Local mosque once again offers home for residents’ prayers (page 7) The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916
T U E S D A Y , A P R I L 17, 2 0 1 2
W W W.O U DA I LY.C O M
2 011 S I LV E R C R O W N W I N N E R
aCaDemiC integrity
OU offers class to combat plagiarism Academic Integrity course confronts plagiarism problem KATHLEEN EVANS
Assistant Campus Editor
The OU Academic Integrity Systems will continue a new class next semester for students found to be in violation
of plagiarism rules accounting for nearly half of all reported academic misconduct cases. The office started a class in spring 2010 called “Do You Understand Integrity?” to offer students facing suspension for integrity code violations another option. This semester, the office created a
similar program geared specifically toward plagiarism cases. The class had 11 students, all of whom were genuinely confused about how to write and cite a paper properly, said Breea Clark, Academic Integrity Systems assistant director. “ I t ’s n o t r e a l l y a n
integrity issue,” Clark said. “It’s an ‘I-don’t-know-howto-write’ issue. Sticking them in our integrity course was the only option we had, which didn’t really fit.” In the fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters, there were 292 reported cases of see PLAGIARISM paGe 3
AT A GLANCE report definitions admonition: a warning that doesn’t go on a student’s record or result in punishment beyond a zero on the assignment in question
violation: a mark on the student’s record that can result in a grade and institutional penalty, such as being enrolled in a remedial class
Source: Breea Clark, assistant director of OU Academic Integrity Systems
Springtime sun complemented with kite flying
intersessiOn
Pupils can enroll now Classes to include interdisciplinary courses BENNETT HALL
Campus Reporter
erika pHilBriCk/tHe daily
Environmental sustainability junior Becky Wood flies a kite Monday on the South Oval as part of Green Week. Green Week is put on by OU Student Congress every year to promote thinking globally and acting locally through Earth-friendly initiatives.
UnDergraDUate researCh
Für Elyse — Student reinterprets Beethoven Composer’s work viewed in new, pastoral light ARIANNA PICKARD Campus Reporter
An OU student helped bring music off the page and into minds as visual images at OU’s Honors College Undergraduate Research Day. Elyse Emerich, piano pedagogy senior, received the Phi Kappa Phi award at the research day for her presentation “Pastoral Scenes in Beethoven’s 15th Piano Sonata.” She presented her research March 31, and the
college announced winners Wednesday. A p u b l i s h e r, n o t Beethoven himself, named his “Piano Sonata No. 15” the “Pastoral Sonata.” In Emerich’s paper, she justified the name choice by playing segments of the piece and explaining the pastoral imagery depicted in the music, Emerich said. Pastoral means relating to the countryside. For example, arpeggios, sections where notes are played one after another, represent running water, and certain parts of the music sound like birds, she said.
“It really opened up the meaning of the work beyond just listening to the music — I learned a lot.” MELANiE WRiGhT, hONORS COLLEGE CURRiCULUM diRECTOR
“I wanted to go through the sonata and paint a picture of what Beethoven was trying to portray,” she said. Other scenes described include the beginning of a storm, a soldier marching to battle, a country dance and walking through the countryside, Emerich said. To discover and understand imagery depicted in music, Emerich looked at
historical uses of pastoral imagery in other works, she said. She also looked at musical patterns correlating with Beethoven’s “Symphony No.6,” which he titled “Pastoral,” to understand what kind of music B e e t h o v e n c o n s i d e re d pastoral. For Emerich’s presentation of this paper at the Undergraduate Research
OpiniOn VOL. 97, NO. 139
© 2012 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25 cents Campus ........................ Classifieds .................. Life & Arts ................... Opinion ...................... Sports .........................
2 6 7 4 5
popular website hits the shelves, coffee tables
Freshman shortstop ups play of sooner defense
Urbandictionary.com releases a print edition that shines new light on modern English words and slang. (life & arts)
Jessica Vest, the anchor of the OU softball team’s defense, has impressed coach Patty Gasso since day One. (page 5)
AT A GLANCE summer intersessions may intersession • Enrollment deadline is May 11 • Classes run from May 14 to June 1 august intersession • Enrollment deadline is July 27 • Classes run from July 31 to Aug. 17 There will be a $20 late registration fee.
Source: OU Intersession website
see BEETHOVEN paGe 2
Requested document and purpose
intersessions’ freedom to pull from pop culture to examine often difficult concepts make them special. (page 4)
spOrts
see MAY paGe 3
The Daily’s open record requests
summer courses can be beneficial with approach
nOW Online at
Day, she gave the audience handouts of written musical phrases with descriptions of the imagery the phrases represented underneath them. She also played examples from a recording of the sonata so people could hear the phrases as she described them, she said. “Emerich made the presentation very accessible to the audience,” Emerich’s professor Jennifer Saltzstein said. People usually only read their papers at the research day, but Emerich engaged the audience by playing
Students without summer plans can sign up now through July to get credit hours for Intersession classes. The enrollment period for May and August classes opened April 2 for seniors and graduate students. These classes, which last three weeks, are condensed in-class and online versions of many popular general education, major and elective requirement courses, according to the OU Intersession website. During May and August Intersessions, OU will offer more than 45 and 36 courses, respectively, covering a variety of subjects, according to the Intersession website. These courses include 15 interdisciplinary courses during May and 9 for August that award three hours of upper-division elective credit, according to the website. These “ UNIV 3000” courses are each offered only two or three times but are quickly becoming Intersession favorites,
kelsey HiGley/tHe daily
The OU School of Music performs Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Riders to the Sea” on Monday at the Reynolds Performing Arts Center. The full opera adaptation of the irish tragedy of the same name ran Sunday and Monday. (OUDaily.com)
Date requested
list of current tenured professors — This was requested to find tenured professors and ask them about Oklahoma’s attempts to eliminate tenure.
Friday
list of events that served alcohol during fiscal year 2011 at the Oklahoma memorial Union — These documents were requested to better understand the number and types of events granted the ability to serve alcohol.
Friday
amount of commission received by the Union from the University Club on liquor catering sales for the 2011 fiscal year— This was requested to learn how much money the university makes from events at which alcohol is served.
Friday
Visit OUDaily.com/openrecords for a complete list of The daily’s requests
2
CAMPUS
• Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Campus
OUDaily.com ›› OU College of Law graduates who took the most recent bar exam had Oklahoma’s highest passage rate with 92 percent of first-time test takers passing.
