Feb10issue

“ THE CAMPUS

February 10, 2016 – Volume 110 Issue 16

Task force prepares recommendations, names chairman Emily Wiley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Diversity and Inclusion Task Force is reviewing data to form recommendations to help make the campus more inclusive.

The task force last met in December before Winter Break. The smaller committees within the task force met when students returned to campus for classes.

“We are moving right along with schedule,” said Casey Ross, university general counsel. “The committees are working to make these recommendations and prepare to send them to the president before

the end of the academic year.”

The task force is responsible for creating academic programming to further the development of campus cultural competence.

The committees within the task force will focus on creating a student programming plan, training and curriculum. The task force has until the end of the academic year to give its recommendations on how to make the university more inclusive.

“I think we are focused on having a positive impact on the campus,” Ross said.

President Robert Henry created the task force after a photo surfaced in October on social media. In the photo, a student was dressed as Jay Z with her

My only regret is that we didn’t form this sooner. I believe that this is only going to make our university greater.

Casey Ross university general counsel

face painted black, a practice known as “blackface.” Blackface represents a time when white Americans would put dark paint on their faces and act out racist stereotypes.

Visit MediaOCU.com to read more about the photo and the creation of the taskforce.

Lee Brown, university risk

manager, was named chairman of the task force.

Brown will oversee the formation of the recommendations and send them to Henry for review.

Brown was unavailable for comment at presstime.

One student is glad to see the task force working to improve

campus life.

“I am glad that they are moving forward this quickly with the task force,” said Brian Jenkins, psychology sophomore “OCU is a great place to be, but I think we need to make sure that we are diverse and inclusive with all people in our community.”

The task force will examine how professors teach diversity and inclusion in their lessons and the cultural profile of the university.

“The data is very extensive,” Ross said. “The committees are being very thorough with their review of this data. I think some really great things are going to come out of this.”

Once the recommendations

are sent to the president, he will present them to the appropriate committees for review.

“If it’s something that needs to change in the faculty handbook, then the Faculty Senate will need to approve it,” Ross said. “Other things would need to go to the board of trustees for approval.”

Ross said the task force was a smart move for the university.

“My only regret is that we didn’t form this sooner,” Ross said. “I believe that this is only going to make our university greater.”

Andrew Robling Student Publications

Life in color Ben Hall, professional actor, transfers memories to Daniel Brown, acting junior, during the Feb. 5 performance of The Giver. The show follows “Jonas,” a boy growing up in a utopian society. Upon turning 12, the youth in the community are assigned their career paths. Jonas is chosen for special training with the Giver. The show was performed in black and white to show the sameness that the utopian community adopted.

Right: Daniel Brown, acting junior, experiences his first sight of the color red while staring at Morgan Haney, music theater sophomore, during the Feb. 5 performance of The Giver. Brown played “Jonas,” who must hold the memories and pain of his community and learn the reality of life. The shows featured movement pieces with bright colors to reflect Jonas’s emotions. The show runs through Saturday.

Officials meet to improve campus study areas Sage Tokach LIFESTYLES EDITOR

A committee of faculty and staff is working to develop and improve learning commons areas on campus.

Learning commons are public campus study spaces for students to use individually or in groups.

The Dulaney-Browne Library underwent renovations last year. The Learning Enhancement Center moved to the first floor of the library. The committee plans to continue the development of these spaces and improve study spaces in other locations.

The Learning Commons Committee consists of 16 faculty and staff members. It meets once or twice a month to discuss findings. Between meetings members research learning commons, observe student habits in study areas on campus, as well as at other Oklahoma schools and gather advice from learning commons experts such as Victoria Swinney, director of the

M MEDIAOCU.com

Dulaney-Browne Library; Jenny Minsberg, disabilities service coordinator, and Paul Gebb, director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

“The ultimate goal is to create an active learning environment,” Gebb said. “The committee plans to put ideas together, with help from the library, retention committee and information technology committee, to present as a recommendation to the president’s cabinet.”

