GoldRush Inside! Vol. 34, Issue 3 Aug. 31, 2021 NINERTIMES.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF April Carte [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL Tyler Trudeau COMMUNITY EDITOR PAGE 3 University rebrands to “Charlotte” Madison Dobrzenski NEWS EDITOR Hiral Patel OPINION EDITOR NEWS PAGE 4 Narrowing search for chief diversity officer Emily Kottak A&C EDITOR Bradley Cole SPORTS EDITOR Max Young COPY EDITOR Niyathi Sulkunte PHOTO EDITOR María Solano VIDEO EDITOR Brandon Mitchell LAYOUT EDITOR Page 6 Welcome back (for now) ASSISTANT EDITORS OPINION Jessica Ceballos NEWS Isaac Naylor OPINION Jake Pierce A&C Bryson Foster SPORTS PAGE 7 Film Review: Shang-Chi and the legend of Isabella Perryman COPY the 10 rings Elizabeth McGuire VIDEO PAGE 8 An interview with actor, Masumi CONTRIBUTING STAFF Bryson Foster, Gabe Lapalombella, Julie Dam A&C PAGE 9 We’re back, now what? COVER PHOTOS NINER TIMES Brandon Mitchell PAGE 10 TV Review: Brooklyn nine-nine @niner_times NEWSROOM 705.687.7150 NINERTIMES.COM/STAFF TWITTER @NINER_TIMES UPTOWN PAGE 11Keep an eye out AUDIO MARKETING DIRECTOR Megan Reid @uptownaudio [email protected] PAGE 12 Alumni Spotlight: Jazz Warren MARKETING STAFF Olivia Lawless, Stacy Fernandez, SPORTS Matthew Sumrell, Jada Terry SANSKRIT LIT ARTS MAGAZINE @sanskrituncc LOCATED ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE STUDENT UNION Niner Times • Uptown Audio NINER MEDIA Sanskrit Literary-Arts Magazine Media Marketing • Technical • Midas READ + WATCH MORE ONLINE AT @UNCCMEDIA Magazine THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE Kelly Merges NINER MEDIA ADVISER NinerTimes.com Laurie Cuddy BUSINESS MANAGER Joshua Wood GRAPHICS & 2 AUG. 31, 2021 NINERTIMES PRODUCTION Photo by Niyathi Sulkunte UNIVERSITY REBRANDS TO “CHARLOTTE” Student reactions to the new rebranding campaign NEWSNEWS by Madison Dobrzenski News Editor Photo courtesy of Inside UNC Charlotte On Aug. 19, 2021, UNC Charlotte Fifth-year student Aimee Rusin, said announced a rebranding and is now “the rebrand makes the name more Former Brand Logo: referred to as “Charlotte.” The formal confusing than the administration name will remain “the University of thought it was before. ‘UNCC’ is North Carolina at Charlotte” or “UNC descriptive, ‘Charlotte’ is a city. They want Charlotte,” however, the informal name to be ‘Charlotte University’ or ‘University is “Charlotte.” The rebranding also of Charlotte’ but aren’t willing to leave the promotes the “All-in C” logo to go with UNC system. The logo is fine and makes the new name. sense, even if the crown is absolutely According to the Brand Identity and cuter.” Visual Standards website, the University Jenna Boothe, a third-year student, proceeded with the rebranding because likes the rebrand. “I think the rebrand is “we [the University] thought it was time a good idea because we are already very that our brand reflected the forward- different from other UNC schools so that thinking and ground-breaking university people won’t loop us in with them,” said we are. We want to tell the UNC Boothe. Charlotte story through interesting Nicole Hite, an out-of-state graduate visuals, compelling words and a brand student, raises concerns about confusion truly representative of our students, for out-of-state students. “My out-of-state faculty and staff. A story of academic family would get confused if I just used excellence, accessibility and innovation.” ‘Charlotte’ for everything since it’s the Inside UNC Charlotte has a page name of the city. The ‘UNC’ when saying introducing the new branding called, or typing it barely takes more effort, but New Brand Logo: “Hi, we’re Charlotte. Nice to meet it prevents any confusion from someone you.”, with answers to questions about asking ‘the college or the city?’” the announcement, as well as a video On the Brand Identity and Visual displaying the branding’s logo. Standards website, a Brand Overview This rebrand came shortly after explains the importance of branding and Charlotte Athletics announced a logo its timing. Regarding timing, the website rebrand in June 2021, which uses the says “Through surveys, interviews and same “All-in C” as the recent University focus groups, we learned most of the rebrand. University’s audiences do not have a From students, there are mixed clear understanding of UNC Charlotte’s responses to the rebranding. Some brand.” The website explains that the students are concerned about confusion University has a “strategic plan” that with the name “Charlotte,” while others includes goals around increasing its think the new name separates the reputation. University already. The Niner Times talked to students and ran a survey gauging students’ feelings towards the rebranding. NINERTIMES.COM AUG. 31, 2021 3 NARROWING SEARCH FOR CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER National search for