Laney Ellisor, campus editor Kathleen Evans, assistant campus editor Chris Miller, assistant campus editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666
Green Week bagging campus’ attention Sociology junior Nick Hassett, or “the bag monster,� walks Monday afternoon on South Oval for OU’s 2012 Green Week. His bag suit is made up of more than 500 bags, representing the average number of bags each American household goes through every year. Green Week is held every year to encourage Earth-friendly habits, such as recycling and getting back in touch with nature. A Housing & Food Social Responsibility Fair will be held Thursday in the Union Courtyard with food, music and prizes to wrap up the week’s events.
Today around campus Tie dye free Green Week T-shirts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the South Oval. A performance by the Sooner Bassooners will take place at noon in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Sandy Bell Gallery. A multimedia presentation of Disney RE-mixes by art professor Bob Dohrman will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Mary Eddy and Fred Jones Auditorium. A seminar to help students choose their major or minor will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Wagner Hall, Room 245.
Corrections The Oklahoma Daily is committed to serving readers with accurate coverage and welcomes your comments about information that may require correction or clarification. To contact us with corrections, email us at dailynews@ou.edu. A Monday sports story, “Oklahoma wins first conference title since 1992,� reported that the OU men’s tennis team won its first Big 12 title in 20 years. While the Sooners did win their first conference title since 1992, the Big 12 Conference was not formed until 1996. OU was a member of the Big Eight Conference in 1992. Visit OUDaily.com/corrections to see an archive of our corrections
Erika Philbrick/The Daily
Beethoven: $300 prize earned for presentation Continued from page 1 recordings and explaining musical techniques in terminology people would understand, Saltzstein said. “What struck me about [Emerich] was that she took sections of the sonata and linked them to elements of the pastoral, and she explained when the notes do this, it brings to mind this scene,� said Melanie Wright, director of curriculum for the Honors College. “It really opened up the meaning of the work beyond just listening to the music — I learned a lot.� Emerich wrote the paper for her capstone writing seminar, and her professor recommended she submit it for the research day, she said.
“So I did, and I presented it, and I won,� Emerich said. At the Undergraduate Research Day presentations, awards are given to different disciplines, Wright said. A total of eight awards were given to undergraduate researchers this year. Emerich will receive $300 for winning the national Phi Kappa Phi award, Wright said. “It encouraged me to submit more things and work harder on small papers because you never know what you can use them for,� Emerich said. After Emerich graduates this May, she plans to attend graduate school at Texas Christian University, she said. She said she hopes to become a piano teacher and one day open a music studio.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 •
plagiarism: TurnItIn.com challenges integrity May: Sherlock Holmes Continued from page 1 course to be offered AT A GLANCE Plagiarism numbers academic misconduct, with 50 percent of those cases related to plagiarism, according to records. This year, there have been 264 cases so far, 129 of which, or 49 percent, are related to plagiarism. The office identifies four types of plagiarism: errors in citation or patchwork writing, copying and pasting sections, copying whole papers and using your own paper but for a different class, Clark said. The class is for those who don’t understand proper citations or writing techniques, Clark said. Associate provost Gregory Heiser taught it this semester, but composition instructor Ellen Bannister will teach it next fall to create a collaboration between the composition program and the Academic Integrity Systems, Bannister said. The program takes place in six weeks from January to March and is a onecredit hour, pass-fail class, Bannister said. It covers all aspects of writing a paper, from
Reported cases, both admonitions and violations, in 2010-11
292
264
146
129
Cases that were some form of plagiarism in 2010-11
Reported cases, both admonitions and violations, so far in 2011-12
Cases that were some form of plagiarism so far in 2011-12
Source: Breea Clark, assistant director of OU Academic Integrity Systems
researching topics to organizing notes to citing sources. “S omeone I met w ith [Friday] said that what was really good about the class is they could use the information immediately,� she said. “They learned things and could use them right away.� Students come from all levels in school, including transfer students and students who have come back after time off, she said. One of the most common misconceptions people have is something called patch writing, Bannister said. Students will change a few words in a quote and call it their own but keep the original structure, which is still a
form of plagiarism. Some students are reported by professors because of Internet software like TurnItIn.com, Bannister said. This system tells professors how much of a paper is unoriginal but not necessarily if it is plagiarized. The office worked to make TurnItIn.com even easier to use by training a representative in each college to teach others how to use it, Clark said. Professors just have to check a box on DesireToLearn to get a report. Th e O U O f f i c e o f t h e Provost paid almost $33,500 to renew the contract with the company for the 2011-2012 academic year, according to
documents requested by The Daily. Most professors will spot plagiarism from a dramatic change in voice or a section that isn’t quite on topic, suggesting it was taken from somewhere else, Bannister said. Once a student is reported for a violation, he or she will meet with Clark, who reviews cases with Heiser and more complicated cases with the OU Integrity Council, Clark said. If the student accepts the violation, Clark chooses a sanction for the student and offers the class if it is appropriate, she said. “You’d be amazed – more often than not, students will say they really need help with their writing and choose to go into that class,� Clark said. Clark said she is excited about the future of the class and the opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes rather than be punished for past misinformation. “People should be able to approach writing a paper without fear,� Bannister said.
AT A GLANCE Research Day winners • Roland Lehr Phi Beta Kappa Award: “Gold Nanorods, Up-Conversion Nanoparticles, and Plasmon-Enhanced Resonanceâ€? by Zachary Eldredge and Michael Reynolds; sponsored by Lloyd Bumm
Marcus Autry; sponsored by Katherine Pandora
• Roland Lehr Phi Beta Kappa Award: “Native American Food Plants of Southwest Oklahomaâ€? by Juliet Sutton; sponsored by Paul Minnis
• Honors College Award: “Creating Fuels from Switchgrassâ€? by Alana Denning; sponsored by Friederike Jentoft
• Phi Kappa Phi Award: “Pastoral Scenes in Beethoven’s 15th Piano Sonataâ€? by Elyse Emerich; sponsored by Jennifer Saltzstein • Phi Kappa Phi Award: “Science Blogging: An Analysis of its History, Current State, and Trends for the Futureâ€? by
• Honors College Award: “Lullian Circles and Methodologyâ€? by Jared Curran; sponsored by Steven Livesey
• Honors College Award: “The European Capital of Culture Program: A Creator of Cultural Capital?â€? by Stuart Downey; sponsored by Mitchell Smith • Honors College Award: “Cultural Barriers to Vision Care in Three Non-Western Countriesâ€? by Alim Ramji; sponsored by Tassie Hirschfeld
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Intersession Director Renee Williams said. “Students enjoy them because they are typically related to topics which are pop-culture, but the instructors are able to help students question their perspective and think about the subject manner in a larger, analytical scope,� Williams said. These elective courses cover topics ranging from pirate culture to analysis of the fiction character Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. English PhD student Orit Rabkin will teach the online May intersession class entitled “Sherlock Holmes: Modern Detective,.� “The new [British Broadcasting Corporation] production and, of course, Robert Downey Jr.’s latest movies have made me realize that there is still interest in Sherlock “I wanted us to discuss Holmes,� Rabkin said. representations She grew up as an avid Holmes fan and wants to of piracy, not just in show students the impact literature but in the character has made on modern pop culture, film... as well.� Rabkin said. Amanda KLinger, “When Hollywood resEnglish Master’s student urrects in big budget such a character, it is an opportunity to pause and think about what the original is about and why we still find him appealing,� Rabkin said about Holmes’ influence on everything from the writings of poet Edgar Allen Poe to the hit “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation� television series. English Master’s student Amanda Klinger will teach the May intersession class “Pirates: Outlaws and Heroes.� She developed this class to be a survey of piracy studies in a fun context, Klinger said. “I wanted us to discuss representations of piracy, not just in literature but in film and other media as well,� Klinger said. The class addresses such topics as pirate politics, history and economics through a mix of films, readings and online Desire2Learn discussions, she said. “I think students are able to learn a lot about history and different cultures while studying something fun and intriguing to them,� Klinger said.
