spreading the word. “We go around to a lot of local businesses to collect the boxes that we put out,” Hogan said. “But most of our effort is put into making f lyers, hanging posters and doing our best to get the word out, because that is what is going to bring in toys and make this successful.” The first-year PLUS students and the
Photos by Erin Owens
PLUS helping children: This year’s PLUS students along with the Lawton Firefighter’s association prepare for the holiday toy drive which will help children in need of gifts during the holiday season. To help with the drive, donations should be placed in designated drop boxes by Dec. 2. Lawton Firefighters Association have asked that all toys donated be new and unwrapped. PLUS students will deliver all toys to the Lawton Firefighters Association on Dec. 3. The Lawton Firefighters Association will then wrap the gifts and start contacting
families for delivery on Dec. 15. First-year scholar and cochairman Robbie Day said it’s important for all students across campus to get involved. “I know that we are calling it the PLUS toy drive,” Day said, “but it really is the Cameron toy drive and it’s really important
that all Cameron students support this so we can help a lot of kids have a good Christmas.” For more information on the Cameron PLUS program or to donate to the toy drive, contact Dr. Jennifer Pruchnicki at (580) 851-2209.
Student prepares for holidays by making crafts Tyla Eakins
“A gift that you make will always mean more to the receiver Student Life Editor because you have put a part @tyla_eakins of yourself into the gift,” said Chapman. The holidays will be here Chapman started crafts at an soon and while it may be easier to purchase a gift for friends and early age, so making things comes easy to her. She said it brings family, Senior Early Childhood back memories of her with her Education major Jessica mother and grandmother. Chapman believes the holidays “I cannot remember a time mean more than that. when I wasn’t making crafts; “Christmas means different said Chapman, I grew up things to different people,” said Chapman, “but to me, Christmas making crafts with my mom and grandma. When I turned is a time to celebrate Jesus thirteen, I started babysitting Christ’s birth. I also believe it is a time to give and show kindness and doing crafts with them. Chapman makes an to others.” assortment of crafts for gifts Chapman finds that the best and for her and her families own gifts are one’s people create enjoyment. Craft making is a themselves. She feels each gift family event for the Chapmans. she makes includes part of “My mom, sister and I always herself.
make baked goods at Christmas time, so I will give some baked goods.” Chapman said her favorite craft to make is food. She said she hopes to give the children she watches the same skill and enjoyment from making crafts she has developed from her childhood. “I love to cook,” said Chapman, “but I also love to make crafts with the kids I babysit, so my favorite non-food craft would be anything made with them.” Chapman said she will be giving gifts she makes this year to her friends and family like she has done for the last several. “I also love to crochet and plan on making pot holders for everyone this year.”
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Voices
November 23, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
The reactionary vocabulary of fear Our reactions to tragedy say a lot about who we are as people. When members of terror organizations attack a metropolis like Paris, leaders and individuals the world over rally around their global neighbors in shows of support both great and small. An altruistic few lend time and assistance to help the recovery process. Not too long after, politicians and politically savvy individuals debate over asylum for refugees, media coverage of equally devastating tragedies and other polarizing rhetorical concepts. Unfortunately, this pattern is not uncommon in tragedies of any sort. Solidarity eventually turns into dichotomized argumentative fuel for politicos and pundits alike. That fuel lights a fire in some individuals to take to social media and public forums with their opinions. Suddenly, the tragedy fades into the background while the arguments creep into the forefront of the conversation in a toxic pick-aside that allows for little grey area. The “just the facts” mantra of news gets lost in the fracas of reaction and biased extrapolation. Needless to say, this cycle of media and public reaction is a mess. Meanwhile, according to Al Jazeera, Germany has been taking in hundreds of thousands of refugees from the throughout the Middle East. So maybe we can understand things better from a more German point of view. One of the most interesting parts of the
