Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Volume 122, Issue 17
VISTA The
ISC Pageant on Page 4.
Tuesday, Feb.
“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”
Volume 119, Issue 19
Nash wins mayoral race Dorrell arrested on DUI
Charlie Shackelford Reporter
After Tuesday’s final election, Mark Nash was elected Edmond mayor, winning the race against former city councilman Tom Robins. Nash’s upcoming plans as mayor reflect what his campaign was most focused on: fiscal transparency. Since he joined the race in November, he has voiced his concerns about how the city currently handles its budget. Nash criticized how difficult the budget is for the public to understand. He emphasized how important fiscal transparency is for the city’s budget and deciding how best to utilize the money. With the financial background he gained from working for state agencies, he says he
has the experience the city needs to fix the issue. His main goal is to build trust with the public by making the budget easier to understand so they can know where their money is going. Edmond residents are also relying on their new mayor to help solve the city’s ongoing traffic issue. Nash says he wants to figure out the budget before handling big projects, but he does have a solution. He says widening Covell and Danforth into four-lane roads will help take the traffic off of 15th Street, Edmond’s busiest road. Although he has acknowledged the challenges that will come with this work, he says it is a crucial first step in solving the issue. In a statement released Tuesday night,
Nash thanked voters for believing in him. “Today’s win is the first step in a united effort to bring greater transparency and accountability to Edmond city finances and planning. Edmond voters have spoken with an undeniable clarity that there is work to be done, and they’ve entrusted me to do exactly what I’ve said. To every person who cast a ballot, donated, and volunteered to make phone calls, put out signs, and knock on doors, thank you for believing in me and in the importance of the work ahead.” Nash will be sworn in on May 5, along with two new council members: Preston Watterson in Ward 3 and Phillip Fraim in Ward 4.
suspicion Jake Ramsey Editor-In-Chief
The University of Central Oklahoma Football Head Coach Adam Dorrell was arrested Thursday under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after a witness reported to the Edmond Police Department that Dorrell was erratically driving a blue Ford Bronco. After pulling over the vehicle, the Edmond PD Officer describes in the police report that Dorrell had slurred speech, difficulty explaining where he was and why he was there. The officer also described the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Dorrell admitted to having been drinking in the body-cam footage, released by the
Edmond PD. “Due to A-Dorrell’s behavior and demeanor, his admission to consuming alcohol, and his driving behavior, I did not believe he was safe to operate a motor vehicle,” read the arresting officer’s report. In response to the
Adam Dorrell mugshot. (PROVIDEDED)
arrest, UCO Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Adrienne Nobles said, “We are evaluating options to hold Coach Dorrell accountable in this situation. His actions
are not consistent with the standards and expectations we have for members of the Broncho community. He has expressed regret and is taking responsibility for his actions, and we are assisting him with getting the help he needs. For the time being, Associate Head Coach James Curlee will lead the football program.” There has been no word on whether Dorrell will be with the team for the upcoming spring game on April 17 against Southern Nazarene University, upon print. UCO Football is currently the reigning MIAA champ, after an 11-2 season in 2024. The Vista will continue to follow the situation as it develops.
President Trump signs executive order targeting the Smithsonian Ella Spurlock Managing Editor
On March 27, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This order has since gone into effect and will directly target the Smithsonian Institution, its museums and its education and research center for promoting “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” This EO will specifically target The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the forthcoming American Women’s History Museum, The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Zoo. The order will give Vice President JD Vance, who is a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, oversight into determining what is considered “anti-American.” While this term, and many others, were thrown around excessively within the EO, there is currently no criteria into what will be considered “anti-American,” but here is what we currently know. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is specifically being singled out for “com[ing] under the influence of a divi- President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the Smithsonian. (PROVIDED/ASSOCIATED sive, race-centered ideology.” PRESS) When asked about the terms “anti-American” es American history… to say that recognizing concentration in U.S. history. Dr. Goulding put and “race-centered ideology” being used to opan emphasis on although something is not talked pose The National Museum of African American that our country has struggled with racism, with xenophobia, and all of that, and then one recogabout, taught, recognized, etc., does not mean History and Culture, UCO History professor, niz[ing] that one is somehow being un-American that it didn’t happen or that it isn’t happening. Marc Goulding, said that these terms are harmbecause of it, well I think that’s ludicrous.” Many historians share the same view-point as ful to the history being shared and taught by the Dr. Goulding holds a Ph.D. with a major Dr. Goulding. Smithsonian. Goulding also stated, “As someone who teach- concentration in African Diaspora and a minor Continued on Page 3.
Student Activity Fee allocations broken down Jake Ramsey Editor-in-Chief
A question many students have when it comes to tuition and fees is what exactly the money is used for. While tuition is spent on a multitude of things across the university, fees is another payment that may raise questions to students on what exactly it is used for. Student Activity Fees (SAF) Budget Manager Janna Montgomery broke down the allocations, and explained exactly how the money is dispersed across campus. “Student activity fees are totally dependent on enrollment,” said Montgomery. “Right now it’s $15.50 per credit hour.” Per credit hour of each student, $15.50 is charged. This money is allocated across campus from the UCO Budget Office through various
means. From the Budget Office, 57% of the money is sent to athletics. 43% goes to student activities, which is where it crosses Montgomery’s desk. Through this 43% given to activities, a lot is covered under that umbrella including office support, student workers salaries, supplementary choir and dance funding, etc. Of the 43%, 35% goes to the UCO Student Association, which allocates funds to various student organizations across campus. “So that is 15% of the whole big pot,” said Montogmery. “At this point we’re down to $2.33 per hour, once we get to the UCOSA portion.” That amount is then split into two categories: annual budgets and sponsorship funding. Of the 35%, 85% goes to annual budgets, with 15% going to the sponsorship funding. Annual funding is what student organizations
apply for, for the academic year. “That’s your funding for the next school year,” said Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Cole Stanley. “Sponsorship funding you apply for, for the year in which the funding will be used,” said Montgomery. “This is mainly supplemental funding.” Groups may use sponsorship funding typically for a specific event or trip. “The money that’s not used goes back into the pot to be used for something else,” said Montgomery. Sponsorship funds can be applied for during times when UCOSA is meeting in the fall and spring semesters. Annual budgets are applied for early in the calendar year, and are filed and completed for the next academic year.