SOPHOMORES
New auto loan rates
%
Continued from page 1
Paint Your Own Pottery & Glass Fusing
t UI "WF /8 4VJUF /PSNBO 0,
OUFCU’s
3
LAST CHANCE schedule your free graduation
portrait appointment 405-325-3668 sessions running now through April 20
SO DON’T FORGET...
Sooner yearbook is a publication of OU Student Media, a department in the division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
*Some restrictions apply. Oer valid April 2nd-8th. *Some
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.
2
CAMPUS
• Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Campus
OUDaily.com ›› OU College of Law graduates who took the most recent bar exam had Oklahoma’s highest passage rate with 92 percent of first-time test takers passing.
Laney Ellisor, campus editor Kathleen Evans, assistant campus editor Chris Miller, assistant campus editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666
Green Week bagging campus’ attention Sociology junior Nick Hassett, or “the bag monster,� walks Monday afternoon on South Oval for OU’s 2012 Green Week. His bag suit is made up of more than 500 bags, representing the average number of bags each American household goes through every year. Green Week is held every year to encourage Earth-friendly habits, such as recycling and getting back in touch with nature. A Housing & Food Social Responsibility Fair will be held Thursday in the Union Courtyard with food, music and prizes to wrap up the week’s events.
Today around campus Tie dye free Green Week T-shirts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the South Oval. A performance by the Sooner Bassooners will take place at noon in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Sandy Bell Gallery. A multimedia presentation of Disney RE-mixes by art professor Bob Dohrman will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s Mary Eddy and Fred Jones Auditorium. A seminar to help students choose their major or minor will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Wagner Hall, Room 245.
Corrections The Oklahoma Daily is committed to serving readers with accurate coverage and welcomes your comments about information that may require correction or clarification. To contact us with corrections, email us at dailynews@ou.edu. A Monday sports story, “Oklahoma wins first conference title since 1992,� reported that the OU men’s tennis team won its first Big 12 title in 20 years. While the Sooners did win their first conference title since 1992, the Big 12 Conference was not formed until 1996. OU was a member of the Big Eight Conference in 1992. Visit OUDaily.com/corrections to see an archive of our corrections
Erika Philbrick/The Daily
Beethoven: $300 prize earned for presentation Continued from page 1 recordings and explaining musical techniques in terminology people would understand, Saltzstein said. “What struck me about [Emerich] was that she took sections of the sonata and linked them to elements of the pastoral, and she explained when the notes do this, it brings to mind this scene,� said Melanie Wright, director of curriculum for the Honors College. “It really opened up the meaning of the work beyond just listening to the music — I learned a lot.� Emerich wrote the paper for her capstone writing seminar, and her professor recommended she submit it for the research day, she said.
“So I did, and I presented it, and I won,� Emerich said. At the Undergraduate Research Day presentations, awards are given to different disciplines, Wright said. A total of eight awards were given to undergraduate researchers this year. Emerich will receive $300 for winning the national Phi Kappa Phi award, Wright said. “It encouraged me to submit more things and work harder on small papers because you never know what you can use them for,� Emerich said. After Emerich graduates this May, she plans to attend graduate school at Texas Christian University, she said. She said she hopes to become a piano teacher and one day open a music studio.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 •
plagiarism: TurnItIn.com challenges integrity May: Sherlock Holmes Continued from page 1 course to be offered AT A GLANCE Plagiarism numbers academic misconduct, with 50 percent of those cases related to plagiarism, according to records. This year, there have been 264 cases so far, 129 of which, or 49 percent, are related to plagiarism. The office identifies four types of plagiarism: errors in citation or patchwork writing, copying and pasting sections, copying whole papers and using your own paper but for a different class, Clark said. The class is for those who don’t understand proper citations or writing techniques, Clark said. Associate provost Gregory Heiser taught it this semester, but composition instructor Ellen Bannister will teach it next fall to create a collaboration between the composition program and the Academic Integrity Systems, Bannister said. The program takes place in six weeks from January to March and is a onecredit hour, pass-fail class, Bannister said. It covers all aspects of writing a paper, from
Reported cases, both admonitions and violations, in 2010-11
292
264
146
129
Cases that were some form of plagiarism in 2010-11
Reported cases, both admonitions and violations, so far in 2011-12
Cases that were some form of plagiarism so far in 2011-12
Source: Breea Clark, assistant director of OU Academic Integrity Systems
researching topics to organizing notes to citing sources. “S omeone I met w ith [Friday] said that what was really good about the class is they could use the information immediately,� she said. “They learned things and could use them right away.� Students come from all levels in school, including transfer students and students who have come back after time off, she said. One of the most common misconceptions people have is something called patch writing, Bannister said. Students will change a few words in a quote and call it their own but keep the original structure, which is still a
form of plagiarism. Some students are reported by professors because of Internet software like TurnItIn.com, Bannister said. This system tells professors how much of a paper is unoriginal but not necessarily if it is plagiarized. The office worked to make TurnItIn.com even easier to use by training a representative in each college to teach others how to use it, Clark said. Professors just have to check a box on DesireToLearn to get a report. Th e O U O f f i c e o f t h e Provost paid almost $33,500 to renew the contract with the company for the 2011-2012 academic year, according to
documents requested by The Daily. Most professors will spot plagiarism from a dramatic change in voice or a section that isn’t quite on topic, suggesting it was taken from somewhere else, Bannister said. Once a student is reported for a violation, he or she will meet with Clark, who reviews cases with Heiser and more complicated cases with the OU Integrity Council, Clark said. If the student accepts the violation, Clark chooses a sanction for the student and offers the class if it is appropriate, she said. “You’d be amazed – more often than not, students will say they really need help with their writing and choose to go into that class,� Clark said. Clark said she is excited about the future of the class and the opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes rather than be punished for past misinformation. “People should be able to approach writing a paper without fear,� Bannister said.