The committee visits the library, as well as other study spaces like Alvin’s Cafe and the Shdeed Lounge in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center, and Dawson-Loeffler Science and Mathematics Center, to observe the types of seating students use, as well as their tendencies to study in groups and to use technology.

One student suggested adding speakers to study spaces.

“I always study alone while listening to music,” said Wesley Yang, psychology and youth ministry senior. “I would love it if there were speakers in study spaces so that I could play my chillstep.”

The committee hopes to accommodate all types of study habits.

“The ultimate goal is to achieve better studying by providing enough spaces with the right kinds of equipment and seating areas for students,” said Dr. Liz Willner, chairwoman of the education department.

“Do we need food? Movable whiteboards? We don’t want to go high-tech just to go hightech. We want the additions to be useful.”

Past learning commons research led to development at the library and with the LEC. The library study rooms are separated into individual and group study areas, as well as a silent and noise-tolerant floors.

The LEC moved to the library and created a new structure that aids the peer educators.

“Faculty members work with the peer educators to develop what we call ‘best practices,’ the best method of teaching each subject,” Willner said. “We find out what materials they need and have provided resources like online programs to help tutors teach students to learn, not just

Ali Wonderly Student Publications

Vocal students wait for choir Feb. 2 in the atrium of Wanda L. Bass Music Center. The atrium is a popular hangout for music students in between classes. Students might have more areas to hangout and study in after the Learning Commons Committee finishes their evaluation and recommendations for new and better study spaces.

finish their assignment.”

Willner works with math, science and music theory tutors, while Dr. Brooke Hessler, professor of English, works with writing tutors. The LEC provides tutors for any subject, but students mainly come to the LEC for writing and math, Willner said.

LEC peer educators also have

begun visiting classes where they introduce themselves to students and offer assistance.

Faculty want the LEC to be a resource for all students, not just those having challenges, Willner said.

The learning commons committee contacted Student Government Association and used their input to create a

survey they plan to email this month to students, faculty and staff. It will ask questions about ways to improve study spaces.

The committee members expect renovations and additions to happen gradually, during the course of two or three years, Willner said.

Build healthy relationships

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Making a Murderer

Like us on Facebook at MediaOCU

View photos from Alpha Chi Omega’s Healthy Relationships Week.

Students to host a discussion panel on the Netflix series.

Get in the game

See scores and photos from this week’s basketball and baseball games.

Follow us on Instagram @media_ocu

opinion

Talk Back

Accountability needed in SGA appropriations process There is an apparent lack of respect between student organizations and Student Senate where appropriations are concerned.

A student organization requested $1,500 from Student Government Association during the Jan. 20 Student Senate meeting. The money was to host an alumni event for the organization at Dave and Buster’s, 5501 N. May Ave., but the bill failed.

See Page 4 for full story.

Some might think SGA was wrong to fail the bill, but the funds requested would have provided food and entertainment for alumni. These funds come from the fees of current students.

Student fees should be reserved for activities for current students, such as Free Movie Night and Big Event.

We should not pay to entertain alumni.

It is inappropriate for our fees to go to an event hosted for people who already graduated.

When a student organization requests funding from SGA, they must submit request to the appropriations committee who processes it before Senate hears it. They take into consideration the amount, what it is be used for and how much fundraising the organization has done.

It also seems inappropriate for organizations to approach SGA asking for large amounts of money without at least trying to fundraise.

Yes, we pay those student fees to fund some events, but the money can only go so far, especially after budgets were cut last semester.

The money SGA has needs

“Where is your favorite place to study?”

“Second floor Methodist breezeway”

to last all semester.

With that said, SGA also needs to make sure they meet quorum for every meeting.

Three meetings were canceled last semester because too few senators attended.

It is unacceptable for student organizations not to have their requests heard because senators can’t seem to make it to their required meetings.

