Monday, August 15, 2011 by OU Daily

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VOL. 97, NO. 1

News .......................... A Opinion ...................... A4 Sports ......................... B Life & Arts .................. C

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NEWS

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ENROLLMENT

Freshmen numbers surge

Students admitted below standards

Fall semester enrollment figures show largest group in school history

Commission can admit small number of students who do not meet OU’s admission requirements

ALYSSA GRIMLEY The Oklahoma Daily

ALYSSA GRIMLEY

The freshman class entering OU in fall 2011 will be the largest freshman class at OU ever, the University College dean said. Douglas Gaffin, dean of University College, said he expects around 3,900 to 4,000 freshmen in fall 2011, compared to 3,724 freshmen in 2010. OU advisors manage large freshman classes by using an early warning system to alert them to fluctuations in incoming class size, Gaffin said. “The advisors monitor early enrollment,” Gaffin said. “As they approach capacity, they send the information to chairpersons and deans to find instructors and space.” One problem OU faces during upsurges in enrollment is the sizes of classrooms — especially labs — because they are restrictive, specialized and less flexible, Gaffin said. The number of freshmen OU admits is limited by physical space, resources and the ability to serve students, said Nick Hathaway, administration and finance vice president. “We would not want to admit a class that taxed our physical infrastructure and level of service to students,” Hathaway said. There is no specific number in which people are not admitted, Hathaway said. Everyone who meets admissions requirements is admitted. OU’s advisors have seen upsurges in enrollment like this before and will be able to handle it, Gaffin said. “We’ve got a fairly nimble system in place,” Gaffin

The Oklahoma Daily

Through a process called alternative admission, the Admissions Committe — the body that decides who attends the university — can admit up to 8 percent of the previous year’s freshman class of students who may not meet OU’s admission requirements. OU follows standard published admission requirements when selecting students, and OU President David Boren is not personally responsible for selecting students, enrollment vice president Matt Hamilton said in an email. “From time to time, the OU Admissions Committee seeks President Boren’s direction and advice regarding overall admission quesNumber of tions, but he is not typically alternative involved in admission deciadmission students sions,” Hamilton said. accepted by OU for the Many factors may cause a 2009-10 academic year student to fall short of OU’s admission requirements, Number of said Catherine Bishop, pubalternative lic affairs vice president. admission students “A student may have exaccepted by OU in the last perienced a death of a famacademic year (2010-11) ily member or other tragedy that affected their overall Number of academic performance duralternative ing a period of time in high admission students school,” Bishop said. “Or a accepted by OU for this student who may not quite academic year (2011-12) have achieved the ACT or SAT score requirements for — Source: Matt Hamilton, OU may have earned good enrollment vice president grades at a very competitive high school.” The committee also considers students with special talent in the performing or creative arts or students who have experienced considerable health problems in high school, Bishop said. “The Admissions Committee also receives input about these applicants from principals, counselors and teachers, among others, about individual students they believe have the ability to succeed academically at OU,” Bishop said. Rachel Renbarger, language arts education junior, said those who have been through tragic circumstances in high school may want to wait before going off to college. “If one has the opportunity to wait, work on the GPA and then apply, they should,” Renbarger said. “The college experience will not leave them behind.” Hamilton said OU typically enrolls fewer than 300 alternative admission students each year.

By the numbers

205

191

160

CASEY WILLIAMS/THE DAILY

Camp Crimson campers watch a boat race July 15. Camp Crimson is a camp for freshmen and transfer students to learn OU traditions. The camp saw a record-breaking 1,800 students due to OU’s freshmen class being the largest in the university’s history. said. Despite the large number of enrolling freshmen and limited space for classrooms, students’ schedules will not be affected in the long-term, Gaffin said. However, students may have to make minor adjustments, such as taking a class in the spring semester instead of the fall. Professors teaching courses with large numbers of freshmen tended to slow

down and explain how to use learning tools like writing centers, D2L and library databases, language arts junior Allison Didonato said in an email. “I think the fact that there were so many of us who were new to the system made for a bit more coddling, which was not a bad thing,” Didonato said. Such a high number of students in the upcoming freshman class is a sign of

a healthy university, Gaffin said. “The quality of the student body and faculty at OU is up,” Gaffin said. “We continue to expand and enroll students in better and better classes.” Analyzing enrollment trends will not tell exactly how many freshmen will enroll until the third week of the fall semester, after the window to drop classes has closed, Gaffin said.

OU COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

WELCOME BACK ICE CREAM SOCIAL Faculty, staff and students are invited for free ice cream at the Arts and Sciences plaza east of Ellison Hall!

11 a.m. until it’s gone Wednesday, Aug. 24

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OPINION

Campus shenanigans makes campus life more interesting, Keith Anderson says

Andrew Slagle, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666

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EDITORIAL

Welcome to the opinion page This is the opinion section, and you are reading The Daily’s editorial. While The Daily champions objective reporting, we also think it’s important that the newspaper express opinions through its columnists and daily editorials. The opinion section of our paper is just that — opinions. This is why The Daily produces a daily editorial. The editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board and is formed by combining all of the best ideas of the board into one opinion. It is almost always written by the opinion editor but does not necessarily reflect his views or the views of any other individual on the editorial board. Rather, it is the collective opinion of the whole. The editorial board at The Daily doesn’t want its newspaper to be a one-way street. We believe citizens should gather information and make informed decisions on their own, but it’s also important to take into consideration the thoughts and

ideas of others. This two-way street of information exchange makes us a better community. However, at The Daily, we don’t want just the opinions of our columnists and editorial board — we want your opinions, too. That’s why we ask readers to submit letters to the editor to let us know how we are doing and to tell us how they feel on particular topics. To submit a letter to the editor, write no more than 250 words focusing on issues on campus or around the world, not on particular columnists or persons. Guest columns can be longer than 250 words. Letters and guest columns need to include the author’s name, major and classification if a student or name and department if faculty or staff. Publication is at the discretion of the opinion editor. To submit letters to the editor or guest columns, email the opinion editor at dailyopinion@ou.edu.

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EDITORIAL

Readers have responsibility Our View: Citizens must take an active approach

they should know. You also should let us know when we are doing a good job and when we are doing a bad job. At The As citizens of the U.S., we have plenty of duties. Daily, we value accuracy and verification. We want We pay taxes, we vote and we participate in the to know when we are doing it right and helping our economy by purchasing goods and working. community by giving them the information they However, one of the most important duties citi- need to make informed decisions. zens have — and one we feel is often overWe also want to know when we muck it looked — is a citizen’s duty to be informed. up. If we don’t know we are making misThe Our View It is your responsibility as a resident of takes, or perhaps overlooking an issue, we is the majority the U.S. and a Sooner to be informed and can’t take the steps necessary to fix it. opinion of to use that knowledge to make intelligent If you do these things and become an The Daily’s decisions. active news reader, we promise you it will five-member However you do this is up to you. At The editorial board make your life better. You will understand Daily, we do our best to provide you with the decisions being made by higher auaccurate coverage of the events OU wants thorities. You will understand events and you to know about, and sometimes the events it how they impact the campus. doesn’t want you to know about. You also will understand what it means to be a It’s up to you to read about it and apply that incitizen of a country that has a free press and deformation to your lifestyle. fends the right of freedom of information — in What’s even more important — now that instant most cases. communication is available to almost everyone True patriotism isn’t waving a gun around and — is citizens take up an active dialogue with their showing off your rights or telling everyone you love newspaper. your country more than they do. This means you should comment on stories at True patriotism is caring enough about your OUDaily.com. You should send letters and colcountry and your community to take time out of umns to the paper, asking other readers and the your day to become informed. workers at The Daily to care about the things you Comment on this at OUDaily.com care about or telling them something you think while consuming news to get the most benefit.

COLUMN

Persistence key to surviving college As with many of your cohort, there will be times during your undergraduate education when you will be completely tired of school. There also will be times when you feel the need to take a temporary break. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of overcoming that feeling. Success in college is less about being inherently clever than it is about persistence. Going to class, taking the steps necessary to ensure you unSTAFF COLUMN UMN derstand the material and completing assignTom Taylor or ments — these are the habits that will get you through your college career. Now I understand that many of you are about to begin your 14th, 15th or even 18th year of formal education. Indeed, the path from kindergarten to this point is a long one. Take solace in the fact it can be done. If you do feel overwhelmed and exhausted, just remember there are always others who have it worse. If college is your only responsibility at this point in life, remember that many people in your classes are taking the same course load while working 20 to 40 hours a week. If you’re working 20 to 40 hours a week and going to school, remember

that some of your classmates work, go to school and raise a family. If you are a parent, an employee and a student, remember that everything you do will benefit your children in the long run. Far too many students fail to ever return after taking a hiatus from college, and that failure is a waste of precious resources. It is not only a waste of scholarship money, student loans or your parents’ bank account, it also is a waste of your time and the precious seat you took in a class that met its maximum enrollment limit. Success will be yours as long as you don’t give up on your education. People have received their degrees before you, they will receive them after you and it is definitely possible for people to receive their degrees with you. Now understand that you will take classes that are difficult for you. Such is the nature of general education requirements. The key is to not let those classes come between you and your goal of earning your degree. You may find that the difficulty of a particular course leads you to changing your major. There is nothing wrong

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with that. In fact, one of my best friends from my undergraduate years at OU changed his major from engineering to philosophy because of his difficulty with some of the required math courses. You may find that you have to retake a couple of courses. This was the case of another friend of mine who swears he had to retake each of his math courses in order to stay on track for his engineering degree. There is nothing wrong with this strategy either. Whichever strategy you choose, just remember to never give up on earning your degree. A break may seem like a good idea at times, but those plans rarely work out the way they are supposed to. I cannot count the number of people I’ve met in my life who have expressed regret about dropping out of college. What I can do is point out that I have never met a person who has told me they regretted staying in school. For the new students — welcome. For the returning students — welcome back. Now why don’t you pull up a chair and stay awhile. — Tom Taylor, political science graduate student

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Welcome from new Daily editor Howdy, Sooners! The time has come to STAFF COLUMN N embark on a new leg of our collective academicChris Miller journey, and I’d like to say on behalf of everyone at The Daily that we’re glad to have you back. To all the grizzled sophomores, upperclassmen and graduate students returning to campus today, I hope you’ve had a phenomenal summer. Norman has been a less festive, altogether quiet place without you guys and gals running amok, and I hope you’re ready for another round of early mornings, hectic days and late nights. To all you doe-eyed newcomers wandering the halls and sidewalks of campus for Editor in Chief the first time without a tour Chris Miller guide, well, I’d certainly like to welcome you to Sooner nation Managing editor and The Daily’s readership, Chase Cook but my secondary message is News editor somewhat more complex. Annelise Russell First of all, let me tell you that yes, college is incredible, Sports editor but it does take some getting James Corley used to. Life & Arts editor For many of you, the safety Katherine Borgerding and security of your childhood Multimedia editor home and parents’ stocked Lindsey Ruta pantry are hundreds of miles away, and the goofy confidants Photo editor with whom you graduated high Kingsley Burns school have been replaced by a Design chief sea of strange faces. Hannah Holstead Longing for all you’ve ever known is completely natural at Copy chief this stage in your life, but don’t Alex Ewald let it get the best of you. Take the opportunity to talk to the cute girl or guy in the glasses after your Intro to Psych class. Go throw the Frisbee with the guy with the Grateful Dead tattoo. Tell that longboarder you’re too cool for bicycles as well, and maybe he’ll let you take his ride for a spin. Stay away from the guy in the Affliction T-shirt, though. That guy’s trouble. In addition to meeting the new people around you, I urge you to make the most of your opportunities to get involved on campus outside of a purely academic perspective. I know that without 160 Copeland Hall and The Daily, my collegiate experience wouldn’t have been nearly as rich or enjoyable thus far. In the newsroom, I’m surrounded by like-minded folks who share my passion for journalism and care for me despite my faults. Whatever you’re into, I have no doubt you can find an organization that makes you feel the same. We’d love for you to join us — and consider this an open invitation to drop by our newsroom on the South Oval and chat any time — but if journalism isn‘t your thing, seek out other opportunities. Whether you wish to try your hand at student government, sit around talking about comic books or simply play intramural sports, there’s a club or organization with members just like you waiting to be found. Don’t be afraid to attend meetings or approach the administrators for campus clubs and organizations, because just like the staff at The Daily, they’ll be glad to get you involved and up to speed on their role in campus life. Let me wrap this up by adding my own spin to the obligatory “great power, great responsibility” speech you’ve likely been hearing for months. For many of you, this is the most freedom and control over your day-to-day activities you’ve ever possessed. Spread your wings and fly, dearest freshmen, but take care as you do so. Your collegiate experience can go any number of ways, so make the most of it by not sleeping through all your classes, drinking in excess or mistreating your fellow Sooners. If you take care of yourself and those around you, I have no doubt in four, five or in some cases six years when you’re walking across the stage to grab your diploma, you’ll look back on this moment fondly, so savor it. By the time you move on to the dreaded real world, you’ll have learned and accomplished so much in and around this beautiful campus. You’ll have loved, lost, laughed, cried and generally experienced the entire spectrum of human emotions, and in the end, I suppose that’s as large a part of college as anything. I look forward to reporting on your accomplishments, Class of 2015. So go out there and begin writing your own collegiate story.

Fall editors

— Chris Miller, journalism senior

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for accuracy, space and style. Students must list their major and classification. To submit letters, email dailyopinion@ou.edu. Letters also can be submitted in person Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Our View is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, which consists of the editorial staff. The board meets at 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Board meetings are open to the public. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board.

NEWS

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Meet student government’s leaders UOSA led by students looking to get others involved on campus with activities HALEY O’HARA The Oklahoma Daily

very student on campus is a part of the University of Oklahoma Student Association, but only a few individuals won elections in April to serve as leaders within UOSA U this year. Hannah Morris, political science and public rrelations senior, has been actively involved in UOSA since volunteering for Higher Education Day her freshman year. She is serving as UOSA president this year. However, it wasn’t until November that Morris decided to run for president of the organization. “The campaigning process was no easy task,” Morris said. “It was a test of character, a test of will, a test of skill and most of all a test of motive.” Morris said she has had the opportunity to work with a vast array of people within UOSA. She also has worked on big projects, including organizing a city-wide event to help bridge the gap between OU and the city of Norman.