AT A GLANCE Research Day winners • Roland Lehr Phi Beta Kappa Award: “Gold Nanorods, Up-Conversion Nanoparticles, and Plasmon-Enhanced Resonanceâ€? by Zachary Eldredge and Michael Reynolds; sponsored by Lloyd Bumm
Marcus Autry; sponsored by Katherine Pandora
• Roland Lehr Phi Beta Kappa Award: “Native American Food Plants of Southwest Oklahomaâ€? by Juliet Sutton; sponsored by Paul Minnis
• Honors College Award: “Creating Fuels from Switchgrassâ€? by Alana Denning; sponsored by Friederike Jentoft
• Phi Kappa Phi Award: “Pastoral Scenes in Beethoven’s 15th Piano Sonataâ€? by Elyse Emerich; sponsored by Jennifer Saltzstein • Phi Kappa Phi Award: “Science Blogging: An Analysis of its History, Current State, and Trends for the Futureâ€? by
• Honors College Award: “Lullian Circles and Methodologyâ€? by Jared Curran; sponsored by Steven Livesey
• Honors College Award: “The European Capital of Culture Program: A Creator of Cultural Capital?â€? by Stuart Downey; sponsored by Mitchell Smith • Honors College Award: “Cultural Barriers to Vision Care in Three Non-Western Countriesâ€? by Alim Ramji; sponsored by Tassie Hirschfeld
Are you on Twitter?
WE DON’T JUST IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE LESS FORTUNATE.
Stay connected with The Oklahoma Daily
@OUDaily @OUDailySports @OUDailyArts
There are no limits to caring.ÂŽ
1-800-899-0089
www.VolunteersofAmerica.org
WE IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
Be
(405) 307-9971 bewildforart.com
We want to save you money!
For 84 months
Inquire at the Union Branch, call 325-6358, or visit www.oufcu.com for more information.
South Plaza, OK Capitol 12:30-4:20pm Harm Reduction Policy Reform Rationalize The Law Regulate The Drugs http://home.dprnok.net
ENROLL NOW!
sooner
��a�����
DID YOU KNOW THAT ENROLLING IN AT LEAST 15 HOURS EACH SEMESTER OR 30 HOURS EACH YEAR HELPS YOU STAY ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION?
are now as low as
1.99 APR
Intersession Director Renee Williams said. “Students enjoy them because they are typically related to topics which are pop-culture, but the instructors are able to help students question their perspective and think about the subject manner in a larger, analytical scope,� Williams said. These elective courses cover topics ranging from pirate culture to analysis of the fiction character Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. English PhD student Orit Rabkin will teach the online May intersession class entitled “Sherlock Holmes: Modern Detective,.� “The new [British Broadcasting Corporation] production and, of course, Robert Downey Jr.’s latest movies have made me realize that there is still interest in Sherlock “I wanted us to discuss Holmes,� Rabkin said. representations She grew up as an avid Holmes fan and wants to of piracy, not just in show students the impact literature but in the character has made on modern pop culture, film... as well.� Rabkin said. Amanda KLinger, “When Hollywood resEnglish Master’s student urrects in big budget such a character, it is an opportunity to pause and think about what the original is about and why we still find him appealing,� Rabkin said about Holmes’ influence on everything from the writings of poet Edgar Allen Poe to the hit “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation� television series. English Master’s student Amanda Klinger will teach the May intersession class “Pirates: Outlaws and Heroes.� She developed this class to be a survey of piracy studies in a fun context, Klinger said. “I wanted us to discuss representations of piracy, not just in literature but in film and other media as well,� Klinger said. The class addresses such topics as pirate politics, history and economics through a mix of films, readings and online Desire2Learn discussions, she said. “I think students are able to learn a lot about history and different cultures while studying something fun and intriguing to them,� Klinger said.
SOPHOMORES
New auto loan rates
%
Continued from page 1
Paint Your Own Pottery & Glass Fusing
t UI "WF /8 4VJUF /PSNBO 0,
OUFCU’s
3
LAST CHANCE schedule your free graduation
portrait appointment 405-325-3668 sessions running now through April 20
SO DON’T FORGET...
Sooner yearbook is a publication of OU Student Media, a department in the division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
*Some restrictions apply. Oer valid April 2nd-8th. *Some
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.
4
Reader comment on OUDaily.com ››
• Tuesday, April 17, 2012
“What a shame. If there’s one organization on campus whose activities are enjoyed by most students, I think it is the UPB. UPB events are designed for ALL students. As such, I can’t think of another organization that truly deserves an office space in the AWD-CSLC wing than the UPB.” (Achilles, RE: ‘Union Programming Board denied office space in the union’)
OPINION EDITORIAL
More than a silly course topic Our View: Pop culture intersession classes offer more than fun, easy credit.