When this happens, organizations could miss out on oppor tunities because of missed deadlines or pay for activities worthy of student funds out of pocket.

SGA members need to hold themselves to the standards they expect from organizations.

Alexis Miles dance performance senior

“Banning”

Arrash Allahyar cell and molecular biology senior

“Any place that’s with good friends”

“Alvin’s”

Candace Tyson design and production freshman

Cole Cloutier music theater freshman

“Behind the stairwell in the Bass atrium, because it feels like Hogwarts.”

Victoria Esquibell design and production sophomore

“The SGA office”

Tanner Pflueger dance performance junior

Editor reflects on results of Iowa Caucus Cold weather, corn and caucuses are what most people think of when they think of Iowa. It is a state that doesn’t get much attention three out of every four years, but in election years all political eyes turn to Iowa.

The Iowa Caucus was last week. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, won the Republican caucus and Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, D-N.Y., won the Democratic contest.

At this point you may ask yourself one of two questions,

what does this mean for me or what is a caucus?

Every four years each political party must select a nominee for president. To do this, candidates from each party compete in statelevel elections to win delegates from that state to each party’s national convention.

Iowa is different from many states in that, to select who wins its delegates, it hosts a caucus. In a caucus, voters must show up to the polling place at a certain time and debate who the nominee should be before casting a ballot.

John Hiller is a religion senior from Ringling, Okla.

He enjoys running, spending time with his fiance, Hannah and sarcasm.

If you are new to politics you might wonder why a state of only three million people gets so much attention from presidential candidates and media. It is not because Iowa represents the demographics of the nation. The state is 92 percent white, according to U.S.

Census data. It’s not because the political views of Iowans reflect the views of the nation as a whole, Iowa Democrats are more liberal and Iowa Republicans are more conservative than the average citizen. Iowa is important for the simple fact that it is first.

Iowa is first because of its complex voting process, according to NPR’s website npr.org.

“And once a peanut farmer named Jimmy Carter rode an Iowa caucus win all the way to the White House, Iowa suddenly became a thing,” read the article.

But this still does not answer the question “what does Iowa have to do with me?” The results of the caucus show us that Donald Trump, R-N.Y., is not guaranteed a win and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., amounts to more than an angry old man. The effect

of the caucus on the number of delegates each candidate wins is minimal, but it sets the tone for the remainder of the election.

The Iowa Republican caucus had a record turnout of around 186,000 voters. This means that a group of people smaller than the population of Oklahoma City played a major part in selecting the possible next president.

Your vote makes a difference when so few turn out to the polls. Stay informed so you can participate in the elections.

Critic finds film far from director’s best, but worthy Quentin Tarantino is one of the surer bets in the movie industry. His track record speaks for itself, with classic movies such as Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards and the Kill Bill films. Unfortunately though, his newest film, The Hateful Eight, is far from his best work.

That being said, the film, staring a combination of veterans from past Tarantino films such as Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell along with newcom-

ers Jennifer Jason Leigh and Demian Bichir, is not bad by any means.

The film takes place soon after the Civil War during a ferocious snowstorm. The storm causes bounty hunters “Major Marquis Warren,” played by Jackson, and “John ‘Hangman’ Ruth,” played

by Russell, to take refuge in a nearby inn called Minnie’s Haberdashery. The two, already accompanied by Ruth’s prisoner “Daisy Domergue,” played excellently by Leigh, are soon joined by Walton

Danielle Petersen is a music theater senior from San Jose, Calif. She likes playing the violin, playing with her cat and watching films.

Goggins’s character “Chris Mannix” and bring him along to the inn. Once there, they join another set of travelers also holing up at Minnie’s, each with their own intriguing backstory.

The setup and the first half of the movie are excellent. Tar-

antino is fantastic at coming up with interesting character histories, building immediate interest in each new face that comes on screen. Everyone in the cast is noteworthy, with Leigh being the standout.