Morris was president of her high school class every year but her junior year. She also has been the president of otherr clubs but has not been the president of any organizationss on the OU campus until now. h Morris encourages students to get involved with UOSA by becoming active on campus through a club orr organization. eir “UOSA gives students the opportunity to use their tailored skills and interests to invest them into the university in finding ways we can help others,” Morris said. Laura Bock, UOSA vice president and zoology senior, was involved in the programming branch of UOSA during her first three years at OU. It wasn’t until Bock joined Morris’ presidential ticket last spring that she made the jump to the executive branch. “I never had any intentions of running a campus campaign, but during a discussion with Hannah about her vision for the future of the campus, I quickly became eager to join her in the campaign,” she said. As UOSA vice president, Bock’s job is to assist Morris in overseeing the nine departments of UOSA’s executive branch. READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON OUDAILY.COM

Hannah Morris, UOSA president

Laura Bock, UOSA vice president

POLITICS

Campus politics offers learning opportunities, activities Student-run government teaches students about political process, gets them involved on campus HALEY O’HARA The Oklahoma Daily

More than 200 students are involved in OU’s student government, which represents the student body and its interests to university administrators. The University of Oklahoma Student Association was founded in 1969 and is composed of four branches: legislative, judicial, executive and programming. UOSA president Hannah Morris said UOSA is the advocate of the student voice. “We are responsible for distributing over $700,000 in student-fee money, facilitating and hosting a variety of campus activities and creating programs and projects that improve OU and the Sooner experience as a whole,” said Morris, political science and public relations senior.

As president, Morris applications on the To contact the executive branch, serves on the UOSA exUOSA website during email uosapres@ou.edu. ecutive branch, which the first few weeks of also includes her vice school. To contact the Graduate Student Senate, president, zoology seThe legislative branch call 405-325-5471 or email nior Laura Bock, and of UOSA is comprised derrell.cox1@ou.edu. her cabinet. of the Student Congress To contact the Undergraduate Student During the upcomand the Graduate Congress, call 405-325-0311. ing semester, UOSA will Student Senate. Around sponsor events on cam40 or 50 students make pus like the UOSA tailgate, Campus Activities up OU’s Student Congress. Council Welcome Week and Coffee With “The role of Student Congress is to help the UOSA. students,” said Spencer Falcon, engineering Students are encouraged to come to these sophomore and representative for the engievents and get involved. neering college. “We are always open to any “Every student has opinions and ideas new ideas or complaints that students have. on how to improve the university experi- They elected us, and we are here to help ence,” Bock said. “By getting involved with them.” UOSA, students can directly put these ideas From campaigning for a position to helpto work.” ing out representatives, there are a number UOSA also will begin a Freshman Student of ways students can get involved in Student Council program this year that will deal Congress, the best of which would be to conspecifically with freshman concerns. Bock tact their specific college’s representatives, said interested students should look for Falcon said.

The Graduate Student Senate is comprised of graduate students chosen by their peers within each of the different academic departments on the OU Norman campus. “Graduate students have interests and needs which are unique from undergraduate students and faculty,” GSS chair Derrell Cox said. The GSS administers funding for student organizations on campus, addresses academic concerns of graduate students as a liaison between students and faculty, promotes awareness of the diversity of students within the OU community and provides socialization opportunities, Cox said. “I would encourage students to be involved with the GSS,” Cox said. “There are many benefits of serving as a senator.” Benefits include participating in the political process at OU, serving the needs of graduate students and working to improve the quality of life for the OU community, Cox said. READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON OUDAILY.COM

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PHOTO ESSAY

Camp Crimson thrills new students

ALL PHOTOS BY CASEY WILLIAMS DURING â&#x20AC;&#x153;BOOMERâ&#x20AC;? SESSION

EMPLOYMENT

Americans still seeking out jobs Struggling economy leads to increased unemployment rates in more than half of states during the summer WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Unemployment rates rose in more than half of U.S. states in June, evidence that slower hiring is affecting many parts of the country. Unemployment rates in 28 states and Washington, D.C., increased last month. Rates declined in eight states and were flat in 14. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a change from May, when 24 states reported falling unemployment rates. Twenty-six states reported a net gain in jobs in June, while 24 states lost jobs. The changing trend in state unemployment rates reflects a weaker economy hampered by high gas prices and lower factory output. Nationally, employers added only 18,000 net jobs in June, the second straight month of feeble hiring. The U.S. unemployment rate ticked up to 9.2 percent. The economy expanded only 1.9 percent in the JanuaryMarch period, and most economists expect similar growth in the April-June quarter. The government releases its first estimate for second-quarter growth on July 29. Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in June, at 12.4 percent. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up from 12.1 percent in May. It was followed by California (11.8 percent) and Rhode Island (10.8 percent). North Dakota reported the lowest unemployment rate, at 3.2 percent. It was followed by Nebraska (4.1 percent) and South Dakota (4.8 percent). Some companies are cutting their work forces. Layoffs rose to their highest level in nine months in May, according to a separate Labor Department report last week. Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia reported the biggest job losses. Tennessee said 16,900 jobs were cut last month, led by steep losses in state and local government. Missouri suffered its biggest losses in education and health services. Those states were also affected by harsh weather this spring, which may have led to some job losses. Tennessee was swept by flooding, high winds, hail and tornadoes in June, which washed out bridges, downed power lines and temporarily closed a sewer treatment facility and a local airport. A May 22 tornado in Joplin killed 159 people, destroyed more than 7,000 homes and displaced 5,000 workers in a city of just 50,000. The area reported 9,400 jobs were lost in June. The impasse in Washington over raising the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s borrowing limit could affect several states, including Tennessee and Virginia. Those states could see a downgrade to their credit rating if the U.S. defaults on its debt, according to Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Investors Services. Virginia is closely tied to the federal government because of its large number of military bases, defense contractors and government employees. A downgrade to a stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating would mean it would pay higher interest rates to borrow money. The economy needs to generate about 125,000 jobs per month to keep up with population growth and prevent the unemployment rate from rising. It needs at least twice that many to rapidly reduce unemployment. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

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CART 101 Q If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a parking permit, you can take the bus + '% 2 north side of the Lloyd Noble Center and ride the LNC " % " % ( Q 45 2 67 % ( Norman, including one to Oklahoma 4 $ " # 8 % # leaving the car at home is an option. Q

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CAMPUS NEWS

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Inside | CLUB Âť Leadership group offers opportunities, See A8 | POWER Âť Library adds more outlets, See A9 | GREEN Âť OU stays environmentally-friendly, See A11

New buildings to open fall semester

MARC BREIDY/THE DAILY

Zarrow hall is being built for OUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social work school. The building was made possible thanks to donations from Anne and Henry Zarrow, major contributors to social work.

JAMES CORLEY/THE DAILY

Gould Hall will house all five architecture departments and will be open for students in August. Engineering students previously worked at the Hobby Lobby on Main Street.

Social workâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new home A place for architecture Tulsa philanthropist helps social work school move out of fraternity house BRENDAN COUGHLIN The Oklahoma Daily

OUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Social Work will have its own building, and it will be open for classes in the fall. Zarrow Hall, located at the corner of Brooks Street and Elm Avenue, has been under construction since March of 2010 but will be open for classes in the fall, said Donald Baker, School of Social Work director. The school used to be located in Rhyne Hall, which was originally the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house, according to Daily archives. The building is named after Henry Zarrow, an entrepreneur and

RENOVATIONS

philanthropist from Tulsa who contributed greatly to bettering issues of mental health and the homeless, Baker said. Social work deals with working homeless and other needy members of Oklahoma, Baker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Henry and Anne Zarrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philanthropic orientation is very compatible with the professional view of social work,â&#x20AC;? Baker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Henry Zarrow will be honored by the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board of visitors as the social work leader of Oklahoma.â&#x20AC;? Zarrow Hall includes four first-floorlevel classrooms, a community room and two clinical suites to be used for practical skills within social work, Baker said. The new hall also will house a computer lab that will be used by the arts and sciences department, she said. The building will be officially dedicated the end of August.

Major returns to Norman campus after spending three years on Main Street BRENDAN COUGHLIN The Oklahoma Daily

After three years of planning and building, the new College of Architecture home is finished and will be ready for classes in the fall. Gould Hall will house architecture, construction science, interior design, landscape architecture and regional and city planning, university spokesman Chris Shilling said. Architecture professors moved in and got settled into the building during the summer, Shilling said. Architecture students worked in the old Hobby Lobby building on Main Street while renovations to Gould Hall were in progress, according to Daily archives.

The new building was scheduled to open in January, but there were construction setbacks due to problems with asbestos, according to Daily archives. The renovations to Gould Hall include a larger studio area for architecture students to work in, state of the art lecture facilities and a large gallery to showcase architecture projects, Shilling said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because they expanded and added further lecture facilities and offices and other studios, it is bringing all the departments of the college of architecture under one roof,â&#x20AC;? Shilling said. This includes the five divisions of the college, which are architecture, construction science, interior design, landscape architecture and regional and city planning, Shilling said. The date for the Gould Hall dedication ceremony was not set at press time.

ZHOFRPH KRPH

Energy center upgrades to be finished soon The five-year renovation of Sarkeys Energy Center will be completed by fall semester if all plans continue on schedule, said Larry Grillot, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy dean. When the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy was chartered Jan. 1, 2006, a deal was made that the college would be responsible for remodeling Sarkeys Tower, Grillot said. The goal was to remodel the tower to make it more suitable for students and faculty, Grillot said. All of the financing for the renovation came from private funding such as donations from alumni, Grillot said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the renovation has significantly improved the space, and we are very pleased with how it looks,â&#x20AC;? Grillot said. Many teaching labs have been remodeled and revamped due to the dramatic increase in the number of students enrolling in the college, Grillot said. In July, the towerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elevators â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one of the final renovations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were being remodeled and repaired, Grillot said. More people in the tower means the elevators need to be faster, he said. The college is upgrading the tower to make it more efficient and reliable, Grillot said â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rachael Cervenka/ The Daily

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Student clubs, organizations offer diversity OU has more than 400 clubs and organizations to join. Visit OUDaily.com to find the full list. Multicultural organizations Black Student Association Pan American Student Association Asian American Student Association German Club Hispanic American Student Association Arab Student Association Political organizations College Republicans Young Democrats Second Amendment Club Students for a Democratic Society Sooners for Israel Sports Sooner Tennis Club Women’s Rugby Club Ultimate Frisbee Club Student Martial Arts Association Sooner Badminton Club Men’s Soccer Club Religious organizations Atheist Skeptic Association for Progress Bahai Association Buddhist Association Catholic Student Association Hillel Jewish Student Organization Muslim Student Association Sooners for Christ For your major Psychology Club The English Club Society of Physics Students Pre-Nursing Club — Daily staff reports

Group offers leadership opportunities President’s Leadership Class accepts about 100 freshmen each year MEREDITH EVERITT The Oklahoma Daily

In 1961, OU President George Lynne Cross was concerned Oklahoma was failing to retain many of its best and brightest students, who were leaving the state and not returning after receiving their degrees. Cross brought his concerns to the attention of OU Vice President David A. Burr. In that same year, Burr established the President’s Leadership Class, a freshman-only leadership/ scholarship program to get students involved in leadership in Oklahoma, according to the PLC’s website. The President ’s Leadership Class takes on only about 100 freshman each year who have demonstrated strong leadership skills by thriving in activities such as Student Council, DECA and honors societies as well as sports, musical theater and debate teams, said Nanette Hathaway, PLC Staff Advisor. Membership is free and only lasts for one year. If alumni want to stay involved after that, they have the option to do so, Hathaway said. PLC takes freshmen who already have shown an interest in taking on leadership roles in their communities and cultivates those interests by connecting them with like-minded students, alumni and special guest speakers, Hathaway said. One of last year’s PLC student advisors, advertising junior Maggie Cannon, said when she was a senior

SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN

Former President Bill Clinton speaks to a crowd May 2, 2009, at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Members of the OU President’s Leadership Class attended Clinton’s speech at the 15th anniversary of the bombing. in high school, she couldn’t wait to find out if she had been accepted into the group. “In comparison to the recent Harry Potter craziness, it was kind of like awaiting my letter from Hogwarts,” Cannon said. She had been very involved in Student Council at her high school, and she had heard about PLC from seniors who had been accepted in previous years. Cannon said she understood it was an important program before she applied, so once accepted, she was thrilled. P L C m e m b e r s att e n d weekly meetings, learn about OU’s museums and research centers and participate in retreats and special

Dining with dignitaries In past semesters, students in the President’s Leadership Class have attended dinners and lunches with figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin, the Crown Prince of Jordan, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and Elizabeth Dole. events. This serves to help PLC students bond with each other and the university, Hathaway said. In addition to special events for PLC members, the program also encourages students to get involved in public events like the Big Event. Listening to President Bill Clinton speak during a ceremony commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing

was a profound experience — one Cannon’s involvement in the President’s Leadership Class made possible, she said. PLC is made up of mostly Oklahoma residents, holding to the original intent of the group to retain exceptional Oklahomans by keeping them involved in the state, but the program takes many out-of-state students as well, Hathaway said. What might separate PLC

from other groups on campus is the emphasis on connecting students to their university’s history and traditions. “I believe the PLC makes students more ‘Soonerminded.’ We learn so much about OU and its traditions and legacies that afterward you can’t help but say you are proud to be a Sooner,” Cannon said. Students who want to continue their involvement with PLC after their freshman year can apply to be student advisors, two of which are chosen per year to help incoming freshman get the most out of the group, Hathaway said. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT OUDAILY.COM

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TECHNOLOGY

CONSTRUCTION

How to use OU’s network

Charging to be easier at library

University has several resources to help students with technology

Student complaints succeed in getting more than 500 outlets installed to keep electronics going

ZACH GELD The Oklahoma Daily

CLARK WILSON

Jon Kelly was a junior at OU when the Internet betrayed him. It was 11:30 p.m., and his final paper for his environmental law class was due at 11:59 p.m. He had just finished the final words to his “masterpiece” when it happened — his Internet stopped working, and he couldn’t connect to Desire to Learn to turn in his paper. Kelly grabbed his laptop, dashed out the door and headed for campus. He arrived at campus at 11:45 p.m., parked his truck and opened his laptop. “My plan was to connect to the OU Wi-Fi and get on D2L that way,” Kelly said. “However, fate was not on my side that day.” Kelly was unable to connect to OU Wi-Fi and was only able to connect to OU Guest. Kelly had not registered his computer with OU Information Technology earlier in the year and was not allowed to connect to OU Wi-Fi. Without OU Wi-Fi, Kelly said he was unable to turn in his final paper on time. Read further so you don’t end up like Jon Kelly.

