L&A: British songstress brings her charm to the states (Page 8)
Opinion: Marriage equality in the U.S. advanced Monday but not far enough (Page 4)
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JUST MARRIED Oklahoma same-sex couples benefit from federal court ruling
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arly Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to not hear the five cases seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage, making gay marriage legal in 30 states, including Oklahoma — one of the five cases turned away. Soon after, a federal court of appeals lifted its stay on same-sex marriage in Oklahoma. After the District Attorney cleared Oklahoma courthouses to issue same-sex marriage licenses. On page 3, read how the day played out for two Oklahoma same-sex couples, same-sex couples lined up to receive marriage licenses.
MARY AND SHARON Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin, alongside another couple, filed a lawsuit in 2004 against Oklahoma’s same-sex marriage ban. On Monday, the two ended their decade-long suit with a marriage outside the Tulsa County Courthouse. Read more about the couple’s legal battle, their wedding and their take on the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear their case.
AMBER AND HOLLY The Cleveland County Courthouse issued seven marriage licenses to same-sex couples as of 5 p.m. Monday. Read about what a marriage license means to one of the couples, Cleveland county residents Amber and Holly Starkman.
READ MORE ON
TONY RAGLE/THE DAILY
p. 3
Holly and Amber Starkman stand with their new marriage license Monday afternoon outside of the Cleveland County Courthouse. After the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear cases against same-sex unions, same-sex couples across the state — seven in Cleveland County as of 5 p.m. — have been taking advantage of their newly acquired rights.
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“Because people should have the right to love freely.”
“Government should not be the one to validate marriage.”
“Girls like girls who like girls.”
“I like girls!”
POLICE
EVENT
Report released on viral arrest
Traditional OU ring ceremony to honor seniors, alumna
Norman Police Department says it finds no wrongdoing in Sept. 8 campus arrest PAIGHTEN HARKINS Digital Managing Editor @PaightenHarkins
“The levels of force utilized were applied appropriately in response to Mr. Cannon’s continuing non-compliance to officers’ verbal commands.” KEITH HUMPHREY, NORMAN CHIEF OF POLICE
MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Assistant News Editor @BrestovanskyM
Following the release of a viral video showing the arrest of a Norman man on Sept. 8, the Norman Police Department has found the officers’ actions justifiable after the department performed an evaluation, according to a press release. The defendant, Willie Cannon, 23, was arrested Sept. 8, after police received a complaint that he was sexually harassing women on Campus Corner. The video, in which Cannon was heard screaming while officers restrained him, received scrutiny from groups like OU’s Students for a Stateless Society due to what members said seemed to be an act of excessive force. Cannon was arrested on charges of outraging the public decency and obstructing an officer. According to the review, the Norman Police Department WEATHER Sunny today with a high of 89, low of 66. Follow @AndrewGortonWX on Twitter for weather updates.
found the officers’ use of force justifiable given the circumstances. “The levels of force utilized were applied appropriately in response to Mr. Cannon’s continuing non-compliance to officers’ verbal commands,” said Keith Humphrey, Norman Chief of Police. “Although any use of force above the levels of command presence and verbal direction may be viewed unfavorably by some, it is necessary in order to gain and maintain control of non-compliant subjects.” The decision included the evaluation of audio and video from the incident by three of the department’s defensive tactics instructors, an incident evaluation by the professional standards division and a comprehensive report submitted to Humphrey, according to the press release.
DANIELLE WIERENGA News Reporter @Weirdenga
A ring ceremony honoring OU seniors and an alumna for their commitment to education will be held Friday. The Ring Ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s courtyard. The ceremony will be moved to the Union’s Beaird Lounge if there is inclement weather. The honoree at this year’s Ring Ceremony will be Carol Burr, director of publications for the OU Foundation, who has worked with Sooner Magazine on-and-off since before she graduated from OU in 1959, according to a press release.
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• Tuesday, October 7, 2014
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talk about how being legally married affects raising their child.