Each character is played as if they have something to hide,

which they all do. That only helps build the suspense, as you get ready to settle in and figure out which of them is going to try something first.

Unfortunately, the second half doesn’t live up to the first.

The storyline starts to feel rushed before we sit through a flashback that feels overwrought and unnecessary. It’s almost as if Tarantino knows how good he is at introducing characters, so he keeps trying to bring in new ones.

Aside from pacing issues, the usual snappy Tarantino

dialogue isn’t there. Like the rest of the film, people start off sounding like they are going to say something important, but everything just comes across disappointingly bland and unmemorable.

On it’s own, The Hateful Eight is a frustrating film, but one worthy of your time. You may find yourself discussing it with others even days later.

The film is inevitably going to be compared to Tarantino’s past works, and in that sense the result will leave you wanting.

Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

music theater recital at 6 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Campus Calendar Calendar items must be received in the Newsroom or stupub@okcu.edu by noon Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday issue.

WEDNESDAY Imposition of Ashes at 12:30 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel THURSDAY The Giver at 11 a.m. in the Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Career and Internship Fair at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel Center Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Sharon Betswor th as speaker at 1 p.m. in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

FRIDAY The Giver at 11 a.m. in the Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center Discover Science: Experiment with OCU at 1 p.m. in Ann Lacy Visitor’s Center

Baseball vs. MidAmerica Nazarene at 2 p.m. in Jim Wade Stadium Project 21 concert at 8 p.m. in the medium rehearsal hall in Wanda L. Bass Music Center

SATURDAY Baseball vs. MidAmerica Nazarene at 11 a.m. in Jim Wade Stadium

The Giver at 8 p.m. in the Burg

Kegan Malec-Barrera’s senior

Emily Emmett’s senior music theater recital at 8 p.m. in Petree Recital Hall in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

Senior provides advice for students on academic probation I was on the verge of losing my scholarships, was unable to go to Pom nationals and the number of hours I could take each semester was limited.

I was on academic probation because I had a grade point average lower than 2.0.

I screwed up.

If I wanted to stay at OCU, I had to do better.

For those who just had

a bad semester, don’t give up hope. One bad semester does not equal a bad college experience.

Raising your GPA is difficult if you don’t put in more effort. In my case, putting in more effort meant quitting Pom and even Student Publications, both of which meant a lot to me. I needed to put all of my efforts toward school. It was okay, because I

Maleyia Vaughn is a mass communications senior from Oklahoma City, Okla. She enjoys going to the Oklahoma City Zoo, playing with her dog, Bailey, and working out. !

was doing what was best for me at the time.

You’re here for school, so that should be your No. 1 priority.

Also, it is important to remember to use the resources available to you. Talk to your professors, counselors, advisers, tutors, and library

THE CAMPUS

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Photographers: Anna Andersen, Lauren Berlingeri, Donovan Lawson, Andrew Robling Staff Writers: Alex German, Prisca Lynch, Elina Moon, Tatum Nelson, Taylor Rey Columnists: Tatum Nelson, Madelyn Parker

ing. You made a mistake, so choose to learn from it instead of dwelling on it.

Academic probation sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. You still can be successful. Just work hard and get yourself out of this position. If you want a study partner or even just want someone to talk to that understands, email me at mrvaughn@my.okcu.edu.

The Campus has served the Oklahoma City University community since 1907. It is published Wednesday during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and exam periods.

February 10, 2016, Volume 110, Number 16

Editor-in-Chief: Emily Wiley Web Editor: Maleyia Vaughn Lifestyles Editor: Sage Tokach Multimedia Editor: Miguel Rios Photo Editor: Ali Wonderly Copy Editor: John Hiller Community Managers: Sara Coleman, Lauren Berlingeri

staff, and let them help you.

Whether you think so or not, they do care, especially when you show you do.

Most importantly, remember the world isn’t ending.