German language is its proclivity for making usually long, all-encompassing compound nouns. Some terms have entered the English vernacular – like “wanderlust” to describe the itch to travel. For example, take this sentence: Part of the reason we tend to jump to black-andwhite conclusions is because of our reliance on Realpolitik. “Realpolitik” describes the phenomenon of political practices independent of moral or ethical considerations in the name of national advancement. To many who lean heavily on one side of the American political spectrum, those on the other side run their parties in this manner. Go to the news, though, and you see that pundits from all sides try to play the powerpolitics card to try and enforce their hands. In the case of Daesh (one of the many names for the group responsible for the Paris bombings among others in places like Beirut), pundits argue incessantly about accepting or barring refugees from Syria for various reasons. Meanwhile, non-Daesh citizens in places like Syria scramble to find asylum away from the militant group. For those who sympathize with innocent Muslims and refugees, this stalemate causes a great deal of Weltschmerz. Literally translating to “world pain,” this German word refers to the pessimism or melancholy over the state of the world. Weltschmerz usually comes from a place of the world failing to live up to our ideal depiction of it. In fact, Weltschmerz seems to be the spirit of our age – the zeitgeist, if you will. From nitpicks as miniscule as overuse of cellular technology to concerns as large as national tragedy, many people show this sort of disenchantment to the world
Photos courtesy of Tribune News Services
around us. Humans have always felt some form It usually carries positive connotations, since it of Weltschmerz, but we now have platforms to contrasts directly with social alienation. express it publicly. However, when tragedy strikes your home This collective angst – also a or militant members of your German derivative – leads many homeland inflict worldly to feel as if we are plodding our tragedy, that Heimat starts to way to the downfall of humanity. lose its shine. However hyperbolic it seems, In the case of those from some individuals feel as if these lands under the Daesh tragedies are a sign of the human umbrella, their connection to race’s turbulent fall from power. an earthly Heimat starts to There’s a German word for shake as others wrongly assign that, too: Goetterdaemmerung. blame in the Kuddelmuddel It’s an allusion to the Norse that comes with new tragedy. concept of Ragnarok, or the It’s times like these where we annihilation of the world in the need to learn one more German last great conflict between gods word: Gemuetlichkeit. and evil. This word refers to a Turn on the television to state or space of coziness and Jacob Jardel national news outlets. See friendliness. As social animals, Sports Editor if you can’t find a pundit humans seek out some form professing or a story implying of these things from others @JJardel_Writing the Goetterdaemmerung of – especially in times of heavy humanity as we know it. isolation. It’s the reason why we show solidarity In the midst of this Kuddelmuddel, or chaos, in the first place, and it’s what can help make the one thing falls to the wayside: the people and recovery effort that much easier. places still reeling from the tragedy. As trite as it sounds, it’s what makes the In the case of Paris and Beirut, recovery world a better place. efforts still go on in both the country and But with doomsday-like media coverage and the minds of every citizen in both countries. polarized pontification raiding media outlets, Moreover, their sense of Heimat changes we all need some semblance of togetherness. demonstratively. So, in a world of Weltschmerz over the Of the German words already listed, Heimat Goetterdaemmerung of humanity, reach out is the shortest yet most complex, describing and provide a little Gemuetlichkeit. one’s relationship toward a certain spatial unit. A little bit of German can go a long way.