Paighten Harkins, digital managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
RELIGION
Muslims face misrepresentation Students worry recent Moore attack may feed anti-Islam sentiments DANA BRANHAM News Reporter @danabranham
When news outlets started reporting that a supposed Islam convert had beheaded a woman in a Moore grocery store, junior Yazan Salus was worried. “I told my sisters and mom to lay low for a little bit, because people will have this sort of ignorance towards the situation, and it’ll just spark a fire,” Salus said. Salus, an energy management junior, was concerned for his mother and sisters because they wear head scarves called hijabs — an unmistakable symbol of their Muslim faith, he said. “When you look at me, you can’t tell that I’m a Muslim,” Salus said. “But whenever you see someone wearing the hijab, the scarf, you can tell that they’re 100 percent Muslim.” University College freshman Sana Sandhu said that because she wears a hijab, she can be made to feel like an outsider. “Since I do cover the way I cover, they’ll look at me weirdly, and be like, ‘Why are you here?’ but I was born here,” Sandhu said. “I’m here to get my education. I was born here, and people don’t believe that because of the way I dress.” Situations like the attack in Moore are an example of how Islam and its believers are broadly cast in a negative light in a way that’s different from other religions. Had the attacker been of a different religion, “we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation right now,” biology junior Mohsain Gill said. “There are people that do hateful things, and they happen to be Muslim or they happen to be Christian, but just like there’s nowhere We don’t promote in the Bible where it teachkilling. We’re a es people to kill, there’s nowhere in the Quran where peaceful religion. it teaches people to kill,” Gill said. “When people do Islam means peace, those things, it’s just a bad literally.” bunch of people that have MOHSAIN GILL, some crazy ideologies, and BIOLOGY JUNIOR they use religion as a shield to promote those ideas.” Salus explained that in light of media coverage of Islam being overwhelmingly negative, it can be hard to convince others that the stereotypes are untrue. “Whenever this type of stuff happens, you can’t really convince others that this is not the stereotype of Islam whenever they see some terrorism acts going on frequently,” Salus said. “It’s very hard to show that Muslims are peace-loving people.” In the media, Muslims are “painted with a different brush,” Gill said. Still, he said that the actions of a handful of Muslims shouldn’t determine the image of the millions of Muslims in the world. “There are so many people — doctors, engineers, politicians — that are Muslims.” Gill said. “If there’s 1.5 billion, and there happens to be one or two or 10 or 20 people that
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DANA BRANHAM/THE DAILY
Above: University College freshman Sana Sandhu sits on a bench on OU’s Norman Campus. Sandhu said wearing a hijab on campus can make her feel like an outsider. Some Muslim students worry current events like the beheading in Moore have fostered anti-Muslim sentiments. Right: Biology junior Mohsain Gill poses for the The Daily. Gill said the media often portray Muslims in a different light than other religions.
do bad things — even one in this case in Moore — we can’t paint the whole culture, the whole race, the whole religion based on that.” By thinking through their actions more thoroughly and educating themselves on various religious beliefs, journalists can become more adept at reporting on religious issues ethically, David Craig, associate dean for academic affairs in Gaylord College, said. “I think there is in general in journalism, a big problem with not understanding religions in depth — not just Islam, but probably all faiths,” Craig said. “Journalists in general don’t have a high enough level of understanding of the religious backdrop of Islam to always provide intelligent context for what may be going on.” When media outlets don’t have reporters who fully understand Islam and its beliefs, they can cause harm to the Muslim community, Craig said. “If you focus too much on the labels or focus on them in a crudely worded manner, then that causes potential harm to the broader Muslim community here,” Craig said. “I’m guessing it’s creating a good deal of fear and anxiety for them.” Manar Kabbani, microbiology pre-dental senior and president of the Muslim Student Association, agreed, saying that education on Islam would help dispel misconceptions and stereotypes brought about by the media. “I just wish people honestly would just try to understand and interact with Muslims and read about our religion and
POLICE: Student group CEREMONY: Alumna disputes Norman PD to speak at ring event evaluation of incident Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 When asked for the group’s comment on Norman Police Department’s evaluation, Students for a Stateless Society member Grayson English said in an email that Norman PD officials say “the actions taken were acceptable, morally. Our position is that, to the contrary, it indicates that standard police procedure is immoral — brutal, extreme, unnecessary.” English witnessed the original incident on OU’s campus. English and fellow Students for a Stateless Society member Jason Byas met with Humphrey after the incident on Sept. 12 to discuss their concerns, Byas said in a message. After the meetings the group members released a statement on Sept. 17 saying that while Humphrey’s decision to speak with their group — which “openly calls for the abolition of the police” — “speaks to his sincerity,” the group members don’t believe the officers’ actions were warranted, even if the officers were in compliance with police procedures, according to the statement.
The ceremony awards OU rings as symbols of the receivers — in this case the Class of 2015 and Burr — to serve as symbols of each student’s commitment to higher education, according to the press release. Burr worked on Sooner Magazine part-time as a journalism senior and after graduation remained on the staff for four years before the birth of her first child, Burr said. As a mother Burr worked freelance for OU’s Alumni Association and in the 1980s was asked to return to OU to revive Sooner Magazine, after it had folded in the 1970s, she said. “The nice thing [about Sooner Magazine] is that you never run out of story ideas,” Burr said. “You meet very interesting people who are doing interesting and important things. They make good stories.” Even when she wasn’t with the university, Burr’s husband, the late David A. Burr, who served as OU’s vice president of University Affairs, kept Burr close to the OU community. “I never really left the university in my activities [or] in my heart,” Burr said. Burr said she was surprised and honored to be a part of the ceremony. Burr will also be the parade marshal in OU’s Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 18. Burr said that although the parade marshall role is demanding and something she never anticipated doing, she thinks she will have fun.
Paighten Harkins, harkinspd@ou.edu Danielle Wierenga dmiwierenga@gmail.com
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what it teaches before immediately just judging based off of what the media portrays us as,” Kabbani said. “I believe that they’d have a completely different perspective if they tried to do that.” Gill said he wants people to understand that Islam promotes peace, and that situations like the Moore attack aren’t representative of his faith.. “The Moore situation has received a lot of national attention as well as international attention, and that’s just not what our faith is,” Gill said. “We don’t promote killing. We’re a peaceful religion. Islam means peace, literally.” Dana Branham branham.dana@gmail.com
CORRECTION: In Monday’s page 3 editorial, the source of funds for the South Oval seal was incorrectly reported. The source of funding was from a donation by President David Boren and Molly Shi Boren. In Monday’s page 2 crime reports, Andrea Monique Barnes was incorrectly reported as arrested by OUPD.