If you’re anything like I was, you’re disappointed in yourself because you know you could have done better, but that doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

College is about learn-

The Student Publications staff welcomes unsolicited material and let-

Film Critic: Danielle Petersen Circulation Director: Allie Glazner Faculty Adviser: Kenna Griffin

ters to the editor. All letters must be signed and include the writer’s phone number, address, major, and classification. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters. The staff also reserves the right to refuse letters without explanation. Letters can be sent online at mediaocu.com, emailed to stupub@ okcu.edu or dropped off at the Newsroom in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. Submitted items may appear on MediaOCU and in the print edition.

The first issue of The Campus is free. Each additional issue costs 25 cents. Contents copyright, 2016. All rights reserved.

February 10, 2016

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news

Red Cross, NAIA to host blood drive on campus Tatum Nelson STAFF WRITER

Students can save a life with a blood donation.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’s American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

“Students will be asked questions about their health and get a finger prick to ensure they can donate that day,” said Kelly Perry, assistant athletic director and compliance.

Those donating should drink water beforehand, as it makes the donation process easier.

“There is nothing a doctor can do if they do not have blood supply to transfer to a patient,” said Kaitlin Pontikes, economics and finance senior and organizer of the blood drive.

“All we have to do is take 45 minutes and get a free T-shirt and snacks to change someone’s entire life.”

Pontikes participated in the 2014 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program. She was selected as one of the 13 student-athletes from across the country who spent a week in Washington D.C. at Red Cross headquarters, to help promote the Red Cross strategy of moving from awareness to action.

Pontikes said she will be outside the caf in Tom and

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Right now there is a shortage of blood supply and hospitals are really counting on donors more than ever to take a few minutes of their time to save someone’s life.

Kaitlin Pontikes economics/finance senior

Brenda McDaniel University Center a week before the drive to sign up donors.

“One reason I am passionate about this is because you can do so much for someone for so little,” Pontikes said.

“Right now there is a shortage of blood supply and hospitals are really counting on donors more than ever to take a few minutes of their time to

save someone’s life.”

Students must bring photo ID or they will not be allowed to donate. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Red Cross will provide snacks and juice to help the donors recover from the blood draw.

All donors are welcome to stay and watch the movies to support the blood drive.

Donated blood is shipped to hospitals across the country to help patients who are lacking their own blood and need a transfusion to overcome illness and disease.

“The blood drive is important because every pint of blood donated can help up to three people and the more people that decide to donate means more people are going to get help,” said Katie Winnicki, mass communications sophomore.

People are only allowed to donate blood every 56 days to ensure they do not strain their bodies.

The Red Cross will accept blood donations as well as double red cell donations.

Bl o o d d o n a t i o n s t a k e about an hour and can come

from donors of any blood type.

Double red cell donations take about half an hour longer than regular blood d o n a t i o n . Do n o r s w i t h blood type O are encouraged to donate red cells.

To find out more information about the eligibility requirements and tips for donors, visit redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/ eligibility-requirements.

The Red Cross ensures that the blood donated goes to those who are in need after a lengthy system of processing, testing and distributing to hospitals. To find out more, visit the Red Cross’s website, redcrossblood.org.

Spring Intramural Sports to kick off with basketball season Elina Moon STAFF WRITER

Students can exercise while having a good time with their friends through Intramural Sports.

In Intramural Sports, students and faculty can form their own teams and play against other teams from campus. All skill levels are welcome and teams are coeducational.

“You don’t have to be an allstar athlete or have played sports in high school,” said Joshua Hall, assistant director of student life, Intramural Sports and recreation. “ It’s competitive, but the main focus is to have fun.”

Intramural Sports played in the Spring are basketball, dodgeball, table tennis, soccer, and sand volleyball.

The five-on-five basketball season is first and in full swing with 10 teams participating.

In March, the winning team will play against University of Central Oklahoma’s all-star intramural team.