AT A GLANCE Example courses (UNIV 3000)
At the end of each semester, certain buildings on campus are covered in flyers for seemingly strange classes. The gender rebellion of Nicki Minaj? Gender, race and class issues on “Jersey Shore”? Zombies as a thermometer for social issues? All of these subjects will be addressed in May intersession courses. At first, these classes may seem a bit ridiculous. You may think they are blow-off classes for students looking for easy credit, or you may wonder if they are a waste of time and tuition money. We’re sure that at least a few students sign up with the same idea, looking for a quick and easy elective credit. But these courses offer an important opportunity to apply theoretical approaches to real world cultural icons that are part of students’ everyday lives. The subject matter of these courses may be fun and “hip,” but the theories they expose students to and expect mastery of are challenging. For example, the course about Nicki Minaj promises to deal with body image politics, the connections between race and gender The Our View is the majority issues, and complications to modern conceptions of femininity and opinion of The Daily’s sexuality. nine-member The course about “Jersey Shore” editorial board will examine the historical formations of the Italian-American identity and contrast this picture with the characters portrayed in the show. It also will use theoretical approaches to examine race and gender issues, the depiction of “otherness” and class conflicts, as well as how these depictions are being received by young audiences. Applying these theoretical approaches to wellknown, current examples not only cements students’ understanding of the theory, it also shows students these theories are important and applicable to the real world. It is one thing to learn about the intersectionality of gender, class and race, or the fact that popular fiction can teach us much about the mainstream view of certain social problems. It is another thing entirely to see the ways these theories can help students make sense of the actual world around them and the media that represent it and interact with it. And, by using examples that professors and students alike are sure to be passionate about — like zombies, pirates or popular TV shows — these intersession classes have the potential to engage students who otherwise wouldn’t know they could be interested in literary analysis or sociological issues. A student may not be interested in those theories, but they are more likely to be excited about a course on zombie movies. And they stand to learn about the theory, practice the application of said theory and broaden their exposure to different
• Sherlock Holmes: The Modern Detective Online Course Description: This course will cover a handful of Holmes’ adventures and the recent film in order to track issues such as masculine rationality and information technology. • Barbie Bender: Nicki Minaj Complicating Race, Gender, Sex & Pink Femininity Online Course Description: This course will analyze rapper Nicki Minaj and her image to examine body image politics. Minaj is recognized by her style as she goes by a “Barbie” image, and most things in her rap world repertoire are pink and pretty. Although she is hyper-feminine, the tone of her voice and the content of her lyrics are bold and vulgar, and her public identity raise important issues about femininity and sexuality. Minaj is a role model for the sexually empowered 21st century woman. She uses her edginess to push boundaries and complicate race, gender, sex and pink feminity. • Jersey Shore-GRC: Depictions of Gender, Race and Class on the Shore Online Course Description: This course is designed to explore how gender, race and class are depicted in MTV’s Jersey Shore. Students will look at European — specifically Italian — diaspora and how Americans’ response to the nation’s globalization and subsequent cultural contact constructed the image of the Italian-American, beginning in the 19th century and how that compares to images and personalities of the Jersey Shore cast. Additionally
students will explore ... how popular culture views and interprets socio-economic and socio-historic conditions, as well as its impact on society and youth identity formation. • Got Brains? Zombies, Society and You CEC 119, 9:15 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., Monday-Friday Course Description: The cinematic zombie is a symbol of cultural criticisms and a sense of what is “right” and “wrong” in society. This course will consider several zombie films as texts that can be examined for their respective commentaries on issues such as: mass media; capitalism, consumerism, greed and corruption; sex, gender roles and feminism; contagion, bio warfare and experimentation; and, of course, apocalypse. • Salvation & Scandal: Religion, Sexuality & Identity in the Culture of Sports PHSC 225, 1-4:25 p.m., Monday-Friday Course Description: This course examines sports culture in terms of the transformative and oppressive; the sacred and the profane; the good, the bad and the ugly. Will discuss sports culture in relations to religion, sexuality and identity using various critical lenses including gender and cultural studies. • Pirates: Heroes and Outlaws Online Course Description: Will take a serious — but fun — look at the figure and force of the pirate, considering its cultural importance in the past and present. Students will explore the political significance of the pirate, while examining the pirate as a romanticized figure. Source: ozone.ou.edu
academic areas. They could even discover a new passion in the process. So next time, before you scoff at the latest course on “Harry Potter” or “The Hunger Games,” stop to wonder why these franchises have become so important to our culture in the first place and what messages they are sending through that popularity. And if you find you want to know the answer, you can always take the class.
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Six impossible things to believe before breakfast
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ave you had OPINION COLUMNIST breakfast yet? If not, I encourage you to read this column and then have some breakfast. If you have, I am also a passionate supporter of second breakfasts — parElizabeth Rucker ticularly at the end of the wordful@ou.edu semester when the reality sinks in that there are only two weeks of class left. Typically, our professors, administration, parents and our own “better judgment” encourage us to be sensible and realistic at this time of year. However, I think a little absurdity keeps us healthy. I’m sure some of you are writing papers about the theater of the absurd or Lewis Carroll, just don’t forget as you work very seriously the humour of what you’re doing. As Julio Cortazar said, “Only by living absurdly is it possible to break out of this infinite absurdity.” To that end, I pick up my copy of “Alice in Wonderland” (well, really, “Through the Looking-Glass,” but only English majors will call me out on that) and remember the White Queen’s directive to Alice that she believe impossible things. In fact, she believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. I have found this to be an excellent practice and encourage you to adopt it; to get you started, here is one of my pre-breakfast lists: Unicorns, gryphons and phoenixes exist. I love the idea of these critters flitting around the corners of our worlds. Gryphons are a little scary, but not nearly as terrifying as hippogriffs — and a good deal easier to ride. Unicorns are most likely sighted in the woods under the moonlight. I recommend letting them pass by without interfering, they have important things to do. Imitate the phoenix: burn yourself down, rebuild from the ashes, heal people with your tears. You can learn Elvish, Entish and Westron. Considering that this summer I’ll complete my sixth or seventh re-read of the “Lord of the Rings” saga, this is especially comforting to me. Google is a good resource, and summer is close. I’m not sure if it will count for your language requirement, but it will no doubt be useful while you’re unicornwatching. Your letter from Hogwarts was lost in the mail. You can’t really blame the poor owls for getting sidetracked crossing the Atlantic, and with budget shortfalls, U.S. wizarding academies probably botched the email process (you know how the entrenched wizarding elite is). You are definitely magical. You can learn by osmosis. This also means you can heal by osmosis. If your life is at all like mine, your emotional life regularly detonates at the end of the semester. Pick your favorite book, photo, DVD or thing-a-mabob, hold it against your chest and feel the truth seep in. Sleep with the textbook under your pillow — you will do fine on the test. Your celebrity heroes know who you are. Whatever they do so perfectly, they’re doing it for you. That song you hear in your head? Written with you in mind. The poem that gets you out of bed in the morning? They dreamed of you last night. Rachel Maddow’s adorable smile is intended just for you. And if Kim Kardashian inspires you, she is definitely happy to take your money and ratings. You will survive the end of the semester. I know it may not look like it now, but you will. Even if you don’t pass with flying colors, it’s not the end of the world. There are more colors out there. There are phoenixes, Elves, hare-brained wizards and mad hatters cavorting just beyond your last final, and they don’t care about your grades. You will try hard, or not, and life will go on.