When the best word stares us right in the face The news that everyone While it may not be has been waiting for finally a word in the dictionary, broke the headlines on Nov. the pictograph captures 16: Oxford Dictionaries the zeitgeist of modern revealed its prestigious communication according to “Word of the the Oxford Year” award. Dictionaries This year’s blog. winner really “There was a dark were other horse among strong the other contenders lexicon-based from a candidates range of since it isn’t fields,” the actually a word. publisher Somewhat said, “but unpredictably, [‘Face with the publisher Tears of Joy’ bestowed the emoji] was title to an chosen as Joel Frambes emoji. the ‘word’ The group that best Copy Editor officially ref lected @JoelPole12 selected “Face the ethos, with Tears of Joy” emoji mood, and preoccupations as the winner, beating out of 2015.” contenders such as “on In fact, mobile technology f leek,” “refugee,” “Brexit” business SwiftKey and “lumbersexual.” acknowledged that the “Face About Us
The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
with Tears of Joy” emoji was the most popular emoji around the world in 2015. It comprised 20% of all the emojis used in the UK in 2015 and 17% of those in the US. These figures were a sharp rise from the relatively meager 4% and 9%, respectively, the year before. It’s this exact reason why the choice has received a mix of favor and criticism. The emoji is either the perfect choice to summarize a new generation of language or the epitome of the evils of constant text conversations. However, in a world under the Tower of Babel’s shadow, an emoji might be reminiscent of the unanimous vernacular that once united us all. Perhaps the criticism stems from the simplicity of the emoji. Who would want a more succinct way
of expressing laughter so intense tears well up when “the juncture of cachinnations and lachryma while exultant” is a perfectly good phrase for a 140-character message? The precision of the
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Vicky Smith Assistant Managing Editor - Krista Pylant Sports Editor - Jacob Jardel, Krista Pylant Student Life Editor - Tyla Eakins Copy Editor - Joel Frambes Aggie Central Editor- Charlene Belew
Newsroom Staff Financial Officer - Susan Hill Circulation Manager - Krista Pylant, Vicky Smith Advertising Managers - Charlene Belew Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
symbol is actually its strength. In the Affect Theory of Emotions, psychologist Silvan Tomkins suggested that there are biological patterns of expression to nine different emotions.
Paul Ekman helped synthesize the Universality Hypothesis of Human Facial Expressions, making him an indirect expert on emojis. Ekman expanded upon this idea even further. Despite the culture of an individual, people can read the emotions seen on someone else’s face with consistent accuracy. Charles Darwin also espoused this theory decades earlier than Tomkins or Ekman. In conjunction with evolution, the emoji is, theoretically, a step toward a multicultural, universal language. While the Oxford Dictionaries’ choice of an emoji as the word of the year may have just been a publicity stunt, it is nonetheless controversial and thought provoking. At the very least, it’s sure to make everyone who sees Graphic by Jacob Jardel it :-). Letters Policy
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
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A&E
November 23, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Holiday apps for smartphones Eugene Robinson
Tribune News Service
Staff Writer
With the holidays quickly approaching, people are beginning to download more and more holiday themed apps to get them in the holiday spirit. Whether it’s just to add holiday themed games, live Christmas wallpapers, or apps to help schedule shopping and keeping your Christmas gifts in order, here are some of the best, most entertaining apps of 2015 brightening the holidays:
“Talking Santa” From the family of talk-back iPhone apps, anything you say into your microphone will be automatically altered and regurgitated out of St. Nick’s mouth. This app is perfect for delighting children who can’t get enough of interacting with Santa and for winning the digital version of the “Stop copying me!” argument.
“Christmas Frames” Christmas Frames makes it easy to take a picture and add Christmas-themed frames to edit an average snapshot into a special holiday photo. You can save the picture and make it as your wallpaper or share the pic to Twitter and Facebook for a nice way to personalize the Christmas spirit.
“500 Facts About Christmas” This app for Android will randomizes trivia tidbits about the winter holiday and allows users to save intellectual zingers for later use. It’s perfect for upstaging the know-itall who never stops talking about the finer points of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“Naughty or Nice” If there are any suspicions about whether or not a coworker or significant other really deserves an extravagant gift, this iPhone app will help settle any doubts. Santa
himself will judge where the suspect in question fits on his list once he or she places all five fingers on the open app.
“Best Black Friday Deals” Black Friday is considered the beginning of the holiday shopping season when people start hunting for the best deals available. This app gives a complete list of products and shopping ideas for the holiday season and provides the best and most popular Black Friday deals from many online stores.