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NEWS
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 •
3
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
‘It’s a great day to be gay...’ Sharon Baldwin and Mary Bishop finally wed after 10 years of waiting PAIGHTEN HARKINS, DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR ARIANNA PICKARD, ONLINE EDITOR TULSA — After a decade-long suit, Sharon Baldwin and her partner — now wife — Mary Bishop became the first same-sex couple in Oklahoma to get a marriage license at the Tulsa County courthouse Monday. But Baldwin’s LGBT activism didn’t begin when she sued the state for her right to marry. It all started at OU after she and a few of her friends were kicked out of a bar on ladies’ night. Baldwin, an OU alumna who graduated in 1992, was a member of the campus’s gay student group. She started attending meetings, and one night she and a few other women, all of whom were lesbians, decided to visit a bar across the street from the meeting and south of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, for ladies’ night. “The owner decided that we weren’t the type of ladies that she was trying to get in with that promotion, so she kicked us out,” Baldwin said. The group responded with protests and picket lines. “If you want to talk about the genesis of my activism, that was really a great experience in terms of saying, you know, you don’t have to treat me this way. So yeah, OU was a pretty special place in terms of my development as a lesbian, if you will,” Baldwin said. Baldwin and Bishop, alongside Gay Phillips and Susan Barton, began their lawsuit against Oklahoma in November 2004. In January, federal district Judge Terence Kern ruled Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, but the ruling had been stayed — meaning Oklahoma couples couldn’t get married — pending ruling from a higher court. The 10th U.S. Circuit of Appeals lifted its stay on same-sex marriage a little before noon Monday, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court denied appeals from five states — including Oklahoma — that would prohibit same-sex marriages. Since the federal appeals court lifted the stay, Oklahoma samesex couples, like Baldwin and Bishop, can get married, and that’s just what Baldwin and Bishop did. Bishop said when she woke up Monday morning, she wasn’t expecting to marry Baldwin until at least June because she assumed the U.S. Supreme Court would choose to hear one of the same-sex marriage cases and prolong her wait. Bishop said the couple hadn’t even picked out clothes to wear to their wedding. Despite the lack of planning, the couple was married Monday, wearing clothes they picked out from their closets and their mothers’ pearls. Bishop wore a garter that her mother wore on her wedding day. The ceremony began on the sidewalk outside the Tulsa County Courthouse among a gaggle of media and other couples who had come to get their marriage licenses. The marriage was officiated by Jane Wiseman, an Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals judge.
DANA BRANHAM/THE DAILY
Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin smile for the press after their wedding ceremony. The couple was one of the first to be married in Oklahoma after the Supreme Court lifted the state’s stay on same-sex marriage.
“... OU was a pretty special place in terms of my development as a lesbian, if you will.” SHARON BALDWIN, MARRIED TODAY AFTER SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN LIFTED EQUALITY CENTER IN TULSA
As the ceremony ended and the two were officially announced spouses, Baldwin fist pumped in the air. Then she and Bishop kissed and embraced for several seconds before finally turning to the crowd. Each had tears in their eyes. After the wedding, Toby Jenkins, executive director of the Dennis R Neill Equality Center in Tulsa, said, “It’s a great day to be gay in Oklahoma.” Bishop said she hadn’t had much time to gauge public reaction to the federal district court lifting its stay on same-sex marriage, but that she had seen a statement from Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. Fallin’s statement said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject the state’s appeal of the ruling striking down the Oklahoma constitutional provision that defines marriages as between a man and a woman — thus effectively making same-sex marriage legal in Oklahoma — was undemocratic and a violation of states’ rights. “Today’s decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights. What has been ignored, however, is the right of Oklahomans — and Americans in every state — to write their own laws and govern themselves as they see fit,” Fallin
said in the statement. Bishop and Baldwin, despite being happy about their marriage, are ultimately unhappy with the Supreme Court’s decision, too — but for a different reason. Baldwin said her main concern with the court’s decision to not rule on her case is that there isn’t a cohesive ruling on same-sex marriage throughout the country, meaning other states won’t be required to honor her Oklahoma marriage once she’s married. “So, we cross the border into Missouri, we’re suddenly not married, and that’s just not good,” Baldwin said. “That’s not good for anybody.” Of the six states currently bordering Oklahoma — Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas — only three recognize same-sex marriage. Those states are Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. Baldwin’s activism journey started at OU, and she, Bishop, Phillips, Barton and members of their legal team visited campus Friday to discuss their case. Baldwin said the event had a good turnout and students’ questions and responses were indicative of society’s changing attitudes toward same-sex marriage. “You know, the attitude from 2004 has really shifted. Public sentiment is just so far ahead of where it was a decade ago, and we see that in everything from comments on news stories, to just people’s reactions to us,” Baldwin said. “It’s light years different.” Paighten Harkins, harkinspd@gmail.com Arianna Pickard, aripickard@ou.edu