Wi-Fi OU campus offers two official wireless networks: OUWiFi and OUGuest. OUWiFi is the official wireless network for students, faculty and staff. It gives full access to Internet and OU network resources such as D2L and Exchange email. It requires registration before use, according to OU’s IT website. Registration empowers OU

The Oklahoma Daily

Due to student complaints about the lack of electrical outlets in the Bizzell Memorial Library, Facilities Management added additional outlets throughout the library. The project was started by UOSA, who voiced its complaints in a meeting with OU President David Boren, according to Daily archives. He decided to fund the project and to start installing outlets in areas that were widely used by students. The first, second, third and fourth levels are the main areas that will be involved with New places the project, said Rhonda to plug in at Cannon, associate dean the Bizzell Memorial Library of libraries. “The contractors will Number of add the outlets to large duplex outlets p u b l i c a re a s, m o s t l y installed in the library on walls and columns,” Cannon said. Number wallBecause the Bizzell mounted quad Library was built back in outlets installed 1929, it’s been difficult to keep up with technolNumber of floorogy, but with the new admounted quad outlets ditions, the library can installed become more accessible than what it has been — Source: Sarah Robbins, in the past, said Sarah university librarys spokeswoman Robbins, university libraries spokeswoman. “There’s been a change recently where more people come with their own laptops,” Robbins said. “This building was built years ago, so now in the new buildings, everywhere you sit you’re going to be able to access a plug somewhere because they’re planning them that way.” Picking the proper locations to place the outlets in the library where most students did their work was a priority for Jesco Electric and OU Facilities Management. “All of the plugs that were installed were convenience outlets around the study areas, on the first floor under tables and on walls of desk cubicles,” said Wesley Parker, Jesco electrician. Facilities Management also was able to put outlets at the same places on different floors to keep things consistent throughout the building, Robbins said. All of the new outlet additions should be completed by the time students begin attending classes, Cannon said.

By the numbers

1,228

CASEY WILLIAMS/THE DAILY

Laptops are displayed at OU’s IT store on July 25, 2011. The IT store sells products at lower, education prices and helps students with information technology assistance.

IT to proactively fight hardOU IT Solutions Center ware theft, viruses, hackers 405-325-4357 and copyright violations, achelp@ou.edu cording to the IT website. www.ou.edu/OUIT OUGuest is intended for Facebook.com/OUITSolutions guests to OU and does not reTwitter — @OUITSolutions quire registration; however, this network limits access to OU Web services such as D2L and Exchange email, accord- special weekend sale. One of these usually includes ing to the IT website. the back-to-school sale in August. IT Store “All proceeds from the store The OU IT Store is located support OU, and all pricing on Campus Corner. “The IT Store is where stu- is at or below education disdents, faculty and staff can counts,” Grant said. enjoy unique services and special discounts from OU Technical Help OU IT is the place to go for IT, as well as from companies such as Adobe, Apple, help with your technology reMacromedia and Microsoft,” lated questions. “Our solutions center is said Becky Grant, marketing open 24/7,” Grant said. “We and brand manager for OU also have a Facebook page, IT. The IT Store offers dis- Twitter profile, email address counts throughout the year, and, of course, our website there are a few times dur- has a wealth of information.” OU IT also has three offices ing the year when there is a

— in the engineering practice facility, Couch Tower and the Engineering Laboratory — with a fourth coming soon in Gould Hall.

iPhone Application OU staff and students have developed the first OU application for students, OU4You. The OU4YOU app helps OU students stay current with their classes. The app includes access to D2L, a news feed from The Daily, the OU libraries and a map of OU, Grant said.

Jon Kelly Kelly emailed his professor after being unable to connect to D2L for twenty minutes. He explained the situation, and his professor was nice enough to accept his paper with only minor deductions. “Don’t be like me,” Kelly said. “Don’t wait until the last minute to write your papers.”

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The University of Oklahoma College of International Studies Department of International and Area Studies Education Abroad International Student Services visit us @ www.ou.edu/international

A10

NEWS

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TRANSPORTATION

MONEY

Parking options on campus

Tuition lock-in doesn’t add up

Knowing where to park and what permit to use helps avoid tickets

Guaranteed rate isn’t worth it unless increases equal about 10 percent a year, an OU assistant says

ALYSSA GRIMLEY The Oklahoma Daily

BRENDAN COUGHLIN The Oklahoma Daily

Parking can be a little confusing for new students on campus. The key to figuring out parking is to read the signs and match the permit required for each parking lot. If you do miss some signs and get a ticket, appeal the ticket. The parking office won’t make you pay the ticket if you have a good reason as to why you got the ticket, such as a first time offense or a minor mistake. Also, all it takes to appeal parking tickets is to submit a short written statement online.

$1,552

Getting a parking permit Parking permits for this year are valid from Aug. 15 to May 15. Permits went on sale July 1 and are available for purchase online at the parking office’s website or the parking office in Robertson Hall. Students can pick up their permits at Robertson Hall or have the permits mailed to them.

No permit Students without permits can park on the north central side of the Lloyd No b l e C e nt e r a n d r i d e the Cleveland Area Rapid Transit bus to the South Oval. The Lloyd Noble Center parking lot has more than 1,200 spaces. To ride the CART, you need a sticker, which students can get for free at the Sooner OneCard office.

Only 1.3 percent of OU students have opted to lock in their tuition for the duration of their time at OU in the three years the guaranteed tuition has been offered. In exchange for a rate that is guaranteed to stay the same, students who opt into this program agree to pay 13 percent more than the annual tuition rate. This option was first offered in 2008 after a bill was passed in the Oklahoma State Legislature, according to OU’s office of the bursar website. While the annual tuition rate may increase over the Tuition costs this year course of several years, (A semester of 12 hours) the guaranteed tuition rate doesn’t change, and In-state tuition a student can participate in the program for four or five years, according to the bursar website. This tuition program Guaranteed tuition is for undergraduate students only. Students who chose the guaranteed tuition rate must retain full-time student status, and if they don’t, they will no longer be able to participate in the program, according to the bursar website. Tuition increases would have to be drastic each year for it to be worth it for students to lock in their tuition, said Jeremy Clark, OU Student Services assistant. “If the tuition increased more than 10 percent each year, you’d be saving money. But if you look at it historically, tuition hasn’t increased that much,” Clark said. OU President David Boren instituted a tuition freeze between 2007 and 2009. However, in 2010, tuition rose 5 percent and will rise another 5 percent for the 2011-12 school year, according to Daily archives. Since tuition only rose 5 percent per year in the last two years, it did not reach the increase level that would make this tuition option a good idea for students, Clark said. OU tuition estimators placed the annual in-state tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year at $128.50 per credit hour. The guaranteed in-state tuition rate for the same year is $145 per credit hour. The bursar’s office gives incoming students the facts regarding tuition options but does not take a position for or against the guaranteed tuition option because tuition raises cannot easily be predicted, Clark said. Even with 5-percent increases in tuition in 2010 and 2011, Clark said he would not encourage students to lock in their tuition. “It may be beneficial at other universities that are raising tuition, but I don’t believe it is at ours,” Clark said.

$1,740

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LINDSEY RUTA

Types of permits for students • Housing parking permit for students living in university residence halls • Commuter parking permit for students who live off-campus • Priority housing parking permit for students with 24 credit hours and who have lived in the university residence halls for two semesters • Sooner housing parking permit for students living in Sooner housing • Commuter law parking permit- for students who are in the College of Law

Each permit costs $195.

a permit. Students with housing parking permits can park in designated lots outside of residence halls, parking garages and most faculty parking lots from 4 p.m.-7 a.m. Students with commuter parking permits can park in East Jenkins lots, Campus Corner lots north of Boyd, Where to park parking garages and most Multi-purpose parking faculty parking lots from 4 lots are open to anyone with p.m.-7 a.m.

Students with priority housing parking permits can park in lots immediately surrounding residence halls. Students with Sooner housing parking permits can park in the lot east of Oklahoma Memor ial Stadium. Students with commuter law parking permits have a designated parking area adjacent to the law school.

Parking garages There are three garages on campus: • One is adjacent to the Oklahoma Memorial Union and is run by union administration rather than Parking & Transportation Services. • One is on Elm Street, next to Catlett Music Center. It has 576 spaces. • One is on Asp Street, next to the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It has 724 spaces.

2011 oklahoma football freshman and transfer season ticket lottery august 15 – 19 Sign up for OU Freshman and Transfer student season tickets for the 2011 season will begin on August 15 through August 19. Season tickets can be requested at SoonerSports.com or in person at the OU Athletics Ticket Office.

ticket prices: Student season tickets are $170 and will be placed on the student’s bursar account. There is a $15 processing fee for all orders. Students will only be charged if awarded season tickets.

requesting tickets online: Tickets can be requested online at SoonerSports.com 24 hours a day during the sale beginning at 8 a.m. on August 15 and lasting through 3 p.m. on August 19. A lottery will be held the afternoon of August 19 if demand exceeds supply.

requesting tickets in person: Tickets can be requested in person by visiting the OU Athletics Ticket Office, located on the South Plaza Level of Asp Avenue Parking Garage. The OU Athletics Ticket Office will begin taking walk-up window requests at 8 a.m. on August 15 and will continue every business day until August 19 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

for detailed policy information please visit:

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A11

ENVIRONMENT

OU to continue green efforts in fall semester University plans to use new power plants, wind power and other tools to save energy, help the environment

footprint, Royston said. One environmentally-friendly innovation in the dorms are the hydration stations. With one in each residence hall, chilled water is made available, giving students an option other than plastic water bottles, Royston said.

MEREDITH EVERITT The Oklahoma Daily

OU was named by The Princeton Review as one of 311 green colleges in America this year for its green efforts on campus that OU officials hope to continue by creating a new power plant that wastes less energy. OU also will complete a new energy plant that will make more energy in less time, reducing emissions, said Brian Ellis, OU Facilities Management director. The new plant will have two 7.5-megawatt turbines fueled by natural gas, generating heat and producing steam. Instead of boiling water to create steam, these turbines will create the necessary heat extremely quickly, and they also can be turned off fairly quickly, making it easier to control usage, Ellis said. This will vastly reduce the amount of natural gas required to generate a single British thermal unit of energy, thereby reducing the university’s total emissions, Ellis said. OU produces an estimated 10 to 20 percent of its own energy. Once operational, this plant could bring that percentage up to 20 to 30 percent, Ellis said. OU’s current power plant was built in 1946 to provide steam to directly heat the university at a time when radiators were the primary method of heating rooms. It isn’t very efficient because it has four boilers that use natural gas to boil water to produce steam, Ellis said. The old power plant likely will be partially decommissioned, and the rest of the plant will be used as a backup during peak times in winter and summer, Ellis said. The $70 million project, under construction at Jenkins and Lindsey Streets, should be completed sometime this semester, being fully operational by next summer, Ellis said.

OU to use wind power OU has made a commitment to helping the environment by installing low-flow toilets, occupancy sensors for office lights and by building an experimental green roof on top of the National Weather Center’s sixth floor, Ellis said. In 2008, OU President David Boren signed an agreement to purchase 100 percent of OU’s OG&E-supplied electricity from renewable energy resources by 2013, according to Daily archives In 2010, 30 percent of OU’s power came from wind power from the OU Spirit Wind Farm in Oklahoma’s panhandle, according to Daily archives. The university is on track to increase that amount of wind power to 100 percent by 2013, according to Daily archives.

Energy saving tips » Take advantage of public transportation like the Cleveland Area Rapid Transit system, walk or ride your bike instead of driving. » Take notes on a laptop instead of on paper and turn in assignments online instead of printing hardcopies when possible. » Unplug power cords to devices you aren’t using to cut out idle energy consumption. » Turn off the lights in your dorm or apartment when you aren’t there. » Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth.

Housing and Food promotes going green Lauren Royston, OU’s Housing and Food Services spokeswoman, said OU has been taking a very proactive approach to making the residence halls more environmentallyconscious. Campaigns across campus encourage students to recycle, conserve water and turn off appliances when not in use, as well as promoting riding their bicycles instead of driving to class to help reduce OU’s total carbon

» Don’t use plastic bags — take reusable canvas bags to the store when shopping. » Recycle cans, bottles, cardboard boxes paper and newspapers. » Buy used textbooks. Source: Goodhousekeeping.com and Earth911.com

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A12

• Back to School Edition

BACK TO SCHOOL EDI T ION

SPORTS & CAMPUS LIFE  FOOTBALL What you’ll need to know to be a prepared OU fan (SEE B2) Added pressure from preseason top ranking on Sooners to win national championship (SEE B3)

 VOLLEYBALL OU hopes to build on last season’s Sweet 16 finish (SEE B4) Senior right side Suzy Boulavsky leads by example, hard work (SEE B5)

 SOCCER After historic 2010 season, Sooners primed for successful year (SEE B6)

 HOWDY WEEK Program offers welcoming activities for new OU students (SEE B10)

 DINING/BARS OU has array of places to eat, drink on and around campus (SEE B11)

 ART/CULTURE Campus museums, art programs gives students chances to stay connected (SEE B12)

B 2

SPORTS

BACK TO SCHOOL EDI T ION

FOOTBALL

OU Football 101: What you’ll need to know Fair and the Dallas night life. And the fans hate each other. It’s great. The in-state rivalry with Oklahoma State is rightly named Bedlam because it’s nuts. Well, it’s been nuts since the Cowboys actually became good at football about a decade ago. It was pretty boring before that. By boring, I mean OU won almost every single year. That’s why this rivalry is a little one-sided with OSU fans bringing most of the hate because OU fans don’t care. The Sooners’ last great rivalry was with Nebraska. The two clashed often, and often the winner won a national championship. W h e n t h e Big 1 2 w a s formed, OU and Nebraska stopped playing every year, and now that Nebraska’s in the Big Ten, they won’t play much at all. It’s sad.