“A Card for That” A new trend in technology is evoking the nostalgia of Christmases past with seasonal postcards designed on a
phone or tablet and sharing them with friends and family via email or Facebook or Twitter. The app offers templates with which to start a greeting card or cards can be created from scratch.
“Elf Yourself” The annual holiday tradition allows users to “elf ” themselves and become the star of a personalized video featuring personal photos on holiday dancing elves. Simply upload up to five selfies or photos of your friends or family from the phone’s camera roll or Facebook, select a dance theme and the app will generate a custom “Elf Yourself ” video shareable via email or Facebook. To view more apps, visit the Google Play Store.
Lawton Ballet Theatre presents ‘The Nutcracker’ Kristen Bass Staff Writer
On Dec. 11 and 12, at the Cameron University Theatre, The Lawton Ballet Theatre (LBT) will be performing “The Nutcracker.” ‘The Nutcracker” is a full length ballet that begins with a Christmas preshow at 6:15 p.m. LBT’s musical theatre class will be performing in Victorian style clothing in the lobby as carolers and later in a big performance on stage. Katie Veenhuizen, the artistic director and owner, founded the Lawton Ballet Theatre with her husband, Scott. “We decided to open LBT about thirty one and a half years ago due to a desire to spread the love of dance and performance,” Veenhuizen said. “This event is a passion for me. I performed in ‘The Nutcracker’ growing up and it just became a way that marked my progress as a performer.” Veenhuizen trained 23 years starting at the age of 4. Later, Veenhuizen went off to college to get a BFA in musical theatre and a BFA in dance. Veenhuizen has plans to build and expand the programs at LBT.
“This year we started a musical theatre class [which] will actually be performing a Christmas preshow for ‘The Nutcracker,’” Veenhuizen said. For dancers who are interested in becoming a part of LBT, dancers need to be enrolled in one of LBT’s ballet classes. “Each class is assigned a corps role in the ballet,” Veenhuizen said, “and soloists and principal dancers are chosen from our tier 3 and 4 classes – ages 10-adults. “We do have some community members who volunteer for the party scenes: teachers, pastors and soldiers,” Veenhuizen said. “It’s a wonderful community event. Students who are soloists or principals must attain a certain level of mastery to be considered.” Sue Tyrrell is a student at the LBT and a relatively new student to ballet. “I am enrolled in advanced tier 4 Ballet, and Contemporary Ballet classes,” Tyrrell said. “I began dancing as an adult, having never taken dance as a child. I actually got involved in it through liturgical
church dancing in worship settings. I was hooked and decided to take classes.” Tyrrell’s foundation of dance was the year she spent at Dance Gallery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It’s run by Jackie Kriens, one of only 247 people in the world to be a Diploma Fellow Member of the Cecchetti Council of America. There, Tyrrell studied Cecchetti and then moved to Alabama where she also was fortunate to study with another Cecchetti dance school. “So even though I don’t have the foundation many young people have,” Tyrrell said, “I’ve had terrific teachers and have been able to have fun dancing, as well as learn important technique.” Last summer, Tyrrell joined LBT again for two different summer camp intensives. Tyrrell enjoyed herself and decided to enroll in fall classes. “Because I was in the advanced tier 4 class, that class was set to do ‘Waltz of the Flowers,’ and so I decided to commit to do it. They also picked soloists and special numbers from classes, and they cast me as one of Spanish Hot Chocolate. Apparently I got that role because of my sass!” Tickets for The Nutcracker are $6.25 for children and seniors and $8.35 for adults. For more information on the LBT and its performances, visit lawtonballettheatre.com.