Cleveland County residents take advantage of marriage ban lift
POLICE
Courthouse in Norman issues seven same-sex marriage licenses
Community outreach program hopes to build trust, partnership with police
Cafe Plaid to host Coffee with a Cop JUSTINE ALEXANDER
PAIGHTEN HARKINS DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR @PAIGHTENHARKINS
News Reporter @CaffineJustine
As far as they’re concerned, Cleveland County residents Holly and Amber Starkman have been married for two years. Today they made it official. Holly and Amber Starkman were finishing their marriage paperwork at the Cleveland County courthouse Monday after a federal appeals court lifted Oklahoma’s stay on same-sex marriage, meaning same-sex couples across the state can begin getting married. The Starkmans were one of the seven couples who received licenses from the Cleveland County courthouse Monday, said Rhonda Hall, Cleveland County Court clerk. While the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay around noon, Cleveland County courthouse employees waited until 1:45 p.m. to give out the first same-sex marriage licenses because the employees needed clearance from the District Attorney, Hall said. When Holly and Amber Starkman woke up Monday, they had no idea they’d be officially married by the end of TONY RAGLE/THE DAILY the day. Holly and Amber Starkman walk out of the “I didn’t think it was going to Cleveland County Courthouse Monday afterhappen in Oklahoma for a long noon with their new marriage liscense. After time. We’re both originally from the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear cases California,” Holly Starkman said. against same-sex unions, same-sex couples “I thought this would be the last across the state have been taking advantage place.” of their newly acquired rights. Amber Starkman said the two had been together for four years. When I didn’t think it was going because of the small benefits. asked when they wanted to get marto happen in Oklahoma “It’s taxes. It’s buying a home. It’s ried, Holly Starkman answered: “Four years ago.” for a long time. We’re both being with her in the hospital. It’s like that that we want,” Holly After going to school together in originally from California. I things Starkman said. second grade, the two moved away thought this would be the Cleveland County courthouse emfrom each other and lost touch only ployees expect more same-sex couples to find each other again years later last place.” will visit the courthouse Tuesday than on social media. From there the HOLLY STARKMAN, did Monday to get marriage licenses, hunt was on, Amber Starkman said. RECEIVED A MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM THE Hall said. “I’m pretty sure that I chased Hall said she’d received no negative her for quite some time,” Amber CLEVELAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE MONDAY phone calls, and that people had mostStarkman said. ly been calling the office to ask quesEventually the two fell in love, and two years ago they had a civil ceremony in Oklahoma tions about the same-sex marriage licenses. Paris Burris contributed to this report. City’s Paseo District. While the two aren’t planning another marriage ceremony — the first one was expensive enough — and while they both acknowledge the license is only a piece of paper, Paighten Harkins harkinspd@ou.edu each said they were happy to have equal marriage rights
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The Norman Police Department is coming near campus to share coffee and discussions with students. Coffee with a Cop is an initiative to build community trust and partnership with the police, according to the Coffee with a Cop website. From 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 13, Coffee with a Cop will be open to the public at Cafe Plaid on 333 W. Boyd St., according to a press release. “It’s an opportunity that you don’t get a lot — to talk Coffee with a to your law enforcement in Cop an informal and laidback setting,” said J.D. Younger, When: 7:30 to 9 a.m. a major with Norman PD. Oct. 13 Younger said encounWhere: Café Plaid, ters with law enforcement 333 W. Boyd St. might be more common in emergency or emotional situations, so this is a chance to interact in a different way. Law enforcement will benefit by strengthening bonds with the community as well as from discussion of current and past community concerns, which supports Norman PD’s “long held philosophy of partnership and problem solving,” he said. A nationwide initiative, Coffee with a Cop has been held in over 175 cities and towns in 36 states, according to the Coffee with a Cop website. Younger said the event typically brings in a lot of participants. Six to nine officers are expected to attend, depending on their availability. Younger said he will be in attendance, in part because he helped to coordinate the event. On the second Monday of every month since June, similar events have been held at the Norman Michelangelo’s, Chick-Fil-A on Boyd Street, Old School Bagel Cafe, and the Cleveland County Family YMCA, Younger said. The events have taken place in different geographical locations to be inclusive of the whole Norman community, Younger said. Cafe Plaid was chosen to encourage different OU constituencies to participate since the restaurant is close to campus, Younger said. Younger said feedback and suggestions from the community listening events should be submitted to coffeewithacop.com. Justine Alexander, justine.l.alexander-1@ou.edu
4
• Tuesday, October 7, 2014
OPINION
Kaitlyn Underwood, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/opinion • Twitter: @OUDailyOpinion
OUR VIEW
Welcome to equality, Oklahoma Our View: The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear Oklahoma’s case challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is a bittersweet victory for marriage equality.