new chief diversity officer down to three finalists by Jessica Ceballos Photos courtesy of Diversity and Asst. News Editor Inclusion of UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte narrowed the national Dr. Glover currently serves as the Times article, the application process limited resources in ways that are fair search to three finalists for the new chief Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at the involves a packet of information that and transparent and that reflect clear diversity officer position. This search was College of William & Mary. Dr. Glover’s contains requirements and qualifications priorities. announced in April and began in May. interview was Thursday, Aug. 26. For to apply for this position. According to - Ability to create allies and build According to the Diversity and more information about Dr. Glover, the packet, these qualifications included: trusting and mutually respectful Inclusion website, the three finalists are please see her resume on the Diversity - Earning a doctorate or terminal relationships with students, Dr. Brandon Wolfe, Dr. Fanchon Glover and Inclusion website. degree administrators, faculty, staff and alumni, and Dr. Michael Jennings. The interview Dr. Jennings currently serves as Chief - Minimum of five years executive as well as with civic and professional process was conducted Aug. 25-27. In Diversity Officer at Furman University. leadership experience in higher organizations in the Charlotte region and addition, students, faculty and staff were Dr. Jennings’ interview was Friday, Aug. education or a comparable industry beyond. invited to attend the virtual forum for 27. For more information about Dr. advancing diversity, equity and inclusion - Excellent verbal and written each finalist by registration through the Jennings, please see his resume on the and fluency with the scholarship around communication skills and knowledge of Diversity and Inclusion website to meet Diversity and Inclusion website. diversity, equity and inclusion, or related group dynamics. the candidates. According to Dr. Kevin Bailey, who disciplines. - Ability to facilitate nuanced Dr. Wolfe currently serves as the serves as the search committee chair, - Understanding of scholarly conversations when convening multiple Assistant Vice President of Campus and “All applications were reviewed by the publications and academic philosophies constituencies around diversity, equity Community Engagement in the Office committee. Semifinalists participated in related to diversity, equity and inclusion. and inclusion. of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the a 90-minute Zoom interview with the - Ability to engage in data-informed - Ability to navigate political University of Alabama at Birmingham. search committee. The three finalists strategic analysis of opportunities and landscapes and respond appropriately to Dr. Wolfe’s interview was Wednesday, participated in a day-and-a-half in- challenges and to assess the effectiveness sensitive issues. Aug. 25. For more information about person interview on campus and met of D&I initiatives and programs. - Personal and professional integrity, Dr. Wolfe, please see his resume on the with a variety of stakeholders.” - Experience in financial planning, diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment. Diversity and Inclusion website. According to Lorenza Medley’s Niner budget development, and allocation of - Understanding of the elements and Dr. Brandon Wolfe Dr. Fanchon Glover Dr. Michael Jennings 4 AUG. 31, 2021 NINERTIMES dynamics of changing Janaka Lewis, Associate by a UNC Charlotte organizational culture. Professor of English, faculty member. The - A sense of humor. Director of Women’s and faculty member started UNC Charlotte used Gender Studies Program the petition in response the Association of Cheryl Waites Spellman, “not only to the recent Governing Boards to Interim Special Assistant events [2016 Charlotte assist in the search for to the Chancellor for protests] in Charlotte, but this position. According Diversity & Inclusion and to the overarching theme to agb.org, “[AGB] Professor Social Work of a growing, diverse has been the premier Jeremiah Williams, population at UNC membership organization Secretary for Diversity, Charlotte.” According to that strengthens higher Equity, and Inclusion for the article, Dubois said education governing the Student Government in a statement to the boards and the strategic Association University, “As Chancellor, roles they serve within Laura Williams, I believe that it is my duty their institutions and Controller and responsibility to serve as chief diversity officer.” foundations.” Bailey said “The committee decided they used this search “to on who the semifinalists According to the help generate interest in should be based on the diversity and inclusion the position