“Intramural Sports have

You don’t have to be an all-star athlete or have played sports in high school. It’s competitive, but the main focus is to have fun.

Joshua Hall assistant director student life

taken off in the past year,” said Hall. “The flag football participation has increased 50 percent and soccer by 30 percent.”

Officials plan to add ultimate Frisbee in the future.

To sign up students can go to the front desk of the Aduddell Center and pick up a team entry form. Students may sign up as late as a week before an event. If students can’t find enough people to form their own team, Hall will find them a spot.

“Sometimes the OCU Police even participate,” Hall said. “It’s a really great way to interact with other students and faculty in a non-professional environment.”

Winning teams receive intramural championship T-shirts for that sport.

Intramural Sports are a way for people who aren’t involved with the athletic department to continue sports they may have played in high school.

“I have played sports all my life and especially in high school non-stop, so coming to college, I was afraid that I wasn’t going to get that same experience,” said Ben Patterson, religion sophomore.

“It’s the most fun you will ever have playing a sport. I guarantee it. You get the exercise, intensity level and athletic atmosphere without the coach yelling at you constantly and instead have more fun.”

Donovan Lawson Student Publications

Practice makes perfect Vision Wilkes-Davis and Capriana Campo, music theater sophomores, practice a script together Jan. 28 before their audition for The Shadow Collective’s Playwrights Festival. The festival will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 18-20 in the Administration Tower in Clara E. Jones Administration Building.

Debate team to compete in national championship in D.C. Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER

The Ethics Debate Team qualified to compete in the national championships in Washington, D.C. for the first time.

The team debates on ethical issues in broad topics.

Topics include pregnant women flying to the U.S. so their children will be citizens and doctors participating

in enhanced interrogation techniques.

“It’s not a normal debate team, it’s less competitive and more collaborative,” said Sylvia Hayes, the team’s president. “We talk about the issues without tearing the other teams down.”

The team is given the questions in advance to prepare for the competition.

Two teams debate at a time, one team begins with a seven

minute presentation followed by a short rebuttal by the other team and a final rebuttal by the first team.

OCU’s team competed in the state competition in October and the regional competition in November where they qualified for the national championships and finished in third place.

“I really enjoy ethics debate because it’s all about considering real world problems and

issues and whether or not they are justified in a moral sense,” said Joshua Hertz, political science sophomore.

“It allows me to understand viewpoints of others around the nation on the same issue.

Sometimes we disagree, but surprisingly it is more likely that we will agree.”

The team received funding for the championships from OK Ethics, the ethics organization of Oklahoma,

$2,000 from the Student Senate, a GoFundMe page created by the team and the remainder was covered by a fund from the Meinders School of Business.

Five students from different majors will go to D.C. to compete.

“It’s really interesting, we have science majors, a religion major, business majors it’s really diverse,” Hayes said.

The competition will be

Feb. 21 and the team will stay there Friday through Saturday. It’s too late to join the team for this year, but students can join the team next year.

Fo r m o re i n f o r m a t i o n about the debate team, email Hayes at schayes@my.okcu. edu.

Fraternity to host event to benefit Feeding America Maleyia Vaughn WEB EDITOR

Shooting hoops

Andrew Robling Student Publications

Junior Forward Daniela Wallen shoots the ball during the women’s basketball game against Mid-America Christian University on Feb. 4 in Abe Lemon’s Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The women’s team went on to defeat MACU, 70-62, making their conference record 10-1.

February 10, 2016

Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity is preparing for their first event after being under investigation in the fall.

The fraternity was under investigation for potential hazing during a scavenger hunt.

The chapter was placed under limited operations while the investigation was pending.

Under limited operations, the chapter could not host any social or philanthropic events, perform new member education or host chapter meetings without a representative from the university present.

Lambda Chi is no longer under limited operations and the investigation ended Dec. 31.