It may sound strange, but inaction on behalf of the federal government actually proved to be a huge step toward marriage equality in the U.S. on Monday. The Supreme Court announced Monday it would not consider any of five cases challenging state bans on gay marriage. Essentially, the Supreme Court chose not to review the cases and give its opinion on marriage equality, but it maintained the circuit court rulings in the cases, meaning couples of all sexual orientations will soon be able to marry in Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Indiana. We could not be happier equality has finally come to Oklahoma, but we believe the Supreme Court should take a clear stance in support of marriage equality in the near future. Oklahoma’s journey toward marriage equality began in November 2004 with Sharon Baldwin and Mary Bishop’s lawsuit against a Tulsa court clerk who refused to grant them a marriage license. In January, Oklahoma federal judge Terence Kern ruled Oklahoma’s 2004 state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, but he stayed his ruling pending ruling from a higher court. The U.S. 10th Circuit of Appeals later upheld Kern’s decision, and the case was put before the Supreme Court. Monday — almost 10 years after Bishop and Baldwin filed their lawsuit — the Supreme Court decision not to consider the case lifted the stay on the lower courts’ overturn of Oklahoma’s same-sex marriage ban, granting the couple the right to get a marriage license. Although we applaud the fact same-sex couples can now marry in Oklahoma, we do not agree with the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear any of the cases. Yes, thousands of same-sex couples in states across the country can now marry, but by refusing to consider the cases, the Supreme Court dodged its responsibility to take a clear stance on nationwide marriage equality. Americans’ support for marriage equality has skyrocketed in the last two decades, from 27 percent supporting same-sex marriage in 1996 to a majority, 55 percent, supporting marriage equality
DANA BRANHAM/THE DAILY
Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin hold hands during their wedding vows at the Tulsa County Courthouse. Couples of all sexual orientations were able to marry starting Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, after a ruling by the United States Supreme Court stating they would not review any cases or give opinions on marriage equality.
in May, according to Gallup polls. The same 2013 poll also found that nearly eight in 10 young adults favor marriage equality. Our View is We believe those statistics, the majority coupled with judges across the opinion of country ruling against same-sex The Daily’s marriage bans, should prove nine-member editorial board to the Supreme Court that the U.S. is ready for its highest court to support marriage equality. Nationwide change needs to happen sooner rather than later. Marriage is a basic right for all Americans and, in 40 years, future Americans will look back at the prolonged aversion to
accepting nationwide marriage equality as silly and overdramatic. There have been opponents to every single major social struggle in this country, from suffrage to civil rights, and marriage equality is this generation’s most vital social movement. We believe the Supreme Court should wait no longer; young Americans overwhelmingly support marriage equality, and as the standard bearers for the future our values should be represented by the law of the land.
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ASK BUCK & PENNY
Get acquainted with some finance advice D
o you have a question about personal financial issues? Introducing: “Ask Bucky & Penny,” The Daily’s new weekly student personal finance advice column brought to you by The University of Oklahoma Financial Education Services and “9 Things Every College Student Should Know About Money” class. Get personal finance advice about paying for college, saving money, credit and more by emailing questions to Bucky and Penny at 9things@ou.edu and your question may be featured in the weekly advice column. Below are the basic nine things every student should know about money:
1. You’ve got to have a plan. Learn how to build your financial roadmap.
MEET BUCK AND PENNY
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Learn how paying cash saves money.
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Learn how revolving credit can make or break you.
8. The younger, the better. Learn how starting early gives your savings more time to grow.
7. The most important bill you 9. So you want to be a need to pay is yourself. millionaire?
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Learn what credit bureaus know about you.
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Learn the Rule of 72 and what it means for your future.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014 •
SPORTS
5
Joe Mussatto, sports editor Carson Williams, assistant editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
FOOTBALL
Improvement sought after loss NOTEBOOK CARSON WILLIAMS ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @CARSONWILLIAMS4
In Saturday’s loss to TCU, the offensive line was exposed unlike it has been so far this season. Rushers pressured quarterback Trevor Knight with ease and overpowered the Sooners’ offensive line. Senior offensive guard Adam Shead only had one explanation for the surprising trouble after Monday’s practice that ran nearly 15 minutes longer than usual. “We just got to execute better and get it done,� Shead said. “At the end of the day we just got to get it done. I’d just say execution as a main point.� The Sooners’ third down struggles continued Saturday and they also failed to convert a critical fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter.
For the fourth straight game, junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard surpassed the 100-yard mark. Shepard is now third in the nation in receiving. He had seven catches for a career-high 215 yards, just two yards shy of the record set by Ryan Broyles in 2011 against Kansas. “He had a sensational day, was very competitive and made some tough catches,� coach Bob Stoops said. On the season, Shepard has 651 yards on 30 catches with three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown catch in Saturday’s loss.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRANDON WADE/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) runs the ball in for a touchdown as TCU safety Derrick Kindred (26) looks on during the first half of a football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Stoops announced Monday that sophomore running back Keith Ford’s status for Saturday’s game against Texas is unclear. Ford has been out with a leg injury since Oklahoma’s Sept. 13 win against Tennessee. “He’s getting closer but I’ll announce that once I know for sure,� Stoops said. Freshman Samaje Perine has more than exceeded expectations filling in for Ford. In the two games without Ford, Perine has rushed for 329 yards and seven touchdowns, partially due to a record performance against West Virginia.
