/NORTHERNIOWAN
@NORTHERNIOWAN
WWW.NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
VOLUME 120, ISSUE 3
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023
President Nook looks to the future
CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Executive Editor
The Northern Iowan sat down with President Mark Nook last Friday to discuss the future of UNI, artificial intelligence, DEI and student mental health resources among other topics.
SPORTS
What is the best part about being the president at UNI?
Panthers fall short in season opener against Iowa State, 30-9.
Interacting with students: “I get to know students and work with students a lot. I went into higher education for that very reason. I went to a school that is smaller than UNI, but it has the same kind of emphasis. I saw there that people really cared about me.
SPORTS PAGE 11
See NOOK Q&A, page 2
CAMPUS LIFE
Greek Life involvement numbers on the rise as new Chi Phi fraternity tries to establish itself on campus. CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 6
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/NI ARCHIVES
Future of West Gym on shaky ground MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor
OPINION
UNI Professor Steve Corbin discusses the threat of white Christian nationalism on American democracy. OPINION PAGE 5
The structure that UNI Wrestling has called home for nearly a century is sitting vacant; uncertified for occupancy due to stability concerns. The building’s east wall is currently being reinforced with red structural supports on the outside. A chain link fence surrounds the outside, with signs that read “Closed for Construction.” This has been the West Gym’s outfit for the past few weeks, a sign Director of University Relations Pete Moris says may give a clue about the future. “The engineers and consultants have told us that the building will tell you when it’s time, and the building is telling us that it’s not doing so well,”
he said. these temporary measures According to Moris, con- would be able to get us through versations about the stability the wrestling season in order of the West Gym have been for the wrestling team to be ongoing for the past few years. able to continue to train in the The estimated cost to make the facility for the remainder of this necessary changes to the build- year. Unfortunately, there is no ing sits above guarantee that we $20 million. can get the build“ We’ve ing certified for o b v i o u s l y ...The building occupancy, even known for will tell you when if we do spend some time more time and that there it’s time, and the resources to furare structur- building is telling ther reinforce that al deficieneast wall.” cies with the us that it’s not The softball, West Gym. doing so well. track and field It’s a building and wrestling that’s nearly offices located Pete Moris 100 years old in the building Director of University and wasn’t were vacated on Relations const r uctJuly 17 for the ed to today’s installation of the standards,” he said. structural bracing. “It was really our hope that See WEST GYM, page 4
News briefs Panther Mayhem is back The official student section at UNI Athletic events, known as “Panther Mayhem” is back after a couple years hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. Founded in 2009, the purpose of Panther Mayhem is to organize student presence at athletic events and ensure student-athletes have an engaged audience. Follow Panther Mayhem on Instagram @unipanthermayhem. UNI Alum wins entrepreneurial competition Russel Karim, a 2015 graduate of UNI, has won first place and $40,000 at the John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Dhakai, Karim’s business, allows eCommerce and apparel brands to transition from their idea to their final delivered product by using an ethical, sustainable and cost-effective single technology platform. TC to Takeover Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau will be implementing a community wide project featuring UNI’s mascot, TC. About 25 six-foot tall fiberglass mascots will be embellished by local artists and installed at various locations throughout the Cedar Falls community from May to October 2024. UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center celebrates 50 years First seeded in 1973, the Daryl Smith Prairie, a part of UNI’s Biological Preserves, is one of the earliest reconstructed prairies in the state of Iowa. Named after a professor emeritus of biology, Daryl Smith, UNI will celebrate the golden anniversary of Smith Prairie during Iowa Prairie Heritage Week, September 10-16. TheatreUNI’s 2023-24 season announced “The Play That Goes Wrong:” Sept. 29 - Oct. 8 “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy:” Oct. 26 - Nov. 5 “Heathers: The Musical:” Feb. 23 - March 3 “Suzette Who Set to Sea:” April 20 - 21