Celebrating the holidays with the Aggies and Sodexo to give Cameron students and the community a fun opportunity to get in the holiday mood. Williams says this event helps Cameron communicate with the community. “It gives outside community a good chance to come see what we have going on,” she said. Williams said her favorite part of the event is the cookie decorating. “I love watching the kids have fun,” Williams said. “They always make a huge mess, but you can tell they are having a lot of fun.” The event will also host Cards for Soldiers booth. For service members who can’t make it home for the holidays, attendees can write Courtesy of CU Public Affairs or draw personal messages on Holiday festivities for all: At 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, Aggies and community members will gather for the annual tree lighting ceremony. holiday cards that will be mailed to active-duty soldiers and area hot cocoa, s’mores, popcorn balls and cupcakes until the Collegian Staff veterans. lighting festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. The come-and-go Cards for Soldiers has been an active program for three event will also include horse-drawn carriage rides, musical Cameron University invites the community of southwest years now and they hope to continue with the help of performances by the CU Centennial Singers and the lighting Oklahoma to get into the holiday spirit at its annual holiday volunteers from Cameron and the Community. Sometimes of a fully decorated holiday tree. tree lighting ceremony and reception. these cards may be the only thing soldiers and veterans will Janet Williams, director of media relations, said the event The tree lighting ceremony will be held from 6-8 p.m. receive for the holidays. They will set up in the MCC where is a great introduction to the holiday season. on Dec. 1 in the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC) you can stop by and sign cards. “It’s a community event made to get people in the festive on the Lawton campus and from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Leslie Cothren, director of residential life, is in charge holiday feelings,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of activities for Duncan campus. of Cards for Soldiers this year and she says it’s great for kids and adults.” President John McArthur, accompanied by the Cameron students and the soldiers. President Cynthia Ross started the tree lighting ceremony University Centennial Singers, will give a warm welcome to “Students get to think about someone else and do in 2006 as a way to involve the community. The ceremony is everyone at the event. something special for someone else,” Cothren said, “and I coordinated by Williams, director of events Johnna Brown Guests who arrive early can decorate cookies and enjoy think that is good for them.”
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Sports
November 23, 2015 www.aggiecentral.com
Evans digs in for final stretch Krista Pylant
Scholar Athlete, selected for first team all-district and Sports Editor named offensive MVP for the @KristaPylant8 district, became the Greater Kat Evans hit the Cameron Houston Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star, and volleyball court in Fall 2012. was awarded an All-State Four years later, she now selection. leads a young team as the At the conclusion of lone senior, garnering many her high school volleyball experiences and milestones career, Evans said she along the way. The Pearland, Texas native became nervous as most of got her start playing volleyball her teammates had either committed to the collegiate nearly 12 years ago. Ever the athlete, Evans grew up around level or moved on to other endeavors. sports, participating in But Evans found her basketball, softball, ballet and school after participating tap dance, but it was not until a friend’s mom suggested that in a showcase following the Division I volleyball she try volleyball that Evans took to the sport with fervor. championships where numerous collegiate coaches, “Volleyball stood out including former CU coach because it was different,” Doug Tabbert, were present. Evans said. “My brother and my dad played basketball, so I Evans received a call from grew up around it and wanted Tabbert and began her journey to become an Aggie. to try something else. Once at Cameron, Evans “As I got older, I got quickly immersed herself into more into the hitting aspect the program, knocking down of volleyball. I really enjoy over 400 kills in her first getting a kill. It’s really fun, season with the Black and and the crowd gets excited Gold. when that happens, so that’s She continued to strive the feeling I go for every time I go up for a hit. I want to get and achieved 1,000 career the crowd involved, and that’s kills during her junior year, becoming only one of nine CU one way to do it.” volleyball players to surpass Evans progressed her that mark. game to the high school level “That was such an unreal where she became a three feeling because I didn’t think year starter for the Pearland that was achievable when I Oilers. arrived at Cameron,” Evans During her senior season, said. Evans was named a KUBE