STAFF COLUMN

James Corley

Welcome to OU. For all the incoming freshmen who may not be familiar with the Sooners yet, here’s a quick guide of what you’ll need to know before the season kicks off Sept. 3. (This also applies to the transfer students. You’re my people.)

Landry Jones Every football team’s most important asset is its quarterback, right? In 2009, Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford was knocked out for most of the season, thrusting a true freshman from Artesia, New Mexico, into the spotlight. He was rocking a wicked mustache at the time, and it didn’t take long for the student section to spread “Fear the ‘Stache” love for Jones. Last season, Jones led the Sooners to a 12-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl win. He finished just two yards shy of Bradford’s program record for passing yards in a season. Oh yeah — this summer, he proposed to OU women’s basketball star Whitney Hand. It was way cute.

Bob Stoops The fearless coach pulled OU out of the depths of the ‘90s — it was really bad, I promise — and returned the Sooners to greatness.

NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

OU fans cheer during a game last season. The Sooners have a few coveted traditions about which each fan should be aware. Since arriving at OU, Stoops has taken eight Sooner teams to BCS bowls, including four national title games, with a 3-5 record and the 2000 national championship. He also reached 100 wins faster than any other college football coach had before.

Ryan Broyles, Travis Lewis Other than Jones, these two are pivotal for OU’s success. Broyles owns every school receiving record you could think of and still opted to return for his senior season. Numbers don’t lie — he’s the

best receiver ever to don a Sooner uniform. Lewis led OU in tackles each of his first three years. He’s the anchor of the defense and a player most look to for leadership.

Traditions Oklahoma doesn’t have a list of traditions a mile long like some schools, but fans hold dear the few it does have. Before each game, OU fans sing the OU Chant, Boomer Sooner (yeah, it has words!) and the Oklahoma state

song. OU’s “There’s Only One” videos have won national awards and get the crowd pumped up with messages from Sooner greats and a highlight reel worthy of repeated viewings. At the end of the national anthem, instead of saying “home of the brave,” fans typically say “home of the Sooners” unless OU is playing a military school. Before every kickoff, fans hold up the No. 1 hand gesture and yell “OOOOOOO,” then end with “U” as the ball

is kicked. Fans also tend to leave games early if the Sooners are winning big or losing badly. Be among the fans to change that — it’s shameful.

Rivalries

Other A few more things: • Brent Venables, OU’s defensive coordinator, can be pretty scary. But he’s good. • OU’s colors are crimson and cream. It’s not red. • OU fans hate Boise State. Don’t ever mention the Statue of Liberty play or say the Broncos deserve to play for a title. • The Daily will produce a special section called Inside the Huddle before each home game with tons of OU football stuff for you to read.

OU has multiple rivalries with national significance with the granddaddy of them all being the Red River Rivalry. OU and Texas clash every year at the Cotton Bowl in Good luck, new OU fan. Dallas. It’s the best experience a fan can have over a — James Corley, weekend at the Texas State journalism senior

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NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

OU quarterback Landry Jones

NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

OU wide receiver Ryan Broyles

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This University in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, ﬁnancial aid, and educational services. Accommodation based on disability can be made by calling Garry at (405) 325-3053.

SPORTS

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FOOTBALL

On the hunt for another national title OU ranked No. 1 in most preseason polls, return key players from 2010

2011 Schedule Sept. 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Tulsa Sept. 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Florida State Sept. 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Missouri Oct. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ball State Oct. 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Texas* Oct. 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kansas Oct. 22 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Texas Tech Oct. 29 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kansas State Nov. 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Texas A&M Nov. 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Baylor Nov. 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Iowa State Dec. 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oklahoma State

GREG FEWELL The Oklahoma Daily

Pressure is something OU football players are all too familiar with. In a state as passionate about football as Oklahoma, expectations are high every single year for the Sooners. However, there is much more added pressure when a football team enters the season ranked No. 1. The Sooners have been ranked anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preseason polls. However, Oklahoma has more firstplace votes than any other school in the country, topping nine polls heading into the season. The team has nine starters returning on offense, including Senior Ryan Broyles, who opted to forego the NFL draft to finish his college career. Broyles, one of the best wide receivers in Oklahoma history, will have junior quarterback Landry Jones delivering him the football. Both players are on the watch list for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maxwell Award, given annually to the best offensive player in the college game. The Soonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; potent offense also has young talent all over the field. Sophomore receiver Kenny Stills will have his fair share of catches after a breakout freshman season last year, and sophomores Roy Finch and Brennan Clay will share the majority of the load at running back following DeMarco Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation. Whichever back carries the ball will be running behind an experienced offensive line and a very talented fullback, sophomore Trey Millard. The one problem area for the offense last year was inconsistencies, particularly on the road. However, in the last

*Played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (OU is the home team)

Bold denotes home games. NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

All games will be televised.

The Sooner offense lines up before the snap in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season-opener against Utah State. OU, considered preseason No. 1 in most college football rankings, opens 2011 by hosting Tulsa on Sept. 3 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Coming next WHAT: OU-Tulsa WHEN: 7 p.m. Sept 3 WHERE: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman

three games of the season, the Sooners showed they are capable of putting it all together for an entire game. After a sloppy first half in Stillwater in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regular-season finale, Jones played a fantastic second half to lead the Sooners to the Big 12 title game. Then, after falling behind 17-0 to Nebraska, OU came back with one of the best all-around team performances of the year to defeat the Huskers and win the last conference championship.

OU has become known for its high-powered offenses over the last several seasons. However, defense still wins championships, and this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squad looks to have all of the pieces to do it. Senior linebacker Travis Lewis, who opted to come back with Broyles for his final year in the crimson and cream, leads OUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense. The senior is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player every year, and has started every game since his freshman season. The tragic loss of senior Austin Box earlier this summer left a void the team cannot hope to replace. However, sophomores Tom Wort and Corey Nelson will be filling Boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes on the field after stepping up and making an impact in their freshmen seasons last year.

The secondary is the one spot the Sooners have had a few question marks in recent years, but OU has a lot of talent at the positions this year. Junior Demontre Hurst and senior Jamell Fleming return to their spots at cornerback after solid seasons last year as first-time starters. Fleming is coming off of a huge junior season in which he recorded 75 tackles and five interceptions on his way to being named to the Big 12 all-conference team. Sophomore Tony Jefferson is returning to his spot as the Soonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fifth defensive back after being named Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season. Fleming and Jefferson are currently on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award. Finally, junior Javon Harris and sophomore Aaron Colvin will be filling in the safety positions. It will be the first year

either player starts. However, both Colvin and Harris saw extended playing time late last season and made the most of that time. Both the offensive and defensive lines have a ton of experience coming back this year, meaning the Sooners have a great chance to live up to all of the preseason hype. However, as OU is well aware, polls prove nothing, especially before the start of the season. The last time the Sooners were ranked preseason No. 1, Sam Bradford blew out his shoulder before halftime of the first game, and the team was left scrambling to pull together a Sun Bowl win to salvage its season. In fact, the lowest preseason ranking the Sooners have had since Bob Stoopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival was the very same year they captured the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

seventh national title. The squad will have to get past a tough top-five matchup on the road in Tallahassee, Fla., in the second week of the season. After that, the Sooners have very winnable games leading to the season finale at Oklahoma State on Dec. 3. With the departure of Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 stil is no cakewalk. The Sooners have to get past Missouri and Texas A&M, but both games are in Norman, where OU holds the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest home winning streak. OU has a chance to run the table if it can get past the Seminoles and the Cowboys. Nothing is certain, but with all of the talent coming back on this loaded Oklahoma team, it seems to say the Sooners will keep the 2011 season interesting.

Oklahoma Sooners football preseason two-deep depth chart (last updated July 15) Offense Position Name LT Donald Stephenson Lane Johnson LG Gabe Ikard Stephen Good Bronson Irwin C Ben Habern Austin Woods RG Tyler Evans Adam Shead RT Daryl Williams Josh Aladenoye TE James Hanna Trent Ratterree WR1 Dejuan Miller Jaz Reynolds WR2 Kenny Stills Justin McCay SL Ryan Broyles Trey Franks

Class Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. RFr. RFr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. RFr. Sr. So.

Hometown Blue Springs, Mo. Groveton, Texas OKC (Bishop McGuinness) Paris, Texas Mustang (Mustang HS) Argyle, Texas Rockwall, Texas Strafford, Mo. Cedar Hill, Texas Lake Dallas, Texas Mesquite, Texas Flower Mound, Texas Weatherford, Texas Metuchen, N.J. Houston Encinitas, Calif. Shawnee Mission, Kan. Norman (Norman HS) Orange, Texas

ATHLETICS

OU SoonerVision earns national recognition for video production

Hometown Artesia, N.M. San Antonio Wichita, Kan. Columbia, Mo. La Crosse, Kan. San Diego Garland, Texas

Defense Position Name DE Ronnell Lewis R.J. Washington DT Casey Walker Torrea Peterson DT Jamarkus McFarland Stacy McGee DE Frank Alexander David King

Class Jr. Jr. Jr. RFr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Hometown Dewar (Dewar HS) Fort Worth, Texas Garland, Texas San Antonio Lufkin, Texas Muskogee (Muskogee HS) Baton Rouge, La. Houston

Position Name SLB Tony Jefferson Joseph Ibiloye MLB Tom Wort Jaydan Bird WLB Travis Lewis Corey Nelson BCB Gabe Lynn Jamell Fleming SS Aaron Colvin Quentin Hayes FS Javon Harris Sam Proctor FCB Demontre Hurst

Class So. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. So. RFr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Hometown Chula Vista, Calif. Garland, Texas New Braunfels, Texas New Braunfels, Texas San Antonio Dallas Jenks (Jenks HS) Arlington, Texas Owasso (Owasso HS) Lancaster, Texas Lawton (MacArthur HS) Pearland, Texas Lancaster, Texas

Specialists Position Name K Jimmy Stevens Patrick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara P Tress Way

Class Sr. Jr. Jr.

Hometown OKC (Heritage Hall) Topeka, Kan. Tulsa (Union HS)

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doctor? ÂŽ

N OU Health Services PARKING

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â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Daily staff reports

Class Jr. So. RFr. So. So. So. So.

COLLEGE AVE

For the second consecutive year, SoonerVision has won the Golden Matrix Award for Best Overall Video Display. The award was presented to the OU athletic departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video production division at the annual IDEA Conference in July. The award, given to OU in the university category, recognizes organizations that produce exceptional content for video boards and LED scoreboards. SoonerVision submitted a five-minute sample video featuring clips used during football, basketball and baseball games, as well as the popular â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Only Oneâ&#x20AC;? football intro video. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an honor to be recognized by your peers in the industry,â&#x20AC;? said Brandon Meier, executive director of video production. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our full-time and student staffs work very hard to create quality content for all of our venues, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very rewarding to see our work recognized nationally.â&#x20AC;? In 2007, the athletic department installed the current LED video board in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and invested $2 million in a high definition video production facility to improve the quality of content displayed on the video boards at the various Sooners sporting events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal has always been to entertain, inform and inspire our fans through our many digital mediums,â&#x20AC;? Meier said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Watching 80,000 Sooner fans go crazy for the team introduction video that you helped create is a special feeling.

Position Name QB Landry Jones Drew Allen -ORBlake Bell FB Trey Millard Marshall Musil RB Brennan Clay -ORJonathan Miller

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VOLLEYBALL

Sooners hope to turn Sweet into Elite 2011 Schedule » Nike Invitational (Norman) Aug. 26 — SMU Aug. 27 — Oral Roberts Missouri State

Aug. 29 — Colorado State » North Texas Invitational (Denton, Texas) Sept. 2 — Cincinnati Sept. 3 — North Texas Sam Houston State

Sept. 6 — Arkansas » Miami Invitational (Miami) Sept. 9 — Florida A&M Sept. 10 — Auburn Miami (Fla.)