Visit MediaOCU.com to

read more on the investigation.

The officers must send all information they send to headquarters to the university to keep all parties informed, said Ben Patterson, the fraternity’s vice president of external affairs and philanthropy.

The chapter is fully functional and able to participate in all campus events as well as host their own events.

Hearts for Hunger will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

Lambda Chis will perform a talent of their choice at the event and, at the end of the performances, the audience will bid on the talent they enjoyed most. The highest bidder will go on a date with the member or can have him perform an act of service, such as washing their car, cleaning or doing their laundry, Patterson said.

It is a come-and-go event and everyone is welcome to attend, he said.

The event costs $3 or a donation of three cans of food.

“We are excited about hosting a wonderful event to raise money, food and awareness for Feeding America,” said Stephen Lashley, the fraternity’s president.

Feeding America is a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to feed America’s hungry through a network of food banks, according to their website, feedingamerica.org.

Proceeds from the campus event will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

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news

Group forms to promote interfaith dialogue Alex German STAFF WRITER

A new student-led organization will support interfaith dialogue on campus.

The group, Better Together, will provide opportunities for interfaith dialogues on campus and help support religious pluralism, accepting other ideologies and befriending their supporters.

“Interfaith dialogue is used to open a line of communication between different beliefs,” said Melaina Riley, religion sophomore and president of Better Together.

“It broadens your world view and makes interfaith relationships make sense. It is easier to truly understand other schools of thought by getting to know its people than by reading a book about it.”

All students are welcome to join, regardless of their faith or lack of religion.

“This is not a religious group but a civil group,” Riley said.

Last year the Interfaith Youth Corps rated OCU as the only “better together” campus in the state.

The organization works to promote interfaith cooperation among students and young adults by hosting service opportunities.

“We decided to name our

We plan on doing community outreach projects with the understanding that we all have different beliefs and backgrounds.

Hannah Lampi religion senior

group after this designation,” said Hannah Lampi, religion senior.

The group will host “Better Together Week” in April. The week will be an extension of Love Not Hate Day, an event co-hosted with the Wesley Center.

Love Not Hate Day is an event where students tie dye shirts on the quad to promote inclusion and equality.

Love Not Hate Day began in 2005 when Westboro Baptist Church came to campus in protest of the School of Theater’s production of Moises Kaufman’s play, The Laramie Project.

The play was written in response to the 1998 murder o f g a y s t u d e n t Ma t t h e w Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., which was later labeled a “hate crime.”

The rest of the year will be spent supporting other religious groups on campus such as the Muslim and Catholic student associations and the Wesley Center. The group also

plans to co-host a panel discussion for religious leaders in Oklahoma City.

“All faiths demand that they help the poor and community in need,” Lampi said.

“We plan on doing community outreach projects with the understanding that we all have different beliefs and backgrounds.”

The group hopes for dialogues to become more frequent on campus, Riley said.

“In such a conservative state, there is a lack of communication between religions,” Riley said. “This results in misunderstandings and distrust.”

To l e a r n h ow t o g e t involved with Better Together email Riley at mkriley@ my.okcu.edu or Lampi at htlampi@my.okcu.edu.

Contributing: Copy Editor John Hiller

Ali Wonderly Student Publications

Ask me your questions Beth Kligerman, director of talent and talent development at The Second City in Chicago, leads a Q&A on Feb. 6 with theater students in Burg Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Kligerman is one of the special guest artist TheatreOCU students will work with this semester, including a return visit from Jason Alexander in March.

Actor to prepare theater students for LA showcase Prisca Lynch STAFF WRITER

Renowned actor and acting teacher Joe Anthony will visit the university to host a masterclass and several sessions for select students.

“Last year, OCU partnered with him on a professional preparation trip we took to LA with a group of students,” said Brian Parsons, associate dean of TheatreOCU. “This year we are excited to add a showcase at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.”