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COLUMN
Persian language program needed at OU
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here is a gaping OPINION COLUMNIST hole in the curriculum of the College of International Studies and Middle Eastern studies here at OU: a Persian language program. If OU wants to continue to lead the way in internaThomas Parker Simpkins tional relations, it needs a thomas.d.parker.simpkins-1@ou.edu Persian language program for several reasons. Perhaps the most important reason for bringing a Persian language program to OU is the current hostility and misunderstanding between the U.S. and Iran. It has been well proven that language learning leads to a more open-minded individual that appreciates foreign cultures. This appreciation and understanding of Iranian culture is regrettably at a critically low level here in the U.S., as every day we seem closer and closer to war with Iran. Furthermore, learning Persian is especially critical for Americans to understand Iran — as, unfortunately, Americans have never made a concerted effort to understand Iranians, as Iranians have done to understand Americans. While understanding and mutual tolerance is a two-way street, it appears that the American people have not put half the amount of effort into attempting to avert war and usher in a new era of détente in U.S.-Iranian relations. I would like to give a practical example of how a greater number of Persian-speaking Americans can help U.S.-
Iranian relations. In the American press, there is an abundant amount of misinformation about Iran. For example, in 2005, many reputable news organizations, including the New York Times, quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, as saying that “Israel should be wiped off the map.” However, according to Juan Cole, professor of history at the University of Michigan, this is a blatant mistranslation. Such a mistake never would have made it passed the editing process if America had more qualified Persian speakers. The dire lack of Persian-speaking Americans is nothing new, as Persian has been considered by the U.S. government as a “critical language” (a language that is critical for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness) since the mid-1960s. This chronic shortage of Persian-speaking Americans seems quite absurd when you consider that because it is an Indo-European language, Persian is arguably the easiest Asian language for English-speakers to learn. A small number of universities across the U.S. have been in the vanguard of establishing Persian language programs. Unfortunately, OU is not one of these universities. Quite simply, if the College of International Studies, as it claims in its mission statement, desires to enhance “the university’s role as a leader in our nation’s international relations,” it needs a Persian language program. Thomas Parker Simpkins is an Arabic and Middle Eastern studies junior.
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A good friend of mine introduced me to the saying “todo tu tiempo es libre” — all your time is free. That idea helps me keep my head above water in these oh-sofraught final weeks of school. It is simultaneously absurd and very true. So close your eyes and try very hard to believe these six things, or find other things to believe in. Then, dedicate some of that incredibly free time to enjoying your breakfast. Elizabeth Rucker is an international studies and interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment senior.
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SPORTS
Daily columnist Cameron Strock analyzes the next steps for the Oklahoma men’s tennis team after it secured the program’s first conference title in 20 years.
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BASEBALL
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Pulling out all the stops Gasso adjusts lineup to plug in freshman at key defensive spot
“She’s got very smooth and reliable hands that even I struggle to get things past her in practice. ... I don’t feel right without (Jessica) Vest in the lineup.”
TOBI NEIDY
Sports Reporter
Oklahoma starting shortstop Jessica Vest has the capability of making even the routine 6-4-2 double play look effortless. The freshman infielder out of San Benito High School in California already has six of the team’s eight total doubleups in 30 starts for OU this season. But those stats aren’t what impress coach Patty Gasso; instead, the skipper in her 18th season as head coach admits she admires the way Vest continuously goes out every game to make plays for the OU defense. “Vest is such a blue-collar player and doesn’t bring a lot of attention on herself,” Gasso said. “She just goes out there and makes plays, and she’s got very smooth and reliable hands that even I struggle to get things past in her practice.” Vest, who came to Norman last year after being recruited as one of the “best defenders [Gasso] had seen” during last summer’s competition, slipped into the shortstop position with ease after sophomore Javen Henson was moved to third base following the graduation of Dani Dobbs in 2010. And the quality of Vest’s defense has been somet h i n g t hat ha s a l l ow e d Gasso to continue to trust in the efforts from one of her underclassmen. “It’s such a tough position to play in college, but she loves a challenge and answers the call on a daily basis,” Gasso said. “I don’t feel right without Vest in the lineup. She does her thing and quietly runs the show in our infield.” The Sooners’ offense, led by freshman Lauren Chamberlain and junior Keilani Ricketts, has garnered plenty of attention this year. However, the defense, anchored by Vest, has played
PATTY GASSO, OU SOFTBALL COACH
“I knew when she was about a sophomore that Jessica would go on to play at the next level. ... What Jessica has is impossible to train.” SCOTT SMITH, SAN BENITO (CALIF.) HIGH SCHOOL COACH
BEN WILLIAMS/THE DAILY
Freshman shortstop Jessica Vest snaps the ball over to first base during OU’s 3-1 victory against Texas Tech on April 5. Vest is OU’s starting shortstop and has six of the team’s eight double-ups in only 30 starts this season. OU coach Patty Gasso says Vest is one of the best defenders she has seen.
PLAYER PROFILE Jessica Vest Year: Freshman Position: Shortstop Hometown: Hollister, Calif. Season stats: Has been a part of six of OU’s eight double plays recorded this season at shortstop
a big part in helping OU’s pitchers put up some of the best numbers in the league. “The game plan every game is to go in there and make big plays for our pitchers,” Vest said. “I know that I’ve had to work a lot harder at charging balls, but it’s all about sticking to that same game plan every time.” And that mindset of having
a plan before even stepping out onto the field is something Vest said she had at an early age. San Benito coach Scott Smith spent four years watching Vest improve her defensive game in high school. “I knew when she was about a sophomore that Jessica would go on to play at the next level,” Smith said. “She’s a natural winner that has great instincts to make plays because she goes into every game with a game plan, and she scopes out the field and understands what needs to happen on a slow roller.” Another factor that impressed Smith about his former team captain was the fact that she could make the coach’s visualizations of defensive plays come to life. “As a coach, you run a play through your head and try to tell the kid how to do it,”
Smith said. “All you had to do was tell her one time how to make an adjustment, and she would make those plays happen.” Three championships in high school prove that the rookie has the experience in winning big games. Smith said she bring more than that to the table, though. “What Jessica has is impossible to train,” Smith said. “I remember her understanding that even if the play isn’t meant for her, she knows how to disrupt base runners and get the interference calls that make her such an instinctual player.” And with a starting infield that has no seniors and three newcomers from a year ago, instincts and softball intelligence will play a pivotal role in the team’s success when the Sooners enter postseason action next month.