Sept. 14 — Wichita State » Oklahoma Invitational (Norman) Sept. 16 — Texas Southern Arkansas-Little Rock Sept. 17 — Arkansas-Pine Bluff Boise State

Sept. 21 — Baylor Sept. 28 — Texas Oct. 1 — Texas Tech Oct. 5 — Missouri Oct. 8 — Iowa State Oct. 12 — Texas A&M Oct. 15 — Kansas Oct. 22 — Kansas State Oct. 29 — Missouri Nov. 2 — Iowa State Nov. 9 — Kansas State Nov. 12 — Baylor Nov. 16 — Kansas Nov. 19 — Texas A&M Nov. 23 — Texas Tech Nov. 26 — Texas Bold denotes home games

OU coach, players say they won’t be satisfied unless they go to the Elite Eight

By the numbers

LUKE MCCONNELL

Wins for OU last season, the most since winning 28 in 2006

The Oklahoma Daily

When the Oklahoma Sooner volleyball team’s season was ended in the Sweet 16 by eventual champion Penn State last December, the Sooners walked off disappointed but with their heads held high. The Sooners won 23 games last season, their highest total since 2006, and finished third in the Big 12, one of the most competitive conferences in the country. That finish was satisfying for them at the time. But that was then. After a great 2010 season filled with many accomplishments, the Sooners are coming into 2011 with very high expectations. “Our goal has always been winning the Big 12,” OU coach Santiago Restrepo said. “Since we made it to the Sweet 16 (last season), our goal is to make it to the Elite Eight or better (this season).” Oklahoma returns all but two players from the 2010 squad and will be led by a veteran senior class, many of whom have been starting since they arrived on campus in 2008. “It helps that people have played together for at least a year,” Restrepo said. “It would be pretty easy to just plug one (new) player in there and get the flow going again.” The Sooners ended last season ranked No. 21 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, territory OU had not ventured into since November of 2007. Senior setter Brianne Barker said the momentum from that accomplishment is something the team hopes

Wins in conference play for the Sooners, who ended 3rd in the Big 12

10.39

Assists per set by senior setter Brianne Barker last season, 4th in the Big 12

4.26

Digs per set by junior María Fernanda, 6th in the Big 12

Seniors on this year’s squad compared to just two last season

3.45

Kills per set by senior right side Suzy Boulavsky last season, 8th in the Big 12

1.25

Blocks per set by sophomore middle blocker Sallie McLaurin last season, 4th in the Big 12

Dollars it costs OU students with valid IDs to attend volleyball games

MARK MORELAND/THE DAILY

Senior outside hitter Caitlin Higgins (10) serves the ball while senior setter Brianne Barker (front) readies to defend during a game last season. The Sooners finished 23-11 in 2010. to carry over into the new season. “I think more than anything, it gets people looking at us and thinking about us,” Barker said. “If you can start ranked, that’s a really big deal, and we have a very good shot of doing that.” Because of the successes in 2010, Oklahoma is no longer looking at itself as the hunter but the hunted. For the Sooners, playing with

a target on their backs is something that will be completely new territory for this group of players. “The good thing about it is we have a whole bunch of seniors,” Restrepo said. “Hopefully with that leadership from this group we can attain those goals.” On the court, the Sooners play at an extremely quick pace offensively, one of their biggest strengths.

Barker said many of OU’s opponents had problems against the Sooners last season because they had trouble adjusting to the pace of the game. “Even when we played Penn State last year, they said they had a hard time keeping up with our speed,” Barker said. READ THE FULL STORY ON OUDAILY.COM

Meet the coach SANTIAGO RESTREPO » Years at OU: Entering eighth » Hometown: Bogota, Colombia » Record (OU): 122-94 (.565) » Season stats: The Sooner record books have been rewritten under Restrepo, with most of the program bests coming during his tenure. His combination of international recruiting and tough instruction has raised OU to new heights.

Welcome Class of 2015 !

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Graduation Office Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall Suite 203 (405) 325-0841 ou.edu/graduatesooner The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

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VOLLEYBALL

Boulavsky leading with hard work Senior’s passion, work ethic has made her a leader on OU’s team

Meet the Sooners BRIANNE BARKER » Year: Senior » Position: Setter » Hometown: Amarillo, Texas

LUKE MCCONNELL

SUZY BOULAVSKY

The Oklahoma Daily

It’s impossible to put a number on the amount of passion a person has, but it doesn’t take much to see that Suzy Boulavsky is a passionate person, both on and off the volleyball court. “I have a lot of passion for what I do, in anything,” the senior right side said. “I think that passion and excitement comes out when you know how hard you worked on something.” Boulavsky showed that passion very early in her recruitment process by committing to play volleyball at Oklahoma during her sophomore year of high school. OU coach Santiago Restrepo said it was obvious being a Sooner was something she really desired. “She wanted to be at OU badly,” Restrepo said. “She was very set on what she wanted to do. We were very fortunate she wanted to come to us.” Boulavsky said the choice was easy. “I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on decisions,” Boulavsky confessed. “I tend to just make a decision and roll with it.” She wasn’t in the starting lineup right off the bat like some of the other freshmen when she arrived on campus in 2008, but lots of hard work paid off as she ended up starting 20 of the 28 games the Sooners played that season. The improvements in her game did not stop after her freshman season. She’s seen an improvement each season not only in statistics but also in leadership and maturity. “I feel like my role is just to be a constant,” Boulavsky said. “I’d love to be in that

» Year: Senior » Position: Right side » Hometown: Houston

KYLIE COWAN » Year: Senior » Position: Setter/Defensive specialist » Hometown: Odessa, Texas

MARÍA FERNANDA » Year: Junior » Position: Defensive specialist » Hometown: Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

MINDY GOWEN » Year: Sophomore » Position: Defensive specialist » Hometown: Edmond (Santa Fe)

CAITLIN HIGGINS » Year: Senior » Position: Outside hitter » Hometown: Amarillo, Texas

EMMA KITTLE » Year: Junior » Position: Outside hitter » Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa

SALLIE MCLAURIN » Year: Sophomore » Position: Middle blocker » Hometown: Midwest City (Carl Albert) MARK MORELAND/THE DAILY

Senior right side Suzy Boulavsky (2) blocks a Miami (Fla.) player’s hit during a game last season. The Houston native said she wants to leave a legacy of never giving up. dependable role and in leadership, but I think my goal is to stay emotionally constant and consistent.” The unique thing about Boulavsky as a volleyball player is she is left-handed. Defending a lefty is difficult because the hitter can see around a block better and is more open to attack the ball. Restrepo said it’s extremely important to have a lefthanded player in the program to mix things up a bit offensively. “I’ve seen a lot of players on the right side, but Suzy has an uncanny ability of scoring

with way different shots,” Restrepo said. “She not only has power, but she also has sharp angles; tips that are hard to read. She’s not onedimensional.” Boulavsky also is committed to doing her best and working hard in the classroom. Her efforts were rewarded when she was named a third-team Academic AllAmerican in 2010. “I’m just the type of athlete that I don’t think I can depend on a sport to carry me through,” Boulavsky said. “I can depend on my good degree. I’ve worked so hard my

entire life, so why would I stop?” Senior outside hitter Caitlin Higgins met Boulavsky through playing club volleyball while the two were in high school, and they became good friends. Their friendship has grown stronger at OU, and they have been roommates the past two years as well. Higgins said she — as well as the rest of the team — looks to Boulavsky a lot for emotional leadership. READ THE FULL STORY ON OUDAILY.COM

MORGAN REYNOLDS » Year: Junior » Position: Outside hitter » Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.

KEILA RODRIGUEZ » Year: Sophomore » Position: Outside hitter » Hometown: Gurabo, Puerto Rico

CORTNEY WARREN » Year: Sophomore » Position: Middle blocker » Hometown: Houston

EDEN WILLIAMS » Year: Sophomore » Position: Defensive specialist » Hometown: Amarillo, Texas

Not pictured: Freshman OH Tara Dunn, freshman MB Grace Whitley

Library Orientation Sessions Monday, Aug. 22nd: Orientations begin at 8:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23rd: Orientations begin at 11:00 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24th: Orientations begin at 9:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25th: Orientations begin at 9:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Sessions at Bizzell Memorial Library Information Desk, West Entrance No registration required. For more information call (405) 325-4142 or e-mail librarian@ou.edu University of Oklahoma Libraries http://libraries.ou.edu College students:

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419 S. University Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 405-321-3484

Traditional Services: 8:30 and 10:55 AM Contemporary Service:10:55 AM

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The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call 405.325.1974

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SOCCER

OU plans to deal with ‘unfinished business’ Sooners hope to improve on 2010’s program-best season, advance further

2011 Schedule Aug. 13 — Arkansas*

TOBI NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

The 2011 Oklahoma soccer team is optimistic for the upcoming schedule and ready to tie up last season’s loose ends after concluding one of the most prolific finishes in the program’s history in 2010. “There was some unfinished business in both the Big 12 Championship and the NCAA tournament,” senior defender Michelle Alexander said. “We worked hard to get that far and fell short in both tournaments. With most of our team returning this season, we are ready to make another statement and hopefully make it further into the NCAA tournament this year.” Alexander, a seasoned defender who finished with four goals and three assists last year, isn’t the only Sooner looking forward to the official season opener against UAB on Aug. 19 at John Crain Field. “I definitely feel like we have some unfinished business to take care of,” junior forward Caitlin Mooney said. “It gives us something to fight for, and we know we are good enough to compete again.” Mooney transferred to OU last season and became an immediate contributor on offense, something the Sooners will need to see more of this year from the Maryland transfer in order to contend for postseason accolades this season. OU played in the program’s first Big 12 championship final last November, losing to Oklahoma State in penalty kicks. The Sooners also were dismissed

Aug. 19 — UAB Aug. 21 — Tennessee Aug. 26 — Oklahoma State Aug. 28 — SMU Sept. 2 — Oral Roberts Sept. 4 — Missouri State Sept. 9 — Arizona State Sept. 11 — Arizona Sept. 17 — BYU Sept. 19 — LSU Sept. 23 — New Mexico Sept. 30 — Oklahoma State Oct. 2 — Texas Tech Oct. 7 — Texas Oct. 14 — Iowa State Oct. 16 — Missouri Oct. 21 — Texas A&M Oct. 23 — Baylor Oct. 28 — Kansas Nov. 1 — Big 12 Championship Tournament (San Antonio) *Exhibition Bold denotes home games

Players to watch CAITLIN MOONEY

MARK MORELAND/THE DAILY

Junior forward Dria Hampton strikes the ball during a game early last season. The Piedmont native will have big shoes to fill now that record-setting forward Whitney Palmer has graduated. prematurely from the NCAA postseason tournament, falling to Washington in the first round. The unfinished mindset already is making for a much-anticipated return by a team that finished with five conference wins, the most by a Sooner team in the program’s 15-year history. And the Sooners are looking to

maintain that level of excellence . “I think we made a great run and probably surprised a lot of people, but that’s not what we are here to do,” junior forward Dria Hampton said. “I think the key for us this year is to consistently believe in ourselves that we can compete with anyone in the country.”

Hampton played a pivotal role on offense for the Sooners, collecting All-Big 12 tournament-team, academic All-Big 12 first-team and academic All-district third-team honors for her five goals and five assists during her sophomore season. Her three game-winning goals were the second most on the team.

OU will need her to perform at that level again with the absence of forward Whitney Palmer. Palmer rewrote the OU record books, including becoming the program’s leading scorer with 38 career goals and 83 points. READ THE FULL STORY ON OUDAILY.COM

» Year: Junior » Position: Forward » Hometown: Edmond » Notes: Mooney, who finished with seven goals and three assists last year, has prior experience in the Sweet Sixteen with Maryland.

DRIA HAMPTON » Year: Junior » Position: Forward » Hometown: Piedmont » Notes: Hampton finished last season with five goals and five assists, making her one of the most dangerous scoring threats on the team.

got

University of

Oklahoma Libraries

provides selected textbooks on reserve in Bizzell Memorial Library Visit Bizzell Memorial Library, OU Libraries’ website at http://libraries.ou.edu/textbooks, or call (405) 325-4142

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COLUMN

ATHLETICS

No teamwork in lockout talks The expiration of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement comes in the wake of an absurd postseason that scored some of the NBA’s highest TV ratings since Michael Jordan took on John Stockton and Karl “the Mailman” Malone in 1997-98. I mean, remember with me: Brandon Roy dropped 18 in the fourth on the Mavs when he should‘ve been in a wheelchair, the street-fight that was the GrizzliesThunder series, the Lakers were swept, LeBron reminded everyone how much their lives suck compared to his and — oh yeah — the Lakers were swept. Well, prepare for the polar opposite, a greed-a-palooza called the 2011 lockout. “It worries me that we’re not closer. We have a huge philosophical divide,” NBA commissioner David Stern said. Translation: Sorry, fans, but the players and owners are more unshakable than Robert Horry with 5 seconds left in a playoff game. OK, OK, they probably aren’t that unflappable with their offers, but still. The lockout is like the relationship I had with my first girlfriend — even though both parties involved want things to work out sooner rather than later, neither side is willing to budge one micro-smidgen away from what they want for themselves, even if what they want is totally naive and immature. The owners are taking a shrewd maneuver out of my playbook and have decided to simply ignore the players until they have no choice but to give in to the owners demands. In fact, the owners are so gungho on locking the players out until they cave that on June 30, the day before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expired and when Billy Hunter — executive director of the NBA Players Association — arrived with his counsel and about 40 NBA players to negotiate a lastsecond deal, only Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, Spurs owner Peter Holt and Knicks owner James Dolan were there to negotiate on the owners’ behalf.

MARY ALTAFFER/AP

NBA commissioner David Stern speaks to reporters after a meeting with the players’ union June 30 in New York. The sides have not closed the enormous gap that remains in their positions.