Photo by Krista Pylant
Senior Season: Kat Evans goes for a block against a Harding University attacker during the Aggies’ first tournament of the 2015 season. The lone senior on the team is wrapping up her final season with the Black and Gold. “I remember everyone counted down until my 1000th kill and on my last one I spread my arms open and gave [teammate] Rebecca [Green] a really big hug. “I actually watched the video of the news coverage from that night this year, and it reminded me of the cool moment I got to share with my team that day.” Since that day, Evans has
CU wins five-set thriller in LSC
Krista Pylant Sports Editor
@KristaPylant8 The Cameron volleyball team defeated Texas A&MKingsville in a five set thriller (12-25, 25-20, 12-25, 26-24, 15-12) during the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament Thursday evening. Cameron had three individuals notch a doubledouble on the match. Senior Kat Evans earned her twelfth double-double on the year with 14 kills and 17 digs, while freshman Jordan Williams attained her eighth with 13 kills and 17 digs, and freshman Tori Luckenbill got her eleventh after contributing 49 assists and
beginning of set two and held a 7-4 lead until Cameron went on a six point chain propelled by five kills and a Javelina attack error to gain the 10-7 advantage. TAMUK battled back to tie the set at 12 and back-and-forth action ensued. TAMUK put down a kill to take back the lead, but CU answered back with one of their own. The set tied three more times and for a final time at 16-16 before the Aggies scored three straight points for the 19-16 edge. The Aggies held their lead with the Javelinas coming within a point, but CU hit three kills and forced a Javelina error to take set two 25-20. Cameron opened set three with a kill, but the Javelinas would hit back-to-back kills to take the lead and retain it for the entirety of the set, winning 25-12. The Javelinas held Cameron to six kills while hitting 13 of their own with a .273 attacking percentage. Photo courtesy of Mike Mazzo Set four was tightly ten digs for the Aggies. contested with 15 ties and Overall, Cameron had 60 nine lead changes. With kills on the match with a .167 TAMUK ahead 14-11, attacking percentage, while Cameron knocked down two Texas A&M-Kingsville had kills and forced two Javelina 58 kills and a .250 hitting errors to take the lead 15-14. clip. After a timeout, the Javelinas Errors plagued Cameron got a kill to tie the set at 15. in the first set, with the The set tied nine more times Aggies finishing with a -.129 and at 24-24 Kat Evans and hitting clip. TAMUK held a Jenna Gillean each put down 12-5 lead when CU hit three a kill to keep the match alive consecutive kills followed 26-24 powered by 16 kills. by a Javelina attack error to In the fifth set, CU was come within three points. down 7-3 but Cameron hit However, TAMUK went on three kills and TAMUK had a five point run that included a setting error to tie the game three straight blocks to pad at seven. Both sides traded their lead. The Javelinas took points and the set tied at eight the first set 25-12 paced by and nine until the Aggies ten kills and a .172 attacking pulled ahead off of two kills percentage. to lead 11-9. CU held the Texas A&M-Kingsville lead to get the set and match jumped to a 3-0 start at the 15-12.
reached 1,311 kills in her 117 matches with the Aggies, which is fourth highest alltime at Cameron. This season, she helped a young Aggie team consisting of 13 freshmen to a 13-0 start, the program’s best since the 1998 season. She says she owes her success to every coach and teammate she has ever had in addition to her parents from whom she said she draws her inspiration. “My dad played JUCO [junior college] basketball,” Evans said, “so he always tells me his stories. He won
a national championship, so he always references that throughout my career. His stories make me want to strive for that as well.” “If you see him in between the games he will always be near the bench with a bag of Skittles because when he was in college, they always took a sip of Dr. Pepper to give them a sugar rush at halftime. He has always been really big on that, so he always brings me a bag of Skittles and gives me a bit of advice in between games.” Now in her final season with the Aggies, Evans is
preparing to play in her final Lone Star Conference tournament. While she has not pondered much over what will be going through her mind during that weekend, she is certain as to what she will treasure most. “I will miss my teammates and always being around them no matter what,” Evans said. “I cannot believe my days are limited of being a volleyball player right now. That’s the weirdest feeling. “My body is ready to take a break, but my mind is not ready whatsoever. It’s been a fun ride this year.”