Sooners to close out season series with Oral Roberts Magnifico set to start third game this year Tuesday against Golden Eagles DILLON PHILLIPS Sports Reporter
After facing the Missouri Tigers for the final time as conference foes last weekend, OU travels to Tulsa tonight for the second and final game of its home-and-away series against in-state rival Oral Roberts. Tonight’s game is slated for a 6:30 first pitch at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Tulsa. The Sooners triumphed over the Golden Eagles — coach Sunny Golloway’s former team — in the two team’s first contest, 5-2, and will look to sweep ORU for the first time since 2004. Oklahoma’s pitching controlled the March 27 meeting, as the Sooners’ bullpen surrendered only two runs on three hits with redshirt freshman Cale Coshow picking up the win and sophomore Jordan John recording the save. OU has gone 6-4 since and is riding a four-game winning streak that includes a 4-0, shutout victory over thenNo. 9 Arkansas and a series sweep of Missouri — KEY OPPONENT the Sooners’ first sweep in conference play so far this Kurt Giller season. Year: Strong pitching and Junior r un supp or t have fuPosition: eled the Sooners’ run, as Pitcher Oklahoma has outscored Hometown: its opponents 23-12 in its Manhattan, last four games. Kan. Junior Damien Season stats: Magnifico is expected to Threw a complete-game take the hill for the Sooners shutout over Southern Utah in just his third start of the last week, giving up 3 hits. season Tuesday night, one week removed from his sensational performance against Arkansas. The junior started out the season in the bullpen for the Sooners as a reliever but is starting to adapt to his new role as a starter. “I just realized I got to throw strikes and stop trying to overpower people,” Magnifico said. “As a starter, it’s the same thing: just throw strikes. That’s all it comes down to.” Magnifico was one out away from registering the first complete game of his career, as he allowed just three hits and shut out an explosive Razorback offense that had scored seven or more runs 18 times this season. Despite picking up the win Sunday, Oklahoma had a bit of a relapse offensively in the series finale against Missouri. Golloway hopes the Sooners can right the ship tonight against ORU, though. “We’ll continue to make adjustments,” Golloway said. “It’s too easy for our guys sometimes to start vacating. That sense of urgency (at the plate) starts to leave you, and I had to bring them up together a couple of times to make sure that sense of urgency stays right there with us.” The Sooners return home Friday to start a three-game series with Alabama State. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
SPORTS BRIEF BASKETBALL
OU finalizes 2012 recruiting class Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger finalized his 2012 class with two more signees Monday, both transferring from other programs. Gonzaga transfer Ryan Spangler and D.J. Bennett, a junior college recruit out of Indian Hills Community
College in Ottumwa, Iowa, both signed Monday with the Sooners. Sp a n g l e r, a nat i v e o f Blanchard, Okla., spent his freshman season last year at Gonzaga, averaging 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game at the forward position. Bennett, meanwhile, averaged nine points and six rebounds per game as a freshman.
Both forwards are listed at 6-foot-8 and should give OU a boost in rebounding. The two transfers join four freshman signees in OU’s 2012 class. Mount Vernon, N.Y., native Isaiah Cousins; Arlington, Texas, native Jelon Hornbeak; Bel Aire, Kan., native Buddy Hield; and C.J. Cole of Sperry, Okla., all signed with OU this offseason. Daily staff reports
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HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol
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TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 There are strong indications that you will be far more appreciated by your peer group in the year ahead than you ever were previously. This new esteem will usher in fresh opportunities.
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ARIES (March 21-April 19) --If you have work of a mental nature that needs to get done, try to find yourself a secluded corner. The fewer disruptions you have, the more you’ll get accomplished. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Take advantage of an opportunity to spend some time with a recent acquaintance you found to be quite interesting. Things could develop into a fun friendship.
Previous Solution
Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Don’t hesitate to spend some time trying out a few of your newer ideas. You actually won’t know how good they are until they have been tested under real-life conditions. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- When it’s properly challenged, one of your more valuable assets is your curiosity. Take some time to learn something about how to advance your personal interests. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) --An arrangement you have with another that seems to be going nowhere could be subjected to some modifications. Your actions will put you on a productive track. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You may be required to make an
important decision, but consider it carefully, because it might need several alterations that’ll prove to be helpful as well as beneficial. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) --When in a business meeting, you should pay close attention to the small details. Although they aren’t always important, the nitty-gritty will be especially vital at this time. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Because you’ll be in a friendly mood, in which others will enjoy being with you as much as you’ll enjoy being with them, this should turn out to be a very pleasant day. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Owing to some very valuable information you’ll get that was previously denied you, an important matter can finally be completed to your advantage and satisfaction. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) --It behooves you to double your efforts to get in touch with an important someone who has recently proved elusive. You’ll finally make contact, with big results. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -Be alert for a new way to enhance your material security. There are several strong indications that you will come up with a bright, ultimately profitable idea. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) --Don’t delay what you want to do by waiting on slowpokes lingering over a second cup of coffee. Much can be accomplished when you get an early start.
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 17, 2012 ACROSS 1 Medicinal measures 6 One commemorative feast 11 Ad-___ committee 14 One of Montezuma’s people 15 Forgo, as one’s rights 16 Indefinite number 17 Engages in disorderly play 19 Big name in electronics 20 Home key neighbor 21 Damage or deface 22 Become flushed, as cheeks 24 Approaches the runway 27 It can be in front of your house 28 Acorn, later 29 Filibuster busters 33 Baseball cap part 36 “___ go braghâ€? 37 Hobbling gait 38 “And now, without further ___ ‌â€? 39 Piano-lesson piece 40 Itinerary preposition 41 Weddingband hand 43 Goes for the bronze? 44 Motionless 46 Attractive
4/17
(Var.) 48 Flexible card in blackjack 49 Evans or Carnegie 50 Cigar holders 55 Combat mission 57 Bert Bobbsey’s sister 58 “There’s ___ in ‘team�’ 59 Little Jack Horner’s last words 60 Used a carpenter’s plane 64 Barbie’s male friend 65 Painter ToulouseLautrec 66 “Ho ho ho� crier 67 Big expense for newspapers 68 Baked-mud brick 69 “That’ll teach you!� look DOWN 1 Had the guts 2 ___ layer (upper atmosphere part) 3 Small earrings 4 Brain-wave test (Abbr.) 5 Creamcheese serving 6 Cavalry weapon 7 ___ Claire, Wis. 8 Affront, in slang 9 You, me and the whole gang 10 Do an
usher’s job 11 Computer part 12 “Fool me ___, shame on you ...� 13 Primary color in photography 18 A coil, as of yarn 23 The D in FDA 25 Pigeon sound 26 Squeeze into a ball 30 Tupperware pieces 31 Foreign dignitary 32 Small argument 33 A river might run through it 34 “Beware the ___ of March!� 35 Pop 36 Case for needles and small scissors 39 Held in high regard
42 “Follow ___ car!â€? 44 Chilly attitude 45 “Stupid Flanders,â€? according to Homer 47 “Happy Endingsâ€? actress Cuthbert 48 Asian housemaid 51 Loosen, as a shoelace 52 “I’ll do it ___ condition ‌â€? 53 “I get my kicks on ___ 66â€? 54 “Norwegian Woodâ€? instrument 55 Pseudonymous shortstory master 56 Broken mirror, to some 61 Lennon’s wife 62 Christmas bulb, e.g. 63 Vice president after George
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
4/16
Š 2012 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com
HOW’S THAT FEEL? By Milton J. Ruff
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 •
LIFE&ARTS
7
OUDaily.com ›› The School of Music told the sad tale of an Irish fishing family in its concert adaptation of the J.M. Synge play, “Riders to the Sea.”
