Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Volume 121, Issue 22
VISTA The
Opinion page 4
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”
Volume 119, Issue 19
Buss, DEI, and Narcan bills await Lamb’s signature or veto Jake Ramsey Managing Editor
Both the Faculty Senate and the UCO Student Association (UCOSA) have faced challenges with communication from UCO administration with issues focusing on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Executive Order 2023-31, accessibility to Narcan on campus and the controversial employment of interim assistant dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design Kato Buss. In March, UCOSA unanLamb has currently declined to comment on UCOSA’s legislation. (ETHAN imously voted in favor of legis- President BROWN/THE VISTA) lation which calls upon Lamb During this meeting Lamb bers of our campus community.” and UCO to “make a public refused to comment on the legis“Administration should restatement in support of diversity, lation, according to the UCOSA iterate support for DEI as these equity and inclusion.” executive team. pillars may continue to be under With legislation being auPresident Lamb has also fire from future legislative action, thored in both Faculty Senate been presented with legislation moreover security for faculty and and UCOSA in support of DEI, regarding DEI from Faculty answers for students regarding many in both organizations feel Senate which he has 30 days to the implications of the EO,” said administration has not done Barry. enough to communicate with the respond to. He was presented with the legislation on Tuesday, While the Faculty Senuniversity. April 9. ate, Staff Senate and UCOSA UCOSA’s DEI legislation Back in January, the Presihave all been working closely was to be distributed to Presdent of Faculty Senate, Alyssa on legislation regarding DEI, ident Lamb, members of his cabinet, the President of Faculty Provencio, released a president’s UCOSA has also passed legislaSenate Alyssa Provencio and the report highlighting why she feels tion regarding the employment DEI initiatives are important. of interim assistant dean of the President of Staff Senate Ellen In the report she said, “DEI College of Fine Arts and Design Schmidt. initiatives play a pivotal role in Kato Buss. This legislation and two othensuring that all members of our Authored by Senator Ian ers authored by UCOSA were academic community, regardless Wehrenberg and co-authored presented to President Lamb of their background, have the by DEI Chair Rylan Bolt, the on Friday, April 12 during a support and resources they need legislation seeks to recommend monthly meeting with the entire to thrive.” to, “indefinitely to ensure that no UCOSA executive team. This When also discussing why courses are being taught by Kato team is made up of President DEI is important, Chair of Con- Buss due to safety concerns for Lauren Harmen, Vice Presigress Izzi Barry said, “DEI inistudents and for the University dent Sa’Veion Adams, Chair of tiatives are crucial to every facet to reevaluate any attempt to proCongress Izzi Barry, Vice Chair of student life, in the sense that mote or tenure Kato Buss.” Cooper Autry and Secretary they are beneficial to all memBuss is the interim dean of the Ethan Noble.
College of Fine Arts and Design at UCO, and in May of 2021 he faced allegations of sexual harassment from six students. This came after an international student claimed that UCO administrators failed to take action after she was sexually assaulted in March of 2020. The case has since been dropped. Both UCOSA and Faculty Senate have also passed legislation regarding Narcan accessibility on campus. UCOSA having passed theirs on Monday. When presented with the legislations regarding Narcan, DEI and Buss, President Lamb did not comment, nor did he lay out a plan with the executive team of UCOSA, according to Barry. “President Lamb’s lack of comment on legislation not only by UCOSA, but also Faculty and Staff Senates is concerning because it demonstrates an unwillingness to engage in dialogue regarding key issues that impact our campus life,” said Barry. “Whenever that legislation was passed, it was the voice of the students,” said Barry. She would then go on to discuss how even a comment on how context to help UCOSA gain an understanding of what is going on in administration would have been appreciated. “I think that that is more beneficial for us than not having a comment at all,” said Barry. This, combined with a lack of new information given to faculty and staff regarding Stitt’s EO, has left many feeling in the dark about what the future of UCO entails.
International Olympics unite ‘friendships across borders’ at UCO Jiwoo Han Contributing Writer
Last Saturday, the UCO International Student Council hosted the ISC Olympics 2024, a celebration of sports and cultural exchange. The event, featuring sand volleyball and basketball, drew participants from nine countries: Bangladesh, Korea, Malaysia, India, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, Africa, and Latin America. Inspired by the spirit of the real Olympics, the ISC decided to establish this as an annual event, encouraging international integration and friendship.
cultures while trying out new sports.” Kogai highlighted the thought process behind selecting basketball and volleyball. “We chose these sports for their popularity and accessibility,” she said. “Our goal was to offer activities that everyone could enjoy, regardless of skill level.” Planning the event spanned about two months, with an initial delay due to inclement weather. Challenges included ensuring all participants understood the rules and players were accommodated in both sports. Despite these challenges, the
Students shoot hoops. (JIWOO HAN/THE VISTA)
International students pose at the event. (JIWOO HAN/THE VISTA)
“It’s not just about sports; it’s about connecting with domestic students as well,” said Kiwami Kogai, a historian of ISC. “We want to give them a taste of our
event went smoothly. “One of the most exciting moments was seeing everyone cheering on opponents and bonding over post-game Jimmy
John’s sandwiches,” said Kogai. She emphasized the event’s profound impact on encouraging connections among students from diverse backgrounds. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to foster friendships across borders,” she said. Looking ahead, the ISC plans to enhance the event’s inclusiv-
ity by inviting more domestic students to participate. Beyond organizing events like the Olympics, the ISC is dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity within the UCO community. Weekly meetings serve as vital platforms for discussion and collaboration.