In defense of Joe, have lost north of STAFF COLUMN Gavin and George $340 million in total Maloof, the bankrevenues during Alex Hilton rupt owners of the that time, and the Sacramento Kings, single biggest reaplane tickets are son is overpaying EDITOR’S NOTE: At the time awfully expensive players. of this column’s deadline, these days. In other words, the NBA owners and players’ On the flip side, it’s just like Dallas union had not reached a Michael Beasley is Cowboys receiver new collective bargaining smoking marijuaRoy Williams’ deagreement. na again, players bacle — you overare cheating on the pay for a ridiculous NBA with contracts overseas and $76,000 engagement ring that you LeBron is obliterating 14-year-olds send to your fiance in the mail. What with tomahawk slams. do you do when she dumps you a Thanks for the help, guys! month later? Sue her for all she’s The players’ first paychecks are worth to get the ring back, duh. due to arrive Nov. 15 — about four The players demanded that the weeks into the season — and many owners open their financial records analysts speculate the players asso- to attempt to catch them in a $340 ciation will not put its foot on the gas million bluff. as far as negotiating goes until then. “There might not be any losses at According to Stern, 22 of the 30 all. It depends on what accounting NBA franchises were unprofitable procedure is used,” Hunter said after in 2010-2011. The owners claim to checking the records. “If you decide

you don’t count interest and depreciation, you already lop off 250 (million) of the $340 million.” Also, owners in small markets feel as though the NBA business model is too lenient with the L.A.s and New Yorks of the league when it comes to payroll because bigger markets inherently have more to offer players both financially and otherwise. It’s not a coincidence the Lakers payroll last season was about $92 million compared to Sacramento‘s $45 million. In order to ensure parity in the NBA is such that even the smallest of markets can compete for titles, the owners want to institute a “hard salary cap” at about $46 million dollars — a set limit on how much money a franchise’s player-salary payroll can reach with very few exceptional reasons to exceed the limit. READ THE FULL COLUMN ON OUDAILY.COM

Ultimate Pizza Party

August 19, 6-8 pm @ the field by the huff

Welcome Mass and Cookout August 21, 5 pm at St. Thomas More

College Night

August 24, 7:30 pm at St. Thomas More

OU offers variety of intramurals So OU coach Bob Stoops never came to recruit you for the Sooners? Welcome to the majority. While you may not be stepping onto Owen Field on Saturdays, you can still relive your glory days on the field with intramurals. The Fitness and Recreation Department hosts over 40 sporting events each year that let students compete against each other while staying active and healthy. Intramurals are open to all Norman Campus OU undergraduate and graduate students. Both team and individual events are held. Some team events include flag football, volleyball and soccer. Individual sports include horseshoes, tennis and table tennis. To compete, students must pay a fee for most events. Team fees range from $25 to $60. Individual events, however, are only $1 to enter. Students can compete with fraternities, sororities or residential halls to take a season title as well. Points are awarded to the winners of each event based on a five-level point scale. The sports worth the most points include flag football, basketball and six-on-six volleyball. The least valuable include badminton, pickleball and horseshoes. Students may register for intramurals at the Huston Huffman Fitness Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Visit OUDaily.com for a full list of sports offered and the dates they’re available. — Ryan Gerbosi/The Daily

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COLUMN

Never forget there almost wasn’t a 2011 NFL season STAFF COLUMN UMN

RJ Youngg

The NFL lockout lasted 136 days, and we should do our best to never let the players or owners forget it. This whole ordeal was stupid — stupid like watching two fat kids who want the last piece of what amounts to an enormous chocolate cake neither of them had the stomach to hold. There was more than enough cake to go around, but the owners and players still had to fight over which was going to have the bigger half. I guess when you’re worth millions of dollars, the word “share” is omitted from your vocabulary. I know money talks. I know that’s the reason the owners and players both drew lines in the sand. But I also I know the players couldn’t lock themselves out. And I also know there is nothing more bizarre and stupid than thinking the owners and the players walked away from that negotiation table with anything less than what they felt the deserved. But until July 26, the owners looked like a fat kid with chocolate cake around the mouth asking for fifths. You couldn’t really fault the players for not wanting to give up their slice of cake, especially since all they were asking was that the owners prove they had the tapeworm they said they had. I’m glad the two sides kissed and made up and are now going to try to act like this never happened with

PHOTOG/AP

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell XX XX XXXX XX XXXX XX X X X XX XXX X XX XXXX XX XXXX X XX XXXX X XXXX XX XX XX XX XXXX XX XXXX XX X X X XX XXX X XX XXXX XX XXXX X XX XXXX X XXXX XX XX XX XX XXXX XX XXXX XX X X X XX XXX X XX XXXX JEFF ROBERSON/AP

St. Louis Rams quarterback and former Sooner Sam Bradford speaks during a news conference July 26 at the team’s football training facility in St. Louis. After the lockout was lifted July 26, NFL players like Bradford could get back to preparing for the season with training camps, practices and free agency. this ridiculous back-to-football campaign. The CBA — the reason the owners locked the players out in the first place — will last 10 years and does not include an opt-out clause of any kind. That means both the owners and players will have to play nice in a laborfriendly environment at least until the year 2021.

They are legally bound to each other in what amounts to an ironclad prenuptial agreement. For fans, this means we will not have to go through another ridiculous offseason like this one for quite some time. Yes, players and owners will still bicker amongst themselves, asking for millions of dollars on top of

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more millions, but they will still have to have a season, and that’s all you and I and the guy who pays every year for NFL Sunday Ticket package cares about. Bu t h e y , t h i s l o c k o u t wasn’t about us — it wasn’t about an extremely small collection of multi-millionaires who wanted more of each other ’s money,

the money you and I keep throwing at them by the handful. The owners and players have spoiled this beautiful sport for the rest of us with constant yearning for attention and Grinch-like money-grumblings. And I will never let forget it. But regardless of whether I like it, those two parties

happen to play my favorite sport at the highest level, or as my economic professor once put it, “Product meet demand; demand bow to product.” Still, to hell with the NFL. Bring on football. — RJ Young, professional writing grad student

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Library Welcome Longest Happy Hour In Town

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$6 Domestic Pitchers $7 Domestic Buckets $8 Boulevard Pitchers Mon-Wed 4-9 pm Thurs-Sat 4pm-12am

Pizza S Until erved 3 Thurs a.m. -Sat!

Thursday, August 18, 1:30 – 3:30 PM Friday, August 19, 1:30 – 3:30 PM

$10 1-Large, 1Topping Pizza Thursday -All Day Long-

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Closest Bike Shop to Campus!

561 Buchanan Avenue Norman, OK (405) 364-5513 buchananbikes.com

Stop by Bizzell Memorial Library for a quick “meet and greet.” Meet a few of the library staff members, learn how the library helps students succeed at OU, and find out why Bizzell is packed with students all the time, all semester long. Short library tours will be offered for those who would like them. For more information, please call (405) 325-4142 or e-mail librarian@ou.edu

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ATHLETICS CALENDAR

Fall sports can keep you busy for free August

19 SOCCER

The first two months of classes will be packed with sports events on campus. Students with valid OU IDs will be able to attend soccer and volleyball games for free.

21 SOCCER

» vs. UAB 7 p.m. John Crain Field

26 SOCCER

» vs. Tennessee 1 p.m. John Crain Field

28 SOCCER

29 VOLLEYBALL

» vs. SMU 7 p.m. John Crain Field

4 SOCCER

27 VOLLEYBALL

» vs. Tennessee 1 p.m. John Crain Field

» vs. Oral Roberts Noon McCasland Field House

VOLLEYBALL

» vs. SMU 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. Missouri State 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

2 SOCCER

September

3 FOOTBALL

» vs. Oral Roberts 7 p.m. John Crain Field

6 VOLLEYBALL

» vs. Missouri State 7 p.m. John Crain Field

» vs. Colorado State 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. Tulsa 7 p.m. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

16 VOLLEYBALL

17 VOLLEYBALL

» vs. Arkansas 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. Texas Southern 2 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Noon McCasland Field House

VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER

» vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. BYU 7 p.m. John Crain Field

VOLLEYBALL » vs. Boise State 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

24 FOOTBALL » vs. Missouri 7 p.m. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

28 VOLLEYBALL

30 SOCCER

» vs. Texas 7 p.m. McCasland Field House

» vs. Oklahoma State 7 p.m. John Crain Field

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BACK TO SCHOOL EDI T ION

CAMPUS LIFE

STUDENT LIFE

Fall’s first week to help newcomers Howdy Week events offer students free food, music and other activities

Schedule

ENJOLI DI PATRI

MONDAY (AUG. 22)

The Oklahoma Daily

Change can cause feelings of excitement and anxiety, but Howdy Week may help new students make the transition to college this fall. This year, the Howdy Week board is striving not only to welcome incoming freshmen but also to invite transfer, international and returning students into the Sooner family. Howdy Week activities will be centered around this year’s theme, “Time of yOUr Life.” “When I was a freshman, I was really nervous to attend college,” said Stephanie Black, Howdy Week vice c ha i r o f p ro g ra m m i n g . “Howdy Week was my first opportunity to experience campus life, make friends and have fun.” The week will include bands, free food every day from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., games and activities to welcome students to a new school year and provide opportunities to get involved on campus, Black said “Anyone and everyone are welcome to partake in the activities,” Black said. To fund the week, UOSA provided the Howdy Week Board with an allocation of $2,500 for this year’s Howdy Week. “We’re so appreciative of the funding we receive from UOSA,” said Elizabeth Huggins, Howdy Week chair.

» Watermelon Bash in the Walker-Adams Mall The Walker-Adams Mall is the space between Walker Tower and Adams Tower dorms.

TUESDAY »Involvement Fair on the South Oval Student groups will offer information about their organizations to get new students learn how to be involved on campus. The South Oval is the main part of campus just north of the dorms and south of the library. LILY CHAPA/DAILY FILE PHOTO

Students walk past decorated signs and the Sower Statue during academic year 2009-2010’s Howedy Week. Howdy Week is held annual to help new students get adapted to campus by offering free food, concerts and multiple games and events.

local businesses to cover costs not covered by UOSA funding. Huggins said the board Follow Howdy Week sought co-sponsors like on Twitter: the Union Programming @OUHowdyWeek Board to help cover additional costs. The Union For questions about Howdy Programming Board will Week, contact the Campus c ov e r ro o m c h a r g e s i n Activities Council at the Oklahoma Memorial 405-325-3163. Union. Planning for Howdy Week “It helps us get started with began last fall, and everyHowdy Week planning.” one has been working hard The Howdy Week board to make this a great success also seeks sponsorship from for new students and the

More info

There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them!

returning OU family, Angier said. “I’m really looking forward to the Watermelon Bash,” Angier said. “It dates far back in OU’s history, and actually started the idea of Howdy Week.” The Watermelon Bash is one of many activities during Howdy Week, such as the Freshman Barbecue and the Midnight Breakfast. This year, we’ve really focused on building events around making each student feel like they’re immediately

part of the OU family, Angier said. The Involvement Fair during Howdy Week will offer a variety of ways for students to find their place in OU’s family through student organizations. “Everyone has worked so hard; we can’t wait for the best week of the year to get here,” said Mattie Gattenby, Howdy Week executive vice chair. H o w d y We e k b e g i n s Monday and will take place on the South Oval.

WEDNESDAY » Freshman Barbecue in the Walker-Adams Mall featuring live music Open to all students, not just freshmen.

THURSDAY » Midnight Breakfast Breakfast served from midnight to 2 a.m. at Crossroads in the Oklahoma Memorial Union that includes fun activities for students.

FRIDAY » Concert for students on the Union lawn

Welcome Back Seniors!

LDC brings Latin Culture to the University of Oklahoma through our most popular dances!

LSALSA LMERENGUE

LBACHATA LCHA CHA CHA

Join us for our Fall 2011 events:

BECOME A LATIN DANCER IN 4 WEEKS Beginners / Intermediate Dance Classes Sept. 15th to Oct. 6th Frontier Room - Oklahoma Memorial Union $20 for 4 classes For More Information Contact us!!!

E-mail latindanceclub@ou.edu

Facebook Group OU Latin Dance Club

Get set to GRADUATE A SOONER! 1. Complete a final degree check with your academic advisor. 2. Submit your Graduation Application. Oct. 1 deadline for fall ’11 grads March 1 deadline for spring ’12 grads 3. Attend Graduation Gear-Up! Visit ou.edu/commencement and click on “Graduation Gear-Up” for more information.

For more information visit ou.edu/classof2012 The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

CAMPUS LIFE

Back to School Edition •

B11

RESTAURANTS

To eat the best, you’ve got to try ‘em all Norman offers a wide vareity of local and chain eateries, bars and cafes ALYSSA GRIMLEY The Oklahoma Daily

When driving around Norman looking for a place to eat, oftentimes you and your friends could starve to death before choosing just one of the many food options. When choosing an eatery, it is a natural tendency to go to a place you have been to before or you already know is good. Branch out, try

something new and don’t confine yourself to the sameold same-old food. Most importantly, do not judge a restaurant by its size or the greasy smell in the air. For example, The Diner on Main Street looks like a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Do not judge — the Diner has been featured on Guy Fieri’s show “Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives” and has amazing food. Yes, you will leave this place with the smell of grease oozing out of your pores, but it’s worth it.

S a m e g o e s f o r G re e k House. Yes, it will probably be hot and steamy inside Greek House, there may not be any place for you to sit and you might be disturbed by the large hunks of meat on spits roasting in full view of the customers, but do not judge. The food is delicious and plentiful and will keep you coming back. So instead of visiting the usual Chipotle for lunch, branch out and find some of the more unique cuisine Norman has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.

Cafes » GRAY OWL COFFEE: This coffee shop has a hippie atmosphere and shelves full of books for patrons to enjoy. MICHELANGELO’S COFFEE AND WINE BAR: Warm and inviting, this cafe serves up wine and chocolate as well as coffee.

Gray Owl Coffee

The Earth Cafe and Deli is another great local place on Campus Corner to eat. It serves fresh, natural foods that are good for you and the environment. They also have several vegetarian and organic options.

Local restaurants on Campus Corner

Bars/Clubs » LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR BROTHERS EATERY & PUB » O’CONNELL’S JOE’S TAVERNA SEVEN47 EVE NIGHTCLUB LOGAN’S BLACKBIRD GASTROPUB

» NEW YORK PIZZA & PASTA: The name says it all. Victoria’s Pasta Shop: This small restaurant serves up quality Italian food, and it’s great for students on a budget. LA LUNA MEXICAN CAFE: A Mexican restaurant with a festive atmosphere. HIDEAWAY PIZZA: Hideaway has a giant menu that could please even the pickiest of diners. CAFE PLAID: This restaurant serves a variety of foods such as sandwiches, pastas and soups. PEPE DELGADO’S: A cheaper and more authentic version of La Luna Mexican Cafe. O’Connell’s » TEA CAFE: This is more of an Asian food restaurant and less of a cafe. OTHELLO’S: Fresh from a small hiatus, and under new management, Othello’s Italian restaurant is slated to reopen in August.

New York Pizza & Pasta

Tea Cafe

Chain restaurants on Campus Corner Louie’s

VISIT OUDAILY.COM TO READ ABOUT PLACES TO EAT ON CAMPUS.

CHIPOTLE: This purveyor of giant burritos is guaranteed to satisfy your hunger. PITA PIT: Pita Pit offers pita sandwiches and other healthy food options. » FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO: Freebirds has excellent burritos and is decorated with foil sculptures that the Freebirds patrons make.