Despite dismissing nine players from its roster, the Texas defense will likely be another obstacle for Oklahoma this week. Led by Preseason All-Big 12 selections Cedric Reed and Quandre Diggs, the Longhorns will give the Sooners all they can handle. “I think they’re a very good team, they’re improved from last year, I think their front is a good one to go against too,� Shead said.
In the first half of Saturday’s game, Knight had huge success running the ball, rushing for 39 yards in the first half — the most he’s run for in a game this season. But did Knight run the ball too much? Co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel says that’s just how it played out with what the TCU defense was giving them. “It’s just week-to-week schematically what we think gives us a chance to be successful in the run game as a whole and what gives [Knight] a chance to be successful in the run game as well,� Heupel said. Knight’s 13 carries Saturday were second only to his career-high of 14, and could be the reason he cramped up in the second half.
SEE MORE ONLINE Visit OUDaily.com after each football practice for the Football Notebook. oudaily.com/sports
UPDATE
Oct. 18 Homecoming game against Kansas State to kickoff at 11 a.m., will be nationally televised on ESPN Homecoming festivities will start early on Oct. 18 as Oklahoma and Kansas State will kick off at 11 a.m., the athletic department announced Monday. The conference matchup will be nationally televised on ESPN. It will be the Sooners’ third 11 a.m. start this season and second straight following their upcoming clash in the Cotton Bowl.
No. 23 Kansas State is 2-0 in the conference and has a bye this Saturday, giving the Wildcats an extra week to prepare for the road game. In their last trip to Norman, coach Bill Snyder’s squad upset the Sooners 24-19. Staff Reports
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Where: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Info: Broadcast on ESPN Last Game Played: Nov. 23, 2013 in Manhattan, Kansas. Oklahoma won 41-31.
EVIN MORRISON/ THE DAILY
Sophomore quarterback Blake Bell runs the ball into the end zone during the OU v. KSU game on Sept. 22, 2012.
6
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Senior criminology major Kyle Hayes pitched in Saturday’s game against Seton Hall. OU won with a score of 15-6.
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Sophomore catcher Anthony Hermelyn swings to hit the ball against University of Arkansas at Little Rock on March 19, 2014 at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Sooners fell to the Trojans 11-2.
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Coach Hughes expects this season to be more successful than previous
to do it like we did last year, but it should pay off.� After a hot start to the season, the Sooners stumbled in Big 12 play and were eliminated on the third day of the conference’s postseason tournament. JOE MUSSATTO Sports Editor Defensive miscues and an overall lack of athleticism @Joe_Mussatto were the team’s downfall, according to the coach. But he hopes the lackluster season set the Sooners up for someActivity has resumed at L. Dale Mitchell Park as the thing special in 2015. Oklahoma baseball team began its fall swing with practice “Those years don’t come by too often but there’s a reason Monday evening. for it,� Hughes said. “It was for us to be really good this year.� Coach Pete Hughes’ inaugural season in crimson and “Our guys are confident. They’re motivated to be good cream wasn’t without warts because last year was a difas the Sooners missed out on “Sometimes you’ve got to cut your teeth ficult time for a lot of us.� the NCAA Tournament. But to do it like we did last year, but it should Fall ball will consist the 29-29 campaign is behind of 34 practices over the pay off.� them and Hughes is optimisnext seven weeks for the tic about his squad’s future. Sooners. The team will use PETE HUGHES, “There’s no learning curve the time to work out the HEAD COACH anymore,� he said before the kinks before the season team’s first official practice. begins in February. “Year two is so much easier “It’s a good time for peobecause everyone knows the expectations.� ple to work their way into positions and compete for jobs,� Oklahoma’s roster was littered with inexperience last sea- Hughes said. “There’s no question we’re competing every son, and while the team is still young, seven of the team’s nine day for jobs out here and the fall is a really good time to do positional starters are returning as is the majority of the pitch- that.� ing staff, Hughes said. “There’s nothing better for the improvement of a kid than Joe Mussatto experience,� he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to cut your teeth jmussatto@ou.edu
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Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
Your perceptiveness will keep you in constant motion, letting you know what to do and when to make your move. The ability to manage several projects at once will help you reach your goal. This year will be about about progressive action and aggressive pursuits.