Anthony is an acting coach from Los Angeles who has his own studio, The Joe Anthony Studio.

It is not Anthony’s first time to work with the school, but

it will be his first time to visit campus.

Anthony will be on campus Friday and Saturday.

Working with 16 seniors in the LA showcase is Anthony’s primary reason to visit. He will work with the actors in the showcase to help them prepare and make material selections.

Several of Anthony’s studio clients work on motion pictures and TV networks, including Criminal Minds, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and CSI. At his studio, Anthony teaches audition coaching, acting for directors and scene studies in groups or individually.

Anthony’s approach to acting is “a practical one, working to strengthen the specific muscles an actor needs to be truthful, authentic, and active,” according to his website, joeanthonystudio.com. He works with actors to develop habits of acceptance,

visualization, analysis, and engagement.

“I have heard wonderful things about Joe Anthony’s work with the students that went to LA last year,” said Leslie Marie Coffman, acting senior. “I am really looking forward to working with him and learning more about his acting style.”

Anthony also will host a three-hour acting masterclass for a select group of juniors on Saturday.

Check MediaOCU.com for photos from Anthony’s visit.

Contributing: Lifestyles Editor Sage Tokach

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Ali Wonderly Student Publications

And scene!

Casey Andrews, music theater sophomore, and Valentino Valentin, acting junior, chat over lunch in a scene from the Improv Show hosted Feb. 5 by OCUImprov in the Administration Tower in Clara E. Jones Administration Building. The group recently combined with the School of Theater’s Out of the Box student-run program.

Right: Leslie Marie Coffman, acting senior; Franziska Harms, acting sophomore, and Daniel Brown, acting junior, act as students during the Improv Show on Feb. 5 in Clara E. Jones Administration Building. The troupe’s next shows are at 10:30 p.m. March 3-4.

Student Senate rejects bill presented to pay for alumni event John Hiller COPY EDITOR

Student Government Association is asking student organizations to consider budgets when requesting funding.

When student organizations requests funding from SGA, the appropriations committee processes the requests before Senate hears them. The committee looks at certain details such as amount requested, what the money will be used for and the organization’s fundraising efforts.

“My committee has taken committed steps to creating budgets for each of these types of bills in relation to the larger budget we are given to make sure we track our spending as accurately as possible,” said Taylor Brown, chairwoman of the Student Senate appropriations committee.

The committee looks for efforts of fundraising in case Senate is unable to fully fund the request.

“The effort to fundraise before coming to Senate shows respect for SGA and responsibility on the part of Senate as well as the organization,” Brown said. “This is especially true February 10, 2016

My committee has taken committed steps to creating budgets for each of these types of bills in relation to the larger budget we are given to make sure we track our spending as accurately as possible.

Taylor Brown appropriations committee chairwoman

when organizations ask for large sums of money.”

Student Accounting Society requested $1,500 at the Jan. 20 Student Senate meeting to host an event with alumni at Dave and Buster’s, 5501 N. May Ave., a venue with arcade games, food and alcohol. The bill failed and no money was awarded.

“We host the event every year to network with alumni,” said Karina Salazar, accounting senior and SAS president. “Conversations at this event have lead to students landing interviews.”

SAS received funding from SGA in the past for this event

Salazar said.

SAS is exploring fundraising options to host an event at Dave and Busters.

“I don’t want this tradition to die,” Salazar said.

Senators raised questions about funding an event for alumni.

We felt the bill fell out of the range of Senate funding responsibility, Brown said.

Student Accounting Society did no fundraising before requesting funds from Senate. The lack of fundraising was taken into consideration when rejecting SAS’s request, senators said.

“We weren’t rejecting the idea of a SAS networking event,” Johnson said. “We don’t want to create the perception we don’t hand out funds to organizations.”

Salazar said SAS plans to resubmit a bill requesting a lesser amount to SGA. The next Student Senate meeting is at 8 p.m. tonight in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.

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