Lindsey Ruta, life & arts editor Mariah Webb, assistant life & arts editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666
Praying in new sanctuary Mosque near campus opens doors to Muslims, residents New structure built on top of old location NICK WILLIAMS
Life & Arts Reporter
OUDaily.com The Daily’s Scott Starr gets an inside look at the new mosque and how the Islamic Society of Norman worships.
If you are a frequent driver on oudaily.com/multimedia Lindsey Street and a witness of the miniature industrial revolution that has been taking place group is growing as well,” Islamic there this year, you have probably Society of Norman president Omar noticed the construction of a dis- Alamoudi said. “And it’s something tinct looking building just east of we’re really excited about.” campus. And indeed it was a diverse Adorned with intricately de- crowd at the Friday afternoon’s signed archways and a dome- worship time — or “Jummah”— in s h a p e d a p e x , a m o s q u e , o r the beautiful new mosque. “masjid” as followIn addition to local ers of Islam call it, Middle Eastern resi“We’re just wanting dents in attendance, opened March 16. to make sure Home of the there was a strong Islamic Society of showing of Asians, others hear the Norman , the new as well a handful true message of mosque was conof black and white structed atop the Islam. And I think Americans among foundation of the our new home here the congregation. previous location The mosque itlocal Muslims uti- is opening up those self is an enchantlized for prayer, woring work of archidoors.” ship and meetings, tecture that almost according to the so- OMAR ALAMOUDI, ISLAMIC demands at least a SOCIETY OF NORMAN ciety’s website. visit by Norman resPRESIDENT Built in the idents and students 1950s, the previous alike. mosque was composed of two After passing through the douhouses that were purchased for ble front doors, which are crowned the society’s use in the late 1970s, with elaborate arches, you enter early ’80s. However, as years in the main lobby, which includes a Norman passed, a need arose for pair of entryways to a bathroom a new and improved home for fol- and washroom. lowers of Islam in the area, accordA number of racks adorn the ing to the society’s website. walls of the lobby for congregants to “What most people don’t re- place theirs shoes on as they move alize is that not only do we have into the central room for worship a continuously growing group — a common custom of Islam. The of Islamic followers in the area, central room itself is a breathtaking with incoming foreign students sight to behold, floored with gorand such, but the diversity of our geous, ornate carpet and complete
KELSEY HIGLEY/THE DAILY
Syed Naveed Hussain Shah, computer science graduate, prays at the end of the service Friday in the new mosque, or “masjid,” on Lindsey Street just east of campus. The Islamic Society of Norman opened its doors to people of all different backgrounds and ethnicities to pray together in the new facility.
with an upward, circular flue looking into the overhead dome. Yet more captivating and beautiful than the architecture and other various elements of the mosque are the people who call it home. Welcoming with open arms to all visitors, the Muslims who practice at the Lindsey Street mosque are as amiable a group as you could hope to cross paths with. “We’re in the process of putting
together an open house for people who are interested to just come check it out and get the chance to meet us,” Alamoudi said. The Islamic Society of Norman is looking to expand its diversity. “We’re just wanting to make sure others hear the true message of Islam,” said Alamoudi, a native of Saudi Arabia. “And I think our new home here is opening up those doors.”
GO AND DO New Masjid WHERE: 420 E. Lindsey St.
Did you know? The previous mosque was composed of two houses built in the early 1950s.
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8
Life&Arts
• Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Game review
‘Skullgirls’ worthy of Internet hype, $15 Life & Arts Columnist
Rating: ««««
I
f you looked at the buzz about “Skullgirls” (April 10) around the Internet leading up to its release, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking people are referring to it as some kind of renaissance for the fightinggame genre. This kind of thinking is commonplace leading up to any game release, so I was pretty skeptical if this game would live up to the hype. “Skullgirls” is a 2-D fighting game that falls closer to indie than big-budget, which is pretty uncommon in the genre. The design team also had some tournamentlevel fighting-game players designing it, which many thought would make a sort of unbreakable super game. The art style of the game was something I wasn’t a fan of. It’s all hand-drawn in a way that reminds me of older Disney cartoons or Betty Boop, but more gothic with a healthy dose of Lovecraftian horror — making a few of them pretty creepy. As the title suggests, all of the characters are female, which is where the design strikes me as juvenile at times. Almost all the characters are well-endowed and very sexualized. I’m all for cartoony proportions, but at times, it just felt corny. The environments are great — very dark, almost noir cityscapes mixed with bright, colorful landscapes. The detail in the stages really sustains their flavor and keeps you on edge. The game includes Story Mode, Arcade, Versus Online and Offline, Training and Tutorial. I was blown away by how deep the tutorial takes you into understanding fighting
Shawn Stafford shawn.a.stafford@ou.edu
games. It starts with fundamentals, like movement and blocking, then uses this foundation to tackle more advanced topics, such as hit confirming, combo creation, canceling and even advantage understanding. Most fighting games expect the user to have an understanding of these things already or to just figure them out, making for a really frustrating experience for newcomers. The game plays very much like “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” (2009), except slightly slower. When I first started, the game felt clunky and unresponsive because it was slower than most fighters out there right now, but once I had played a couple rounds and really acclimated to the pacing, it started to feel right. The combo system is great because it allows for almost all moves to chain together, creating really high-hit, super-flashy combos. They also added in nice damage scaling and an infinite prevention system, so no character gets stomped by one combo. Each of the games’ eight characters seem to take some of the old fighting-game archetypes and adds something to turn characters on their heads. For example, Ms. Fortune is a rush character at her core, yet she can take off her head and do tricky attacks using it. While the characters are
At a glance ‘Skullgirls’
Developer: Reverge Labs Platforms: Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, Windows (PC) Photos provided
off-the-wall, Reverge Labs found a way to keep them pretty balanced. For all my praise for this game, I have two complaints. First, you have to go online to get the moves. Secondly, while the online is lag-free and fun, I wish the
lobbies could give me more than just two players per room and there was a place to see your win-loss record. However, as with any fighting game, there is a huge learning curve. The tutorial really starts you in the right direction, but it really only
acts as your “blue pill” and allows you to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Taking all of this into consideration, this game is a lot of fun to play, and the system is open and well-balanced. The hype surrounding this game really seems merited,
and for only $15, this game feels like a steal. It may not be a renaissance, but it is worth the money. Shawn Stafford is an international area studies junior.
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