plans. DonĘźt hesitate to ask friends and family for advice if you are questioning what you should do next. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- If a project has reached a dead end, take stock and consider taking a different approach. Look for someone who can offer a contribution that will get you back on track.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Trust your instincts. You have the knowledge to conquer a lucrative project, and the time to put your ideas in motion is now. Be assertive when showcasing your talents.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Unexpected surprises lie ahead. Pay close attention to your finances. Go over your spending in detail and cut your overhead. YouĘźll feel less stress if you know you can cover your expenses.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Long-lasting damage will occur if you are too demanding. Try to see the situation from your opponentĘźs perspective. Go out of your way to keep the peace and keep things moving.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Despite your best intentions, a current love connection will pose a problem for you. Take a step back and try to see things from a different perspective.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You will reap benefits from property or personal investments. Everyone will be on your side, and changes at home will be well-received. DonĘźt give up when you are so close to winning.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -Attention to detail and the ability to absorb pertinent information will help your unceasing quest for success reach a turning point. Take the plunge and put your ideas in motion. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- You will feel like you are running out of steam. Have a sincere chat with anyone who is being demanding or difficult, and set some realistic boundaries.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You will have conflicts with youngsters. Financial losses are likely if you get involved with an unscrupulous salesperson. Your social life could use a boost. Get out and enjoy yourself. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Tackle correspondence or personal files GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Be that are overdue, and sort out whatĘźs careful when it comes to sharing irrelevant and put it aside. Homing your plans. Someone will want to in on whatĘźs important will help you take credit for your ideas. If you feel find a moneymaking alternative. uncertain, it would be best to avoid getting involved in a joint endeavor. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Lectures and travel should be part of your
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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 7, 2014
ACROSS 1 Having moxie 6 “As ___ instructions� 9 Graf rival, once 14 Exiled elephant 15 Barbary beast 16 Helpful, as a tool 17 Awesome hotel lobbies 18 “Spare� bone 19 Small tree 20 Colorful part of the decor 23 Schmuck 24 “What’s ___?� 25 Leave scratches on 28 Maine or Montana 30 Lawyers’ grp. 33 Severe colic 36 Avoid work 39 Prove positively 42 Small scraps 43 Some sandwich cookies 44 Commandments count 45 Out-offashion 48 Secret agent 49 Lift over snow 51 Gardener’s need 54 Start bawling 61 Break one’s spirit 10/7
62 “Capital� attachment 63 Counter a point 64 Express sorrow 65 ’60s war zone, informally 66 Familyreunion attendee 67 Jittery 68 Gal’s counterpart 69 Classroom units DOWN 1 Lingerie catalog items 2 Campus recruiting grp. 3 City on the Yamuna River 4 They’re taken to the cleaners 5 Tract of wasteland 6 Pet shop squawker 7 Like some proportions 8 Present an opposing view 9 Japanese fish dish 10 Small, decorative cases 11 Airport pickup 12 Spirited quality 13 Moments, for short 21 German spa town Bad ___
22 Peanut cover 25 Central area 26 Classic dress style 27 Varnish component 29 Accumulate 30 Feverish conditions 31 ’40s jazz style 32 Pretentious, as a display 34 Baseball judge 35 Champagne sample 37 Words from the bride and groom 38 Here-there link 40 Calyx component 41 Famished 46 Symptom of a wheel misalignment
47 One billion years, geologically 49 “The ___ Bride� (RimskyKorsakov opera) 50 Pretty, in Dundee 52 King novel (with “The�) 53 Spinetingling 54 Defunct Russian parliament 55 Knowing, as a secret 56 Censor’s target 57 Jacob’s twin 58 Quite a while 59 The usual run of things 60 Catches sight of
PREVIOUS PUZZLEANSWER ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE
10/6
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Š 2014 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com Š 2014 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com
GOODBYE! By Henry Quarters
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 •
LIFE&ARTS
7
Kelly Rogers, life & arts editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/life&arts • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
OU/TEXAS
Displaced Texan becomes a Sooner LIFE & ARTS COLUMNIST
Cort Fisher cfisher368@hotmail.com @cort_fisher
A
few years ago I starte d f o l l ow i n g a n Instagram account with the username “africanintexas� on which a South African girl posts about her new home — Texas. While moving to Oklahoma from Texas was not as drastic as moving from South Africa, the culture shock was still potent for me. As the Red River Showdown sets in, I must always remind myself that the word “Texas� followed by a roaring “SUCKS� is not insulting my home state itself, but the rivalry between the two schools. I am not alone in this though. Roughly 4,000 students from Texas attend OU and are most likely going through a similar experience adjusting to living in Oklahoma. While the southern hospitality is still the same caliber, there are some aspects that are different. For the past 18 years of my life I lived in the second biggest state in the nation around cotton fields, stock shows and football. While I am not a farmer or a rancher, because of where I lived, that lifestyle is familiar to me. The nearest “city� was 30
miles away from tiny Tahoka, where the closest thing we had to entertainment was a Redbox. Moving to Norman has been a definite change for the better. With a graduating class of 46 people I was not exposed to the most diverse of cultures. Since coming to Norman and attending the university, the people I have met are far more diverse than those I was surrounded by at home. The different nationalities and ethnicities of the students attending this university are interesting because there are people from all over the world and everyone is accepted. No one is turned away because their first language is not the same as the person sitting next to them. OU is an open community filled with open-minded people. This community also exemplifies the idea that we are all here for the same thing. We are here to learn, thrive and live. Another major aspect of my transition has been the many traditions that OU has. My high school was not the most spirited and coming to OU has definitely shown me that there is such a thing as spirit, outside of the movies. I was never around the tailgating or game day rituals, but what I have experienced in my nine weeks here has been enjoyable. The anticipation in the air for the approaching game and the multiple calls of “Boomer� and the ever answered “Sooner� are becoming favorite traditions of mine.