VISIT OUDAILY.COM TO READ ABOUT MORE LOCAL RESTAURANTS, CHAIN RESTAURANTS AND DESERT SPOTS IN NORMAN. ALL PHOTOS BY MARC BREIDY AND HUNTER CLAUSON

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B12

CAMPUS LIFE

• Back to School Edition

Campus offers students cultural experiences OU provides art, music and culture for Sooner students and the Norman community that are housed in four buildings on university grounds ENJOLI DI PATRI The Oklahoma Daily

Norman offers many cultural outlets for students such as the Sam Noble Museum, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Catlett Music Center and the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. Students looking to take a break from their rigorous college work can stroll through their choice of museums or see a play, opera or musical or hear the symphony, all without leaving campus.

 Sam Noble Museum of Natural History 2401 CHAUTAUQUA AVE. OU’s Sam Noble Museum of Natural History features five permanent galleries: the Hall of Natural Wonders, the Hall of the People of Oklahoma, the Hall of Ancient Life, the Gallery of World Cultures and the Orientation Gallery. The Hall of Natural Wonders gives visitors all of the sights and sounds found in Oklahoma’s varying landscapes. There is a limestone cave, the Ozark highlands diorama and the mixed-grass prairie diorama. The museum plans to add new, permanent dioramas in the future such as a swamp, a tall grass prairie and a black mesa. The Hall of the People of Oklahoma traces the rich history of Native Americans, beginning with archeological exhibits. READ MORE AT OUDAILY.COM

Admission is free for students with valid OU IDs. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art  555 ELM AVE. The permanent collection has nearly 16,000 pieces of art from different time periods ranging from the 16th century to the present. The collections include art of the Americas, contemporary art, European art and photography. Current exhibits include works by Leon Polk Smith, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein and other contemporary artists. The Mary and Howard Lester Wing houses extensive Asian, African, American and Oceanic art. The new Stuart Wing will be opening this fall and will feature the Eugene B. Adkins Collection, which has American and Native American art from the Southwest. The lower level of the museum will display the Beatrice Carr Wallace Gallery of Christian Icons, which is returning as a permanent collection. The museum also has an array of photography featuring many styles and approaches.

Admission is free for students with valid OU IDs. Hours: Closed Mondays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday

Visit V OUDaily.com to read more about the Catlett Music Center aand Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.

ALL PHOTOS BY CASEY WILLIAMS

LIFE&ARTS

BACK TO SCHOOL EDI T ION

LIFESTYLE

Health nut says: Get back in the gym In the beginning, there was only you and the thought — the impulse to exercise. That thought often does not come in the form of a great spiritual moment of clarity. More often than not, it comes from the realization that your jeans don’t fit, your body is now bulging out of places you had no idea existed or your inability to make it up three flights of stairs without gasping for oxygen. So, here you are at a gym — nay, the human torture chamber — and all you can think is, “What happens now?” You could either turn around and run back to the couch, your favorite bag of potato chips and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s finest, or you could man up — or woman up, as the case may be — and tame the dragon. You know what you have to do. You know it won’t be easy. But if you choose to take the plunge, forcing your body to endure the suffering needed to reach your goal, you will be rewarded in pounds lost, inches cinched and measures of confidence. That’s why you’re ultimately in the gym, isn’t it? You want to prove to yourself you can do this. You want to prove to the mirror you aren’t the person it reflects you to be. So first things first: Be sure you are dressed appropriately. That means gym shorts, a t-shirt and tennis shoes are the style of the day. (You may wear a sweatband if you must, but please leave the kneehigh socks at home. The ‘80s ended more than 20 years ago.) You don’t want your workout clothes to fit too tightly or be flamboyant — the gym is not a night club. You are there to work, and your dress should reflect that. Find a vacant stationary bike or treadmill and pedal or walk at a leisurely pace for three to five minutes. The goal right now is to warm your body up for the work it will have to perform in the coming hour. Use this time to reflect on why

LINDSEY RUTA/THE DAILY

Petroleum engineering sophomores Ali Alkhamis, left, and Mohammad Alhasam work out at the Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center. you are in the gym and what you want STAFF COLUMN UMN to get out of a daily exercise regimen. RJ Youngg Found your center? Fantastic. For the workout, you will want to hit the weights first, then do a form of cardiovascular exercise. Your body needs to be able to work at its least fatigued when lifting weights. This will help you prevent injury and allow you to perform more repetitions with more weight. Generally speaking, weight training allows the body to burn 200-300 calories per hour depending on the weight of the person and the intensity level at which they exercise.

Weight lifting also is important because it helps promote fat loss. For beginners, running through a full-body weightlifting exercise regimen is a daunting task, so for now, pick four exercises — preferably two lower-body and two upper-body — and complete three sets of 10 repetitions for each. The last repetition of each set of exercises should be hard and provoke the urge to make a nasty face. If you’re able to smile and giggle by your 10th rep, you’re doing it wrong. This part of the workout should take between 20 and 30 minutes depending on your fitness level.

After you’ve worked up a sweat with the weights, it’s time to hit the cardio floor. As a general rule, the longer you are able to perform light to moderate cardiovascular activity, the more fat you will burn. And after all, burning fat is what it’s all about. If it’s been a while since you strapped on your running shoes, you might opt to tighten up your shoelaces and go for a stroll. Thought it is the easiest form of cardio, it won’t get you very far in the fat-burning game. Now that you’re body is pissed off at you, it’s time to cool down. If there is a stationary bike around, you might pedal on it for three to five minutes like you did during your warm-up or walk leisurely on the treadmill.

STUDENT LIFE

You must do something that requires you to move your extremities, but slowly. It is crucial that you stay lightly active at the end of a workout to promote blood flow throughout your body and to help kick-start the recovery process. Get a drink of water, make a healthy food choice immediately following your workout and get a good night’s rest because tomorrow you’re going to wake up and do it all over again, right? — RJ Young, professional writing gradate student Young has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Tulsa and has worked as a personal trainer in years past.

STUDENT LIFE

Freshman mistakes to avoid at OU Welcome to college. Now that you’re here, the last thing you want to do is make a bunch of mistakes, but mistakes seem to be inevitable. Year after year, freshmen make the same mistakes, caught in a vicious cycle of just not knowing how things work. If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll make fewer mistakes than your friends because of it.

How to fit in at OU and not be a tool High school lunch rooms are organized into specific groups, much like a caste system. There aren’t special tables for athletes or nerds in college, but you’ll be stereotyped by your group of friends. Here are some pointers on how to control the group you end up in.

HIPSTERS No. 1: Don’t wear your letter jacket anymore

You want to be a hipster? Stop showering, start smoking American Spirit cigarettes, buy clothes at vintage stores, own a pair of TOMS shoes, get a record player and spend copious amounts of time at Gray Owl Coffee.

You’re no longer in high school. No one in college cares that you were a four-year letter winner in football unless you’re now an OU player. Letter jackets do not make you look cool. In fact, I find it hard to believe letter jackets ever made anyone look cool, and I wore one all through high school back in my day. Their only purpose now is to be a warm coat that also screams, “Punch the wearer of this jacket in the throat” to everyone around you. Not cool, man.

NERDS In all honesty, if you are a level 85 Draenei shaman, your work is done.

JOCKS So you might not be a collegiate athlete. So what? You were in high school. Talk about the good ol’ days, wear your old jerseys around and dominate intramurals.

No. 2: Don’t try to cheat the parking system Whether you think you are, you are not smarter than the swarm of parking enforcers. Sure, it might seem like a good idea to hold onto those annoying yellow envelopes with a parking ticket inside to stick on your windshield when you don’t want another one, but those parking folks check. They have computers and stuff to check that sort of stuff for them, and they’re paid to enforce the parking rules (read: write tickets). You honestly think they won’t check your car because there’s a million other ones in that lot, too? You might find a loophole you can exploit, but don’t exploit it too often or it will disappear like your spending money after you build up a semester’s worth of parking tickets. You can fight the battle, but you will always lose the war.

GREEKS Do you love Polo shirts? Are half your clothes pastel ‘80s colors? Do you despise people who aren’t like you? You’re perfect. Just pass the hazing first.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Jason Street from NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” rocked a letter jacket. But he was in high school. Letter jackets cease to be cool after high school, James Corley says. transverse from the empty “with great power comes expanse of the eastern side great responsibility.” STAFF COLUMN of campus to class is a defiAlso, your meal points nite downside. are more valuable than gold James Corley This is a lesson I learned to upperclassmen who are the hard way: If it’s 9:15 a.m. forced to survive on ramen and you’re just now pulling and taquitos, so use that to into the Duck Pond lot for your 9:30 class, your advantage or be generous and make run. older friends who can protect you from bullies or whatever.

No. 3: Don’t assume you can be on time to class if you park at the Duck Pond

No. 4: Don’t eat Chick-fil-A for every single meal

There’s a lovely parking lot east of the football stadium that rarely fills up, even if the garage and closer lots do. It’s the worst. Don’t get me wrong, not having to wind all the way up the parking garage just to realize there aren’t any spots is a positive. However, needing 15 minutes or more to

It’s delicious, I know. I was once a brighteyed freshman with meal plan. Be cautious, though. I also can tell you that “freshman 15” thing is totally real if you don’t eat smart. Your meal plan and meal points are a great privilege — albeit one you or your parents had to pay a lot for — so remember that

No. 5: Don’t miss out on student football tickets

There are a few more options, but being a tool should not be one of them. Avoid Tapout shirts and Jersey Shore. — James Corley/The Daily

avoiding it, or you can give it a try. Maybe you’ll like it. Or maybe you’ll triple the money you spent on student tickets by reselling them. Either way, it’s a win-win for you.

No. 6: Don’t switch your major 15 million times I’m sure being a doctor or lawyer or astrophysicist sounds fun to most people, but after you flunk biology or English or Diffy-Q, you can’t just give up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your gen-eds out of the way early until you’re sure what you want to be when you grow up so you don’t lose time and credits switching back and forth.

I don’t care if you hate sports (well, actually, I do) and going to a football game sounds like the seventh level of hell to you — buy tickets and go to at least one game while you’re here. College football is king at OU. You can — James Corley, either spend your entire college career journalism senior

LIFE&ARTS

• Back to School Edition

MUSIC

OKC, Tulsa draw big-name star power Concerts featuring prominent artists will visit central and northeastern Oklahoma this fall If local music is your thing, Norman has a plethora of venues to accomodate your needs. Michaelangelo’s, Coach’s Brewhouse, the Opolis, Second Wind, the Deli and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art will be providing plenty of local or small-time flavor. But if you feel the need to go see the big-name acts, though, you’ll probably have to put a few miles on your car with road trips to Oklahoma City or Tulsa. — Kevin Pickard/The Daily Check OUDaily.com for more information and links about popular Norman venues and upcoming local shows.

FLEET FOXES Sept. 17

Stop by Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa to see the wintry folk band Fleet Foxes. Be ready for delicate harmonies and shimmering acoustics.



» Cain’s Ballroom — 423 N. Main St., Tulsa

PHOTO PROVIDED

Fleet Foxes perform live at a show earlier this year. The band is one of the more prominent acts coming to Oklahoma this fall.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

TAYLOR SWIFT

Sept. 25

Sept. 21

Go hear the quirky pop of They Might Be Giants, also at Cain’s in Tulsa. Even though TMBG’s most recent release was a science-themed children’s album, the band’s catelogue — stretching back to the early ‘80s — still is deep enough to carry a good show.

Is she country or is she pop? Chances are if you are a Taylor Swift fan, you care less about her genre and more about hearing her tales of romance and heartache through her syrupy-sweet melodies and slight twang.

» Cain’s Ballroom — 423 N. Main St., Tulsa

KATY PERRY

» BOK Center — 200 S. Denver Ave., Tulsa

Oct. 15

Sept. 17

Katy Perry sings some of the catchiest music out there, and what better way to get songs stuck in your head than to hear her live? Stop by Tulsa and see her at the BOK Center.

» BOK Center — 200 S. Denver Ave., Tulsa

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY Oct. 13

The instrumental band that creates gigantic music is sure to put on one hell of a show at the Diamond Ballroom in OKC.

» Diamond Ballroom — 8001 S. Eastern Ave., Oklahoma City

If you would rather not make the drive to Tulsa to see Taylor Swift or are eager to see her a second time this fall, she also is playing at the OKC Arena. There will be more than enough Swift to go around this fall.

» OKC Arena — 100 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City

MUSIC

Fall releases have something for almost everyone It can get really expensive driving to concerts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa to see the big stars perform. If you don’t want to shell out the dough to make concert trips, an alternative to hearing some of your favorite bands and stars is to pick up their new albums. Looking at the upcoming album release schedule, fans of Stephen Malkmus and the Jinks to fans of Drake will have something to enjoy. Also, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and JoJo are planning on releasing new albums. You can find a list below highlighting upcoming album releases of the above artists and more. If that isn’t enough, you may find comfort knowing the Insane Clown Posse is producing an album with a yetto-be-announced title. One can only hope the album is released so we can have a good laugh. Or maybe they figured out how magnets finally work. (Music previews by Kevin Pickard/The Daily)

STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JINKS “Mirror Traffic” Aug. 23

Arguably the most influential figure in indie rock history, Stephen Malkmus is releasing his fifth album since the breakup of the band Pavement.

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH “Hysterical” Sept. 20

DRAKE “Take Care” Oct. 24

One of the music scene’s most talented rappers, watch for Drake’s follow up release to his hit debut “Thank Me Later.”

The band that got famous on the Internet and, therefore, came to epitomize the changing music scene of the 21st Century, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah release their third album.

BEIRUT “The Rip Tide” Aug. 30

Zach Condon and his cohorts create eclectic music that sounds transported from 19th century Europe; this album is sure to fall in the same vein.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS “I’m With You” Aug. 30

JOJO “Jumping Trains” Sept. 15

WILCO “The Whole Love” Sept. 27

Wilco’s eighth album and first for their own label dBpm.

Honsestly? JoJo still releases music? The last time I remember hearing JoJo was when I was 13, and JoJo was 14. This will be her third album, featuring the single, “The Other Chick.”

It has been five years since Red Hot Chili Peppers released “Stadium Arcadium,” the longest gap they have ever had between albums. Reportedly, this album has a different feel, both because of the departure of their previous guitarist, John Frusciante, and because their bassist, Flea, studied music theory at the University of Southern California during the five years between albums.