While these traditions have already been in place, the proactivity of our campus is growing. The opportunity for my class and the classes that attend this school after me to integrate their new traditions with the old are wide open. Traditions have to start somewhere and OU is a great place for them. Even thought I am Texas born, I will proudly sport crimson and cream on Saturday. BOOMER.
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Comparison of the Red River states TEXAS
OKLAHOMA
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
- In’N’Out Burger
- Higher temperatures and humidity (Usually)
- Sooner Football
-Slower drivers
- More shore line than any other state
- Sales tax on groceries
- Six Flags - Authentic Mexican food
- EBOLA!
- Casinos
- Higher point beer
- National Weather Service
Cort Fisher is a University College freshman.
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Oct.7,8,9 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Life & Arts columnist Cort Fisher (far right) gets his Sooner spirit on with the Ruf-Neks. Fisher said the move from Texas to Oklahoma has taken some adjusting, but he’s enjoyed the change.
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LIFE&ARTS
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
NEW MUSIC TUESDAY
British songstress reaches full potential LIFE AND ARTS COLUMNIST
B
ritish music has been known for saturating the market in trends. The introduction of Amy Winehouse, for example, was followed by blue-eyed soul staples such as Duffy and Adele. Keaton Bell One Direction rejuvenated kildebell@ou.edu the teen-band craze along @kildebell with Little Mix and The Wanted. Last year even signaled the rebirth of dance music with Disclosure and Rudimental leading the way. With so many examples pointing to the ever-shifting landscape of British popular music, it’d be easy to label an artist like Paloma Faith as a flash in the pan, a set of powerhouse pipes dolled up with make-up and a kooky wardrobe to boot. Her 2009 debut, “Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?” was a candy-coated love letter to pop and soul music, that, despite Faith’s strong vocals and some chipper melodies, was awfully transparent. Nonetheless, she got the world’s attention with hits like “Upside Down” and “New York.” In 2012, Faith completely threw out the possibility of a sophomore slump with the stunningly gorgeous “Fall To Grace,” an album that slashed the lyrical clichés of her debut and replaced them with something more unique: poignancy. Just when we thought Faith had found her musically thematic calling, she decided to turn the tables and do something completely different. The result is “A Perfect Contradiction,” an album that revels in the nostalgic sounds of R&B, soul, Motown and even disco. It’s reasonable to understand why one might be hesitant to approach this album. “Fall To Grace” was an exercise in restraint full of sumptuous ballads, classical instruments and a truly cinematic sound. And now she decides to go disco? What gives? Rest assured, this isn’t the work of some artist trying to appeal to the masses by “selling out” her fan-base or some lackluster musical experiment. Instead, it’s the sound of Faith truly honing in on her strengths and reaching her full potential as a soul singer. In less capable hands, this album could’ve been a total disaster. With so many sounds, influences and lyrical themes clustered throughout the album’s 11 songs, it easily could’ve developed into schmaltz or, worse, parody. But Faith knows exactly what she’s doing on “A Perfect Contradiction.” The production is slicker than her debut but more diverse, sonically and lyrically, than her follow-up. Look no further than the album’s debut single, “Can’t Rely On You,” a Pharrell-penned funk ditty with a thumping beat and soulful background vocals. Faith’s vocals and the production are both abrasive and in-your-face, but it’s
PHOTO PROVIDED
Paloma Faith performs in a characteristic, quirky costume. Her new album, “A Perfect Contradiction,” was released today.
AT A GLANCE ‘A Perfect Contradiction’ Artist: Paloma Faith Released: Today Top tracks: • “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” • “Taste My Own Tears” • “Take Me”
a sort of controlled chaos that works to pull you into the the song’s undeniably catchy rhythm. And even if the key topic on the album is still love and relationships, it’s presented in a much more mature and appealing way. Replacing her debut’s lyrics of puppy love and broken hearts, “A Perfect Contradiction” is packed to the brim with songs about embracing female sexuality, the downsides of love and the state of modern romance. On the disco throwback “Take Me,” Faith’s at her sauciest with lyrics like “Eight hours in and I’m still undressed, don’t move too fast I’m not finished yet.” “The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall)” is a slow-burning soul number aided by the impressive vocal theatrics employed by
Faith. By the time it builds to the final chorus, you have goosebumps from the way she wails through the lyrics “Just take it from me, girl, you got to slow down…” It helps that the rest of the album is just as sterling and free of filler. “Love Only Leaves You Lonely” is the type of slow-tempo pop number similar to those on Faith’s debut, and “Taste My Own Tears” sounds like something a modern day version of The Supremes would’ve composed with it’s “sha-la-la” backing vocals and sunny sound. Overall, “A Perfect Contradiction” is a resounding triumph of an album. Rejuvenating forgotten genres with a slick and modern-sounding production, the album works because of the way it all blends so beautifully together. But that hardly matters when compared to the album’s biggest draw: Faith’s powerful voice. She infuses every song with such passion, making even the most mundane lyric come to life thanks to her bluesy, pristine vocal range. Ultimately, it’s Faith’s irrepressible enthusiasm and unparalleled vocal ability that shines through in “A Perfect Contradiction,” an album that shows she has the abilities to hopefully wow us for many years to come. Keaton Bell is a University College Sophomore.
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