LIFE&ARTS

Back to School Edition •

MOVIES

Series reboots, sequels among fall films RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Aug. 5

Dec. 16

A prequel to/reboot of the classic science-fiction franchise, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” details how those darn apes became so advanced in the first place (spoiler: It’s James Franco’s fault). The trailer looked pretty awful, but so did the trailer for The Green Lantern, so that doesn’t really signify... Wait, nevermind. — Danny Hatch/The Daily

This is the second movie in the Sherlock Holmes franchise, and both Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as the dynamic duo. In the new film Sherlock Holmes and Watson learn more of Dr. Moriarty, who becomes their predominant adversary. Rachel McAdams returns as Holmes’ dangerous love interest, Irene Adler. Once again directed by Guy Ritchie, it promises to develop the epic battle between Holmes and Moriarty that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s series centered around. — LR

THE HELP Aug. 10

An adaption of the hugely popular novel by Kathryn Stockett, “The Help” chronicles the efforts of Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, played by Emma Stone, who stirs up some trouble in 1960s PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES CORLEY Mississippi when she asserts “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” a revamp of the movie series started in 1968, will open in theaters nationwide Aug. 5. that the black maids should have rights too. — DH the Conan franchise. For story of a young woman who, lovable stoner, “Our Idiot ever seen. you laypeople out there, let after witnessing her parents’ Brother” is a movie that I acSet in a future where rome translate: You’re getting murder as a child in Bogota, tually kind of want to see, so bots controlled by humans GLEE LIVE! 3D! the same crap with a ticket grows up to be a stone-cold I’ll keep the snark to a mini- now rumble in the boxing Aug. 12 that costs way more than it assassin. It is directed by mum. The film is about a ring, the movie tells the story Hey, look! This is a thing! of Charlie Kenton (Hugh — DH did in 1984. (Insert Arnold Olivier Megaton and stars brother who is an idiot. Schwarzenegger affair joke Zoe Saldana of “Star Trek” — DH Jackman), a former boxing and “Avatar” fame. champ who’s now washedCONAN THE BARBARIAN here.) — DH — Lindsey Ruta/The Daily REAL STEEL up. Down on luck and cash, Aug. 19 Charlie pairs with an old Oct. 7 According to Wikipedia, sparring robot in an underThis boxing drama may this isn’t related to the COLOMBIANA OUR IDIOT BROTHER evoke similar themes, but it dog story about redemption. Aug. 31 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Aug. 26 — LR ‘Colombiana’ tells the Starring Paul Rudd as a isn’t like any “Rocky” you’ve but is instead a new take on

EVENTS

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL Dec. 16

The fourth movie in the series begins when the IMF is shut down after being implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin. Once again, Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and his new team to must go rogue to clear their organization’s name. Ving Rhames returns as Luther Stickell, but there are some new faces to join the cast, including Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner. — LR

COMMUNITY

Fine arts abundant at Oklahoma Local purchases Music events MASALA WORLD MUSIC SERIES: NORTH INDIAN FOLK MUSIC World music concert featuring drums and vocals

» Tickets $9 adults; $5 students, OU faculty/staff and senior adults » 8-10 p.m. Sept. 23 » Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd SUTTON ARTIST SERIES: NOSFERATU SILENT MOVIE WITH ORGAN Dr. John Schwandt at the mighty Möller Theatre Organ adds the soundtrack to silent movie classic Eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror).

» Tickets $9 adults; $5 students, OU faculty/staff and senior adults » 8-10 p.m. Oct. 28 » Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd OU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HALLOWEEN CONCERT Music director Jonathan Shames leads the orchestra and the OU Chorale in a concert featuring Mendelssohn’s supernatural cantata “Die erste Walpurgisnacht.” Perfect music for Halloween!

» Tickets $9 adults; $5 students, OU faculty/staff and senior adults » 8-10 p.m. Oct. 31 » Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd

Fine arts events UNIVERSITY THEATRE DRACULA School of Drama

The Main Stage season kicks off with William McNulty’s acclaimed adaption of Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula.

» Performances are 8 p.m. Sept. 23-24, 29-30 and Oct. 1 and 3 p.m. Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. » Rupel Jones Theatre, Fine Arts Center 563 Elm Ave. SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre

This Broadway musical imagines the circumstances surrounding a classical painting.

» Performances are Oct. 21-30. » Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval THE NUTCRACKER School of Dance

Once every four years, University Theatre and the School of Dance present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Choreography by Mary Margaret Holt.

Whether you like movies, music, arts or chili, there’s usually lots to do in Norman. Take a look at some of the upcoming events as proof. Can’t find anything you like here? Don’t worry — more events are added as the school year progresses. — Casey Wright/The Daily

Art events INVITATIONAL ARTIST SARA SCHNECKLOTH EXIHIBIT School of Art & Art History

» Aug. 15-Sept. 2 » Fred Jones Jr. Art Center, Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval INCOMING GRADUATE EXHIBITION School of Art & Art History

» Sept. 12–22 » Fred Jones Jr. Art Center, Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval “ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG: PRINTS FROM UNIVERSAL LIMITED ART EDITIONS, 1962-2008” » Sept. 23–Dec. 30 » Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art “NO HEAVEN AWAITS US: CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO” EXHIBITION » Oct. 22-Dec. 30 » Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art FACULTY SHOW » Oct. 26–Nov. 17 » Fred Jones Jr. Art Center, Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval You taste and vote for the winning pot of chili in this “heated” competition by dozens of chili aficionados. Proceeds support student scholarships and travel grants.

sushi• stir fry• steaks • cocktails • fine sake and wine

» $8 at the door for all-you-can-eat chili; $15 for chili and a handmade ceramic chili bowl » Nov. 16 » Fred Jones Jr. Art Center, Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval “ART AND THE LANDSCAPE” School of Art & Art History

» Nov. 28-Dec. 9 » Fred Jones Jr. Art Center, Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval

K&R

10% Discount for OU students, faculty & staff w/ ID.

ART “À LA CARTE”

OU OPERA THEATRE

» Every Friday this Fall » FJMA - Dee Dee and Jon R. Stuart Classroom

» Performances are 8 p.m. Oct 13-15 and 3 p.m. Oct. 16. » Weitzenhoffer Theatre, Fine Arts Center, 563 Elm Ave.

— James Corley, journalism senior

FOURTH ANNUAL ARTS ALLIANCE CHILI BOWL

» Performances are 8 p.m. Dec. 2-4 with the OU Symphony Orchestra live; and 8 p.m. performances with pre-recorded music Dec. 8-10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3-4, 10-11. » Rupel Jones Theatre, Fine Arts Center 563 Elm Ave.

The Coronation of Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi was one of the first operas to use actual historical events and people.

When you find yourSTAFF COLUMN self needing something, you’re usually faced with a James Corley choice: buy locally or buy corporately. Now you might be thinking to yourself, “Oh boy, here goes this hipster crap again,” but I urge you to consider my argument. Local businesses are the life-blood of communities. In most cases when you buy from a local business, you’re not only supporting that business but also the local suppliers that business uses. Need caffeine? Sure, Starbucks is located conveniently on Campus Corner, but if you can make the drive to Main Street to visit Gray Owl Coffee, you’ll be boosting Norman’s economy instead of Seattle’s. Hungry? Yes, McDonald’s or Jimmy John’s or Chipotle can be delicious, but so can Victoria’s, Cafe Plaid and Hideaway Pizza (yes, it’s a chain, but it started in Stillwater). Need some new music? You could either hop on your computer and buy from iTunes or you could hop in your car and drive to Guestroom Records. Most new-release vinyls come with digital downloads, so you can keep filling up your iPod at the same time. If you don’t have a record player, don’t fret: Guestroom carries a wide variety of CDs — and a few cassettes! — to fit your musical needs. It doesn’t really matter where you’re from for you to care about the community you’re in now. When Norman’s economy is strong and thriving, it can grow and improve, thereby improving your experience in it. So whether you’re from Tulsa or Texas, Norman will be your home for nine months out of the next one to five years, so buy locally to support this community.

School of Art & Art History

Each month, the FJJMA teams up with the Norman Arts Council’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art, a citywide arts event connecting the Downtown Arts District, the OU Arts District, the Firehouse Art Center, the Jacobson House and other local galleries and organizations. The FJJMA offers live music, hands-on art activities and short films by the deadCENTER Film Festival.

L’INCORONAZIONE DE POPPEA

help everyone

HAPPY • 3-6PM daily & one hour before close

HOUR 10% not valid on happy hour.

For more info on these and other events not listed, visit the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts website at http://www.ou.edu/finearts/

• 1/2 price select appetizers • $3.50 select rolls, $2 nigiri, $5 sashimi • $1.75 domestic beers

Patio Now Open • Now Hiring Servers 105 12th Avenue SE • East 12th & Alameda 405.701.8899 • www.oasianfusion.com

LIFE&ARTS

• Back to School Edition

VIDEO GAMESS

Marcus Fenix, “Gears of War 3”

Commander Shepard, “Mass Effect 3”

Nathan Drake, “Uncharted 3”

New releases feature third installments of popular titles CHASE COOK | THE DAILY We all require a bit of rest and relexation, so it’s great that the fall and spring semester new benchmark for first-person- modern-combat shooters. Unfortunately, students may have to wait until winter and summer break to actually coincide with the release dates of some of the biggest names in gaming. Marcus Fenix, Nathan Drake and Commander Shepard are all making a return this play the games. However, if gamers budget their time and pick and choose which games academic year in what seems to be final installments in their series. Gamers also will see to pick up, it’s possible to enjoy some of the best games. Below is a list and brief overview of some of the exciting games being released. the first Diablo game in a decade and an update to the Battlefield series that could be the

BATTLEFIELD 3 Developer: DICE Publisher: Electronic Arts Release date: Oct. 25 Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 (rumored to be on the Wii-U as well, but not officially confirmed)

Sure, it’s another modern combat shooter, but the latest installment in the Battlefield series could be the best so far. The game hasn’t been playable for the masses yet, but reports from gaming websites and magazines state “Battlefield 3” will maintain the team-based tactics and slower-paced gameplay of its predecessors. DICE also has created a new version of the Frostbyte Engine that promises updated graphics, more destructible environments and hopefully a grand ole time. The addition of the new graphical engines means DICE is taking the Battlefield series to the next level and not just the next numerical number. MASS EFFECT 3 Developer: Bioware Publisher: Electronic Arts Release Date: March 6, 2012 Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC

The best way to describe the Mass Effect series is to think of the games as a massive, linked choose-your-own-adventure series spread over three novels. Then imagine that series in space with dozens of alien races that all speak excellent English. The final installment in Bioware’s Mass Effect series will bring the science-fiction epic back to Earth for the ultimate encounter with an ancient, alien civilization bent on destroying the galaxy. It doesn’t seem like a complicated plot, but Bioware’s Action/Role Playing Game hybrid eschews mindless action for tactical squad combat and brilliant storytelling. “Mass Effect 3” looks like Bioware will be continuing the trend of dialogue over action, but it won’t skimp on the latter. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE’S DECEPTION Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Release date: Nov. 1 Platform: Playstation 3

The third chapter of the Uncharted series is taking Nathan Drake and gamers to the desert to find the lost Arab city, Iram of the Pillars. The Uncharted series is the closest gamers can get to feeling like they are Indiana Jones. It’s a fun, adventure-filled series championing fast-paced combat coupled with exciting platforming across crumbling buildings and sinking ships. The Uncharted is an excellent series with a cast of protagonists that maintain believable personalities while thrust into supernatural and inescapable situations. Hopefully, “Uncarted 3: Drake’s Deception” will make its predecessors proud. DIABLO 3 Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Release date: TBA Platform: PC

If you fire up Diablo 2 and log on to that level 99 Necromancer, you may find people are still playing a game released more than 11 years ago. Now, fans of the loot-hoarding series will get another shot at stealing all the underworld’s treasures. Blizzard’s “Diablo 3” isn’t promising anything new, players will assume the role of a particular class and they will battle of the denizens of hell and other dark places to get shiny, new items. Blizzard’s history of taking as much time as they want on projects means the game’s transition will be exponential instead of sequential. Blizzard’s dedication to quality could lead to gamers keeping “Diablo 3” on their hard drives for another 10 years. GEARS OF WAR 3 Developer: Epic Entertainment Publisher: Microsoft Studios Release date: Sept. 20 Platform: Xbox 360

While “Gears of War 3” (and a few other titles on this list) aren’t moving video games forward in the artistic department, it’s hard to argue with the Gears of War series’ formula. Take military troops, place them in massive armor and have them use ridiculously violent weapons in a war to save the planet from alien forces. It might be Michael Bay’s wet dream game, but Epic Entertainment channels unbridled testosterone into effective gameplay that is easy to pick up and damn entertaining. From the gameplay videos, it looks like “Gears of War 3” will tow the series line, but it’s going to add more multiplayer content with new competitive modes and expanding cooperative to four players.

Reason #5

Indie spotlight — “Rayman: Origins” Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier Publisher: Ubisoft Release date: November 2011 Platform: Xbox Live, Playstation Network

In an era of big budgets, huge developers and modern warfare, it’s nice to see a prominent publisher use the indie-developer model. Ubisoft has assembled a small team of developers to create “Rayman: Origins” and their idea is to use smaller groups to maximize creativity. This isn’t the first time a developer has done this, but it is the first time Ubisoft has dipped into the downloadable market with a promising game. The game is set in the Rayman universe, so bright colors and strange creatures are guaranteed, but gameplay videos and demos show the small development team is keeping the game simple. It’s a 2-D cooperative platformer, so

THE BALCONY

keeping everything simple facilitates the entertainment. Ubisoft also said — in the wake of outcry from gamers that games are too easy now — that “Rayman: Origins” will bring challenges to gamers they haven’t experienced since playing Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo and Ninja Gaiden on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Visit OUDaily.com for more previews, including “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and World of Warcraft’s next planned expansion.

Movie Line: (405) 703-3777 WarrenTheatres.com

Just South of 4th Street on I-35 in Moore